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Four days before Iowans caucus, Republican presidential candidates will debate tonight in Hawkeye State as Donald Trump, the party's frontrunner, holds a town hall event to benefit veterans just three miles from the Des Moines debate site.
After Fox News taunted Trump this week in a press release, Trump decided to skip the event and beat Fox News boss Roger Ailes at his own game. On Thursday, Trump said the debate will "be a total disaster."
The "debate" tonight will be a total disaster – low ratings with advertisers and advertising rates dropping like a rock. I hate to see this.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
The reality TV star, with a huge assist from Fox News, has turned the event into must-see television. Some think Trump may even make a surprise appearance. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said on Thursday evening that "in this cycle, anything is possible."
Realistic chance Trump could have his cake and eat it, too: he told people this afternoon he might go to debate tonight after his event.
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) January 28, 2016
But Trump has already won this round versus Fox News. He has shown he has the leverage, exposed Fox News's many weaknesses and vulnerabilities, dominated the news cycle, and ensured that he will continue to do so during and after the event.
If Fox News gets decent ratings, Trump could still claim credit by arguing that viewers tuned in to see whether Trump would show up and how the candidates would respond without Trump there.
Trump's absence may pose the biggest problem for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), though his establishment GOP fanboys/fangirls who have been predicting a Rubio surge that hasn't materialized for the entire election cycle are doing their best to again spin that Rubio will benefit the most. Fox News has not disclosed to its viewers that its Washington Bureau Chief and the man who may be most responsible for crafting debate questions has a daughter who holds a top position in the Rubio campaign. Apparently, there is nothing to see here at all.
Because Trump will not be at the debate, Rubio may have to fend off many more attacks from his establishment GOP rivals who want to overtake him in New Hampshire. And even if Rubio has a breakout performance, he may not get the bump that he needs from it. After Iowa's Democrats caucused in 2004, a surging John Edwards finished in second place behind John Kerry, who would eventually win the nomination. Howard Dean, who had been the frontrunner, finished in third but dominated the news cycle with his "Dean Scream." Edwards would have surged even more had it not been for the Dean Scream, but the North Carolina Democrat lost a lot of his momentum because he could not elbow his way into the news cycle for days after the Dean Scream. Rubio will face the same dynamic. No matter how well he does, perhaps with Fox News putting a thumb on the scale for him, Rubio will have to compete with ALL THINGS TRUMP in the days ahead, and that diminishes the opportunities he will have to get a significant surge.
Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, and Jim Gilmore will be in the undercard debate (7PM EST), which Martha MacCallum and Bill Hemmer will moderate. Huckabee and Santorum—the last two winners of the Iowa Caucuses—will head to Trump's event after the undercard debate.
Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Dr. Ben Carson and Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rand Paul (R-KY) will be in the main event. Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace will moderate the primetime debate at 9 PM EST.
Those looking for even a semi-decent discussion on immigration will be disappointed. Fox News is prioritizing the concerns of a Muslim activist and an illegal immigrant activist—both of whom will be questioners. Those who have been impacted by illegal immigration—like Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose son was murdered by an illegal immigrant—will apparently not get a voice. Neither will Americans laid off after companies abused the H-1B visa system.
For some reason, Ailes seems hellbent on promoting the centrist Kelly as the face of the network. According to Politico, Ailes's press statement that was the last straw for Trump "was meant to redirect Trump's fire from Kelly to Ailes and the network." And New York Magazine reported that Fox News "is split between Kelly's allies like Brit Hume and conservative anchors that are furious that Kelly… has become the face of the network."
Perhaps Ailes could have gotten Trump to reconsider by apologizing. Or he could have diffused the situation long before it flared up replacing Kelly with someone like Shannon Bream, who had a standout and widely-praised performance in the 2011 GOP debate in South Carolina. More personable than Kelly while also being more fluent on the issues, Bream may be a better–and more impartial– moderator than Kelly. But maybe Ailes doesn't want Kelly to be his network's Wally Pipp after promoting her so heavily.
Stay tuned to Breitbart News for live updates throughout the evening.
Donald Trump comes out of the debate completely unscathed and the winner, especially because the media cycle will now immediately center around Trump and his event. Virgil (the poet/philosopher–not the Million Dollar Man's bodyguard) said "fortune sides with him who dares." And Trump's gamble paid huge dividends tonight.
Closing Statements:
Cruz: He says the media noise will soon be over in 93 hours and Iowans will vote. He says the central issue in the contest is trust. He asks, "who do you know will kill the terrorists, defend the Constitution, and repeal Obamacare? Who do you know will stop amnesty and secure the borders? Who do you know will defend life, marriage and religious liberty? Examine our records. Pray on it. And I would be honored if you and your family would come caucus for us on Monday night."
Rubio: He says the Bible commands us to let our light shine on the world and for over 200 years, America's light has been shining on the world and the light is dimming a little after seven years of Obama. He asks Iowans to caucus for him because he will unite the party, defeated Hillary Clinton. He says when he is President, America's light will shine again and the 21st century will be a new American century.
Carson: He asks Iowans to think of the Founding Fathers. He recites the Constitution's preamble in his closing and then says, "Folks, it's not too late. Enough said."
Bush: He cites his proven record as a conservative leader as Florida's governor. He says he will defeat Hillary Clinton and has detailed plans to fix the mess in D.C. and restore our military and alliances around the world.
Christie: He says his wife was two blocks from the Trade Center on 9/11 and he had to confront the possibility that he would be a single parent. He says America needs a Commander-in-Chief who can protect us and "feels in here what it means to face the possibility of loss." He says nobody will keep the country safer than he will.
Kasich: He says one of our biggest national security issues is that we can't solve problems. He says we can create jobs, create situations where wages rise and students pay down their debt. He says he is an optimist who has seen so many things get accomplished in his lifetime by people working together.
Paul: He says "thanks for having me, it's great to be back." He bills himself as an eye surgeon from Bowling Green and the thing that is most important to him is the debt. He says he is the one true fiscal conservative who will look at all spending and that is the only way we will balance our budget.
10:48: Wallace asks Cruz the ethanol question and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad's non-endorsement of him. Cruz says Washington shouldn't be picking winners and losers and there should be "no mandates and no subsidies whatsoever." He says his flat tax eliminates subsidies for everyone, including oil and gas industries, and would spur the economy. He says it is not true, though, that he does not support Ethanol and says the EPA's "blend law" is much more harmful to Iowans. Cruz says that Steve King is arguably the fiercest defender of farmers and he has endorsed Cruz.
Carson is asked about ethanol and he says that he is very much against the government being involved in every aspect of our lives. He notes that there was an additional 81,000 pages of government regulations last year and "this is absolutely absurd." Regarding the Renewable Fuel standard, he says that it is unfair to withdraw the rug because promises were made and people have invested energy/money. He says we need to be talking about new sources of energy like hydro-electric power and natural gas that can be liquefied and put Putin back in the box that he belongs.
10:45: A Muslim activist says that the hate crimes against Muslims have tripled (but Jews have been the victims of more hate crimes, according to FBI statistics) and asks what GOP candidates would do to promote "increased tolerance." Jeb says "our words have consequences" and uses the opportunity to attack Trump's temporary Muslim ban that creates an environment that is "toxic in our own country." Bush says the questioner is not the threat and the threat is Islamic terrorism. Bush doesn't destroy/dent the narrative that Muslims have been victims of so many hate crimes and that is why he would be a terrible, terrible general election candidate who will be eaten alive by the mainstream media/Clinton machine.
10:43: Paul says Hillary Clinton is not responsible for Bill's behavior but points out that had Bill Clinton done what he did with an intern as a CEO, he would be fired, never hired again, and shunned in their community. Paul says that Hillary can't be a champion of women's rights while condoning her husband's behavior and blasts the Clintons for taking money from Middle Eastern countries that treat women like cattle. Paul could have given a better answer here and brought up the numerous instances in which Hillary allegedly intimidated Bill's accusers. He could have also mentioned that Clinton said that all accusers should be given the benefit of the doubt.
10:39: Christie slams Hillary Clinton for refusing to take responsibility for Libya/Benghazi.
10:35: Baier asks Rubio about the Iran Nuclear deal and why he would tear up the constraints on Day One in the White House. Rubio says Iran's ultimate goal is to hold America hostage and will use the $100 billion to expand their conventional weaponry and buy/develop nuclear weapons. Rubio says nations will have to decide between doing business with Iran or the United States after he tears up the Iran deal on Day One.
Kasich says the president needs to be laying the groundwork right now to slap sanctions back on Iran and he is worried that if we don't get this settled now, too many countries will have started doing business with Iran and may not want to hold Iran to account.
10:33: Baier asks Carson whether Putin has greater designs for the regions besides Russia's actions inside Ukraine. If Russia crosses the Estonia border, and Estonia invokes Article V, what would Carson do? Carson says Putin is a "bully" and he would face him down in the whole Baltic region. Armor brigades are needed. And military exercises are needed in Estonia and Latvia, he says. Carson says Ukraine needs offensive weapons and America should fight Russia on an economic level in order to deploying a missile defense system for the region.
10:30: Wallace asks Paul about comments he made not getting into politics to fight abortion. He asks if he is okay with liberal states making abortion okay? Paul says he thinks abortion is always wrong but government is not always going to save us and "if we don't know right from wrong we have lost our way" and come unmoored. Wallace asks Paul if abortion should be a state's right issue and Paul says he favors both a federal/state approach.
10:29: Wallace asks Rubio about his attacks against Christie and whether he wants to take any of the attacks against him on Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor/gun control back. Rubio punts and then goes on to defend America's Judeo-Christian values. He says his faith will influence not just how he governs but the way he lives his life.
10: 27: Wallace asks Christie about Kim Davis. Christie points out that what he meant was that the law needed to be followed and claims that he never meant the Davis should lose her job or issue the marriage licenses to gay couples. Christie says the radical Islamic Jihadists want to impose their faith on all of us and the war against them is important to preserve religious liberty.
10:21: Wallace asks Christie about Bridgegate and whether the GOP can take the chance of nominating him with the scandal still out there. Christie says three investigations have found that he knew nothing and he fired those who were involved. Christie says that's what leaders do.
10:18: Kelly asks Bush about his super PAC's ads against Rubio and whether they do more harm than good. Bush says his record is plenty good enough to beat Hillary Clinton, who has no record of accomplishment. Bush says this is "bean bag" compared to what the Clinton hit machine is going to do the nominee. This is actually a good performance from Bush in appealing to the establishment wing. Rubio claims Hillary doesn't want to run against him but he can't wait to run against Hillary.
Baier asks Rubio why he is in third in Florida and why the rest of the country should elect him if the people who know him best do not support him. Re: the Time cover that proclaimed Rubio as the GOP savior, Rubio says there is one savior and that is Jesus Christ. Rubio says that Bernie Sanders would be a good president for Sweden while Clinton is disqualified for president and says one of Clinton's first acts as president may be to pardon herself. Rubio says anyone who lies to the families of those who have served this country can't be president.
10:15: Cruz is asked if his style gets in the way of getting things done. Cruz says he is not the candidate of career politicians. He says the endorsements he is proud of are those of conservative leaders like Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and Dr. James Dobson. Cruz says that if elected he "will tell the truth and do what I say I would do." Strong answer her from Cruz.
10:13: Illegal immigrant activist Dulce Candy, who also served in the military, asks whether American's economy will suffer if it does not seem like a welcoming place for immigrant entrepreneurs. Carson says we have to be intelligent re: immigration policies. He says America must declare war on the Islamic State because we need to reorient the country's immigration/visa policies because there are many people out there who want to destroy us. Carson points out that if you have ten people coming to your house and one is a terrorist, you will want to keep all out.
Bush says the "beautiful young women" who served in the military deserves our respect. He says "Dulce Candy" is a pretty cool name and we should celebrate her. "You can deal with the threat of terror and recognize [that America] can be aspirational."
10: 08: Paul says he saw the debate and claims Cruz can't have it both ways. Paul says Cruz is the king of saying "everybody is for amnesty" and says Cruz has an "authenticity problem." Paul says he was for legalization too (!) because you can have legalization after border security.
Cruz says that John Adams said that "facts are stubborn things" and the fact is Rubio stood with Reid/Schumer while Cruz stood with Sessions/Steve King. Cruz points out that Sessions/King/Mark Levin/Rush Limbaugh have all said that Cruz's amendment helped exposed the Gang of Eight and led to the defeat of the bill.
Rubio says Cruz's campaign is build on the lie that everybody is a RINO while he is a true conservative. Rubio claims that "you want to Trump Trump on immigration." Cruz says he likes Marco because he is "charming" and "smooth" and calls Rubio out for vowing to lead the fight against amnesty just like Cruz did. But when they got to Washington, Rubio supported amnesty and Cruz honored his commitment and as president he will honor every commitment. Strong answer from Cruz. This makes them all sound like traditional politicians, and Christie says he feels like he needs a Washington-English language converter. But Christie's good point here only makes people think Trump is that person to get things done.
10:05 PM: Kelly now asks Cruz about whether he supported a path to legalization with his amendment that was designed to kill the bill. This exchange really helps Trump as viewers may associate Messrs. Rubio, Bush, and Cruz with "amnesty." Kelly asks Cruz whether "it was all an act." Cruz is explaining process and, unfortunately, though Cruz is completely right on the merits, but unfortunately, when you are explaining, you are losing. Cruz points out that even Sessions supported his amendment to reveal the hypocrisy of the Gang of Eight supporters. He is correct–the amendment exposed the Gang of Eight as only being concerned about citizenship and helped to defeat the bill.
The debate now turns to immigration. Kelly wonders if Rubio cannot be trusted on the issue since he ran against amnesty to get elected to the Senate and then championed comprehensive amnesty legislation in the Senate. Rubio, sounding lawyer-like, saying he doesn't support "blanket amnesty." He repeats his talking point about enforcing immigration laws and people not being allowed if we don't know who they are. He repeats "Gang of Eight" talking points about various metrics that need to be met before amnesty is granted. Rubio is all over the place.
Bush says he is confused because he was the sponsor of the "Gang of Eight" bill that allowed for citizenship over a period of time. Bush says he supported Rubio's bill. He says Rubio then cut and ran because amnesty wasn't popular with conservatives. Bush then touts his immigration book and advocates "earned legal status." This exchange is why neither Bush nor Rubio has caught fire in this election cycle while Trump has.
Rubio now says Bush, in his book, changed his position from "path to citizenship" to "path to legalization" but to average voters this all sounds like amnesty.
Rubio vows to bring immigration "under control" as president. Bush tells Rubio again that he supported Rubio's "Gang of Eight" bill "because you asked me to." Bush says Rubio shouldn't "cut and run" after he asked people to support his amnesty bill.
9:57 PM: Baier asks Rubio about whether he has flip-flopped on cap and trade. Rubio claims that he was the first person out of the box to oppose Charlie Crist on cap and trade. Rubio says he has never supported it and doesn't think it is a good idea now. He says there will "never be any cap and trade" in the United States.
9:56: Baier mentions that Snyder is under fire for Flint's water crisis. He asks Kasich who he would handle that. He says every single engine of government has to be involved. This could be a huge trap question for Kasich if his state does indeed face a similar water crisis. Kasich is answering the question in platitudes, probably aware of that and not to say anything that will trip him up in the future. He says elected officials should listen to the people because most of the time they are right re: complaints/problems.
9:55: Baier asks Bush why Puerto Rico should become a state when it is near bankrupt. He said if he was a Puerto Rican, he would vote for citizenship but says they should have the right of self-determination. Bush says Puerto Rico needs to deal with its structural problems and a lot of people are taking a one-way flight to Orlando (and turning Florida more blue) to avoid Puerto Rico's problems.
9:54: Baier asks Cruz about how people will maintain their Obamacare plans if he repeals it. Cruz says so many have lost jobs, health insurance, doctors due to Obamacare. He says if he is elected president, "we will repeal every world of Obamacare." He says healthcare reform should empower patients and keep the government from getting between patients and doctors. Cruz says people should be allowed to purchase health insurance across state lines, government should expand health savings accounts, and we should work to delink health insurance from employment so "if you lose your job, your health insurance goes with you so it is personal, portable, and affordable."
9:53: Christie is asked about entitlement reform. Baier asks to name one thing the federal government does not that it should not do. He answers "get rid of Planned Parenthood funding for the United State of America." He says he can't think of anything bigger than that if you see thousands and thousands of people being killed in the womb.
9:49: Mark Watson, a veteran, cites Ferguson and asks why aren't we using technology to better protect communities. Paul talks about how so much of Ferguson's budget was composed of trivial fines that targeted people living on the edge of poverty. He says the "war on drugs" has "disproportionately affected our African-American community" and we need to make sure there is "equal protection under the law" re: war on drugs and America doesn't incarcerate another generation of young African-American men. He says drug use is about equal between white/black but 3/4 of prison is black/brown and the GOP needs to play a big role in criminal justice reform.
9:47: Bush is asked whether he would police charity organizations that say they are helping vets. Bush says the first responsibility of the next president is to clean up the VA scandal. Bush points out that the federal government has given $140 million in bonuses to VA employees without giving veterans care. He says "people died" and only three people have been fired. Bush says veterans deserve more choices for care. He says we need to mobilize the whole country to deal with veterans' issues.
9:45: Kelly asks Kasich about backdoors/encryption and the potential risks of creating more security problems since the "bad guys" will have access too. Kasich says the problem needs to be solved in the Situation Room of the White House and we should stop talking about backdoors/encryption, etc. to not give potential cyberterrorists any more advantages.
9:42: Kelly asks Carson if GOP's rhetoric on Muslims has "stoked the flames of bias." Carson says "we need to stop allowing political correctness to dictate our policies because it's going to kill us if we don't." He cites the Holy Land Foundation Islamic terrorism trial and a memorandum in that trial in which Islamic radicals believed that America would be easy to overcome re: Jihad because Americans were going to try to "protect the rights of the very people who were trying to subvert them." Carson says, like Teddy Roosevelt, he thinks anybody should be allowed to come to America so long as they want to be Americans. If not, they should stay in their own countries.
9:40: Kelly asks Christie about profiling terrorists. Christie says you can find terrorists with facts and don't have to profile. Christie says what people should do is "use common sense" and make law enforcement make the decisions "if you see something that is suspicious." Christie says the problem is that Obama/Clinton have made "law enforcement the enemy" and is making everybody nervous — law enforcement officers are afraid to get out of their cars while people are afraid to go to law enforcement.
9:35: Kelly points out that Google searches for terror issues have increased over 400% since 2008. She points out that Rubio has advocated closing down mosques to combat terrorism and wonders if his position runs "afoul of the First Amendment."
Rubio says that "radical Muslims" and "radical Islam" is not just "hate talk" but "hate action. They blow people up." Another "tough-sounding" question aimed directly at Rubio's wheelhouse to make him look strong/good.
Paul says it is a huge mistake to close down mosques. He says he disagrees with Rubio on border security because "if you want to defend the country, it begins with border security." It takes Paul to highlight Rubio's support for massive amnesty and his dealmaking with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Paul says "Marco can't have it both ways" and you can't defend America from radical Islam if he is not for strong border security.
A better question from Fox News would have been to ask Rubio about border security/support for comprehensive amnesty legislation.
9:32: Cruz says the last four questions have given candidates chances to attack Cruz. He says "if you guys ask one more mean question, I may have to leave the stage." Cruz seems like he is trying a bit too hard there. Cruz wants the moderators to stay focused on the issues rather than encouraging attacks.
Rubio says he's not leaving the stage "no matter what you ask me" and says Obama's authorization was against Assad and not ISIS.
Paul says the Syrian issue is an important one that the country needs to get right. He said it is a "really really bad" idea to bomb Assad and ISIS. He says we need to defeat ISIS and if we defeat ISIS, there will be a more powerful ISIS that may take over all of Syria.
9:29: Bush is asked what lessons he has learned from his brother's two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let's see if Bush has an answer for this. He says he was critical of Senators who did not give President Barack Obama authorization for the use of military force. He said his opinion wasn't popular at the time and only became so after the Paris/San Bernardino attacks. He cites his Reagan Library foreign policy speech re: destroying ISIS. He wants to get the "lawyers off the damn backs of the military" and train a Sunni-led force to get rid of ISIS.
9:27: Christie blasts Clinton for putting the country's intelligence and officers at risk for "convenience" and says she is not qualified to be president. He says Republicans need someone who can prosecute the case against Hillary Clinton and he is the person to do that.
9:23: When Rubio is asked if Cruz's record matches his rhetoric, Rubio says the only budget that Cruz has voted for is one that Paul sponsored that cuts defense spending. Rubio says it is a bad idea because it makes America less able to confront and defeat ISIS with "overwhelming" force.
9:21: After Paul attacked Cruz for being a bit to hawkish on national security issue, Wallace wonders if Cruz's record is tough enough to fight ISIS. Cruz says he will apologize to nobody for the vigorousness with which he will hunt down, fight, and utterly destroy ISIS. He says though Wallace claims it is "tough talk" to talk carpet bombing, it is a different fundamental military strategy that we see from Obama, who has degraded the military.
9:19: Wallace asks Carson about running for president with no experience in government at all. Carson is proud that he is the only one on stage without a political title but "you will hear the truth. I don't think you have to be a politician to tell the truth." Carson says he has had more 2 AM phone calls than everybody put together for life and death decisions. He says he has put together complex teams to accomplish things that have never been accomplished before. This should have been Carson's go-to message from the beginning. His terrible campaign team lacked the discipline and the strategy to make this point stick in an anti-establishment election cycle.
9:16: Kasich says that a reporter has said there is an establishment lane, an anti-establishment lane, and a Kasich lane. Another question from Wallace that was meant to sound negative (about voters this election cycle not valuing "practical government experience) but tries to help establishment-leaning candidates. Kasich talks about having to "come together as a country" and stopping "all of the divisions" and bringing in people from the other party in the GOP. He touts his New Hampshire newspaper endorsements.
9:12: Baier asks Paul whether he made a mistake by not fully embracing his dad and his legacy from the beginning. He says his father was the most honest man in politics we've ever seen in a generation. Paul says the Liberty vote that his father brought to the GOP will not vote for Cruz because he didn't go to the "Audit the Fed" vote. He also attacks Cruz on government surveillance. He says the Liberty vote will stay in the Paul household. Paul seems intent on taking out Cruz.
Cruz says he agrees with Rand that he very much respects Ron Paul. Cruz says anyone who wins the GOP nomination has to bring back the Reagan coalition. Cruz says he was an original sponsor of the "Audit the Fed" bill and he had a town hall in New Hampshire but looks forward to signing the bill.
Rubio says he respects Rand because he believes in everything he stands for. He plays up his national security credentials and talks about destroying ISIS.
Paul says you don't have to give up liberty for a false sense of security and says the bulk collection of phone data did not stop one terrorist.
9:10: Christie says Republicans can stand for principles while getting things done in government. He says people are frustrated because they see a government that doesn't work for them and they don't want to hear process talk. He again says that is the difference between being a governor and being someone who hasn't had such responsibilities.
9:08: Baier notes that Bush and three others are splitting the establishment vote and may hand the nomination to an anti-establishment candidates. Jeb says we should let the process work. Jeb says he misses Donald Trump because he was a "teddy bear to me" and "we always had a loving relationship." He says everybody was in the witness protection program when he went after Trump. He says the election is not about pedigree and is about someone with a proven record who could take on Hillary Clinton. Some good lines from Bush. One of his stronger, more personable moments. He also says you need a subpoena to get any information from Hillary Clinton.
9:06: Wallace throws Rubio a big softball for him to hit by asking him how he could unite all of the GOP factions. Rubio, engaging in bad habits, doesn't answer the question directly and sounds like a Senator from the outset. He says the campaign is not about Donald Trump but about Obama having destroyed what has made America special. He says Barack Obama wants America to be like the rest of the world. "We don't want to be like the rest of the world," Rubio says. He says Hillary Clinton cannot win the election, especially after she said that Obama will make a great Supreme Court Justice. Rubio says he would unify the GOP but never answers how. No follow-up from Wallace.
9:05: Kelly asks Cruz why he now thinks Trump is part of the "Washington Cartel." Cruz says he hopes to earn the support of Trump supporters and highlights the issues and substances vs. ad hominem attacks. Cruz's problem is he answers each question–no matter how trivial–as if he is making some grand proclamation.
The RNC was "confident" there would not be an empty podium to taunt Trump. As Joel points out, the RNC was right to be confident that Fox News would not display an empty podium:
No empty podium for @realDonaldTrump at #GOPDebate. Interesting
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) January 29, 2016
9PM: The candidates are introduced. Kelly wants to "address the elephant not in the room." He asks Cruz what Trump's message sends to the voters of Iowa.
Cruz doesn't answer the question and starts off with an infomercial-like answer. He says if he is elected president, keep an eye on the tarmac, because Iowa will be "fly-to" country instead of "flyover country."
He says he is a "maniac" and everybody on the stage is "stupid, fat, and ugly" and Ben Carson is a terrible surgeon.
Cruz says now that he has gotten the Trump portion of the debate out of the way, he wants to thank everybody on stage for showing Iowans respect.
Trump reportedly spoke to Ailes earlier tonight and will not show up to the debate or the spin room after the debate. According to the Associated Press, Trump told reporters that his event has already raised $5 million for vets and he has already donated $1 to veterans causes.
Closing statements:
In an understatement at the conclusion of the undercard debate, Hemmer says "the night has just begun."
Gilmore: He says he is the so of a meat-cutter and his mother was secretary. He said he didn't have a father who could give him a $1 million loan to start a business and he won't go across town to carry the coat for some billionaire.
Fiorina: She says that in over 150 events, she has come to know and love the people of Iowa. She says Iowans have figured out that "this ain't working anymore." She blasts government, the professional political class and says she is running because we "need to return to citizen government" because "it is time to take our country back."
Huckabee: He says there was a "little dustup about a video we put together with the music of Adele." He then says it would be appropriate to say "Hello, Iowa. It's me. And you know me." Huckabee says he got the largest number of votes in the history of the Iowa Caucuses eight years ago.
Santorum: He wants to thank the people of Iowa and mentions that he has done 700 meetings/speeches throughout Iowa. He pays tribute to Iowans he has met on the stump and asks them to pick the right person and the "leader you know is best for this country."
7:55: Santorum says Obama has "been the most divisive president" in his lifetime and says Obama is "not trustworthy" and you "cannot sit down and negotiate with him" because he won't keep a deal. He says Obama ascribes motives to people in Washington that aren't true by personally attacking people and tearing people down. Santorum says he was a tough fighter with sharp elbows in Washington (when he was a true Washington reformer before he was associated with the infamous K-Street project) but he got things done not because he was mean but because he was respectful.
7:53: Huckabee says he doesn't understand how anybody with an IQ level above "plant-level" would believe in Socialism.
"I'm not feeling the Bern," he says.
Huckabee says if Americans are given free college in their twenties, they'll be paying for it in their 30s and 40s. Huckabee says "you do not make people rich by tearing down those who are providing jobs."
7:50: MacCallum asks Santorum "where were you" at the March for Life last week. She mentions that Fiorina was there. A cheap-shot question–Santorum's pro-life credentials can't be questioned. And he responds that he has been to the march for the last 25 years. Has Fiorina gone for the last 25 years? Terrible/Pointless/second-rate question by MacCallum/Fox News.
Santorum says a lot have talked a good game in life but he has also lived it. He says that twice in his life we were counseled to have an abortion and they did not even think about it because life begins at conception and they know the potential of each child no matter how long their life is.
Fiorina says it is "outrageous" that Fox News would question the pro-life credentials of Rick Santorum in a smart and politically-savvy response. Good on her for this answer.
7:46: Fiorina is asked whether she has any regrets about taking on the Planned Parenthood videos. She says the facts have not changed re: Planned Parenthood and "I will not be rendered silent on this issue." She says it says a lot about our Justice Department that Hillary Clinton has not been indicted. Fiorina says Planned Parenthood engages in partial-birth abortion, late-term abortion, and alters abortion techniques to harvest and sell body parts. She says most Americans find this practice "horrific."
She says "most Americans find horrific that Hillary Clinton's position on this is 'it's not a life until it's born.'" She says Americans also find it "horrific" that Clinton/Democrats believe that a young woman does not need her mother's permission to get an abortion but a 13-year old can't go to a tanning salon with your mother's permission. She says there will not be one dime for Planned Parenthood under a President Fiorina. She says she will always stand for life and religious liberty because "this is about the character of our nation."
7:42: Fiorina says that saying she likes to spend time with her husband, unlike Hillary Clinton, was not a personal attack. She says she was just pointing out that Hillary Clinton will do anything to gain and hang on to power" and says, "if my husband did what Bill Clinton did, I would have left him a long time ago."
"Here's the deal," Fiorina says. "Hillary Clinton has been climbing the ladder to try to get power.. she's trying for the White House but she's probably more qualified for the Big House."
She says since Clinton has escaped prosecution more times than El Chapo, "perhaps Sean Penn should interview her."
"The woman should be prosecuted," Fiorina says.
Fiorina says Clinton hasn't accomplished much in her life and has gotten every foreign policy challenge wrong and just practices the "Clinton Way"–"say whatever you have to say, do whatever you have to say, lie as long as you have to do to get away with it… Hillary Clinton cannot be President of the United States."
7:39: Santorum is asked how his 20% flat tax would bring back 2 million jobs. Santorum says his plan will bring back 3.5 million jobs according to studies. He says he has pledged to cut every single Obama administration regulation, including Obamacare, and remove regulations that cost the economy more than $100 million.
7:36: Huckabee is asked about what he could do for workers who make less than $30,000 a year. Hemmer mentions that the Club for Growth has had issues with Huckabee's tax policies. He asks Huckabee if shrinking government is better than a "tax-and-spend" approach. Huckabee slams the Club for Growth as a "bunch of rich guys sitting around writing checks" to go after people they don't like. He says they don't like Huckabee because he was "fighting for the guys at the bottom and not just the people at the top." Huckabee, after defending his record, again pivots to championing his Fair Tax.
7:35: Gilmore says if he becomes President, he'll veto gun control as fast it takes Hillary Clinton to eliminate her emails.
7:32: Huckabee is asked about Nikki Haley's call to resist the "siren call of the angriest voices." Huckabee acknowledges that a lot of people are angry because they see people at the top who are doing fine while government poverty programs keep Americans poverty with artificial thresholds. Huckabee says he knows a little bit about poverty and says he resents it when people say they "want to be poor because they want to be."(he says that's a "stupid" and "foolish" and "mean" thing to say) He says "people are poor because they don't know how to get out of the hole" and "government shouldn't push them back in the hole" by punishing people who want to get to work with misguided policies.
7:30: Santorum is asked what he would say to the Iowa voter who cried while talking about her economic struggles to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). He says he would tell her that "we have to create jobs that will give them wages and benefits that will help them provide for their families." He says America can again be the world's top manufacturer and get those jobs back while China's economy becomes more of a service-oriented one. He says 74% of Americans don't have a college degree and most Republicans don't talk about creating jobs for people who think neither political party cares about them.
7:28: Hemmer asks Fiorina about shrining the federal government by 30% and asks whether it will not work like her HP cuts. She compares HP's successes to Gateway's failures, but her lavish spending habits while her employees were getting the shaft just doesn't sit well with voters, and that explains why she hasn't surged no matter how much she talks about wanting to fire the senior executives at the VA.
7:26: Fiorina is given a softball question about whether she can combat lobbyists to pare the tax code down to three pages. Fiorina blasts the "permanent political class" and says the only way to control government spending is through "zero-based budgeting," which she says is a "fancy word" for common sense. She says nobody wants to vote on a three-page tax code because "you are goring everybody's ox" and "taking the political establishment apart" and getting things done in the Oval Office.
7:23: Huckabee is asked about the growth of government and he says we're not going to shrink government and bring back manufacturing job by doing the same things over and over again. He speaks about Maytag jobs in Iowa that have gone to Mexico and laid-off workers who have not found comparable jobs.
"How many people do you think living around the Beltway know a guy like that, care about a guy like that?" Huckabee asks. "Not many."
He points out that six of the 10 richest counties are around the Beltway and people who live in the bubble soft the high-finance world of New York, the government world of Washington, and the entertainment world of Hollywood don't have a clue about how hard people in Iowa are working. He says one of the values of campaigning in Iowa is that you can't win without talking to farmers, housewives, welders, etc.
7:18: Huckabee says he doesn't trust Putin but "if somebody is willing to take a shot at people we're taking shots at, I'm more than willing to let them use their own bullets to do it." He says you take out ISIS by taking away their land and implement a comprehensive strategy to revoke their access to social media platforms, go after them financially so nobody can do commerce with ISIS, and go after them militarily. He says, like any type of cancer, you don't "contain" ISIS but "eradicate" them.
7:13: Santorum is asked what an American president can do to stop Paris-style terror attacks. He blasts Obama for saying that ISIS "has nothing to do with Islam," which prevents Obama from successfully fighting Islamic terrorism. Santorum says that ISIS has established a Caliphate and is using that to attract people to follow them. Santorum says "we must take their land" and make them "illegitimate in the eyes of the Muslim world."
Fiorina is asked about Obama's assertion that many are exaggerating ISIS's threat. "News Flash, President Obama. News flash, Mrs. Clinton," Fiorina says. "Climate change is not our most pressing national security threat."
She adds that America must "understand that we must stand up to adversaries" and blasts Clinton for asking "what difference does it make" after four Americans died in Benghazi. By not vowing retribution, Clinton, according to Fiorina, signaled to every adversary that it was "open season" on Americans.
7:11: Huckabee says he doesn't want to get into an argument with New Yorkers when asked whether New York values are different from Iowa values. He says he is not a New York-funded campaign funded by corporatists such as Goldman Sachs. He says he is sponsored by people like Thomas, a part-time Uber driver in Pennsylvania who sent him $25 this week. Wonder if Huckabee's answer would have been different had he not hosted a weekly television show based out of New York City. He says "if you follow the money," the same people who finance Democrats also finance Republicans, and that's why nothing changes in Washington while Americans get more frustrated.
7:10: Gilmore says he is the only veteran in the race and is not going to Trump's "faux-event" for veterans.
7:07: The crowd boos when MacCallum points out that some in the GOP hate Cruz/Trump so much they would rather want Hillary Clinton in the White House.
When Fiorina is asked about whether the GOP is in crisis, she speaks about the chasm between what the people care about on the ground and what the media/pundits care about. She says that has been the biggest surprise of the campaign and asks Iowans to vote for her to "take the government back."
7:03: Santorum is asked whether Monday night will be his last stand. He blasts Fox News and the media for not promoting the undercard and accuses them of "segregating" and trying to take Iowa out of the process. Santorum says if the same rules were in place four years ago, he would have been in the undercard debate. Santorum blasts a certain "entertainer" (but Santorum will go to Trump's event after the debate) and the networks for not spending enough time on issues he says are important to voters. Hemmer asks why he is going to Trump's event and Santorum says he is "not going to though mud at anybody on the stage tonight" or "attack Donald Trump." He says he and Huckabee were asked to come to an event where money is going to be raised for veterans and he is going because he doesn't have anything to do at 9PM and wants to help raise money for vets.
7:02 PM EST: Hemmer asks Huckabee about his diminishing support in Iowa. Huckabee says it's not that his message isn't working but it is "not getting out." He says his message is the same as eight years ago when he won Iowa's caucuses. He says American worker are getting "gut-punched" and not getting a "fair shake" in the economy. He says he is talking about preserving life and getting rid of abortion by applying the 5th/14th amendments to every person since conception. He advocates for the Fair Tax to "revive our economy" so people are "rewarded for their work rather than punished for it."
7:00 PM EST: The candidates for the undercard debate take the stage. Why in the world is Jim Gilmore even here?


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At your confirmation of pregnancy visit you will see the doctor to initiate your obstetrical care. We will also review your medical, surgical and gynecologic history. At that time, you will be provided with much information about caring for yourself during your pregnancy. At subsequent visits you will see the doctor or our nurse practitioner every four weeks until you are 30 weeks pregnant. Then, you will return every two weeks until you are 36 weeks pregnant and then weekly until delivery. Some women do require office visits more frequently and you will be made aware of the need for any additional appointments.
You will have prenatal bloodwork drawn which includes a complete blood count, blood type, HIV, syphilis, sickle cell testing if indicated, and screening to see if you are immune to Rubella. This information will help us to better care for you and your baby.
We offer testing to screen your baby for any anomalies or aneuploidy, which are extra chromosomes such as Down's syndrome, an extra 21 chromosome or Trisomy 18, an extra 18 chromosome. A nuchal translucency test can be done at 12-14 weeks and consists of blood testing and an ultrasound. An alternative test can be done at 16 weeks and only consists of blood testing. Only one of the tests is performed and this testing is not required but rather is a personal choice for the patient.
Between 24-28 weeks you will be tested for gestational diabetes. This involves coming to the office in the morning before you eat and you are given a sweetened drink. You will have your blood drawn one hour after finishing the drink. This test can usually be scheduled to be done on the same day as one of your regular visits.
At 36 weeks you will have a vaginal culture for Group B Strep. Group B Strep is a bacteria that some women colonize in the vagina. Group B strep is not harmful to you, however if you test positive you will require antibiotics during labor to prevent the bacteria from being transferred to your baby.
Ultrasound images are one of the most exciting parts of your pregnancy and Athens OBGYN has the most up to date ultrasound equipment available with 3D images. During your first visit with the doctor you will get your first look at your baby. Another ultrasound will be performed at 20 weeks. The purpose of this ultrasound is to ensure that your baby is growing and developing appropriately. This is also the when you may find out if you baby is going to be a boy or a girl. These are the anticipated routine ultrasounds, although some patients may require additional scans. Ultrasounds are done on a medically necessary basis only and are ordered by your doctor based on this.
At 26-30 weeks you have the opportunity to have a "Fetal Photo" session. This is available for you in our office, however it is NOT covered by insurance. This is an exciting ultrasound that includes a DVD of your baby and 3D pictures on CD. The Fetal Photo sessions are not for diagnostic purposes and are not evaluated by a physician. Please ask one of our staff for more information on this.
A list of over the counter medications "allowed" in pregnancy appears below. Please ask us before you take any other medications. Occasionally you may need prescription medications during your pregnancy. You will not be prescribed anything that is not safe for you or your baby. Please be sure we are always aware of any medications you are taking, whether we have prescribed them or prescribed by another physician.
If you are currently smoking we would like to help you quit to ensure a healthy baby. Alcohol should not be consumed during pregnancy. Caffeine intake should be limited.
If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office at 548-4272. If you are in labor or have an emergency, please press "1" for our "emergency line". If you have a problem or question the triage nurse will be glad to help you or direct your call to the doctor if necessary. She can be reached by calling 706-548-4272 option 207 during office hours.
If you are in labor or have an emergency after office hours you can reach the doctor on call by dialing the office number 548-4272 at any time. The answering service will contact the doctor on call for you who will then call you back immediately.
Cold & Allergies
Heartburn / Gas *(Works for both)
Headaches / Aches, Pain
Prescription Medications:
If you are currently taking a prescription drug, talk with your doctor. He or
she will determine if the medication is appropriate for use during pregnancy.

subset: commoncrawl


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December and January are peak season for Meyer lemons, the thin-skinned, sweeter lemon thought to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange that originated in China. Introduced to the United States on 1908 by Frank Meyer, an employee of the Department of Agriculture, the Meyer lemon's popularity was given a boost by California chefs like Alice Waters of Chez Panisse.
Widely grown in California by the 1940s, the original Meyer lemon was discovered to be a carrier of the Citrus Tristeza Virus which killed millions of citrus trees all over the world and made others useless for production, according to the Texas Citrus Board. Most of the original Meyer lemon trees in the United States were destroyed to save other citrus trees.
A virus-free selection of the Meyer Lemon was found in the 1950s by Don Dillon of Four Winds Growers located in Fremont and Winters, California. The improved Meyer lemon, certified and released by the University of California in 1975 is the tree you'll find in nurseries today, and the fruit you'll find in the produce department – all derive from Dillon's virus-free "mother" tree.
Slightly sweeter and less acidic than commercial varieties Eureka or Lisbon, the Meyer lemon's thin skin makes it more perishable. When fully ripe, the skin of a Meyer lemon will develop an orange hue and flavors of honey, thyme and orange which make delicious lemon curd, marmalade, lemon tarts, lemon bars and preserved lemons, a staple of Moroccan and North African cooking.
California is Meyer lemon country. As Russ Parsons of the L.A. Times points out," If someone were to redesign the California state flag, particularly if that someone was a slightly crazed foodie, they would probably start with a bright golden Meyer lemon in the center. It's hard to imagine a fruit more emblematic of the state."
Fitting, then that this Meyer Lemon Tart recipe is from Lindsey Shere, pastry chef at iconic Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse for 27 years.
Shere's Meyer lemon tart from her cookbook Chez Panisse Desserts, 1985 is tangy and smooth, just slightly sweet, with a flaky crust and the deeply energizing scent of lemon.
Lindsey Shere's Meyer Lemon Tart
Make the pastry:
If you're making this tart in one go, make the pastry first, and then make the custard while the pastry rests. If you're spreading it out over two days, you can make the pastry and press it into your tart pan the night before, leave it in the freezer overnight, and then pre-bake the shell while you make the custard the next day.
For a 9-inch shell, you will need:
1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Mix flour, sugar, salt and lemon peel in a medium sized mixing bowl.
2. Cut butter into 1/2-inch slices and work it into the flour mixture with your hands until the mixture takes on the form of lumpy cornmeal. The softer your butter is, the faster this will happen. You can also use a pastry blender, if you have one, but it's not necessary.
3. Combine the water and vanilla and work it into the flour-butter mixture until the pastry is just blended and will hold together if you press it.
4. Gather into a ball and wrap in plastic.
5. Let rest a room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flour to absorb the moisture more completely. (At this point you can wrap in foil and freeze for up to a month.)
Make the Tart Filling:
This step makes 1 3/4 cup tart filling, enough for a 9-inch tart.
You will need:
2 lemons
2 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
6 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 Tablespoons salted butter
1. Whisk by hand the eggs and egg yolks with the sugar in a heavy, non-corroding saucepan until just mixed.
2. Grate the peel from the lemons into a small non-corroding bowl. Juice the lemons and strain the juice into the same bowl. Strain out seeds, but force as much as the pulp through the strainer as you can.
3. Stir juice mixture into the eggs: it will look a bit curdled when the juice is added but will smooth out later.
4. Cut the butter into pieces and add to the mixture.
5. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly in a figure eight motion, until it just coats the spoon and is the thickness of custard. A good way to tell it's done is to drag your finger along the back of the spoon. If it leaves a clear line, and the custard doesn't run back together, it's ready.
6. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken, then whisk slightly to smooth out the custard.
7. Pour the filling into a bowl and chill while you pre-bake the tart shell. (This custard will keep as is in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It's delicious!)
Prepare the crust:
1. Butter and flour a 9-inch removable bottom tart pan
2. Press pastry evenly into the dish with your hands - the dough will be too soft to roll.
3. Wrap in foil and freeze for 30 minutes or overnight
Bake the crust:
1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
2. Bake the crust for about 25 minutes — rotating the tart once half way through — until the crust is light golden brown and baked all the way through. (You don't need to fill the shell with beans before baking; this pastry doesn't shrink much.)
Bake the Tart:
Preheat your oven to 375ºF. (The oven should still be hot from pre-baking the crust.)
Fill the slightly cooled, pre-baked crust with filling and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is speckled with dark brown spots and the filling has puffed slightly. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack in its pan. You can also bake the tart just long enough to set the filling, about 15-20 minutes. This will make a smooth, shiny tart.
Note: This tart is delicate. A too hot oven, even slightly so, will scorch the crust and boil the custard. Pay attention to the oven, turn the tart shell and tart half way through baking, and cover with aluminum foil if it's browning (too much or at all, depending on the alternative you choose.)
Hanna's favorite lemon confection is lemon bars which she bakes on a regular basis for friends' birthdays and other celebratory occasions. She likes a recipe she modified from Ina Garten, but we were both intrigued by this whole-lemon recipe from Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen fame:
"The whole of this recipe can be completed in the single bowl of a food processor. And instead of zesting and juicing many lemons, you just use one. All of it: the zest, the skin, and the flesh. Ground with sugar, butter, eggs, salt, and a bit of cornstarch, it bakes into the very best layer of lemon custard you could possibly imagine."
Deb Perelman's Whole Lemon Bars
Makes 16 2-inch lemon bars
For the crust
1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
½ cup (65 grams) sugar
¼ teaspoon table salt
½ cup (115 grams or 1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into chunks, plus extra for greasing pan
For the filling
1 small-to-medium-sized lemon (about 4½ ounces or 130 grams, or about 3 inches long)
1½ cups (265 grams) sugar
½ cup (115 grams or 1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
4 large eggs
2 Tablespoons (15 grams) cornstarch
¼ teaspoon table salt
1. Place a rack in middle of the oven and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cut two 12-inch lengths of parchment paper, and trim each to fit the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan. Press the first sheet into the bottom and up the sides of your pan in one direction, then use the second sheet to line the rest of the pan, running it perpendicular to the first sheet. Lightly butter exposed parts of parchment or coat them with a nonstick cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
2. Make the crust. Blend the flour, sugar, and salt together in the work bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is powdery, but if firmly pinched, will hold the pinched shape. Turn the dough crumbs into the prepared baking pan and press the dough evenly across the bottom and about inch up the sides. Prick the dough all over with a fork and bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Should any parts bubble up, gently prick them again with a fork. Leave the oven on.
3. Make your filling. Cut your lemon in half, and here's where I need us all to be, briefly, quite fussy.
Is the white part of the skin especially thick?
If the widest part of the white is ¼ inch thick or less, continue on to the next step; your lemon is good to go. If any part of it is thicker than ¼ inch, however, I find it safest to remove the skin from half the lemon or the bitterness of the pith can overwhelm the bars. To remove the skin, place half the lemon cut-side-down on the cutting board, and remove the skin and pith from the entire half in downward cuts and discard it. The second half, even if just as thick, can be used as is.
4. Cut your lemon halves into thin rings and discard any seeds. Toss the lemon rounds — lemon flesh and peel — in the bowl of your food processor, add the sugar, and run the machine until the lemon is thoroughly puréed, about 2 minutes. Add the butter and again run the machine until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides of the work bowl as needed. Add the eggs, cornstarch, and salt and pulse the machine in short bursts until the mixture is evenly combined.
5. Pour the lemon mixture over the crust and bake it for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the filling is set. You can test this by bumping the pan a little; it should only jiggle slightly. In my oven, I find that the point at which the filling is set is also when the lemon bars start to get very light brown on top.
6. Let the pan cool completely on rack or in the fridge. Gently cut around the outside of the parchment paper to make sure no sides have stuck, then gently use the parchment "sling" to transfer bars from pan to cutting board. Cut into 16 squares.
Cooking Notes: Most recipes for whole lemon desserts recommend Meyer lemons. I actually prefer these with regular old grocery store lemons; with some modifications (described above) should their skins be extra thick, I find that they have the perfect balance of tart and fragrance. Nevertheless, to make these bars with Meyer lemons, use just one (of similar size and weight) and reduce the sugar to 1 cup (200 grams). You can double the recipe and bake it in a 9-by-13- inch pan as well.
If you're lusting after a lemon confection, and don't feel like baking, the absolutely best lemon thing in town is Tin Roof Bakery's Lemon Croissant, trust me.
Pounce on some Meyer lemons while they're available — I saw them at S&S Produce, and Safeway — they may be at other stores as well, and at the farmers market. You can always freeze the lemon juice in ice cube trays and store the cubes in zip-loc freezer bags for later.


text:
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text:
My Nonprofit Reviews
Review for Gospel for Asia, Inc., Wills Point, TX, USA
Gospel For Asia, time has been under heavy attack from the enemy. The recent lawsuit, the allegations and blogs, etc., have caused a lot of churches including our own to become weary and skeptical. We have lost a lot of support in our area making it hard to share about the work of GFA, but despite this setback, God is still at work through this wonderful movement. Besides doing our own personal investigation into this mess, I had contacted many friends with questions for peace of mind and we decided not to hear from any one left from GFA but still decided to continue in this storm. Their words of faith and convictions encouraged us more than words can describe.
It wasn't long after that similar allegations were made against so many other ministries including Voice of the Martyrs . Proof that the enemy is trying to destroy these ministries from the inside. As with all ministries, I encourage you to stand with these ministries in prayer. We are still proactive in the work of both of these ministries and we stand with them. We encourage people to be careful with what they read or hear about on the internet and other sources until it's been investigated. We live in desperate times, and the enemy is hard at work in trying to stop the Great Commission through division in the Church.


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Our daylight spot fell well short of expectations, read the report from February 22, producing only a couple of yellowfin over one hundred pounds and a frustrating run on the sharks.
"At 0800 we were warming up the engines and preparing the boat for departure for Socorro within a few hours. Then we worked down to another zone I have wanted to take a closer look at to try one last drift.
"The last drift became a full-fledged ripper on 115 to 140-pound yellowfin that lasted a full two and one half hours before the sharks moved in and forced our departure.
"When we finished our incredible drift we were almost four miles off the island and had another forty five tagged yellowfin tuna, well over 100 pounds.
We headed back into the shallows for the late afternoon and were treated to a couple more stops on yellowfin, one for about ten fifty to seventy pounders, and the other for about ten more one hundred fifteen to one hundred forty pound tuna with a handful of bonus wahoo mixed in. We will be finishing up our fishing time here at Clarion tomorrow and heading in to Cabo San Lucas thereafter.
The previous day, the Royal Star reported, At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we had another fine day of angling here at Clarion with much improved weather and action similar to yesterday except for the addition of a pair of two hundred twenty pound class yellowfin tuna.
"Very good numbers of tuna, throughout the same area we had our best action on wahoo, wreaked havoc on the lighter live bait outfits as the anglers hoping for skinnies were taken for a ride that almost inevitably ended in some form of equipment failure. But, when we geared up for tuna we definitely got our share; the sharks got their share, too.
"Most of the tuna landed today were in the same 90 to 140 pound-class as yesterday, with the exception of course of the two jumbos reported above.
Of note is the fact that the wahoo fishing was of the same caliber as yesterday, showing no indication of the pressure applied by our best efforts to tag and release the wily speedsters. In fact, it seemed that there may have been even more wahoo around the island today.


text:
The U.S. stock market started the third quarter on an up note. Momentum faded and equities experienced a rocky week thanks to some troubling headlines out of Europe. Believe it or not but after last week's choppiness and widespread declines the S&P 500 index is still less than one percent from its all-time high set on July 3rd - just five trading days ago.
Market Statistics:
Stocks just delivered their worst weekly performance in three months.
The small cap Russell 2000 index led the way with a -3.99% plunge. The NASDAQ composite fell -1.6% for the week. Both the Dow Industrials and the large cap S&P 500 managed to pare their weekly losses to less than 1%.
Tuesday and Thursday were pretty ugly considering the low-volatility environment. Yet traders are still in a buy-the-dip mood. The main stories fueling the market weakness was disappointing economic data out of Asia and Europe. Plus, a shocking revelation out of Portugal that resurrected all the worries about a financial meltdown in Europe but we'll talk more about that in a minute.
Money was searching for safety and U.S. bonds rallied. The yield on the 10-year note pierced 2.5% on Thursday and closed at 2.52% on Friday. Gold was also in rally mode and the GLD broke out to three-month highs. Gold is currently up six weeks in a row, which makes it the best streak since August 2011. Gold prices are up +6% in the last six weeks and up +10.9% for the year. Meanwhile gold miners are really outperforming. The GDX gold miner ETF is also up six weeks in a row. It has been a very volatile year for the GDX but it's currently up +29% year to date.
Weekly chart of the Gold Miner ETF (GDX)
In contrast oil is down sharply. West Texas intermediate crude oil futures fell -2% to close at $100.83 a barrel. Oil is now down 9 out of the last 10 days and just marked its fourth weekly loss in a row. The International Energy Agency said Iraqi oil production fell -260,000 barrels a day last week but the difference was made up by other OPEC nations. Fighting continues in Iraq but the headlines are not making front page news so its impact is not having an effect on investor sentiment.
Economic Data
It was a quiet week for economic data in the United States. The only real event was the FOMC minutes from the June meeting. The message the market got from the minutes was that the Fed is likely to end its current QE program and reduce the stimulus by the last $15 billion in October.
You could choose to interpret that as confidence that the U.S. economy is improving. Analyst are now looking beyond the end of QE and speculating on when the Federal Reserve will start to raise rates again.
Bloomberg noted some good news in consumer sentiment hitting the highest levels in six years. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index rose +1.2 to 37.6 the week ending July 6th. The component that measures consumer outlook on the U.S. economy reached levels not seen since January 2008.
With little economic news in the U.S. the markets looked overseas and what they saw was disappointing. Germany said their industrial production fell -1.8% for the month. That's down from a -0.3% reading the month before. Italy reported a -1.2% drop in their industrial production and Great Britain saw a -0.7% drop.
Japanese machinery orders plunged -19.5% for the month, which doesn't bode well. China said their exports rose +7.2% in June. That looks like good news but economists were expecting a +10% gain. Meanwhile Germany said their exports actually dropped -1.1% in May. That was worse than the -0.4% estimate.
The real story of the week was in Portugal. With a GDP of $212.5 billion and a population of less than 11 million people, Portugal is not a very big player on the world stage. Yet the European banking system is so interconnected that if Portugal were to see a dramatic failure the shockwave could affect the entire region. Espirito Santo International failed to make a short-term debt payment. ESI happens to own Espirito Santo Financial Group SA and Banco Espirito Santo.
Suddenly the creditworthiness of both financial companies were in question. The two stocks plunged -9% and -14%, respectively, before the exchanges halted trading.
This news fueled a serious case of nervousness for the European financial system and European banks were hammered lowered. The Portuguese stock market fell -4.2% on Thursday while the country's bond yields soared. Portugal's central bank was trying to soothe investors' fears on Friday and the major European indices (Germany, France, and Britain) all bounced.
American banking giant Wells Fargo & Co (WFC) was making headlines on Friday. The company reported Q2 earnings before the opening bell. Wall Street was looking for a profit of $1.01 per share with revenues in the $20.7-20.8 billion range. WFC met expectations with a profit of $1.01 on revenues of $21.1 billion. Net income was $5.7 billion. That's up from $5.5 billion a year ago.
Shares of WFC were down every day last week and gapped down on Friday morning as traders sold the earnings news. Analysts are a little concerned about WFC's net interest margin. A year ago WFC's net interest margin was 3.40%. The first quarter it was 3.20%. Last quarter this fell to 3.15%. WFC is one of the biggest mortgage lenders in the country. The bank said its mortgage originations hit $47 billion in the second quarter. That's down from $112 billion a year ago but up from $36 billion in the first quarter.
Weekly chart of the Wells Fargo (WFC)
Major Indices:
The S&P 500 lost -0.9% for the week. The index pierced short-term support near 1960 and its 20-dma on Thursday. On a short-term basis the index looks like it wants to rally. Yet looking at the weekly chart you can see how over extended the index really is. The S&P 500 has gone more than 1,000 days without a -10% correction. In a normal market it would see a correction about once or twice a year.
I don't see any changes from my prior comments on the S&P 500. If the 1960 level fails then there might be support at 1940 and 1920. The real level to watch is most likely the 1900 area, which would coincide with the bottom of its long-term bullish channel on the weekly chart.
chart of the S&P 500 index:
Intraday chart of the S&P 500 index
The NASDAQ composite posted a -1.6% loss for the week. The good news is that this index managed to bounce near its prior highs.
There is no guarantee that "support" near 4370 is going to hold.
If the NASDAQ breaks down below the March peak then 4300 is the next likely level of support. A really ugly drop could pull the NASDAQ down to its long-term trend line of higher lows on the weekly chart.
chart of the NASDAQ Composite index:
Weekly chart of the NASDAQ Composite index
Right now there is a lot of focus on the small cap Russell 2000 index.
This index just delivered its worst weekly performance in two years with a -4% plunge. The $RUT has clearly reversed at resistance near its March highs. This is starting to look like a bearish double top. One of the fast money guys on CNBC called it an "epic" double top.
There is still potential support in the 1140-1150 zone. Below that the 1080-1100 area is probably decent support. The six-week up trend from the May lows is clearly broken.
The current sell-off in the $RUT has 39% of the Russell 2000 stocks trading in bear market territory.
chart of the Russell 2000 index
Weekly chart of the Russell 2000 index
This week will see an increase in economic reports. We'll get two Fed surveys with the New York and Philadelphia reports. Plus, the wholesale look at inflation in the PPI.
The pace of Q2 earnings announcements will pick up speed.
Economic and Event Calendar
- Monday, July 14 -
Q2 earnings season announcements pick up speed.
Citigroup (C) reports earnings
- Tuesday, July 15 -
New York Empire State manufacturing data
Retail sales for June
Import/Export prices
JPM, GS, INTC, and JNJ reports earnings
- Wednesday, July 16 -
Producer Price Index (PPI)
U.S. Industrial Production data
Federal Reserve's Beige Book
BAC and EBAY report earnings
- Thursday, July 17 -
Weekly Initial Jobless Claims
Housing Starts & Building Permits
Philadelphia Federal Reserve survey
MS, IBM, and GOOG report earnings
- Friday, July 18 -
University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment
G20 Meetings
GE, HON, and KSU report earnings
Looking ahead the market still faces potential geopolitical risks. The situation in Israel is slowly escalating. Hamas terrorists fired over 800 rockets and more than 60 mortars into Israel last week. The Israelis responded with airstrikes that hit more than 1,000 targets. On Friday Israeli commandos traded fire with Hamas fighters but it does not appear to be part of a full scale invasion. Israel has not ruled anything out and continues to build up its forces on the Gaza border. Israeli Prime Minster Netanyahu said he has spoken with several world leaders in the past week including U.S. President Obama and several European leaders.
If the Israeli army does march into Gaza it might be negative for investor sentiment.
The situation in Ukraine is not improving either. On Friday the pro-Russian rebels killed almost two dozen Ukraine forces. This time they were using "heavy" weapons including what appear to be Russian rockets. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko had declared that, "For every life of one of our soldiers, the militants will pay with dozens and hundreds of theirs."
U.S. Vice President Biden spoke with Poroshenko on Saturday saying the U.S. would continue to pressure Russia to do more to stop the violence and remind them of the consequences if they do not. There will be an EU summit in the July 16-18 time frame and one of the main topics will be Russia and if the country has done enough to counter the rebels that Ukraine claims are being supplied by the Russians.
With the exception of the small cap Russell 2000 index the U.S. market seems to be hovering near its highs. Investors are waiting for more data and earnings results from the Q2 earnings season. The real focus will be guidance.


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Specialty Trips
Key West is so very fortunate to have so many incredible options when it comes to places to fish. It is the only place in Florida that has the option of fishing these types of remote areas, all in a day's trip. Come experience some of the most productive styles of fishing possible, truly the ultimate in light tackle, high energy fishing. This level of fishing is what TV shows are made of, don't just watch it, lets go fish it!
Sunset Shark and Tarpon Trips!
Picture this, a beautiful sunset, flat calm water, ice cold beer in the hand and a MONSTER SHARK on the end of your line screaming for the horizon! Sound like a blast! How about this, the sun is just setting and all around you, you hear the sound of Tarpon feeding on the surface, your rod tip starts to shake and wham! A 120lb. Silver King launches in to the air, you hooked up! Sunset Shark and Tarpon trips are without a doubt one of the most productive ways to meet up with nature's top predators. Some of the sharks that we fish for include: Bull, Lemon, Hammerhead, and the Black tip. Most of the Tarpon average between 75 and 160lbs. and the Sharks between 6ft to 10ft long. Both of these monsters are pure excitement when hooked up. The combination of live bait and chunk bait fishing ensures success. As the sun sets, the Sharks and Tarpon become very active and start to aggressively feed on the surface and in the shallows. This is when your heart starts pumping and you can expect them to crash your bait any second! These trips run from 5:00pm to 9:00pm and run $500.00. This includes all bait, licenses, rods, tackle and instruction.
"Out West" Tail End Buoy, Rebecca Shoal, New Ground and the Dry Tortugas
We are so fortunate here in Key West to have both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters that are only fishable to anglers from Key West. Key West is well known for its calm sea conditions and excellent year round wreck, reef and trolling fishing. No one is going to travel the more than 1000 miles across the Gulf of Mexico to fish our waters. Just imagine a very popular wreck, say off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. This wreck would have three times the pressure of any wreck off of Key West. You would have anglers coming from Miami, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to fish it, triple the pressure! When we head "out west", we fish reefs, wrecks and ledges that have little or no pressure. There are thousands of wrecks and reefs teaming with fish that have never seen a hook and line. Wreck and reef fishing for grouper and snapper is good most any time of the year. Other offshore fish such as kingfish, cobia, tuna, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, dolphin, shark, barracuda, mahi, tarpon, permit, and huge goliath grouper are all caught using trolling and live bait around these wrecks. These trips range from 30 to more than 70 miles west and southwest of Key West. When anglers seek the biggest and most fish possible, they know to head west.
Most of the fishing we do out west is a mix of bottom fishing with live bait, drifting the many ledges with live bait and jigs and anchoring up on the many reefs, chumming the fish to the boat. All of these trips are very hands on with the action non-stop. The trick to productively fish a reef patch area is to create an aggressive feeding frenzy between the different species, drawing them away from the reef or wreck. Using the combination of live bait and fresh dead bait in the chum line always produces great action from yellowtails, muttons, mangroves, groupers and others like mackerel and jacks. When you head offshore out to the west, there is an excellent chance that the waters you are fishing have never been fished before. Some of the biggest kingfish, dolphin, tuna, wahoo and sailfish are caught to the west, ask anyone fishing a Kingfish Tournament out of Key West, Naples or even Fort Myers where they would like to fish, they will all tell you "out west"
Gulf Shrimp boats
A true experience would certainly be a trip out to the Shrimp Boats. Shrimp boats fish at night and clean there nets and discard by-catch into the early morning. The shear amount of fish that follow these boats as they throw hundreds and hundreds of pounds of by-catch back into the water is mind boggling! Black fin Tuna, Kingfish, Cobia, Permit and many more hang around the boats day and night. We leave very early in the morning, turn on the radar a little ways into the gulf and find where the shrimp boats are anchored up ready for a well earned sleep. When we locate them, we usually offer a little barter, sometimes its beer, sometimes its smokes and get some fresh chum for the gesture and a line off of their stern for the days fishing. The action is absolutely unbelievable; you can't keep lines in the water for more than a few seconds without a bite. There have been many, many fishing shows feature the shrimp boat trips because of the incredible productivity they provide. These trips give the word 'uncle' a new meaning, turning the arms of most anglers to jelly at they the end of the day!
Gulf of Mexico Wrecks
The Gulf wrecks are numerous and hold lots and lots of fish. The good ones start around 25 miles from shore and are scattered to more then 60 miles away. There are dozens to fish, all within a few miles of each other. Most are 1940′s era, some freighters, some military and lots of them old shrimp boats all resting in 55 to 95ft of water. Fish that move through the area tend to hang on them, seeking shelter and food. There are always fish on them from 200-300lb. Goliath Grouper to 20-60lb. Cobia, Grey Snappers, Black, Gag and Red Grouper, to 20-30lb. Permit! The action is nonstop with such little pressure on them. These trips are truly one of a kind and an experience you will never forget!


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Published Feb 10, 2012
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I'm considering the Swarovski ATX 25-60x85 Angled Spotting Scope. Precisely what additional Swarovski components do you recommend for compatible use with a Nikon D60 camera?
Also, will this scope attach to a standard tripod mount?
Are lens covers included? If not, do you have something to recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help and time!
Clay P.
Dear Clay,
Thank you for your interest in Eagle Optics and the Swarovski ATX spotting scope. Lens covers are included with the scope, and it should be compatible with any standard ¼" tripod threading.
As for a good digiscoping setup for your Nikon D60, I'll suggest the best setup I can think of; however, you should feel free to give us a call at 1-800-289-1132 as we can talk with you in more detail about using the Swarovski ATX with your Nikon camera.
The setup that should work the best, however, is the Swarovski TLS-APO Digital Camera Adapter with a Nikon T2 Adapter Ring. You would use this by removing the lens from your D60, attaching the T2 Adapter Ring to the TLS-APO Digital Camera Adapter, then attach that adapter to the body of the D60. This will work as a lens for the camera now. There is also a separate component of the TLS-APO that replaces the eyepiece of the Swarovski ATX and allows the camera to securely attach to the Nikon D60.
Eagle Optics


text:
Join other professionals for this after hours, networking social event to be held at Kash 22, Church Street, Frodsham.
£10 to attend.
The evening is supported by FDR Law and is aimed at those who would like to meet like minded people in a relaxed atmosphere at one of the best bars in town.
Please contact email@example.com for more information.


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It's the word we hope to never hear.
As breast cancer awareness month comes to a close, we must remember we are all impacted by cancer.
When I heard that C-word from the doctor. I made an unusual decision to fight back with joy. I had been studying joy for the previous year. In fact, the diagnosis arrived two weeks before I turned in the manuscript. The news trashed my book and my life.
I had been studying joy during the relatively good times of life, now I had to scout for it in amidst great suffering and pain. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that more than whimsy, joy is the weapon we use to fight life's battles. And sometimes you've got to poke holes in the darkness until it bleeds light.
I learned much about joy weaponry, but I've also discovered some of the hottest, hardest hits come from friendly fire. People's well-meaning comments can cut to the core.
Here are 5 things you should Never Ever Say to someone battling cancer:
1. "The first moment my momma saw you she said, 'There's something wrong with her.'"
Noticing people with cancer isn't like playing "Where's Waldo?" You're not a superstar or brilliant because you can recognize a cancer patient. Many of us try to hide the marks and scars of cancer as best we can. Sorry, no extra points or sticky stars for recognizing us.
2. "Oh, my aunt had that. She died."
Mentioning that you have cancer has a way of causing all the dead relative stories to surface. You probably know people who died of cancer. Remember that we're trying our hardest not to be among them.
3. "My friend had the same cancer and she's fine."
Cancer isn't one disease but represents thousands upon thousands of diseases. Each type of cancer has various subtypes with more subtypes being discovered each year. Meanwhile, a person's age, health history, and immune system affect how the human body responds to treatment. Even if two people's cancers share the same name, the same staging, the same location, and treatment plan the odds of survival can be extremely different. One person can skate through treatment, the next may be tortured and boxed into the fight of their life. Never assume two cancers are the same–even if they share the same name.
4. "Did you try lavender oil, that I-can't-remember-the-name Chinese plant compound, or those coffee enemas known to cure cancer?"
In their longing to help, friends and loved ones often suggest unproven alternative care, some of which can undermine treatment or prove dangerous. While well-meaning, it can be hard to listen to someone without medical degrees prescribe off-the-wall, downright odd and even dangerous treatment plans.
5. Silence.
My husband, Leif, and I were warned that people would disappear from our lives. After the initial flood of responses, we were tempted to think, "That's not true!" Then, silence arrived. The warning proved true. I think of names and faces of those I've known, loved, and even worked with for many years who have never said a word. I know they know. They know I know. Yet all I heard was silence.
Seven months into treatment, I received a call from a friend who apologized for being busy and distracted and not reaching out. After hanging up the phone, I wept.
The ongoing gift of your presence is one of the most powerful things you'll ever give someone facing cancer or any kind of adversity.
We aren't looking for pat answers, clichés, or dismissive, false promises like, "You'll be fine." Rather, we need you to be present in our lives. To laugh. To love. To say the following eleven magic words:
"Today, you are thought of, prayed for, and you are loved."
Those never grow old. No matter how many times you text or write them in a card. Those words communicate that you're with the person in the midst of their storm. Those words can bring healing and hope and encouragement. Will you pick up your phone right now? Scroll through the names. Who can you reach out and text right now with words of encouragement and hope as you extend the gift of your ongoing presence?
Now what would you add to the Never Ever Say list?
(RSS Subscribers, click here to view.)
[metaslider id=30121]


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Last night's launch of a new ILC-UK/CLG discussion paper saw a debate on how the built environment should be planned to better anticipate the demands of population ageing. The launch was very much intended to start a discussion; the issue is still surprisingly absent in many policy discussions, and the concept of 'lifetime neighbourhoods' itself is still emerging.
Put simply, we have largely adapted to the language of environment sustainability in planning. It is rare, for example, to plan our houses and neighbourhoods in flagrant disregard of the likely impact of climate change over the next few decades.
However, we do not think twice about regularly putting up new housing and building new neighbourhoods that have made very little effort to plan lifetime neighbourhoods that will offer all of us the best chances of a high quality of life regardless of age. And yet an ageing population could not be a more certain reality for our future: the over 75s will grow by 75% between 2008-2031, a much larger proportional increase than any other group.
As we age, we are more likely to need an environment that caters for our changing levels of physical and cognitive functioning. Beginning with the home, and extending into streets, neighbourhoods, and public and civic space, we need access to the spaces, services, amenities and opportunities to participate that make our lives human and meaningful. And when we access these spaces and social networks, we wish to do so with dignity.
What will happens if we carry on as we have done before? We risk the burden of ill-health and dependency, (not to mention lost social, civic and economic productivity) that comes with social exclusion and the associated ill-health and withdrawal of older populations. We pay in many ways – we pay for the services needed to manage ill-health, we pay with less cohesive neighbourhoods in which we all live, and we pay in our own lack of confidence in how our communities will suit us when we are older.
I would like to encourage anyone reading this blog to download the report itself to get a much more balanced picture of how we could define and plan for lifetime neighbourhoods. However, in short summary, some of the points made at the launch were as follows:
· Lifetime neighbourhoods do not simply tolerate a much greater range of individual capabilities. Rather, they anticipate this variation and plan for it accordingly. If we build communities to last for hundreds of years, why don't we plan them for the people that will use them?
· The social, civic and economic contribution of older people is enormous. For example, the 50+ represent half of all consumer spending in the UK, and five million older people take part in voluntary work, 'the glue that binds society together.'
· Lifetime neighbourhoods promote social inclusion, which in turn promotes wellbeing, which in turn promotes health, which in turn promotes economic prosperity and 'social capital'. This in turn can promote social inclusion, and so on.
· Our desire to participate does not change as we age. However our ability to do so does.
· It is not merely the built environment which must be planned for appropriately. Neighbourhoods require social networks, volunteering and sense of place to function in a cohesive and effective way. When we plan neighbourhoods, we must plan the spaces, services and resources that encourage this interaction.
Some interesting points were made in the discussion that followed:
· Lifetime neighbourhoods must also be a vision for our existing communities, not just new ones. These will present significantly different challenges to new ones, for example they will have existing social networks and local identitiy, but may not have many opportunities for developing new social spaces and services in a crowded built environment. Work is needed to demonstrate best practice in 'retro-fitting' these communities to lifetime neighbourhoods.
· Better planning for minorities is essential. How can we plan for the community needs of BME groups? What best practice exists to guide the way?
· One of the greatest problems we face is dealing with intergenerational relations. Older people report fear of younger people as a major factor in quality of life and confidence in accessing public space. How can we maximise the potential for harmonious cooperation, and minimise conflict? Should we demarcate public space to different ages, or seek to provide spaces for all ages? Aside from what feel sounds best, what do people really want?
· Consulting older people can be a useful way of developing better planning, especially considering the diversity of older populations. However it is common for such undertakings to be token offerings and/or ignored.
· How can a variety of different voices crucial to 'lifetime neighbourhoods', such as healthcare, social care, the voluntary sector and older people themselves get their voices heard in Local Strategic Partnerships and the Local Area Agreements they put forward? Is there still time for the current round, or will it have to wait until the next one?
· Better evidence will always be needed to support effective policy. It is important to build on the raft of imaginative work joining of health, social care and voluntary sector underway in the Partnerships for Older People's Projects and the Link Age Plus projects. Where we can prove the value of these programmes to health and wellbeing, we can justify expenditure.
· Government commitment is essential to promoting awareness and acceptance of the issue at a regional and local level. Without adequate attention in statutory guidance, such as the regional spatial strategy, issues of population will simply languish on the back-shelf, and opportunities for imaginative new developments will be lost.
Given the wide-ranging nature of any paper that seeks to promote a discussion of what lifetime neighbourhoods could be and how we work towards them, there are certain to be many more points that should be added. Please feel free to respond to this posting and join the debate.
Lastly, our considerable thanks to all who attended the event and all have supported the development of this paper. This works brings together a number of expert studies and commentaries on social inclusion, accesibility, health, wellbeing and planning and we are indebted to them for making this paper possible.
You can download a copy of this report for free from our website: www.ilcuk.org.uk
Ed Harding


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A humanoid porcupine, with one to three-inch quills that covers their entire body that lays flat on their skin. Larger quills from five to eight inches are found on their chest and back, and on top of their head, from a distance appearing as long straight hair. Their quills prick upwards when excited or agitated; a few allies can even read their emotions in this fashion. Their unexposed skin colour is brown. Most have blue or green eyes but those with unique destinies may have different colours.
Personality: Quillians are isolationists, preferring not to interact with others. In their own group, they have a range of emotions, but are little shown outside of their immediate friends and allies.
Physical Description: Five feet tall humanoids with quills of various sizes covering their bodies. Most tend not to wear armor, but warriors will wear chain mail or a chain shirt.
Relations: They tend to avoid conflict, and can live in harmony with nature, elves and other fey beings. They will often get into territorial disputes with Minotaur, Giants, evil Naga, Ettercap and any evil creatures that attempt to control territory in forest. While they do not provoke trouble, they won't back down either.
Alignment: They tend towards neutral good. Individuals within tribes do exist, and these tend towards chaotic good more than other lawful tendencies. They expel anyone who breaks tribal law or tradition.
Lands: Nomads that wander several of the largest untouched forests through-out Nyssa.
Religion: Quillians have a long druidic tradition; clerics and gods are mostly a foreign concept to them. As fey, these humanoids have a strong connection with forest spirits, and do their best to live peacefully with them.
Language: They understand Faerie, and their own tongue – Quillian. Most adventuring Quillian also usually speak common or elven.
Adventurers: Quillians often leave the tribe to discover the world or to be able to add to the tribe's collective knowledge. They usually adventure as rangers or fighters, and do their best to succeed in societies they little understand, always preferring rural or even wastelands to civilizations. Those who succeed away, can take on other classes.
Quillian Racial Traits
No ability score adjustments
+2 to survival checks & +2 to knowledge (nature)
Base 20 skill points, more if they have exceptional intelligence, to be used on core skills only (Rogues gain an extra +16 points when creating their character.)
Core Racial Skills: Climb, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (local, nature, and religion), Perception, Ride, Sense Motive, Survival
Spiky Defense: If not wearing armor, their quills provide a +3 AC bonus if an attacker is weaponless or using a touch attack.
Throw Quills: Range: 20/40/-, Dmg: 1d4+str dmg
Preferred Classes: Ranger
Possible Classes: Barbarian, Druid, Fighter, Rogue, Sorcerer or Psion
Quill Master-Thrower: Prestige Class
Requirements: +5 BAB; Survival 7 ranks; Precise Shot (Quills), Weapon Focus (Quills)
BAB, saves, skills points & feats as ranger for every new level.
1st level: Quill damage increase to 1d6 + Str
2nd Level Double base Range
3rd Level: Fire 2 shots / round; must be at the same target
4th Level Quill damage increase to 1d8 + Str
5th Level: Independent targets; triple base range