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Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
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Topic: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?) (Read 3712 times)
I'll be your Huckle Bearer...
Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
April 21, 2017, 12:52:40 AM »
Who am I kidding? We all know I'll be asking questions the SECOND I buy a DCC controller, or my first sound decoder...
Is there a way to take a DCC decoder (MRC 1651) and make it dual mode?
Before I bought it, I researched it, and couldn't find any information on if it could run DCC and DC (and heaven knows MRC's web site wouldn't tell me) but the seller assured me it was good for DCC AND DC. So I asked previous customers (it was Amazon) and one of the customers said yes as well... so I bought it. Before it arrived in the mail, MRC (whom I e-mailed) said it did NOT do DC (and the guy was just a bit smarmy about it... apparently EVERYONE knows that if it doesn't specifically SAY in the instructions "Dual Mode", then it won't do DC?)
Also, when I got it, it looked nothing like the pictures on the sellers site, NOR on MRC's site (all of their images, plus the seller's images show it comes with a sleeve, but it does NOT... it's bare circuit board... the smarmy guy at MRC said to just tape it, which, apparently everyone also knows) however, I want to put it into a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 "Connie", so "just tape it" is NOT an option... so, where do I get a sleeve for a DCC decoder as well? (Oh, and neither the board on the tender, nor the plug on the decoder have any markings to indicate which way to plug it in, either)
So... any help? Please? (oh, and I will never EVER buy a damned thing from MRC again after that customer service... I should have just bought a Bachmann decoder!)
So, yeah... is there a way for it to work with DC as well as DCC, where do I get a sleeve for it, and which way do I plug it in? (though, checking these boards, I suppose if the engine doesn't move, flip it around? But then, MRC, so I don't know if doing it backwards will damage it or not)
I was hesitant to ask here, but, it *IS* going into a Bachmann engine after all, and figured someone here could help with at least one of my questions. (in fact, that's all I own so far, are Bachmann engines... ten of them now in the past two months... I swear I didn't mean to buy that many so fast!)
I really hate to just toss it into a junk drawer, but MRC was zero help, and the advice from folks here has been reliable so far...
Last Edit: April 21, 2017, 02:21:42 AM by Warflight
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #1 on:
April 21, 2017, 06:25:50 AM »
As far as I know, Bachmann decoders come dual mode from the factory. BLI's locomotives come dual mode from the factory, though, I don't know who's decoders they use.
Tsunami's decoders come DCC only from the factory, but can be configured to dual mode.
Don't know about other folk's decoders. MRC may be DCC only. I don't know. You need some sort of programmer to find out. OR you need somebody nearby who can put your locomotive on their programming track to find out.
I learned this lesson when I installed a Tsunami in a locomotive for the first time. The installation when fine, but I couldn't get the loco to run on my DC layout. Tsunamis have the dual mode capability, but you have to program them for dual mode on your own programming track.
I have since acquired my own programmer. When you put a locomotive on the programming track, one of the options is to keep the locomotive dual mode or program it for DCC only. There must me some sort of advantage, in DCC, for losing the dual mode capability. I don't know.
To be on the safe side, I put only Bachmann (Lenz) decoders, or Tsunamis, in Bachmann equipment.
Just a few thoughts.
I'm fairly new to the DCC world, so others will be much, much more knowledgeable than me.
I'll be your Huckle Bearer...
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #2 on:
April 21, 2017, 06:46:53 AM »
Thanks! And yeah, from now on, I'll be getting Bachmann, or decoders that SPECIFICALLY say they are Dual mode. (I know if Bachmann uses the decoder, then I'm probably safe, and have been eyeing Tsunami ones as well as Lenz... I hear good things about Digitraxx as well) I will not be buying the brand I have now, however. I mean, it would be one thing if it was just the issues of the misleading and blatantly false advertising (which will ruin a hobby for any newbie) but when asking about the issue, I got condescension, and when asking about the sleeve issue, they not only did NOTHING to make it right (it's a freeking sleeve, after all!) but threw even more attitude, and bad information, well... I have better places to spend my cash.
DCC Decoders are a stepping stone for me to get into DCC and Sound. I have one DCC engine which I LOVE so far, and two DCC ready ones that just need the decoders, and next month, I plan to buy a Sound Value engine that I have been eyeballing. (it comes with the Bachmann DCC Controller, which looks like a good, easy, starting point for me for DCC control... I'm sure I'll upgrade eventually though, from what folks have been telling me)
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #3 on:
April 21, 2017, 10:34:12 AM »
The decoder you bought is not dual mode and cannot be programmed to be dual mode. It will only run on DCC and you should not attempt to run it on analog DC or you will damage the decoder. Also many decoders were made to only run on DCC, originally all decoders were DCC only in fact. Some newer decoders are also not dual mode as it is cheaper to make and probably has a few other benefits. Bachmann and Tsunami have both in the past made DCC only sound decoders so you really have to be knowledgeable about what you are buying and pay close attention to the details. If you are not knowledgeable in DCC then buying separate sale decoders probably isn't the best idea until you have a better handle on things. I suggest starting with a locomotive that already has a dual mode sound decoder which applies to all current new Bachmann HO sound equipped locomotives. Also you would not be able to do the necessary programming for a DCC decoder that has analog mode disabled if you only had an EZ Command System; you would need a more advanced system such as a Dynamis to do that sort of programming. The EZ Command is mainly for programming an address 0-9 and direction of travel, that is pretty much the extent of its programming ability. It is fine for those who just want a basic controller capable of running 2 or 3 trains at a time but aa better system is necessary if you want to program configuration variables (CVs).
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #4 on:
April 21, 2017, 10:38:50 AM »
Also Jon, I have a few BLI locomotives with factory sound that are DCC only. I also have a Bachmann locomotive that has factory sound with a warning label on the box not to run it on analog DC.
I also recently bought a Mantua 2-6-6-2 with DCC and sound and it also is DCC only and cannot be run on analog DC. They do sell a analog version as well (with no decoder or sound) for those who run on DC.
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #5 on:
April 21, 2017, 10:52:53 AM »
Yep. I only have one BLI. It came dual mode. I wondered if they had DCC only locos. Now I know. Thanks!
A Derailed Drag Racer
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #6 on:
April 21, 2017, 12:07:52 PM »
I'm almost thinking your attitude may be half your trouble in dealing with MRC. Most likely you spoke with Doug. He is "the guy" to talk to regarding all things DCC at MRC.
I use a lot of MRC equipment. I use their decoders in my projects, and their Prodigy Advanced Wireless system to run my layout. I also use their computer interface.
I have found Doug to be nothing but helpful and very knowledgeable about his products. The sleeve issue you are having is a non issue. Some have, some don't. Some modellers remove it, some add it. It can be a shrink sleeve or simply tape. A few of my installs are just two sided tape and no wrap on the decoder at all. I don't know how you wanted MRC to "make it right" when it's up to you as the installer to make it right.
I would also recommend that you do a whole lot more research before spending money on an entry level DCC system. If you plan on spending any amount of time running trains and want to get serious about the hobby, you will need more than an entry level DCC system immediately. If all you want is a loop of rail on the floor, made out of snap-track, then a basic do-nothing system would be fine.
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #7 on:
April 21, 2017, 03:10:07 PM »
A few points ---
You are drawing conclusions based on incomplete and erroneous information.
If a decoder needs what you are calling a sleeve (shrink-wrap) it would be on it.
Do not expect product information to tell you what it does not have. You will encounter ads and documentation that is incomplete and sometimes contains incorrect and non-relevant information.
Once you have a DCC system I suggest the dual-mode decoder feature be turned off (disabled).
Often the necessary decision making information is not readily available. That is when assume occurs, which can be expensive as you then learn by trial and error.
Caveat -- If you have researched a few DCC systems or components (example- a decoder) and think all the others are the same - you are mistaken!
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #8 on:
April 21, 2017, 03:44:58 PM »
It would be a good idea to do a little reading up on Digital Command Control. Here is a link to some great primers and some more advanced titles as well.
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #9 on:
April 21, 2017, 05:10:16 PM »
One more good place to look:
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #10 on:
April 21, 2017, 10:07:42 PM »
And another one. Joe
I'll be your Huckle Bearer...
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #11 on:
April 21, 2017, 11:49:13 PM »
Thanks guys! All of this is VERY helpful!
So... here's to hoping my next dive into DCC is a better one!
Re: Another DCC question... (hopefully my last?)
Reply #12 on:
April 22, 2017, 01:01:55 PM »
Why limit yourself to this being your "last" DCC question
I will never EVER buy a damned thing from MRC again
That's too bad, bc they make the best DC controllers out there.
Ever think of toning down the drama?
And lots of people use Kapton tape to secure their decoders wires etc; better than using gooey electrical tape and it does not trap heat like electrical tape will.
Last Edit: April 22, 2017, 01:09:55 PM by jbrock27
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. | Florida second baseman Clayton Pisani snapped a fifth-inning tie with a solo home run and then added a two-run double in a four-run sixth inning to lead the No. 23 Gators to a 10-7 win over 24th-ranked Alabama at McKethan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Florida (18-8, 6-3 SEC) got its first sweep over Alabama since 1994.
Alabama (16-10, 3-6 SEC) had overcome a pair of early deficits to tie the game in the fourth inning. The Crimson Tide hit a pair of two-run home runs in the third and fourth innings and finished the game with four home runs, including a solo home run by senior right Kent Matthes, who hit his NCAA-leading 16th home run in the eighth inning. Alabama has 54 home runs in 26 games.
Pisani snapped a 5-5 tie with a wind-blown home run down the left-field line off junior left-hander Del Howell to lead off the fifth inning and give the Gators a 6-5 lead.
In the sixth, Florida recorded six straight hits and plated four runs to build a 10-5 lead. Pisani started the scoring with a two-run double to put UF in front 8-5. Matt den Dekker followed with an RBI triple and Daniel Pigott capped the inning with an RBI single to left.
Florida�s Anthony DeScalfani (2-0) earned the win with 41⁄3 innings out of the bullpen. He allowed two runs and three hits and fanned two batters. Billy Bullock recorded the final two outs for his seventh save of the year and second of the series,
Howell (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season after he was touched for seven runs on eight hits in four-plus innings in his third start of the season.
Alabama opens a 10-game home stand, beginning with the Southeastern Louisiana Lions on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.
. The Crimson will host Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:35 p.m. (CDT).
Florida grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Howell, who needed 39 pitches to retire the Gators. Avery Barnes hit a two-run home run to put the Gators up 2-0. Josh Adams singled and then Howell issued walks to Brandon McArthur and Buddy Munroe to load the bases. Howell was called for a balk with a 0-2 count on Riley Cooper to chase Adams home with the third run.
Alabama answered back with two runs in the top of the second inning on senior catcher Vin DiFazio�s fourth home run of the season. The inning started with back-to-back singles by Matthes and May, before a double play sent momentum back to the Gators. Jake Smith flied out to center field and den Dekker gunned down Matthes at third base for the double play. DiFazio battled back from a 0-2 count and ripped a two-run home run to left-center to pull the Tide to within 3-2.
The Gators extended the lead to 5-2 in the second inning on Adams� two-out single to right field to den Dekker and Pigott, who had reached on a hit batter and walk respectively.
Alabama played long ball again in the third inning to cut the lead 5-4. Sophomore shortstop Josh Rutledge stroked a one-out single to left and scored on sophomore second baseman Ross Wilson�s two-run blast to left-center field. It was Wilson�s sixth home run of the season and third in the series against the Gators. He has homered in all three games.
The Crimson Tide pulled even at 5-5 with a run in the fourth inning to chase UF starter Patrick Keating. DiFazio was hit by a pitch and senior DH Tyler Odle followed with a base hit to right to put runners at first and third with one out. Senior center fielder Alex Kubal reached on an error by UF third baseman Brandon McArthur that allowed DiFazio to score the tying run. Freshman left fielder Taylor Dugas extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a single to left to load the bases with one out.
DeSclafani replaced Keating and retired the next two batters, as UA left the bases loaded. Rutledge struck out and Wilson lined to center field, with den Dekker making a sliding catch to end the inning.
Keating allowed five runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings for the Gators. He added two strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
Pisani�s solo home run snapped the tied in the bottom of the fourth and his two-run double keyed a four-run outburst in the fifth inning as UF built a five-lead.
Alabama narrowed the gap to 10-7 on a pair of solo home runs by Matthes and junior third baseman Jake Smith in the eighth inning.
Dugas led the Tide with three hits and upped his team-leading batting average to .431 on the season.
Crimson Tide swept away by Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. | Florida second baseman Clayton Pisani snapped a fifth-inning tie with a solo home run and then added a two-run double in a four-run sixth inning to lead the No. 23 Gators to a 10-7 win over 24th-ranked Alabama at McKethan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.


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Notes from Health Cell Special Call on Air Pollution in N India, Nov 19
Health Cell Special Call on air pollution. Sunday Nov 19 2017
Attending: Vijay (Columbus), Rupal (Bay Area), Danvir (BMW), Bono (Delhi), Sherry (Delhi), Aravinda (Maryland)
- Report back since last call – conversations with partners regarding
- Providing air quality monitors in rural areas to improve awareness of air pollution
- Promoting alternatives to crop burning.
- Other Issues
Preliminary discussion
Bono: There is a misunderstanding that people in cities are aware of air pollution impacts. Last week I was in a room full of doctors at an awards ceremony held by the British Medical Journal. This year they are trying to enter space of environmental health. There was a panel on air pollution. A Ministry of Health official got up and said "it is a clear blue day, clear blue sky, there is no air pollution." At the same time I checked the AQI and it was 250.
Another woman in the room, who is an asthmatic, and has a company that makes monitors, sat through the meeting wearing a mask. She asked the people in the room, "do you think the air in here is clean?" All hands went up. But it was 150, and we were inside a 5-star hotel in Delhi. They don't know that Delhi air is never clean.
Healthy air is 0-50. 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 starts getting in the unhealthy zone and above 150 is unhealthy. (See Air Quality Index Basics).
At the panel when someone tried to ask why the air pollution levels were so high, the answer they got was "because that is how high the monitors can detect." A total nonsense answer, demonstrates a serious lack of political will. Even in cities, people are not aware, not putting enough pressure.
Air Quality Monitors in Rural Areas
Aravinda: Last time we talked about raising awareness in rural areas by proving AQI monitors and talking about the impacts of indoor stoves, things that were in their power to change. Can we get quotes on these so that we can reach out to partners who would like to use them?
Bono: Yes, putting monitors in rural places may help – The AID machine can use that evidence to put pressure on local governance systems to apply some local policy change
Tier 2 and 3 cities have no clue because there are no monitors. If we can strategically place these in communities where we are doing some work, that could be valuable.
Follow up: Bono and Sherry will get specs and quotes on air quality monitors from activists including Shweta Narayan of Community Environmental Monitoring.
Alternatives to Stubble Burning
Bono, Vidya and Siddharth shared the following information regarding alternatives to stubble burning:
Happy Seeder – flattening the rice straw and then seeding through it, rather than using machinery to remove the rice straw.
Umendra Dutt: Managing Straw the Ecological Way
Concept note on Straw Burning KVM.pdf
Recommendations on Straw Burning KVM.docx
Bono is following up with Umendra Dutt and a group of behavioral scientists who will study the issue and make recommendations for behavioral change. This has to be done in a systematic way for it to sustain. They start out by doing a doer / non-doer analysis and design their interventions based on their approach. They are planning a visit to KVM in early December and will keep AID in the loop for possibilities of supporting farmers ready to try the alternative methods.
Rupal volunteered to talk with Revathi to find out other ways farmers deal with crop stubble.
Waste Management
Sherry and Bono also alerted the group to proposals for Waste-To-Energy which were promoted as solutions to energy production and waste management but in fact created severe pollution and encouraged waste rather than conservation. National Green Tribunal is not looking into it. Need to raise greater awareness and look into legal action as these plants release toxins weill above legal limits.
Civic Ignorance and Inertia:
Bono: Govt must wake up. There are no buses in Gurgaon. Why do we talk about every other solution but not reducing cards on the road? When your car is linked to your status – what can the govt do?
Sherry: govt has to ban diesel cars. Heavily tax larger vehicles.
Aravinda: Is there no chance of reviving the BRT (Bus-Rapid Transit) plans?
Bono: BRT is dead. Govt knows this is a seasonal thing. People get excited when they can see the pollution, ignore it the rest of the year.
Sherry: Today is the Delhi half-marathon and every one is again talking about the problem. But what about the people running around, working, going to school in Delhi every day.
Further Reading
Dharmesh Shah (2011), DELHI'S OBSESSION WITH "WASTE-TO-ENERGY" INCINERATORS


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Automated Detection of Duplicate Audio and Voice Recordings
Method of Identifying Duplicate Voice Recording
This technology detects duplicate audio and voice recordings in a sample collection without relying on transcription or phonetic comparison for detection. This method is able to determine that two recordings of different lengths may be duplicates and two recordings of the same length may not be duplicates. This invention is independent of the recording's language and content.
Click to view PDFs of these patents on the US Patent and Trademark Office website: Patent #7,571,093
- Voicemail systems
- Digital libraries
- Caller ID systems
- Conference calling systems
- Auto-dialer detection systems
Patent Number:7,571,093
Patent Issue Date:August 4, 2009
AgencyDept. of Defense
Lab Representatives


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What countries do you ship to?
We ship world wide.
Can I return my medications for a refund?
No, Federal Law prohibits us from accepting medication returns.


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Square Candles - Italian Cream
$ 4.75
Our famous Square Candles are made of a soy blend by a local family and pack quite a fragrant punch for such a small candle. Available in so many scents, you'll be sure to find just the right aroma for every room of your home.
Italian Cream is a nostalgic blend of coconut, butter, and vanilla in a 2 x 2 wedding white square that burns for an average of 18 hours. It basically smells just like Grandma's kitchen.


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I had an enormously fun time working with the super talented and lovely Holly Vine of Holly Likes to Cook , Patsy Culp of & celebrate and Laura Kanzler.
Patsy set the stage for an inviting & bright backyard soiree. Holly whipped up some super delicious and very attractive dishes. And Laura's cocktail recipes were a not only a beautiful addition but also so lovely to sip!
You can see a few of my favorites from the shoot below.
And make sure to click the Lady Project Summer Guide 2015 link to see the full article, grab Holly & Laura's recipes and Patsy's tips on planning your own backyard party.
The guide also has a really great beach guide, a summer playlist and a gorgeous road-trip inspired fashion spread!
Happy Summer! Go barefoot!


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LeapRate's Daily Forex Industry Newsletter
Join now to receive first access to our EXCLUSIVE reports and updates.
Screenshot of a breaking news alert e-mail from Q2 2017
Retail Forex broker EXNESS, being a true proponent of transparency, keeps publishing details about its monthly performance. The company has just reported a set of rather solid metrics for January 2016, with both FX volumes and new account numbers increasing in the first month of the new year.
EXNESS reported monthly Forex volumes of $197.3 billion for January 2016, a result which is 9.6% stronger than the reading for December 2015.
In annual terms, the comparison was also positive, with the Forex volumes in January 2016 being 6.8% ahead of the result reported for January 2015.
The account numbers also brought a positive piece of news, as at the end of January new accounts amounted to 32,601, markedly higher than the reading of 27,430 reported at the end of December 2015.
You can find out more about Exness's performance by visiting this page.


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Dutch firm Van Oord awarded large dredging contract in Kuwait
Dutch firm Van Oord has been awarded a land reclamation project in Kuwait. The client is the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC). The...Read More
Boskalis acquires EUR 70 million dredging contracts in Australia and Vietnam
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) has acquired dredging contracts in Australia and Vietnam with a combined contract value of...Read More


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Nail that vintage design look with 1200+ elements for $17!
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A meal at Byblos, the Toronto restaurant that specializes in the cuisines of the Eastern Mediterranean, always takes me to faraway places. However, my taste buds have never travelled as far as they did during their recent Spice Dinner – a collaboration between Byblos' Executive Chef Stuart Cameron and Chef and Spice Expert Lior Lev Sercarz.
Sercarz is the owner of La Boite Spices in New York City, author of the newly published The Spice Companion (Clarkson Potter) and a spice blender for some of the world's top chefs. The following two recipes were part of the Byblos multi-course spice dinner. I took Chef Sercarz' advice and adapted them to my taste and home cooking methods.
Baked hummus with meat and Hawaij spice
Although you can buy hummus everywhere now you can't beat fresh homemade hummus that has never seen a refrigerator. Served warm topped with spiced meat makes it even better. Serve with challah or pita.
2 cups cooked chickpeas (freshly cooked or drained canned chick peas)
1/2 cup raw tahini
1 clove garlic, grated or minced
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup ice water or more
1/4 tsp ground cumin
jalapeno and cilantro schug:
1 jalapeno, cut into chunks (remove ribs and seeds if you want it milder)
1 large clove garlic, peeled and cut into pieces
1 cup packed cilantro leaves and stems
2 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp each ground turmeric, cumin and black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
pinch citric acid
garlic sauce:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic, grated or pressed
spiced meat:
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 lb sirloin steak, hand chopped into small pieces
reserved chick peas
1/2 tsp each smoked paprika, ground cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper
1/4 tsp ground allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg
1/2 cup chicken stock
- Reserve a few tbsp cooked chick peas for the meat. Place remaining cooked chick peas in a food processor and pulse on/of until finely chopped. Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, 1/3 cup water and cumin. Puree 4 to 5 minutes or longer until very smooth and creamy. Add additional ice water until hummus is the consistency you like. Season to taste with more lemon juice and/or salt.
- Spread hummus in a shallow bowl ovenproof dish, leaving a shallow indentation for the meat. Reserve. (Cover but do not refrigerate.)
- Place jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, salt, turmeric, cumin, pepper and citric acid in a blender and chop finely. Add oil slowly while the machine running. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet. Add onion and cook until tender and lightly browned. Add meat and brown well. Add chick peas, all the spices and cook one to two minutes, stirring. Add chicken stock and simmer a minute or two until mixture comes together and liquid evaporates. Season to taste. Spoon on hummus.
- Bake in a preheated 350F oven for approximately 5 to 7 minutes until warm. Drizzle with garlic sauce, dot with some schug and top with a few cilantro leaves.
Makes 6 servings.
Tah dig with apricots and figs with tangier spice
Persian rice is the best rice imaginable. Everyone who makes it has a slightly different touch. The sign of an accomplished cook is the tah dig – or crispy crust – that forms on the bottom of the pot. It may take a few tries to achieve it but all the trials will taste delicious so don't worry.
2 cups basmati rice
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup dried apricots, diced
1/4 cup dried figs, diced
1/4 tsp ground cumin
5 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp saffron threads (or 1/2 tsp tumeric)
1/2 cup boiling water
1/3 cup butter – divided
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup coarsely chopped shelled pistachios
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
2 tbsp dried rose petals if available
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- Rinse rice in a sieve under cold water until water runs clear. Soak rice in a bowl of cold water for one to two hours.
- Heat butter in a medium skillet and cook onions, without browning, until fragrant and tender about 5 minutes. Add apricots, figs, cumin, cardamom pods and lemon peel. Cook a few minutes longer. Cool.
- Bring 4 quarts water to the boil in a large pot. Add 2 tbsp salt. Drain rice well and add rice to water. Bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes until rice turns opaque but is only parboiled. Drain rice and rinse with cold water. Drain again and combine with apricot and fig mixture. (This can be done ahead.)
- Crush saffron slightly in a small bowl and add boiling water. Add 3 tbsp butter and salt. Reserve.
- Melt remaining butter in a heavy 4L Dutch oven. When butter begins to sizzle and brown slightly add rice letting it mound to a peak in the centre. With the handle of a wooden spoon make 6 deep (right to the bottom) holes through the rice. Drizzle saffron mixture into the holes. Wrap the lid of the pot with a tea towel (be sure the ends do not hang down!) and cover pot. Cook on medium heat 30 to 40 minutes. After 30 minutes check to see if a crispy layer is forming on the bottom and if not, turn heat up and cook 10 minutes longer.
- To serve, fluff the rice (not the crust) and then invert onto a large shallow serving plate. Hopefully everything will come out with the crispy tah dip on top. Or, spoon rice onto the serving dish and lift out the crispy rice in pieces and scatter on top. Sprinkle with pistachios, pomegranate seeds, rose petals and cilantro.
Makes 6 servings.
While in Toronto, Chef Sercarz also taught a class at Byblos on how to make spice blends and here are a few of his tips:
- Make blends based on flavours that inspire you.
- Name the blend so it tells a story.
- Keep it simple and start with just a few ingredients.
- Weigh each ingredient and keep notes.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze blends.
- Use dried herbs so the blends will keep well.
- Use a coffee grinder to grind spices.


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Homeschool In The Woods explains in the introduction of the downloadable lapbooking project, the New Testament Activity Pak that, "We believe that the best way for a child to cement the lessons he or she has learned is through hands-on activities and projects! The more that a child has contact with the subject, whether visually, orally, audibly, or kinesthetically, the more of a chance the material has of staying put where it belongs... in the child's mind!"
THERE'S SO MUCH GREAT STUFF IN HERE!!!!! I was so excited as I began going through the activities!
The New Testament Activity Pak includes projects that illustrate
2. Triptych of the Birth of Jesus Christ
3. Miracles of Jesus
4. The Beatitudes Pie Book
5. Fruit of the Spirit
6. The Parables of Jesus
7. The Last Supper
8. The Crucifixion
9. The Ascension
10. Pentecost
11. The Resurrection
12. Prophesies Fulfilled
13. The Twelve Disciples
14. Paul's Missionary Journeys
15. Postcards from Paul
16. "The New Testament News"
17. The Armor of God
There is a supply list provided at the beginning of each activity, so Mom or Dad knows what to gather before you begin. You'll need items you probably already have around the house: plain paper, colored paper (if you choose), card stock (optional, but preferred, in my opinion, for some activities), markers, crayons, glue sticks, pens or pencils, tape, ribbon, scissors (an adult needs to cut out some of the activities) and some you may have to buy, for example, the wooden dowels for the scroll in "The New Testament News" activity. I like the fact that Homeschool in the Woods includes a file that shows you what the finished product looks like.
The content is fabulous--there's a lot of "meat" that children (and parents) can bite into here! The attention to detail is impressive! This activity-pak is really beautiful!
Every time I print a section for us to try at home, my daughter balks. :( The balking has nothing to do with the activity-pak. Let me explain: My daughter began early intervention at the age of 19 months, and quite honestly, she's done more arts and crafts than most children her age, because occupational therapists and speech therapists and teachers and tutors have used arts and crafts to give her work on fine motor skills like holding a pencil and cutting. From a very early age, she didn't get to ENJOY arts and crafts -- they were her "work".
As we work to undo some of that perspective for her, I don't *make* her do an activity like this one if she reacts with great resistance. I want her to see the activity and imagine the fun she'll have with it, and join me enthusiastically, not, in her mind as a "chore" or "have to". I have to admit, I want her to want to be interested in a big project like this one, but for *now*, she's not. She sees too many words. She sees "work" in the pages to be colored, and in the drawings she must do, and the words she must write. She has some new discoveries to make about herself and about learning before we tackle together a project as thorough as this one. I soooooooo look forward to the day when I bring out the materials and she jumps into it with anticipation and excitement! One of these days, she WILL, and when that day comes, I will rejoice! :) (In the meantime, I am still trying to let go of the regret of a lot of the "therapy" we did in the name of "early intervention".)
In the meantime, I have the files containing the New Testament Activity Pak on a memory stick, not taking up any space on my bookshelves, waiting for the time when we WILL use it.
Be sure to check out the Homeschool in the Woods web site to see all the wonderful products (including some FREE UNIT STUDIES) that they offer, and be sure to sign up for the monthly newsletter that contains free teaching tips.
Please check out the reviews of my Crewmates, here.
A March 18, 2009 PS: My daughter picked up the New Testament Activity I'd assembled called, "The Parables of Jesus" today and showed interest in it for the first time! :) Assembled, it's a book that is sized for the hands of children, with a parable on one side of the page, and a blank page on the other, where we are to illustrate the parable on the blank page. We'll take our time, work through it as my daughter continues to show interest. My hint for the day for parents of children who are resistant because they've been through too much early intervention is to print activities and, where applicable, complete the assembly, and just leave them in places that are accessible to your children. Allowing your children to SEE the activity and know you're not going to force them to "work" gives them some space to develop comfort with it, space to develop curiosity and interest. When the child's curiosity is driving the activity, the task is no longer "work".


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Johannesburg - Minnie Dlamini has joined the chorus of voices criticising Donald Trump for throwing shade on South Africa.
International business mogul Donald Trump made headlines on Tuesday morning when, in a tweet, he criticised South Africa calling it "a total- and very dangerous- mess". (READ THE FULL STORY HERE)
As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total - and very dangerous - mess. Just watch the evening news (when not talking weather).— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2015
As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total - and very dangerous - mess. Just watch the evening news (when not talking weather).
It seems Minnie took exception to Mr Trump dissing her homeland and took to Instagram to respond.
Posting a picture of Donald's tweet she wrote: "Stick to business, foreign affairs is not your thing Mr Trump. Such an ignorant statement from such a prominent man #soSad," she wrote.
Minnie has since removed the post from her social media. But big ups to her for standing up for South Africa!
24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.


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Ruoff's Terre Haute branch is so much more than an office of co-workers offering home loans. After talking with this team located on the West Central side of Indiana, it's easy to see that their common thread is: Family.
When Branch Manager, Dan Dayhuff, along with his Sales Assistant Christy Griffith, made the leap of faith from their former mortgage company to start Ruoff's new Terre Haute branch in November of 2015, they promised one another they would keep an environment where people enjoy coming to work, and a sense of family no matter how large their team grew. And grew it did from Dan and Christy to now a tight knit, community focused, fun team of 12, with a combined total of 165 years of experience in the industry!
The best example of their family atmosphere in Terre Haute was when Christy's son was involved in a serious dirt bike accident in the summer of 2018, and the prognosis was bleak. Dan shared that everyone stepped up and filled the massive void left as Christy, who he describes as the heart and soul of the branch, was off caring for her son. The team continues to assist and support the family as Noah continues to make a miraculous recovery. His Ruoff family has been humbled to play a role in rallying the community in support of the Griffith family. "The courage displayed by this young man and the unwavering support from his parents is the definition of family and has been a life changing experience for many of us who proudly work with Christy.", Dan added.
Networking & Community Involvement
Ruoff's Terre Haute branch often sponsors and donates their time at a variety of events to support other local businesses in their community.
Ruoff Home Mortgage is a proud sponsor of the Terre Haute Rex, the winning team in the Prospect League Championship!
The Terre Haute team doesn't stop with this impressive list! They are proud and active members of their community in the Wabash Valley. Here's just a little taste of what they've been up to:
Class of 2018 Military Send Off
When Ruoff's Loan Officer, Cindy Julian's son approached her about wanting to join the military, she had no one to ask questions to as this was not talked about in school. She saw the pictures of the kids who were signing for sports and academic scholarships, but no one mentioned the young men and women who wanted to enlist in the military to stand up and fight for their country, so she decided to make a change.
Cindy reached out to the local recruiters, other parents, her son and his friends to create a list those who were enlisted from the Class of 2018. She collaborated with a local veteran and parents to give them a proper send-off. What started out as a couple of upset moms, turned into a group that took action by collecting donations, and finding a location to show the community's support for these students headed off to bootcamp after graduation.
Sullivan Elks Lodge Veteran's Association graciously offered the use of the lodge for the event, as well as provided a steak dinner for each of the recruits and their parents, Baesler's donated cakes to offer to all of the guests, Access Real Estate donated the paper plates and utensils, Cindy and Ruoff took care of decorations. The event was made complete with the guest speakers and many volunteers to help send these boys off with pride.
Both local news networks as well as the local paper came so that these graduates would have the same recognition that the others leaving for college would receive. This was the first year that Cindy and the group provided a Class Military Send Off , but they plan to continue this event each year. They're now in search for a bigger venue as they filled the Elks lodge with the out-pouring of community support for these boys and their families.
As you can see, the Terre Haute team plays a big role in their community. Check out what they have coming up:
Culinary Queens - Saturday, October 27th
Culinary Queens will be Terre Haute's Halloween party of the year, raising funds for FSA Counseling! Local Queens in the community will provide a variety of delectable dishes. You will want to sample as many as possible while enjoying music, good company and great costumes.
It is all in an effort to raise funds for FSA Counseling, which is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families in our community by providing affordable, quality counseling and education. On an average year, FSA provides direct services to over 1200 people, provides 7,000+ hours of service.
Dancing with the Stars - Saturday, October 12th
Ruoff is a proud sponsor of the upcoming Dancing With the Stars - Terre Haute to raise funds for Community Alliance and Services for Youth to promote quality child care services for pre-school children and their families throughout the Wabash Valley.
CASY has a mission to "Providing services "cradle to college" ensuring children grow up in safe, nurturing environments in our community. They provides services Clay, Greene, Hendricks, Johnson, Knox, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vig counties.
Doug (Bedwell) was excellent! He explained everything and made the entire process easy. There was not any unexpected surprises and it was a great experience! - T. Pezan
Becky (Vitaniemi) answered all of my questions thoroughly, and took the time to explain things multiple times during our loan process. Our process for purchasing a new home was made simple. A++ - D.Minnett
Scott (Phegley) was an exceptional advocate for getting my loan done under challenging circumstances. He was calm and assured of success. Everyone I encountered at Ruoff (including Scott!) was very helpful, prompt in communication, professional and fantastic! - J. Harris
Beth (Harris) did an amazing job of ensuring that closing stayed on time. We had many hurdles to overcome with me starting a new job and she made it happen! - C. Richer
There weren't any problems with the process it went smoothly and was surprisingly STRESS FREE. The loan officer (Mark Reyher) always got back to me promptly as well as worked with my chaotic schedule, which I am extremely grateful for. - S. Fish
The updates that Greg (Burns) sent as the process moved along were very helpful for us. Also Greg answered my wife's many questions quickly and it was as if we were friends not clients. - D. Strong
1) Has helped over 1000 of their neighbors reach their homeownership goals since they opened in 2016
2) Has a goal of averaging seven loans closed per loan officer each month
3) Branch Manager, Dan Dayhuff and his team love to grill out and feed others ...anywhere, anytime, and for any reason!
4) They love sushi and know the secret menu at Umi
5) They have big hearts and even bigger senses of humor!
Connect with the Terre Haute Team today by visiting their website or following them on Facebook!
It's been a busy but rewarding year for Ruoff Mortgage. We've grown, we've succeeded, we've contributed, we've helped, and we've celebrated. Through the ...
This month, we honor veterans nationwide. At Ruoff Mortgage, we want to celebrate the hundreds of veteran homeowners and their families that we have helped ...
1700 Magnavox Way, Suite 220, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc supports Equal Housing Opportunity
Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc., d/b/a Ruoff Home Mortgage, is an Indiana corporation licensed by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). For complete licensing information visit: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/141868. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#141868
800.627.8633 | NMLS ID: 141868 | NMLS Consumer Access


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553 out of 400 goal
This product is a PRE-ORDER and will only get produced if 250 fans or more choose to support this pin, if not, everyone who ordered will receive a full refund.
Get the Official Sock Pin & Make Flork of Cows a Proud Dad!
Schedule for production:
August 30th
Ships On:
August 30th
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For additional shipping info, including shipping times, locations, and our return policy, please refer to our FAQ.
Shipping speed:
Deliveries usually take 7 to 15 business days to complete.


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Webinar – Nine Components of High Performance Teams – Eric Verzuh – June 1
May 26, 2011
I highly recommend Eric Verzuh's latest webinar, Nine Components of High Performance Teams. He will be presenting the webinar again this coming Wednesday, June 1st. He presents a great model for developing high performance teams. The link to register is http://www.versatilecompany.com/Webinar!+High+Performance+Teams/default.aspx . For those of you who are PMI certified, it is a free PDU (Professional Development Unit) in addition to being a highly useful webinar. As you will recall, Eric Verzuh is the author of one of our texts, The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. He is local to the Seattle and a very engaging presenter. Enjoy!
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Poverty Rates Are Highest in the South of the USA
|Source: Huffington Post
- "every red state in a 2,500-mile stretch from Arizona to South Carolina along the southern tier had the highest poverty rates in the U.S. in 2011, between 17.9 and 22.8 percent."
- "As you would expect, the vast majority of people falling under the poverty line in the poorest states do not have white faces—although there are poor whites.......In the poorest states, whites account for 15 percent to 20 percent of the poor."
- "Five states have no state minumum wage, meaning that the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour and $2.13 for tipped workers is the standard. While other states have raised these floors, that's not so for Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina. These states also are hostile to organized labor, like the entire South. The result is the 10 states with the lowest average household incomes are mostly southern. Starting at rock bottom, they are Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, New Mexico, Tennessee, Louisiana, South Carolina and Oklahoma."
- "the South was where children born into poor homes were least likely to climb the economic ladder. The region's businesses and business models overwhelmingly rely on low-wage work."
- "According to the Kaiser Foundation, per capita expenditures by states in 2011 averaged $5,385. At the very bottom were Nevada ($3,150), Florida ($3,482), Missouri ($3,858), Texas ($3,796), Georgia ($4,176), Idaho ($4,212), Alabama ($4,398), Tennessee ($4,743), and South Carolina ($4,797). Three Deep South states—Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana—spend more than the national average, as did West Virginia."
- "When it comes to helping low-income households get access to healthcare, almost all red states, including most of the Deep South, have refused to do this under Obamacare."
- "The Deep South has the country's highest obesity rates, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The region has the most cigarette smokers. It has the highest teen birth rates. Now, other areas of the country take the trophy for other vices. But .........according to Gallup, the pollsters, the states with the most unhappy people are in that Deep South-Midwest swath: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia."
- "The 10 states with the most gun violence, based on federal statistics, are, in descending order, Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Mississippi, South Carolina, New Mexico, Missouri, Arkansas and Georgia."
The deep south was the home of plantation agriculture in colonial times, and slave owning plantation owners dominated southern politics in the beginning of the 19th century. They were willing to take the region into Civil War in the 1860s rather than face the likely gradual ending of slavery, and that war decimated the region. With the emancipation of slaves, the KKK was created in the South and Jim Crow policies and laws were imposed to deny blacks their rights. White conservatives (calling themselves Democrats from the Civil War to the Civil Rights epoch, and thereafter calling themselves Republicans) continued to hold power in the South, and they continued to espouse policies that would disadvantage the poor, who were very disproportionately non-white.
Guess what that does to the overall productivity of the country. Guess what it does to the rate of innovation in the USA, and thus to our international competitiveness which depends on our innovation and our high quality workforce. For those of you readers of this blog who will expect to retire after 2035 and live until 2060, guess how much this will endanger the quality of your future lives.


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Army plans to create 40,000 strong strike force will be sunk without extra cash, MPs warn
Top Brass promised to create the strike force, primed to react at lightning speed to defeat an enemy nation
ARMY plans to create a new 40,000 strong warfighting division "will not become reality" without extra cash, MPs warned today.
Top Brass promised to create the strike force - bolstered by new kit and support units - primed to react at lightning speed to defeat an enemy nation.
But now the powerful Defence Select Committee has today published a bombshell report warning if dire recruitment is not improved, and extra money not provided, the warfighting division will never materialise.
Plans for the new division were unveiled in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
But Chairman of the Defence Committee, Dr Julian Lewis MP, has now warned the MoD must spend more than the NATO target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence to meet all its ambitions - including the new unit.
He said: "To be a credible force, the division must be fully manned and fully equipped.
"The MoD's future equipment plans are heavily dependent on identifying and achieving billions of pounds in so-called 'efficiency savings' over the decade ahead.
Recent critical reports by the Public Accounts Committee and National Audit Office have spotted a potential £10bn shortfall in the defence budget.
But now the MoD is being critcised for failing to recruit enough troops into the Army.
Current numbers are feared to be around 79,000 - short of the "historically low" 82,000 strength the Army should boast.
Meanwhile there has been repeated criticism over the Army's inability to hire 30,000 reservists to cover cuts made at the hated 2010 SDSR.
Lewis added: "As in many other areas of Defence, the work of the Army is constrained by the fact that Defence expenditure has fallen to an unacceptable level in GDP percentage terms: until the mid-1990s, the UK never spent less than 3 per cent of GDP on Defence.
"Until we accept the need to spend more than the 2 per cent NATO minimum, the timely establishment of the warfighting division, and the attainment of our manpower and equipment goals, cannot be taken for granted."
The major report concluded vital training is needed if any future strike force is to defeat a nation with a similar strength Army as the UK's.
In response the Committee said, "the MoD must protect, and probably increase, the Army's training budget."
The division will also need new war gear - including the new AJAX fighting vehicles - especially with the "decline in numbers" of the Challenger 2 battle tank.
The report said any further reduction to fighting vehicle numbers because of cost or delays would be "fraught with risk", the report said.
An MoD spokesperson said: "We will study the Committee's report carefully before providing an official response in due course."


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As a gift to readers of this blog and in celebration of July 4th, 2018, I am giving away 7 copies of my book Non Metallic on Smashwords. This website offers all file types, so go there to get your free copy today using the coupon code: BC22E .
Best of all you don't have to give me your email, or anything else (yep it's that kind of free). If you want to leave a review (Goodreads, Amazon, Smashwords or anywhere else) that would be super duper. But why stress about it? It's a holiday weekend.
If you don't like doing reviews, then take the free book and do absolutely nothing. Or you can tell me directly what you thought at eric [at ] ecstever.com
I've sold a ton this year, and hope it continues. Thanks for all your support!
My newest scifi caving novella is with beta readers now, and will be ready for the end of the month. If you like action-adventure scifi featuring disabled heroines, then you're going to like Cordi Akelarre, exoplanetary cave explorer. Check it out on pre-order.


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A cheap way to pick up on the latest fad and get your own dice cup for wargaming?
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Hi everyone! Well my club here in Stockholm, Sweden held a game of Pulp Alley! This was the first time I played these rules and it was a good game! I had lost of fun!
Check out the pictures and write up I posted here.
Have a good week!!!
Nice photos and write-up. I liked the paint job on the invisible man too :)
Very nice!
The board and minis look great! Cultists are always cool! Right off the front pages of many pulp magazines:
Very nice AAR and picsI really enjoy the rulesClif
The figures and table are really well done. And yes, cultists make a good addition to any game.
Great AAR. Glad you had fun playing Pulp Alley. I like your terrain. Thanks for sharing the photos.
DavePulp Alley
Exciting game!
Sorry - only verified members can post on the forums.


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The Union attorney appointed to replace Circuit Judge Christopher A. Collins clerked for him and two other judges in the district after law school and tried 11 cases in his three years as an assistant district attorney.
The attorney, Brian K. Burns, 39, was appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant late Monday, Dec. 30 after the Democrat had gone to press early for the New Year's holiday. Burns was sworn in Friday in Decatur. Collins had resigned abruptly last month to open his own law practice with his daughters.
"Brian's experience in the District Attorney's Office will serve the people of the Eighth District well," Gov. Bryant said in a release. "I am pleased that he will continue to serve the people with his acceptance of this appointment."
Burns' appointment was effective Jan. 2 and will end Dec. 31, 2020. There will be a special election in November 2020 to fill Collins' unexpired term that runs through 2022.
He is the son of Bob and Beth Burns of Neshoba County and lives in Union with his wife Robyn Watts Burns.
After graduating with honors from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2011, Burns clerked for the now late Judge Marcus Gordon, the now retired Judge Vernon Cotton, Collins and was hired three years ago by District Attorney Steven Kilgore.
Burns resigned from the DA's office effective Christmas Day, five days before being appointed by Bryant.
With another term of court having gotten under way on Monday, Kilgore told the Democrat last week that his office was still trying to "clean up the mess" left by Collins' abrupt departure.
"He (Collins) still hasn't talked to anyone in this office," Kilgore said.
Because Burns is a former assistant DA, he will be unable to hear criminal cases initially, even some that were assigned to Collins.
"I know him to be a highly intelligent, sharp lawyer," Circuit Judge Mark Duncan said swearing Burns in on Friday. "I know him to have all the legal skills that are required of a lawyer to make an outstanding circuit judge." (See swearing-in story.)
The two had spoken a few weeks ago about their Christian faith. "He (the Lord) puts us there to use the gifts he has given us to administer to those who are around us," Duncan said they discussed. "Brian and I talked and he agreed with that assessment. He told me he trusted God to put him wherever he was supposed to be."
Duncan spoke of their personal relationship as avid golfers. "Golf has a way of exposing a person's true character," Duncan said. "As much as legal skills are required to do the job of judge, a person's character may be even more important."
Burns' mother-in-law, Janis Watts, is the longtime court administrator in that office, which he plans to relocate from Philadelphia to Decatur.
Some attorneys have expressed grave concerns about Burns' lack of trial experience and how quickly the whole appointment went down in almost a veil of secrecy.
"Never practiced law a day that I know of," said an attorney who has practiced in the district for more than 20 years and who requested anonymity because he may have to appear before the judge. Attorneys are in an "uproar" over the lack of trial experience, the attorney said.
As early as the fall, according to the attorney who spoke to the Democrat and others, Burns was mentioning a vague run for office around the district and apparently had a considerable head start on any other potential replacement securing recommendations from prominent individuals in and around courthouses throughout the district and in Jackson.
Judge Burns did not return phone calls to the Democrat.
Neshoba County is in the Eighth Judicial District which also includes Leake, Newton and Scott counties.
Debbie Burt Myers, the retired managing editor of the Democrat, contributed to this story.


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— #Holistic Skincare Educator, Healthy Habits For Healthy Aging, Skincare Talk Radio by cieloscent —
S-654: Taking A Holiday Break! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Holiday Break for Holistic Skincare Educator & Host Cieloscent! Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year! Be well & Happy! Cieloscent Brand New Twitter- https://twitter.com/cieloscent- Healthy Habits For Healthy Aging Cieloscent Talk Network http://rosary.cieloscent.com Apple Podcast Review- Thank you for sharing your love for our community! APPLE Podcast link


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Australian Grandparents Care
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30 September 2016
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Login using your member details.
Support National Seniors Australia in Play For Purpose, the ultimate not-for profit charity raffle.
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Myra here.
Every Tuesday, we share photographs from our recent or long-ago travels, or just everyday stuff that appealed to our mindful eye and sharp sensibilities as captured through fleeting images.
So it's not always just waterfalls and fjords in Norway, there are also churches and tombstones that you can feast your eyes on.
Churches and Tombstones in Norway
"Disbelief is more resistant than faith because it is sustained by the senses."
― Gabriel García Márquez, Of Love and Other Demons
"I learned that the search for God is a Dark Night, that Faith is a Dark Night. And that's hardly a surprise really, because for us each day is a dark night. None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, and yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith."
― Paulo Coelho, Brida
"Even the merest gesture is holy if it is filled with faith."
― Franz Kafka
"What is belief – what is faith – if you don't continue it after failure?"
― Brandon Sanderson, The Final Empire
"Loving another person is a wonderful thing, and if that love is sincere, no one ends up tossed into a labyrinth. You have to have more faith in yourself."
― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood
"But maybe it's what the world needs. A little less sense, and a little more faith."
― Rachel Joyce, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry


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EPA-Estimated MPG
Cargo Space
5600 Division St
Directions Evansville, IN 47715
The 2017 Toyota Avalon in Evansville is the height of modern luxury, offering elegant styling, lavish features, smooth power and innovative technology all in one modestly priced full-size sedan. This model year, the Avalon adds the Toyota Safety Sense P package to its suite of standard safety equipment. Continue reading our review below to learn more.
The Avalon blends comfort and sophistication flawlessly, showing off a cabin that is as appealing as it is relaxing. Spacious and quiet with plush leather seating and beautiful woodgrain trim, the Avalon has no shortage of luxury features regardless of which of the five trims (three on the hybrid model) you opt for.
2017 Toyota Avalon reviews are impressed by the conveniences offered on the entry-level XLE model. Heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and heated mirrors are just a few of the luxuries buyers will find on the sedan. Plus, it's outfitted with the latest electronics, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Entune, Bluetooth connectivity, voice controls and an 8-speaker audio system.
Power is yet another one of the Avalon's many finesses. Standard gas-powered models feature a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Though it only comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, manual fans are sure to find favor in the paddle shift controls. Plus, the transmission achieves incredible acceleration times, going 0 to 60 in 7 seconds.
Those who are a little more eco-minded can opt for the Avalon Hybrid. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder works with an electric motor and battery pack to produce 200 hp. 2017 Toyota Avalon reviews are pleased with the hybrid variant's ability to keep up with its gas-powered sibling. Thanks to its innovative continuously variable transmission, the Avalon Hybrid reaches 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
The 2017 Toyota Avalon in Evansville impresses when it comes to safety, now offering the latest driver-assist systems across the lineup. Every model is outfitted with automatic high beams, intelligent cruise control, lane departure alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Starting on the XLE Premium, a blind-spot-warning system with rear cross-traffic alert also becomes standard, helping to further alleviate some of the stress of the daily commute.
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Don't settle for the 2017 Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Nissan Maxima and the Kia Cadenza when on the lookout for new vehicle models; visit Kenny Kent Toyota to view the beloved 2017 Toyota Avalon in the Evansville metro area. You could find that with its abundance of excellent features and exciting persona, it suits your lifestyle needs. After using our 2017 Toyota Avalon review and compare page, view hot-off-the-press limited-time dealership offers online!
To see a topflight selection of cars, come to us to find incentives on the newest edition of the Toyota Avalon. To help you make a final decision when selecting your next car, we've included this 2017 Toyota Avalon review right on our site, making it easy and fast to find the info you need. Explore the Toyota Avalon in Evansville, IN; submitting a request for a test drive at Kenny Kent Toyota is a smooth process with our contact form. Can't wait to see its innovative features at our store? Look at our video walk-around now!
Purchase prices do not include tax, title, license and $199.00 doc fee. Prices include the listed factory rebates, incentives. Pricing also includes dealer ads. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details. *MPG Based on 2017 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery-pack age/condition, and other factors.


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Because board members have a financial duty to their shareholders, the time may come when an insolvent organization must consider the option of bankruptcy in order to protect those investors' interests.
In many states, creditors are also designated as stakeholders and must be considered, too. Depending on the type of corporate bankruptcy that is filed, board members may continue to operate in their directorial positions.
As an organization approaches the position of insolvency, board members must consider the options in front of them. According to the Houston Chronicle, "Conducting a thorough financial review and seeking professional help are now the primary concerns.
Directors should avoid resigning because those who quit rather than engage themselves in the bankruptcy proceedings are generally viewed as being in derogation of duty." In other words, board members shouldn't jump ship during the company's moment of greatest need.
Under Chapter 11 style bankruptcies, the board is still intimately involved in what comes after filing. Chapter 11 allows companies to "reorganize" in order to try to help the company recover and become profitable again.
According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website, "Most publicly-held companies will file under Chapter 11 rather than Chapter 7 because they can still run their business and control the bankruptcy process. Chapter 11 provides a process for rehabilitating the company's faltering business. Sometimes the company successfully works out a plan to return to profitability; sometimes, in the end, it liquidates."
However, a bankruptcy court must also approve all important business decisions.
Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the worst occurs. The company halts all business operations, and a trustee is appointed to liquidate all of its assets. The profits from that liquidation are then used to pay debts to creditors as well as to investors. Secured creditors are paid first and followed by unsecured creditors. Stockholders are last on the list and may not receive remuneration of any kind if the creditors are not fully repaid.
Simply put, corporate governance exists to help protect stockholders from losing their investments to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. That's why it is vitally important for directors to have a deep understanding of the current state of their organization's financial wellbeing. When difficulties are spotted early, companies often have a chance at reviving their operations. If bad audits are ignored, however, the outlook is grim.


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Sport Festival in Hong Kong attracts over 60 sports associations
Hong Kong, China: Organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China in cooperation with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the 62nd Festival of Sport Opening Ceremony was held on Friday, 5th April at Kowloon Park.
More than 60 sports associations have joined the annual two-month-long festival to promote their sport to the general public and to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Karl C. Kwok, chair of the organising committee, Ms. Michelle Li, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr. Ronnie Wong, Secretary General of the Federation and many other VIP guests attended the opening ceremony.
Festival Ambassadors Au Ching Ming (squash), Choi Yan Yin (triathlon), Daniel Lee Chi Wo (triathlon) and Juanita Mok Uen Ying (wushu) shared their sporting experience and promoted the "Sport for All" message to the public.
The three-day opening ceremony and carnival not only included sports trials and demonstrations but also workshops and an exhibition of Olympic history in Hong Kong.
The presentation ceremony of the SF&OC Incentive Awards and Junior Incentive Awards 2018 was held during the opening ceremony. The Federation presented cash incentives to its member associations to recognise the outstanding performance and achievements of Hong Kong athletes in multi-sport Games, World and Asian championships.


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"As if their jobs aren't dangerous enough"
How many of your crew members have undergone a full-body check for skin cancer? The reality is that every one of them should regularly have this done.
Dr. Jennifer Vickers of Sanova Dermatology said, "As if their jobs aren't dangerous enough, there's new evidence that suggests that firefighters may have an increased risk for skin cancer over those in other professions."
LiveScience reported on a study of about 2,400 firefighters in South Florida, revealing that 4.5 percent of them disclosed being diagnosed with skin cancer at some point. 0.7 percent of all surveyed were diagnosed with melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer): higher than the 0.1 percent melanoma rate among the general population of Florida.
The study also found the average age of melanoma among firefighters was 42 years old, versus the average age being 64 years old within the nation's general population. In 2002, Washington State passed legislation deeming melanoma an "occupational disease" for firefighters.
It's extremely important that you remind all of your crew members: You have to protect yourself first, before being able to save others. Understand the risk factors of skin cancer, do your best to reduce them and check regularly to make sure they don't sneak up on you.
What to watch out for
Some of the factors involved in the increased risks of skin cancer that your team faces include:
- UV rays from the sun—Because you are frequently outdoors, you're also frequently exposed to one of the leading causes of skin cancer: the sun. Make sure to take breaks in covered or shaded areas and wear sunscreen while on duty and outside of work. The LiveScience study discovered that firefighters with melanoma had a greater history of sunburns.
- Lingering soot from the scene of fire—The combustion of materials during a fire creates harmful chemical compounds, known as carcinogens, within soot that can transfer onto your gear, engine, fire station and home. Fully cover your skin with gear during calls to protect areas that would otherwise be exposed. Make sure to decontaminate your equipment and immediately remove soot from any areas of exposed skin.
- Planned and unplanned chemicals—The flame retardants that your crew uses may contain chemicals that have been linked to other health issues, such as thyroid cancer. Additionally, if you're in a building with hazardous materials or chemicals and a fire causes them to leak or explode, there is even more potential for cancer-causing substances to enter your skin's receptors. Once again, the importance of covering your skin with your gear and thoroughly cleaning your protective equipment is unprecedented.
The significance of examination
It's no guarantee that these safety measures will prevent skin cancer for the members of your team. Cancer can be unpredictable. Make sure to get full-body skin screenings each time you see your doctor and regularly check your skin on your own. Visit the Skin Cancer Foundation to learn how to perform a self-examination. Catching cancer early can help fight it. Thick or thin, your skin is vulnerable. Overall, protecting it will help your efforts to care for others.
Brittany Wolf, Marketing
Brittany attends Penn State Harrisburg in pursuit of her Communications degree. When she isn't studying, traveling or playing volleyball, she is spending time outside with her two dogs or planning her wedding.
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Firefighter training resources and SOGs for respiratory protection including proper use and fit-testing of self-contained breathing apparatus.
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We've pulled together the latest recommendations for schools, healthcare facilities, worship centers, municipalities and emergency responders.


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Nearly 50% Of Beards Contain Poo - Let's Sort It
8 Oct 2018 17:22:47
There are many reasons why men choose to grow a beard. Boosting your sex appeal, disguising an undefined jaw line and hiding that baby face to name but a few. These motives are well documented in today's male grooming world, however, what are not are the drawbacks of growing a facial forest.
The main grief that you'll go through when growing a beard is that itchy and dry feeling, that seemingly no amount of beard conditioner or moisturiser will fix. But, that's an issue for another day, because the real problem is what lies beneath. If the opposite sex really knew what was lurking underneath your brutally masculine beard, you'd be lucky if they came within fifteen feet of you.
According to a recent male grooming study at Manchester Metropolitan University, nearly 50% of beards they tested contained faecal matter. That's right! Nearly one in two beards contained actual poo. WTF!
What's even more worrying is that over half of those gentlemen who were unfortunate enough to fall into this bracket claimed to have washed their beards that very day 'as normal' with standard soap. If you're thinking that these guys must have been boasting well bulked beards to hide this monstrosity, think again, as a large proportion of their guinea pigs only had medium to long stubble.
Aside from keeping your hands clean, what can be done to make sure you don't fall within this rather unsavoury proportion? The answer is simple - take better care of your beard.
There are literally dozens of Beard Products out there that have been designed to help men take better care of their beards and most are well worth adding to your bathroom weaponry. From stand alone products like Murdock London's Beard Shampoo and Billy Jealousy's Beard Wash , to full on Kits like Jack Black Beard Grooming Kit - choose your weapon(s) and quickly lay claim to a healthy, cleansed and better looking beard in no time - that won't drive the girls a million miles away.


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Centre for Communication Impact (CCI) recruitment in January 2019
Centre for Communication Impact (CCI) is a non-profit South African organisation based in Pretoria. We aim to be a centre of excellence in Strategic health and development Communication programmes that are centred around meaningful Community Engagement.
Job Title: Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
Job Location: Pretoria
Purpose of job
CCI is seeking a top-performing, highly motivated Special Assistant to the CEO to perform a range of administrative and representational duties as well as engage in special projects to maximize the CEO's time and effectiveness. A unique opportunity to work closely with a dynamic Strategist, the Special Assistant will attend meetings with and on behalf of the CEO as well as be involved in all aspects of the operations of CCI. This role will require close coordination with the entire executive leadership of CCI and team members across Programme and Support Departments in a high-growth environment. The Special Assistant to the CEO will also play a role in marketing and communications, event planning, support to the Board of Directors and cross-organizational initiatives with peer non-profits in the HIV/AIDS, health, development and strategic communication space.
This role requires outstanding professionalism and discretion, organization and attention to detail, energy and initiative, the ability to deftly multi-task and a willingness to work on a wide variety of projects and tasks. We are keen on your ability to handle a wide range of time-sensitive administrative responsibilities while positively representing CCI and the CEO's office internally and externally. In return, the Special Assistant will have access to the CEO's network of people across international, non-profit and public sectors, exposure to the full array of functions in the organization and the privilege of working every day for the incredible communities we serve. This is a career-track job for an outstanding person that is willing to use the opportunity to shadow the CEO on a learning journey.
Administrative support for the CEO
- Provide support in preparation for internal and external meetings, attend meetings and conduct follow-up on the CEO's behalf
- Supports the CEO with Board meetings, including taking high level minutes during Board meetings
- Supports the CEO with internal executive meetings, including taking high level minutes during such meetings
- Draft and disseminate correspondence including letters, memos and emails
- Prepare briefing notes for meetings, conferences, press appearances, etc.
- Manage calendar, including scheduling and logistics for internal and external meetings
- Coordinate and oversee local and international travel arrangements
External Relations
- Support the development of a variety of external communications on behalf of the CEO including letters, mailings and proposals
- Serve as a liaison between CEO and a variety of external constituent groups
- Support the CEO and the organization in relevant field-wide advocacy initiatives
- Support the CEO/organization's active PR campaigns, coordinating as needed with external PR agency where necessary, manage organizational social media and monitor the media on issues relevant to CCI as an organization
Special Projects
- Supports the CEO with business development, including managing a work schedule for proposal development in the organization.
- Lead or participate in a variety of CEO's special projects as needed
- Play an active role in organization-wide initiatives across functions
The successful candidate will possess the following assets and attributes:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 10 years of working experience in a fast-paced, high-standards environment (A Master's degree and 5 years working experience in a similar environment will be considered)
- Commitment to the CCI's mission and development agenda
- Superior organizational skills and detail orientation
- Strong customer-service orientation
- Ability to compose and edit written materials (proposals, reports, presentations, high-level minutes etc.)
- Experience working with bilateral and multilateral institutions (UN, World Bank, USG etc. will be an added advantage)
- Ability to juggle multiple projects and drive toward deadlines
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Maturity, professionalism and poise and excellent judgment
- Comfort in a team-oriented environment based on open, transparent and continual communication, information sharing and inclusive decision-making
- Open to feedback and professional development
- Capable of "managing up" to ensure deadlines are met
- Integrity and honesty
- Respect for confidential information and high level of discretion
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of social media at corporate level
Interested candidates to forward a mandatory one-page motivation letter and an updated CV to the CCI Human Resources Manager, firstname.lastname@example.com.
The closing date of this internal advertisement is (COB – Wednesday, 6th February 2019, 4pm)


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When you need to keep the young ones entertained swinging by Shop AGA for high quality toys is a must. Our shelves promise to have something for all ages and interests!
We know the importance of thoughtfully-designed, bright, durable toys that bring out creativity in kids. Every child is unique, and we offer a great variety for parents and grandparents who are shopping for the perfect fit. From spinning and popping to stacking and rolling, Shop AGA has got you covered.
One of our favourite toy companies is Fat Brain Toys. With humble beginnings, this company is on a mission to "enrich families and provide a 'Smarter Way to Play' by inspiring creativity and sparking curiosity."
We choose to bring Fat Brain Toys to Shop AGA because their products provide hours of creative play, are visually stimulating and tactile, and encourage the development of concentration and problem-solving skills. Additionally, unstructured, open-ended play, like Fat Brain Toys provides can enhance creativity and logical reasoning abilities. Fat Brain Toys are designed with both parents and children in mind. Our selection offers options for kids from as young as 6 month olds to kids 8 and older. Best of all, they are dishwasher-safe! These toys are built to last, so you'll be able to pass them onto friends and family!
Once Upon A Time
Fat brain toys started in 2002 as a small home basement operation in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Their story begins with a ten-year-old who was fascinated by a magnetic building toy he got for his birthday. He was compelled to go online to see if he could get a bigger set. When he found it difficult to find, he suggested to his dad that they start an online toy store. These first steps led the way to great success! The company grew quickly, and by 2008 Fat Brain Toys opened their first retail store, adding a second location in 2014.
From Baby Showers to Birthday Parties: Shop AGA Has the Perfect Gift!
Next time you're shopping for the littlest ones in the family, come over to Shop AGA and take a minute to ignite your creativity with Fat Brain Toys. Our friendly and knowledgeable shop associates will be happy to show you how to play with these great options!


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Governor's Office now offering Arizona Substance Abuse Block Grant to high schools
Did you know that 90% of Americans with a substance abuse problem started smoking, drinking or using drugs before age 18??
Through the Arizona Substance Abuse Block Grant, the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) will focus on bringing deeper and more impactful substance use prevention and early intervention services to youth throughout the state directly through their high schools.
The Plan
1. Provide grant funding for substance abuse prevention directly to high schools.
2. Support schools in implementing a comprehensive primary prevention and early intervention program.
3. Prevent the onset of underage drinking, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse utilizing an evidence based approach to increase awareness and education.
4. Increase the availability and access to prevention resources and services by developing strong community partnerships.
5. Promote healthy and drug-free schools.
The Benefits
1. Schools develop a positive climate resulting in increased school performance and decreased drop-out and expulsion rates.
2. Student-teacher relationships are strengthened thereby creating better student academic and behavioral outcomes across all grade levels.
3. Students gain knowledge and understanding about the dangers of drugs and will be more prepared to make better decisions while defending themselves against peer pressure.
4. Students build prevention skills and resistance strategies through alternative activities and structured learning processes
GOYFF will make funding available directly to high schools through a competitive Request for Grant Application process. Be sure to log in here.


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Too cozy with developers
It is infuriating how The Sun repeatedly fails its journalistic responsibility as a public watchdog, as most recently exemplified by your Oct. 3 editorial in support of the new city manager, Lee Feldman.
You conveniently don't mention what could be called cozying up to developers and his ignoring failing infrastructure that contributed to his firing by Fort Lauderdale (easily Googled), with his attendant tone-deaf quotes such as: "If you pave the streets with gold there'll be a complaint that the road has glare" (in the context of that failed infrastructure, broken sewer lines, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel).
Why don't you supply all sides of his previous performance? Ditto Deborah Bowie's firing from Birmingham, Alabama?
Meanwhile, equal minimal detail by The Sun of the recent firing, without cause, of our own competent city auditor, Carlos Holt, after finding multiple accounting missteps in city dealings (such as in the Regional Transit System audit).
Don Fields, Gainesville
Ban fracking
The editorial published Oct. 1, "'Making a case for a drilling ban," shows that protecting Florida means keeping toxic drilling out of our state in all of its various forms: both offshore and fracking.
As we have seen, BP's Deepwater Horizon spill wreaked havoc on wildlife, ecosystems and coastal communities. Similarly, even the smallest fracking upset could devastate animals, the environment, the state economy and the Floridian aquifer — the source of drinking water for all Floridians.
For the sake of Florida's future, we need a fracking ban in addition to an offshore drilling ban. Gov. Ron DeSantis can ensure the safety of our state and our water by keeping his promise to ban fracking.
The sooner we introduce such legislation, the better. Why not in the upcoming 2020 legislative session? Without a fracking ban, we further jeopardize our state and risk our natural beauty, stunning waters and rich biodiversity.
Vickie Machado, Gainesville
Deliberate sabotage
According to Wikipedia, "A failed state is a political body that has disintegrated to a point where basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government no longer function properly. A state can also fail if the government loses its legitimacy even if it is performing its functions properly."
Since the 2016 election, a duly elected American president, his family and all other associates have been targeted for harassment, falsehoods and now impeachment. I have never seen in my long lifetime a deliberate attempt by fellow Americans to sabotage a sitting president.
The dictionary defines this particular activity as the work of a fifth column: "A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or nation. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Forces gathered in secret can mobilize openly to assist an external attack."
Richard Saltzburg, Gainesville
Resist the noise
While Donald Trump continues his baseless attack on the Bidens and our constitution, the neutered Republicans stay silent behind their office doors. We are tolerating a disruptive and clueless man that is posing as the leader of the free world. In my opinion, historians will judge Trump and his administration very harshly.
It has become crystal clear that impeachment and removal of Trump from the presidency is necessary for our country to heal and gain some momentum that has been lost in three short years. Resist the noise that Fox and Friends are spreading. Like the song says, "You don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."
Martin Werts, Archer
Write a letter
Letters to the editor should be emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com. Letters should be 150 words or less and include the writer's full name, city of residence and contact information.