text:
Via Rachel Maddow
Frank Schaeffer author of "Crazy For God" to discuss the dangerous rhetoric that healthcare reform opponents are employing in sowing outrage among their followers particularly references to Adolf Hitler and Nazis.
Via Rachel Maddow
Frank Schaeffer author of "Crazy For God" to discuss the dangerous rhetoric that healthcare reform opponents are employing in sowing outrage among their followers particularly references to Adolf Hitler and Nazis.
Via Wonkette
It is understandable, of course, that right now everyone's most immediate concern is protecting Trig Palin from Obama's Human Productivity Freikorps. There is just no time to worry about specifics like reality. Enter Meg Stapleton, whose job it is as official spokesperson to an unemployed private citizen to concern herself with such horrid, gruesome detail, like how Obama will personally expel Trig to the alabaster, horizonless Alaska of the Sky. See "HR3200 p. 425 see 'Advance Care Planning Consultation,'" clarifies Stapleton. Hats off everybody, please—show some respect.
According to Jake "Tapper" Tapper, HR3200 p. 425 includes:
"a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning," and an explanation "of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title," as well as "an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders."
How cynical, Herr Öbama. At least when you say "consumers and their families" have the decency to say what you actually mean—what we all know you're alluding to—which is "specifically Trig Palin and Sarah Palin's parents, who are very old, too old for my taste, frankly."
Via John Cole
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Birther Theme Song:
Via blogtakradio
August 7 Episode featuring @GottaLaff from the Political Carnival
Via CQ Politics
A small group of people who question Pres. Obama's citizenship, so-called Birthers, have been getting a lot of attention lately. The president has decided to address the controversy straight on, debunking the Birthers and various other claims in his latest Web video.
Via Wonkette
Via Rude Pundit
Alright, alright, you caught us and, boy, our faces are as red as the blood on our hands. No, no, it's okay for us to come clean. Stop shouting at the Rude Pundit to shut up. We need to admit to the right that, ultimately, one of our greatest goals with health care reform is to kill old people. Goddamn, that felt good to say. The Rude Pundit thinks he's gonna put on his Angel o' Death suit right now and head to the local state-run nursing home to "consult" about end-of-life issues with the patients. By the end of the day, betcha tens of thousands of dollars in Medicare bucks will be saved. Oh, yeah, the Rude Pundit wants to watch as millions of senior citizens are forced to lay in warehouse dorms, moaning in pain until they shit themselves to death. Fuck, oh, god, the thought of the sounds and the smell gets liberals hard and wet. We'll watch through one-way glass and have orgies, climaxing when a buzzer sounds to indicate one more government burden has agreed to die or be killed. Then an Obama-approved nurse will bring us the corpse so that we can throw it on the floor and continue our fucking on top of the bodies. It is our way.
So, yep, when Pat Buchanan queries in his latest column, titled, no, really, "Time to Go, Grampa" (a title that makes it seem like Gramps is an incontinent pet on his way to the vet), "[I]s not the logical purpose of paying doctors for house calls to the terminally ill, whose medical costs are killing Medicare, to suggest a pleasant and early exit from a pain-filled and costly life?" what can we answer but "Pills or shotgun?" Of course, Buchanan takes all this to its inevitable outcome: "Hitler's Third Reich, marrying Social Darwinism to Aryan racial supremacy, carried the concepts to their logical if horrible conclusion." But who are we to argue when it's so patently clear that a discussion about a living will is just cover for our nefarious, pseudo-Logan's Run dystopianism.
And, yep, Tony Perkins at the Family Research Council (motto: "If babies weren't aborted, Tony Perkins wouldn't have a salary") is right when he exposes, "The bottom line is that health care rationing isn't coming--it's here. And until euthanasia is specifically prohibited in the legislation, the only thing that should be humanely killed is the plan to encourage it." The legislation doesn't prohibit prescriptions for blow jobs and fingerfucks by dedicated professionals, either, and that's legal in Nevada. So it must include it. Fuck, we thought of everything.
Fred "God, I Got Old Fast" Thompson tries to cover for his right-wing allies, accusing "Democratic strategists" of creating the whole euthanasia controversy: "It does seem that the words attributed to unnamed conservative culprits are fairly mild compared to the hysteria coming out of left-wing Web sites and blogs." (Note to Thompson: The Rude Pundit just named a couple of them. And one of 'em compares health care legislation to the Holocaust.) Putting on his rational hat, Thompson says, "So is this a conspiracy to kill off granny? No. Will seniors be forced to make decisions they don't want to make? No. But will 'practitioners' be encouraged to have end-of-life discussions that include when it might be best for patients to allow their life to end earlier than it has to? Of course. And seniors have a right to be satisfied that there is not, at the heart of this process, undo consideration given to cost-cutting."
But, sweet, bejowled character actor, you're wrong. This is a conspiracy to kill off granny. Indeed, let the word go out to townhalls everywhere: if you bring granny or gramps to the doctor once this bill becomes law, they will be given Obama's "care." In fact, the Rude Pundit encourages the grandkids of Buchanan and Thompson to make sure their grandparents get the best "care" government-run insurance can provide.
Via ocularnervosa
Over the past 30 years the Republicans have been working to promote their agenda and none of it seems to be for the betterment of America. They have worked hard to push the cutting of funding for infrastructure repairs to promoting their crusades in the oil lands. Now we are discussing heath care reform and the Republicans are pulling every dirty trick out of their playbook to stop it, from the classic propaganda of high taxes and the destruction of the middle class to trying to claim senior citizens will be encouraged to commit suicide.
But why are they fighting so hard? I have three answers and none of them will be very popular with the conservative element.
Reason number one, money. Lets be perfectly honest, Republicans claim they are for the common man and main street businesses but ever action only benefits mega corporations. Consider this, Cleve Killingsworth, CEO of Blue Cross received a pay increase of 26% pushing his salary, including a million dollar year end bonus to $4.3 million dollars. How many people had to be denied coverage or life saving treatments in order to boost profits high enough to pay that kind of salary? And you know the lobbyists on K street make sure a chunk of those profits are funneled to their favorite memebers of Congress.
Reason number two, power. Corporate America has become the new feudal system. They control their employees with the threat of unemployment and the loss of benefits. As long as the unemployment rate remains high and insurance costs are out of control people will remain at a job, even a bad one, for financial reasons. High insurance rates are just another control mechanism and again, corporate America makes sure members of Congress are well compensated for maintaining the status quo.
And reason number three, the "gotcha" factor. Since 2005 the Republicans have been on a downhill slide. From Katrina to the Cheney shooting and the endless scandals of the "do nothing" Congress the Republicans haven't had a win in years. They suffered a humiliating defeat in both 2006 and 2008. They now have such a void in leadership that Sarah Palin, the clown princess of the Republican party, is actually at the top of the 2012 nominee list. They have no real plans or programs so the best they can do is try to tear down those of the Democrats in order to claim victory. The Republicans are desperate for some kind of win and they couldn't care less how the rising cost of health care affects the average American or to paraphrase South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, they want the issue to be President Obama's Waterloo.
The Republicans are desperate to regain power in America. They have proven they will do anything to re-seize control of the government. Well anything but actually help Americans, after all that would be socialism!
From Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films:
UnitedHealthcare CEO Stephen Hemsley owns $744,232,068 in unexercised stock options. CIGNA's Edward Hanway spends his holidays in a $13 million beach house in New Jersey. Meanwhile, regular Americans are routinely denied coverage for the care they need when they need it most.
Via Wonkette
Ah, Sturgis … it's like the "Gathering of the Juggalos" for middle-aged people who saved up enough for a Gold Wing! And the $100-million McCain family just adores acting like they love this dumb populist cretin crap, because, after all, the McCains have those riches only because Cindy's dad actually worked for a living, selling Budweiser to guys with choppers, in Arizona. It's circular!
You'll recall that last year, during the presidential campaign, John McCain offered up Cindy to the drunken, leering crowd of filthy bikers. And Cindy just, well, she just looked uncomfortable as all hell, because, really, should a real-life heiress be thrown to the dogs like that, by her supposed husband? To this day, Cindy still doesn't really think anything is funny.
Anyway …. Our favorite "oh dear god is she still around?" twitterer, First Daughter, First GangBang by Bikers at Sturgis romance novelist Meg "McCain" McCabe, has apparently left her elderly parents' estate in Sedona and is now offering herself up to the dirtiest of the dirty Sturgis dudes. She is hoping to become some special person's "Old Lady," and by "run away with you" she might mean anything, such as "run after you crying hysterically while you noisily ride away on your motorized cycle," or "weep in the woods, surrounded by Bud cans and cigarette butts and Taco Bell wrappers, in the night."
Honestly, some people let this guy shape their political thinking.
In America.
No, really. I swear.
I've seen them say he makes perfect sense.
Via Gawker
Yes, it's famous stand-up comedian and sit-down demagogue Glenn Beck, of Glenn Beck's Kavalkade of Komedy, Krying, and Kommunism, performing all of his world-famous funny voices. Like a 21st century Jackie Gleason, a generation has grown up on Glenn's beloved characters.
And the gang's all here! Annoying wife speaking gibberish, Snagglepuss, Kermit the Economist Frog, Casey Kasem, sarcastic Hippie guy pretending to cure cancer (??), Rush Limbaugh (??), Hans and Franz (??), yodeling Hawaiian superhero, Fish Yoda (a personal favorite of ours), opera singer in old Warner Brothers cartoon, drunk guy in old movie, Gollum, whiny teenager, Scooby Doo, dolphin caught in plastic, and, of course, angry dude shouting about something.
Please, enjoy.
Via AmericansUnited
The TV ad for health care reform that CNN rejected.
Now why would CNN refuse to air and ad like this?
Who benefits? You...?
Via Rachel Maddow
Exposing the big money backers who pose as average Americans behind the anti-healthcare reform event "Recess Rally"
Birthers, when you're on the wrong side of Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter... I mean c'mon.
Via PoliticsNewsPolitics
After Bill O'Reilly stressed in his "talking points memo" that the GOP needs to regroup and not focus on nonsense like the "birther" issue, Christopher Ruddy from Newsmax.com tells Bill O'Reilly that it's necessary for President Obama to release his birth certificate.
"I don't care," O'Reilly tells Ruddy. "Nobody cares... The only people who cares is Obama haters."
Radio talk show host Mike Gallagher also thinks Ruddy should let it go.
Via Plum Line
So yesterday Greg Sargent asked whether President Obama's formidable political operation, Organizing for America, was going to get outworked on the ground by the Tea Party activists and others who are crashing town hall rallies around the country.
Maybe Greg spoke too soon: OFA is now directly taking on the Tea Party brigade, calling on supporters to respond with an even greater show of force and support.
With Joe Biden set to tout the stimulus in Michigan today, OFA blasted an email to its Michigan list last night calling on supporters to turn out en masse:
Tomorrow, Vice President Joe Biden is coming to speak in Detroit. I'd like to extend a special invitation to Michiganders to join us in showing our support for the President and Vice President.
This event comes at a crucial time. Special interests trying to sink health insurance reform. Organized mobs across the country are intimidating lawmakers, disrupting events, and silencing discussions about the change our country needs. The challenges our country faces are simply too great to let these debates be overrun by those angrily shouting down change…
Join us tomorrow and show that you're standing up for the President and Vice President as they fight for the change this country needs.
Meanwhile, the DNC, which houses OFA, is out with a very tough new Web vid directly taking on the "mob" and linking it to "desperate" and obstructionist GOP leaders:
The question now is whether Dem can get the GOP to "own" these mobs, as a top operative put it to me. This would be a twofer: It would define the GOP as desperate, angry and irrationally obstructionist, but it would also define whatever public opposition there is to Obama's agenda as merely an illusion manufactured by the GOP and special interests.
Via Washington Monthly
It's good to match the group with the thuggish tactics.
Conservatives for Patients' Rights, the operation that's running a national campaign against a public health care option, is now publicly taking credit for helping gin up the sometimes-rowdy outbursts targeting House Dems at town hall meetings around the country, raising questions about their spontaneity.
CPR is the group headed by controversial former hospitals exec Rick Scott that's spending millions on ads attacking reform in all sorts of lurid ways, a campaign that's being handled by the same P.R. mavens behind the Swift Boat Vets.
In response to my questions, a spokesman for the group confirmed that it has undertaken a concerted effort to get people out to the town hall meetings to protest reform.
We learned yesterday that the group sent an email to a right-wing listserv called the Tea Party Patriots Health Care Reform Committee, hoping to coordinate efforts on more than 100 town-hall events throughout the rest of the summer.
Brian Beutler added today, "The disclosure makes official what much of the reporting about the disruptions seemed to indicate: that industry funded groups--who stand to benefit if health reform legislation fails -- are playing a significant role in organizing, and perhaps ginning up, the outbursts we're seeing at health care public forums around the country."
It's also worth remembering that Conservatives for Patients' Rights is run by Rick Scott, who is perhaps best known for having been ousted as the head of Columbia/HCA healthcare after a massive fraud investigation. Columbia/HCA ultimately pleaded guilty to a variety of fraud-related charges, paid $1.7 billion in fines, and got rid of their scandal-plagued chief.
HCAN's Richard Kirsch said a couple of months ago, "Those attacking reform are really looking to protect their own profits, and [Rick Scott is] a perfect messenger for that. His history of making a fortune by destroying quality in the health-care system and ripping off the government is a great example of what's really going on.... We cannot have a better first person to attack health care reform than someone who ran a company that ripped off the government of hundreds of millions of dollars."
Right-wing activists teaming up with a right-wing scam artist to ensure the public can't have an honest discussion about health care. It's sad, in a predictable kind of way.
Via Larisa Alexandrovna
Blackwater (Xe): Killing Their Critics
The latest bombshell from Jeremy Scahill about Christan, racist, right-wing extremist Erik Prince (owner of Blackwater) is astounding. You can read it here, but I suggest you watch Jeremy explain it on KO this evening. I also suggest that you have a stiff drink in hand.
Via DougJ
Here's some footage of birfer types (via) at a Lloyd Doggett townhall, chanting "Just say no" and waving pictures of Doggett with devil's horns on them:
A few points here:
I'll have to see a bit more of this, but at this point, I think the Republican strategy of sending birfer brigades to shout at the devil is a dangerous one. Even in a conservative-friendly media environment, it's going to be hard for the tea-ruptions to portrayed as anything other than fringe lunacy.
I'll also say this: I've witnessed a lot of anti-Iraq war rallies in the general Rochester area, including a pretty large-scale one specifically protesting a Dick Cheney fundraiser, and none had the feeling of anger and general craziness of what I've seen from the birfer townhall footage. There is a difference between right-wing protests and left-wing ones in this country, at this point. (I can't speak for what it was like in the past or in other parts of the world.)
Via Lee Stranahan
If you're one of those people yelling at town hall meetings, I hate to break it to you...but you're a patsy...
You may think you're trying to save America from the government...
But you're being used by the health insurance industry who is using the government to keep their very profitable monopoly.
The health insurance industry doesn't care about competition or freedom or patient's rights...
Or you, for that matter.
Via Rude Pundit
Is this really the way you guys wanna play this? Is this the way it's gonna go down? You're sending to townhall meetings of members of Congress a bunch of frightened people with misdirected rage, no real understanding of the issues surrounding even their own health care, and little articulation of their point of view other than "Government bad" to shout down officials, the discursive equivalent of howler monkey yawps across the rainforest. And you're doing it with the imprimatur of the Minority Leader. And with the applause of the right-wing media, who, rather than appear at a townhall to lead the charge like in honorable days of old, are like modern generals, staring at their computer screens and smiling at action they foment.
(By the way, a note to Michelle Malkin: the action of loudmouths trying to shut up everyone else ain't a counterinsurgency. You're using that word to make it seem like you're defending the mainstream. Obama and the Democrats were legally elected in part to implement universal health care coverage. Attempting to stop a lawful government from enacting the will of the majority through intimidation, threats, and fear is, at best, an insurgency, and, at worst, terrorism.)
Can you imagine the cries of "quel horreur" and the fainting gestures of the Fox "news" hosts with dainty constitutions if liberals had coordinated the disruption of meetings of members of Congress in order to oppose a policy of the Bush administration? Oh, wait, we don't really have to stretch that far since any effort, large or meager, to halt the march to war in Iraq was not treated like the free speech acts of citizens to question their government. Nope, we were portrayed as traitors. And we didn't get the support of the Democratic leadership. Is this jealousy that the right gets away with shit we can't? Fucking A, it is.
So the Rude Pundit's of two minds about this strain of reactionary civil disobedience. There's that free speech advocate part of him that's thinking, "Hey, cool, at least people are participating and voicing themselves, and, in general, that's a good thing." But then there's the other hand.
That's the part that says it's time to stop acting like pussies in all of this. Sweet fucking Jesus, we sit by and act like the motherfuckers who protest family planning clinics are just innocuous diversions until some doctor gets killed. We didn't fucking shut down the assholes that barged into the recount in Florida. We take it and take it and take it and then simply sigh that our protests amount to so little, and the whole storyline is stolen from us and run by the compromisers, shills, and punks.
So there's the part of the Rude Pundit's mind that says it's time to show these motherfuckers how it's done, to join the fucking fight. Maybe get some stone-cold WTO protesters to fuck up a few Republican townhalls. When Lloyd Doggett was being shouted down in his district, where were the good Austin hippies to counterprotest? Where, in general, are all of us that fucking fought for Obama to be elected? Step the fuck up.
Tell you what: the Rude Pundit's gonna put up or shut up. He'll go to a few townhalls up here in the wicked Northeast. He'll bring his recorder. And if any assholes try to manipulate the proceedings by thinking they can shout loudest, well, the Rude Pundit's feeling confrontational. No violence. That's for idiots. Just a promise to make sure that liars are called out and motherfuckers are accused of fucking their mothers.
Let's open this up. Who's got ideas - real ones, not fantasy ones - about how to be an actual counterinsurgency?
Update: Apparently, organization, politeness, and a heavy police presence can also work.
Via Raw Story
In what was perhaps an admission that his core supporters are less than entirely sane, Fox News' Glenn Beck implored his viewers Monday night not to resort to violence.
Beck told viewers to "let Congress know that you are watching them like a hawk… you let them feel your burning gaze on them. But … your interaction with them needs to be respectful, polite, forceful and peaceful."
Beck suggested that one act of (presumably right-wing extremist) violence could upend the conservative opposition to President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress.
"If anyone thinks it would be a good idea to turn violent, think again. It would destroy the republic," Beck said.
That got the blogosphere wondering what brought on Beck's sudden Gandhi-like exhortation for peaceful resistance.
At Gawker, Cajun Boy opines:
One can't help but wonder, "What the hell provoked this?" Was it a demand from the higher-ups at Fox News, and do they know something that we don't about how close certain segments of the right-wing are to acting out violently? Remember when Shep Smith talked about the crazy-ass emails the staff at Fox get from unhinged right-wingers? Could this be tied to that?
Beck may have been responding to the arrest of an armed Long Island fan outside of Long Island Air Force Base, who was evidently looking for evidence that FEMA is building concentration camps — a favorite conspiracy theory among fans of Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and other right-wing commentators.
The woman in question, Nancy Genovese, has professed admiration for Beck on her MySpace page.
This video is from Fox News' Glenn Beck, broadcast Aug. 3, 2009.
Via Thomas Edsall
With Republican party leaders so constrained by ideological blinders that none of their positions is likely to produce gains among non-white minorities, especially Hispanics, the GOP is finding it has no real alternative but to revert to a "white voter" strategy.
To some extent, it's working. The party's opposition to President Obama's agenda -- particularly his cap-and-trade energy proposal and health care reform plan -- is resonating strongly with disaffected white Democratic voters. Republican grievances about Obama, combined with race-baiting commentary from the far-right ideologues who have become some of the most dominant voices of the modern GOP, have led to a precipitous drop in the president's approval ratings among whites.
It's all very reminiscent of the party's notorious Southern Strategy, which carried the GOP for decades. But that strategy backfired spectacularly in the 2006 and 2008 elections, and there's no reason to think it will work any better in 2010 -- especially given the ever-growing importance of the minority electorate.
In this respect, even if the GOP picks up a few House and Senate seats in 2010, many of the party's top analysts believe that it will remain mired in minority status through 2012 and beyond. Other analysts say it may even decline to the level of a minor regional party, with its only real strength in the South.
The Appeal to White Voters
The appeal of the anti-Obama agenda has proven to be particularly strong among whites of low and moderate incomes. The Pew Center, tracking evaluations of Obama's job performance, found in a July 30 report that there "has been essentially no shift in opinion among affluent whites [but] among whites with annual family incomes of less than $75,000, Obama's approval ratings have declined substantially (from 57% in June to 47% today). Assessments of Obama's performance remain high among African Americans (85%)."
ABC News polling similarly found in late June that the possible costs to consumers of cap-and-trade legislation "are particularly important to less well-off Americans. Among those making less than $50,000 a year, support for regulating greenhouse gas emissions drops by 17 points (from 75 percent to a still-majority 58 percent) if it raises prices; support if it costs $10 a month is 49 percent; and at $25, just 35 percent."
The trend lines reported by Gallup are perhaps the most striking: At the start of this year, during late January, Gallup found that Obama's job approval ratings stood at 63 percent among whites, 86 percent among African Americans, and 74 percent among Hispanics. In the Gallup survey taken in late July, Obama had gained 9 points among blacks, reaching 95 percent job approval, and was holding his own among Hispanics, dropping a statistically insignificant 2 points to 72 percent.
Among white respondents, however, he had dropped 16 points to 47 percent. These findings are reinforced by recent trend lines emerging in the Wall Street Journal/NBC polling series. In that series, the decline has been sharpest among white men, whose approval-disapproval ratio fell by 27 points, from 50-36 to 40-53.
The Demographic Trends
Republican pollster Bill McInturff notes that his party must make substantial gains among Hispanic voters or be relegated to minority status. But that just isn't likely.
With a solid majority of Republican senators opposed to the appointment of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina nominee to the Supreme Court, and a solid phalanx of adamant Republican opposition to any immigration reform which provides a path to permanent residency of illegal immigrants, the GOP has no real chance of increasing its share of the Hispanic vote.
In the short term, McInturff and others point out that virtually all the Democrats' vulnerabilities are among Anglo voters, especially white men. These trends are likely to produce some victories for Republican candidates in 2010, but the party continues to have long-term problems in building a sustainable election-day majority.
President George W. Bush and his top advisers were acutely aware of the long-range limitations of a "white" Republican Party. Bush, in his appointments and some of his policies, sought to reach out to the crucially important Hispanic electorate, most significantly pushing for immigration reform that would have provided a path to permanent legal residency and possibly citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants in the country.
The effort paid off for Bush in 2004, when he received 44 percent of the Hispanic vote, a Republican record.
In 2005, however, Bush's use of the immigration issue as a vehicle to win over Hispanics imploded. Republican members of Congress overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, often using language suggesting Hispanics did not share American values and other comments that angered and offended the Hispanic electorate. In the 2006 elections, only 30 percent of Latinos voted Republican, and in the 2008 presidential election, the Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, got just 31 percent.
The Republican Party thrived between 1968 and 2000 primarily because of the gains it made among white voters, especially among formerly Democratic working-class whites, a disproportionate share of whom were men. By 2000, however, the GOP's white strategy began to run out of gas, as the white percentage of the electorate dropped to 80 percent and below.
The trend is striking. In 1976, 89 percent of the electorate was white. That number fell every four years, to 88 percent in 1980, 86 percent in 1984, 85 percent in 1988, 83 percent in 1996, 81 percent in 2000, 77 percent in 2004, and 74 percent last year. The only exception was 1992, when the presence of independent candidate Ross Perot drove the white percentage of the electorate up to 87 percent.
Nate Silver, a sports statistician and political analyst, looks at this from a different vantage point:
Consider this remarkable statistic. In 1980, 32 percent of the electorate consisted of white Democrats (or at least white Carter voters) -- likewise, in 2008, 32 percent of the electorate consisted of white Obama voters. But whereas, in 1980, just 9 percent of the electorate were nonwhite Carter voters, 21 percent of the electorate were nonwhite Obama voters last year. Thus, Carter went down to a landslide defeat, whereas Obama defeated John McCain by a healthy margin.
Silver points out that Republicans are getting slightly less dependent on white voters, but Democrats
are becoming less white at a much faster rate than the Republicans. Whereas 85 percent of their votes were from white voters in 1976, the number was just 60 percent last November. This is, of course, a helpful characteristic, since the nonwhite share of the electorate, just 11 percent in 1976 and 1980, represented more than a quarter of the turnout in November.
Silver produced this chart:
Emory University political scientist Alan Abramowitz has, in turn, tracked the growth of minority votes cast in presidential elections since 1992 and finds:
For the Republican Party, these trends not only illustrate the danger of attempting to win without improving margins among minority voters, but also the danger that a modest collection of Congressional wins next year - say 10-15 House seats --will only reinforce the dominant forces in the House and Senate wings of the GOP that adamantly support a conservative agenda that precludes concessions to minority groups. That, in turn, would increase the likelihood that the Democratic Party will be able to maintain majority status in 2012 and beyond.
Via Rachel Maddow
Apparently the new agenda for people with no ideas of their own... and no interest in legitimate health care debate... have their marching orders. This is NOT accidentally occurring randomly.
Via Countdown: Special Comment
Members of Congress are failing to represent their constituents in the health care fight
Via Gallup
PRINCETON, NJ -- An analysis of Gallup Poll Daily tracking data from the first six months of 2009 finds Massachusetts to be the most Democratic state in the nation, along with the District of Columbia. Utah and Wyoming are the most Republican states, as they were in 2008. Only four states show a sizeable Republican advantage in party identification, the same number as in 2008. That compares to 29 states plus the District of Columbia with sizeable Democratic advantages, also unchanged from last year.
These results are based on interviews with over 160,000 U.S. adults conducted between January and June 2009, including a minimum of 400 interviews for each state (305 in the District of Columbia). Each state's data is weighted to demographic characteristics for that state to ensure it is representative of the state's adult population.
Because the proportion of independents in each state varies considerably (from a low of 25% in Pennsylvania to a high of 50% in Rhode Island and New Hampshire), it is easiest to compare relative party strength using "leaned" party identification. Thus, the Democratic total represents the percentage of state residents who identify as Democratic, or who identify as independent but when asked a follow-up question say they lean to the Democratic Party. Likewise, the Republican total is the percentage of Republican identifiers and Republican-leaning independents in a state.
The accompanying map shows each state's relative party strength (the full data for each state appears at the end of the article) in the first half of 2009, which primarily covers the time since Barack Obama took office as president. States in which one of the parties enjoys a 10 or more percentage point advantage in leaned identification are considered solid supporters of that party. States with between a five- and nine-point advantage are considered leaning toward that party, and states with less than a five-point advantage for one of the parties are considered competitive.
Via Lee Stranahan
Via Alex Koppelman
Full disclosure: I was supposted to be on MSNBC this afternoon talking about the Birthers and their release of what they claim is a copy President Obama's Kenyan birth certificate. (It's actually an obvious forgery.) But shortly after I agreed to go on, the booker called and said they had to cancel. The reason why, it turns out, is that they'd booked de facto Birther movement leader Orly Taitz instead.
I'm actually not here to criticize MSNBC, though. Sure, they may have lost out on facts and reasoned discussion, but even I'm more than willing to admit that on my best day I can never be as, um, entertaining as Taitz was.
The segment was, from the very beginning, a trainwreck. It started with Taitz asking how much time she'd be given to respond -- not exactly the kind of question anchors like to get, as it means you're actually eating in to the time scheduled for your segment -- and spiraled swiftly downward from there, with Taitz calling host David Shuster a "brownshirt" and Shuster asking Taitz if it was true that NBC had offered her a car to bring her to the studio, but "you refused because it was sounding a Muslim sounding name with the driver." (Taitz said it was not true.)
There's a good argument to be made, one I'm normally sympathetic to, that people like Taitz shouldn't be getting airtime, same as anyone else advocating a completely debunked but disturbingly popular conspiracy theory. (When's the last time you heard someone on MSNBC saying we didn't land on the moon?)
But in this case, I think this interview actually served a purpose, as Taitz did a fair amount of damage to her cause all by herself. Anyone who was on the fence and watched the interview could not possibly come away from it thinking she's credible.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Via Jeanette DeMain
For those of you who haven't seen the Orly Taitz segment from Tuesday night's Colbert Report, it can be viewed below. (WARNING: All kinds of crazy contained within!)
The fact that she even went on Colbert's show tells me that she lacks a basic understanding of how the world works.
Via A/P
WASHINGTON – Republican Sen. John McCain says he'll oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor when the Senate votes on her confirmation this week.
The Arizona senator calls Sotomayor a judicial activist who tried to walk back from that record during her confirmation hearings. He says President Barack Obama's nominee has used her position as a judge to try to change the law.
McCain is one of several Republicans from states with heavily Hispanic populations to come out against Sotomayor, the daughter of Puerto Rican parents raised in a New York City housing project and educated in the Ivy League.
McCain says Sotomayor's life story is inspiring and compelling, but he says that's not enough to qualify her for a position on the high court.


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Happy new month (almost)! With Wimbledon well underway it seems only fair to take a quick look at the noble strawberry. Enclosed are a couple of unusual recipes for the sunny little chaps which we urge you to try – strawberries and steak, anyone?
First off, though, it is with great excitement that we can give you a tip to make hulling the things a million times easier! Somewhere, a blessed genius noticed that it becomes instantly far neater aand less wasteful by simply pushing a drinking straw through the strawberry from underneath, which pushes the hull out on top – similar to coring an apple. There's a picture on the right just in case, click to enlarge – you're welcome!)
Right, on to serious business!
As confirmed foodies (surprise!) we scouted a couple of unusual but extremely worthwhile things to make with strawberries, to help you do justice to this glorious fruit and avoid the usual slide into the monotony of just serving them with cream (and the less overdone it is, the more lovely when you do have them together)!
First, a strawberry salsa from Southern Living, perfect, piquant and refreshing alongside grilled anything – seafood, antipasti or a good steak (they recommend catfish, isn't that wonderful?). This salsa is also an essential part of the kit for surviving the current heatwave!
170g red pepper jelly (recipe here if you can't find it in the shops! You could also use a different tangy/spicy conserve as an alternative)
50g chopped fresh chives
50g chopped fresh coriander
1 tablespoon lime zest
60ml fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
200g chopped fresh strawberries
40g sweetened dried cranberries
1 small avocado, diced
Whisk together red pepper jelly, chives, cilantro, lime zest, fresh lime juice, and dried crushed red pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in strawberries and sweetened dried cranberries; cover and chill 1 hour. Stir in diced avocado just before serving. Serve with grilled or pan-fried meats, poultry, or seafood.
Reproduced with thanks from myrecipes.com via Southern Living.
Next up, this totally unexpected but totally delicious strawberry spaghetti recipe straight from New York – if you do only one thing today, just try this and have your mind blown.
Sfoglia's Spaghetti with Strawberries
450g good-quality dried spaghetti (like Setaro)
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for finishing
450g ripe strawberries, cleaned and halved
2 tablespoons good aged (eight-year-old) balsamic vinegar
225g San Marzano tomato purée
7 tablespoons reserved pasta water
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling salted water until al dente. (1) In a large sauté pan, warm the olive oil and half of the strawberries over medium heat. Cook until the strawberries start to release juice. Add balsamic and reduce by half. (2) Add tomato purée, the rest of the strawberries, and the reserved pasta water, and reduce by half again until the sauce thickens. Season to taste. (3) Toss with spaghetti. Finish with olive oil and black pepper.
Reproduced with thanks from Sfoglia via NY Magazine.
And finally, needing no introduction – a gloriously traditional recipe from the other side of the pond – strawberry shortcake.
D.I.Y. Strawberry Shortcake
120g plain flour
40g white sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder (3 teaspoons or 12g)
1/2 teaspoon salt
115g butter
1 egg
240ml single cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
700g strawberries
1 lemon, zest & juice
50g granulated or caster sugar
500ml whipping cream
60g powdered sugar (or to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Heat oven to 205°C. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment. Sift the dry ingredients for the biscuits together, then cut the butter in and work in with your fingers until it's in pea-sized lumps. Beat the egg with the cream and vanilla and add. Work in just until the dough comes together. Turn out onto a floured countertop and cut into rounds. Bake for 10 minutes or until just barely golden.
Hull and chop the strawberries, and macerate for at least an hour with the lemon zest and sugar.
Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks. Add the sugar, vanilla and salt.
To serve, split each biscuit into two and layer with strawberries and cream.
Note – For a gorgeous alternative you could swap the lemon juice for balsamic vinegar when macerating the strawberries (the older the better) and add chopped mint and they will be delicious!
Recipe reproduced from The Kitchn with thanks.
Enjoy the sunshine and the tennis!
Capital Cooking

subset: commoncrawl


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Visit to the American Library
Organised by Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (formerly known as SRM University), Vadapalani Campus
'Report on the visit to the American Library'
Date: September 14, 2017
The MBA II year students visited the American Library on 14.9.2017. The American Library located in the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai was established in 1947 and it plays a special role in the relationship of the people of the United States and South India.
After the usual security check, the students were directed to the Center (formerly known as the American Library). There was a formal introduction on the Centre by Mrs.Shanthi Mohan, Education USA Coordinator which was followed by a brief explanation on the various higher study options for Management graduates and how to go about with the choice of the university, financing options, filling of the application forms, Visa etc. They also provided us with information on the scholarship programs that can be sought by eligible candidates. The talk motivated students like us to make use of these opportunities to take up higher study in some of the prestigious American Universities.
The students had a great experience in watching the movie "Steve Jobs: One Last Thing" which instilled in us great confidence to take up entrepreneurial ventures and also taught us to stay committed to our goals. A small discussion which followed the movie helped the students to come out with their feelings and contributed in better understanding. This was coordinated by Mr.Premji, Librarian of the center.
The various online databases that the Library had were enumerated by Mrs. Usha, Outreach Librarian of the center. The American Center has more than 15,000 books, a number of magazines and also English movies. In addition to their collections in the social sciences, business, management, and American literature, the Center also provides information on the United States, its democratic institutions, history, and politics. The various online databases and portals included the ABI Inform, ProQuest, elibraryUSA, etc were all demonstrated for easy understanding. The details on membership, visiting hours were also informed.
Then there was a quick look into the vast collection of fiction, management, social sciences and all other books that were available. On the whole, it was truly an exciting and informative experience at the American Library, now called the Center. Dr.S.KESAVAN, HOD co-ordinated this visit to the Center.


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Friday, April 17, 2009
"Christian" Singers Covering Secular Songs
One topic that has really stuck with me over the past week or two is "Christian" artists covering secular songs. Be it on a CD or in concert, it doesn't really matter. I guess I was first exposed to this with DC Talk doing "Jesus is Still Alright", an extension and not really a cover of "Jesus is Just Alright" by the Doobie Brothers and the Byrds. More recently while attending an unnamed traveling Christian Concert Tour, I saw DecemberRadio do a cover of Kansas' "Carry On My Wayward Son" and EleventySeven do a cover of "The Backstreet Boys "I Want It That Way". The later was done purely for comedic value (and was quite funny), but a cover nonetheless.
The question is….. Is this acceptable? Does this glorify God? Is this edifying to Christians? To those questions I would have to give it a big "NO". Admittedly, my ears did perk a bit when I heard DecemberRadio plug in to a Kansas song. Why? Because at the time I had spent 30sumodd years of my life listening to that kind of music, (I even saw Kansas in concert in the early 80's) as well as a lot of heavier artists and none glorified God. So when I got home I had to look into Kansas a little further. Come to find out a couple of the guys are/ were professing Christians and even released some Christian CD's at one point.
I also did a quick search of other Christian artists that have covered secular songs. One that came to mind before my search was Third Day covering U2's "With Or Without You" during the medley on their "Offerings II" release. (I'll just firmly state without apology that U2 is NOT a Christian band, and until they denounce their ecumenical beliefs there is not much hope in me seeing them any differently, and no I am not a Pharisee, just a Bible believing Christian that happens to BELIEVE what the bible says and not the mainstream… sorry for that PSA). If you go here there is a list of some songs that have been covered by "Christian" artists.
Personally I frown heavily on someone that calls his or her self a Christian and sings a Beatles' song. I mean, what's the process like? Do you just think "Oh, that will be cool to sing" or do you look past all the worldliness and sinfulness of that type of artist and think that you might be able to draw a person to Christ using a song by somebody they have heard before? Let me emphatically point out that it is the Father that draws people to the Son John 6:44 – not a cheesy cover song. One song that really popped off of the list was "Crazy Train" covered by Jars Of Clay in concert. Who would have thunk it? JOC is a favorite of mine, Ozzy Osborne used to be, back in my sinful life. In fact I was introduced to Ozzy at Youth Camp at my former church. Now how's that for irony? But an Ozzy song? A Beatles song?
It's also increasingly alarming that secular songs are making it to "worship" services as well. In fact see below for a "worship" band at New Spring Church covering AC/DC's Highway To Hell on Easter Morning. Does the word Blasphemy come to mind to anyone but me? From what I see on the web, this is a common thing to do now. Maybe not at this shocking level, but Coldplay is a name that keeps coming up. So it's a downward spiral (and no I'm not quoting Nine Inch Nails) into the pit, or toilet. It is getting progressively worse as one "church" sees what another is doing and they then push it a little further. All the while the "pastor" sits back and bangs his head as the congregation becomes larger and his numbers get bigger. That is typical as well in that most modern pastors will do or say whatever it takes to fill his pews. They have even come up with a different gospel. I think scripture says a lot on that subject. Galatians 1:6-9 hits it dead center and says that who does this will be cursed. Yikes. I'm really not up to being cursed by God. Actually the Greek word from the original text is anathema, which means doomed or more bluntly let them be damned. Double yikes! Just look at all the false gospels that have proliferated our times and I will not go into detail in this posting, but just check out my other posts for details.
So what is my point? To sum it up in a few words, DON'T DO IT! DON'T CONDONE IT! God has been really gracious to me and opened my eyes to a lot that I had been deceived about. In my false conversion state (not Kentucky) I thought it was perfectly okay for me to listen to the secular artists that these "Christian" bands are covering. I also thought it was okay for me to drink, smoke, fornicate, look at porn, cuss, lie, steal pens from my employer and a million other things. But as the Lord opened my eyes that I was sinning against Him, that I had created a god in my image that accepted my sins and that I had made many false professions through my years that I needed to repent (stop doing these things and turn to God) and trust in Him and His Word. When I did that I began to see things a lot differently, you might say that I became a new creature 2 Cor. 5:17.
Just seek the Lord in this area. I did. You know what else? As I did He began to show me that some professing Christian artist might not be. I am cutting down my listening of a few certain groups. These claiming to be Christians and they do not glorify God in their craft, they sing about the same things the groups on secular stations sing about. So be ready for a little pruning if you seek His council.
In the mean time, look at this perversion of a pulpit area at New Spring Church and pray that these people will see how Holy and Righteous God is and pray that they will come to know God and not just about Him, that they will put away their god that allows this type of sin the penetrate a church building.
21 comments:
- Sophie said...
Wally, I love your blogs. This one in particular. Thanks for sharing this, I pray God uses it to open up people's eyes to how perverted the modern church is... Highway to Hell? Seriously...
A while back I went to a little concert and they also did a hysterical cover of the BSB's "I Want it That Way." It was so funny and I loved it, but after reading this, I'm reminded of the same old question that is popping up more and more in my daily thoughts: if it's not glorifying God, then what is it doing?
- April 17, 2009 at 8:36 PM
You and I are on the same page here. I think most music is junk anyway and listen to very little of it. Justin has been closely involved with the industry off and on, and I have been jaded and annoyed at so-called "Christian" artists who are anything but.
The link you provided was pretty shocking. I will say that some of them I found totally acceptable and many have enjoyed over the years (such as Geoff Moore's "Rescue Me" which I didn't know was secular until I heard it on a TV in the Hard Rock Cafe by the original band). I don't see the problem with Michael English covering "Go Rest High Upon That Mountain" or many of the others on that list.
But one that jumped out at me and shocked me the most was Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" covered by Jars of Clay. Wow. I can't imagine why they think that's OK... unless they're attending one of those churches where the pastor is issuing 30-day challenges on that very subject. Yuck.
Actually I was just talking tonight with Justin about a similar issue... churches that are using secular songs as worship tunes. We were driving with the iPod on random and "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys came up. I told Justin some churches are now using that as a worship tune. I've heard through the grapevine that some are also using "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce, and Todd Friel has played that church using "You Spin Me Right Round." It's shocking, distressing, enraging, and sad.
Interestingly, today I finished a Christian novel about the dumbing down/sexing up of the church in America called "And the Shofar Blew" by Francine Rivers. I wish everyone would read it... starting with Perry Noble.
- April 18, 2009 at 12:33 AM
- Tina said...
Another thing about hearing those cover songs is that it can take you back to a past time/place in your life and remind you of memories in your life associated with the song. That alone can be a temptation; if thought of wrongly. It can also glorify the Lord though if we are reminded of what He has done in us. However, I do know of someone that never wanted to listen to a certain type of music for that very reason. She stated that it made her want to do things she used to do...sinful things.
- April 29, 2009 at 8:38 AM
- Northlake Youth Ministry said...
Some Christians, including artists, see media and go all chameleon - just becoming like what they hear, see, etc. Not healthy. Others go ostrich and bury their head in the sand blushing with embarrassment and being offended. Not healthy.
It seems that you have chosen the latter. Neither, to me, seems to reflect the way that Jesu engaged the world. Maybe there is a way to hear the world, to know its poetry (i.e. see Paul), and - rather than taking offense or absorbing its beliefs - we can develop a heart of compassion for the world, for what they think, for who they are.
I remember about 10 years ago a CCM article criticizing Jars of Clay for getting play on MTV.
It is possible to have a healthy, critical, and compassionate engagement with the world. The Christians I know who listen to both Christian and secular media and do it with a Kingdom lens, are usually healthier and more relevant in expressing their faith. There is a Christian radio station in Atlanta, where I live, that, frankly, plays songs and has conversations that are more detrimental to living out vibrant, relevant faith in this world that a host of secular songs I know.
Don't misunderstand. I enjoy Christian music. But I think it is too shortsighted to assume that drawing a hard and fast line between secular and Christian media somehow glorifies God more than a healthy engagement with it.
We must guard against the Christian cloister.
Get those old Kansas albums back out and listen again, just differently. You'd be the better for it.
- June 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
- Jeff said...
The person from Northlake ministry brought up some points that I would like to address. Unfortunately I will not do it in a comment, but will need to make a part 2 to this blog post.
I will say here that I have not "gone ostrich" (whatever that is supposed to infer). I am very open and do not blush or shy away from something that is in direct opposition to the Word of God.
A few verses that address this are:
1Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (Which was a reference of Leviticus 11:44)
1John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 Petre 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
There are just so many things that the last commenter made that need to be addressed, because sadly these are the views that have permeated the churches. Which was exactly the point of my original posting. A good tree cannot bear good and bad fruit, a well can not bring forth sweet and bitter water.
By the points made I am under the impression that this person may be from the Rob Bell school of thinking.
I also think that as Christians we MUST (and are commanded to) draw hard and fast lines between everything that this world has to offer. Is this legalistic? No, it is biblical. Am I a modern day Pharisee? No, I am a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and actually believe what His Word says... That we become new creations, that we must shun the world, that we must not give season to the lusts of this earth and that we must follow Him and stop living for our own selves.
- June 17, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Oh ye of little faith. Our God is the God of the universe. Religious people sit and argue about things like "should cover sings be played in a church setting." Look at the reward. We are called to meet people where they are at and bring them the Good News. Culture is relevant to our lives. you cannot escape the culture you live in, so why not use it as a tool? One example is that many can relate to music. Who knows how many could be drawn into a church because of a song? That can be a spark, then they are suddenly in an environment where the Lord is present, and the church (which need i remind you, is the BODY OF CHRIST, not a physical structure or building) can love on this person and share the Gospel. Who are we to say that the song "highway to hell" can't be used to bring God glory? Are we ones to put God in a box that small? Are we not ALL on a highway to hell? God is the only one that can save us, it is not of our doing. OUR FAITH IS A RELATIONSHIP NOT A RELIGION. It is sad to see that we have come to the point where we forget that. People at Newspring Church are MEETING JESUS. Lives are being changed, people are being transformed. And the church will continue to grow. Because that is our true mission, isn't it? To reach the ends of the earth? Why doesn't that excite us anymore? The God of the universe loves us enough to have sent his only son to die for us, that's AMAZING LOVE! Why don't we stop quarreling about music and start learning how to live without putting God in a box. We can move mountains and change the world! Jesus loves everyone. That's Newspring's message, that's my message, is that your message? I challenge everyone today to truly think about what it means to love Jesus and be his follower. Let's show the entire world his amazing love and grace. What an AWESOME God we serve.
- October 5, 2010 at 2:34 PM
- Jeff said...
Sadly, abillionbuckbabe has fallen prey to the mentality that permeates the "church" today. I want to address the things she said, systematically.
"Look at the reward. We are called to meet people where they are at and bring them the Good News. "
We may be called to meet people where they are, but we are not told anywhere in scripture to become like them or to do what they do to relate to them. There is also no reward in bringing sinful music into God's house, if anything it is blasphemous to sing songs like "Highway to Hell" or any other song that does not glorify God. But then again, New Spring may not be a real house of God anyway. If they were would they really stoop to these antics to "draw people in"?
"Culture is relevant to our lives. you cannot escape the culture you live in, so why not use it as a tool?"
Last time I checked we were called to be in the world, but not partakers of it. Culture is relevant only to those that entrench themselves in it. We are called to make disciples not to become like them in order to relate.
"Who knows how many could be drawn into a church because of a song?"
This is the exact problem I was trying to address. People these days think that it is all up to them, that they have to be relevant, be exciting, sing sinful songs, dress in skinny jeans, drink beer at the tavern, have a coffee shop in the lobby. They do not remember that the Holy Spirit is what draws someone to Christ, not a person. All we are to do is preach the Word – in season and out of season and leave the work up to God. Not use worldly devices to draw a crowd, while in the meantime dishonoring God's Name in the process.
"Are we ones to put God in a box that small? "
I do not put God in any box. He can rach anyone, anytime and in whatever way He wishes. But I am fairly sure He will not do so with a device that is purely against His Word. Glorifying a roadtrip to hell is not really scriptural.
"People at Newspring Church are MEETING JESUS. Lives are being changed, people are being transformed."
People are meeting the gross misconception of the jesus that New Spring is portraying. Their jesus is not holy, doesn't expect change (sanctification), is happy with leaving people in their sins and is just a "cool guy that loves everyone". They have created a false god to fit their sinfulness.
" The God of the universe loves us enough to have sent his only son to die for us, that's AMAZING LOVE"
I happen to agree with this 100% - that is if you are referring to the God of the bible. Not the god that is preached at many of the church buildings today. Jesus came and preached "Repent or perish!" as His first words in His earthly ministry. While it is true that God loves His creation, He hates sin. He can not be in its presence and He will not show up to a service that uses worldly devices to elicit excitement from familiarity to the world.
"Why don't we stop quarreling about music and start learning how to live without putting God in a box."
Again with the "box". Even if I wanted to I couldn't put God into a box. I do, however, believe scripture is a glimpse of the character of God. Saying that He "is love" only and not saying He is also righteous, Holy, judge, a consuming fire, immutable, Truth is actually putting Him into the "box" that you talk about. Even using the attributes of God to describe Him is borderline blasphemous, so tread lightly and don't use only a single of His attributes to try and describe Him.
"What an AWESOME God we serve."
- October 5, 2010 at 7:45 PM
- geckomac said...
Jeff, you are correct in all areas on this blog. God has given you the ability to clarify (the issues about secular music)by using the "simple Gospel". Northlake is in error in their beliefs. May they come to the God of Truth and live lives that brings glory to God and grace and peace to each of them. Too sad that the poster appears to be a Youth Minister, but titles do not disciples make.
Northlake: Bow the knee to God and He will show you the truth about secular music(ians).
- November 25, 2010 at 8:45 PM
- geckomac said...
Attended an Easter service several years ago where the opening song was Highway to Hell. NOT appropriate. We had been invited by friends who felt their "church" was "on the cutting edge" by using such songs to draw in sinners. Huh. As a Christian, I was most impressed by the Bible the pastor used. It was a box that, upon opening, caused a flame to erupt from inside. I was impressed because the pastor was supposed to be reading from Revelation, but he was reading the first pages of his "bible". Wonder what God really thinks of such gimicry? BTW, I have never heard a clear confession of Faith from the pastor, though he does lead a mega-"church". The friends who invited us have since left this institution.
- November 25, 2010 at 8:51 PM
- Carlos said...
I understand where you are coming from with 90 pecent of your post but you can not lump every single artists that does a "cover" as rehashing something the the world put out. I can go down the list and name quite a few artists that took the covers and tweaked them a but to change the message to something that glorified God.
Mark Farner for example who was one of the founding members of Grand Funk, took the song he wrote and remade it to glorify God (Some Kind of Wonderful). Kerry Livgreen fomer Kansas member covered his own song Carry on my Wayward Son and even let another Christian band Rachel Rachel cover it with glory going to God. Paul Q-Pek covered "Things can only get Better" in the same way. What about parody bands like Apologetix who takes secular songs and totally rewrites them? Do they get lumped in also?
I am not saying that all artists have the same heart behind what the do but you cannot judge every single christian artists that covers a secular song the same. I look at it this way if you will indulge me. A gun in and of itself is not a bad thing but in the hands of different people you can get a different result. in the hands of a robber, it can be used to intimidate or even kill; in the hands of a hunter, it can provide food; in the hands of the police, it can save a life.
Music is the same way. A song that was sung only for the money can certainly be used by another to get an entirely result and change a life. We need to look at their fruits to see which case turns out to be the truth
- March 25, 2011 at 1:50 PM
- Carlos said...
I just realized that this may be an outdated post. I just came across this post while I was searching for artists that have done covers of previously released songs.
God bless you for being willing to accept dialogue about this even with those whom do not agree with you.
- March 25, 2011 at 1:57 PM
- Jeff said...
Hi Carols - THe biggest issue with trying to "Christianize" songs or anything else is that it draws interest to the original. It also gives the impression that the artists that are being covered are acceptable to listen to. This can be extremely dangerous as with Jars Of Clay's cover of an Ozzy Osborne song. How many people were led to believe that Ozzy's music is ok for a Christian to listen to by them covering that one song?
The Apologetix are also dangerous in endorsing the musicians that they "parody". Also it is dangerous to those that once listened to the artists that they "parody". The music brings backs memories of those times that the original music was listened to. If I hear them cover a song by Rush it would immediately take me back to the 80's when they were my favorite group and I would be singing the original lyrics again in my head. There would then be a struggle to ensue within me to want to listen to the original again. Think of it as one of those "don't eat meat in front of your brother" issues. Of course, not everyone will be affected the same way I am and others may have never heard the original song before. But that is why I do not condone or endorse the Apologetix.
When the issue comes up is just how far does one go to be relevant? Where is the line drawn when something becomes "bad" or not. It is pragmatic to try and sway someone using worldly music, for that to be the draw to bring people to church. It is also very dangerous for these new CCM artists to be covering groups like Muse. I have seen it firsthand. The crowd goes wild when worldly songs are covered and the artists feed off of it. Why? Surely singling a Beatles song does not glorify God. Why not cover a Christian song, redo an old hymn or take a few verses straight from scripture and build a song from there. Why must the world be the go to place for Christian entertainment?
I'll stop writing now with the thoughts of Alice Cooper on my mind. He is a professing Christian, who seems solid. He knows scripture and he endorses some really hefty theologians. BUT, why does he still perform his shock/ horror music and stage show? Does decapitation really make someone say "Praise the Lord" during one of his shows? Would a former pornographer still be allowed to make porn movies as long as they said they were doing it to praise God in the process? And don't think that's too far out there. I have seen that there is a "Christian" porn website that is supposed to be "safe". What can be safe about porn is anyone's guess, seeing how it is SIN through and through. So, just where is the line drawn and why would anyone want to continually move that line out? Why can I draw a line and say "no worldly entertainment should be 'Christianized'", others say "sure as long as you say "God bless this' before or after" others say"it doesn't matter what you do as long as you get people to church" and others say "it doesn't matter what anyone does, ever, as long as you believe in Jesus"? I believe scripture is very clear, do not love the world or the things of the world. What the "things of the world" is what the debate is over, for the most part. But, it is best to say that when you're in doubt or have to question something in the least, to err on the side of caution and forget about it. Don't try to rationalize, don't try to Christianize, just don't do anything with it.
- March 25, 2011 at 4:20 PM
- Caring said...
The author of this blog is guilty of psychological projection. He admits that he listened to a lot of unhealthy music for decades, and now that he is clean he has an adverse reaction to even the semblance of secular music, which is understandable. But don't project your experience onto everyone else. The fact is, whether you admit it or not, MANY people have become open to the gospel because they heard a Christian song with the familiar melody of a favorite artist, or because they were introduced to Christian music that did not sound like the "stuffy" music they were forced to listen to growing up, or because they simply loved the way the melody gripped them. Everybody is different, you simply cannot project your own experiences onto everyone else as if we all had the same makeup. If Christ is being glorified through melodies that were formerly used to glorify the devil then praise God for the victory and support His laborers. You might not agree or accept their methods, and the truth is, you don't have to agree. If the "fruit" is planting seeds in the hearts of people and ultimately leading people to follow Christ, then ultimately it doesn't matter what you think.
The funny thing is that these artists are often planting seeds in people that would never even consider stepping foot in a church. They are doing more to advance the kingdom of heaven than you will probably ever know.
- October 19, 2011 at 12:21 PM
- Mr C said...
Wow just stumbled on your post as we were looking into this subject ourselfs, i totatly 100% agree with you, it is not right for us to use this kind of music
- November 18, 2011 at 8:25 AM
- Mr C said...
Wow just stumbled on your post as we were looking into this subject ourselfs, i totatly 100% agree with you, it is not right for us to use this kind of music
- November 18, 2011 at 8:25 AM
- geckomac said...
Heard ACDC's Highway to Hell at an Easter service (we were invited by, yes, Christian friends) and we were saddened by it. Yes, HtH has a message. Yes, lots of unbelievers have heard that song. No, it does not glorify Christ to have it played in a service of worship to HIM. Let's quit catering to the sinful desires of lost souls by tempting them with secular music but let Christ's message call them to Him. At the same time, we should be through living our lives as HE desires. Yes, many will be offended by our lives and walk, but those who are searching for Christ will be impacted.
Don't know what my stand is on Christian singers singing secular songs. I don't listen to secular songs (haven't since 1982 but that is between me and God) and would wonder why a Christian singer/band feels they need to use that as a vehicle. If it is just for their enjoyement, well, then, that is a matter of being dead to the world and alive to Christ.
- November 19, 2011 at 8:23 AM
- Enderby said...
Well said
- November 14, 2012 at 8:44 AM
- Jim Moses said...
Hi Jeff,
Nice of you to write openly about this topic. I'm from India. I know it's an old post to comment in, but the contents are not out-of-date! I've seen something similar happen in my country, but the other way round - popular secular musicians invited to perform Christian songs in big meetings to attract youth. These musicians no doubt work with those who write filthy songs. But despite their background, popular Christian ministries do not hesitate to invite such musicians on stage to perform in big events - like meetings of Dr. Ravi Zacharias or Franklin Graham. When I spoke to one such ministry, they told me that those musicians were coming 'closer' to the Lord. But what about the bad example they are setting by what they are doing for a living? By allowing such musicians, the youth will be misled to think that it is not wrong listen to their secular songs too. Pray and hope things would change for the better. Under the cover of 'Evangelism' and 'reaching out to youth', a lot of serious errors are creeping in. Do we need the popularity of secular musicians to attract people to Christ? How bad have people gone in their thinking!
- July 28, 2013 at 2:18 AM
- Jim Moses said...
Hi Jeff,
Nice of you to write openly about this topic. I'm from India. I know it's an old post to comment in, but the contents are not out-of-date! I've seen something similar happen in my country, but the other way round - popular secular musicians invited to perform Christian songs in big meetings to attract youth. These musicians no doubt work with those who write filthy songs. But despite their background, popular Christian ministries do not hesitate to invite such musicians on stage to perform in big events - like meetings of Dr. Ravi Zacharias or Franklin Graham. When I spoke to one such ministry, they told me that those musicians were coming 'closer' to the Lord. But what about the bad example they are setting by what they are doing for a living? By allowing such musicians, the youth will be misled to think that it is not wrong listen to their secular songs too. Pray and hope things would change for the better. Under the cover of 'Evangelism' and 'reaching out to youth', a lot of serious errors are creeping in. Do we need the popularity of secular musicians to attract people to Christ? How bad have people gone in their thinking!
- July 28, 2013 at 2:19 AM
- Jeff said...
Thank you for your comments Jim. It is a sad state that many that say they are doing God's work think they must use worldly means to do so. You are 100% correct that the hearers of the groups you mentioned will believe that it is Ok to listen to the sinful music as well. There is something similar here in the States that country music performers occasionally will record or sing a song with a reference to God in it, but their lives/fruit show that they know nothing of God. The public drinks it in and somehow the perception is that just because they sing a song that they are Christians.
This post is aged a little now, but is still very relevant, if not more so.
- July 28, 2013 at 7:00 AM
- Sarah Nelson said...
Man I'm real late to this party :P
I just wanted to explain something, as a Christian who has recently started rewriting worldly songs into worship songs... My personal reasoning is because I fall in love with the tune & sometimes just can't believe the lyrics are sad. I have rewritten 4 songs in the past 4 months & am about to perform the 3rd at church. I've had a remarkable response to it, not to bring people to Jesus, because most of my listeners are already saved. But I believe that God made music to be for His glory & the only way I'll sing it is to glorify Him! It doesn't make me less of a Christian. Learning their lyrics for the rhythm of the songs doesn't hinder my faith or beliefs at all. It helps me to write what I need/want to say!
I understand why some may not think its a good idea, but for me it has been a great process! It has drawn me closer to God, being able to write my own lyrics to music (that I have no clue how to compose)! I truly believe that God is using me to tell my own story through these "Praise Parodies". I think that comical parodies are worse, as they make fun of people & situations of the world. It's like bullying through song, which is much more worldly than what I do.
Anyway, just thought I'd share that, not sure anyone will read it lol. I'll gladly share the process of how I rewrite them, if anyone is interested. And even explain what they're about & why. <3
- March 7, 2017 at 6:24 PM


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The role of food in health and disease. Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Coconut Pecan Frosting (SCD)
Here's my current version of this frosting. My husband really enjoyed it. I found it to be a bit tangy by itself, but it balanced nicely with the sweet dessert it was paired with. I used yogurt that was made with half and half, which is comparable to sour cream. To make yogurt with half and half I use the same method as with regular yogurt. For those of you not on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet you may try it with sour cream.
1/2 cup (one stick) Butter, diced into a few pieces
2/3 cup Honey
1 cup Yogurt Cream
3 Large Egg Yolks
1 teas. Vanilla Extract
1/4 teas. Almond Extract
1 1/2 cups Shredded Coconut, unsweetened
1 1/2 cups Pecans, chopped
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in honey, yogurt and egg yolks. Stir constantly until mixture is slightly bubbling around the edges and beginning to thicken some. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts, coconut and pecans. Allow to cool at room temperature before frosting dessert.
Labels: Recipes-Dessert
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A study done in 1984 showed that 45% of United States drivers killed in accidents were legally drinking; however, a study done in 2006 showed that 32% of drivers killed were legally drunk. This is one statistic that shows the positive effects of increasing the drinking age. This change has helped save nearly one thousand people a year.
About 36% of adolescents aged 12 to 20 have reported engaging in binge drinking activities.
Unplanned sexual activity is the amount of teens participating in reckless behavior including trying drugs,damaging property, assaulting others, committing violent crimes and committing robberies while intoxicated. In 1999, nearly 40% of underaged drinkers were victims of drownings, burns and falls. Not only have teens accidentally injured themselves but 12% of males and 8% of teens committed suicide while intoxicated. A study done by a college campus shows that 95% of all violent crimes included students who were binge drinking. This type of drinking affects the brain in more than one way.
A study shows that if teens being drinking before the age of 21 they are 41% more likely to develop an alcohol dependency. The dependency of alcohol can result in lowered self esteem, depression, conduct disorders, antisocial behavior, dependency of tobacco, anxiety and a dependency of other drugs. We often hear of drinking in teens during developing time, this can cause brain development issues and many more issues with women who are still experiencing puberty by stopping the development of bone density.


text: We've had a great start to 2014, heating up the stage all around Winnipeg. We've seen some great events so far, including a few awesome nights at The Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, a fantastic party at The Winnipeg Folk Exchange and an amazing time sharing the stage with The Lost Bayou Ramblers during Winnipeg's beloved Festival du Voyager! Big thanks to everyone who came to party.


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Rohtak: India discard Ashok Dinda had career best figures of seven for 44 but his fiery spell couldn`t prevent Haryana from walking away with three points in an Elite Group match of the Ranji Trophy at the Bansi Lal Stadium on Friday.
Haryana now have eight points from four matches while Bengal are on five points from three matches and are languishing at the bottom of the group league table.
Dinda produced a career-best match figures of 12/142 -- his maiden 10-wicket haul in a first class match.
The 27-year-old bowled with lot of pace as Haryana were shot out for 169 in their second essay leaving Bengal to score 189 runs in 37 overs which included 15 mandatory overs. The visitors finally managed 128 for five in 28 overs before they called off chase.
The target was certainly a difficult one but Rohan Banerjee (43, 4x4) and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala (23, 2x4) added 55 runs for the second wicket in quick time giving it a sincere try.
Skipper Sourav Ganguly (21, 22 balls,1x4, 1x6) also tried his bit but was dismissed by Ashish Hooda caught by Priyank Tehlan. Once Ganguly was gone, Bengal never went for the chase. India`s reserve wicketkeeper Wrddhiman Saha again failed to get going as he could manage another painstaking 26 off 40 deliveries when the situation demanded a bit more positive approach.
The day however belonged to Dinda after Ranadeb Bose squared up Sunny Singh (27) with a perfect outswinger as it clipped the off-bail. The ball pitched on middle and moved a shade to disturb the furniture.
Dinda then got into the act as he bowled fast and hit the deck hard. Abhimanyu Khode (1) was trapped leg before while Nitin Saini (44) edged one to Writam Porel at slips. Haryana captain Amit Mishra (0) tried an ugly heave off Iresh Saxena only to be stumped by Wriddhiman Saha as Haryana were reeling at 94 for five.
Sachin Rana (20) and Priyank Tehlan (40) provided dogged resistance as they added 41 runs for the sixth wicket but more importantly consumed close to 18 overs.
Rana was finally trapped leg before and he became Dinda`s fourth victim in the match. Tehlan tried to give Dinda the charge and was caught by Ganguly at mid-on to give the bowler his second five-for of the match. Yuzvendra Chahal (4) was snapped by Saha off Dinda while Iresh Saxena disposed off Ashish Hooda.
Dinda finally got his seventh victim when he shattered Harshal Patel`s stumps to raise visions of what could have been a fantastic win.
Bengal will however take heart from Dinda`s bowling performance considering the fact bowlers haven`t done well for Bengal till this match.
Brief scores: Haryana 358 & 169 all out (Nitin Saini 44, Priyank Tehlan 40, Ashok Dinda 7/44).
Bengal 339 & 128/5 (Rohan Banerjee 43, Ashish Hooda 3/40).


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Modeling the impact of rubella vaccination in Vietnam.
Vynnycky, E; Yoshida, LM; Huyen, DT; Trung, ND; Toda, K; Cuong, NV; Thi Hong, D; Ariyoshi, K; Miyakawa, M; Moriuchi, H; Tho, leH; Nguyen, HA; Duc Anh, D; Jit, M; Hien, NT; (2016) Modeling the impact of rubella vaccination in Vietnam. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 12 (1). pp. 150-8. ISSN 2164-5515 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2015.1060380
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: Supported by GAVI Alliance, measles-rubella vaccination was introduced in Vietnam in 2014, involving a mass campaign among 1-14 year olds and routine immunization of children aged 9 months. We explore the impact on the incidence of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) during 2013-2050 of this strategy and variants involving women aged 15-35 years. We use an age and sex-structured dynamic transmission model, set up using recently-collected seroprevalence data from Central Vietnam, and also consider different levels of transmission and contact patterns. If the serological profile resembles that in Central Vietnam, the planned vaccination strategy could potentially prevent 125,000 CRS cases by 2050 in Vietnam, despite outbreaks predicted in the meantime. Targeting the initial campaign at 15-35 year old women with or without children aged 9 months-14 years led to sustained reductions in incidence, unless levels of ongoing transmission were medium-high before vaccination started. Assumptions about contact greatly influenced predictions if the initial campaign just targeted 15-35 year old women and/or levels of ongoing transmission were medium-high. Given increased interest in rubella vaccination, resulting from GAVI Alliance funding, the findings are relevant for many countries.<br/>
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|Faculty and Department:
|Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
|Research Centre:
|Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases
Vaccine Centre
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The Flash might be adapting another famous comic book story line in season 4.
With production resuming this week on the CW superhero series, the production office tweeted out a photo that seemingly reveals the title of the Season 4 premiere — and if so, strongly suggests a take on Geoff Johns' six-issue "Rebirth" arc from spring 2009, which revolved around Barry's return from an absence.
The last we saw of Barry (Grant Gustin) on the series, he had defeated Savitar, taking the God of Speed's place in the Speed Force lest a Speed Force storm destroy Central City. In the comics, Barry Allen's version of The Flash had been missing from comic book pages for 23 years(!) after the Scarlet Speedster sacrificed himself during Crisis on Infinite Earths — a storyline that's been strongly hinted at since the show's pilot.
With Barry gone in the comics, it was up to Wally West to be the new Flash, much like Barry recently left Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) in charge of protecting Central City in the season 3 finale.
The Flash Season 4 Story
The Flash season 4 episode 1 will be called "The Flash Reborn." This vaguely recalls the title of the comic series that brought Barry Allen back to life, The Flash: Rebirth, although clearly there will be significantly different circumstances here.
Here's the official synopsis for the season:
Running up against an evil time remnant version of yourself is something no one should ever have to do, but that's exactly what faced Barry Allen (aka The Flash) as he fought to save the life of fiancée Iris West from the God of Speed known as Savitar. Barry's victory was short-lived, however, as an unbalanced Speed Force began to wreak havoc on Central City, forcing Barry to sacrifice himself for the greater good. With The Fastest Man Alive now trapped inside an extra-dimensional energy, and unknown dangers lurking in the shadows, it will be up to Team Flash to free Barry from his own personal Hell.
The Flash Season 4 Release Date
Expect The Flash Season 4 to arrive on Tuesday, October 10 at 8 pm!


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Six Commercial Chapter 11 Cases Filed on October 11, 2017
In terms of new Chapter 11 cases, October 11 was a slow day.
There were six new commercial Chapter 11 cases: three real estate; one energy; one food/beverage and one construction.
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text: Two buildings for sale. One 2.5 story office building plus a one story warehouse. Office building consists of approximately 1,932 square feet and 1st floor includes an open office area with hardwood floor, full kitchen with skylight and powder room. The 2nd floor includes an open office area with operable skylights. To complete this building there is a full unfinished basement that is accessed from Bilco door on the outside. The warehouse is approximately 1,200 square feet and 1 manually operated door. There is a wooden storage area attached to this building. The back is fenced in and there is a rear deck. There is a security system and security lighting to complete this property.


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Oh yay! This is an adorable cut on you!
I saw the inspiration on your pinterest page! (don't you love that site?) It is super cute on you! Thank you for thinking of us non-facebookers... "Hello? Are there anymore of us out there? Hello?" I want you to share some of your cahraziness with me. :)
kelsey, this haircut is dedicated to you! : ) seriously, i've never had such a perfect picture to show my hairstylist, so double thanks! i love it!leah, i love you and i love that you're awesome and don't have a facebook. but i love that you have a blog so i can still stalk you! : )


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Greek elections and the Euro: Should Germany be worried?/
As you can hear in the clip above, a big topic for the media this week was how the recent elections in Greece would affect Germany and the Euro.
To provide you with a little background: Greece had a high amount of debt before 2008 but after the Great Recession they found it tough to pay it back. So the biggest financial powers in the Eurozone lent the country money in return for big cuts in public spending to bring down the level of debt.
However, those spending cuts imposed by Europe's financial institutions, together known as the Troika, hit the country hard. Showing Greece's disappointment with years of cuts, the recent elections in Greece were won by anti-austerity left-wing coalition party, Syriza, led by Alexis Tsipras.
Recently, German press and politicians have been concerned that, with an anti-austerity party in power, the country might not stick to its agreements.
Today (Wednesday), Greece's finance minister Yanis Varoufakis is arriving in Germany to speak to his counterpart Wolfgang Schäuble, as part of the new government's 'tour' of Europe.
But why are the media looking to Germany for a reaction to elections in a completely separate country, despite the fact that Greece has a significantly smaller economy? To put it simply: Should Germans care about the Greek elections?
To answer these questions, political journalist for the newspaper Der Tagesspiegel Elisa Simantke joined us from Athens.


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East West Medical College & Hospital is a registered institution permitted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh and affiliated to Dhaka University and recognized by Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BMDC). The college offers 5 years MBBS course as formulated by BMDC.
Academic Activities:
The Head of the institute is the principal who controls, supervises and monitors the overall academic activities of the institute. There are 4 phases. 1st phase ends with the 1st professional, 2nd phase ends with 2nd professional and 3rd phase ends with 3rd professional examination and 4th phase ends with final professional examination. There are 3 term in 1st & 2 term in 2nd phase.
1st Phase duration (1st Professional examination): 1.5 years ends with the course: 1. Anatomy, 2. Physiology, 3. Biochemistry.
2nd Phase duration (2nd Professional examination): 1 year ends with the course: 1. Forensic Medicine, 2. Community Medicine.
3rd Phase duration (3rd Professional examination) : 1 year ends with the course: 1. Pathology, 2. Pharmacology, 3. Microbiology.
4th phase duration (Final Professional examination): 1.5 years end with the course: 1. Medicine & Pediatrics, 2. General Surgery, Eye, ENT, 3. Obstetrics & Gyanecology.
Educational Requirements:
1. G.P.A obtained in S.S.C and H.S.C must have at least a total of 9.00 and must not be below 3.50 in any examination. 2. GPA must be minimum 3.50 in Biology in HSC. General Principles for foreign students: 1. For Kashmiri Students who have passed SSC / O level / 10 Class are not before 2014. 2. For Kashmiri Students who have passed HSC / A level / 12 Class are not before 2016.
For another foreign countries:
* students who have passed SSC / O level / 10 Class are not before 2014. * students who have passed HSC / A level / 12 Class are not before 2016. SSC / O level / 10 Class: Minimum GPA – 3.00 HSC / A level / 12 Class: Minimum GPA – 3.00 In Biology minimum GPA is 3.50 Total GPA is 7.00 3. Equivalence certificate of mark sheets of "O & A" level and foreign Students should be obtained from office of the Director General of Health services, (Director, Medical education) Mohakhali, Dhaka and must be submitted with the application form.
4. Any criteria laid down by the D.G Health, Mohakhali, Dhaka.
Procedure of selection for admission for Native Students
1. Selection for admission is controlled by the D.G Health, Mohakhali, Dhaka.


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I can't give too much more away, but last week, working with Bruce Dern was quite a surreal experience. He immediately looked at me & said, "Play the game & just dance with me. You are magical." WE DANCED!!! From someone who's been in the game, living publically private on screen for decades, indeed there were magical moments of wisdom & classic tales…one after another, after another…and another 😉 It was endearing, insightful & made me remember why I started & love acting more & more every day. Not to mention we were thrown a 7 page dialogue scene by the end of the night. Rather than underestimating my abilities, I trusted & we worked hard together. Bruce reminded me we were a team, "There's no "I" in team…& you my dear are an incredible parter." He thanked me! That day he made me feel like his partner & equal regardless of the years of mastery he had in the business. Sometimes theres that one "wise man" who comes along at the right time reinforcing the confidence & validation you need to hear. Everyone could use some positive reinforcement & a challenge to understand you are capable & exactly where you are suppose to be. "The right teacher will appear when the student is ready." I received just the knowledge I needed to hear that day to take a step back & embrace the moment after grueling, long, dark hours and say, "Chauntal, you are more than capable, you are Possible & keep doing what you do." Encourage those around you to let their light shine! More updates to come.
See more photos @ http://www.facebook.com/album.phpaid=42450&l=1ab2c4e07c&id=121856547836919