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Events archive
Lord NICK MCPHERSON (former Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury), Ambassador TORBJORN SOHLSTROM (Sweden), PETER FOSTER (Europe Editor, London Daily Telegraph)
28 February 2019 - 5:00pm
Visiting Parliamentary Fellowship Series COUNTDOWN TO BREXIT Please note that Damian GREEN M.P. has had to withdraw from this session as political circumstances developed this week.
Touraj Atabaki (International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam), Stephanie Cronin (University of Oxford) , Siavush Randjbar Daemi (University of St Andrews)
28 February 2019 - 5:00pm
Nissan Lecture Theatre, St Antony's College
Paper titles: Stephanie Cronin (University of Oxford) - The Global 1970s and the Iranian Revolution. The Iranian revolution of 1977-79 has usually been analysed within the confines of national... Read more
Sara Konoe, Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kansai University
28 February 2019 - 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Pavilion Room, 4th Floor, Gateway Building, St. Antony's College
Laura Morosanu (University of Sussex)
27 February 2019 - 5:00pm
Seminar Room, European Studies Centre, 70 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HR
SEESOX Seminar Series Identification processes amongst migrants and their descendants have long constituted an important topic of research. In particular, scholars have debated the extent of choice,... Read more
European Studies Seminar
Professor Paul Taggart (University of Sussex)
27 February 2019 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Seminar Room, European Studies Centre, 70 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HR
Populism, Politics and Unpolitics in Contemporary Europe This talk focuses on how populism conceives of politics. It will examine the way in which populism in contemporary Europe is underpinned by a... Read more
South Africa Discussion Group
David Everatt
26 February 2019 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Pavilion Room
David Everatt (Director, University of the Witwatersrand School of Governance, Oppenheimer Visiting Fellow) South African Cities in comparative perspective: David Everatt will lead a discussion on... Read more
MEC Seminar
Israel Studies Seminar - Identity, Conflict perception and Reconciliation in the shadow of the Arab-Israeli conflict
Dr. Ibrahim Khatib (Oxford)
26 February 2019 - 2:15pm
Board Room, Kirdar Building, Middle East Centre, St Antony's College
Abstract : In the context of protracted conflict, is there a relation between identity and willingness for reconciliation, and in what way does this relation exist? The current study checks the... Read more
South Asia Seminar
Thomas Chambers (Oxford Brookes)
26 February 2019 - 2:00pm
Syndicate Room, St Antony's College
In the context of migration between Uttar Pradesh, other areas of India, and the Gulf, this paper explores the role of the imagination in shaping subjective experiences of male Muslim migrants from a... Read more
ESC Lunchtime Seminar
Dr. Foteini Kalantzi (A.G. Leventis Research Officer, SEESOX, St Antony's, Oxford)
26 February 2019 - 12:30pm to 2:15pm
Seminar Room, European Studies Centre, 70 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HR
ESC Visiting Academics Lunchtime Seminar Series Migration has caused concern particularly in the last two decades and it has been treated as a new security challenge by the Western world. The... Read more
Political Economy of Financial Markets (PEFM)
Adrienne Cheasty (St Antony's College, Oxford)
25 February 2019 - 5:00pm
Seminar Room, European Studies Centre, 70 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HR
The December 2018 Euro summit mandated the Eurogroup to develop 'a budgetary instrument' for the euro area, with features to be agreed in June 2019. This seminar examines design issues for an... Read more
MEC Seminar
Book Launch and Panel Discussion- Women and Social Change in North Africa: What Counts as Revolutionary?
Dr Imane Chaara (QEH Oxford), Dr Doris Gray (Al Akhawayn University), Dr Nadia Sonneveld (Radboud University)
25 February 2019 - 5:00pm
Investcorp Auditorium, Middle East Centre, St Antony's College
About the speakers: Dr. Imane Chaara (QEH Oxford) Title: Moroccan Mothers' Religiosity. Impact on Daughters' Education Abstract: The participation of mothers in decisions within their household has... Read more
Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre Monday Seminar
Dr Richard Connolly (University of Birmingham)
25 February 2019 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Nissan Lecture Theatre
MEC Seminar
23 February 2019 - 9:00am
Nissan Lecture Theatre, St Antony's College
The following themes are central to the title of the Conference: 1. The New State: what went wrong and why? 2. The Political Future of South Sudan 3. Future Relations between Republic of Sudan and... Read more
Nissan Seminar
Steffen Rimner, Assistant Professor, History of International Relations, Utrecht University
22 February 2019 - 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Kin-ku Cheng Lecture Theatre, Dickson Poon Building, Canterbury Road
This is a joint seminar with the University of Oxford's China Centre and will take place in the Kin-ku Cheng Lecture Theatre, Dickson Poon Building, Canterbury Road and will start at 5.00 pm.
Middle East Centre Friday Seminar Series
Heba Morayef (Amnesty International)
22 February 2019 - 5:00pm
Investcorp Auditorium, Middle East Centre, St Antony's College
About the speaker: Heba Morayef is Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Regional Director. Prior to that she was Associate Director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights in... Read more


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These are some ideas for possible projects to be develop in the class.
Code is collected on the class github repository.
Stay between the lines
Use computer vision to localize the vehicle and drive within the track's lane boundaries.
See 2018FallTeam1 for details.
Playing Fetch
Using image recognition to localize, track and fetch a tennis ball.
See project fetch for details.
Equip the car with GPS and use it to perform navigation tasks.
See project gps, 2018SpringTeam3 and 2018FallTeam5 for details.
Stereo Vision
Equip the car with two cameras, design a new controller that can take advantage of the stereo vision and evaluate its performance.
See project stereo for details.
Encoders for Odometry
Incorporate encoders on the wheels of the car and use the new measurement to improve the performance of the controller.
See project encoders and 2018FallTeam4 for details.
Develop ROS nodes for the current setup of the car and demonstrate its capability.
See project ROS and 2019WinterTeam2 for details.
City Driving Suite
Equip the car with an additional camera and a suite of ultrasonic sensors so the car can evaluate and respond to common stimuli found in city driving.
See project City and 2018SpringTeam7 for details.
3D Vision
Equip the car with a camera that can sense depth, design a new controller that can take advantage of the stereo vision and evaluate its performance.
See 2018FallTeam3 for details.
Parallel Parking
Equip the car with ultrasonic sensor, design and train a controller that can park the car autonomously.
See 2018FallTeam2 for details.
Follow the car in front of you keeping distance. Control first car by remote control, then all autonomous.
See 2018FallTeam6 for details.
Enhanced Image Processing
Incorporate image processing filters that can enhance the performance of the car. Ideas include: split field of view, line detection and following.
Obstacle Avoidance with Lidar
Our project focuses on improving the safety of autonomous driving. For a human driver, there are many scenarios where obstacles must be detected and avoided, such as a slow moving vehicle or debris in the road; the safest thing to do in such situations may be to change lanes. We focused on this type of situation and attempted to develop our autonomous vehicle to mimic this behavior. Our goal is to have the vehicle detect an obstacle in its path and change lanes to avoid a collision and continue driving autonomously.
See 2018SpringTeam1 for details.
Follow Me
Identify and follow a person, given two people in the field of view. Tiny YOLO was fed into OpenCV to identify targets in a live feed.
See 2018SpringTeam2 for details.
The goal of our project was to train the robocar to recognize common traffic signs, such as a stop sign and speed limits.
See 2018SpringTeam4 for details.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication
The aim of this project is to improve upon the existing DonkeyCar autonomous control framework by implementing situational awareness through inter-car communication of data collected by on-board sensors. To achieve this end, two cars were equipped with infrared and ultrasound sensors which were able to receive data from the track environment. The track environment was demarcated into two zones, and the entry point to a specific zone was fitted with an infrared signal emitter. This was done so that a car would know which zone it was in when its infrared sensor picked up a signal from an infrared emitter set up at a zone entry point. Zone and sensor information were then broadcasted to both cars in order to take action according to a given situation. For instance, if a car enters a zone that the other car is already in, the car that entered the zone last will slow down until the lead car exits the zone.
See 2018SpringTeam5 for details.
Voice Control
The objective of this project is to add an voice control over the original car model. This voice feature will allow users to talk to the car to perform things like emergency stop as well as switching back and forth from autonomous-mode and joystick-mode.
See 2018SpringTeam6 and 2019WinterTeam1 for details.
Car plus drone
Can a DJI tello drone autonomously land on a moving car?
See 2018FallTeam7 for details.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cancellation Policy
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Na całym świecie podpisy elektroniczne uznawane są za prawnie wiążące. Z tego przewodnika dowiesz się więcej na temat legalności podpisu elektronicznego w różnych krajach.
The US has legally recognized electronic signatures federally since 2000 with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act.) 47 states recognized electronic signatures as permissible with the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act (UETA) in 1999. Although each state may have its own guidelines for eSignature, ESIGN Act and UETA ensure the validity of an electronic signature.
ESIGN Act describes guidelines for validity of electronic signatures in the US. UETA has its own guidelines for states that comply with this act for electronic signatures.
An eSignature is broadly defined as "an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record." eSignatures are valid as long as both parties agree to this method of completing a transaction. There needs to be consent from both parties and information with appropriate disclosures regarding the process of signing, fees that may be associated with electronic signing, and statements on hardware and software requirements on electronic records upon request.
eSignatures are not recommended for:


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There are many different types of cellular kite with varying characteristics. They range from simple box kites to highly elaborate aerial structures, and even the simplest have an special appeal resulting from their 3-D nature which simpler kites lack.
Born in Greenwich, England, Hargrave emigrated to New South Wales at the age of 16. His many experiments were aimed towards the goal of powered flight but he refused to patent any of his findings, preferring rather to allow anyone to build on them who could.
Improved lift can be had for a slight loss of stability by flattening it a little, resulting in the rhomboid kite. A traditional box can normally be transformed into a rhomboid simply by exchanging the equal length internal cross-spars which hold it open by two pairs of unequal length. It is instructive to demonstrate how the flying angle increases and the stability deteriorates as the kite becomes flatter.
Plans for a rhomboid kite are given by Eden. Here's a rhomboid variant flying at Dieppe in 2006.
Outline plans for a pely box are available, or you may like to consult Eden. Here is a picture of two pely boxes flying together, at Fanø 95.
Moulton & Lloyd give plans for a slightly modified conyne. They claim that shortening the front cell a little gives even greater stability. Plans for a standard conyne are also available online. Here is a picture of one by Geert DD.
George Lawrence used a train of Conyne kites to lift cameras for aerial photography. His most famous photograph, taken in this way, was a panoramic view of San Francisco after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906. The negative was a massive 18 by 48 inches and it was published around the world, earning him $15,000. See it for yourself!
When Cody arrived in England he invented much of his American
background, with the result that many of the stories about him are
fictional, not least his birth in Texas - a state he presumably thought would
have more street-cred than Iowa - and his real name was not Samuel Cody,
but Franklin Cowdery!
With a train of his kites, Cody succeeded in lifting
observers in a wicker basket, but when he approached the British military
authorities they failed to take him seriously, on account of his flamboyance.
Nevertheless, they were so impressed by his shooting skills that they offered
him a post as a shooting instructor, which he declined. Only after crossing
the English Channel in a 13ft boat drawn by one of his kites did they express
interest. In subsequent experiments during 1904-5, Sapper Moreton was lifted
to the incredible height of 2600ft!
With a train of his kites, Cody succeeded in lifting observers in a wicker basket, but when he approached the British military authorities they failed to take him seriously, on account of his flamboyance. Nevertheless, they were so impressed by his shooting skills that they offered him a post as a shooting instructor, which he declined. Only after crossing the English Channel in a 13ft boat drawn by one of his kites did they express interest. In subsequent experiments during 1904-5, Sapper Moreton was lifted to the incredible height of 2600ft!The military associations of this kite have lead to it often being referred to as the Cody War kite. There exists on the net a highly informative page of photos and plans of an original cody kite recently sold at Sotheby's.
The Waldof Box was only the first of a series of spectacular creations, including the Waldof Conic, and Superstar, as shown in the sketch. (Rest your mouse on it and look at the status line at the bottom of your browser to identify the variants.) The Conic has the advantage over the Box that if there are any small inaccuracies in the sizes of the panels, tension can redistribute itself throughout the structure instead of causing some panels to go slack. Here's a photo of one from kitestore.com. I think it's also more elegant, but the Superstar has been described as the most refined of the three.
Here are the plans for the one I built, and a picture of it in flight.
As well as linking several Waldof Boxes together into a huge assemblage like a space station, other creations were the Waldof Star - a 3-dimensional 8-pointed structure, and the Magic Box - a small winged box, easily assembled for flight by springing it open like an umbrella.
If the tumbling star fascinates you but you couldn't contemplate building one, consider the dancing cube. This is like just one box of a traditional box kite. Without the second cell and the gap between them, it's unstable, but because of that, great fun to fly! Carolyn Weir has compiled some simple plans using ripstop nylon. Alternatively, commercial versions are available quite cheaply, not only cubes, but triangular prisms and cylinders, known as the Triad and the Pop-can.
Circoflexes are often built from mylar film (familiar as shiny foil gift-wrap) in sizes of several metres in diameter. Mylar tends to crease, but this only adds to the spectacular effect as the light glints on it. With a thin, barely visible bridle and flying line, this unidentified flying object always causes a stir among onlookers as it hangs almost motionless in the air, wobbling like a jelly in any slight gusts. If you don't have a sewing machine but want to build something that'll turn heads wherever you take it, this is definitely the kite for you, especially if you're handy with the sticky tape! The original plans are in French, but Anthony Thyssen has an English version for 7.5 and 10m circumference models He also has a collection of pointers to a considerable number of photos of circoflexes. Here is just one of them - a silver circoflex flying over a rocky outcrop in Leicestershire. Few kites look more like something from outer space!
The circoflex is sometimes confused with the bol, but the two are actually quite different. In particular, the circoflex has a bridle with unequal length legs to hold it at an angle to the wind and so generate lift. It also has an almost constant diameter from the leading edge to the trailing edge.


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One hundred years after the RMS Titanic foundered in icy waters 375 miles south of Newfoundland, the dangers of vessels striking an iceberg continue.
Shipboard radar, satellite photos, global positioning systems (GPS) and aircraft patrols have made the North Atlantic safer now than it was during the early 1900s.
However, despite improvements in detection methods and more accurate ship positions, as well as trending warmer seas melting the icebergs faster, ships continue to have close encounters with these frozen, floating objects.
According to the BBC, between 1980 and 2005 there have been 57 incidents with vessels involving icebergs.
Image: The greatest danger from icebergs today is from much smaller objects than portrayed here. It is believed that the RMS Titanic struck a small- to medium-sized iceberg. Graphic by Al Blasko, AccuWeather.com
On Nov. 23, 2007, the MS Explorer struck submerged ice, believed to be part of an iceberg, and sank in the Southern Ocean.
While the number of icebergs tends to vary greatly from year to year there are, on average, 15,000 icebergs born annually. Interestingly, in some years there can be up to 40,000 icebergs calved. In the Northern Hemisphere, between 1 and 2 percent of all the icebergs reach southward to 48 degrees North.
The most significant problem facing shipping and detection measures has to do with the size of the icebergs.
In the Northern Hemisphere, most of the icebergs are calved from West Greenland glaciers. Calving occurs when pieces of the ice break off and float into the sea, or when a large iceberg breaks up into a smaller one. From Greenland, the surviving icebergs eventually drift southward via the Labrador Current into the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.
In the northwestern Atlantic, as the cold Labrador current interacts with the warm Gulf Stream, eddies form. These swirls of water, combined with surface winds can transport the icebergs farther south (and east) on occasion.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the calving occurs around Antarctica from ice shelves and glaciers. Similarly wind and currents transport the icebergs away from the South Pole continent.
According to Dr. Peter Wadhams, "There are more icebergs now than there were in 1912."
Wadhams is Professor of Ocean Physics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
"During the past 10 years, the downhill flow rate of the Greenland glaciers has doubled in speed and is contributing to a larger number of icebergs being calved," Wadhams said.
Based on a study done by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, which tracked calving of Greenland icebergs as far back as 1890, the calving rate in recent years was matched only during a period during the 1930s.
Wadhams stated that warmer seas were accelerating the melting process, but at the same time are calving smaller bergs out of the larger ones.
The smaller icebergs are known as growlers (less than 3.3 feet high by less than 16 feet long) and bergy bits (3.3 to 16 feet high by 16 to 49 feet long).
"The growlers and bergy bits are difficult to detect by radar and satellite, yet are still capable of damaging or sinking a ship. Since there are more icebergs and they are melting faster, we can expect a bigger population of growlers and berg bits, so more danger to shipping," Wadhams explained.
There continues to be more evidence that ocean temperatures have been rising and for a longer period of time than once thought.
Ocean water warming was believed to have initiated about 50 years ago, but is now believed to have begun over 100 years ago according to a study done by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
According to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funded 2006 study that spanned 20 years, the combined loss of mountain glaciers and ice caps averaged 402 gigatonnes per year.
The retreat of Arctic sea ice has opened new, shorter fuel-saving routes for shipping during the warmer months of the year. Sea ice is different than icebergs and forms as sea surface water freezes.
In addition, a number of vessels, including super freighters are ripping along routes through the Southern Ocean, avoiding the log jam of vessels in the Panama and Suez canals.
However, since there are more ships venturing into polar waters these days, the risk of collision from vessels striking the larger number of growlers or bergy bits out there also increases.
Not only are there dangers to ships, but also petroleum platforms in northern and southern latitudes.
So while research, technology and patrols over the past 100 years have made the sea less perilous in terms of striking the big icebergs, significant risks continue for coming in contact with the smaller, yet potentially destructive growlers and bergy bits.
More Information:
In the months that followed after the Titanic sank near Newfoundland in 1912, the United States and 12 other nations formed the International Ice Patrol to warn ships of icebergs in the North Atlantic. This was joined by aircraft patrols in the 1930s, radar after World War II and improved satellite resolution and patrols during the latter half of the 20th century. The U.S. National Ice Center currently uses satellites to track large icebergs near Antarctica.
The RMS Titantic foundered, bow first, on April 15, 1912. Of the 2,224 passengers, 1,514 drowned or succumbed to hypothermia in freezing waters. The wreck lies in 12,415 feet of water.
Observations on board Titanic indicated a 10 degree (F) drop in sea surface temperatures (from the lower 40s to the lower 30s) in two hours during the early evening of the 14th. This supports the idea that the Titanic passed from relatively warm Gulf Stream waters to the colder influence of the Labrador Current.
The water temperature in Titanic's vicinity at the time of the collision late in the evening of the 14th was said to be in the upper 20s. Sea water freezes at a lower temperature (approximately 28.4 degrees F) than freshwater.
The extremely frigid waters expedited hypothermia among the mass of people adrift. Most died within minutes after plunging into the sea.
From AccuWeather.com (find the original story here); reprinted with permission.


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13. Of Sanctification
14. Of Saving Faith
15. Of Repentance unto Life
16. Of Good Works
17. Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
18. Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
19. Of the Law Of God
20. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
21. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
22. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
24. Of Marriage and Divorce
25. Of the Church
26. Of the Communion Of Saints
27. Of the Sacraments
28. Of Baptism
29. Of the Lord's Supper
30. Of Church Censures
31. Of Synods and Councils
32. Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
33. Of the Last Judgment
I. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptations of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit.[1] This their sin, God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory.[2]
II. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion, with God,[3] and so became dead in sin,[4] and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body.[5]
III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed;[6] and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.[7]
IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good,[8] and wholly inclined to all evil,[9] do proceed all actual transgressions.[10]
V. This corruption of nature, during this life, does remain in those that are regenerated;[11] and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.[12]
VI. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto,[13] does in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner,[14] whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God,[15] and curse of the law,[16] and so made subject to death,[17] with all miseries spiritual,[18] temporal,[19] and eternal.[20]
[1] GEN 3:13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 2CO 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
[2] ROM 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
[3] GEN 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. ECC 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. ROM 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
[4] GEN 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. EPH 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
[5] TIT 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. GEN 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. JER 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? ROM 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
[6] GEN 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 2:16 AND THE LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ACT 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. ROM 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 1CO 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[7] PSA 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. GEN 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth. JOB 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
[8] ROM 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ROM 7:18 For I know that in me(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. COL 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
[9] GEN 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 8:21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. ROM 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
[10] JAM 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. EPH 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. MAT 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
[11] 1JO 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ROM 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. JAM 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. PRO 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? ECC 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
[12]ROM 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. GAL 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[13] 1JO 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
[14] ROM 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. ROM 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[15] EPH 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[16] GAL 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
[17] ROM 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[18] EPH 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.
[19] ROM 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. LAM 3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
[20] MAT 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 2TH 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.


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ROCK HILL, South Carolina – February 5, 2013 - 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a three-for-two split of the company's common stock in the nature of a 50% stock dividend. On February 22, 2013, each stockholder of record at the close of business on February 15, 2013 will receive one additional share for every two shares held on the record date. In lieu of fractional shares, shareholders will receive a cash payment based on the closing market price of DDD stock on the record date. Trading is expected to begin on a split-adjusted basis on February 25, 2013.
"We believe that the stock split will increase the market liquidity and broaden our investor base. We are pleased by the confidence that our Board of Directors and shareholders have placed in our ability to provide superior returns and long-term value," said Avi Reichental, 3D Systems' President and Chief Executive Officer.
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides CAD modeling, reverse engineering and inspection software tools and consumer 3D printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing and manufacturing new products. 3D Systems products and services are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype or produce real functional parts, empowering customers to create and make with confidence.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.


text:
Celebrate The Holiday Season With Santa Bruce+ Giveaway #SantaBruceBook
98 comments :
I'd like to win because this book looks adorable!ReplyDelete
- Tracy ShaferSeptember 20, 2018 at 9:10 PM
My grandson would just love this book!!ReplyDelete
My almost 4 year old granddaughter would enjoy this book so much. I would love to win for her.ReplyDelete
I would love to win because my son loves to read and this would be an awesome read for him!ReplyDelete
I would love to win this for my niece she would love it. Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing prizeReplyDelete
I'd love to win and share this book with my son James, he is 4.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 20, 2018 at 9:50 PM
Love the Holidays! Nwladyspencer.ReplyDelete
aka - Laura
I'd love to win it for my daughter. She loved Mother Bruce and would get a kick out of Santa Bruce!ReplyDelete
This looks like a really cute book to read to my youngest.ReplyDelete
- BIRDIE SKOLFIELDSeptember 20, 2018 at 10:21 PM
Ryan Higgins is a freat writer my boy has read two of his books prior Id love to have this one to add to his collection we love the illustrations and the $50 Visa card will come in handy for Halloween costumingReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 20, 2018 at 11:20 PM
I would like to win this prize package for my nephew for his upcoming birthday.ReplyDelete
My daughter would love this book.ReplyDelete
I cannot wait to read this book, it looks so greatReplyDelete
Lovely chance, thanks for this.. Christmas is here soonReplyDelete
I would enjoy gifting this adorable children's story book to a church youth group for them to share. What a fun story especially during the holidays. And my how your little one has grown. I have followed #Sammi's blog of Life for a long time and my grandson is growing that fast too. This #SantaBruce #Christmas #StoryBook set is so sweet.ReplyDelete
I'd like to give the book to my niece, and the gift card certainly will come in handy!ReplyDelete
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Santa Bruce is a great book! :)ReplyDelete
I think my daughter would like the book.ReplyDelete
My kids would like the book.ReplyDelete
- Ann FantomSeptember 21, 2018 at 7:10 AM
I would love to win this because my friend's daughter would love Santa Bruce.ReplyDelete
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I would love to share this with my grand daughter.ReplyDelete
I would love to win for my nieces who would enjoy the book.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this for my daughter, she would enjoy the book and we would go shopping.ReplyDelete
I'd love to win this prize pack because my grandsons would really enjoy this book!ReplyDelete
Cute movie for the holidaysReplyDelete
I'd love to win this for my son. I think that he would really enjoy this book. It sounds adorable.ReplyDelete
- Jessica ToSeptember 21, 2018 at 9:33 AM
I would like to win to read the book to my son at Christmas!ReplyDelete
I love reading to my grandsons and this looks like a fun book to add to their library.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this because my son would love the bookReplyDelete
I love Christmas ornaments of all kinds and colors. I also have not had a visa gift cardReplyDelete
in a really long time!
My son would enjoy this bookReplyDelete
I would love the book for my nephew when he comes to visit.ReplyDelete
I want to win because my son loves booksReplyDelete
Ashley C
Addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
My grandson would enjoy reading this book.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this prize because my niece loves to read and would enjoy this book! The gift card would be helpful for Christmas presents.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this for my kids.ReplyDelete
I would love to add this to my collection of books to read to my grandchildren.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this for my grandson. Thanks for the giveaway!ReplyDelete
I would love to win this because the book would be perfect for my nephew. I know he'd really enjoy it!ReplyDelete
this looks like a fun book to share with my 5 year old grandsonReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 21, 2018 at 2:19 PM
Someone in my family will love this!ReplyDelete
I would like to win this prize pack to give to my cousins.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this because my son would love it.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this for my daughter. I think she would love it.ReplyDelete
We have read Bruce books and loved them, would love to read the new Santa Bruce.ReplyDelete
Would love to win this so I can read it to my niece. Then I would surprise her with the ornament.ReplyDelete
I would love to win it for my family.ReplyDelete
- Cindy MerrillSeptember 21, 2018 at 5:40 PM
All of my Christmas stuff was lost due to a flood in our basement, would love to have this prize to help replace some of it.ReplyDelete
- Joanne KentSeptember 21, 2018 at 6:24 PM
I want to win this for my grandkids!ReplyDelete
I would like to win this for my son. This would make the perfect Christmas present.ReplyDelete
I would like to win because my grandson would love the book.ReplyDelete
I'd like to win this prize pack for me and my daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!ReplyDelete
"Please tell me why you'd like to win this prize pack." Because everyone here would find Bruce likable, delightful, and humorous!ReplyDelete
I would like to win this for my grandson, he loves this seriesReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 21, 2018 at 9:37 PM
My grand niece would love this! firstname.lastname@example.com
I think this would be a great book for my nephew. He loves animals, and you're right, the bear Bruce would be a great way to draw him in.ReplyDelete
ellen beck
I would enjoy winning this prize pack to share with the grand kids.ReplyDelete
thank you
Oh I would love to win for our little one. Last year at school they read some of the Bruce books and he talked about them all the time.ReplyDelete
This would be great to win for my niece.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this for my boys.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this book because mu family likes the santa bruce characterReplyDelete
Sweet giveaway!ReplyDelete
Holiday movies are always so funny and great. I think I'd laugh a lot.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this to read this book to my son.ReplyDelete
this will be so wonderful for christmas time!ReplyDelete
I would love to win this for my daughter!ReplyDelete
I think my niece would absolutely love this.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this for my Grandson! He loves when I read to him.ReplyDelete
I would like to win to donate the book to the school that I work for.ReplyDelete
It would be a great addition to our Santa Bruce collection!ReplyDelete
I have always been a reader and now I love sharing my love of reading with my two young granddaughters! This looks like a wonderful holiday read!ReplyDelete
The Bruce books are super cute and I'd love to add the most recent one to the collection.ReplyDelete
My grandkids would love BruceReplyDelete
I would love to this for my niece! She loves to read and Bruce is one of her favorites! My email is email@example.com
I think Bruce is the cutest little bear out there. I would love for my boy to read this book.ReplyDelete
Would love to win, thanks for the chance! My niece would love this.ReplyDelete
I would like to win this one for the kids for Christmas.ReplyDelete
heather firstname.lastname@example.com
This would be such a fun read for my daughter and I could use the gift card for Christmas gifts.ReplyDelete
I would like to win as a Christmas gift to my nieceReplyDelete
I'd like to win this to share with my grandchildren.ReplyDelete
We love all things Christmas, so I know my kids would love this!ReplyDelete
Because we love reading together!ReplyDelete
As a gift for my cousin! :DReplyDelete
We love books! This title would definitely be something unique.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this because I think my friend's daughter would love it.ReplyDelete
I want to win so i could give Santa Bruce to my little cousin.ReplyDelete
I'd give the things to my friend who has kids, and I get the $$.ReplyDelete
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
It would be fun to have a new tradition with Santa Bruce. My oldest son could probably relate, when he was very small, he refused to get out of bed on Christmas morning because it wasn't morning and he was still tired.. haha!ReplyDelete
I would love to win because my little one is going to absolutely love this! Plus, perfect to have for the holidays! starla.batesATyahoo.comReplyDelete
I'd like to win because my nieces love Bruce and would love this!ReplyDelete
I would love to win for my daughters. Thank youReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 24, 2018 at 4:33 PM
What's up, the whole thing is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing information,ReplyDelete
that's truly excellent, keep up writing.
I would like to win this because my twins love Christmas booksReplyDelete
My posts keep timing out - sorry if this is repeating. With our wee ones growing so quickly it is nice to see how determined they are in what they say as being the fact. They all like to read or be read to so this will be enjoyed by all and I am certain that their will be new facts told about this story that we may or may not have read.ReplyDelete
I would love to win this for my twin grandkids to enjoyReplyDelete
I'd love to win this for my niece and nephew - it looks so cute, and they love books!ReplyDelete
my kids love santa and I love reading to them !ReplyDelete


text:
Rules for Voting
• Each person may vote for a maximum of three people per category where a voter's first choice is given three points the second choice two points, and the third choice one point.
• Voting will be made public. One can vote by simply posting and assigning points on the category threads.
• Logically, you also are not allowed to vote for yourself.
• Voting begins a day after nominations, August 17th, and ends on August 27th, and will be announced on the main site.
The Nominees (in no particular order):
- Alanna-Lena Zelen
- Kierisa12
- Sihadow Light
- Crazychick
- JLHxXxX
- Julissa Holly Fowl
- Artificial Asian
- BlackOpal
- GothicLollipop
- darvit
- partyonsoccerfan
- HollyShort9


text: Pubdate: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 Source: Miami New Times (FL) Copyright: 2011 New Times, Inc. Contact: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1175 Author: Ray Stern OBAMA'S WAR ON WEED In a Strange About-Face, the President Tries to Hack Medical Marijuana Off at the Knees. The new federal crackdown on medical marijuana announced on October 7 by the four California U.S. Attorneys sent chills throughout the industry. It was a stunning reversal by the Obama administration. Only two years ago, Deputy U.S. Attorney General David Ogden wrote his infamous "Ogden Memo," announcing the feds wouldn't bother businesses in compliance with their own state laws. It proved a dose of Miracle-Gro to California, where pot-selling stores multiplied since voters approved the state's 1996 medical marijuana law. By late last year, California reportedly had more dispensaries than Starbucks outlets. Colorado also made it legal in 2000, seeing a similar explosion of new storefronts. The same thing was happening to varying degrees in 16 states, from Arizona to Washington, New Jersey to Delaware. But the feds' tolerance wasn't quite what it seemed. While legal weed grew to an estimated $10 to $100 billion industry -- no one's quite sure of the exact figure -- activists noticed an alarming undercurrent to the rhetoric: Raids on growers and dispensaries actually increased under Obama. As hundreds of thousands of state-approved, doctor-recommended patients happily bought their medicine in well-lit stores from knowledgeable "budtenders," the ire of cops and prohibitionists rose. The first sign of Obama's subterfuge came in late 2010, as California prepared to vote on a ballot proposition that would have legalized growing and possessing small amounts of marijuana for anyone over the age of 21. Under pressure from teetotalers -- nine former Drug Enforcement Agency chiefs begged Obama to oppose the measure -- Attorney General Eric Holder said that it didn't matter what Californians thought. The feds would continue to bust people regardless of the election. The measure got 46 percent of the vote, but not enough to pass. Yet the medical side of things kept going strong -- too strong for Obama. When the Oakland City Council prepared to authorize large-scale cultivation centers, Melinda Haag, the U.S. Attorney for California's Northern District, issued the first in what would become a series of letters from her fellow attorneys general. She reminded residents -- in no uncertain terms -- that marijuana was still criminalized under federal law, considered equal to heroin or meth, irrespective of its medicinal value. Nor did she care what California law said. Her "core priority" would be to prosecute "business enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana" under federal law. Over the next few months, attorneys general from Maine to Washington wrote their own increasingly menacing letters. In Washington, the feds even threatened to arrest state workers who helped facilitate the industry. Then the Obama administration released a new letter to "clarify" Ogden's memo. Deputy U.S. Attorney General James Cole verified the about-face: The only people safe from arrest were the "seriously ill" patients and their caregivers. Everyone else? Be forewarned. The letter didn't just target those directly involved in the trade. Cole was also threatening supporting industries -- read: banks -- with money laundering charges for dealing in the proceeds from marijuana. Obama had launched a full-on attack on the industries essential to any functioning enterprise. Banks responded by canceling their weed-related accounts. "Perhaps there may be a few financial institutions here or there that are still accepting accounts," says Caroline Joy, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Bankers Association. "Those facilities don't want to reveal who they are." The president's push grew louder last month. The U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms bureau warned medical-marijuana patients that they couldn't legally use pot and own or buy guns. Then came a one-two punch. On October 5, the IRS ruled that one of the largest California dispensaries, Harborside Health Center, owed $2.5 million in taxes because federal law precluded standard deductions for businesses engaging in illegal activity. In other words, Obama was not only blowing off state laws. He was declaring that legal businesses were now nothing more than criminal rackets. And he was carving away every tool they needed to function. Harborside's owner said he'd go out of business if the IRS didn't reverse course. Dispensaries nationwide saw it as a crippling decision. Then came another blow two days later: The bombshell dropped by California's four U.S. Attorneys. They were now going after people who leased stores and land to the pot industry. Violators were given 45 days to close doors, uproot plants, and kick out renters. The penalty for not acting: Seizure of property and arrest. Laura Duffy, the U.S attorney from California's Southern District, went so far as to threaten media with prosecution for taking pot advertising. (Disclosure: This newspaper accepts such ads.) There was no doubt about it: Obama was intent on killing an entire industry -- in the middle of a depression, no less. Left unexplained was why, especially since he was giving the finger to voters in 16 states just a year before he would face them in his own election. Democratic strategists were perplexed. Roger Salazar, a California party consultant, believes the president may be trying to reach out to a broader base. But that doesn't explain the attack on his own base; Democrats support medical marijuana at high percentages. It doesn't even make sense in luring conservatives. With the country in economic tatters, no one has weed high on their radar. Except one group, says Salazar: "It's a mystery, I think, it really is, where the pressure is coming from. My sense is it's coming from law enforcement." Certainly Obama's threats are real. He may be loath to jail landlords, bankers or even dispensary owners. Arresting non-violent, state-sanctioned businesspeople wouldn't be popular. But his quieter war of chopping merchants off at the knees through credit and leasing would ravage the trade. Still, the president has thrown himself into an uphill fight. There is reason to believe medical marijuana will persist, despite his betrayal. Marijuana Rally Is Medicine Earlier this month, in a timely coincidence, the California Medical Association's board voted to encourage the feds to legalize marijuana. Though spokeswoman Molly Weedn emphasizes that the decision by the doctors' group hinges on a call for more research, a report studied by the CMA board before its decision makes it clear that "" at the least "" marijuana shows promise as a medicine. The CMA's Council on Clinical and Scientific Affairs "has also concluded that components of medical cannabis may be effective for the treatment of pain, nausea, anorexia, and other conditions." The report goes on to say: "Cannabinoids are presently thought to exhibit their greatest efficacy when implemented for the management of neuropathic pain, which is a form of severe and often chronic pain resulting from nerve injury, disease, or toxicity. "The University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) recently reported to the California legislature the results of a number of studies. Four studies involved the treatment of neuropathic pain; and all four demonstrated a significant improvement in pain after cannabis administration." The doctors note that while using marijuana may contain risks, such as addiction, they argue that its prohibition may be more dangerous than the drug itself: "Under the current prohibition of cannabis, public health is also affected by increased rates of crime surrounding cannabis cultivation, sale and use. The California Legislative Analyst's Office estimates that the incarceration and parole supervision of cannabis offenders costs the state tens of millions of dollars annually." Nationally, prohibition burns through billions of dollars in lives lost to the violence inherent in the black market, the incarceration of thousands of productive, non-violent Americans, and the lack of access to a beneficial medicine. Are lots of people using weed without suffering from a medical problem? Absolutely. But just because you've heard that half or more of patients take the drug for "severe and chronic pain" doesn't mean they're all faking it. In June, the Institute of Medicine estimated that 116 million Americans suffer from significant, chronic pain. As more research comes in showing that pot can be an effective treatment, and with America's elderly population exploding in the coming decades, the interest in its medicinal qualities seems only likely to rise. The Truth Will Prevail Ignorance, false propaganda and rank political posturing tend to be the foundation of the anti-marijuana argument. (Throw in bureaucratic turf protection as well. The DEA, for example, would need fewer agents if pot was decriminalized nationwide.) A new Gallup poll shows that a record 50 percent of Americans believe marijuana -- and not just the medical kind -- should be legalized. The poll follows a continuing trend over the past several years of increasing support for legalization. Obama has chosen to swim against the tide. But there's reason to believe his fight is about politics, not public safety. If this were about safety, alcohol would be his primary target. Politics cause both sides to fudge the truth. Yet prohibitionists and the government have been particularly egregious. The government is using taxpayer dollars to prop up its side, with the U.S. Justice Department's 64-page booklet, "Speaking Out About Drug Legalization," being a prime example. The booklet, distributed in print and online, states that "smoked marijuana is not scientifically approved medicine." Forget that by labeling it a drug on par with heroin, the DEA is curtailing the proper study of marijuana, since it prevents even scientists from possessing it for research. The publicly funded propaganda also flies in the face of the opinion of doctors, who see pot's potential as medicine. It's a strategy that's trickled to states with functionaries unhappy about executing the voters' will. Last December in Arizona, Will Humble, the state's Department of Health Services director, held a news conference about the state's new Medical Marijuana Act. He took a moment to remind reporters that more than 1,000 Arizonans died last year from accidental overdoses from prescription drugs. But when asked how many of those died from marijuana, Humble refused to answer -- to chuckles from the audience. He referred the question to his chief medical officer, Laura Nelson, who would only say she'd "have to do the research on that" before she could answer. Then Nelson began stammering about the danger of marijuana due to "car accidents" -- though she had done no research on that, either. The CMA's new report, interestingly enough, sheds light on statements like Nelson's. It says that prohibitionists often make unsubstantiated claims about car crashes or other purported harms. Studies disagree on its risks to motorists, though there's no question that booze increases the chances of a crash, the report says. Moreover, simulated driving tests reveal that pot smokers overestimate their degree of impairment and "compensate effectively." If one were a cynic, one might also view U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy's threat to target advertising as a less than subtle threat to control the debate. True: Federal law prohibits advertising illegal drugs. Google, for example, agreed to pay a $500 million fine this summer for taking online ads promoting "rogue" Canadian pharmacies. But pot dispensaries are legal businesses within their states. Under Duffy's threat, the feds will have their say, while the pro-pot message would be erased from public view. Kent Scheidegger, legal director for the conservative Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, tells New Times that Duffy's threat gave him the willies. "They're on much thinner ice going after the newspaper," says Scheidegger, who otherwise believes the feds should enforce its own laws against marijuana. "... Maybe there is a political strategy." It's called the "shut them up" strategy. There Will Be Pushback Federal law is, for now, on the side of the prohibitionists. Scheidegger downplays the state victories handed to medical marijuana. He says if the American people want to change the law, they need to encourage Congress to do so. Yet that ignores a basic political reality: It's extremely difficult for any politician to stand up for marijuana. He or she will be quickly painted as pro-pothead. Like women's suffrage, the medical marijuana movement has -- in ten states, anyway -- benefited by the direct democracy of citizens initiatives. These elections have taken the pulse of voters in a way that congressional elections cannot. In six other states and Washington D.C., medical marijuana was legalized by local lawmakers. Other states are bound to vote in favor of decriminalizing pot in the next few years in spite of federal laws. Phoenix attorney Ty Taber sees it as a major states' rights issue. "Basically, the citizens of these states ... they want marijuana legalized," he says. If Obama wants to play hardball, he says, "You're going to get pushback." Taber represents Compassion First, a company that helps set up dispensaries. The firm sued Arizona after Governor Jan Brewer, in blatant defiance of voters' wishes, derailed the dispensary portion of Arizona's new law by instructing the Department of Health to reject applications. She simultaneously sued the federal government, asking a judge to rule on whether the state's new law was legal. (Ironically, the U.S. Justice Department's civil department is defending against the lawsuit -- and if the feds win, Arizona might just get its first dispensaries.) Compassion First wants the program implemented as Arizonans intended, and to remove blockades Brewer has thrown in its path. For instance, Arizona requires dispensary owners to have been residents for at least three years. But the point isn't so much whether or not the company will win its lawsuit or not -- it's that they're fighting back, and they're not alone. Across the country, advocates are returning fire of their own in the court system. Which means Obama won't be able to do battle by the relatively cheap means of letters and threats. He'll likely end up burning through millions of dollars in litigation -- money he doesn't have. Taber thinks the president may have underestimated his foe. "The people behind this marijuana movement -- they're committed. They are zealots. And these are smart people -- not stoners saying, 'Hey dude, pass another slice of pizza.'" Half-Hearted Crackdowns Don't Work The latest crackdown will be bad for the pot business. No question. But Obama could be doing much, much more. He could go after patients. Over the summer, a federal judge ruled the DEA could peek at the names on Michigan's patient registry. Because marijuana is illegal under federal law, said Judge Hugh Brenneman Jr., patients can't expect privacy. The feds could also hit pot-tolerant cities. The law doesn't allow municipal workers to be jailed in such prosecutions, but cities or counties could be heavily fined just for setting up zoning requirements for dispensaries. There's a huge downside to that, of course. Obama will only appear mean and small for having sickly grandmas arrested. And fining cities just enrages residents picking up the tab -- the very people the president will need a year from now. All of which leaves him fighting at partial speed. That, in turn, leaves the "zealots" Tyber mentions betting their money and freedom that even if the feds throw the book at some, it won't be them. Last week, the feds raided several growing operations in California and Oregon, including one in Mendocino County that appeared to be playing by the state rules. But it seems safe to assume that few of the hundreds of other growers in Mendocino County did not uproot their crops in response -- just as the hundreds of dispensaries in California did not immediately close their doors after the feds' ominous warning on October 7. The industry seems to be practicing a form of civil disobedience. And it has tens of thousands of seriously sick people behind it, who will holler loudly if they're forced back to the black market. Indeed, there are some signs that Obama's crackdown will be what the SF Weekly's Chris Roberts calls a "Passive Aggressive" strategy. Rather than offend Americans with news footage of police raids, Obama has launched a war of attrition. Landlords, worried the feds will steal their property, will tell dispensaries to move out. Banks won't handle money for pot-themed businesses. Dispensaries will be taxed so heavily they won't be to cover the payroll or pay the electric bill. Yet it remains to be seen whether federal prosecutors, who undoubtedly have even more serious criminals with which to contend, are willing and able to carry out the threat. When Jack Gillund, Melinda Haag's spokesman, was asked whether her office had the resources to go after every dispensary or grower who doesn't comply with the 45-day deadline, he offered a simple reply: "No comment." Lauren Horwood, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner in California's Eastern District, says Wagner's goal isn't to shut down everything. He's focusing on "large, professional, money-making operations -- the commercial operations." Horwood also says that it's wrong to call it "Obama's crackdown." She says the California U.S. Attorneys decided to take action on their own because the situation has grown out of control among recreational users. But she acknowledges that they received Obama's blessing. It's classic political strategy: Send the underlings out to take the heat, while the bosses hide under their skirts. Either way, the end result casts Obama as even more zealous than George W. Bush. Bush threatened owners of dispensary properties in 2007, but never followed up. Meanwhile, Colorado and other states have seen no similar crackdowns. Only time will tell whether Obama plans to destroy the entire medical marijuana industry, or merely smack California around for a bit. "I'm willing to give the Obama Administration the benefit of the doubt," says Blair Butterworth, a Democratic consultant in Seattle, where about 100 dispensaries operate. "In California, they may be sitting on uncontrollable drug sales. They need to slap some wrists." It's easy to pick on California, a state known for its excesses. But "the last thing Obama needs right now is to go to war nationally with the medical marijuana community," Butterworth says. Leniency for marijuana users, medical or otherwise, continues to be a popular Democratic stance, he says. Butterworth is helping the campaign to put outright legalization on the Washington state ballot next year. He thinks it's got a good chance. Of course, a successful election could just tick off the feds even more. A Million Patients Can't Be Wrong An estimated 1 million people in California have obtained a doctor's recommendation to grow and use marijuana legally. More than 150,000 medical marijuana patients have registered in Colorado as of July. Tens of thousands of patients are registered in the other weed-friendly states. If the feds shut down every dispensary in the country, all these people will still be able to legally possess marijuana -- no matter where they bought it -- under their state laws. The only difference is they'll be forced to go back to buying their weed from Mexican drug cartels, rather than Americans who provide jobs and pay taxes. It's akin to the feds saying that Anheuser-Busch can no longer sell beer; they'd prefer that people only buy from Al Capone. Hey, wait -- didn't something like that happen? - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.


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Innkeepers and History
Dana and I met while working at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts where we discovered our mutual dream of opening a hotel in Newport, RI.
Dana was a natural fit for owning and operating an Inn. Having grown up at her parent's Bed and Breakfast on Nantucket Island for fifteen years, Dana knew from an early age that the hospitality field was a natural career path for her. After studying at Endicott College and receiving a major in Hotel/Restaurant Management, Dana moved on to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Boston where she focused on Guest Services and Sales. Before purchasing the Newport, RI Inn, she worked as a Tourism Sales Manager for the European hotel company, Le Meridien, gaining extensive experience in worldly travel and hotel sales.
In July of 2007, we welcomed our daughter, Morgan Gail Spring, into the world and, our son, William David Spring, was born in September 2010. Since then, Dana has taken on the full time role as a mother, reducing her day to day Innkeeping role at the hotel. She is, however, and will continue to be, active in the improvement of the Inn's interior and exterior decor, marketing presence, and overall success.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I moved to Newport, RI in 1997 and obtained a position in Guest Services at the Cliffside Inn Bed and Breakfast. After two years of employment at Cliffside I was promoted to Food and Beverage Manager. While working at the Inn, I attended Johnson and Wales University, majoring in Hotel/Restaurant management. After Newport, I was hired by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Boston to manage In-Room Dining, Honor Bar, and their famed Afternoon Tea Service. My final position before moving back to operate our Newport Rhode Island Inn was as a Concierge Manager for luxury condominiums managed by Barkan Management, a leading property management firm in Boston.
As your innkeeper, my and my staff's goal is to provide our guests with the finest service and amenities throughout their stay in Newport. We hope that you choose to stay with us when visiting our beautiful city of Newport.
Mark Spring
Newport History
The first English settlers arrived on Aquidneck Island in 1636. Upon arrival the settlers founded their new town on the basis of religious tolerance and diversity and Newport became one of the first secular democracies in the Americas. The founder's commitment to religious freedom had a profound impact on all aspects of the town's subsequent history.
Among the religious groups attracted to this haven in a world of threatening intolerance were Quakers and Jews. During the 1760's, they transformed the town from a small agricultural outpost to one of colonial America's five leading seaports along with Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. The economic growth spurred a building boom that included some of the important landmarks that still survive today.
Newport helped lead the way toward the Revolution and independence. The British occupied Newport from 1776 to 1779, forcing over half of the town's population to flee. The British remained in Newport despite efforts to drive them out by patriot forces and eventually the British did withdraw. The French, under the leadership of Admiral deTiernay and General Rochambeau, began a sojourn in Newport that lasted until 1783 until they left Newport on their historic march to Yorktown to assist in the decisive victory there.
Newport's history has always been tied to the sea. During the colonial period the Newport harbor teemed with trading ships and Newport was on its way to becoming a yachting capital. The New York Yacht Club brought the famed America's cup to Newport in the 1930s where it stayed until lost to the Australians in 1983. The fishing industry is still a vital part of Newport's economy, as is the United States Navy, which has been in Newport since the 1860s.
In the late 19th and 20th centuries various groups such as the Irish, Greeks, Italians, Portuguese, Filipinos, Cambodians, and Hispanics joined groups such as Jews, African Americans, and Native Americans who had been in Newport for some time, enriching the ethnic diversity of the town. African Americans from Virginia and other areas moved to Newport and joined a thriving community that continues to be a vital part of Newport's history.
Newport's history is remarkable in many ways, but perhaps the most unique aspect is the fact that so much of its history is still visible everywhere you look. Be our guest and explore Newport Rhode Island, past and present.


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Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Automatic Aesthetics-based Lighting Design with Global Illumination
(The Eurographics Association, 2014)
In computer graphics, lighting plays an important role in the appearance of a scene. A change in the configuration of light sources can lead to different aesthetics in the final rendered image. Lighting design becomes ...


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BANGOR, Maine -- 04/29/2017 - during the annual Epic Sports' Rabbit Run race through the Bangor City Forest in Bangor Saturday. The 5.25 mile course saw over 100 runners. Proceeds went to benefit the Bangor Humane Society and the Clifton Climbers Association. Ashley L. Conti | BDN
Ashley L. ContiBDNBangor Daily News


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12 Days of…
Throughout the year, we receive many requests to see layouts/ideas using a certain number of photos on the layout. So, when we thought about what we would do for "12 Days" we decided it would be great to show you how to use 1-12 photos on a holiday themed layout.
So without further ado, we introduce you to the 12 Days of Cropping…
On the 1st Day of Christmas, Creative Memories gave to me an idea using 1 photograph.
So often we think about layouts that are themed directly to the event. I challenge you to think outside of the box. The Made With Love and Woodland Whimsy Girl papers are the perfect combo for a holiday themed layout.
Do you have that ONE photo that speaks volumes to you? Or is it the only photo that you took from an event. Maybe you might be looking for an opening page for a special album…all of which make it perfectly acceptable to scrapbook a layout with one photo.
To create this layout, you will need:
- Made With Love Paper Pack and Stickers
- Woodland Whimsy Girl Paper Pack
- Cranberry Embellishments
- Ruby ABC/123 Stickers
- Black Cardstock
- Holly Border Punch
- Poinsettia Punch
- Precision Point Adhesive, Tape Runner, Repostionable Refill and Foam Squares
- 12-Inch Straight Trimmer
Use the red and white gingham paper as the base for this layout.
Cut a piece of Black Cardstock to measure 9-1/2″ x 9-1/2″. Adhere to the center of the layout.
Cut a piece of the yellow patterned paper to measure 9-1/4″ x 9-1/4″. Cut out the center of this piece leaving a 1/2″ frame. Adhere to the top of the Black Cardstock.
Cut a piece of the white patterned paper to measure 7-1/2″ x 7-1/2″. Adhere to the center of the yellow frame.
Cut a piece from the green patterned paper to measure 6-1/2″ x 4-1/2″. Adhere to the layout.
Adhere 6″ x 4″ photo to the photo mat.
Using the Holly Border Punch, punch several borders from the green patterned paper. Cut a varying lengths, adhering to the upper right side of the yellow frame using Repositionable Tape Runner Refill.
Using the Poinsettia Punch, punch several poinsettias, adhering the centers to the holly using the Precision Point Adhesive. Adhere gems to the center of each poinsettia.
Adhere title using Ruby ABC/123 Stickers.
Use Black Dual-Tip Pen to journal and draw faux stitches along the outer edge of the yellow frame.
Make sure you check back with us daily throughout the 12 Days… to see unique holiday ideas.
Happy Creating!


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Rock-roll, rock-rock, hard rock, real pop, street sounds, shady lounge, fire jazz, dirt blues, grit folk, bitter noise, frank talk, foreign necessities, America listens, Mosurock responds. Every week.
RSS feeds for Mosurock with Doug M.: Playlists feed | MP3 archives feed| Email the Program Director | Other WFMU Playlists | All artists played by Mosurock with Doug M. |


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Slegoon Sled Might as Well Double as a Coffin
When you go to pick out your Slegoon for that next killer run down the mountain, be sure to pick a color you like, because you could be living in it for a while. Underground. Like, because, you'll be dead and it's your coffin! Get it?! Anyway, the Slegoon here is the winning entry in the UK IOM3 Design Innovation in Plastics competition. The roll cage, such as it is, protects the rider and doubles as extra runners should the
death trap sledding device flip over mid-run.
Insurance not included, nor offered, we imagine. [Design Blog via Trendhunter]


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and Butt-head" — the show that celebrated the slacker way of life and helped make MTV into a network that did more than just play music videos — is coming back.
The move to resurrect the hugely popular 1990s animated anti-heroes has been rumored for several days. But yesterday, sources at MTV confirmed that a new batch of "Beavis and Butt-head" episodes are in the works.
The new series would keep Beavis and Butt-head in their perpetual high-school state, but it would be updated so that the pals — who obsessively watch music videos on a battered TV set — could lob their snarky comments at more current targets like Lady Gaga.
The show's minimalist animated style is also expected to remain intact.
The return of "Beavis and Butt-head" will be a backdoor means for MTV to return to showing music videos — something the network was founded upon but abandoned in the last decade to make room for popular reality shows like "Laguna Beach," "The Hills" and "Jersey Shore."
"Beavis and Butt-head," which premiered in 1993, began as an animated short called "Frog Baseball," which aired on MTV's "Liquid Television."
The basic plotline revolved around two shorts-wearing, spectacularly immature teenage pals whose banter was delivered against the backbeat of their constant idiotic laughter.
Series creator Mike Judge, who's also creating the new episodes, voiced both characters.
The guys worked at a fast-food joint and were always out to "score" with "chicks" when they weren't sitting on a ratty couch watching music videos.
Beavis, the blond half, usually wore a Metallica T-shirt and would morph into his crazed, gibberish-spewing alter-ego, "Cornholio," when he ingested too much sugar.
Butt-head was the "cooler" of the two. He usually wore an AC/DC T-shirt and often picked on Beavis in much the same way Moe would slap around Curly, Larry and Shemp on "The Three Stooges."
The duo was so successful they were spun off into a 1996 big-screen movie, "Beavis and Butt-head Do America" and a marketing juggernaut of T-shirts and character trinkets.
A recurring character on the show, high-school classmate Daria (whom they called "Diarrhea"), eventually got her own MTV series.
After MTV canceled "Beavis and Butt-head" in 1997, Judge went on to create "King of the Hill" for Fox.
He also wrote the cult-classic movie comedy "Office Space" and last year's big-screen movie "Extract."
MTV officials had no comment yesterday.
Judge is "not commenting at this time," his publicist said.


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Is Private Land Conservation More Important Than Saving Our Parks?
Dear EarthTalk: While working to protect public land from resource extraction and development seems to be the focus of many environmental groups, what is being done to preserve and protect private property—the majority of our land—across the country?
—Jim Friedland, Bath, ME
Indeed, private property makes up about 60 percent of the total land base across the United States. In 42 states there is more private land than public, and by a wide margin in most cases. (Only Alaska, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, Wyoming and California have more public land—that is, land owned by a federal, state, county or municipal government—than private.) Of course, all this private land isn't just the parcels where our houses sit. It includes most commercial, industrial and agricultural lands as well. What we each do on our own private property may be our own business, but whether and how we take care of it does impact the public good and the health of ecosystems near and far.
One way each of us can do our part is by cultivating native plants and landscaping around our homes and businesses to increase habitat for local wildlife. As development slowly but surely swallows up open space, every backyard counts. The National Wildlife Federation's (NWF's) Certified Wildlife Habitat program provides homeowners with information and inspiration to make their backyards part of the solution.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans have used local land trusts to put conservation easements on their properties that preclude future development. The Washington, DC-based Land Trust Alliance serves as a clearinghouse for information on obtaining conservation easements and other private land protections through one of the 1,700 local land trusts across the country. And the Virginia-based Nature Conservancy has helped protect upwards of 15 million acres of private land across the U.S. by buying at-risk parcels, putting conservation easements on them and seeing that they are managed sustainably moving forward. As for conservation on working lands, the American Farmland Trust has helped thousands of farmers and ranchers across the country protect over five million acres of private agricultural and grazing land through conservation easements and other tools designed to limit the conversion to non-agricultural uses.
There are also smaller regionally focused groups that work on private lands conservation. Stewardship Partners works with Washington state homeowners and businesses to restore fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, protect open space and "green up" the built environment while maintaining working landscapes of farms, forestland and livable communities. The group has helped hundreds of farms and vineyards across the state identify ways to restore otherwise unproductive lands for the betterment of local ecosystems, and is helping thousands of homeowners across the state install "rain gardens" that utilize rainfall to save water and reduce run-off pollution in and around the Seattle area.
Another pioneering private lands conservation group, the Pacific Forest Trust, works with owners of private forestlands throughout California, Oregon and Washington to preserve working forests and keep sustainable forest practices alive and well in some of the country's most productive timber forests. To date the group has helped conserve upwards of 50,000 acres of private forestland in the region through conservation easements and other means.


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Some 83 percent of organizations said they use threat intell reports to help shape their security strategies, and 78 percent said they use the reports as ammunition in their security budget processes, according to a survey conducted by managed security services provider Solutionary.
"Eighty-three percent using threat intelligence reports to draw our their vision for a security strategy ... is a pretty high percentage," says Rob Kraus, director of Solutionary's security engineering research team.
The around 180 respondents in the survey are from U.S.-based companies and are a mix of C-level executives, vice presidents, directors, managers, and administrators. The most popular piece of information they want included in threat reports to assist in their security budgets and resource processes: "Self assessment that allows me to show business stakeholders our risk status."
Solutionary's Kraus says the survey shows that these managers need threat information to help them approach upper management for security resources and buys. "It was surprising that organizations need more help and guidance on how to secure resources," he says.
They also want "actionable" intelligence with defense recommendations, the survey found. They value the executive summary section of intelligence reports (27 percent) as a key tool for influencing upper management to approve their budget requests, followed by summary statistics on the volume of attacks and threats (22.1 percent) and specific details on the types of threats (20.4 percent).
As for the respondents who don't rely on threat intell reports, they said they would use these reports if they also included information on how to apply the intelligence to secure resources and their budgets.
The bottom line is that security still is a tough sell to upper management in many organizations. "Security is a luxury until someone gets compromised. Then, all of a sudden, budgets become available," Kraus says. "One of the things we are trying to ingrain is that security needs to be part of your company's culture. One of our big drives for 2013 is a lot of writing and research not just on what the attacks are, but on how they can be addressed from a cultural perspective."
Have a comment on this story? Please click "Add Your Comment" below. If you'd like to contact Dark Reading's editors directly, send us a message.


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The Gray Lady and Her Sad, Shared, Empty Bag of "Douche"
Where, exactly, are you supposed to start when the New York Times runs a Page One media piece on the word "douche"?
Times media writer Edward Wyatt penned a soft, round filing that was about the word "douche." It appeared on today's front page.
This word is one with which this website (and media network) has a wide breadth of experience with. In November, 2006, former Gawker scribe Emily Gould wrote:
Don't get us wrong. It's not that (50%) of our delicate ladyish sensibilities are offended or anything; far from it. It's just that, as vagina-havers, we want to branch out a little bit in the realm of vagina-related insults. Also, we couldn't help but notice that the trope is now so bitten and tired, it pretty much begs to be called "Already Over" (if Already Over wasn't Already Over, obvs). Plus, Dolce has co-opted it for his own use. What a fucking asswizard!
Before we go any further, can we just say that "azzwizard" is kind of magical?
Anyway. People, as we are, can't be without first-stone casters. Observe:
I really, really hope there aren't actually 17,400 results for the word "douche" on Gawker websites that can't be cross-referenced with Joe Dolce.
But for a moment, back to Wyatt's piece. He didn't write about how the word evolved from a technical term of feminine hygiene to a schoolyard pejorative, to a favorite of bloggers and mediocre satire writers alike, to a Times media piece. No: that'd be too meta, and too interesting, and too far into the purview of their excellent After Deadline column.
In a newspaper where the word "fuck" is too vulgar as to only be printed once in its entire history—despite the word "fuck" and its entrenchment in our daily lives, in politics, popular culture, literature, and I'm sure its handy usage around Times' bullpens—they penned a piece based on the statistical usage and adoption into sitcom television, where every decent slang word goes to die.
It's filled with numbers about usage, and quotes from TV writers about how they employ it, like this one:
"As a writer, you're always reaching for a more potent way to call somebody a jerk," Dan Harmon, the creator of "Community," said about the word "douche." "This is a word that has evolved in the last couple of years - a thing that sounds like a thing you can't say."
It doesn't get much more interesting than that, except for a line about how the show that once presented the American Public with Dennis Franz's tuchus decided to give it an evolved go:
Users of the recently popular word "douche" defend its use, noting that it was invoked, usually with the suffix "bag," in the 1990s by the character Andy Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue," an ABC series that frequently pushed the boundaries of network acceptability.
Naturally, since this story dropped, the Gawker Weekend inbox has been brimming with glee and excitement.
There are a few angles to take on it. Mediaite's Joe Coscarelli reflects much of the sentiment I've already heard out there in his lede:
I bet you never thought you'd see the day when you could pick up a copy of the New York Times and see the word "douche" on page one. And we're not talking hygiene!
And NYTpicker, that anonymous scourge of the New York Times' newsroom, takes out his or her butcher knife and gets to work on how typically bullshit the numbers used to create this story are, making a special point to note that the Times calls the word "offensive to many people" but doesn't say who those people are:
But seeing TV reporter Edward Wyatt and the NYT base its front-page reporting on numbers the paper actually requested from the Parents Television Council — a notoriously conservative TV watchdog group that has brought 99 percent of all indecency complaints before the FCC (we learned that from an excellent 2004 NYT story) — makes us a little sick. The PTC has been around since 1995, founded by conservative commentator L. Brent Bozell, and is responsible for complaints to the FCC about the Janet Jackson nipple slip and cursing on "NYPD Blue."
NYTpicker's right, and Joe Coscarelli's right. It's patently ridiculous that the Times uses generalized opinions to substantiate their numbers, to help give their story a case. There's also something inevitably entertaining about watching a newspaper as prude as the Times give the word "douche" some kind of once-over, even if the story behind it is fairly flimsy.
But honestly, this all just kind of brings me down.
Believe me, the last thing I want to do is rain on the parade of fun that is the New York Times using the word "douche," as someone who can only die happy once Clark Hoyt calls one of the Styles writers a "fuckface" in his Public Editor column. But let's talk about this like adults, kind of, for a moment. As someone with a strange affection for vulgar language, I only see this as an intense letdown.
To do this story two years ago would've been one thing, as the numbers slowly rise into becoming a trend, before it hits fever pitch. But for this story to run now, without Styles writer Allen Salkin's byline—and Salkin would've done way better with this—is absurd. Besides the fact that it's boring and plucked from a bullshit ether, the potential they laid waste to with this one is absurd. Mainly: to address the issue of creating new terms that don't exhaust themselves more and more on each usage. For example:
Where did the word "douche" come from in it's literal, non-slang implication?
Who were the first people to make the word "douche" a pejorative?
Who appended the word "bag" to the word "douche"?
Who uses this word every day?
How long has it been around?
Who (besides Gould/Shafrir/Balk/Sicha-era Gawker) has called this word over?
And what media outlets use it on a regular basis? But mostly:
Who's offended by the word?
There's nothing interesting about the word "mediocre" unless it's placed in an interesting context. On the inverse, the word "fuck" is almost always interesting, if only because it begs the question of necessity. The idea behind using a word like "douche" or "fuck" is to emphasize or exclaim something, it's to aid a common goal of writing or speaking, the reason people like me love language: to communicate an idea to someone you otherwise couldn't.
But what does the word "douche" communicate, exactly, besides the kind of person who would use it?
Maybe someone who's just unsavory in some regard, or someone who's typically unaware of their uncouth behavior. Or someone who does something your way of going about things disagrees with. There're way too many words like it. Maybe people just enjoy the way it rolls off the tongue, or maybe people actually enjoy employing the connotation of a Feminine hygiene product (which is the point all you nu-Feminists should take to say the exact same thing Gould said three years ago).
But really, the word douche is just like the story the Times did on it, and the generalized sources—the "some people" who "may be offended" by it— they used. It's empty. It means nothing. It's a completely subjective assessment of somebody who does something you don't like. I know people who use the word "douchebag" when referring to other people; I'm willing to bet those same people use the word "douchebag" to refer to the people referring to them. And I'm most disappointed when people I know who use the word could find something more concise, or shocking, or linguistically artful to go with. It's sold at the Wal-Mart of pejoratives. It's cheap, it's made en masse, and there's nothing but bad preservatives in the ingredients. Let's all—The New York Times, Bloggers, TV Writers, Those Who Use The Word "Douchebag," Those Who You Would Call A "Douche," Bar Patrons, Sports Fans, English Professors, Joe Dolce—become better communicators, and find something better than the word "douche" and it's mediocre suffix "bag" to go with.
Or, you know, we could just judge each other a little less.
Since none of these things will probably happen in the foreseeable future, just go with "douchenozzle" until it does. At least it sounds funny.
[Related Reading - Commenter VioletViolet makes a salient point: "I still think the NY Times article on "vajajay" was worse, although at least it wasn't on the front page. When you're asking Gloria Steinem for her opinion on a term that's use was mostly limited to The Soup, you're in trouble."]


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WESTMINSTER, Colo., November 9, 2011−The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG®) today announced election results for its 2012–2014 executive committee, as well as for nine regional directors and two new nominating committee members. Kenyatta D. Berry of Santa Monica, Calif. was elected president. Berry, a genealogist, entrepreneur and lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in genealogy research and writing, served as APG vice president during the last term. She will succeed Laura G. Prescott of Brookline, New Hampshire.
"I am honored to be elected and excited at the depth and breadth of experience represented by our incoming officers, board and committee members," said Berry. "APG made great strides during the last administration,
growing to more than 2,400 members, adding new Chapters and expanding internationally. I look forward to continuing the important work of this organization."
Kimberly D. Powell of Pennsylvania was elected APG vice president. Powell has been writing and blogging on genealogy for About.com since 2000. She is the author of several genealogy books and currently serves as a member on the APG board.
Janice S. Prater of Denver, Colo. will serve as secretary. Prater is the editor of the International Society of British Genealogy and Family History's quarterly publication and is treasurer for the Colorado Chapter of APG. APG treasurer will be Joan Peake of West Virginia, a certified public accountant and the president of the Great Lakes Chapter of APG and the Fayette Ohio Genealogical Society.
APG members elected the following regional directors:
West region: Jean Wilcox Hibben, CG, is president of the Southern California Chapter of APG and the Corona (Calif.) Genealogical Society, secretary of the Genealogical Speakers Guild. Joan A. Hunter, MLS, CG, serves as Librarian General for the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a past president of the Oregon Chapter of APG.
Midwest region: Billie Stone Fogarty, M.Ed., fulltime genealogist and lecturer and president of the Genealogical Speakers Guild. Jay H. Fonkert, CG, is a fulltime genealogist, lecturer and writer and a founder of the Northland APG Chapter.
Southeast region: Alvie L. Davidson, CG, is a Florida-based private investigator and circuit court qualified expert, specializing in missing persons and genealogical applications of investigations. Michael Hait, CG, is a professional genealogy researcher, writer and lecturer who currently serves as vice president of the National Capital Area Chapter of APG.
Northeast region: Debra Braverman is a professional genealogist in New York City, specializing in due diligence for trust and estates matters, and 19th–21st century New York research. Michael Leclerc of Massachusetts is a genealogist who most recently served as director of special projects at the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
International regions: Michael Goldstein of Israel, traces roots worldwide, specializing in family reunification, heir searches and Holocaust research.
Elected to one-year terms on the nominations committee are: Jana Sloan Broglin, CG, a director for the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and Debby Horton, professional genealogist and web designer.
© 2011 – 2014, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.