text:
Finding secular alternatives to AA - Henry Steinberger, Ph.D.
By Henry Steinberger, Ph.D.
When people have a problem with addictions, where can they turn? Most people can name only Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups. Most treatments centers and courts refer people to them, but many people have a problem with this.
Though some people manage to take the helpful fellowship and ignore the higher-power/god talk, many of us who reject theism and supernaturalism will forgo help rather than seek a so-called "spiritual awakening" and accept a "higher power," who, if prayed to in the right way, removes one's "defects of character."
Worse, when a person rejects the 12 steps for all of these legitimate reasons, they are accused of being in denial about their problem and receive threats that they will end up in jail, insane or dead if they don't accept the 12-step solution, as if there is no other path to recovery.
U.S. courts have consistently ruled that 12-step programs are religious for purposes of the First Amendment and forbid their mandated or coerced imposition. Further, research has demonstrated that although participation in these groups is usually helpful, regular attendance and real participation were more likely when the individual's degree of religiosity was congruent with that of the group (Atkins and Hawdon, 2007).
But accurate information about secular options rarely comes from the underinformed and biased sources often unwillingly providing it. After all, religious movements have a commitment to winning new converts, not providing alternatives.
But secular alternatives do exist.
SMART Recovery (SR) has built its science-based, self-empowering, abstinence program on empirically tested methods. Besides the mutual support found in its almost 800 face-to-face meetings worldwide and daily online meetings, SR offers recovery tools proven effective in research. Its Four Point Program aims at (1) motivation to abstain, coping with cravings, managing problems such as negative emotions, and finding a life with balance. Like AA, lifetime abstinence is the goal, and meetings and help are free. Unlike AA, lifetime abstinence need not require lifetime attendance at meetings.
SMART stands for Self-Management And Recovery Training and is not claiming to be smarter than other groups. It's recognized by many professional health organizations and governmental agencies, which are listed and linked at smartrecovery.org/linkpage.htm.
SR's website (smartrecovery.org) provides links to other secular groups, which do not always reciprocate. SR's tag line is "Discover the Power of Choice." That includes the choice to quit using and the choice of one's recovery path.
Other secular recovery
These recovery programs are also secular and free:
Women For Sobriety aims for abstinence and offers volunteers the opportunity and training to become meeting "moderators." Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick started WFS out of dissatisfaction with AA's focus on lessening hubris — more of a problem with men, whereas women (and minorities) often need to be empowered rather than further humbled.
Her "New Life" program is based on positive thinking and metaphysics, so it may not meet everyone's definition of secular, but it's not a theistic spiritualism. The website (womenforsobriety.org) doesn't link to other groups or list its meetings (perhaps for security), so you have to contact the central office to find a group.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (aka Save Our Selves) is affiliated and supported by the Center for Inquiry of Los Angeles, thus affirming its humanist credentials. A dominant figure, James Christopher, started SOS. Meeting leaders are all recovering people.
The program might be described as the 12 steps minus the god stuff. The website (cfiwest.org/sos) provides a list of meetings but no links to other programs.
LifeRing started when Martin Nicolaus, head of SOS publishing, broke with that organization to start a group "not affiliated" with any other (like CFI). He claims that each person creates their own program, but his books provide theory and structure. Volunteer "conveners" are all recovering people. The website (lifering.org) lists meetings but does not link to other groups.
Moderation Management, unlike all the other groups, is not abstinence-based. The secular, science-based program is not for alcohol-dependents (alcoholics). MM provides safer responsible drinking limits and guidelines. It's a 9-step program to help people cut down or quit, and either outcome is considered a success.
Volunteers include people who have never had an alcohol problem. The website (moderation.org) lists live and online meetings and links to other programs.
For the "never addicted" reader who wants to help, SMART Recovery volunteers include both never-addicted and recovering people, all of whom receive training in facilitating meetings.
Rational Recovery is often mistakenly offered as a secular alternative to AA, but RR stopped offering free self-help meetings in the mid-1990s. It's a for-profit company that sells seminars, DVDs and some fine secular self-help books, but it's not a self-help group.
Why am I interested in providing secular options?
My step-grandfather, Jacob Benjamin, who wrote "Did Jesus Ever Live or Is Christianity Founded Upon A Myth?" under the pseudonym Historicus, was a devout atheist and science-minded for his time, but he engaged in secret maintenance drinking during the day and a family-destroying binge every night. He ruined my mother's life and his own, which revealed to me a societal need.
I believe he might have been helped if there had been a secular alternative available back then. It is my hope that with this information more people in our FFRF and related communities will support and volunteer to help offer these secular options.
Dr. Steinberger, an FFRF Life Member, is a licensed psychologist. He holds the Certificate of Proficiency in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders from the American Psychological Association and is a past member of the SMART Recovery board of directors. He's the editor/author of The SMART Recovery Handbook (2nd Ed., 2004) and is a volunteer adviser to SMART. He specializes in science-based, secular approaches to addiction treatment.
Michigan atheist makes a difference - Tim Earl
By Tim Earl
In the fall of 2011, after hearing one too many invocations praising Jesus at our City Council meeting in Portage, Mich., I decided to do something about it.
I was still thinking about it when Dan Barker spoke at a Center for Inquiry event in Grand Rapids. Afterward, as Dan was signing my copy of Godless, I mentioned it to him. He encouraged me to address the issue with the council.
When I said that I had tried without success to find a "secular leader" to give a secular invocation, Dan suggested that I offer to do it myself. So, in my letter to the council, I did make that offer. They did not address it at the next meeting, but it was on the agenda for the one after that, but unfortunately I was out of town on business and couldn't attend.
I watched the video later and was told by the city clerk that I would be scheduled to give a secular invocation at a later date. (In November, I received a copy of the 2012 invocation schedule which included my name for a July meeting, with a form letter thanking me for serving the community by participating in the process).
When I attended the next meeting and thanked them for considering the matter, one council member came up to thank me for bringing it up, saying she thought on occasion that the invocations went too far.
It was interesting to watch the video of the council's discussion about my letter. The city attorney said that he felt the council was not violating any law. One council member asked if there were invocation guidelines given to people, for example, to avoid overly sectarian language. The attorney advised the council against doing that, fearing it would become de facto policy and open the city up to a lawsuit for violating it later.
Here is the text of my invocation:
"I represent no congregation or denomination. But I appreciate the invitation to give this invocation on behalf of the nonbelievers in our city, which includes those who do not subscribe to any particular religious sect and those who deny the existence of a god altogether.
It can be easy to forget or pretend that we don't exist because we are a small minority, but we are a rapidly growing minority, so we do appreciate the chance to get our seat at the table.
We include doctors, lawyers, teachers and people of all walks of life who live moral lives and contribute to the welfare of our community. As a veteran, I can even assure you that there are indeed atheists in foxholes. With that said, thank you again for the opportunity.
And so, while I would prefer that the practice of invocations be discontinued, I recognize that that is unlikely to happen here in the near future, so I thank you again for this opportunity to represent a minority viewpoint.
And so, without appealing to a higher power which I do not believe exists, I ask each one of you to put forth your best effort to listen intently, resolve differences, find common ground and advance the progress and prosperity of our community.
Because with or without prayer, that's what needs to be done, and prayers don't pay the bills, or maintain the roads, or do any of the work that this council and our city manager do so effectively on our behalf. As human beings, all we can do is use the talents and wisdom which nature, our education and experience have given us to overcome the challenges we face.
And when the task before you is difficult, I ask that you not to look upward for guidance from some higher power which is most likely an outgrowth of our own fear of mortality, but instead look inward to your own sense of morality and reason, and also look outward to the members of this community who come forward to lend their support and assistance.
Only through a spirit of cooperation and unity can we continue to make the city of Portage such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise our families.
In closing, it's important to remember that you don't need a god to hope, to care, to love or to live. And we don't need one to help conduct city business.
Thank you.
During the meeting, the council approved four churches as polling places (out of 21 precincts). I told the council I opposed "forcing citizens to enter a house of worship to exercise their most cherished democratic right." I noted studies that have shown a link between how people vote and where they vote.
After the meeting, a council members thanked me for coming and said she was going to share the video with her atheist friend. She asked about alternative voting locations. The mayor and others joined in and we had a nice discussion. They gently suggested that, having brought it up, I should be willing to help find a solution. I'm still working on that.
Two interesting things happened at the next meeting two weeks later. Before the meeting, the mayor took the Catholic priest scheduled to give the invocation aside and appeared to ask him to avoid sectarian language (which he avoided). I'm not sure if the mayor did that because he saw me there or not, but I found it encouraging.
Then, as I was leaving, a man asked to speak with me. (He was a police detective, I learned during the conversation. City policy is to have at least one officer at every meeting.) He said he found my invocation at the previous meeting offensive. He felt that I had insulted religion in general and Christianity in particular.
We had an interesting discussion, which brought out all the same tired old arguments like "the minority forcing the majority to accept their position." I shot them all down. After about 10 minutes, he said we would never agree but said he felt better talking about it.
FFRF member Tim Earl was born and raised in Detroit by a non-practicing Protestant father and a "pre-Vatican II" Catholic mother and attended Catholic schools K-12, including an all-male Christian Brothers high school. He served in the Navy from 1996 to 2004, including service as chief engineer of the destroyer USS Fletcher in the opening months of the 2003 Iraq War.
"Part of what finally pushed me over the edge to nonbelief was being exposed to Islam firsthand while in the Middle East. Seeing how passionate these people were about their beliefs, I started thinking about the mutual exclusivity of the world's major religions. I finally finished this journey of self-discovery when I read The God Delusion. I realized that I was indeed an atheist and that there was nothing wrong with that. When I told my wife, a secular Jew who had never really discussed religion with me, she said, "It's about time. Welcome to the club." We now raise our two daughters, ages 4 and 7, with no religious tradition.
Help fund FFRF's work through CFC
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has once again qualified for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
The CFC is the only officially sanctioned program for soliciting federal government employees on behalf of charitable organizations. The CFC conducts annual campaigns in the workplace and allows federal employees to make donations through payroll deductions or other forms of payment to an approved list of charities. It's part of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
FFRF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was first included on the CFC list of eligible charities in 2008. "Federal workers had contacted the Foundation in the past, noting the many religious charities on the listing, and wishing there were a nontheist alternative," said Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
"We're delighted to announce now again in 2012 that our activities throughout the United States, including the many scholarships we grant students, helped FFRF meet the rigorous eligibility criteria," Gaylor said.
To FFRF's knowledge, it's the only freethought group on the list, which includes hundreds of religious groups. All dues and donations are deductible for income-tax purposes.
"Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc." will appear in the listing of "National/International Independent Organizations" that's published in each local campaign charity list in the early fall.
The solicitation period for 2012 campaign donations is Sept. 1 through Dec. 15. Deadlines vary by region. The CFC code that donors will use to designate their contribution to FFRF is 32519.
CFC donors contributed more than $63,000 to FFRF in 2010 and more than $88,000 in 2011.
Another way to give is via matching grant donations, which have become a significant boost to FFRF in recent years. Many companies offer to match (fully or a percentage of) their employees' donations to charitable nonprofits. These matches multiply the impact of the initial donation to further FFRF's goals.
Gaylor added, "It is recommended that all CFC donors check the box to include their name and mailing address (in addition to your email) with the donation. Donors will receive an acknowledgment from FFRF when we receive pledge notification (throughout the year). If you do not receive that acknowledgment, please contact FFRF to be sure we have been given your name and information about your pledge."
Charity Navigator gives FFRF its highest rating of four stars, which means "exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause."
Meet a militant atheist: R. Kelly Wagner
Name: R. Kelly Wagner (the R stands for Rebecca Ann, or possibly for Robot if one happens to be an Asimov fan).
Where I live: Columbia, Md.
Where and when I was born: In Chicago, 50-"mumble" years ago, raised on Long Island around Levittown.
Family: Oh heavens, too many siblings to mention, most of whom are Catholic. The one person I would like to mention would be my late husband, Steve Harsch, who was also an FFRF member until his death in 2010. No kids, lots of pets.
Education: B.S. in accounting, Northeastern University, 1978; MBA with concentration in federal income taxation, St. Edwards University, 1988. I've also taken coursework toward advanced degrees in dispute resolution, actuarial science and educational technology. My CPA license is currently on inactive status.
I'm a lifelong reader. I'm always learning something new. I take knitting and quilting classes, too.
Occupation: Before I retired, I worked as a CPA doing taxes in the 1980s, then spent 15 years as a financial analyst for the Texas Department of Insurance, doing solvency monitoring of property-casualty companies, which was a lot more fun than it sounds to most people. I taught introductory computer science courses at St. Edward's University in Austin for six years.
How I got where I am today: Let's not start too early, but let's go with getting diagnosed with congestive heart failure in December 2002 and my husband and I deciding to move someplace closer to my family, with better medical care and more culture in 2005. Maryland suited our politics much better than Texas ever did (though Steve was born there and I lived there for 24 years), and it's a lot easier to be an atheist here than it ever was in Texas. As for all the stuff prior to that, I'd say the short answer is whim and random turns of fate!
Where I'm headed: Various attempts to improve my heart failure via surgery haven't worked out, so mostly I'm spinning my wheels rather than headed anywhere.
Person in history I admire and why: Has Isaac Asimov been dead long enough [1992] to count as history? And do I even need to explain why?
A quotation I like: "Do not let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you must, with the same weapons of reason that today arm you against the present." (Marcus Aurelius)
These are a few of my favorite things: Luxury knitting yarns, small pets (especially guinea pigs), playing the saxophone in community bands, sleeping in till noon on Sundays, autumn leaves, public libraries, the hope for universal health care and the Udvar-Hazy Center (part of the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum, a great example of science and reason).
These are not: The guy at the supermarket who tried to tell me about Jesus last week; slow progress on new treatments for chronic illnesses; long waiting lists at the library for books I want to read right now; people who brag about being bad at math; people who "don't believe in" vaccinations (and people who don't believe in paying for public schools and libraries and recreation centers, but then it sounds as though I dislike all libertarians, and I've met a few that I do like).
My doubts about religion started: When I was 15. My family was Catholic, and I was depressed, and the oppressiveness of a god who would deliberately inflict depression on someone, and a religion that considers women second-class, started to weigh on me.
Why I'm a freethinker: Getting rid of organized religion was a start on lifting my depression; getting rid of the idea of gods who can do good things for human lives but arbitrarily, capriciously, and cruelly choose not to, really gave me a boost. Life is so much easier to explain, and so much less cruel, once we know that evil is the acts of humans only, and that prayers don't fix it, only good works by other humans do.
It's like free speech: The answer to speech you don't like is more free speech; the answer to religion is more freethought.
Ways I promote freethought: I fill in "militant atheist" as my religion on forms that ask. I openly discuss my atheist views with anyone who asks. I wear my "Friendly Neighborhood Atheist" T-shirt, and I'm working on a piece of music for concert band that will be called "Freethinkers' March." When it's done and I get one of my community bands to play it, you'll get a recording of it and rights to it — next spring, with any luck!
FFRF florist complaint gets green light
In early October, the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights notified FFRF's local attorney Katherine Godin that "a Preliminary Investigating Commissioner carefully reviewed and considered the information gathered during the course of the investigation by members of the Commission staff. The Commissioner has determined that there is 'probable cause' to believe that the respondents have violated the Rhode Island Hotels and Public Places Act. . ."
FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert filed a complaint in January after four florists refused its order of flowers to congratulate Jessica Ahlquist, the Cranston, R.I., teen who had just won a major ruling in her favor by a federal judge, who agreed a prayer banner in her high school's auditorium was unconstitutional. FFRF had to contract for the services from a Connecticut florist in order to get the flowers delivered. FFRF filed the complaint against two of the Cranston florists.
FFRF alleges "illegal discrimination based on religion" for failure to fill the order. Markert cited the state law that says it's unlawful for a place of accommodation to deny services "on account of religion."
The commission's preliminary finding further states, "Since the finding of probable cause, the parties [FFRF, Twins Florist and Flowers by Santilli] have begun conciliation endeavors. Should the parties not come to an agreement or settlement, the Commission will order a hearing to determine whether the statute was violated. Either party also has a right to request a transfer of the case to Superior Court."
They Said What?
We believe the best way to ensure religious freedom is to protect all religious references and symbols; including those on public buildings, lands, or documents. This includes prayer in public schools, thanking God in a graduation speech, and religious symbols being placed on public property during their appropriate holiday season. . . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Wisconsin . . . believes that school boards should have discretion as to the teaching of intelligent design within their districts.
Wisconsin GOP platform
wisgop.org, 5-13-12
Somehow or another there's this, ya know, steel wall, this iron curtain or whatever you want to call it, between the church and people of faith, and this separation of church and state is just false on its face. We have a biblical responsibility to be involved in the public arena proclaiming God's truth.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, participating in a conference call with evangelicals preparing for Rev. Rick Scarborough's "40 Days to Save America"
Dallas Morning News, 9-19-12
I grew up in a religious environment, and I'm proud of it. I was going to be a priest; I'm proud of it. And I thank God I believe in God, or I would probably be enormously angry right now.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, public interview at the National Archives on the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution
New York Times, 9-17-12
State/Church Bulletin
Buddhist stupa ordered out of park
A 10-foot-tall Buddhist stupa was removed in September from New Mexico's Petroglyph National Monument after an opinion from the Department of Interior's solicitor general that it endorsed religion.
The agency bought the stupa, a mound-like structure housing relics, when it acquired park land in 1990. It will be donated to the Buddhist community in Albuquerque.
School avoids prayer ban by singing
Republican state Rep. Justin Harris told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Sept. 29 that in order to get around a ban on religion in state-funded preschools, he will have children sing prayers at the school he operates through Growing God's Kingdom in West Fork, Ark.
A new rule, which went into effect Oct. 26, allows religious music under certain circumstances. Records show Growing God's Kingdom has received $2.6 million from the state since 2005.
No coach-led prayer, says Portales, N.M.
Coach-led prayers will not be allowed in Portales, N.M., city league sports, the Portales News-Tribune reported Sept. 13.
League Director Mike Doerr told coaches he's watched them leading prayers. "We have multiple ethnicities, nationalities and religious backgrounds involved in our city leagues. As much freedom as everyone has to express religious views, we must have the courtesy to respect the views of others."
Players still have the freedom to pray or observe a moment of silence at practices and games, Doerr said.
Delaware vote for Psalm 23 is 3-2
The Sussex County Council, Georgetown, Del., voted 3-2 on Sept. 11 to substitute Psalm 23 for the Lord's Prayer to open meetings.
Four county residents had sued to stop the Lord's Prayer. U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark ruled in May that the plaintiffs would likely win the case because use of a Protestant version of the prayer "constitutes government endorsement of the Christian faith."
County attorney J. Scott Shannon explained the perceived legal difference to the Sussex Countian: "Because The Lord's Prayer is from the New Testament, the judge in this case found that it was specifically Christian and therefore not permitted under the Constitution. Psalm 23, on the other hand, is a recognized prayer in Judaism and Christianity and also is acknowledged in Islam, so it meets the Supreme Court's test."
2 of 3 Pussy Riot sentences upheld
One member of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot had her sentence overturned by a Moscow appeals court Oct. 10, but the court upheld two of her bandmates' sentences for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred."
Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, was freed after serving six months. She and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Maria Alyokhina, 24, were sentenced to two years in August for a "punk prayer" on the altar of the city's main cathedral. The prayer asked the Blessed Virgin to rid Russia of Vladimir Putin.
Defense lawyer Mark Feigin told Reuters the only difference was Samutsevich spent 15 seconds at the altar compared to 45 seconds for his clients.
"We did not want to offend believers," Alyokhina told the court. "We came to the cathedral to speak out against the merger between spiritual figures and the political elite of our country."
Wisconsin board votes against cross logo
The combined Catholic and public school Messwood football team in Shorewood, Wis., replaced a religious logo on players' helmets after the Shorewood School Board on Oct. 9 unanimously agreed after a district parent complained to the district that a Christian cross on the logo violated separation of state and church.
The new logo has "2012 PLAYOFFS" in red set on a blue football and replaces the old one. The Catholic Messmer High School and the public Shorewood High School have co-oped in football for 12 seasons.
"It's clearly a Christian cross," board member Michael Mishlove said. "I think it's inappropriate to have on a uniform or any sort of school-authorized clothing, as I think it could be viewed as an endorsement," reported Shorewood Now.
"We are not happy about it," Brother Bob Smith, Messmer president, told WTMJ Radio. He called the decision "hurtful for the team."
Pastor banned from Ind. school lunchroom
The Associated Press reported Oct. 20 that the Southwest Allen County School District, Fort Wayne, Ind., has banned a youth pastor from addressing students in the lunchroom.
It announced the policy less than an hour after John and Linda Buchanan, whose 11-year-old daughter attends Summit Middle School, sued in U.S. District Court. The family is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.
The minister, from a nondenominational church called The Chapel, was allowed to hand out materials and move from table to table, talking with children, the claim stated.
Linda Buchanan, 44, said her daughter brought home religious anti-abortion literature. "We're not a bunch of heathens," she said. "We're not anti-religion; we're anti-religion in public school."
In the News
Pew: 1 in 5 'nonreligious'
The U.S. for the first time ever does not have an adult Protestant majority, according to a new study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. The percentage of Protestants has fallen to 48%.
Contributing to the decline, The Associated Press reported Oct. 9, is the fact that about 20% of adult Americans say they have no religious affiliation. That's up 5% from five years ago.
According to Pew, the category includes people who say they pray or consider themselves spiritual but not religious. "Still, Pew found overall that most of the unaffiliated aren't actively seeking another religious home, indicating that their ties with organized religion are permanently broken, AP reported.
In 2007, 60% of people who said they seldom or never attended religious services still identified themselves as part of a particular religious tradition. In 2012, that statistic fell to 50%, according to the Pew report.
Pew predicts more growth in "nones," saying that one-third of adults under age 30 have no religious affiliation, compared to 9% of those 65 and older.
Man kills rather than spoil his child
Benjamin Edetanlen, sentenced to 18 years in prison Oct. 11 in DeKalb County, Ga., for killing his 5-month-old son and beating his two other children in 2004, blamed the bible.
Assistant District Attorney Dalia Racine told the court that "The defendant stated that he disciplined the children according to the Book of Proverbs in the bible."
Edetanlen told authorities that Proverbs 13 taught him "Spare the rod, spoil the child."
Italian churches losing tax exemption
The Catholic Church in Italy will be forced to pay taxes starting in 2013 after the European Union pressured the government to pass a law stripping the church of its property tax exemption, La Repubblica daily newspaper reported Oct. 12.
Historically, all church property, even if used commercially, (for a bed and breakfast with a chapel in it, for example) has been tax-exempt.
The move will net estimated annual revenues of 500 million to 2 billion euros.
Einstein 'God' letter sells for $3 million
A handwritten letter in which Albert Einstein questioned the existence of God sold for $3,000,000,100 to an anonymous bidder on eBay. The minimum acceptable bid was $3 million for the online auction held Oct. 8-18. Only two bids were received.
Einstein wrote the so-called "God letter" in German on Princeton University stationery, a year before he died in 1955. It said, in part, "The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation, no matter how subtle, can (for me) change this."
The letter and envelope last sold in 2008 for $404,000.
Ahlquist not buffaloed by family institute
Rhode Island freethought activist Jessica Ahlquist, 17, spoke Sept. 18 at York High School in Elmhurst and at two other Illinois high schools despite pressure from the Illinois Family Institute to get schools to cancel her speeches during Constitution Week events.
FFRF sent an Action Alert to members Sept. 17 urging their support of Ahlquist's efforts to bolster the First Amendment.
The Elmhurst Patch reported students were eager to ask her questions. "Why did it bother you so much? Couldn't you just look away?" one student asked.
"Because it's illegal," Ahlquist said. "Because it's my right and I feel strongly about my rights and I feel other people should too."
Charles Ovando, social sciences division chairman, said the discussion was more about Ahlquist being threatened, which was a good message for students to hear.
"When you talk about exercising your constitutional rights, that sometimes comes at a cost. It's not just a joy ride to speak up."
Former Tiller clinic reopening in Kansas
The Wichita, Kan., clinic formerly operated by the murdered Dr. George Tiller has been bought by an abortion-rights group and will reopen as a family and women's health center that will offer abortions and other services.
Julie Burkhart, executive director of Trust Women Foundation Inc., said the nonprofit bought the clinic in August. An attorney for Tiller's widow, Jeanne, confirmed the sale Sept. 26 to The Associated Press.
The state has been without abortion services except for the Kansas City area since religious zealot Scott Roeder fatally shot Tiller in church, where he was ushering, in 2009. Tiller was wearing body armor because of death threats but was shot in the head.
Property tax records online listed the property's appraised value at $734,100. Burkhart said she was unsure when the clinic would open. "Thousands of women right now have to travel three hours-plus for medical services. It's a burden on women. It's a burden on women's families."
Scouts forced to open 'perversion files'
About 14,500 pages of Boy Scouts of America detailing sex-abuse allegations from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s were made public Oct. 18 by an Oregon court, including internal reports of alleged child molestations by more than 1,200 U.S. scoutmasters and other adult volunteers. The records, formally called the Ineligible Volunteer Files but commonly known as "the perversion files," were submitted as evidence in a 2010 lawsuit.
Kelly Clark, a Portland attorney who won the landmark 2010 suit, told The Associated Press that the documents show that even though the Scouts have been collecting the files nearly since the Boy Scouts' founding in 1910, the organization failed to use them to protect boys from pedophiles.
The decades-long cover-up is being compared to the failure of churches, the Catholic Church in particular, to report sex abuse allegations to police. In fact, many Scouting troops were sponsored by and met in churches. Pastors were leaders in some instances.
Religious Right groups' coffers overflow
The top 10 Religious Right groups have total revenues of $1.177 billion, according to a new study from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. [FFRF's annual budget is less than $2 million.]
The revenues, in parentheses, come from official IRS filings and other reliable sources.
. Jerry Falwell Ministries/ Liberty University/Liberty Counsel ($522,784,095)
. Pat Robertson Empire ($434,971,231)
. Focus on the Family ($104,463,950)
. Alliance Defending Freedom ($35,145,644)
. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (Lobbying expenditures: $26,662,111)
. American Family Association ($17,955,438)
. Family Research Council ($14,840,036)
. Concerned Women for America (Tim and Beverly LaHaye: $10,352,628)
. Faith & Freedom Coalition ($5,494,640)
10. Council for National Policy (founded by Tim LaHaye: $1,976,747)
Taliban targeting Pakistani girls
A British hospital in Birmingham is treating Malala Yousufzai, a 15-year-old Pakistani girl shot in the head on a school bus Oct. 9 by the Taliban in Mingora in retaliation for championing education for girls. She was alert after surgery and is expected to live but the extent of her recovery is uncertain. Another girl was slightly injured in the attack.
A Taliban spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said the girl's activism needed to be stopped: "This was a new chapter of obscenity, and we have to finish this chapter."
Malala received Pakistan's first National Peace Award in 2009 for publicizing violence by hardline Islamists against education, The Guardian reported.
Another girl, 17-year-old Hina Khan, has received Taliban death threats and has had a red cross painted on her family's home twice because of her views on female education.
Scandal topples D'Souza at Christian school
Dinesh D'Souza's conservative Christian "family values" reputation took a big hit in past weeks amid rumors the married 51-year-old was having an affair with a woman in her late 20s. The shoe dropped Oct. 18, when he resigned as president of King's College, a small Christian university in Manhattan, reported The New York Times.
The school announced the resignation two days after a Christian magazine reported he had checked into a South Carolina motel with a woman he introduced as his fiancée. The magazine reported he filed for divorce the same day its reporter contacted him. D'Souza and his wife Dixie, 44, live in southern California and have one daughter.
He's also the director and co-producer of the conservative documentary currently in theaters, "2016: Obama's America."
His fiancée, Denise Odie Joseph II, 29, is also married and has written extensively about the importance of so-called family values.
Mothers 'maimed and forgotten' in Ireland
"The imperative to bear as many children as possible crippled hundreds of Irishwomen," Marie O'Connor writes in a column titled "The maimed and forgotten mothers" in The Irish Times. Catholic hospitals encouraged doctors to treat difficult childbirths with a symphysiotomy, a procedure that severs the pelvic joint, instead of doing a caesarean section.
According to O'Connor, the church preferred the symphysiotomy because it could widen the pelvis, "enabling an unlimited number of vaginal deliveries.
"But when it went wrong, which was often, the women suffered chronic pain and incontinence, and many could barely walk. . . . Doctors in every other Western country shunned the operation, but in Ireland it was performed on some 1,500 women between 1944 and 2005. About 200 victims survive today, most of them disabled. Yet they can't seek redress in the courts, because it only recently became public that these operations were unnecessary, long after the statute of limitations expired."
Judge chastises pandering Pennsylvania House but dismisses FFRF suit
U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner on Oct. 1 dismissed the Freedom From Religion Foundation's lawsuit against officials of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for declaring 2012 as "the Year of the Bible," while at the same time chastening state officials for "premeditated pandering" for religious and political purposes and expressing alarm that it passed unanimously.
FFRF sued in March after the House passed the resolution Jan. 24 that exhorted citizens and government officials to "study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures." It challenged the resolution for violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
In his Oct. 1 decision, Conner ruled that FFRF and its local plaintiffs had standing to sue, "which is a major victory in itself these days," commented FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. Conner also ruled that House officials had absolute legislative immunity. Conner, who was appointed to the federal bench in 2002 by President George W. Bush, has notably also ruled against the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Barack Obama.
While granting the defendants immunity for a "legislative act," Conner noted that the immunity "should not be viewed as judicial endorsement of this resolution. It most certainly is not."
Conner wrote, "At worst, it is premeditated pandering designed to provide a reelection sound bite for use by members of the General Assembly. But regardless of the motivation. . . its express language is proselytizing and exclusionary. . . . The court is compelled to shine a clear, bright light on this resolution because it pushes the Establishment Clause envelope behind the safety glass of legislative immunity. That is passed unanimously is even more alarming."
The resolution passed 193-0, although several members soon expressed regret that they voted for it. It was included in a stack of "noncontroversial" resolutions that are usually approved pro forma.
The "blatant use of legislative resources" contravened "the spirit — if not the letter — of the Establishment Clause," Conner wrote scathingly.
He concluded, "At a time when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania faces massive public policy challenges, these resources would be far better utilized in meaningful legislative efforts for the benefit of all of the citizens of the Commonwealth, regardless of their religious beliefs."
"The Establishment Clause, prohibits all government speech endorsing religion — without or without coercion. The government is precluded from taking a position on the merits of religion, contrary to the clear import of the Year of the Bible Resolution in this case," said Barker.
The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Lawrence M. Otter, Doylestown, Pa., and Richard L. Bolton, Madison, Wis., on behalf of FFRF and 41 named Pennsylvania members.
In a related story, the House on Oct. 17 approved another "noncontroversial" resolution that was introduced Oct. 15 declaring October in Pennsylvania as "Prayer Month for the purpose of setting aside time to pray. . ."
FFRF sent out an Action Alert but the resolution passed 189-2.
"It's absurd to declare that a month of prayer should be observed by all citizens, including many who never pray or certainly don't say Christian prayers," said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "Even more absurd is that they didn't pass the resolution until the month was more than half over. I guess we should at least be thankful for that."
FFRF saves Tucson taxpayers $1.1 million
The Freedom From Religion Foundation received word in September that the Tucson City Council has permanently suspended its decision to grant $1.1 million to the Catholic Diocese of Tucson, Ariz., to repair the church's Marist building.
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel had written an Aug. 7 letter to Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, warning that it was unwise policy for the city to offer $1.1 million to repair a religious building it does not own.
"If you truly believe the best policy is to repair the Marist building, then the diocese should sign the building and property over to you free and clear. Alternatively, given the neglect the diocese has shown for a piece of Tucson history, consider seizing the property through eminent domain. Title should not remain with the diocese if the taxpayers are paying $1.1 million."
Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik, who was one of two council members to vote against the original funding scheme, noted at the time, "The Catholic Church has neglected it for a decade. If they were serious about this building, they could cancel one of their pro-life ad blitzes and pay for it in a heartbeat."
Seidel echoed this point in his letter. "The diocese is perfectly willing to spend money to restore its other property. Last year, the church spent $75,000 to restore a crucifix." He pointed out the diocese just spent $1.1 million raised in the "Treasures of the Heart" campaign to restore St. Augustine Cathedral next door to the Marist building.
According to a Sept. 11 memo by City Manager Richard Miranda, "The diocese of Tucson has informed city staff that they wish to retain ownership of the Marist College so that it can be used by them and the local parish."
Miranda explained that because of the diocese's position, the grant "can not be accommodated" and the city will "take no further action regarding a potential agreement for the use of [grant] funds for the stabilization of the Marist College." The city has already begun allocating the grant funds for other projects, including road and water tower repairs.
"This is a major victory for taxpayers and for the constitutional principle of separation between state and church," said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "It pays to complain, or rather in this case, our complaint stops an unconstitutional payment."
Seidel's letter reviewed details on the diocese's healthy finances despite bankruptcy after payouts for more than 100 credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors involving 26 priests.
FFRF, not Jesus,
saves taxpayers
An FFRF letter of complaint Aug. 21 about a wrongful religious tax exemption in Wichita, Kan., resulted in the property being put back on the tax rolls and back taxes assessed. Sedgwick County Appraiser Mike Borchard said in October that Grace Baptist Church owes $2,194 in back taxes for 2010 and 2011 on a home occupied by a local politician.
Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott wrote to Borchard after being alerted to the nonexempt use of the home, which has been listed as a parsonage for clergy since 1996. Michael O'Donnell, a Wichita City Council member and Kansas Senate candidate, lives in the home. He's the son of a Grace Baptist Church pastor of the same name.
Pastor Michael O'Donnell said the church will refile a tax exemption request, "essentially appealing the appraiser's ruling," the Wichita Eagle reported Oct. 17. Under state law, there is a presumption that property is taxable. The church will have the burden to show that the house is exempt.
The younger O'Donnell, who has now changed his original story to the newspaper on whether he was paying rent to the church, accused FFRF of having "a political agenda."
Not so, responded Elliott to the Wichita Eagle, "We're an apolitical group, a nonprofit that does not get involved in elections or campaigns, but we are concerned about state-church issues, including churches abusing tax privileges, which was the case here."
The house is taxable for 2012, but because levies aren't set, an exact figure isn't known, Borchard told the newspaper. The church likely faces a total bill for current and back taxes in excess of $3,000.
FFRF stops city's church collaboration
The city of West Linn, Ore., rescinded an unconstitutional grant to Willamette Christian Church after a Sept. 28 Freedom From Religion Foundation letter of complaint.
It came to FFRF's attention that the West Linn City Council had approved a $1,300 grant to the church, ostensibly to start a teen center called The Summit. City staff purportedly spent considerable time on the proposal, with the regular fees waived.
Councilor Mike Jones, who later became a member of the church, was apparently the driving force behind the grant, fee waiver and overall proposal.
"Finding suitable after-school activities for middle school students and providing them a safe place to gather is laudable," wrote FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel. "Teen programming may be a genuine concern for the community, and while WCC is willing to address that concern to a certain extent, the record provides ample evidence that the city's actions crossed appropriate constitutional boundaries."
It's clear that the center, which would have been managed by the YMCA on weekdays, had religious purposes, Seidel noted. "WCC has scheduled 'church-related activities' for twice as much time as teen center activities."
The schedule called for the center to be open 10 hours a week to the general public and 20 hours a week for church activities.
FFRF noted numerous public statements that the main use of the center would be for church activities.
"The primary effect is to help a church expand by funding new construction," Seidel wrote. "In other words, the council gave WCC $1,300 to expand their church space."
FFRF suspected the center would be another way to target children who would otherwise not attend WCC.
"The city had no safeguards against religious use or proselytization at the time the grant and waiver were approved, nor does the city have any way to ensure that YMCA involvement continues. WCC is leasing the space, setting the hours and has the final say in all decisions. Should they choose not to partner with the YMCA, the city has no recourse."
The complaint letter noted other problems with the proposal, including waiver of fees, parking impacts, city officials in their official capacity sitting on a church advisory board and Councilor Jones' ties to the church.
While the city has not formally responded, FFRF has learned the proposal is dead, at least for now.
According to an Oct. 2 story in the Oregonian, Assistant City Manager Kirsten Wyatt told the newspaper the city decided to immediately rescind the grant to avoid controversy and a legal battle.
"Our options are either fight this or say, 'Hey, $1,300 isn't that much money,' " Wyatt said. "We're chalking this up as a learning experience."
FFRF pulls plug on hospital religion
A public hospital in Hollister, Calif., will no longer allow Christian prayers and verses to be displayed on its walls.
Hazel Hawkins Hospital formerly displayed Christian prayers, including a plaque entitled "Nurse's Prayer" on the wall in the medical surgical unit.
In a June 26 letter, FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt warned, "Government-run hospitals have a constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion."
On Sept. 17, FFRF received assurance from hospital management that they "have taken all appropriate actions to address the areas identified and respect constitutional rights of all employees."
Lord's Prayer out, silence is in
Another Pennsylvania school board has decided to drop prayer at board meetings after getting a letter from FFRF.
The Octorara Area School Board in Atglen voted to substitute a moment of silence for Christian prayer to open meetings.
FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert had written Aug. 17 to board President Lisa Bowman on behalf of a local complainant about the illegal recitation of the Lord's Prayer as an invocation. She reminded the board of numerous court rulings that said scheduled prayer at school board meetings is unconstitutional.
While the school hasn't formally notified FFRF of the change, according to a LancasterOnline story, the decision was made Sept. 17. The story said Vice President Brian Norris told the board it must honor the law and that members could meet privately to pray before meetings.
The advice to pray privately didn't sit well with everyone, the news story said: "Three school board members, however, stepped down from the official table to protest the change. Board member John McCartney Jr. walked to the end of the table and knelt in prayer as the school board began its new tradition of a moment of silence."
Bowman was out of town but told the board in a letter: "The board should not put the district at [financial] risk. It could affect taxpayer and student programming."
The Greencastle-Antrim, Eastern Lancaster County, Grove City and Big Spring school boards also voted recently to stop praying before meetings after getting FFRF letters.
Georgia district drops team chaplain
FFRF has followed up on Walker County Schools' (Ridgeland, Ga.) response to its request to investigate unusual constitutional violations by Ridgeland High School football coach Mark Mariakis. Although praising the superintendent's "commitment to upholding the Constitution," the letter raised some lingering concerns.
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Sei-del's Aug. 21 letter of complaint had detailed allegations FFRF had received over a number of egregious public sports-church entanglements at Ridgeland High School. Most notably, they included the coach taking public school football teams to pre-game church meals where pre-meal prayers are conducted.
FFRF also asked for an investigation into the allegation that Mariakis regularly prays with his teams, had pressured public school students to attend a "Christian football camp" and that the team had adopted a "team chaplain."
Superintendent Damon Raines responded Aug. 30 that "the district will not have a team chaplain nor will school officials or employees, including coaches, organize, lead or participate in any prayers. Staff will also refrain from participating in the FCA [Fellowship of Christian Athletes]."
The district indicated pregame meals will no longer include "religious references."
As Seidel stated in his Sept. 11 reply, "taking public school teams to church still involves constitutional concerns." Quoting legal precedent that prohibits public schools from holding graduations in churches, Seidel argued that regardless of the purpose in choosing to have a pregame meal in a church, "the sheer religiosity of the space create[s] a likelihood that high school students . . . would perceive a link between church and state." FFRF suggested that the district could avoid legal liability and save money on transportation by hosting a "potluck" at the school and allowing "any organization, restaurant, or business to donate meals."
FFRF was alarmed over Mariakis' attendance on Sept. 9 at a "Rally to Pray" by those who wish to "keep prayer in the practices and before games." FFRF's response called the coach's appearance inappropriate, saying, "It seems to send a message that he is unrepentant and hostile to First Amendment limitations on his proselytizing."
The letter asked the schools to investigate the context of his remarks and to "ensure that Mariakis understands he cannot use his position as coach to 'share the Gospel' with his team and other public students."
FFRF urged the district to adopt a written policy over religion in the schools "clearly prohibiting proselytizing and prayer by school officials or at school-arranged and sanctioned events."
FFRF also noted that it appears public school buses and drivers are taking players, coaches and staff from the school to churches for meals. FFRF further requested a response to an unanswered allegation from its original complaint that the football program has used the bible as a motivational tool.
Faculty now barred from Christian club
A teacher in Abbeville County Consolidated School District, Abbeville, S.C., will no longer be allowed to actively participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes student club.
The Wright Middle School science teacher was the group's faculty sponsor but actively participated in its 2010 prayer meeting and praised its Christian agenda. She stated in an article on the South Carolina FCA website that the 200-student prayer group was "very sweet and moving" and that at each FCA meeting they've had a student come to Christ.
A June 18 letter from Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert warned, "The Supreme Court has stated that public school employees, including teachers, must refrain from actively participating in religious activities while acting within their governmental role."
An attorney responded Sept. 14 that the district would "ensure that school faculty understand their role with regard to the sponsorship of religious [clubs] so that no further concerns will occur."
FFRF halts discount at Miss. restaurant
A restaurant in Wiggins, Miss., will no longer offer a preferential discount to church-going patrons.
Western Sizzlin' Steakhouse promoted a "half-off buffet" to customers who presented a "church member appreciation card." The discount was valid only for members of three local Baptist churches.
In a June 11 letter, FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt warned the manager that the restaurant was in violation of the Civil Rights Act and that "it is illegal for Western Sizzlin' to discriminate, or show favoritism, on the basis of religion."
In a Sept. 11 response, management confirmed the business will "discontinue including churches in our discount promotions and programs moving forward and will only offer them to other local businesses and companies that are not religious in nature."
Michigan board drops opening prayer
The Pellston [Mich.] Public Schools board meetings no longer open with prayer after FFRF letters of complaint. The prayers were often delivered by a board member.
FFRF first sent a letter in July 2011. An attorney for the board responded that he didn't believe the prayers were illegal.
In a November 2011 follow-up, Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt clarified the law. She urged discontinuation of the practice immediately to "eliminate the need for costly and protracted litigation of an issue that is settled by the courts."
The attorney responded Sept. 10 that "the Board of Education no longer opens its meetings with a prayer. Instead, the Board observes a moment of silence which is not intended to promote religion."
Teacher uses FFRF's letter against student
A Cheektowaga [N.Y.] Central High School teacher who posted bible verses and a drawing of three crosses in her classroom has been admonished.
She also invited a guest speaker to her advanced placement anatomy class who used bible verses to encourage students to "head down the right path, according to FFRF's student complainant.
Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert objected in a June 7 letter to Superintendent Dennis Kane. The student reported that the teacher shared FFRF's letter with the class on the last day of school and verbally attacked the student anonymously, alleging that the person who had complained to FFRF lacked integrity and character and was on the same level as a student who had cheated on the class's final exam.
Markert sent another letter June 14 to the school district outlining the teacher's egregious reprisal. In a series of replies on June 20, June 22 and Sept. 11, Kane informed FFRF that he took the complaint very seriously, had done an extensive investigation and confirmed that the student's allegations were true.
Kane told FFRF that all religious displays were removed from the classroom and said the teacher was reprimanded and directed not to discuss religion in her classroom.
Arkansas teacher told
to stop religious talk
An elementary teacher in the Little Rock [Ark.] School District who "referred to Jesus and God in several conversations" has been warned to stop. A June 21 letter from Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott cautioned the district "to make certain that 'subsidized teachers do not inculcate religion.' "
The district responded Sept. 13, assuring FFRF that the administration told the teacher that her conduct "was inappropriate and that she must follow the LRSD 5th Grade Curriculum."
FFRF action stops football prayers
Monroe High School in Alexandria, Ind., will no longer permit coaches to participate in or facilitate pregame prayer. In a May 23 letter to the Alexandria Community School Corp., Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel informed the district that coaches were violating the law.
The superintendent responded Sept. 12: "The administration has undertaken measures to correct behavior by providing reference to our school policy and the case law . . . as well as your original correspondence to the building principals and athletic director."
Pregame prayers will no longer be broadcast over the loudspeaker at West Jones High School football games in Ellisville, Miss.
Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt wrote an Aug. 26 letter to the school district. After several follow-up letters, FFRF has learned that prayers have been replaced by a moment of silence.
Epic fail for teacher's 'Critical Thinking'
A Suwannee High School teacher in Live Oak, Fla., is no longer permitted to display religious images in his "Critical Thinking" classroom. FFRF was alerted that the teacher had a Ten Commandments statue on his desk and a poster with a quotation exhorting people to pray.
"It is unconstitutional for the school to promote a religious message to students through calls to prayer and religious iconography put on display by a school official," Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote Aug. 28.
Three days later, the superintendent responded that "religious statutes, posters, or messages" had all been removed from the classroom.
Religious commercial forced off air
The New Mexico Department of Health has stopped airing an anti-smoking TV ad containing religious messages. The ad featured a woman in a church pew praying, lamenting her ability to quit smoking and making the Catholic sign of the cross.
In a May 3 letter, Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor noted "this imagery tends to send the message that the New Mexico Department of Health endorses the Christian religion."
On Sept. 5, the agency answered that "The ad is no longer being placed and there is no plan to renew the license for that spot of others in the 'Dear Me' series at this time."
Water board can't pray for rain in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board stopped opening its meetings with Christian prayers after getting an Aug. 1 letter from Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel.
An attorney for the board responded Sept. 10 that "the OWRB has discontinued the invocational prayer at the beginning of its regular monthly meetings."


text:
--Message deleted by comaX
Hi everyone !
As the admin at pcsci3nce.info asked me to, I ported my script YAMAS (http://www.backtrack-linux.org/forum...g-traffic.html) for BT-ARM distros.
This version only uses ettercap for the moment, but if it meets the same relative "success" as the two other versions, working on implementing new stuff like arpspoof, dns poisoning, etc. would be an option !
- The script supports targeting single or multiple targets, as well as the whole network
- You can scan the network to discover live hosts.
- You can add targets after attack is launched
- The sniffed traffic is parsed on the fly to display credentials as they are sniffed
- You can manipulate the real-time parsing according to your liking
The available version was fully ported from maemo's by J0hnny b14z3 ! You can download it at http://comax.fr/yamas/btarm/yamas.sh !
Thanks to Johnny for the awesome work !
Last edited by comaX; 07-18-2011 at 10:47 AM.
Running both KDE and GNOME BT5 flawlessly. Thank you !
--Message deleted by comaX
Last edited by comaX; 07-18-2011 at 10:47 AM. Reason: Code was too long, now there's a link !
Running both KDE and GNOME BT5 flawlessly. Thank you !
Hey ComaX, thanks for the work on this! Did you get display issues also though? the script seems to call for new xterm's which can't be provided in an android environment (running on droid 1).. I get display warnings (since there is no functional x server) and then it returns to the yamas main menu.. real time parsing doesn't seem to do anything and the logs are blank.. I realized this may be due to being hard coded with wlan0 for the interface which will cause issues for folks like myself who have an interface of tiwlan0 by default.. looks good though and with some tweaking could be a great script! Thanks for the groundwork! I'm working on porting a version of a sniffing script i wrote but i'm working through the same difficulties with displays and such.. also, the sslstrip errors in bt5 are a drag but at least it still works even if it doesn't print the data to the ettercap term! thanks again and good luck on the project!
Hi ! Well, this was supposed to be for ARM, but it turns out it's specifically made for maemo in the end... If you're willing to work with me on doing a BT-ARM version, I'd be glad !
What do you mean there is no functionnal x server ? If it's what I understand, we just need to get rid of xterms, which could be easily done.
As for the interface, only need to use the correct name.
Sslstrip errors can be dealt with by redirecting them to oblivion with 2> /dev/null
firstname.lastname@example.com to contact me fast !
Running both KDE and GNOME BT5 flawlessly. Thank you !
Sure i'd be happy to help out.. I'll play around with it and see what I can come up with.. I'm working on a droid 1 and so far having the bt session in my pocket has been great! gotta love apt-get capabilities on your cell .. there are obvious limitation but having a full bash terminal with command completion is nice (and not just having busybox commands to work with).. i've started porting my own script to the handset and have had success to a certain extent.. maybe between the two of us our code could bridge some gaps... if anybody else is interested in working on something like this please chime in!
I'll be in touch within the next few days Coma and email the updates before i post for approval.. later
Mail read, and even if we'll probably modify it, you have full approval for posting !
Thanks for your interest !
Running both KDE and GNOME BT5 flawlessly. Thank you !
Hey Coma, the updated and fully working version of this for android is pretty much done.. I also made a copy that will run in bt so you can preview it fully functional as it would be on the android.. it is designed to run completely within one terminal and be as user friendly as possible.. everything has a default and it all works well!(bt version tested on bt4r2) My main question is should i post a new thread for it, post it in this thread, or do you want to edit your original post? I've been lurking on the forums for a while but i've only started posting recently and I don't wanna spam, double post, or infringe on forum rules.. I'll send you the android version and the bt version through gmail first so you can check it out and edit the comments however you like.. then we'll figure out a good spot to dump it back to the world.. thanks again, it was fun!
Updated ! The script was too long for it to fit in the message, so I just posted the link to download it. I'll make a pastebin ASAP so that you guys can review it before downloading !
Last edited by comaX; 07-18-2011 at 10:55 AM.
Running both KDE and GNOME BT5 flawlessly. Thank you !
Excellent! thanks for letting me mess with it! If anyone has any issues or problems running this in any environment please take notes and let me know whats up! I'm willing to help debug and tweak it to be useful for everyone!
Enjoy folks!
I ran the script and chose all of the correct settings but it does not seem to be capturing anything. Should it show the passwords that it captures live? Or in the yamas.log file? What type of traffic is it suppose to be able to capture? Because, I have tried Gmail and FB both and it has found 0 passwords.
My etter.conf file is edited correctly and when I start the script it shows that everything checked was a success. Not quite sure what I am doing wrong. Any input would be GREAT! Thanks.
If I win, you will be my slave

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The deal
- 1 session of hair spa with organic scalp treatment OR Trico-Hyal Anti-Age Hair Enhancing Treatment for $288 (rrp. $1,860)
Trico-Hyal anti-ageing hair treatment
- 3 sessions of Trico-Hyal Anti-Age Hair Enhancing Treatment for $468 (rrp. $3,540)
- 3 sessions of Trico-Hyal Anti-Age Hair Enhancing Treatment + 1 session of hair spa for $758 (rrp. $5,100)
- 6 sessions of Trico-Hyal Anti-Age Hair Enhancing Treatment + 2 sessions of hair spa for $1,388 (rrp. $10,200)
- Includes 1 session of complimentary Hairmax Laserband Treatment
Package includes (based on option purchased)
- Professional scalp analysis and consultation
- 20-minute Japanese hair spa
- Cleaning
- Jet spa
- Head massage
- Italian organic glow scalp treatment
- Anti-ageing hair treatment
- 10-minute neck and shoulder heating pad application
- 5-minute antibacterial scalp cream application
- 5-minute hyaluronic acid hair cream application
- 10-minute scalp massage
- 15-minute Accerlerating treatment
Alice Magic Beauty
Alice Magic Beauty is an award-winning hair and beauty centre located in the Wincome Center along Des Voeux Road. With the help of owner and certified trichologist, Alice Lee who has 20 years of experience in her field, the one-stop wellness establishment offers a variety of Japanese and Italian treatments for hair growth, scalp health, and skin rejuvenation.


text:
Turn your Microsoft Kinect and Asus Xtion PRO Live motion sensors into 3D laser scanners
Allow the power of laser scanning to
3-Define your world
SCENECT gives everyone the opportunity to use laser scanning in their everyday lives
This free of charge software solution allows 3D enthusiasts various options - such as scanning for 3D printing, modeling, prototyping construction, graphics and game design. Commodity items, rooms, figures and real persons can all be scanned using your live moving sensor and the new SCENECT app.
Operates with Microsoft Kinect for Xbox V1, Microsoft Kinect for Windows V1 and Asus Xtion PRO Live
Is based upon the professional laser scan software SCENE
Provides high quality and uses coloured images as well as depth images of the sensors
Builds up quickly a complete 3D model
Can be recorded fast and easily
Can be saved in different formats
Can be processed in other software programs such as CAD
If you have any questions, please contact us here.
*May require Kinect Sensor Adapter. Microsoft Kinect V2 is not supported.


text:
Yamuna Nagar Overview
You can reach Yamuna Nagar from Guntur by road in about using a cab upon driving using a cab.
Yamuna Nagar is a city in the Indian state of Haryana. This town is known for the cluster of plywood units. The older town is called Jagadhri. The Jagadhari Railway Station services the city. It is a green, clean and prosperous industrial city. The city is turning up rapidly with the opening of multiplexes and various high end brand stores. Yamuna Nagar has the river Yamuna running through the district, and forming the eastern boundary with the neighbouring Saharanpur district. The Topra Asokan pillar of Delhi was found in the village Topra Kalan, about 20 km from yamunanagar.Archaeological survey of India has found many Harrapan bricks and stones from the area. Also a stupa of Ashoka's times was found in the nearby village. If you are looking for car rental Yamuna Nagar let us know and we will be happy to provide you with best budgeted deals for . Book cabs in Yamuna Nagar


text:
By Eric Stevick, Herald writer
SNOHOMISH — If Nick Eveland felt anxiety, it didn't show.
He was a model of equanimity: his expression calm, almost serene.
There was an ease in his gait that defied his awkwardness as he climbed the stairs to the Comcast Arena stage and met the gaze of 4,000 people waiting for him to say something.
Nick, who has autism, did not lock eyes with anyone. He knew better.
Nick thinks in musical patterns. His brain is a jukebox with a seemingly endless playlist. Familiar faces are like quarters dropped into the slot. Nick naturally composes and stores melodies for the people he gets to know. Their tunes play back in his mind each time he sees them. The musical bookmarks help him tell how people are feeling.
If Nick recognizes too many faces at once, the dissonance can overwhelm him.
On graduation night, Nick could not risk the sensory overload.
His eyes found safe pockets within the crowd.
Nick was one of three seniors selected by the Glacier Peak High School Class of 2013 to speak on their behalf at commencement.
His presence at the podium was remarkable in many ways.
Midway through his junior year, his classmates knew little about him. He really had no friends. In some ways, he'd been a phantom whose lone head shot in the yearbook documented that he was, indeed, a student at Glacier Peak.
By design, Nick walked the halls when they were empty. His brain wasn't wired to handle the din of 1,600 students coursing through the corridors. Likewise, he stayed away from the cafeteria and all-school assemblies.
Sometimes, he'd put on his headphones and flick the noise cancellation switch to block out the cacophony around him.
For more than two years, it all had been a weary trudge for the lonely teen.
Then he blossomed.
"To watch him evolve over the course of time into the person he was at graduation, that was something you watch in the movies," teacher Teri Corwin said. "It is not something you see in real life."
Fittingly, the theme of Nick's flawlessly delivered commencement speech was "Change."
Perhaps no one in his senior class had changed more in four years than Nick Eveland.
* * *
Autism can be perplexing, vexing, fascinating, exasperating and most certainly heartbreaking for parents whose children fall within the spectrum of complex neurodevelopmental disorders.
When a baby is born, there are no obvious signs that something might be amiss.
Instead, autism creeps up on unsuspecting families over weeks, months and years, and dashes dreams.
The autism spectrum is immeasurable in its depth and breadth and as unique as each of the millions of people it encompasses. The most profoundly affected require a lifetime of round-the-clock care. Others, such as animal science professor Temple Grandin, are brilliant. Grandin describes herself as a visual thinker with a brain that operates like Google Images.
English writer Daniel Tammet is an autistic savant who thinks in numbers and once recited pi from memory to 22,514 digits in a little more than five hours. In his mind, numbers have their own shape, color and feel.
It is no wonder then that Nick's dad, Peter Eveland, likes to say: "If you have met one autistic child, you have met one autistic child."
For Peter and Vicki Eveland, both academics with doctorates, the reality that their oldest son was different from his peers began to sink in when Nick was in kindergarten alongside other children his age. They noticed little things as first: his weak motor skills, his struggle with scissors, his poor handwriting, his lack of understanding social rules.
It was worrisome enough that the Evelands consulted with a developmental pediatrician who referred Nick to a psychologist for evaluation. The written report had a long list of medical conditions including depression, obsessive behavior and sensory integration disorder.
Vicki kept returning to three particularly troubling words: pervasive developmental disorder.
She learned that many people on the autistic spectrum are first diagnosed as having PDD.
Their pediatrician crossed out the psychologist's diagnosis. He explained that he didn't agree. He didn't want Nick labeled.
The couple began taking Nick to an occupational therapist to help him improve his fine motor skills and tackle his difficulty swallowing.
"I see all kinds of autistic kids, and he is on the spectrum somewhere," the therapist told Vicki.
In the waiting room, the mother of an autistic boy offered her assessment: "Your child is Asperger's, right? I see all the signs."
Just like that, a complete stranger stated what doctors were reluctant to conclude. Sure enough, Nick later was diagnosed as having Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder that includes many of the social and behavioral impairments of autism, except for difficulties with language.
"I knew he had some health issues, but putting the name autism to it was very scary to me," Vicki said. "In your mind, you think you are going to have this perfect child. I was in such a panic. I just wanted to stick my head in the sand."
The Evelands worked hard with Nick. They got him help and sought a balance in their expectations.
Nick was 10 years old when he learned to tie his shoelaces.
In middle school in Florida, he was a target for teasing and often cried at home when no one was around.
Nick was 13 when his mother decided it was the right time to break the news to him that he has autism.
He didn't cry or complain. For weeks, he just asked questions, wanting to know more.
"I always kind of felt that I was a little off, but I never thought that I was different," Nick told classmates in April. "You don't think you are different until you are told you are, I guess."
* * *
The family moved to Snohomish County in 2009. His freshman year at Glacier Peak was supposed to be a clean start for Nick.
He lasted just three days before the ache inside his belly became unbearable. Gastrointestinal disorders are common among people on the autistic spectrum, and Nick had suffered greatly over the years.
That October, Nick was admitted to Seattle Children's Hospital. The muscles around his intestines would tighten so hard he couldn't pass waste.
Nick winced at the slightest touch. Traditional treatments failed. Nick became increasingly withdrawn.
"We were on the brink of losing him," said Peter Eveland, former dean of students for the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Eventually, a pain specialist made inroads with Nick. He taught him how to shut down the part of the brain that transmitted pain signals. He convinced him he must "cowboy up" and tough it out.
On Dec. 4, nearly three months into his freshman year, Nick was well enough to return to class.
The quirky new kid was hopelessly disconnected.
"I just wanted to shrink up within myself," he said.
The staff looked for ways to help him through the school day.
They brought him into the main office and introduced him to Sandy Brandt, who works at the front desk.
Nick was told that Brandt would be his lunch buddy.
Initially, Brandt did the talking for them both. Nick would eat his peanut butter sandwich in silence and stare down at the blue carpet.
They ate lunch together for three years.
Over time, obligatory two-word responses turned into sentences and sentences became conversations. It was always a progression of baby steps.
For a long time, it was easier for Nick to get to know his teachers and staff rather than his peers.
Stefanie Celix had Nick in a learning strategies class his freshman year.
Once, she mentioned she liked the characters in "Cars," an animated movie.
A couple of days later, Nick handed her a picture he had drawn at home of Lightning McQueen, a red race car.
Nick had reached out. Celix was ecstatic.
"I was trying not to appear overly excited, but inside you want to jump up and down and hug him," she said.
Four years later, Nick's drawing still hangs in her classroom.
* * *
In the Dr. Seuss classic "Horton Hears a Who," an affable elephant in the Jungle of Nool hears a faint yelp for help coming from a floating speck of dust.
The tiny particle is home to a village of Whos too small to be seen. Only a big-eared, kind-hearted elephant can hear their cries.
In his junior year, Nick was cast as a Who from Whoville in the Glacier Peak production of "Seussical the Musical." It was not a major part, by any means, but it was plenty challenging for a novice with autism who feared his steep learning curve could burden the rest of the cast.
In some ways, it was the perfect role: Nick knew what it was like to feel invisible.
Nick agreed to try out for the play at the urging of his English teacher, Patti Wade, who also taught drama. He liked to talk with her about his favorite musicals.
Wade was aware that Nick had a high-functioning form of autism. She also knew he was smart and she'd heard that he could sing.
"Gradually, he had been coming out of the shell," Wade said. "I saw the potential in him and I wanted him to give it a try."
Nick's instinct was to politely decline, but he fought that impulse. There was something "so welcoming" in his teacher's approach, he couldn't say no.
Darren Oke directed the production. He'd been told that Nick had autism and no acting experience. He saw enough in him for an ensemble role in the chorus. He grew to like the boy who largely kept to himself when he wasn't on stage.
At least once a week, Nick would thank Oke for putting him in the cast and ask how he could do better.
Erin Wygant played Gertrude McFuzz, a leading role in "Seussical." Popular, confident and beautiful, she had been singing and acting for years.
One day, when Wygant was sitting in the audience at a dress rehearsal, she found her eyes drawn again and again to a bold and boisterous figure with wonderful facial expressions. The boy was in the background.
"Who is this kid?" she thought to herself. "He is so good."
They might have been going to the same school for nearly three years, but Wygant had no idea who Nick was. At Glacier Peak, Nick had been as invisible as a Who.
Offstage, the animated boy was quiet, reserved and awkward.
"It was shocking to see the different sides," she said. "The paradox is huge."
After another rehearsal, the cast was listening to the director's feedback. Wygant's thoughts drifted. She began thinking of her grandfather, who had recently died. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Somebody placed a crumpled Kleenex on her knee.
"Don't worry," Nick said. "I haven't used it."
Nick Eveland made a friend that day.
"That moment I will not forget," Wygant said.
Other cast members also were taking a liking to the autistic boy who was just grateful to be a small part of something special.
"You really appreciate someone with his pluck and attitude about things and that really grew on everybody," Oke said. "What I noticed about him personally is he had a sensitive and kind personality."
In his peach overalls, baby blue cap and curly mustache, he became a marvelous Who.
One night after a performance, the cast met at an Applebee's. Nick showed up with his mother and brother, Tyler, who played in the orchestra. Tyler wandered off to hang with friends, leaving Nick and his mom in a booth.
That's when Dana Brager, a lead in the play, told Nick the cast hoped he would join them at their table.
Nick wandered off.
Vicki Eveland sat alone, overjoyed.
* * *
That April, Nick received an invitation to "Be The Change" day. The program aimed at building a sense of community within the school. It was a chance for students to have heart-to-heart conversations about the challenges they face.
"I thought maybe this would be the place where I could say the sad stuff I needed to say," Nick said. "I felt like these people wanted me to go, that people were actually reaching out to me."
Nick flagged down John Bonner, a history teacher, and warned him he might leave if he became too anxious.
The students were divided into groups. Nick ended up in one with Bonner's daughter, Katherine, a striking young woman with long, flowing blond hair. Nick had long admired her from afar.
Nick did not hold back.
He talked about what it was like to live with autism, his daily struggles making simple connections with people, the help he needed learning how to make friends.
"I don't want to be alone anymore," he confided.
His classmates embraced him, hugging him that day and thereafter.
"He opened the door for us to be a part of his life," Katherine Bonner said.
Nick had plunged headfirst into life's deep end and discovered that he could swim.
In his senior year, he won a lead role in the fall production of "13 Past Midnight." He portrayed the deliciously villainous Victor Winslow. Wygant, who was the fall homecoming queen, played his wife and wondered how a such a warm and down-to-earth boy could pull off the part of such a horrible man.
Armed with his headphones to muffle the chaos, Nick attended his first football games. He joined clubs, became a loyal fan of the girls' basketball team and left encouraging notes to staff and his classmates.
He also wrote a list of senior year goals. After three years, he broke the news to Brandt that he was ready to eat lunch with his classmates. She was thrilled.
Nick enrolled in a leadership class during his final semester because one of his goals was to do something that really mattered. He convinced Corwin and the school administration to let him host a special presentation during National Autism Awareness Month.
Nick created a video asking students and teachers what they knew and didn't know about autism. He included slides that dispelled myths.
As Nick's big day approached, he began to fret, wondering whether anyone besides a smattering of his leadership classmates would show up. It was, after all, taking place during a free period. No one was required to be there.
The performing arts center was packed.
More than 460 people streamed into the auditorium; others spilled into the hallway.
There was Nick on stage alone wearing a hand-lettered sign across his chest that read: "Different, but not less."
He described how his brain can get overwhelmed by sights and sounds, how he has trouble processing abstract concepts and often takes things too literally, how he can be too blunt and oblivious to social cues.
It was then that he explained how his brain thinks in musical patterns, how just by looking at someone, their tune pops into his head.
He noticed Corwin smile and sang her melody for all to hear. Tears streamed down his teacher's face and those of the people around her.
His talk ended in an ovation.
* * *
Nick had one last item to strike from his list of senior year goals.
He had asked Katherine Bonner if she wouldn't mind previewing the slides and video presentation before his autism talk.
They had become friends since the "Be The Change" day the year before, and she had been voted student body president her senior year.
Bonner read each slide carefully for typos.
The last one blindsided her. It read: ""Will you go to prom with me?"
She emailed Nick her answer: Yes.
"I was humbled when he asked me," she said. "He is someone in the school who is admired. Nick is everyone else's advocate."
Nick really hadn't expected her to say yes.
"Katherine is so perfect at a lot of things," he said. "I was afraid to ask anyone. I had to keep thinking who would be a friend who I could trust who would at least be nice about saying 'no.' "
His brother Tyler, who is as socially smooth as Nick is awkward, said he was proud of his courage. He then asked Nick if he knew how to slow dance. Nick had not thought that far ahead.
Tyler took one of Nick's hands and brought the other to his waist.
The brothers, 19 and 16, slow-danced across the kitchen floor.
* * *
Nick sometimes wonders what he would do if he could just take a pill that would eliminate his autism.
For all his many hardships, he likes the way his mind works, the details he sees in rocks and stars, the melodies that play inside his head.
"I sometimes think or like to ask God why I am the way I am, but, you know, there are reasons for things like this. It's not always good to have it. It's hard, but there are things that it does that can be good.
"If I had to change, if it was all or nothing, I would keep it because it is part of who I am."
Nick also wonders sometimes if his friendships will last, if his classmates were just being nice to him because it was the right thing to do.
Those doubts makes no sense to Wygant.
"Sometimes, I don't think he realized how much he was revered," she said. "He was so humble. He didn't give himself the credit he deserved."
In his commencement speech, Nick thanked the faculty and students who never gave up on him.
"Don't let the pain of this world change who you are," he urged. "Instead, change the world with your greatness."
Nick assured them it is possible.
"Why? Because we already have," he said.
Nick himself is testament to that.
About the author
Eric Stevick has been a reporter for 32 years, the past 23 at The Daily Herald. During that time, he has written several articles about children with special needs and the challenges their families face. His interest in their stories is both professional and personal. His grown son, Ian, is nonverbal and autistic, and lives with several physical challenges. Ian was 17 when he learned to tie his shoelaces. His family continues to celebrate each and every milestone.


text:
'NHL teams are more dependent on ticket sales than any of the other three major professional sports – football, basketball and baseball – because they do not generate the same television revenue. "Our revenues are largely ticket-driven," McMillan said.'
Penguins raise prices
May 2, 2001 Submitted by
Via: Pittsburgh Tribune Review


text:
Learn more about American Studies and Media Culture at Middlebury College.
Carl Culicchia
Michael Newbury
Sponsor & Professor of American Studies and English and American Literatures
The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show as an Emotional Public Sphere.
'It's a Circus' Is Jerry Springer's No-Holds-Barred Talk Show Harmles Populist Escapism, The End of Civilization As We Know It or Both?
Jerry Springer an Appalling Diversion.
Undergraduate Research Office
Symposium Presentation Slides
Essay Report


text:
Harrogate, Tenn. - Brooke Seaman had 13 kills in the Tornados' South Atlantic Conference match against Lincoln Memorial on Friday night, but the Lady Railsplitters' Amanda Horenkamp matched her with 16 kills and 16 digs as LMU won the match in four sets, 25-12, 24-26, 25-18, 25-14.
Chelsea Larsen joined Seaman in the kill leaders with nine in the contest as Brevard (12-13, 1-12 SAC) connected on 15.9 percent of their attacks on the evening.
Bethany Stevenson set up the Tornados attack with 35 assists, while on defense Rebecca Schoonover led all players with 18 digs. Chelsey Trojan also achieved double-digit digs with 11, while Cori Emory finished one shy at nine.
Kodi Cartwright had 11 kills for Lincoln Memorial and Alison Hess added 10 to join Horenkamp in the double-digit column as the Lady Railsplitters hit 30.3 percent on the evening. Lauren Kiwacka had 28 assists to set up the LMU attack, while on defense, Alicia MacIntyre tied Horenkamp with a team-high 16 digs.
Lincoln Memorial came out in the first set swinging, going up 9-4 as Hess connected twice in the early going.
Seaman and Ashlie Morrison connected late in the first set for the Tornados, attempting to bring it back, but Horenkamp sealed the first set in favor of the home team, 25-12.
The second set was a seesaw affair early as the teams were tied up at 5-5 after a service ace by Brittany Pugh, but following her service error on her next attempt, the Tornados rallied to go up 14-8 as Larsen found the floor three times and Seaman pounded the ball to the ground.
Lincoln Memorial came back, keeping the game within two before finally tying it at 23 and at 24 on Brittany Pugh's serve, but a kill by BC freshman Jamie Atkinson put the Tornados up 25-24 and a bad set by MacIntyre on the ensuing play evened up the score at 1, as Brevard took the second set, 26-24.
The Lady Railsplitters built a lead in the third set, going up 9-5 behind the play of Candace Richardson and Horenkamp, but the Tornados used a four-point swing to take the lead at 11-10 on Emory's serve.
The Tornados remained within striking distance at 19-17 in favor of Lincoln Memorial before a kill by Ashlie Morrison cut the deficit down to one, but the Lady Railsplitters recorded the next six points to win the third set, 25-18.
LMU came out in the fourth set and built a 13-6 lead before Jordei Osby, Larsen and Morrison connected to cut the score down to 14-10.
However, Lincoln Memorial continued to build their lead, going up 18-13 and scoring seven of the last eight points in sealing the win, 25-14.
The Tornados continue their four-game road trip tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Jefferson City, Tenn. to take on the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles. First serve between Brevard and Carson-Newman is set for 3 p.m.


text:
Washington : Government Printing Office
|Public Law 87-44
|Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa. Lands.
|Public Law 87-44
|Sec. 4
|Sec. 5
Page 928
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, for the purposes of preserving certain important prehistoric Indian mounds and protecting existing wildlife and other natural values, the following described lands, consisting of approximately 272 acres, are hereby added to the Effigy Mounds National Monument in the State of Iowa:
Township 94 north, range 3 west, fifth principal meridian, Clayton County, Iowa: the portion of the southeast quarter southeast quarter of section 22 that lies between the easterly right-of-way line of the Chicago, Milwaukee, Saint Paul, and Pacific Railroad and the section line common to sections 22 and 23; those portions of lot 1 (except the northerly 900 feet thereof), lot 2, and lot 3 that lie easterly of the easterly right-of-way line of said railroad, the unnumbered lot adjacent to lot 3; and the former meandered river channel between said lot 3 and said unnumbered lot, all in section 23; containing in all 138 acres more or less.
Township 96 north, range 3 west, fifth principal meridian, Allamakee County, Iowa: Southwest quarter southeast quarter of section 33, containing 40 acres more or less.
Township 96, north, range 3 west, fifth principal meridian, Allamakee County, Iowa; South half northeast quarter and south half northeast quarter northeast quarter of section 33, excepting the right-of-way of Iowa State Highway Numbered 13; containing 93.7 acres more or less.
The lands under the administrative control and jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service within tract A are included in the monument subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary of the Interior may deem necessary and desirable in order to facilitate and control public access to the adjacent lands of the Upper Mississippi River Wild Life and Fish Refuge, and subject to the
Page 929
authority of the Secretary of the Interior to return them to the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service when they are no longer required for purposes of the monument. The lands under the administrative control and jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, within tract A are included in the monument subject to the right of the Corps of Engineers to retain adequate flowage and navigation rights thereon to facilitate the operation and maintenance of lock and dam numbered 10, Upper Mississippi River, or the construction, operation, and maintenance of any dam affecting this location.
The Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to acquire the lands designated tract C by purchase or through donations.
All laws, rules, and regulations applicable to such national monument shall be applicable with respect to the lands described in the first section of this Act upon the addition of such land to such national monument.
There is hereby authorized the sum of not to exceed $2,000 for the purpose of acquiring lands, interests in lands, and improvements thereon as may be necessary for carrying out this Act.
Approved, May 27, 1961.


text:
Washington : Government Printing Office
|Chap. 126
|Interior Department. Issuance of land patent. Mont.
Page 561
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed, with the consent of the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, to issue to School District Numbered 28, Ronan, Montana, a patent in fee to certain land situated in Ronan, Montana, and more particularly described as follows: South half northwest quarter southwest quarter southeast quarter, section 36, township 21 north, range 20 west, containing five acres, more or less, of Tribal Agency Reserve Land.
Approved, April 1, 1952.


text:
Lorain County water emergency over
(Avon Lake) -- Avon Lake Municipal Utilities has reported success in restoring water input from Lake Erie, and they have lifted all water usage restrictions.
Rural Lorain County Water Authority also says their water levels have improved and their water input rates are close to normal. They have also lifted all water usage restrictions.
Doug Dever of the Lorain County Office of Emergency Management tells WTAM 1100 that crews have cleared an intake valve that had been blocked by frozen water under the surface of the lake, and have also installed temporary pumps that will help draw water from 300 feet off shore.
Rural Lorain County Water Authority is issuing a boil alert for a small area:
In Columbia Township…Hidden Oaks Drive, Crocker's Landing Subdivision
In Eaton Township…Willow Creek Subdivision
All water being used for cooking, drinking, or cleaning equipment that contacts food should be brought to a rolling boil for at least (1) one minute prior to use. Coffee makers do NOT bring water to a sufficient temperature to sanitize water.
A boil alert for the Medina area also remains in effect.
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone.Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright 2013 Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)


text:
As they go along guys.
You can watch the show on Primetime (498 Sky) or online
As they go along guys.
You can watch the show on Primetime (498 Sky) or online
Co-Owner of www.AddictedMMA.com and massive MMA Addict!
I turned on to watch live...
1st time; some random guys in a studio and the audio was really, really quiet.
2nd time; some fat dude in the cage swearing (on live TV at 7.30pm) cos his opponent had pulled out. How late did he pull out? The other guy had his shorts and gloves on??
3rd time; a kickboxing fight of some sort, with fighters wearing fingerless gloves.
Wtf is this shit? Is this real life?
http://www.ChrisReesAcademy.com - http://thetattooedchimp.blogspot.co.uk/
haha its comical mate
now it's time for the "Antonio's" guy to come out against Giles who doesn't seem to understand the rules and can't throw a punch.
Saward guy is an absolute idiot, if you watch the press conference video DoD said absolutely no swearing what so ever on the night, stuff like that could ruin them doing it live again.
Seems more of a pantomime to me.
Looking forward to the main event but that's about it
Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer
Just put it back on in time to catch the commentator saying you can't pass with double underhooks. WTF?
http://www.ChrisReesAcademy.com - http://thetattooedchimp.blogspot.co.uk/
What happened to the Arnold Allen fight?
MMA Officials London, Essex and East Anglia representative
Arnold won a unanimous decision, took his opponent down and beat him up
'Go read a fucking book, you piece of shit.'
Here's one for you, heard Luke barnatt mention he can squat 180kg
Is that a lot? (+3)


text:
Call for the best Cable TV Providers online or by phone!
Call Now To Order: 1-888-252-9455PROMO CODE: G15500
Call Now!1-888-252-9455
- Digital Cable
- High-Speed Internet
- Home Phone Service
See Offers In Your Area
Order Today
And get up to
$200** Visa® Gift Cardwhen you order a Qualifying Triple Play
Aspen Hill Maryland
If you are looking for the best cable internet and phone service for your area you are in the right place. Start enjoying Cable TV Service Providers For Aspen Hill Maryland and get excellent and the hottest specials around.
Cable TV is the new standard in home entertainment. More channels, more technology, and more choices. Choose from over hundreds of channels from Cable TV's best programming packages.
Best Digital Cable TV Service in Aspen Hill, Maryland
Whatever your television needs may be, cable tv provides what you want and more. You can also get DVR, that lets you watch programs on your own time. Now that you have been informed about what can do for you it is time that you made an effort to find out how to take advantage of good Cable deals.
To get the right deals on HD, you found the providers who has the best HDTV packages available. Cable offers so many of your favorite channels at such a good price, you can't not get Cable. They also offer thousands of songs and they are all commercial free. They are easy to find online if you want to check out the features and great prices they have to offer.
Whether you want basic cable service, cable high speed internet, digital phone service, or all of the above, you are sure to find what you want with Cable TV Service. Order the best deals for Cable TV Service Providers in Aspen Hill Maryland MD. Whether you want cable tv, internet, or phone, with a digital cable TV, you get everything you need. To get started with Cable TV Service in Aspen Hill you may want to simply opt to try the cable internet deals which ensure that you get quick and highly reliable internet connectivity.
There are a variety of plans and packages each with their own specials to fit your needs. You can compare and order whatever cable packages you want, including cable tv, high speed internet and phone. Because Cable doesn't use satellites you don't have to worry that a storm is going to hit and knock the signal out on a movie you may be recording or watching. This happens a lot when it rains and snows with companies that use satellite because they have a dish and when something gets between the dish and the signal it gets lost and has to reset itself.
Digital Cable TV Service Providers in Aspen Hill, Maryland MD
Most Popular Packages
Phone + Internet
- Over 80 channels
- High-Speed Internet up to 12Mbps
- Unlimited local & long distance calling
TV + Internet
- Get 6,000 + movies On Demand
- Best channel packages available
- Up to 8 Mbps FAST for music/video
Get Started Now
Order By Phone:1-888-252-9455 Open 24/7 - Promo Code 15500