text:
Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is:
...any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him, or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in, or incidental to, lawful sanctions.—UN Convention Against Torture[1]
In addition to state-sponsored torture, individuals or groups may be motivated to inflict torture on others for similar reasons to those of a state; however, the motive for torture can also be for the sadistic gratification of the torturer, as was the case in the Moors Murders.
Torture is prohibited under international law and the domestic laws of most countries. Amnesty International estimates that at least 81 world governments currently practice torture, some openly.[2]
Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of effecting political re-education and coercion. In the 21st century, torture is widely considered to be a violation of human rights, and is declared to be unacceptable by Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Signatories of the Third Geneva Convention and Fourth Geneva Convention officially agree not to torture prisoners in armed conflicts. Torture is also prohibited by the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which has been ratified by 145 states.
National and international legal prohibitions on torture derive from a consensus that torture and ill-treatment are immoral, as well as being impractical.[3] Despite these international conventions, however, many organizations (e.g. Amnesty International) that monitor abuses of human rights report a widespread use of torture condoned by states in many regions of the world.[4]
The word 'torture' comes from the French torture, originating in the Late Latin tortura and ultimately deriving the past participle of torquere meaning 'to twist'.[5]
The word may be used loosely for more ordinary or daily discomforts which would be described as tedious rather than painful. For example: "The making of this web site was torture!"
On December 10, 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 5 states, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."[6] Since that time a number of other international treaties have been adopted to prevent the use of torture. Two of these are the United Nations Convention Against Torture and for international conflicts the Geneva Conventions III and IV.
The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) came into force in June 1987. The most relevant articles are Articles 1, 2, 3, and the first paragraph of Article 16.
Article 1
1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
2. This article is without prejudice to any international instrument or national legislation which does or may contain provisions of wider application.
Article 2
1. Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.
2. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.
3. An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked as a justification of torture.
Article 3
1. No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.
2. For the purpose of determining whether there are such grounds, the competent authorities shall take into account all relevant considerations including, where applicable, the existence in the State concerned of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights.
Article 16
1. Each State Party shall undertake to prevent in any territory under its jurisdiction other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment which do not amount to torture as defined in article I, when such acts are committed by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. In particular, the obligations contained in articles 10, 11, 12 and 13 shall apply with the substitution for references to torture of references to other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
shaded dark green, states that have signed but not ratified the treaty in light green, and non-parties in gray]]
Note several points:
As of June 2008, 145 states are parties to the Convention against Torture, and another nine states have signed but not ratified the treaty.[9]
The Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) entered into force on 22 June 2006 as an important addition to the UNCAT. As stated in Article 1, the purpose of the protocol is to "establish a system of regular visits undertaken by independent international and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."[10] Each state ratifying the OPCAT, according to Article 17, is responsible for creating or maintaining at least one independent national preventive mechanism for torture prevention at the domestic level.
(as of June 2008) shown in green]]
The Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), provides for criminal prosecution of individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The statute defines torture as "intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, upon a person in the custody or under the control of the accused; except that torture shall not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to, lawful sanctions". Under Article 7 of the statute, torture may be considered a crime against humanity "when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack".[11] Article 8 of the statute provides that torture may also, under certain circumstances, be prosecuted as a war crime.[12]
The ICC came into existence on 1 July 2002[13] and can only prosecute crimes committed on or after that date.[14] The court can generally exercise jurisdiction only in cases where the accused is a national of a state party to the Rome Statute, the alleged crime took place on the territory of a state party, or a situation is referred to the court by the United Nations Security Council.[15] The court is designed to complement existing national judicial systems: it can exercise its jurisdiction only when national courts are unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute such crimes.[16] Primary responsibility to investigate and punish crimes is therefore reserved to individual states.[17]
The four Geneva Conventions provide protection for people who fall into enemy hands. The conventions do not clearly divide people into combatant and non-combatant roles. The conventions refer to "wounded and sick combatants or non-combatants" separately from "civilian persons who take no part in hostilities, and who, while they reside in the zones, perform no work of a military character"[18] as well as "Members of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict as well as members of militias or volunteer corps forming part of such armed forces", "Members of other militias and members of other volunteer corps, including those of organized resistance movements", "Members of regular armed forces who profess allegiance to a government or an authority not recognized by the Detaining Power", "Persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof, such as civilian members of military aircraft crews, war correspondents, supply contractors, members of labour units or of services responsible for the welfare of the armed forces", "Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory"[19]
The third (GCIII) and fourth (GCIV) Geneva Conventions are the two most relevant for the treatment of the victims of conflicts. Both treaties state in Article 3, in similar wording, that in a non-international armed conflict, "Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms... shall in all circumstances be treated humanely." The treaty also states that there must not be any "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture" or "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment".[20][21]
GCIV covers most civilians in an international armed conflict, and says they are usually "Protected Persons" (see exemptions section immediately after this for those who are not). Under Article 32, protected persons have the right to protection from "murder, torture, corporal punishments, mutilation and medical or scientific experiments...but also to any other measures of brutality whether applied by non-combatant or military agents".
GCIII covers the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) in an international armed conflict. In particular, Article 17 says that "No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted or exposed to unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind." POW status under GCIII has far fewer exemptions than "Protected Person" status under GCIV. Captured enemy combatants in an international armed conflict automatically have the protection of GCIII and are POWs under GCIII unless they are determined by a competent tribunal to not be a POW (GCIII Article 5).
GCIV provides an important exemption:
Where in the territory of a Party to the conflict, the latter is satisfied that an individual protected person is definitely suspected of or engaged in activities hostile to the security of the State, such individual person shall not be entitled to claim such rights and privileges under the present Convention [ie GCIV] as would ... be prejudicial to the security of such State ... In each case, such persons shall nevertheless be treated with humanity (GCIV Article 5)
Also nationals of a State which is not bound by the Convention are not protected by it, and nationals of a neutral State in the territory of a combatant State, and nationals of a co-belligerent State, cannot claim the protection of GCIV if their home state has normal diplomatic representation in the State that holds them (Article 4), as their diplomatic representatives can take steps to protect them. The requirement to treat persons with "humanity" implies that it is still prohibited to torture individuals not protected by the Convention.
The George W. Bush administration afforded fewer protections, under GCIII, to detainees in the "War on Terror" by codifying the legal status of an "unlawful combatant". If there is a question of whether a person is a lawful combatant, he (or she) must be treated as a POW "until their status has been determined by a competent tribunal" (GCIII Article 5). If the tribunal decides that he is an unlawful combatant, he is not considered a protected person under GCIII. However, if he is a protected person under GCIV he still has some protection under GCIV, and must be "treated with humanity and, in case of trial, shall not be deprived of the rights of fair and regular trial prescribed by the present Convention" (GCIV Article 5).[nb 3]
There are two additional protocols to the Geneva Convention: Protocol I (1977), relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts and Protocol II (1977), relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts. These clarify and extend the definitions in some areas, but to date many countries, including the United States, have either not signed them or have not ratified them.
Protocol I does not mention torture but it does affect the treatment of POWs and Protected Persons. In Article 5, the protocol explicitly involves "the appointment of Protecting Powers and of their substitute" to monitor that the Parties to the conflict are enforcing the Conventions.[22] The protocol also broadens the definition of a lawful combatant in wars against "alien occupation, colonial domination and racist regimes" to include those who carry arms openly but are not wearing uniforms, so that they are now lawful combatants and protected by the Geneva Conventions—although only if the Occupying Power has ratified Protocol I. Under the original conventions combatants without a recognisable insignia could be treated as criminals, and potentially be executed. It also mentions spies, and defines who is a mercenary. Mercenaries and spies are considered an unlawful combatant, and not protected by the same conventions.
Protocol II "develops and supplements Article 3 [relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts] common to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 without modifying its existing conditions of application" (Article 1). Any person who does not take part in or ceased to take part in hostilities is entitled to humane treatment. Among the acts prohibited against these persons are, "Violence to the life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment" (Article 4.a), "Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault" (Article 4.e), and "Threats to commit any of the foregoing acts" (Article 4.h).[23] There are clauses in other articles which implore humane treatment of enemy personnel in an internal conflict, which have a bearing on the use of torture, but there are no other clauses which explicitly mention torture.
In accordance with the optional UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (1955), "corporal punishment, punishment by placing in a dark cell, and all cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments shall be completely prohibited as punishments for disciplinary offences."[24] The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (16 December 1966), explicitly prohibits torture and "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" by signatories.[25]
prohibits torture.]]
In 1950 during the Cold War, the participating member states of the Council of Europe signed the European Convention on Human Rights. The treaty was based on the UDHR. It included the provision for a court to interpret the treaty, and Article 3 "Prohibition of torture" stated; "No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."[26]
In 1978, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the five techniques of "sensory deprivation" were not torture as laid out in Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but were "inhuman or degrading treatment"[27] (see Accusations of use of torture by United Kingdom for details). This case occurred nine years before the United Nations Convention Against Torture came into force and had an influence on thinking about what constitutes torture ever since.[28]
On 26 November 1987 the member states of the Council of Europe, meeting at Strasbourg, adopted the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (ECPT). Two additional Protocols amended the Convention, which entered into force on 1 March 2002. The Convention set up the Committee for the Prevention of Torture to oversee compliance with its provisions.
The Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture, currently ratified by 17 nations of the Americas and in force since 28 February 1987, defines torture more expansively than the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
For the purposes of this Convention, torture shall be understood to be any act intentionally performed whereby physical or mental pain or suffering is inflicted on a person for purposes of criminal investigation, as a means of intimidation, as personal punishment, as a preventive measure, as a penalty, or for any other purpose. Torture shall also be understood to be the use of methods upon a person intended to obliterate the personality of the victim or to diminish his physical or mental capacities, even if they do not cause physical pain or mental anguish.
The concept of torture shall not include physical or mental pain or suffering that is inherent in or solely the consequence of lawful measures, provided that they do not include the performance of the acts or use of the methods referred to in this article. [29]
The Istanbul Protocol, an official UN document, is the first set of international guidelines for documentation of torture and its consequences. It became a United Nations official document in 1999.
Under the provisions of OPCAT that entered into force on 22 June 2006 independent international and national bodies will regularly visit places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Each state that ratified the OPCAT, according to Article 17, is responsible for creating or maintaining at least one independent national preventative mechanism for torture prevention at the domestic level.
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, citing Article 1 of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, stipulates, "visits, [countries to] examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty with a view to strengthening, if necessary, the protection of such persons from torture and from inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".[30]
In times of armed conflict between a signatory of the Geneva conventions and another party, delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) monitor the compliance of signatories to the Geneva Conventions, which includes monitoring the use of torture. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, the World Organization Against Torture, and Association for the Prevention of Torture work actively to stop the use of torture throughout the world and publish reports on any activities they consider to be torture.[31]
States that ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture have a treaty obligation to include the provisions into municipal law. The laws of many states therefore formally prohibit torture. However, such de jure legal provisions are by no means a proof that, de facto, the signatory country does not use torture.
To prevent torture, many legal systems have a right against self-incrimination or explicitly prohibit undue force when dealing with suspects.
England abolished torture in about 1640 (except peine forte et dure, which England only abolished in 1772); Scotland in 1708; Prussia in 1740; Denmark around 1770;Austria in 1776; Russia in 1801,Baden in 1831; Japan in 1873.[32][33][34]
The French 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, of constitutional value, prohibits submitting suspects to any hardship not necessary to secure his or her person. Statute law explicitly makes torture a crime. In addition, statute law prohibits the police or justice from interrogating suspects under oath.
The United States includes this protection in the fifth amendment to its federal constitution, which in turn serves as the basis of the Miranda warning, which law enforcement officers issue to individuals upon their arrest. Additionally, the US Constitution's eighth amendment forbids the use of "cruel and unusual punishments", which is widely interpreted as a prohibition of the use of torture. Finally, 18 U.S.C. § 2340[35] et seq. define and forbid torture outside the United States.
As the United States Constitution recognizes customary international law, or the law of nations, the U.S. Alien Tort Claims Act also provides legal remedies for victims of torture in the United States. Specifically, the status of torturers under the law of the United States, as determined by a famous legal decision in 1980, Filártiga v. Peña-Irala, 630 F.2d 876 (1980), is that, "the torturer has become, like the pirate and the slave trader before him, hostis humani generis, an enemy of all mankind."[36]
"Recent times" in the context of this article is from 10 December 1948, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
|The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
of Nuremberg]]
The Romans used torture for interrogation. Until the second century AD, torture was used only on slaves (with a few exceptions). After this point it began to be extended to all members of the lower classes. A slave's testimony was admissible only if extracted by torture, on the assumption that slaves could not be trusted to reveal the truth voluntarily.[37] Crucifixion was not regarded as torture, though it was a deliberately horrible way to execute people as an example to frighten others. Prior to crucifixion, victims were often savagely whipped with barbed metal lashes, also to frighten others. Over time the conceptual definition of torture has been expanded and remains a major question for ethics, philosophy, and law, but clearly includes the practices of many subsequent cultures.
Modern scholars find the concept of torture to be compatible with society's concept of Justice during the time of Jesus Christ. Romans, Jews, Egyptians and many others cultures during that time included torture as part of their justice system. Romans had crucifixion, Jews had stoning and Egyptians had desert sun death.[citation needed] All these acts of torture were considered necessary (as to deter others) or good (as to punish the immoral).[38]
Medieval and early modern European courts used torture, depending on the accused's crime and social status. Torture was deemed a legitimate means to extract confessions or to obtain the names of accomplices or other information about a crime. Often, defendants already sentenced to death would be tortured to force them to disclose the names of accomplices. Torture in the Medieval Inquisition began in 1252 and ended in 1816 when a papal bull forbade its use.
While secular courts often treated suspects ferociously, Will and Ariel Durant argued in The Age of Faith that many of the most vicious procedures were inflicted upon pious heretics by even more pious friars. The Dominicans gained a reputation as some of the most fearsomely innovative torturers in medieval Spain.[citation needed]
Torture was usually conducted in secret, in underground dungeons. By contrast, torturous executions were typically public, and woodcuts of English prisoners being hanged, drawn and quartered show large crowds of spectators, as do paintings of Spanish auto-da-fé executions, in which heretics were burned at the stake.
Throughout the early modern period, the torture of witches became commonplace. Countless women were targeted and tortured for their supposed relationship with the devil.
In 1613 Anton Praetorius described the situation of the prisoners in the dungeons in his book Gründlicher Bericht Von Zauberey und Zauberern (Thorough Report about Sorcery and Sorcerers). He was one of the first to protest against all means of torture.
In Colonial America women were sentenced to the stocks with wooden clips on their tongues or subjected to the "dunking stool" for the gender-specific crime of talking too much.[39]
While in Egypt in 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte wrote to Major-General Berthier that the
barbarous custom of whipping men suspected of having important secrets to reveal must be abolished. It has always been recognized that this method of interrogation, by putting men to the torture, is useless. The wretches say whatever comes into their heads and whatever they think one wants to believe. Consequently, the Commander-in-Chief forbids the use of a method which is contrary to reason and humanity.[40]
Johann Graefe in 1624 published Tribunal Reformation, a case against torture. Cesare Beccaria, and Italian lawyer, published in 1764 "An Essay on Crimes and Punishments", in which he argued that torture unjustly punished the innocent and should be unnecessary in proving guilt
Torture was abolished by Frederick the Great in Prussia in 1740. Italy followed suit in 1786, followed by France in 1789 and Russia in 1801.
Modern sensibilities have been shaped by a profound reaction to the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Axis Powers in the Second World War, which have led to a sweeping international rejection of most if not all aspects of the practice.[41] Even so, many states engage in torture; however, few wish to be described as doing so, either to their own citizens or to international bodies. A variety of devices bridge this gap, including state denial, "secret police", "need to know", denial that given treatments are torturous in nature, appeal to various laws (national or international), use of jurisdictional argument, claim of "overriding need", and so on. Many states throughout history, and many states today, have engaged in torture (unofficially). Despite worldwide condemnation and the existence of treaty provisions that forbid it, torture still occurs in two thirds of the world's nations.[42]
In 2003, Britain's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray, made accusations that information was being extracted under extreme torture from dissidents in that country, and that the information was subsequently being used by Western, democratic countries that officially disapproved of torture.[43]
The accusations did not lead to any investigation by his employer, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and he resigned after disciplinary action was taken against him in 2004. No misconduct by him was proven. The National Audit Office is investigating the Foreign and Commonwealth Office because of accusations of victimisation, bullying, and intimidating its own staff.[44]
Murray later stated that he felt that he had unwittingly stumbled upon what others called "torture by proxy"[45] and with the euphemism of "extraordinary rendition". He thought that Western countries moved people to regimes and nations knowing that torturers would extract and disclose information. Murray alleged that this practice circumvented and violated international treaties against torture. If it was true that a country participated in torture by proxy and it had signed the UN Convention Against Torture then that country would be in specific breach of Article 3 of that convention.
|The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
Torture has been criticized on humanitarian and moral grounds, also on the grounds that evidence extracted by torture can be unreliable and that the use of torture corrupts institutions which tolerate it.[46]
Organizations like Amnesty International argue that the universal legal prohibition is based on a universal philosophical consensus that torture and ill-treatment are repugnant, abhorrent, and immoral.[47] But since shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks there has been a debate in the United States about whether torture is justified in some circumstances. Some people, such as Alan M. Dershowitz and Mirko Bagaric, have argued the need for information outweighs the moral and ethical arguments against torture.[48][49] However, after coercive practices were banned, interrogators in Iraq saw an increase of 50 percent more high-value intelligence. Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller, the American commander in charge of detentions and interrogations, stated "a rapport-based interrogation that recognizes respect and dignity, and having very well-trained interrogators, is the basis by which you develop intelligence rapidly and increase the validity of that intelligence."[50] Others including Robert Mueller, FBI Director since July 5, 2001, have pointed out that despite former Bush Administration claims that waterboarding has "disrupted a number of attacks, maybe dozens of attacks", they do not believe that evidence gained by the U.S. government through enhanced interrogation techniques has disrupted a single attack and no one has come up with a documented example of lives saved thanks to these techniques.[51][52] On June 19, 2009, the US government announced that it was delaying the scheduled release of declassified portions of a report by the CIA Inspector General which reportedly cast doubt on the effectiveness of the "enhanced" interrogation techniques employed by CIA interrogators, according to references to the report contained in several Bush-era Justice Department memos declassified in the Spring of 2009 by the US Justice Department.[53][54][55]
The ticking time bomb scenario, a thought experiment, asks what to do to a captured terrorist who has placed a nuclear time bomb in a populated area. If the terrorist is tortured, he may explain how to defuse the bomb. The scenario asks if it is ethical to torture the terrorist. A 2006 BBC poll held in 25 nations gauged support for each of the following positions:[56]
An average of 59% of people worldwide rejected torture. However there was a clear divide between those countries with strong rejection of torture (such as Italy, where only 14% supported torture) and nations where rejection was less strong (Israel showed 43% supporting torture, but 48% opposing, India showed 37% supporting torture and only 23% opposing).[57]
Within nations there is a clear divide between the positions of members of different ethnic groups, religions, and political affiliations. The study found that among Jewish persons in Israel 53% favored some degree of torture and only 39% wanted strong rules against torture while Muslims in Israel were overwhelmingly against any use of torture. In one 2006 survey by the Scripps Center at Ohio University, 66% of Americans who identified themselves as strongly Republican supported torture, whereas 24% of those who identified themselves as strongly Democratic.[58] In a 2005 U.S. survey 72% of American Catholics supported the use of torture in some circumstances compared to 51% of American secularists.[59] A Pew survey in 2009 similarly found that the religiously unaffiliated are the least likely (40 percent) to support torture, and that the more a person attends church, the more likely he or she is to condone it; among racial/religious groups, white evangelical Protestants were far and away the most likely (62 percent) to support inflicting pain as a tool of interrogation.[60]
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll "found that sizable majorities of Americans disagree with tactics ranging from leaving prisoners naked and chained in uncomfortable positions for hours, to trying to make a prisoner think he was being drowned".[61]
There are also different attitudes as to what constitutes torture, as revealed in an ABC News/Washington Post poll, where more than half of the Americans polled thought that techniques such as sleep deprivation were not torture.[62]
In practice, "enhanced" interrogation techniques were employed by the CIA in situations that did not involve the "ticking time bomb" scenario that has been the subject of opinion polls and public debate. In April 2009 a former senior U.S. intelligence official and a former Army psychiatrist stated that the Bush administration applied pressure on interrogators to use the "enhanced" interrogation techniques on detainees to find evidence of cooperation between al Qaida and the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's regime.[63] The purported link between al Qaida and Hussein's regime, which has been disproven[64], was a key political justification for the Iraq War. On May 13, 2009, former NBC News investigative producer Robert Windrem reported, as confirmed by former Iraq Survey Group leader Charles Duelfer, that the Vice President's Office suggested that an interrogation team led by Duelfer waterboard an Iraqi prisoner suspected of knowing about a relationship between al Qaeda and Saddam.[65][66]
There is a strong utilitarian argument against torture; namely, that there is simply no scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
The lack of scientific basis for the effectiveness of torture as an interrogation techniques is summarized in a 2006 Intelligence Science Board report titled "EDUCING INFORMATION, Interrogation: Science and Art, Foundations for the Future". The report is currently hosted in the FAS website. http://www.fas.org/irp/dni/educing.pdf
A famous example in which the use of torture was rejected was cited by the Argentine National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons in whose report, Italian general Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa was reputed to have said in connection with the investigation of the disappearance of prime minister Aldo Moro, "Italy can survive the loss of Aldo Moro. It would not survive the introduction of torture."[67]
One well documented effect of torture is that, with rare exceptions, its victims will say or do anything to escape the situation, including untrue "confessions" and implication of others without genuine knowledge, who may well then be tortured in turn. That information may have been extracted from the Birmingham Six through the use of police beatings was counterproductive because it made the convictions unsound as the confessions were worthless. There are rare exceptions, such as Admiral James Stockdale, Medal of Honor recipient, who refused to provide information under torture.
Before the emergence of modern policing, torture was an important aspect of policing and the use of it was openly sanctioned and acknowledged by the authority. The Economist Magazine proposed that one of the reasons torture endures is that torture does indeed work in some instances to extract information/confession, if those who are being tortured are indeed guilty.[1] Depending on the culture, torture has at times been carried on in silence (official denial), semi-silence (known but not spoken about), or openly acknowledged in public (in order to instill fear and obedience).
In the 21st century, even when states sanction their interrogation methods, torturers often work outside the law. For this reason, some prefer methods that, while unpleasant, leave victims alive and unmarked. A victim with no visible damage may lack credibility when telling tales of torture, whereas a person missing fingernails or eyes can easily prove claims of torture. Mental torture, however can leave scars just as deep and long-lasting as physical torture.[68] Professional torturers in some countries have used techniques such as electrical shock, asphyxiation, heat, cold, noise, and sleep deprivation which leave little evidence, although in other contexts torture frequently results in horrific mutilation or death. However the most common and prevalent form of torture worldwide in both developed and under-developed countries is beating.[citation needed]
in the Tower of London]]
's signatures: the one above (a faint, shaky 'Guido') was done immediately after torture; the one below eight days later.[69]]]
Physical torture methods have been used throughout recorded history and can range from a beating with nothing more than fist and boot, through to the use of sophisticated custom designed devices such as the rack. Other types of torture can include sensory or sleep deprivation, restraint or being held in awkward or damaging positions, uncomfortable extremes of heat and cold, loud noises or any other means that inflicts severe physical or mental pain. The boundary between torture and legitimate interrogation techniques is not universally agreed. In a separate opinion, at the end of the 1978 in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) trial "Ireland v. the United Kingdom" (Case No. 5310/71), Judge Zekia stated that "It seems to me permissible, in ascertaining whether torture or inhuman treatment has been committed or not, to apply not only the objective test but also the subjective test. As an example I can refer to the case of an elderly sick man who is exposed to a harsh treatment - after being given several blows and beaten to the floor, he is dragged and kicked on the floor for several hours. I would say without hesitation that the poor man has been tortured. If such treatment is applied on a wrestler or even a young athlete, I would hesitate a lot to describe it as an inhuman treatment and I might regard it as a mere rough handling".[70]
Psychological torture uses non-physical methods which are used to cause psychological suffering. Its effects are not immediately apparent unless they alter the behavior of the tortured person. Since there is no international political consensus on what constitutes psychological torture, it is often overlooked, denied, and referred to in different names.[citation needed]
Psychological torture is less well known than physical torture and tends to be subtle and much easier to conceal. In practice the distinctions between physical and psychological torture are often blurred.[citation needed] Physical torture is the inflicting of severe pain or suffering on a person. In contrast, psychological torture is directed at the psyche with calculated violations of psychological needs, along with deep damage to psychological structures and the breakage of beliefs underpinning normal sanity. Torturers often inflict both types of torture in combination to compound the associated effects.[citation needed]
Psychological torture also includes deliberate use of extreme stressors and situations such as mock execution, shunning, violation of deep-seated social or sexual norms and taboos, or extended solitary confinement. Because psychological torture needs no physical violence to be effective, it is possible to induce severe psychological pain, suffering, and trauma with no externally visible effects.[citation needed]
Rape and other forms of sexual abuse are often used as methods of torture for interrogative or punitive purposes.[71]
Medical torture is a practice in which medical practitioners use torture to judge what victims can endure, to apply treatments which will enhance torture, or as torturers in their own right. Josef Mengele and Shiro Ishii were infamous during and after World War II for their involvement in medical torture and murder.
Torture murder involves torture to the point of murder as for punishment in law enforcement agencies of countries that allow torture. Murderers might also torture their victims to death for very personal reasons.
Organizations like the Medical Foundation for Care of Victims of Torture try to help survivors of torture obtain medical treatment and to gain forensic medical evidence to obtain political asylum in a safe country and/or to prosecute the perpetrators.
Torture is often difficult to prove, particularly when some time has passed between the event and a medical examination, or when the torturers are immune from prosecution. Many torturers around the world use methods designed to have a maximum psychological impact while leaving only minimal physical traces. Medical and Human Rights Organizations worldwide have collaborated to produce the Istanbul Protocol, a document designed to outline common torture methods, consequences of torture, and medico-legal examination techniques. Typically deaths due to torture are shown in an autopsy as being due to "natural causes" like heart attack, inflammation, or embolism due to extreme stress.[72]
For survivors, torture often leads to lasting mental and physical health problems.
Physical problems can be wide-ranging, e.g. sexually transmitted diseases, musculo-skeletal problems, brain injury, post-traumatic epilepsy and dementia or chronic pain syndromes.
Mental health problems are equally wide-ranging; common are post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorder. Psychic deadness, erasure of intersubjectivity, refusal of meaning-making, perversion of agency, and an inability to bear desire constitute the core features of the post-traumatic psychic landscape of torture.[73]
The most terrible, intractable, legacy of torture is the killing of desire - that is , of curiosity, of the impulse for connection and meaning-making, of the capacity for mutuality, of the tolerance for ambiguity and ambivalence. For these patients, to know another mind is unbearable. To connect with another is irrelevant. They are entrapped in what was born(e) during their trauma, as they perpetuate the erasure of meaning, re-enact the dynamics of annihilation through sadomasochistic, narcissistic, paranoid, or self-deadening modes of relating, and mobilize their agency toward warding off mutuality, goodness, hope and connection. In brief, they live to prove death. And it is this perversion of agency and desire that constitutes the deepest post-traumatic injury, and the most invisible and pernicious of human-rights violations. [73]
On August 19, 2007, the American Psychological Association (APA) voted to bar participation, to intervene to stop, and to report involvement in a wide variety of interrogation techniques as torture, including "using mock executions, simulated drowning, sexual and religious humiliation, stress positions or sleep deprivation", as well as "the exploitation of prisoners' phobias, the use of mind-altering drugs, hooding, forced nakedness, the use of dogs to frighten detainees, exposing prisoners to extreme heat and cold, physical assault and threatening the use of such techniques against a prisoner or a prisoner's family."[74]
However, the APA rejected a stronger resolution that sought to prohibit "all psychologist involvement, either direct or indirect, in any interrogations at U.S. detention centers for foreign detainees or citizens detained outside normal legal channels." That resolution would have placed the APA alongside the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association in limiting professional involvement in such settings to direct patient care. The APA echoed the Bush administration by condemning isolation, sleep deprivation, and sensory deprivation or over-stimulation only when they are likely to cause lasting harm.
Treatment of torture-related medical problems might require a wide range of expertise and often specialized experience. Common treatments are psychotropic medication, e.g. SSRI antidepressants, counseling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, family systems therapy and physiotherapy.
For most of recorded history, capital punishments were often cruel and inhumane. Severe historical penalties include breaking wheel, boiling to death, flaying, slow slicing, disembowelment, crucifixion, impalement, crushing, stoning, execution by burning, dismemberment, sawing, decapitation, scaphism, or necklacing.[75]
Slow slicing, or death by/of a thousand cuts, was a form of execution used in China from roughly 900 AD to its abolition in 1905. According to apocryphal lore, língchí began when the torturer, wielding an extremely sharp knife, began by putting out the eyes, rendering the condemned incapable of seeing the remainder of the torture and, presumably, adding considerably to the psychological terror of the procedure. Successive rather minor cuts chopped off ears, nose, tongue, fingers, toes, and such before proceeding to grosser cuts that removed large collops of flesh from more sizable parts, e.g., thighs and shoulders. The entire process was said to last three days, and to total 3,600 cuts. The heavily carved bodies of the deceased were then put on a parade for a show in the public.[76]
Impalement was a method of torture and execution whereby a person is pierced with a long stake. The penetration can be through the sides, from the rectum, or through the mouth. This method would lead to slow, painful, death. Often, the victim was hoisted into the air after partial impalement. Gravity and the victim's own struggles would cause him to slide down the pole, especially if the pole were on a wagon carrying war prizes and prisoner. Death could take many days. Impalement was frequently practiced in Asia and Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Vlad III Dracula, who learned the method of killing by impalement while staying in Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, as a prisoner, and Ivan the Terrible have passed into legend as major users of the method.[77]
The breaking wheel was a torturous capital punishment device used in the Middle Ages and early modern times for public execution by cudgeling to death, especially in France and Germany. In France the condemned were placed on a cart-wheel with their limbs stretched out along the spokes over two sturdy wooden beams. The wheel was made to slowly revolve. Through the openings between the spokes, the executioner hit the victim with an iron hammer that could easily break the victim's bones. This process was repeated several times per limb. Once his bones were broken, he was left on the wheel to die. It could take hours, even days, before shock and dehydration caused death. The punishment was abolished in Germany as late as 1827.[78]
Saltwater was also used as an effective torture device; while much water mixed with salt creates a healing saline used for destroying bacteria, little water mixed in with salt creates a searing substance which eats into flesh and irritates raw muscles. Slaveholders would often splash or rub saltwater into a slave's back after the slave had been flogged. The result is a biting pain and can be fatal if the victim is of a weak constitution.
|Look up torture in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
|Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Torture
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Torture
See -tort
torture (plural tortures)
Third person singular
Simple past
Past participle
Present participle
to torture (third-person singular simple present tortures, present participle torturing, simple past and past participle tortured)
torture f.
torture (infinitive: torturar)
[[File:|thumb|Volunteers try waterboarding, a modern form of torture]] Torture is when someone puts another person in pain. This pain may be physical or psychological. People who have been tortured often suffer from long term physical problems or mental health issues.
The person who is tortured, is usually tortured because he or she has some information the other people want. Torture has in the past also served as a punishment. In 1600 Anton Praetorius fought against torture and against the hunting of witches.
Almost all countries agree that torture is a violation of human rights. This has been stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is more difficult for people to agree what things are torture and what things are okay to do to prisoners.
Torture is a crime in many countries and it was made against the law on December 10th, 1948.
Here are sentences from other pages on Torture, which are similar to those in the above article.


text:
Mini Honeycomb Blue Stitching Baby Shower Decorations 4 Pack 15cm
Make 4 interest-free payments of $0.88 fortnightly and receive your order now.In Stock
Add an adorable centerpiece to your baby shower party table with our Baby Blue Stitching Honeycomb Decorations.
Measuring 15cm high and featuring baby blanket inspired details and "Baby Shower" text.
Sturdy cardboard table centerpiece is the perfect addition to your baby shower party decorations.
Coordinate these Baby Blue Stitching Mini Honeycomb Decorations with other Baby Blue Stitching party supplies and
solid color or baby shower themed party decorations.
Mini Honeycomb Decorations are sold in a package of 4 and measure 15cm High.
- Package of 4 Baby Blue Stitching Mini Honeycomb Decorations
- Baby Blue Stitching Honeycomb Centerpieces measure 15cm high
- Baby Blue Stitching Honeycomb Decoration features "Baby Shower" text and baby blanket inspired details
- Perfect table centerpiece for your baby shower party table
- Coordinate with other Baby Blue Stitching baby shower party supplies and party decorations from Unique
Be The First To Review This Product!
Help other BSAM Boutique users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
One day in 1935, a woman took her very young son to Sunday School at a church near their home. The son has been part of the church ever since.
Ronald Banes was 2 1/2 years old when he first set foot in Chevy Chase Baptist Church. His family had moved from Highland Park to a house on Acacia Avenue in 1933 when he was a year old.
The church had been there since 1927. On the first Sunday of that year, members of the First Baptist Church on Louise organized Sunday School classes at John Muir school at the corner of Chevy Chase Drive and Acacia.
The classes were a success, so the Los Angeles Baptist City Mission Society bought two lots across the street from the school and built a small chapel, which opened on Easter Sunday of the same year, according to the Glendale News-Press, November 9, 1984.


text:
(1 Thessalonians 4:3–12)
Attitudes about work generally run between two extremes. One extreme is the workaholic, with cell phone in one hand, BlackBerry in the other, and a computer open on their lap. The other extreme is the person who views a job only as a necessary evil, a means to a paycheck. Leisure is the name of the game. This person exists for the weekends. Neither extreme is Biblical.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning their attitude about work and the influence it had on their community. He told them to make it their ambition to lead a quiet life and to work with their hands "so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
Some of the Thessalonian believers were hard workers, but others had become idle, and, with nothing to do, they had become busybodies. Paul told them in his second letter, "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). . . .
The apostle Paul told Timothy, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives . . . has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). But work goes beyond merely providing for our families, as important as that is. Our occupations are not just about earning a living; they are about how we live.
Whatever our job is, it is a vocation for the glory of God: A garbage collector helps make creation more beautiful for the glory of God. A mason or roofer builds for the glory of God. A teacher molds the minds of others for the glory of God. Our jobs, and our attitudes toward them, show others how we love God and strive to serve him in all we do.
The creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 show us that God called the first couple to exercise dominion over the earth in general and to work the Garden of Eden in particular. We are also called to work, and whether we have jobs outside the home or inside the home, work is good because it's from God. One of the best things we can do for each other in marriage is to hold our spouse's work in high esteem. We are to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24), to bring out the best in each other, to build each other's self-respect and sense of worth. We are to help each other model Christlike behavior, which includes earning a living. Our Savior himself labored as a carpenter before beginning his ministry as a teacher.
—Nancy Kennedy
Taken from NIV Couples' Devotional Bible: B iblegateway.com


text:
Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree with college level training in environmental science, chemistry, microbiology, minimum of five years water/wastewater laboratory experience and three years supervisory experience in an water/wastewater environmental laboratory. The equivalent combination of education and related work experience may be considered.
A valid driver's license is required.
• Knowledge of advanced laboratory skills.
• Knowledge of water and/or wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of computer systems and software.
• Ability to follow directions and perform functions and analysis from written, technical directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret environmental regulations.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations 24-hours per day.
• Ability to maintain positive customer-focused relationships with co-workers, supervisors, agencies, the general public, and all other internal and external customers. Personally demonstrates appropriate customer service skills.
• Oversees the completion of all analytical functions in the wastewater laboratory.
• Oversees the collection and analyses of all compliance samples.
• Oversees wastewater laboratory staff.
• Performs data reduction review, data evaluation, validation and interpretation on all analysis records.
• Transcribes data from lab worksheets and contract laboratory reports for monthly reports and data packages; inputs laboratory data in computer.
• Researches and makes recommendations for the procurement of laboratory equipment and instruments; obtains quotes on equipment, instruments, supplies, services and maintenance work, and prepares requisitions.
• Oversees instrument calibration and accuracy checks.
• Oversees the maintenance of lab equipment.
• Handles ordering of lab chemicals and correspond with lab vendors.
• Prepares Request for Proposals (RFPs) for laboratory chemicals and equipment.
• Maintains and writes laboratory vendors' contracts and correspondences.
• Prepares and implements Wastewater Lab Standard Operation Procedures.
• Creates and maintains report forms for all wastewater laboratory analysis records and other related documents.
• Maintains laboratory safety programs; maintains safety equipment, conducts safety meetings and training as needed.
• Oversees the laboratory certification program. • Handles Wastewater Lab, DHEC audits.
• Coordinates annual Demonstration of Capability (DOC), studies for laboratory staff.
• Prepares and or processes various lab reports and records, audit studies, flow charts, instrument/equipment maintenance reports, certification applications, bench sheets, lab analysis records, monthly statistics, production reports, QA/QC reports, requisitions, charts, logs, SOP's, training records and schedules.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, coworkers, and other division/department employees, regulatory and government agencies, sales representatives, inspectors, customers, consultants, engineers, and the general public.
• Performs all other duties as may be assigned to meet organizational needs.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of
the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific
statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is
similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement
between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as
the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
©2013 Rock Hill, SC. All Rights Reserved. | Created by Vision Internet
The Rock Hill, SC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Thank you
for visiting the Rock Hill, SC website.


text:
No two drugs have defined human civilization the way alcohol and caffeine have.
Nature created both to kill creatures much smaller than us — plants evolved caffeine to poison insect predators, and yeasts produce ethanol to destroy competing microbes....
Alcohol consumption could have given early homo sapiens a survival edge. Before we could properly purify water or prepare food, the risk of ingesting hazardous microbes was so great that the antiseptic qualities of alcohol made it safer to consume than non-alcoholic alternatives — despite alcohol's own risks....
"The impact of the introduction of coffee into Europe during the seventeenth century was particularly noticeable since the most common beverages of the time, even at breakfast, were weak 'small beer' and wine," Tom Standage wrote in A History of the World in 6 Glasses. "Both were safer than water, which was liable to be contaminated. ... Coffee ... provided a new and safe alternative to alcoholic drinks. Those who drank coffee instead of alcohol began the day alert and stimulated, rather than relaxed and mildly inebriated, and the quality and quantity of their work improved."
"Western Europe began to emerge from an alcoholic haze that had lasted for centuries," Standage quipped.
Coffeehouses became a centerpiece of the Enlightenment — Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations bolstered by caffeine from two fine pre-Starbucks establishments: Cockspur Street and the Turk's Head. Thomas Jefferson called coffee "the favorite drink of the civilized world." Historian Mark Pendergrast told NPR that "the French Revolution and the American Revolution were planned in coffeehouses."
Think I will have a cup of coffee with a splash of Brandy.


text:
I'm Lisa Coleman,
VP of Business Development
at Follow the Eyes
VP of Business Development
I started as a Director of Business Development in September of 2016 to grow our presence in the Columbus market. In 2018, I will not only continue to work with our Columbus clients, but will also be the Business Development team leader, which will allow me to help other Business Development team members and clients in our markets outside of Ohio, as well as discover unchartered territory in new markets!
Focused, Driven, Family
Impacting our clients' success
After being in media sales for 15 years, I wanted to have a direct impact on decision making for clients. When I was presented with this opportunity, I immediately jumped on it!
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
Watch old episodes of the Canadian teenage TV show, Degrassi the Next Generation
Move things with my mind. I think it would help with house cleaning or waiting in line.
Son of a Preacher Man
Step Brothers, Overboard, Dirty Dancing
New Kids on the Block


text:
1950's Lace and Chiffon Dress
Miss Connie Bonacorsi, the custom 1950s doll, liked the first dress we made for her so much that she asked if we could make her another. This time, she had a concoction of lace and chiffon in mind. As you can see, the skirt is pleated and the bodice has two terribly cute little straps over each shoulder.
Finding fabric was a bit of a challenge; of course, this dress needed lace, but Connie didn't want the dress to be either black or red or white. Since those colors are three of the most common for lace, we knew we were in for a bit of an adventure! Happily, though, it didn't take us long to find this glorious brown lace. It's a very interesting and complex color, somewhere between chocolate brown and a deep maroony purple.
For the base fabric, we got a delicious red-brown silk; it's soft and drapey, and pulls out the little bits of red in the lace very nicely. And it made a beautiful bow!
For photos of Connie herself wearing this dress, please visit The Doll Wardrobe!


text:
The tenth mandala (10.90) of Rig Veda states:
ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद बाहू राजन्य कृतः।
ऊरु तदस्य यद्वैश्य पद्भयां शुद्रो अजायत॥
This verse describes the perfect human being called "The Purusha". From his mouth came Brahmanas, from his arms came Kshatriyas, from his thighs came Vaishyas and from his feet came the Shudras. This division is called "Varna" system, often misinterpreted as caste system.
Time and again the Varna system created in this verse is misunderstood, misrepresented and many a times mistranslated to show that the ancient Vedic culture (on which present Hinduism is based on) favored evils like untouchability, oppression of weaker classes, evil caste system. The verse, in no way, distinguishes men suggesting one being superior than other. This division is definitely not based on birth. So the whole concept of son of a brahmin should be a brahmin and son of a shudra should be a shudra is absurd. The varna or characteristic comes from karma(deeds) and not by birth.
The Purusha sukta also emphasizes on Yagya(sacrifice) as being the starting point in which the Purusha is used as a means (sadhana). Yagya or the act of sacrifice plays a very vital role in our ancient scriptures. While performing a yagya, the arms does the act of sacrifice (kshatriyas sacrifices the love for life and near and dear ones to protect others), mouth enchants the mantras (brahmins speak for betterment, for imparting knowledge to others), the sitting posture (lap) carries the materials to be used in the yagya (the vaishyas doing the cultivation and producing grains for others) and feet supporting the entire body of the Purusha (shudras assisting others so that they can perform their duties well). The Rig veda states that the devas (Gods) perform the Yagya and the Purusha is being used a means to perform the yagya.
The Vedic culture kept the greater part of the Indian subcontinent intact and bound by faith of belief for a very large span of time. Any social system that binds a large chunk of people always play a pivotal role in politics and path of progress for the society. But the systems fail to stay strong when they are not able to accept changes. "The only constant thing is the world is change". Any belief system should remember and imbibe this eternal truth for its growth.
Vedic period comprised of people leading their lives as prescribed in the vedas. With the progress of time and misrepresentation and wrong interpretation of the vedas, the practice of discrimination against weaker sections of society started. The yagyas became more like a promotion activity of the ruling class. The brahmins used to assist and coordinate yagyas actively only because kings used to give donations and gifts to them. Brahmins thus prospered and society started looking down upon shudras. The society started 'assigning' varnas based on birth rather than profession.The vedic period that started somewhere in 5000 BC begin to lose its grip and luster by mid 500 BC.
The advent of Buddhism in 6th-5th century BC in India changed a lot of things. Buddha's teachings led to adoption of a lifestyle which was very different from Vedic culture. Buddha censured any kind of violence and also preached the dharma of forgiveness and peace.
You can read in detail about various stories of Buddha with my sketches in post:
Buddha: the celebrated Guru
The age-old practices of vedas were being challenged. Some yagyas conducted by kings used to involve animal sacrifices. Buddha desisted violence and he also pitied and supported the weaker sections of the society. The shudras, who were already being exploited by those using corrupted interpretation of Vedic lifestyle, were supported by Buddha. The advent of Mahavira and Jainism also had the similar effect. The ascend of shudra born Mahapadma Nanada (4th century BC) to the throne of Magadha, insult of a brahmin Chanakya in Nanda court were some of the examples.
To know more about Chanakya please visit another post:
Chanakya : The God of Political Science
After the establishment of the Maurya kingdom by Chandragupta Maurya (Chandragupta Maurya: The first emperor of united India) the greater part of India was united into a single great kingdom. The power of vedic lifestyle which was fading could not hold the society together so the might of the king and expansion of his power brought everyone under one umbrella. In such a scenario, the belief system adopted and supported by the king would play a very important role, as the subjects would also tend to follow the same belief system. Chandragupta Maurya and then later his descendant Ashok focused on uniting the Indian subcontinent under one power and under one belief system.
King Ashok is considered to be the greatest king to rule India. (To know more about Ashok, please read my post: Ashoka - The greatest king of Indian history ) Ashok initially followed the policy of expansion of the kingdom through blood and war. However, having being inspired by the teachings of Buddha, he left the path of violence and started promoting Buddhism. The extent of his kingdom was vast. The influence he could have over his subjects was voluminous. With the support of the policies of King Ashok and later Mauryan kings, Buddhism prospered and various Buddhist stupas and monasteries were established throughout the length and breadth of Indian sub-continent.
The later Mauryan kings however, were not as effective as Ashok. The later descendants of Mauryan dynasty failed to hold the uprising and revolt of the kingdoms won by Chandragupta and Ashok. As a result, disintegration started and various kingdoms like Ashmaka(present Maharashtra), Kalinga(Orissa), Madra, Kekaya, Gandhar(in present Pakistan) declared independence from the Magadha empire. On top of that, the Mauryan kings ruling Pataliputra (Patna, Bihar) were supporting and appeasing Buddhism while neglecting the age old Vedic lifestyle.
There was a growing sense of resentment among the people favoring old ways of Vedic lifestyle. All this resulted in a shocking event during the reign of Brihadratha, the last Mauryan king in 185 BC.
Pushyamitra Shunga was the commander-in-chief of Brihadratha's army. He was a brahmin and a strong follower of Vedic lifestyle. It is said that he was extremely unhappy with the way Brihadratha was running his kingdom. He was also not happy with the appeasement policy towards Buddhism. The appeasement and inaction of the Magadha not only led to independence of provinces but also led to military campaigns by foreign invaders. The Macedonian kings (Indo-Greek) who were vanquished by Chandragupta and who never dared to enter Indian sub continent during the reign of Ashok, attacked and captured a large portion of North western region (Gandhar, Kekaya, etc). It is said that Menander-I, also known as Milind, was ruling Sakala (Sialkot) at that time.
The Macedonians were marching against different Indian states including the Magadha empire. Some of the Indo-Greek kings were followers of Buddhism so there was a general sentiment that the king of Magadha Brihadratha would hardly show any resistance.
Frustrated by the lethargic attitude of the king, decline of the Vedic culture and favoritism of Buddhism above Vedic beliefs, Pushyamitra and his army started believing that Brihadratha is not fit to rule. In a fit of rage, one day Pushyamitra Shunga killed the king Brihadratha while he was inspecting the army. This was the advent of Regicide in Indian history.
Pushyamitra Shunga killing Brihadratha, 185 BC
Not only the Indo-Greek kings, Pushyamitra Shunga did also fight many wars with the neighboring Shatavahanas and Kalingas. However, the Shungas were able to defend the territories of Magadha against invaders.
The Shunga Empire (185 BC-73 BC)
Pushyamitra Shunga is often portrayed as villain in some Buddhist texts as he allegedly destroyed many stupas and monasteries because of his hatred towards Buddhism. Some other sources including some Buddhist sources, however, suggest that he was quiet tolerant towards Buddhism. The only thing he promoted was long lost ways of Vedic lifestyle. But by that time, the vedic culture was already corrupted. The culture of "Samanta" (Nobility) started and discrimination of varnas like Shudras started.
However, Shunga empire did contribute a lot in the cultural and literary growth of our country. The third and most famous commentary on compilation of grammatical rules of Sanskrit language(written by an ancient acharya named Panini) was done by an acharya known as Patanjali during this period. This commentary was called "Mahabhashya".
Much of that era must have been documented. So much so that son of Pushyamitra, Agnimitra was a chief character in a play written by Kalidasa 450 years later. The play "Malavikagnimitra" by Kalidasa tells the story of king Agnimitra smitten by the beauty of a royal courtesan dancer named Malavika by just looking at the painting. He organizes a dance competition among the best of royal dance trainers just to get a chance to see Malavika in person. On a parallel track there is a story of a military expedition of Magadha towards Ujjain. While the queens of king try to keep Malavika away from the sight of the king, Agnimitra finally is able to meet Malavika with the help of his jester. Furious queen imprisons Malavika only to know that Malavika is actually a princess of Ujjain. Acknowledging the royal lineage of Malavika, the queen agrees for the marriage between king and Malavika. In the end Malavika and Agnimitra marry.
Malavika and Agnimitra Shunga from Kalidasa's play
So, the credit for keeping the Vedic lifestyle alive, keeping the foreign forces at bay and for the immense contribution towards art and literature, Shungas will always be remembered for giving a glorious past to our country between 185 BC and 73 BC. The main blot on the names of Shunga is the way they usurped the throne. The culture of regicide started by Shunga was continued for many generations later and Shungas line itself ended when the last Shunga king was killed by his own minister.


text:
Here is a work about the Church claiming its identity as the people of God to live out its pastoral vocation. Anyone who is passionate about being God's people and the particular call to end our isolation from others by living each day of our lives rooted in the Christ, will want to read, explore and most importantly engage this work. However, it is not a book for the pastor's library or for the Christian educator's resource shelf alone. It is a work that is written for reading together as the church community and is written to engage both clergy and laity. It is a book written to and for the church with sound theological reason and practical exercises, not only for group reflection but also for group participation.
Fashion Me A People
Curriculum in the Church


text:
We've told you all about Psycle (if you didn't catch our feature, read all about Psycle here), is your enthusiasm for it at the max? Well here's your chance to try it out for yourself, it's just £20 per person, and you'll bag a goody bag worth £45 to boot!
To celebrate the launch of Mio's new high-intensity bodycare, Mio are handpicking from London's most unique and fun fitness experiences to host events 11 Workout Wonders. At each event, you will not only be able to take part in the class of choice, but indulge in some refreshing and oh-so-good-for-you juices and of course walk away with that enviable goody bag. It is all in support of the Look Good, Feel Better cancer support charity.
First up? The newly opened Psycle at 76 Mortimer Street, London, W1W 7SA on Wednesday 26th February. There will be 3 classes , the first at 9am, the second at 1.15pm and the final class at 6pm. It's Ibiza Rocks meets Fame on wheels. What more could you want?!
To register for one of these classes on Wednesday 26th February just click on this link and follow the instructions – http://www.mioskincare.co.uk/psycle.
Don't forget to let us know how you get on by tweeting @Beautyanthedirt and the hashtag #MioWorkout!


text:
Posted by Andrew on Sunday, 24th September 2017 08:31
Good for the records. Thanks!
: create a new repository of the current directory.
git init
: list all the items in the current directory.
ls -a
shows hidden items aswell (like the
: show the current status of the git repository, along with staged and untracked files.
git status
: add
git add <filename>
to the staging area (files to be committed).
will add all untracked files.
git add .
: unstage
git rm --cached <filename>
: commit staged files to the repository. Use
git commit
option to specify commit message directly.
: reset the current branch head to the specified commit. Commits can be indicated with their hash or with notation like
git reset <mode> <commit>
( = the current HEAD commit's parent) and
( = parent of
). There are different ways of going about this, given by the
: don't change the working tree, just move HEAD. This leaves all changes since the specified commit as "changes to be committed".
: default behavior. Reset the index but not working tree, preserving the changes but not staging them for commit.
: Reset the entire working tree and index - any changes that were made are discarded.
: remove untracked files from the working tree.
git clean -fdx
: force.
: directories too.
: ignore the directives in the
file (will delete files specified there too).
: dry run. Only show filed that would be removed but don't remove them yet.
: show a list of all the past commits.
git log
: show a one-commit-per-line list of al past commits
git log --oneline
: sync with the remote server, getting information about remote commits but not downloading any data.
git fetch
: update the repository by downloading updates from a remote source.
git pull
may be necessary.
: update the repository on the remote server by uploading commits made on this machine.
git push
: download a new repository from the remote server.
git clone <repo>
: show which files have been changed in the specified commit, in a similar format to when a commit is made. If you don't specify a commit hash, the latest commit will be shown.
git show --stat <commit>
: shows all the changes that happened in each file for the specified commit. If you don't specify a commit hash, the latest commit will be shown.
git show <commit>
Good for the records. Thanks!
You must be logged in to post messages.


text:
What did 2015 bring?
As 2015 draws to a close we've reflected on our accomplishments over the year and are looking forward to a busy 2016.
Hopefully our website, social media e-newsletter have kept you up to date but here's a recap of some of our highlights:
- In March we ensured that 15,000 people safely viewed the eclipse by masterminding a PR campaign to distribute our client's Crizal branded specs nationwide via newspaper sampling and stunts. Wider media activity reached 4.6 million whilst making maximum impact for the brand.
- A prime spot on This Morning was secured for our Think About Your Eyes Optician to talk alongside resident doctor, Dr Chris, about keeping eyes safe during the summer months. This was supported by a national and regional media relations campaign which reached a 233 million audience and a digital push which saw a 35% growth in the client's online community.
- Our client's cold and flu remedy, Echinaforce, dominated headlines again with the launch of new medical research, appearing in the Daily Mail, dailymail.co.uk, Daily Mirror and mirror.co.uk on the same day. Blanket coverage also appeared in preparation of winter across the consumer glossy magazines.
- Our client reported that sales of its baby bottle rocketed following a piece in the Daily Mail's: You magazine, causing an instant demand and major spike in web traffic. Web traffic remained high over the duration of the campaign with media hits in all of the major mother & baby titles.
- We've continued creating a buzz with our 400th LloydsPharmacy opening this year. The client calls us 'a well-oiled machine' thanks to our seamless handling of their regional store openings, a comparison we're proud to receive having created a strong system to ensure nothing falls through the gaps.
- International coverage for our pharmaceutical manufacturing client, including huge pick-up in the US after a drug's FDA approval
- 11 by-lined features in four months for our Employee Assistance Programme client
- Over the year we've had six new big client wins. Need we say more?
Want to join us in 2016? Call, email, tweet, message or even send us snail mail - we'd love to add you to our list of successes next year!


text:
This is the link for day 7. As today's part is short I have decided that Day 8 will be on Sunday.
First in on my overnight emails is Sonya with her day 5. She says:-
"Hi Jane,
I bet you think I dropped of the face of the earth. I tatted day 5 up, but my phone was dead so I could not snap a picture of it. Then, well, I got busy and forgot. Maybe I will pass the blame to Cyn who took me to a lovely yarn store yesterday not too far from her home. Of course they have ALL the LizBeth colors. I felt like a kid in a candy store!! Eye candy that is. Seeing all those luscious colors for myself, not distorted by print or computer screens. I spent too much money, but then I won't get up that way again for a while. It took me two years to get up there as it is. Now I can order what I want with confidence! Next bucket list item is to stop by Georgia's on my way to see my parents.
Well, my day 5 us attached now. Now I can get to day six.
Next in is Coretta with her day 6 and the following comment.
"Scissors? Off to bed now too late, but better than not at all.
Linda follows closely behind with her day 6. She says:-
"Hi Jane,
Here is part 6. Still no guess. I'll just keep stitching.
First in with her day 7 today is Muskaan who says:-
"Good morning Jane :-)
Federer is human too! So who are we to know for sure ?!
Wondering whether I should hop over to the bunny club ....or wait a while longer, coz the whiskers are still missing.
Maybe I'll get it right on the 10th day (a là Seppi overcoming the Fed Express after 10 failures) ...Sorry, deep into the Australian Open .....
Finally I have Maureen with her day 7. Just beaten by Muskaan by a minute or so.
"First the heat, now the floods - but I had to rush home from a gripping School Holiday movie to see what the next step of our rabbit was going to be. I think we have just finished his face, with that last join to R1, and here he is. And I never want to see a tub of popcorn ever again...."
Jane has now arrived and my 'chores' are done for the day!!!! Here's her comment:-
"Moment of panic as I thought my button must be too big!"
Next in is Isa who says:-
"Good Morning Jane:
Here it's TIAS day 7, from a very sunny winter day in south of Sweden with -0.2 without snow.
Today I have not any idea what kind of thing will be appear this year in this TIAS's game.
I could'nt sent my contribution before because I have been at the dentist in the morning.
Have a wonderful day hugs
Jacee has now arrived with her day 7 and the following comment and picture.
"Dear Jane,
Here are Mr & Mrs Bunny Heads!!
Oh, look at the background on Anne-Marie's picture - dragonflies. So pretty. Here's her comment:-
"Hello Jane,
To-day,as soon as I am up, put on computer and hasten to do my day 7,to send you photos before my cardboard 's afternoon.
My ideas don't advanced since yesterday evening.....Nevertheless, I did'nt dream about the monster -rabbit-giraffe,etc......
Anne-Marie "
Sue has just sent in her day 7. Really must recommend reading her blog if you like to have a laugh!!!!
"Bat ears etc as listed on me blog!!
My Tatty Blog http://pigminitatty.blogspot.co.uk/"
Sonja has just sent in her day 7 with her comment too:-
"Hello Jane
It looks more and more a man (or woman) for me.
Still fun with it.
Greetings from a cold Holland
Next is Margaret with her day 7 and this comment:-
"Hello to you, Jane, on this sunny but freezing day 7. My crab has morphed into an orchid and the butterflies are gathering round! So that is my guess, an orchid.
Love the fabric. Soooo pretty.
Firanghish is next in my inbox with her guess.
"Hi Jane,
Ooh Jane my dream of windmill is no more, sad sad I am, but it's still fun to tat.
Ooh let one of the tatters dream of rabbit, crocodile..... come true.
You want tell us as fun will be out of it.
so tat tat till the end.
Thanks sending you a picture of day 7.
Love to you and all fun loving tatters.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sorry you've changed your mind but it could well be a windmill. Wait til day 8 - you may change your mind again!!!
Now this is a creative arrangement on this picture!!!! Love it, Marie.
"Here is Day 7! I am sticking with bowlegged cowboy, but for some reason it is beginning to turn into a snowman with bowed legs. Hmmmmm."
Shelly is next with her day 7 and the following comment:-
"Tiger lily flower!
I enjoy these little tatting tidbits every couple of days. It wets my appetite for more tatting. On the in between days I like to see everyone else's progress and tat on my serious larger piece. Thank you for hosting TIAS this January.
Cheryl has now arrived and she's joined the rabbit people!!!! Here's what she says:-
"OK, now it looks like a rabbits' head. I won't tell anyone else. It's likely I'm wrong anyway.
Now for Judy's comment and picture. Here they are:-
As you can hopefully tell I cleaned up the lock chain. I am now thinking it is a walrus or maybe a bunny. Only time will tell. Judy"
Nikki is the last one in this batch of clearing my inbox!!! She says:-
"OK here is my day 7.... My dragonfly is changing its shape lol so now I'm thinking its a fish lol"
Claudia has now arrived with her day 7. She says:-
"Well.. it seems to me like very long ears of a rabbit!!! .. orrrrrrrr.. maybe a clown´s legs??....
we have to wait until sunday for more!!!
Caroline has just sent in her day 7 along with the following comment:-
"My hands are so dry that I had trouble hanging on to my shuttles. I think I tat to tight as this section did not go around my button very well. I think the pink and green one is probably the best but think I can fudge enough to make the other one work.
Getting a little warmer for the weekend. It is sunny so am enjoying that.
Yes, Jane I was snooping. Your web site is the first place I go if I need help with a technique.
Oh dear. I'm in trouble again. This time with Fox who says:-
"Trying to foist your patriotism on the unsuspecting tatting community is a bit much, Jane. Over the top. Hmmmph."
Sorry, Fox, please don't tell HMQ or I might land up in the Tower of London!
Kelly follows next with her day 7. She says:-
"Here it is. I'm still guessing dragon fly although the joins to the buttons are making me think I'm wrong and that it's a rabbit of some sort. Hrmmmmmm!! Guess I'll have to just keep plugging away at it!"
Pam has now joined in and she's sent in her days 1 to 7 along with this comment:-
"Hi Jane,
Now that I seem to have gotten over my slump of suddenly not being able to follow a pattern, here is my stab at the tias 2015.
I have to go with the bunny, at least I hope so, thinking this would look great on my grandbaby's first Easter outfit!
Adrian is now back with his day 7. He says:-
"Hi Jane!
I almost missed day seven.
Here's mine. Definitely still looks like the blades of a pair of scissors to me. So I'm sure on Sunday it'll turn into something completely different!
Coretta appears to have had a bad day which I'm sorry to hear. This is what she said about tatting her day 7.
"Tatted while my (almost) 4 year old and I wait for a flat tire on my car to be repaired. He says it is a crab. I think it's a bunny. "
Alba has now arrived with her day 7. It looks fine to me, Alba.
"Here it is my day 7. Not perfect, I know, but progressing."
Next to arrive is Cheryl with this comment and picture. Sorry, she didn't send a link to her blog.
"Ok. I hope you can re follow my blog
"Ok. I hope you can re follow my blog
Now Kristen has sent in her days 4, 5, 6 and 7 (+ one other) which is amazing as she and Chris (plus Pip the dog) are re-locating to Australia. They're in America at the moment after leaving Russia where they've been on their last posting. Actually I must admit trying to keep up with those two is very tiring!!!!!
"Hi Jane!!
Oh, my did I fall behind!!
Suffice it to say, preparing to move to Australia takes up all available time--between the packing, running around doing last-minute things and saying goodbye to friends and family, the TIAS has fallen trough the cracks a bit.
However, Chris, Pip and I started our 3-day drive to DC today and I had a chance to finally catch up!! :)
Attached are photos of days 4, 5, 6 and 7, and a shot of my boys and me (well, Pip's kennel anyway!) on the road! :)
Can't wait for day 8, and although I think we have made the pincers of some sort of crayfish or icky bug, I may yet be surprised! :)
Warm regards from somewhere in Eastern Illinois,


text:
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followups ] [ FAQ ] [ Back to Messages ]
Posted by Collin on June 18, 2007 at 14:36:06:
In Reply to: modem posted by edmilson silva bastos on November 06, 2006 at 08:21:40:
c9e32709fe6f8e408d8f0c6699288258 Independent newsletter from our foreign friends points our attention to your web project. We are very proud to communicate and colaborate with such partner. Don't be surprised of being noticed. b8055c662679464e43a32265312932f9
Follow Ups:
Post a Followup


text:
Lawyers To Trust
Presenting The Drums Heating Oil Of Button
Check the tank if you need oil heat and remember the fuel gauge could lie. There are more pieces of equipment to purchase, more wiring and plumbing to run and that means more expense. Today, there's a variety of ways a person can choose to heat their home. Remove the paper backing and adhere one small piece of the substantial to each top of your door frame and unrivaled on the top. You are up to even explore the ones that have destroyed and if they are not broken, they can certainly be reused. Upon completion he again shook hands with us.
Also check for drafts future out from down the heater. This caused a draft, and a bird or two, to work its way into my house. If you personal an attic, get up there and look for insulation.
Other methods there are single methods that can be misused to mitigate damages caused by siltation. In the indistinguishable article this conclusion is strong from a report that idaan loses nearly whole of its supply to leakage and water theft. We turn the drums heating oil on, warmed our homes, and think nothing a lot of it.
Brand names: i have contrary central conditioner favorites for several applications, i'll not list names here, certain brands may not be forthcoming in your area or sure brands i have never worked with are. These 2 materials are misused as it can withstand heat and are noncompliant to high temperature. If the ribbon is moving, you also have flying leaks around your window. Thus large organizations, factories and industries or even neighborhoods or apartment buildings have opted for a service contractor of so much installations. Smaller boilers are in use to generate powers to run cars.
This air comes largely from the overland acquired by panama when it gained control of the canal u.s in Drums for heating oil. There are many other factors that could be understood into consideration regarding the management of hydrologic services within the pcw and could indeed be a book in and of themselves. (hint: clear caulk appears covered when it is first in use and may take up to 3 or four days to turn completely clear) 5. Miscellaneous factors: when dynamical out equipment or installing new drums heating oil and free-flying conditioning for the first time, there are a many things to consider. Consumer product safety commission (cpsc) recommends putting them in the hallway near the dormant areas in your home.
One of these is the availability of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning services. Split systems vs pak units: a divided central air system usually consists of 2 or three separate units, a furnace, drums heating oil and (or an aerial handler with the in it and a condenser). Use high-rated filters to remove the thin particles of dust and microorganisms in the air.
drums heating oil
from button. You have read, Presenting The Drums Heating Oil Of Button.
Latest News
The Need For Miami FL Psychologist
What To Do When NJ Event Venues Fail
Sharing Your Story About Drug Rehab FL With At Risk Individuals
Can A Ice Vest Help Me?
What Do Philly Psychic Group Have To Share?
Make Bigger Gains With NFL Picks
Presenting The Drums Heating Oil Of Button
Presenting The Seo Quote Of Rethink Seo Services
Copyright © 2019 www.lawyerstotrust.com All Rights Reserved.


text:
Roberta Tawell
Property Search
My Active Listings
My Office's Listings
My Sold Listings
Featured Properties
Things to Love About Portland
Interesting Links:
Parks, Trails and Greenspaces
For Animal Lovers
For Foodies
For Seniors
Buying & Selling
Buying & Selling Tips
Financial Calculators
Market Trends
Trendgraphix Report- Multnomah County
Trendgraphix Report- Washington County
The Latest Matthew Gardner Economic Repo
Volunteer Opportunities
My Bio
Neighborhood News
Roberta is a model for her profession
Roberta worked long and hard to get us back home to Portland. She has exceeded our expectations completely, always professional and fair. Marcia P.
Roberta is savvy and knowledgeable
We were extremely happy with Roberta. She is a savvy, knowledgeable and genuinely helpful real estate agent. Roberta was and continues to be a valuable resource to us as recent Portland transplants. Beth T.
Roberta is a top agent
We had an unusual situation with the timing of the sale of our old home and homes coming on the market. Roberta worked with us, the buyer of our old home and the seller of our new home to make it all happen! Alicia M.
Excellent communicator
Roberta kept us informed throughout the process of selling our home. She had all the details and contacts related to contractors and repairs. We have referred multiple people to Roberta and she's handled them all with expertise and skill. All other Realtors should be modeled after Roberta! Michael M.
Ms. Tawell waited 4 years for us to make up our minds about what we needed and then helped us make a complicated purchase of a triplex! She was excellent throughout the entire process! Danette H.
Roberta is wonderful!
Roberta was very thorough, gave great advice, recommended great people to help when needed, did a lot of research and stuck with us through"thick and thin"! She is great and we have truly enjoyed working with her. Karen H.
A truly dedicated and very professional agent!
Roberta stayed with us throughout the process--instructing us, answering questions almost immediately, giving good references and helping us with the HOA management. We were referred to Roberta from our previous real estate agent who retired as she wanted the very best for us. Ilze C.
Roberta's attention to detail, follow-through, communication and knowledge is incredible!
Roberta even drove across town during rush hour to meet with a technician at the last minute to get a second opinion. It's those things that you get when you work with Roberta because she really cares abut her clients. This is the second home I've bought and sold with Roberta as my agent. Not only is she a wonderful agent, she's a wonderful person, too. Windermere has a card that nobody else has--it's Roberta Tawell. Mark T.
Roberta went out of her way to be accommodating and paid attention to our needs. She provided contractors, inspectors and loan officers to contact. She also covered the inspections for us as we live out of the area. Roberta followed up on all meetings she had and kept us informed at the time things were being done. It was like having a personal family member there taking care of details for us. It was one of the best and easiest transactions we have done. Diane B.
Windermere Realty Trust
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
© 2019 Windermere Real Estate
Contact Me
Name looks great.
Looks like a valid email.
The more detail the better.
sending your email
Thank you for your inquiry.