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I have a book called "Age Happens." with the best quotes and cartoons about growing older, as selected by Bruce Lansky.
Here are some examples of the messages on growing older and not taking kindly to the condition:
-- A man has reached middle age when he is warned to slow down by his doctor instead of the police.
-- Middle age is having a choice of two temptations and choosing the one that will get you home at the earliest hour.
-- Middle age is when your wife tells you to pull in your stomach and you already have.
-- Middle age is when a narrow waist and a broad mind begin to change places.
-- Middle age is when anything new you feel is most likely to be an illness symptom.
-- Middle age is when we can do just as much as ever but would rather not.
-- Middle age is when the best exercise is discretion.
-- Middle age is when you still believe you will feel better in the morning ... but don't.
-- The best thing that can happen to a couple married for 50 years or more is that they both grow nearsighted together.
-- A diplomat is a man who always remembers his wife's birthday but never remembers her age.
-- Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
-- And one from Phyllis Diller: Be nice to your children, for they will choose your rest home.
Speaking of Phyllis Diller, my once Smithfield friend John Borkowski sent me some quotes from the comedian with the wacky hair dos and dress styles.
Some are practical, and every one shoots straight from the hip.
-- Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?
-- Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.
-- The reason women don't play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.
-- Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.
-- Most children threaten to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.
-- You know you are old if your walker has an attached airbag.
-- My photographs don't do me justice - they just look like me.
-- The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down in golf is so you can't see him laughing.
On to another little book that has been resting on my desk for some time.
It was a present from the Howard family and has the principles, maxims and instructions that define your life on the job. It is by Paul Dickson.
-- Work is all right for killing time, but it's no way to make a living.
-- Long-range planning works best in the short term.
-- It's lonely at the bottom, too. It's just more crowded.
-- A leader should not get too far in front of his troops or he will get shot in the back.
-- If things are military and make sense, coincidence has entered the picture.
-- A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you what time it is, then walks away with the watch.
-- Automatic is something you can't repair yourself.
I don't know where I got this sage advice called "Old Farmers Advice" from a Charles Smith of Blacksburg, Va., in 1925. Much of it still pertains today.
-- Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
-- A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
-- Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
-- Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
-- It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
-- You cannot unsay a cruel word.
-- The best sermons are lived, not preached.
-- Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
-- Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
-- Don't interfere with something that ain't bothering you none.
-- Always drink upstream from the herd.
-- Letting the cat outta' the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.
-- If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around.
-- Live simple. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
I think that old farmer knew what he was talking about. He could have been the first Ann Landers.
Joyce Hatfield sent me an e-mail concerning my Pittsburgh Steelers Christmas ornament, laughing at Lamont going to buy it while wearing his Cleveland Browns baseball cap and sweatshirt. She also sent me a picture of her Steelers ornament purchased by her daughter-in-law at a craft sale. It uses a light bulb, with the smaller top portion of the bulb as the cheery face with apple cheeks and wearing an adorable fuzzy, gold toboggan.
Does anybody else have a homemade Steeler ornaments that they'd like to show me?
We all have indulged in foods during the holiday season that would never appear on the most healthy list. This includes sugar cookies; chocolate cupcakes with white, fluffy frosting; peanut butter fudge; and rich dips and potato chips.
Now do you want to hear about some of the foods that the Good Housekeeping magazine has deemed to be good for you and are all tasty to boot?
Apple cider contains phytonutrients that can help preserve memory and prevent cognitive decline. At 110 calories per 8-ounce serving, it won't break your calorie bank.
Nuts have healthy fats and fiber to make them super satisfying. A small handful of any type goes a long way in nutrition and crunchy satisfaction.
Cranberry sauce, especially that made with fresh cranberries, which is lower in sugar, helps to prevent urinary tract infections. They contain compounds that might help fight cancer.
Chestnuts are somewhat high in calories, with half a cup containing 175, but one serving has just 1.5 grams fat and packs 4 grams of fiber.
Sweet potato casserole, if not swimming in butter and sugar, can be on the healthy side. If it is the butter and sugar kind, limit yourself to about 1/2 cup, the size of a baseball. Sweet potaotes contain iron, vitamins A and C and almost all the B vitamins.
John Borkowski was busy with e-mails recently. He sent me one concerning the need to check the expiration dates on pancake, cake, brownie, cookie and biscuit mixes. The mixes contain yeast which over time develops spores. Apparently, the mold that forms in old mixes can be very toxic. Make sure to throw away all outdated mixes for this reason.
Barbara Cunningham called me from Grove, Okla., to ask about a recipe for green tomato jam or jelly that includes strawberry gelatin in the mix. She had the recipe from a Weirton Daily Times paper nearly 40 years ago and has now lost it.
I wasn't around the newsroom then but will check with Ruth Plunkett if I don't get any response from readers.
Barbara tells me that it is quite delicious, and many have asked her for the recipe as they took a great liking to it.
You can tell that I have not been out and about getting news and photos this wintry week.
Ozzie and I spent time roaming the area in snow that came up to his tummy. He didn't seem to mind as long as he was on the scent of deer tracks in the snow. If we encountered one of the animals, I am sure he would have turned tail and ran, with me dragging along behind.
Anytime that Arlene MacQuown sends me a card, she always wants me to tell Ozzie hello. Her doggie, Ruby, even sends a big hello his way.
The weather will be better next week, I am told. I do like the snow, although it sometimes keeps me housebound. It makes the entire countryside look so white and pure, though.
(McCoy, a resident of Smithfield, is a staff columnist and food editor for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. She can be contacted a firstname.lastname@example.com.)


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Fellowships for Under-represented Students
This page provides information on financial resources for under-represented students
who are African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, or members of another
group traditionally under-represented among Ph.D. students. In addition to the sources
listed below, be sure to consult the lists of USC Fellowships and External Fellowships
on The Graduate School website.
Most Ph.D. students at USC are fully supported by fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or a combination of these funding sources. Because each department coordinates its own students' funding, you should ask your department about available fellowships and assistantships. Also see Diversity in Graduate Education: Programs.
American Political Science Association (APSA)
Funds Latino graduate students. Visit the APSA website, or call APSA at (202) 483-2512.
American Psychological Association (APA) Minority Fellowship Provides three years of funding to minority students who are U.S. citizens pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology or neuroscience. For more information, visit the APA website, or call the APA at (202) 336-6027.
The Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships
Supports Ph.D. students who are planning a career in teaching and research at the college or University level. For more information, visit the Ford Foundation website.
Forgivable Loan/Doctoral Incentive Program
For promising doctoral students interested in teaching a diverse student popuation, the California State University Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program offers up to $30,000 in loans for full-time students pursuing the Ph.D. degree who are interested in a faculty career at a California State University campus. After you complete the doctoral program, 20 percent of the loan is forgiven for each year of full-time faculty service at a CSU campus. For more information, visit the California State University website.
GEM Fellowship Program
The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science promotes the participation of under-represented groups (African Americans, American Indians, and Latino/Hispanic Americans) at the master's and doctoral levels in engineering, and at the doctoral level in physical and life sciences. Tuition funding is available. For more information, visit the GEM website.
National Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Graduate and undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Hispanic parentage are eligible for awards up to $1,000. For information visit the NHSF website or call (415) 445-9930.
National Physical Sciences Consortium (NPSC)
USC is a member of this consortium, which sponsors a fellowship program for women and minorities in astronomy, chemistry, computer science, geology, materials science, mathematics and physics. Fellowships involve a long-term commitment of up to six years, and include tuition fees, a substantial stipend, summer employment, mentoring and networking at national meetings. Applications are available from NPSC at (800) 952-4118, or from The Graduate School. For more information, visit www.NPSC.org. Deadline: early November.
MOLIS (Minority On-Line Information Services)
An online service providing access to databases with information about research centers, education programs and scholarships available to minority students. Contact the help line at (301) 975-0103 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Fellowships help African American graduate students complete coursework, conduct research, and prepare the dissertation required for a doctoral degree in the biomedically relevant life or physical sciences. For more information, visit umsi.uncf.org/


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Is Catholicism compatible with libertarianism?
It's hard to believe that question is still being debated, isn't it? For over 100 years, the definitive answer is No. Pope after pope after pope, right up to Benedict XVI, has explained this in the most magisterial ways.
But perhaps it has taken Pope Francis's singular history, style, and gift for communication to break through the noise of American-style capitalism. Or perhaps the underbelly of globalization has finally come to light, through a combination of the explosion of financial capital, the worldwide recession, and the opportunities afforded by the Information Age for learning about the distant effects of almost-unregulated markets.
Whatever the reason, Pope Francis is getting through. He is obviously not a Marxist or socialist. But he is leveling strong critiques of the current state of global capitalism -- as it is actually being employed. And to my mind, one of the best interpreters of his message (especially for those reading from the right-wing) has been Michael Gerson.
Those on the economic left-wing already have their favorite opinion-makers, and perhaps E. J. Dionne is chief among them for Commonweal readers. But his right-of-center colleague at the Washington Post carries clout with a different audience, and he too is using his platform to great effect. He already impressed with his column on the America interview.
Now listen to how the architect of "compassionate conservatism" relays Francis's exhortation:
In "The Joy of the Gospel," Francis returns to the defining theme of his papacy: the priority of the person. Human beings have an essential value and nature. They can't be reduced to economic objects or to the sum of their desires. "We do not live better," he says, "when we flee, hide, refuse to share, stop giving and lock ourselves up in our own comforts. Such a life is nothing less than slow suicide."
The pope contends that individualism can dull us to the requirements of justice, and that prosperity can be a prison. In making this case, Francis is demonstrating that Christian faith is not an ideology; it stands in judgment of all ideologies, including the ones we justify in the name of freedom.
On the one hand, one might be concerned that Gerson is over-spiritualizing the concrete message of Francis about justice. Is he going to make this into an individualized version that focuses on charity only? To the contrary, he writes:
But in the absence of certain social conditions — the rule of law, equal opportunity, effective public administration — capitalism can result in caste-like inequality.
As my colleague E.J. Dionne Jr. points out, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere naturally has a more skeptical take on globalization. He empathizes with the marginalized: exploited migrants, bonded laborers, people in sexual slavery. This is the dark side of markets — the sale of life and dignity. And Francis vividly warns against the "globalization of indifference."
Here Gerson emphasizes the "dark side of markets" and the necessary "social conditions" for capitalism to work virtuously. Most importantly, he goes on to tell the truth about the Catholic position on these matters:
Those surprised that Catholic social thought is incompatible with libertarianism haven't been paying attention — for decades. Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI said the same. And all warned of the danger when a mode of economic exchange becomes a mind-set. Absent a moral commitment to human dignity, justice and compassion, capitalism is conducive to materialism, individualism and selfishness. It is a system that depends on virtues it does not create.
These exhortations can't be repeated often enough in countries such as ours, so ideologically saturated in the mind-set of market exchange. For capitalism to yield human flourishing, it requires social conditions and cultural virtues that must be nurtured from elsewhere. Families, communities, and yes, even federal governments, all must work to create these conditions, to rear the proper virtues, and in many cases to tune up the system while it's running.
Catholics really shouldn't need any more debate about this. We shouldn't need to go on Bloomberg TV to debate it, like Fordham's Christiana Peppard did. NCR's Michael Sean Winters shouldn't need to talk with Fr. Sirico of the Acton Institute any longer. The Church has spoken virtually in unison, and Pope Francis finally might be getting new ears to hear.
(For more of Gerson's recent commentary, see this video.)
About the Author
Michael Peppard is associate professor of theology at Fordham University, author of The World's Oldest Church and The Son of God in the Roman World, and on Twitter @MichaelPeppard.
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Francis gets the hearing of the message because the perception is that he is living what he preaches. He strays from feting on the rich and like Jesus he "has compassion on the multitude." Further while others have been content to theorize Francis makes it clear that the poor is the first option. But if Francis want to continue being credible he will have to deal with the riches of the church and its preocupation with catering to the wealthy. Can Dasani be seen at the Alfred E Smith dinner? Basilicas have to rescind and a plan for the poor and the captives has to be in place in every parish. The devil will be in the details.
Something of a response to Bill Mazzella:
I take it tha Pope Francis is no less serious about the responsibility that his fellow bishops have for proclaiming the Gospel than he is about his own commitment the needy. As a theological matter, he takes it that he has to work with and respect them as successors of the apostles. I take it that this constrains what he takes it as appropriate for him to do. This is part of the recognition of the propriety of "decentralizing" Church leadership. Crudely put, he is rejecting the "imperial" papacy that Bill regularly decries. An unavoidable consequence of Pope Francis' approach is a less than uniform set of practices, criteria for appointments, etc.
For my part, I think that the price to pay for this absence of rigorous uniformity is a price well worth paying, even when I myself want to gripe about paying it.
Capitalism may well depend upon virtues that it does not itself create. But capitalism can also encourage virtuous behavior in ways that other institutions do not. I've worked in nonprofit and profit-oriented institutions. Behavior in the latter compares quite favorably with that in the former, imho. Here's a list of virtues that market behavior encourages:
Universality, enterprise and alertness, respect for the tastes of one's trading partners, trust and trustworthiness, acceptance of competition, self-help, non-rivalry, stoicism about rewards.
Those trying to "fetter" capitalism are not necessarily virtuous or all-wise. They can easily hamstring the development of virtuous behavior in markets and they can do so all the more easily with a good conscience because of their narrow views about virtue.
The problems with libertarianism are threefold: 1) it makes markets/capitalism ends in themselves rather than means to improve the condition of humanity, 2) it is often associated with the belief that we are sole owners of what we produce and posess rather than stewards of God's creation, and 3) it is often associated with the belief that many of the poor are undeserving of their help.
Ryan - you are right on, especially with regard to your #3.
I suggest you read Gerson's column (it is linked above, or: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/michael-gerson-pope-francis-and-the-argument-for-compassionate-capitalism/2013/12/09/0779698c-60fd-11e3-8beb-3f9a9942850f_story.html)
Libertarian's are not the only people who consider that there is a place for capitalism in today's world. I read Gerson as saying that the manner in which capitalism is implemented in the world does not require that it be "fettered" by outside forces in order to be fair, even just. Unless, of course, one takes literally the notion that the "Invisble Hand" of markets is what actually controls the world. A position that I would have thought any Christian rejects.
Mark L.
"As a theological matter, he takes it that he has to work with and respect them as successors of the apostles. I take it that this constrains what he takes it as appropriate for him to do. This is part of the recognition of the propriety of "decentralizing" Church leadership."
Abe, a rule of thumb in theology and the New Testament is if something is not universal in scripture and theology then it should be discarded. The opposite is true. There is no compromising the central issue of Jesus: "Freeing the captives and bringing the gospel to the poor." Decentralizing can never omit this issue. What Francis demands of the world he must doubly demand of the bishops.
Further, Apostolic Succession is more of a blundgeon against those who disagree. It has nothing to do with the Gospel. But one true mark of apostolic succession is washing the feet of our sisters. That is the true mark of an apostle.
For an especially informed critique of Pope Francis' comments in Evangelii Gaudium on the "prevailing" free market "economic system" (Par. 54), see "Agreeing with Pope Francis" by Michael Novak in National Review, 12/7/13, http://nationalreview.com/article/365720/agreeing-pope-francis-michael-novak. An excerpt:
Anyone commenting on the economic themes of Evangelii Gaudium should note at the outset that the pope insists this document is not a full expression of his views on political economy but only an expression of his pastoral heart. In paragraph 51 Francis writes:
"'It is not the task of the Pope to offer a detailed and complete analysis of contemporary reality, but I do exhort all the communities to an "ever watchful scrutiny of the signs of the times." . . . In this Exhortation I claim only to consider briefly, and from a pastoral perspective, certain factors which can restrain or weaken the impulse of missionary renewal in the Church, either because they threaten the life and dignity of God's people or because they affect those who are directly involved in the Church's institutions and in her work of evangelization.'
But about six of his swipes are so highly partisan and biased that they seem outside this pope's normal tranquillity and generosity of spirit. Exactly these partisan phrases were naturally leapt upon by media outlets such as Reuters and the Guardian. Among these are 'trickle-down theories,' 'invisible hand,' 'idolatry of money,' 'inequality,' and trust in the state 'charged with vigilance for the common good.'
Why is it then, asks Mary Anastasia O'Grady, one of the shrewdest observers of Latin America today, 'that most of today's desperate poor are concentrated in places where the state has gained an outsize role in the economy specifically on just such grounds'? Ever since Max Weber, Catholic social thought has been blamed for much of the poverty in many Catholic nations. Pope Francis inadvertently adds evidence for Weber's thesis.
See also: "Pope Francis and Poverty" by Samuel Gregg, NRO, 11/27/13, http://m.nationalreview.com/node/365004/print ,"Pope Francis and the Economists" by Alejandro Chafuen, Forbes, 12/4/13, http://www.forbes.com/sites/alejandrochafuen/2013/12/04/pope-francis-and-the-economists-2/ , and "The Pope, the State, and Venezuela" by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, 12/1/13, http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303562904579228233172719594
My problem with framing libertarianism as opposed to Catholicism is the same problem I have with framing socialism as opposed to Catholicism. The terms have such a variety of meaning that applying them universally is problematic. The words become a bludgeon against opponent. For example, some conservatives like to refer to Obama as a socialist. If that is their definition of a socialist, then they need to get out much more!
The core issue, it seems to me, is the common good. If a Catholic were to argue that there was no such thing as a "common good", then that would be a problem. I think that it is a charicature to say that Catholic libertarians do not believe in a common good. Most, but not all, do admit a common good but don't see government as promoting it or if they do see a role for government it is very limited to just providing security.
I don't see how their program or solutions are effective and so far they have just been reactionary (against Obamacare, opposed to the war, against some drug policies, lower taxes, etc.). They have not carved out a coherent platform or sets of principles.
I think it is better to engage people in rational and reasonable dialogue over time than in excommunications, slogans, and so on. I regularly read and listen to conservative program and while I do not always agree, there are some good points that are made. But for the most part, with few exceptions, the radio and television programs seem to be very polarizing.
Whatever your position on economics all might agree that there is a problem when the church embraces the rich makes them its focal point. Everyone agrees that a major change happened in the fourth century with the embrace of christianity by the emperor. The churches received a lot of wealth from the state. The rich who became Christian placed rich trimmings in the churches so that much wealth lay in its structures. Yet there was always the tension of serving the poor and it is seen everywhere in that pivotal century. It is telling how church officials assuaged their consciences by stressing that money and riches were to be given to the churches so they could take care of the poor. Since the religion of the former empire had gilded edifices and wealthy priests, it was a no brainer that Christian churches would follow suit. But there was always the nagging question of serving the poor. So it was declared by building great basilicas the poor were being served because they had great places to worship in. Many who professed giving all their w ealth to the poor, managed to retain it noting that they were no longer using their wealth for their own use but using it for the welfare of the poor. So donations were not to be given to the poor but to church officials. Thus Paulinus of Nola who built great basilicas retained control of his wealth and land as it was considered giving it all up since now the money was used for a different purpose. Those who criticized this attitude were ostracized. Nevertheless, this controversy still raged over those centuries.
Thus continued the great farce in church history where churches controlled enormous wealth under the guise of using it for the p oor. It was fine as long as one was not "attached" to it. So when Cardinal Dolan transferred millions of dollars into another diocesan fund few within officialdom challenged it.
Now and through the centuries clergy and the religious orders lived more comfortable lives than the majority of the population. The message of the gospel was lost. Before we rant on too much about the abuses of Capitalism we have to center our criticism on a church which has lost its way on this most important gospel mandate.
Michael J. Kelly: In theory, Pope Francis is in charge of the Vatican.
In theory, he may have been consulted about the English translation of the passages that Michael Novak discusses in connection with the Spanish version of the document.
The Michael Novak piece linked to by Michael J Kelly above is outstanding. A couple of pertinent quotes:
This is Novak on unfettered capitalism (which I take to be an important aspect of what is meant by "libertarianism" in this post):
It takes a lot more than economic growth to make a system "equitable." It takes the rule of law, the protection of natural rights, and the Jewish/Christian concern for the widow, the orphan, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned — in short, effective concern for all the vulnerable and needy.
Novak then expands on this contrast between 'naked' and 'clothed' economic growth by quoting John Paul II from Centesimus Annus, no. 42:
Can it perhaps be said that, after the failure of Communism, capitalism is the victorious social system, and that capitalism should be the goal of the countries now making efforts to rebuild their economy and society? Is this the model which ought to be proposed to the countries of the Third World which are searching for the path to true economic and civil progress?
To this John Paul II answered, in effect, "Yes and no." He went on:
The answer is obviously complex. If by "capitalism" is meant an economic system which recognizes the fundamental and positive role of business, the market, private property and the resulting responsibility for the means of production, as well as free human creativity in the economic sector, then the answer is certainly in the affirmative, even though it would perhaps be more appropriate to speak of a "business economy," "market economy" or simply "free economy." But if by "capitalism" is meant a system in which freedom in the economic sector is not circumscribed within a strong juridical framework which places it at the service of human freedom in its totality, and which sees it as a particular aspect of that freedom, the core of which is ethical and religious, then the reply is certainly negative.
Libertarianism, I believe, is not a straight line to capitalism. Surely, it can be argued that capitalism can be a byproduct of Libertarianism.
If wealth and ambition were redistributed to the point where everyone is equal than we would all be poor. I am sure all of us know of people who are fully satisfied with their financial status in life. As an example, I for one, know of a person who by any measure is considered "middle class" in economic terms. Does he have the wherewithal to contribute thousands to his fellow brethren whom are poor? Probably not, unless he himself would want to be a pauper as well.
I read somewhere that the U.S. is the most generous country in the world when it comes to donations to charities of all types. The same country that has declining church goers. The same country where capitalism is thought as somehow evil.
Yes, I do agree, people with money can get greedy to the point of selfishness and ill intent towards their fellow man. However, for every money sucking tyrant, there are thousands who contribute to the needy. They volunteer at soup kitchens, donate to charities, volunteer at shelters, etc.
Capitalism is not evil; people who exploit it are. A loaded gun doesn't shoot itself.
By the way, I am a practicing Catholic.
Unfettered capitalism, like unfettered freedom or unfettered rheumatism, is incompatible with everything else on the face of it -- the face being the limitless adjective. Even I have to oppose unfettered bratwurst. It is pretty hard for libertarians to uphold a belief in unfettered capitalism even though it is part of the libertarian's creed. Many claim to believe it; few are convincing when they do.
Of course, as soon as you put a fetter on capitalism, you are heading toward socialism, or, as Novak might prefer to put it, you are on the road to serfdom. But if you don't put a fetter on capitalism, you have ... unfettered capitalism. So let's just drop the discussion of the jejune adjective and talk about what exists. (BTW, if the Vatican is so careless about its translations, is it possible that Pope Francis's slam at abortion was a mistranslated approval? We may be on the verge of a new basis for moral evaluation here, the translator principle.)
Tom Blackburn: Why do you assume that the Vatican may be careless about its translations?
Why not assume that Pope Francis may have approved each of the translations as being consistent with his thought?
Thomas Farrell: Don't blame me. Michael Novak, the one fixed point in this changing age, posited the faulty translation that emerged form the Vatican uncaught. That his correction strengthens his and his friends' position has nothing to do with it, of course. But if you can posit it here, you can posit it there, and pretty soon abortion can become a gift of the Holy Spirit, opening all kinds of new publishing opportunities for moral theologians.
One quick comment: I spoke to a Political Science professor today who is an expert on Argentina (and fluent in Spanish). The term in question he said "definitely" refers to the same economic concept captured in English by "trickle-down."
Pope Francis also wrote in "Evangelii Gaudium"
"The commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life," wrote the pope. "Today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills."
His criticism of capitalism, referring to it as a killer, was enhanced by a call for "Governments to create more jobs..." which every experience, including the US government's recent almost trillion dollar "Jobs program', which was a dismal failure in creating jobs but the money, mostly borrowed, was spent, have failed. Governments do not create jobs, individual and corporate efforts under capitalism do.
Pope Francis lived under both dictatorial and socialist regimes in Argentina but unlike Pope John Paul II who lived under communism, Pope Francis failed to understand the economic failures were caused by the governments policies not by capitalism.
China's emergence as an economic power was the result of introducing capitalism into its economic policies which created millions of jobs in a relative short time.
The seven practices of charity toward our neighbor, based on Christ's prophecy of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:35), that will determine each person's, not presidents, politicians, nor government bureaucrats, final destiny was taught us from the Baltimore Catechism: 1. Feed the hungry 2. Give drink to the thirsty 3. Clothe the naked 4. Shelter the homeless 5. Visit the sick 6. Visit those in prison 7. Bury the dead For those who claim that Jesus was a big-government socialist provider with regard to helping those in need and reducing individuals personal responsibility to only "Love the Neighbor' and replacing it with government programs is a misreading of His message. Jesus Christ made the point "to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" with no guidelines as to how the Romans were to spend the tax monies. "For you will have the poor always with you" Matthew 26.11 and nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus Christ lay the responsibility for caring for the poor, the sick the hungry or thirsty, the homeless or any oppressed people on any governmental body. He did not cite King Herod, the priests of the temple, the local politicians or the Roman powers as the source of Charity. He made it an individual responsibility time after time in His sermons, in His parables and in His own acts. The Good Samaritan was not an example of "Love thy neighbor" because he stopped at the inn to make a 911 call but because he acted, providing aid, comfort and financial assistance to his neighbor. Jesus Christ's teachings cannot be used be used to support states becoming the major or only source of charitable acts. Eventually, hopefully sooner not later, Catholic Bishops and nuns will realize that the old adage "he who pays the piper calls the tune" is true.
Pope Francis's concern for the poor is admirable, however his criticism of capitalism is uncalled for as an economic system it has provided more opportunities for the individuals to rise from poverty than communism, socialism, fascism, monarchy and dictatorship combined. In the future the Pope needs to be more specific regarding his preferred economic system.
All those who "claim that Jesus was a big-government socialist provider with regard to helping those in need and reducing individuals personal responsibility to only 'Love the Neighbor' and replacing it with government programs" please take one step forward.
Theologians and spiritual writers have been concerned for centuries about helping the poor and the problem with the rich man entering heaven. The reason is Jesus clearly said that it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. The statement is quite clear. Jami Diamond, Michael Bloomberg etc will have quite a diffiuclt time. Specifically because of the riches. As a result some spiritual writers, theologians and bishops have tried to find a way out. Alms giving buys heaven. As long as one is not detached. Expiate one's sins by giving money to build cathedrals. Give it to bishops to buy heaven. Buy tables at the Alfred E Smith dinner. All of this logically sequed into buying indulgences. Too many Christians have lost it on this one. Dives and Lazarus is a clear story. To be ignored at one's peril.
If we truly believe it is easier for the poor to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, why do we get all bent out of shape about "inequality"?
Why the quote marks around equality? Has the basic meaning of numbers been repealed without anyone notifying me?
Matthew 20:1-16 The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is a good example of
laissez-faire economics, no minimum wage, no government mandates on hours worked. The owner and workers agreed on a day's wage and the owner determined what he paid the workers for the hours worked. A real conundrum for central planners, should the owner be praised for paying those who worked the last hour a day's wage or condemned for not paying more to those who worked the whole day for the agreed wage. Jesus did not condemn the owner and in Matthew 7:1, Jesus said "Judge not that ye be not judged."
Tom Blackburn: Michael Novak is NOT "the one fixed point in this changing age."
He changed from being a liberal to being a conservative. He himself acknowledges this change in the subtitle of his recent memoir.
Libertarianism is more than an economic philosophy, no? Libertarians have always been for less fettered capitalism AND fewer laws restricting personal behavior (birth control, abortion, divorce, homosexuality, drug use, gun ownership, etc.).
The following was sent to President Obama and Cardinal George has predicted the result.
A quote
"If towns remain divided — if Catholics have their schools and buildings and Protestants have theirs, if we can't see ourselves in one another, and fear or resentment are allowed to harden — that too encourages division and discourages cooperation,"
That is probably one of the most Un-American statements ever to be uttered by a President of the United States.
I was taught by my parents, Sisters in grade school and Jesuit priests
and brothers in high school that one's duties were to God, Family, Country in that order.
It is Marxist non-theological doctrine to eliminate God and the
Family and leave only the State that one owed not only allegiance but
also his/her soul. Francis Cardinal George described it as, "Freedom
of worship was guaranteed in the constitution of the former Soviet
Union," Cardinal George wrote in a column in the Catholic New World.
"You could go to church, if you could find one. The church, however,
could do nothing except conduct religious rites in places of worship
— no schools, religious publications, health care institutions,
organized charity, ministry for justice and works of mercy that flow
naturally from a living faith. We fought a long Cold War to defeat
that vision of society."
"If we truly believe it is easier for the poor to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, why do we get all bent out of shape about 'inequality'?"
Are you auditioning for Comedy Central?
Taking Obama out of context has replaced baseball as the national pastime.The quote to which Mr. Mosman and Cardinal George allude is from Obama's visit to northern Ireland, a place that has had two much division into Catholic and Perotestant schools, Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods, Catholic and Protestant pubs, even Catholic and Protestant Irish whiskey (although they can't seem to agree on which is which) aqnd Catholic and Protestant armed thugs. He was talking about a place far away from Chicago and now, hopefully, receding in time from what it was.
And if you read the quote, and don't simply blow your stack, he talks about seeing ourselves in one another, not seeing ourselves in the state. In the Catholic schools we are taught to see God in others. "Ourselves in one another" is simply that teaching secularized for non-Christians. It is hardly the grand opening of the gulags.
Tom --
Obama's civility in the face of the unjustified insults he has suffered from the neo-cons amaze me. But his patience is no doubt a major part of his diplomatic arsenal. That he could get the ACA passed in spite of the deplorable obstructionism of the extreme conservatives and the leadership of the Republican party is a tribute to his patience. He didn't swap insult with insult. If his efforts with Iran succeed, then I suspect that the historians will see him as a great diplomat-president, compromising where compromise is appropriate. (Though I freely grant that Hillary Clinton and Sen. Kerry have also been blessings for the nation as diplomats.)
E. Patrick,
I have never heard such a view of the workers in the vineyard. Where did you learn to spin like that? What a colossal misinterpretation. Not as bad. But the same goes for your Obama quote. Amazing.
Mr. Blackburn—
No, the basic meaning of numbers was not repealed while you slept. However, I do not feel a human being can be reduced to a mere number. I do not measure a man's worth by his net worth. I do not equate small bank accounts with small minds. If the far left truly cared about the poor, they'd care about their souls, not their pocketbooks.
Inequality for the left is always about mammon, nothing more. That's why I put it in quotes.
Helen—No, though it can't be denied I have latent comedic talent to spare.
Mr Blackburn,
"Taking Obama out of context" What exactly does that mean? Are Obama's public statements to be judged only by the place and audience and are not applicable elsewhere? In the case of his Northern Ireland remarks about religious schools "encourages division and discourages cooperation," does he mean that they teach "hate your neighbor " or hold classes on " how to build a bomb" or "best bogs for burying the body." ? What is his solution "government run schools"?
No doubt he considers Catholic schools in America "encourages division and discourages cooperation," since they teach the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, abortion is a sinful act of murder of the unborn child and other moral and ethical issues which oppose his agenda.
Mr Mazella,
The economic analysis of the Parable of the Vineyard is as valid as those who proclaim that a rich man will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven based on the "eye of the needle" parable.
Mr. Mosman -- President Obama sends his children to Sidwell Friends School. I take that as a sign that he is not opposed to private schools. You will take it as an example of his hypocrisy because you are convinced he has to be opposed to private schools. That is an example, sort of, of being out of context.
Anyone in Washington who can afford it has his kids in Sidwell because it is good. More public schools should be like Sidwell, but they never will be because people who can't afford Sidwell anyway scream bloody murder that they don't want their money stolen from them to educate other people's kids. They are not their brothers' keepers, by golly.
Prof. Farrell -- Well do I recall when Michael Novak sported love beads and a three-piece suit at the same time. That was more than 40 years ago. Some of us thought he was going for the Grand Allliance. But he gave up the beads and went where the money is. He has not budged an inch since.
Mr. Blackburn,
Private schools were not mentioned by Obama in his Northern Ireland address or my comment, both referred to religious schools as a part of the religious "Troubles" there. Obviously you are trying to change the subject, the usual 'protect Obama' by his clean-up crew apologists.
E. Patrick: Obviously.
Thought so
E. Patrick,
The parable of the Vineyard has to do with the inscrutable judgment of God. For whom getting into his kingdom is as desirable whether one got in the first or the last day. Further, we cannot judge and have not the lnowledge of the quality of the persons whether they get in the first day or the last. Secondly, all is subject to the wonderful mercies of God which endure forever.
However, there is concrete evidence in the early church concerning how difficult it is with wealth to get into the kingdom of God. The Vineyard has to do with God's mercy whereas riches has to do with wo/man's greed. Throughout the centuries believers have obsessed with the story of Dives and Lazarus. All except that it is difficult. The concept is not denied. Many Christians have found ways to get around it. Thus convincing the wealthy that almsgiving certifies their place in heaven. Thus the promise to the Crusaders and indulgences. Paltry, if any, are references to the parable of the Vineyard indicating laissez faire capitalism.
Qui bene disntiguit, bene cognoscit!1
Mr Mazella,
You wrote :
The statement is quite clear. Jami Diamond, Michael Bloomberg etc will have quite a diffiuclt time."
How do you know?
"The followers asked, "Who then can be saved?" in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man?
Jesus' answer is the basis of the gospel: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through God's gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)."
"Jesus reflects on how hard it often is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The riches are a distraction and hard to share if one is too attached to them. The disciples' incredulity is that if even the rich cannot be saved, who can? But the verdict is that even the rich, not only the rich, will find it impossible to save themselves – but with God all things are possible."
The decision of who enters the Kingdom of Heaven is not your's but only God's and as difficult as it might seem there maybe more than a few rich men in Heaven.
The economic interpretation of the parable of the Owner of the Vineyard was mine alone to show how easy it is to misunderstand Jesus's intent.
Here's the Pope's follow-up on the "trickle-down" section of the Exhortation:
"There is nothing in the Exhortation that cannot be found in the social Doctrine of the Church. I wasn't speaking from a technical point of view, what I was trying to do was to give a picture of what is going on. The only specific quote I used was the one regarding the "trickle-down theories" which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and social inclusiveness in the world. The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefitting the poor. But what happens instead, is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger nothing ever comes out for the poor. This was the only reference to a specific theory. I was not, I repeat, speaking from a technical point of view but according to the Church's social doctrine. This does not mean being a Marxist."
As we said, it's a critique of what is actually going on. The overflow isn't here. Dow Jones continues to break records. Executive compensation continues to break records. Wage-earners lose purchasing power or barely match inflation from the 1970's to the present.
But what happens instead, is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger nothing ever comes out for the poor.
What a wonderful way to extend and maybe even put a little twist into the analogy. If this was off-the-cuff ... I'd say he's a pretty original thinker and speaker.
The basic tenet of libertarianism is the Non Aggression Principle. Any act of aggression, fraud or force against another is morally wrong because it violates human dignity and free will.
Without Private Property (sole ownership of what we produce and possess) then Thou Shall Not Steal would not be a commandment. Are you really okay with me stealing your stuff because I have less than you? Using your things without asking? Or would you feel violated?
If God made us free, then who are we to use the force of government against others who have not committed aggression themselves? To take their property or force them to be virtuous?
The Church doesn't even do that! Nobody is threatened with prison if they dont tithe or volunteer. So does the State have more moral authority than the Catholic Church in imposing virtue and demanding obedience from the people? As the government grows church attendance shrinks, and this is not a coincidence.
Libertarians believe that the current system hurts the poor the most and that charity is voluntary. The US is the first government based on libertarian principles and it is the most charitable country in the world.
Any system based on aggression, force, fraud or coercion is incompatible with Christianity. Free markets, not feudalism or socialism, have produced the greatest prosperity and highest quality of life for he most number of people.
What is being criticized in the US is not free markets but Crony Capitalism (Corporatism) where an elite oligarchy uses government regulations to enrich themselves at the expense of the middle and lower classes. Libertarians oppose the current immoral tax code and monetary system that steals from the poor and subsidizes those with the most resources to get around the laws..
Why should Catholics be Libertarian? Freedom is Beautiful: http://freeisbeautiful.net/about-the-book/
he basic tenet of libertarianism is the Non Aggression Principle. Any act of aggression, fraud or force against another is morally wrong because it violates human dignity and free will.
Without Private Property (sole ownership of what we produce and possess) then Thou Shall Not Steal would not be a commandment. Are you really okay with me stealing your stuff because I have less than you? Using your things without asking? Or would you feel violated?
If God made us free, then who are we to use the force of government against others who have not committed aggression themselves? To take their property or force them to be virtuous?
The Church doesn't even do that! Nobody is threatened with prison if they dont tithe or volunteer. So does the State have more moral authority than the Catholic Church in imposing virtue and demanding obedience from the people? As the government grows church attendance shrinks, and this is not a coincidence.
Libertarians believe that the current system hurts the poor the most and that charity is voluntary. The US is the first government based on libertarian principles and it is the most charitable country in the world.
Any system based on aggression, force, fraud or coercion is incompatible with Christianity. Free markets, not feudalism or socialism, have produced the greatest prosperity and highest quality of life for he most number of people.
What is being criticized in the US is not free markets but Crony Capitalism (Corporatism) where an elite oligarchy uses government regulations to enrich themselves at the expense of the middle and lower classes. Libertarians oppose the current immoral tax code and monetary system that steals from the poor and subsidizes those with the most resources to get around the laws..
Why should Catholics be Libertarian? Freedom is Beautiful: http://freeisbeautiful.net/about-the-book/


text:
Mrs. Ndaba Programme Thank You
The Mrs. Ndaba Friday's concept has proved so popular that we now supply healthy meals, to over 70 children, in three different preschools five days a week.
This project is entirely funded by the generous donations of our guests, and other friends of Le Quartier Français. The food is all prepared by the Le Quartier Français team so every penny donated is spent on the children.
Liwa Lethu, one of the three local crèches we now support through our Mrs. Ndaba initiative, sent us – and by us we mean some of our guests and other generous donors – this thank you letter. We'd thought we'd share it here so everyone who has been involved can see how much of a difference they're making.
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Le Quartier Français, Mrs Ndaba, Uncategorized,
Instead of Xmas Cards
Last year instead of sending out Christmas cards and gifts we paid for a local crèche's first Christmas. This party was funded entirely by the money that we would have spent on your Christmas card and gift.
The party, last year, was such a huge success that we have decided that this Christmas we will once again be giving to those that need it most. This means that we will be throwing Christmas parties for not one but two local crèches.
Mrs. Ndaba and her toddlers and all the children at the Liwa Lethu ECD Centre will enjoy Christmas parties filled with healthy food, laughter, clothes to take home, cupcakes, sweets and an exciting visit from Santa Claus!
Posted by: Le Quaf
Posted in: Community, Le Quartier Français, Mrs Ndaba,
Le Quartier Français has been nominated for a Virtuoso Best of the Best Award!
We have been selected as a Most Socially Responsible, nominee for our Mrs. Ndaba initiative, in the fourth annual Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards.
This is the second Best of the Best Awards we've been nominated for. In the inaugural Best of the Best awards, 4 years ago, we were lucky enough to win the Best Culinary Experience Category.
We are very excited and humbled to be included in this year's Best of the Best Awards Most Socially Responsible category. Our Mrs. Ndaba initiative is a project that has proven to be completely awe-inspiring. It has been amazing to witness, first hand, how many good and generous people there are in world who are all looking for sustainable ways to change the lives of those in need.
Thank you to Mr and Mr Monday, Mr Tuesday, Meneer Wednesday, Mr and Mrs Thursday, Mr and Mrs Friday, Daf (who ran the 2010 Comrades Marathon for Mrs. Ndaba) and everyone else who has made it possible for us to feed 68 toddlers – everyday of the week – for the next year!
The Best of the Best Awards ceremony, takes place on Wednesday the 18th of August at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. During this ceremony all the nominees, in their respective categories, and the 10 overall category winners will be celebrated.
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Awards, Le Quartier Français, Mrs Ndaba,
Daf running Comrades for Mrs. Ndaba Friday
Daf, a friend of mine from Harvard, is running the Comrades Marathon this Sunday. As he runs he'll be raising funds for Mrs. Ndaba. How Fantastic?
If you'd like to track Daf's progress, during the 2010 Comrades Marathon, check out our Facebook Fan Page where we'll be posting regular updates.
Thanks Daf, this is a truly amazing gesture. Good luck from everyone here at Le Quartier Français!
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Community, Franschhoek, Hotel, Le Quartier, Le Quartier Français, Mrs Ndaba,
Travel with Purpose
The Mrs. Ndaba programme has forever changed the way we look at travel.
We are now constantly looking for new experiences that enrich our lives but, at the same time, make a significant difference in the lives of others.
In Buenos Aires we found another great Travel with Purpose Experience. A friend of mine, Milagros, has opened a wonderful restaurant. This restaurant offers diners great local food and at the same time it helps makes a difference in the lives of countless homeless children.
Milagros is doing something phenomenal, she's changing lives.
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Community, Inspiration, Mrs Ndaba, Travel,
Mrs Ndaba Video
We recently had a group of children take part in the Mrs. Ndaba Fridays Programme. It was so cute that we couldn't resist putting together this video.
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Community, Culinary Concierge, Mrs Ndaba,
Mrs Ndaba Update
When we introduced Ndaba Fridays (at the end of 2009) we hoped that, by the end of 2010, would be able to feed the 68 Mrs. Ndaba toddlers every day of week.
We began this initiative with just our Mrs. Ndaba Fridays Culinary Concierge Programme.
Through this programme, interested Le Quartier Français guests are given the opportunity to bake and deliver nutritious muffins to the toddlers every Friday.
On the very first day of the Mrs Ndaba Fridays Programme, one of our guests – Mr Tuesday – liked the concept so much that he decided to sponsor food for a year of Mrs. Ndaba Tuesdays.
A little later on Meneer Wednesday, who hasn't yet stayed at Le Quartier Français, decided that he too wanted to sponsor a years worth of Mrs. Ndaba days. So Mrs Ndaba Wednesdays was introduced!
Then along came Mr and Mrs Thursday, Mr and Mr Monday and (most recently) Mr and Mrs Friday. Suddenly, in far less time than we originally anticipated, we have secured five days a week worth of meals for Mrs. Ndaba's 68 toddlers.
The Ndaba Fridays Programme has proven to be awe-inspiring. It has been amazing and humbling to witness, first hand, how many good and generous people there are in world who are all looking for sustainable ways to change the lives of those in need.
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Culinary Concierge, Franschhoek, Mrs Ndaba,
Mrs. Ndaba's Meneer Wednesday
Given that it's Wednesday we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to Mrs. Ndaba's Meneer Wednesday.
Last year, while I was at Harvard, a classmate of mine (born is South Africa and living in Canada) liked the idea of Mrs. Ndaba, her children and giving back.
He actually loved the concept so much that he has become our Meneer* Wednesday and he is responsible for the meal Mrs. Ndaba's children receive every Wednesday throughout 2010.
Through their generosity Mr Tuesday and, more recently, Meneer Wednesday make a big difference in a lot of small local Franschhoek lives.
Meneer Wednesday welcome to the Mrs. Ndaba Family!
*Meneer is Afrikaans for Mr.
Upcoming Culinary Concierge Adventures
If you're looking for something a little different, something that isn't just another cooking class, then you should try one of our upcoming Culinary Concierge Adventures.
We launched the Le Quartier Français Culinary Concierge concept towards the end of 2009 and it has proved to be very popular with guests. This year we have expanded on this concept and we now also create unique Culinary Concierge Experiences tailored to a specific guest's tastes, interests and the time they have available.
In February we have the following Culinary Concierge Adventures on offer:
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Culinary Concierge, Franschhoek, Le Quartier, Le Quartier Français, Mrs Ndaba,
Comments: 2»
Le Quartier Français 2009 Review
It's been a busy and eventful year at Le Quartier Français.
Our restaurants have continued to do exceptionally well, with The Tasting Room placing 37 in the World Top 50 and Bread & Wine placing in the Eat Out Top 20. Margot has once again showcased her acclaimed cuisine in countries around the world and last month saw the launch of her KLM Business Class menu – which will be served for the next 10 months in KLM Business Class on all flights leaving Amsterdam.
During the course of this year the Le Quartier Français Auberge received a facelift and we added the Grande Rooms and the Petite Garden Suites to our renowned accommodation. We now offer Le Quartier Français guests the Four Quarters Suites, Auberge Suites, Grande Rooms, Petite Garden Suites and Auberge Rooms. The Tasting Room was also redecorated by well-known Dutch set designer, and Margot's brother, Herbert Janse.
2009 also saw the release of our Culinary Concierge Concept and Programme, which includes the Mrs Ndaba initiative, and we're proud to say that it has been met with excellent reviews. We're also proud to say that through our Culinary Concierge Programme our guests, and Mr Tuesday, are making a significant difference in the lives of 67 toddlers.
2009 hasn't been an easy year for anyone but it has been incredibly rewarding. Enjoy the last few days of your 2009.
Posted by: Sue Huxter
Posted in: Community, Cuisine, Culinary Concierge, Franschhoek, Franschhoek Restaurant, Le Quartier, Le Quartier Français, Mrs Ndaba,
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| Wilson, G., Emerson Process Management , Austin, Texas
[gas tetector]
[flame detector]
[safety monitors]
[UC detectors]
Any facility dealing with bulk hydrocarbons must monitor
safety conditions at all times. A leak of flammable or toxic
material can occur at any time, and explosion is an
ever-present threat when combustible gases are accidentally
released into working areas of a plant.
Operators have a wide choice of safety equipment to ensure
coverage, backed by a library full of standards and
regulations, but what would be an ideal solution? The
ideal safety instrument would be able to
immediately and accurately sense flammable and toxic gases as
well as flames. It would be reliable, low power and resistant
to poisoning and other environmental effects. Equally
important, it would be low maintenance, economical, flexible,
adaptable and self-protecting. Obviously, a single instrument
such as this just does not exist, but by combining the right
technologies to a particular application conditions, the
ideal level of coverage and performance can be
One way to look at protective measures is to rank them into
three categories or stages: Detect > Distinguish > Defend
(Fig. 1). Knowing the technologies used in
each stage, their advantages and their limitations can help facilities achieve optimum
The first line of defense (and the fastest) is a
solution providing wide-area coverage that can immediately
detect the initial symptoms of an issue, under any
environmental conditionby sensing a byproduct of an
actual leak occurring. Ultrasonic gas leak detection can
provide this kind of performance; it instantaneously responds
to the ultrasound generated by a high-pressure gas leak, and it
is practically immune to any environmental conditions. It also
covers a large, spherical radius around the instrument. Yet,
while this technology provides reliable
detection in conditions where traditional solutions cannot, it
reveals nothing about where or what exactly is leaking.
The second line of defense is fixed-point gas detection,
which provides more specific information, such as: What has
been released? Where is the point of the release? Is it a toxic
gas or flammable gas, and at what concentration?
A fixed-point gas detector can provide that information very
quickly, if not quite as fast as the ultrasonic detector, and
will provide operators with an almost exact location of the
release in their facility. One limitation of a traditional
fixed-point gas detector is that it requires the gas to make
contact with the sensing element, or, in the case of
line-of-sight detectors, requires the gas cloud to enter the
detection beam. Outdoor applications can be problematic for
these technologies, as wind and even light airflow can move the
gas away from where it can be detected, even if the leak occurs
right beside a sensor. Temperature and humidity can also
negatively affect the performance of fixed point detection
sensors, and, of course, they all require regular maintenance
and periodic sensor replacements.
Fire or flame detection is the last line of defense to avert
a catastrophe. The fire has started, but hopefully it is still
small, and immediate action must be taken to prevent a
potential disaster. Eliminating the risk of an uncontrollable
fire developing is achieved through the use of automatic
suppression systems, generally combined with a voting system to
ensure that false alarm sources do not trigger these systems.
There are many factors to consider when selecting your flame
detection technology and configuring a system. Eliminating
nuisance false alarm events is of primary concern, as well as
ensuring fast, reliable performance in your particular
When consulting with providers on equipment choices, it is
beneficial to select an equipment vendor that offers the entire
spectrum of detection solutions. Not only will this simplify
procurement but it makes it possible to have experts available
to consult on the optimum combination of technologies, and
their correct installation, within your applications.
An ultrasonic detector is an acoustic device tuned to
frequencies above the range of human hearing (Fig.
2), plus associated amplifiers, signal processors and
alarm circuitry. There are two acoustic sensing types
available: microphone-based and piezo-electric-based sensors. A
single ultrasonic detector can cover a radius of 20 meters (m)
to 40 m, depending on the model required to deal with
background ultrasonic noise sources, as shown in Fig.
3. This technology is almost completely insensitive to
environmental conditions such as precipitation, wind and
humidity. Microphone-based sensors do require periodic maintenance and calibration, while
piezo-electric-based sensors are calibrated for life at the
factory. Piezo-electric sensors have the further advantage of
being non-consumable (never expiring) and use a ceramic seal,
making them extremely robust. Both technologies come with
automatic integrity testing to ensure continuous operation. A
huge advantage with ultrasonic detection is that the response
is essentially instantaneous even under the most extreme
conditions. For added redundancy, some ultrasonic detectors are
available with up to four independent sensors (Fig.
4), as well as features like field-selectable dB alarm
levels and time delays and a choice of either electronic or
true broadband sensor self-testing.
Manufacturers generally recommend advanced mapping services
to develop the optimum instrument coverage required at a
facility by factoring in potential leak sources and the
complete area of coverage when evaluating background noise to
establish sensor ranges and settings, combining them with
fixed-point solutions.
Gas detectors are available for both combustible and toxic
gases. Combustible gas sensor types include catalytic bead and
infrared (IR), both point and open path, while toxic gas
sensors include electrochemical and metal oxide semiconductor
A catalytic bead device (Fig. 5) consists
of a pair of catalytic beads with platinum coils inside, one
for sensing and the other, a reference, made the same way but
not catalytically active. Current through the platinum (Pt)
coils warms the beads, and any combustible gas touching the
sensing bead will oxidize, raising the beads temperature
and changing the electrical resistance of the Pt coil inside
linearly with gas concentration. Simple circuitry (i.e.,
Wheatstone bridge) compares the resistances of the sensing and
reference coils to produce an output.
This technology has been proven in the field for more than a
half century, and the sensors are simple, rugged and
inexpensive to replace. They are resistant to difficult environmental factors like
condensation and humidity, and, because they have no optics,
are well suited to dusty and dirty environments. They are also
available with custom calibration factors to allow some
flexibility with calibration.
Considerations include susceptibility to some poisoning
agents and the need for an oxygen atmosphere. Exposure to high
concentrations of gas can significantly degrade the
sensors performance; if the exposure continues long
enough, it may cause the bead to overheat and fail prematurely.
Some sensors are self-protecting, with a feature that
automatically reduces current to the bead under these
conditions, dramatically increasing the sensors lifespan.
And compared to IR sensors, catalytic bead sensors do require
more frequent calibration and periodic replacement.
IR gas detectors. These items sense gases
through the principle that hydrocarbon gases attenuate certain
wavelengths of IR light. The particular wavelengths are
specific characteristics of the gases. In analytic work,
technology referred to as nondispersive infrared (NDIR) is used
to identify them. An emitter (usually some form of incandescent
lamp) produces a beam of wideband IR light that is sent through
the air to a wavelength-sensitive sensor. In most designs, the
light from the source is split in two beams, with one going
through the air to be monitored and the other through clean air
as a reference.
IR sensors are available in both point and open-path
versions; the point type uses an IR service life entirely
within the sensor, while the open-path type sends a beam of IR
light through an area to a receiver or to a reflector that
sends the beam back. They are quite accurate (some using
dual-light sources); are immune to poisoning and other
environmental effects. Some units have automatic internal
compensation for changes in temperature, humidity and light
source aging, and others have long calibration intervals.
Unaffected by high concentrations of hydrocarbons, most have
electronic failsafe monitoring, and can function in the absence
of oxygen or in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. They are
economical when considering the service life of the instrument,
with sensor lifetimes of eight to ten years, and typically only
require a simple calibration once a year.
IR sensors are not available for all gases (hydrogen, vinyl
chloride and acetonitrile, for example, cannot be detected by
IR), and are an expensive technology compared to the catalytic
bead. They provide a variable, nonlinear response and are
configured to detect a single target gas, although some units
are available with field selectable combustible gas curves to
adapt to varying plant conditions.
Toxic gas sensors. The most common
technologies used for sensing the presence of toxic gases are
electrochemical and MOS. Electrochemical sensors are
essentially tiny fuel cells. The gas to be detected enters the
sensor through a gas-permeable membrane or a capillary and
comes in contact with an electrolyte with a sensor electrode
and a counter electrode. A reaction (oxidation or reduction)
takes place between the sensor electrode and the gas, and a
current is generated that is linear with gas concentration.
Many sensors add a third (or even a fourth) electrode to
eliminate problems with electrode polarization and to increase
Electrochemical sensors can detect all sorts of gases,
including H2S, CO, NO, NO2,
NH3, SO2, Cl2, H2,
HCN and HCl. Electrochemical sensors are a proven technology,
known to be repeatable, reliable and accurate. Advantages
include specificity of response (only the target gas is
detected, although there can be exceptions), the ability to
detect gases in the parts-per-million (ppm) range, and very
low-power consumption.
Limitations include a tighter temperature range, limited
shelf life and possible cross-sensitivity to other gases, and
that the sensors are not self-protecting. One other factor to
consider is sensor life. Sensors gradually deteriorate and must
be replaced. One year to three years of lifetime is typical,
depending heavily on environmental contaminants, temperature
and humidity. Sensor life tends to be shorter under extremely
hot and dry conditions.
MOS sensors work by detecting a change in electrical
resistance when a target gas like hydrogen sulfide
(H2S) or ammonia (NH3) is adsorbed onto
the surface of a layer of metal oxide. Since response
characteristics change with temperature, a built-in heater
maintains a constant sensor temperature, allowing the sensor to
operate over wide ranges of temperature and humidity.
Advantages of the latest nano-enhanced MOS sensors include the
ability to detect small concentrations of gases (less than 20
ppm), low cost, long life and fast response.
MOS sensor limitations include the power consumption needed
to keep the sensing element hot (about 1 W, in some cases) and
the tendency to be fooled by the presence of non-target gases
like ozone, Cl2 and several others. Sensors
monitoring for particularly dangerous gases like H2S
use special methods to reduce sensitivity to interfering gases.
In addition, some traditional MOS sensors have what most
applications would consider a dangerously slow response and
have a tendency to fall asleep, losing sensitivity
unless exposed to a gas mixture on a regular basis, also known
as a bump test. Like electrochemical sensors they
also require periodic calibration (every three months). MOS
sensors have a 12-minute to 15-minute warmup period and need to
be powered up on location at least 48 hours before the first
calibration. Finally, MOS sensors typically have a moderately
higher cost.
An advancement in MOS technology, in which the surface of
the oxide has nano-scale features, provides improved
performance, including much faster response, no loss of
sensitivity, quick recovery from high-concentration gas
exposure events (a common issue with traditional MOS sensor
materials), and the ability to perform well under hot/dry
conditions. Some also require much less power than conventional
MOS sensors.
Transmitters for use with gas detectors are available in
blind, which generally means no display but with an
LED indication, and full-character display configurations.
There are transmitters available in the market with only
single-channel, accepting a single sensors capabilities,
as well as multi-channel variations that can communicate to
connected sensors independently. Ideally, the selected
transmitter platform would be truly universal and allow all
sensor technologies to be mixed and matched as desired. Other
features to consider when selecting a transmitter are low power
consumption and a wide voltage range, a bright display that can
be read under extreme conditions, a full-character interface
with non-intrusive controls and intuitive commands, plus the
availability of multiple output protocols including
Flame detectors are sensitive to energy emissions from actual flames, and
are designed to minimize their sensitivity to potential sources
of interference such as sunlight, electric lighting, arc
welding and hot objects. Optical flame detectors utilize
ultraviolet (UV) and IR technologies in various
IR detectors work at the spectrum below
(longer wavelength than) visible light, and are available in
near-infrared (NIR), narrowband and wideband types. NIR
detectors are sensitive to wavelengths from 0.7 µm to 1.1
µm and are relatively immune to attenuating sources like
water or vapor. Narrowband IR detectors look for the 4.3
µm emission characteristic of hot CO2 given
off by hydrocarbon fires. Wideband IR detectors
are sensitive to all wavelengths of IR, and can detect some
fires that narrowband units cannot. Note: That water, ice, snow
and steam all absorb IR energy and can affect all but NIR
Triple IR detectors (Fig.
6) look for three specific wavelengths: the 4.3
µm of CO2 plus two other wavelengths above and
below that. They respond only if the 4.3 µm emission is
sufficiently greater than the other two, which helps greatly to
reduce false alarms caused by sunlight, welding, lightning,
x-rays, arcs and sparks and by hot objects in the area that are
not on fire. They are also resistant to the effects of known IR
absorbers like rain and fog. Electronics that monitor for the
1-Hz to 20-Hz modulation (flicker frequency) of a
flame can greatly reduce false alarms caused by heat radiation
from equipment, but the detectors still may be sensitive to
very strong, nearby, modulated IR energy sources. In these
cases, the detector will need to be repositioned or can have
shades installed to block an identified false alarm
UV detectors look for the UV light emitted
by a flame. A common operating range is 185 nm to 260 nm, which
eliminates problems with sunlight and incandescent or
fluorescent lighting. A drawback to UV sensors is that
petroleum products tend to be opaque to UV wavelengths, which
means that a UV sensor requires periodic cleaning to remove any
oil that has accumulated on the lens.
Other materials that may affect sensitivity include smoke,
dust, dirt, oil and grease, silicone based cleaners and
standard window glass, all of which absorb UV energy. In
addition, UV sensors are susceptible to false alarms caused by
some types of lighting and by UV sources like arc welders
operating in the vicinity.
UV/IR detectors combine a UV detector with
an IR detector, and respond only if both UV emissions in the 185 nm to 260 nm
range and IR emissions in the 4.4 µm range
are present simultaneously. These ranges are sensitive to
hydrocarbon and metal-based flame, while
special tuning is required for hydrogen and silane fueled
fires. UV/IR detectors offer good false alarm immunity and fast
response, and are suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
Precautions in their use stem from the fact that some airborne
contaminants absorb UV radiation, and that contaminants on the
detector lens (steam, oil film or smoke) can reduce
Traditional UV and IR sensors check the integrity of
their optical paths by projecting a beam of UV or IR light
to an external reflector (usually made of metal) that reflects
the beam back to the detector. But this visual integrity test
method has several limitations. The reflector can be degraded
by accumulations of airborne contaminants (it can get dirty) or
be corroded, and require periodic cleaning. It can be knocked
out of alignment, creating a fault condition. The
detectors lens can also get dirty, reducing its
sensitivity; in some cases, the lens can be coated with a
material that blocks flame signals, but allows the test beam to
pass through normally, giving a false impression of integrity.
Fortunately there are IR sensors available with local emitters
that can check sensor function without the use of an external
reflector, which can save a substantial amount of maintenance.
Hazard detection should be divided into three levels
to provide the most comprehensive coverage. The choice of which
technology to apply depends on
individual applications and the conditions present at the
facility. Multiple detection methods are often the best
approach. When selecting a safety monitoring solution, it is a
good practice to look closely at suppliers with a wide range of
technologies and sensor types, and to work with a single and
experienced source that can provide knowledgeable consultation
on the best approach when considering all the options
available, and ultimately will support the complete solution.
All comments are subject to editorial review.
All fields are compulsory.
Jaime Bárcena -México-
Well illustrated issuance about "3D" steps to save facilities against dangerous gas release. Such "3D" safety path must be completed with or within a hazop study (L, P, T, C) to define and also install safeguards against such risky problem. Overall, at the case, when such gas release is hydrogen leakage that is not easily detected , even when such gas is burning indeed.
Raymond P. Smith
A well written and very informative overview.A couple of extra tips:-High integrity ultrasonic gas detection in conjunction with point gas detection offers the prospect of operating traditional overhead deluge systems in modules to mitigate (reduce) the explosion overpressure per published data. High integrity ultrasonic currently being field trialed.For triple IR flame detectors, (confirmed my manufacturer)utilising the two outer 'non overlapping' bands only means the detector can potentially be used as a stand alone double knock device.Both the above comments potentially give you less bang for your buck.
T V Venkateswaran
Some details about PID VOC detectors, say for benzene, would have been useful
Very useful article
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Engineers and designers are highly skilled individuals. Forcing them to enter design changes using tables, forms and spreadsheets is unproductive and uneconomical, and it increases the likelihood of human error—this is the way that most instrumentation software systems currently work. For too long, software vendors have denied engineers and designers the simple practicality of a graphical visual engineering interface with "drag and drop" capability and inbuilt intelligence, ensuring changes are automatically replicated into all the associated data and databases.
Is 2016 the peak for US gasoline demand?
Too soon to tell
July 2016


text:
If a creature is sacrificed, does it count as dying? For example, when something is sacrificed via lets say Devouring Swarm, would it trigger Diregraf Captains effect?
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Yes. Assuming the sacrificed creature is a Zombie, Diregraf Captain's ability will cause target opponent to lose 1 life. This is because "dies" simply means "goes to the graveyard from the battlefield".
A card that talks about something that "dies" does not care if the creature is going to the graveyard because of combat damage, a destruction spell such as Doom Blade, because it was sacrificed, or because its toughness was reduced to 0.
"Dies" just means "goes to the graveyard from the battlefield." Did another Zombie do that, for any reason? Then the Diregraf Captain's ability will trigger. Doesn't matter why the creature is going to the graveyard.
Here are the full definitions, if you're interested in the specific wording:
Sometimes-relevant corner cases:


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There are a lot of very similar or duplicate proposals on Area 51 and it is bad if a proposal falters because half the people are following "US Civil War History" and the other half are following "US History". There should be some method of combing the two proposals.
What is meta?
- Any Stack Exchange user can ask a question
- The community provides support, votes on ideas, and reports bugs
- Your voice helps shape the way Stack Exchange operates
Here is the official response
It has to first be determined if a proposal is too broad or too narrow, and I would think that the final deciders of that would be the Team.
That would have a big side effect: high rep users would be able to post more that 5 example questions in 1 proposal:
Exept for that, merging the proposals give no benefit. You can as well reask your questions in the proposal you finds better and vote to close the second as duplicate.
I'd like to see something like implemented the same way duplicate questions are handled on the current sites where high rep users can "vote to close" and if enough people vote the proposal is closed with a link to the other one.
I agree. One of the great benefits of StackOverflow is being exposed to things outside my specific interest. For instance, I may only be interested in C++, but I'm bound to learn about Haskell in the process of using the site. By having proposals that are subfields of subfields of subfields, we are losing some of the natural interdisciplinary mingling that could be really beneficial to these communities.
IMHO, we now have proposals with a fair amount of overlap that could be merged into a really great site:
These also have a lot of overlap with the Statistical Analysis proposal, although they have slightly more of a computer science focus than mathematics.


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Prince William and his wife, Kate, are set to visit Canada this fall. Read More »
South African novelist JM Coetzee and US Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout are among contenders for Britain's prestigious Booker Prize for fiction. Read More »
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I'm not sure whether this belongs here or on math stackexchange, but I'll give a try here.
I've heard that an extender is a generalization of an ultrafilter. This is not to say that an ultrafilter is the same sort of object as an extender, since whereas an ultrafilter on an uncountable $\kappa$ is in $V_{\kappa + 2}$, an extender in general is an element of a much higher level $V_\alpha$. But that an extender captures all the information an ultrafilter has about elementary embeddings. Or so I think.
What I am trying to prove is a precise statement of this:
Lemma: given a non-principal $\kappa$-complete ultrafilter on an uncountable $\kappa$, and $j: V \rightarrow M \cong Ult(V,U)$, there is an extender $E$ such that $j_E : V \rightarrow M$ and also $j_E = j$. ($j_E$ is the embedding built from $E$, that is, $j_E$ elementarily maps $V$ into the direct limit of a direct system, one whose elements are ultraproducts of $V$, and whose maps are appropriately defined to commute with the maps from $V$ to these ultraproducts.)
I've tried to take the extender $F$ of a short length such that $F_a = U$. Then all the maps of the direct system are the identity, and the direct limit will be our original $M$, and $j_E = j$. But I'm not convinced this is a genuine extender in that is satisfies one of the (all equivalent?) definitions of extenders.
Another approach is to take $j_U$, and take the embedding $E_{j_U}$ derived from it, and then try to show $j_{E_{j_U}} = j$. This will in fact be an extender, but I can't show whether the target model $M_E$ agrees with $M$.
Any ideas or suggestions?


text:
Plantsbrook Local Nature Reserve
Site Name: Plantsbrook Local Nature Reserve
Grid Reference: SP140 922
Ward / Local plan area: Sutton New Hall and Kingsbury
Constituency: Sutton Coldfield
Local Planning Authority: Birmingham City Council
Vice-county: Warwickshire (38)
Location and Access:
Situated off Eachelhurst Road, the LNR is signposted down a small track. The site is surrounded by a mix of residential and industrial estates. Within the site is a small car park and Visitor Centre.
Summary Description:
Plantsbrook LNR covers 10.72 hectares (26.49 acres) of natural space, consisting of open water, wetland, woodland and meadow. It is situated in a suburban housing area with industrial estates and extensive parkland nearby. A large proportion of the habitat is open water. The site lies on the Plantsbrook wildlife corridor, as does the newly designated New Hall Valley Country Park nearby. This site has been developed for people to experience and enjoy Wildlife in an urban setting since 1983.
Site Status:
Local Nature Reserve, declared in March 1991.
The Reserve comprises of a number of pools, surrounded by fringes of woodland, wetlands and a wildflower meadow, making it an oasis for its wildlife. There is something of interest to be seen at all times of the year and the resident Rangers offer a full programme of events and interpretative facilities. The Ranger Service also offers a service to schools and groups.
Visitors are able to walk the entire site along well surfaced paths and boardwalks. There is a Visitor Centre and car parking is also available on site via the main entrance off the Eachelhurst Road, opposite Pype Hayes Park.
Plantsbrook Young Explorers
A group of children aged 7 to 11 years old. Meetings are held every third Saturday afternoon in the month. Membership is free to children.
Tel: 0121 351 7007
Email: email@example.com
Out & About Booklet
Look out for the current issue of Out & About for details of hundreds of events and activities organised by Birmingham Park Ranger Service, including events during the school holidays.
Out & About is available free of charge from Park Visitor Centres and libraries.
You can also a view details of all the events and information regarding Ranger Events by checking out the "Whats On" pages
Tyburn Ward
Sutton New Hall Ward
Parks and Nature Conservation
Parks Feedback Form


text:
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (WIBW) -- A unique camp in Junction City is giving back to hundreds of military children and helping them heal after the loss of a parent or cope with parents who are injured, disabled or deployed.
Camp Corral is a new camp being held at the Rock Springs 4-H Center from July 15-20.
Some 240 military children. ages 8-15, from Kansas and 17 other states are attending the program, designed to give them an escape from the day-to-day challenges they face.
"Camp Corral is sponsored by the Golden Corral restaurant corporation and its franchises. This is the first time we've had it at Rock Springs. They had one in North Carolina last year and they've expanded it to eight different states with nine different camps," explained Pam Van Horn, a 4-H Specialist with Kansas State University. The camps are managed and staffed by the 4-H Youth Development Group.
Some 1,800 children from families with deployed, fallen, wounded or disabled service members or veterans are experiencing Camp Corral this year across the country.
"A lot of these kids ,because of what's going on with mom being deployed or dad being deployed or killed or wounded, they've taken on extra responsibility in the household. They might be the ones who fix meals and help their little brother or sister get ready for school and get on the bus and here, they don't have to worry about any of that. They get a chance to come out and be a kid and have a week of a lifetime and forget about some of those stressors that they have at home," said Mike Spohn, the camp director and operations manager for Rock Springs.
Military equipment from Fort Riley and McConnell Air Force Base was brought in Wednesday to honor the kids during "Real Hero Day."
The children also heard from Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Zielke, the commander of Fort Riley's Warrior Transition Battalion which aids wounded soldiers. He says it's important for soldiers and their families to heal together.
"The idea behind Camp Corral is to get them together with other kids who are going through the same thing and a lot of times, they can work out their issues among themselves because they figure out that they're not the only ones going through this so they know they're going to be alright," Zielke told 13 News.
Tessa Shelton, a Missouri resident whose father is a disabled Marine, added: "It's nice to know that I'm not the only one out there like that. There are other kids like me and it's OK and you can talk about it and people support you."
"It's nice to have someone to talk to who you can really connect with," added Garrett Johnson, whose family is stationed at Fort Riley. Johnson's father is currently deployed to Afghanistan and he says he has confided in his fellow campers about how he misses his dad and they listen and understand because they've dealt with it before.
Camp Corral also features traditional activities like horseback riding, boating, crafts, swimming and outdoor orienteering. Golden Corral created the camp in 2011 as an extension of its commitment to disabled veterans, recognizing that the children of military families can face grave issues. The camp is free of charge to those in attendance.


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On January 31st, 2010, former professional road cyclist and Grass Valley area resident Jim Rogers was struck and killed by an SUV on Highway 174 whilst out for a recreational morning ride. The driver, Patricia Hernandez, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, and her trial begins in early May.
Rogers was riding on one his most beloved routes, the scenic and winding road that connects Grass Valley and Colfax when the Ford Explorer approached from behind and hit him, knocking him off his bike. He suffered severe head injuries, despite wearing a helmet, and died in hospital shortly afterwards. He left behind a wife and two children.
Rogers raced professionally in the 1980s, dominating the popular Nevada City Classic as a member of the PenVelo team. He became quite famous locally, and was considered one of the finest, most aggressive and talented riders ever to come out of California.
Rogers' widow, Carolyn, has continued advocating for greater car/bike relations in the year since her husband's death, calling for a focus on the dangers of distracted driving. Authorities prosecuting Hernandez suspect she may have been using a cellphone while driving, which accounted for her failure to avoid colliding with Rogers.
A memorial fund has been established in honor of Jim Rogers, with proceeds to go to college tuition for his son, Nate. You can view the memorial and donate here.