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BAGHDAD (AP) -- Candidates in this month's provincial elections are answering questions from voters and debating issues ranging from Baghdad's housing shortage to the need to attract foreign investment.
This is the new style of campaigning in Iraq, where candidates feel safe enough to stump for votes and focus on grass-roots issues instead of the religious divisions and violence that overshadowed earlier elections held after Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled in 2003.
The shift was evident at a weekend forum that brought together 13 candidates in the Jan. 31 election for provincial councils, including a communist, Shiites, Sunnis and a journalist who formed a party named after an Iraqi television show called "Let's Talk."
As a waiter in traditional Arab clothing poured coffee at the gathering in a Baghdad country club, the moderator and people in the audience asked candidates how they would improve public services.
They got one minute for each answer. And nobody was fazed when the power went out briefly - a common occurrence in a country that still has severe electricity shortages.
Madiha al-Moussawi, a candidate from a secular party, promised to encourage foreign investment to help create jobs.
"Our goal is a better life for Baghdad and respect for women," said Ayad Younis of the main Sunni bloc, the Iraqi Accordance Front.
A new election rule allows Iraqis to vote for individuals instead of only political parties for the first time since Saddam's ouster. That has encouraged a number of first-time candidates to join the race, hoping to persuade voters to turn against politicians widely criticized for misrule.
The field is crowded. There are 14,431 candidates vying for a total of 444 seats on councils in all but four of Iraq's 18 provinces. The electoral commission says 75 percent of the parties and coalitions are new.
U.S. and Iraqi officials are pinning their hopes on the first nationwide balloting in three years, looking for it to unify ethnic and sectarian groups. The goal is to bolster local governments - a key step in rebuilding the war-ravaged country.
Previous elections in 2005 saw little public campaigning because of rampant violence and sectarian rivalries that threatened Iraq with civil war. In those ballots, people chose parties, often with little idea who was running.
This time, hopefuls have been trumpeting their programs and handing out cards at campaign rallies and on walks through markets. One even organized a soccer game in which the players wore T-shirts with his picture on them.
Qassim Hilail Sabre, a 47-year-old aid worker with a charity that helps poor people and orphans, is among the first-timers.
"I decided to take part in the elections to improve the current situation, especially the public services," said Sabre, one of about 3,000 candidates for the 57-seat Baghdad provincial council.
"We believe that there is a dire need now to change Iraq's political map and its sectarian tendencies," Sabre added. "The people do not trust the current officials and even do not trust each other. Our goal is to play a role in changing all that."
Colorful posters and banners plaster overpasses, bridges and light poles as well as the miles of concrete blast barriers dissecting the Iraqi capital and other cities. With less than two weeks to voting day, workers were out putting up more posters this weekend on whatever space remained.
Candidates have come up with what they hope will be dazzling slogans that appeal to the hopes and fears of an electorate emerging from years of violence but fearful Iraq could slide back into chaos.
Others speak to people's religious beliefs or indirectly criticize outgoing local governments in Baghdad and elsewhere.
Billboards promoting parties carry messages that vary from "With us, your life is more valuable" by the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party to "We're coming to bring change" by the small Constitutional Party.
The largest Shiite party is still invoking the name of the sect's most beloved saint. "Together on the path of Hussein," one banner says.
The use of religious symbols or sites such as mosques for campaigning has been banned in a bid to prevent enflaming sectarian tensions, but the rule is hard to enforce.
The law also forbids using money or intimidation to gain votes, but some tribal leaders are paying clansmen about $100 each if they swear an oath to vote for the leaders' picks. At a campaign rally in Baghdad last week, one woman passed out chocolate and gave elderly women money.
"Some officials have begun giving promises of a better life," said Saad Salman, 50, an Oil Ministry employee. "But we wonder why now? Why they did not say or do that before?"
Sabah al-Tememey, a 33-year-old mother of three who is running for the first time, said she entered the race in hopes of easing the suffering of Baghdad's people, despite fears she might be targeted by Islamic extremists because she doesn't wear a head scarf.
"My neighborhoods are full of widows, and my brother is unemployed," she said. "I can't fix everything, but it'll be a first step."


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Patients and medical professionals may call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information.
PITTSBURGH , June 30, 2008 — To ensure that patients' needs are met under its new industry relations policy, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) announced today that it is adopting an innovative system for distributing drug samples to its physician offices, hospital-based clinics and outpatient pharmacies.
The new approach, known as the UPMC eSample Center, will allow physicians to order available samples, vouchers and coupons via a Web-based system accessible through UPMC's intranet. This "virtual sample closet" will be developed by MedManage Systems Inc., a Bothell (Wash.)-based company that is the leading provider of online prescription drug sampling technology.
"When UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences adopted a far-reaching industry relations policy in February, we committed ourselves to ensuring that our interactions with the drug and medical device industries produce benefits for patient care, research and medical education," said Barbara Barnes, M.D., vice president of sponsored programs, research support and continuing medical education at UPMC and associate vice chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh. "With the eSample Center, we will be able to offer medication samples to our physicians and their patients through an electronic platform. This approach will provide both consistent access to medication samples and focus face-to-face interaction between our physicians and drug company representatives on matters of education. We believe this new approach reduces the potential for those interactions to improperly influence care."
The UPMC eSample Center is expected to begin operating in early August, providing a wide range of medication samples to physicians. Following the initial deployment and refinement phase, the new system will become the exclusive mechanism for distributing samples at UPMC. Pharmaceutical representatives still will continue to access UPMC's physician offices and clinics by appointment for providing drug information and education.
MedManage's system, which complies with drug sample distribution-related regulations, will serve as a personalized, one-stop, online ordering utility through which UPMC physicians will request a variety of brands from multiple manufacturers. Samples will be delivered directly to clinical practice sites from the pharmaceutical companies' sample fulfillment centers.
"We are excited about the development of the UPMC eSample Center and its ability to serve our patients, while minimizing potential conflicts of interest in our interactions with the pharmaceutical industry," said Kelley Wasicek, R.Ph., project manager of the UPMC drug sample initiative. "We expect a growing number of pharmaceutical companies to participate in this innovative model so that together we can provide patients with the most appropriate care."
A drug sample steering committee at UPMC chose the MedManage system after considering numerous alternatives and drawing upon the expertise of physicians, pharmacists, clinical staff and pharmaceutical industry representatives. The steering committee concluded that MedManage offered the optimal suite of technology and services to best serve the needs of UPMC's patients, physicians and the pharmaceutical industry.
"We are delighted that UPMC has selected MedManage to enable its eSample Center," said Thomas P. Quinn, R.Ph., senior vice president at MedManage Systems Inc. "We look forward to working closely with UPMC to create and refine a solution that will set new standards of excellence for the health care industry."
UPMC and the affiliated University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences are ranked among the top institutions nationally for best conflict-of-interest policies by the American Medical Student Association. They are in a group of only eight institutions out of 150 surveyed to receive an "A" grade, according to the association's scorecard, which included an evaluation of drug sample policies. For more information about the policy, please visit http://www.coi.pitt.edu/IndustryRelationships/index.htm.
About UPMC
UPMC is an integrated global health enterprise headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the United States. As western Pennsylvania's largest employer, with 48,000 employees and nearly $7 billion in revenue, UPMC is transforming the economy of the region into one based on medicine, research and technology. By integrating 20 hospitals, 400 doctors' offices and outpatient sites, long-term care facilities, and a major insurance plan, UPMC has advanced the quality and efficiency of health care and developed internationally renowned programs in transplantation, cancer, neurosurgery, psychiatry, orthopaedics and sports medicine, among others. UPMC is commercializing its medical and technological expertise by nurturing new companies, developing strategic business relationships with some of the world's leading multinational corporations, and expanding into international markets, including Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Qatar. For more information about UPMC, visit our Web site at www.upmc.com.
Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit www.healthwise.org
For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | UPMC.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Mike and I just went to the Sturgis Bike Rally because we are that adventuresome. Or, maybe Mike and I just made the mistake of driving across South Dakota as the Sturgis Bike Rally was happening. Yes, that is the truth. This is what it looked like for an entire day's drive across South Dakota!
Although this is usually an interstate that is a bit lonely, sometimes traffic was at a standstill.
We saw probably thousands of motorcycles as well as campers and trucks hauling motorcycles.
This is me and Mike (or not).


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Cookie Notification: The Davy Group uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide us with useful information on the use of our website. By continuing to browse the site, you consent to their use. To find out about Davy Group's use of cookies and how to manage and disable cookies visit our Privacy notice.
Davy Corporate Finance is Ireland's largest corporate finance adviser.
We work with domestic and international public, private, commercial and semi-state entities, combining innovative advice and proven execution skills, to provide a complete range of integrated corporate finance services.
Davy's Debt & Specialist Finance team is the largest in Ireland. We act for both borrowers and investors in the global debt markets.
We are active traders in all sovereign bonds and global credits, and are primary dealers of Irish government bonds.
Our Institutional Services are supported by innovative, timely and commercial ideas based on our knowledge and understanding of the companies we cover and the industries in which they operate.
For more than 85 years, Davy has been committed to serving charitable organisations.
Davy Charities offers comprehensive investment solutions across the Charity, Not-For-Profit, Endowment and Philanthropic investment landscape.
Davy has over 15 years' experience in the credit union market in Ireland, and can offer investment expertise and assistance in relation to regulatory and market developments.
Our dedicated Credit Unions team provides a choice of service offerings to meet the individual requirements of each Credit Union.
Davy offers a competitive share dealing service for Employee Share Option Plans (ESOP).
We have a highly qualified and experienced ESOP team dedicated to assisting members of company share plans. Services include Approved Profit Share Schemes, Employee Share Option Schemes, Restricted Stock Unit Schemes, and Save As You Earn Schemes.
The Davy Group's story is one that parallels that of Ireland and its economic development. James Davy, on the advice of his UCD economics professor, decided to enter stockbroking after graduating with a degree in Economics. In 1926, a few years after Irish independence, James became a member of the Dublin Stock Exchange and was soon joined by his brother Eugene to establish J&E Davy, with its first office located on Westmoreland Street, Dublin.
At the turn of the 19th century, the Davy family name was associated with a chain of South Dublin pubs. The most famous of these was J&T Davy in Portobello. The pub, pictured here, was occupied by insurgents on Easter Monday, 1916.
At the time, Irish stockbroking was dominated by brokers who trained in London and lacked a more specific Irish perspective. The bulk of business consisted of buying and selling major British-quoted shares for private clients. It was in this environment that J&E Davy set about building up a stockbroking business. Over the next two decades the two brothers gradually built up the company by tapping into the slowly emerging Irish middle class. Thanks to their combined talents and hard work they earned a reputation for trustworthiness, honesty and integrity - values that hold true today.
James Davy addressing the Irish Stock Exchange in 1944 as its president.
The 30s, 40s and 50s were times of gradual but steady change for Ireland as the country found its feet and established its own industries and infrastructure. The Davy brothers worked with many of the leading banks, solicitors and accountancy firms, offering sound financial advice and building a solid, well-connected business network. While the core of the business was stockbroking, the brothers sat on the boards of many companies and national organisations and both played key roles in guiding and shaping the changing economic landscape.
By the time their respective sons, Brian and Joseph, joined the business in the early 60s, the Irish economy was beginning to open up. With the new generation came new ideas and new opportunities. Before entering the Dublin market, Brian spent time in London and on Wall Street and recognised new directions in which Davy could develop. This required introducing new skills and talents to the company. The first step was to establish a dedicated research expertise, delivering greater insights into Irish companies, the local economy and its potential for investors and companies alike. Just like the founding partners, the new breed of Davy talent approached the challenges and opportunities with unique local insights, innovation and energy.
During the 60s and 70s, Davy was instrumental in bringing about the move from private to institutional investors as pension funds and merchant banks were established. It mapped out the way for institutional investment in Ireland, offering sound advice and putting effective principles in place, backed up by a professional research-based service. Indicative of the high regard in which Davy was held by its corporate and institutional clients was the fact that Davy acted as company broker to both AIB and Bank of Ireland during this key period of national economic development.
During the 70s and 80s, the Davy team travelled to Britain, Europe, the US, the Middle East, Asia and Japan to open up new markets and investment opportunities. Over time they built up a global distribution network, giving their clients access to new sources of funding. Davy handled its first Initial Public Offering (IPO) listing on the Irish Stock Exchange in 1964 and by 2005 Davy was responsible for listing over 60% of the companies.
As the Irish economy grew in the 90s, so too did the demand for wealth management services for private clients. Many successful individuals turned to Davy when they needed advice on how best to preserve and grow the wealth and capital they have built up.
Today, the Davy Group is an independent company owned by management and staff and has grown into Ireland's leading provider of wealth management, asset management, capital markets and financial advisory services. We offer a broad range of services to private clients, small businesses, corporations and institutional investors.
Employing over 600 people, we have offices in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway and London. Over recent years we have continued to invest substantially in our infrastructure and in developing our people to provide clients with enhanced services and opportunities. In 2012 we expanded our offering with the launch of Davy Select, an online pension and investment platform, and with the acquisition of Bloxham's Private Client & Asset Management businesses. During the subsequent years we further strengthened our leading position in the island of Ireland with the acquisitions of Prescient Investment Managers (Ireland) Limited (formerly AIB Investment Managers), investment consultancy iCubed, and Trusted Advisor Group in the Republic of Ireland and Square Seven Financial Planning, Graham Corry Cheevers, and Pension & Financial Consultants (PFC) in Northern Ireland.
Despite all the continuous change over the years, the core values instilled by James and Eugene Davy still remain true - always putting our clients' interests first and harnessing the energy, talent, diverse skills and experience of our people to deliver exceptional results.


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Our business specializes in giving compassionate and comprehensive pain care management services. Whether your pain is from illness, injury, or a chronic condition, our board certified team is dedicated to giving you the best treatment recommendations.
Pain Consultants of Oregon has a single focus: to help improve the lives of people in chronic pain.
Our regional pain center in Eugene, Oregon provides comprehensive, individualized pain management services. Whether our patients experience persistent pain due to an injury, illness or chronic condition, our experienced and compassionate physicians and staff are here to help.
Our collaborative...
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Dr. Kosek was the worst doctor i have ever had to see. I went in for neck pain & problems that have been ongoing for 10 years. He didnt even check my neck! He checked my hips & shoulder & listened to me breath. He asked about my anxiety but never my neck. He didnt ask why i was there, what was wrong, how it happened nothing! He didnt look at my neck or even have me move my head or neck. I would...
Their practice is a disgrace to the medical field and to the people of Oregon. My wife went to her first appointment after waiting three months. First, how can they justify making someone in...
This company offers interventional pain management, anesthesiology and pain management.
Pain Consultants of Oregon can be found at S Garden Way 360. The following is offered: General Practice Medicine. The entry is present with us since Sep 9, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Eugene there are 40 other General Practice Medicine. An overview can be found here.


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Young Ladies of 1930
The blogger at Harribel & Terribel posted this picture of her grandmother and friends. The photo was taken in the spring of 1930 in Estonia. These young teenagers appear to be emulating the slightly older flappers of the Roaring Twenties, and most likely looked forward to growing up glamorous. At the time, Estonia was an independent democracy. In 1934, it fell into a dictatorship, followed by occupation by the Soviets in 1940, then by Nazi Germany in 1941, and the Soviets again in 1944. You have to wonder how those events affected these young girls. Link -via reddit


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Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Happy Independence Day!
Happy Fourth of July! I've already cranked up the ice cream maker in preparation for a picnic tonight. I like to see fireworks on the actual 4th, but there is a good chance of rain... In my hometown, our fireworks were always on the 4th, so I prefer to watch them on that day. We hope to go to my hometown suburb to watch their show, which is quite spectacular and the parking situation is manageable.
Above is a foundation pieced flag I made as Christmas gifts several years ago. I think it was the Christmas after September 11, 2001, actually. This time, it's not the camera, it actually is wonky.
And even though Mr. Lincoln was not president at the time of our great country's independence, here's the dolls my daughter received as gifts from her Grandma of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln in their inaugural ball outfits. We found these at the Lincoln Library Museum in Springfield, Illinois
In our family, we are quite interested in presidential history. My darling husband and I disagree considerably on the merits of our more recent presidents, but we try not to argue about it. We do agree on historical perspectives, however and our country would likely not exist as we know it were it not for Mr. Lincoln's unparalleled political genius that held our country together during the Civil War.
Happy 4th!
1 comment:
- Rebel said...
What a great little flag! I did a flag quilt for 4th of July this year too.
- July 9, 2007 at 11:05 PM
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Well, this week, us Ninja Babies are taking over Candy Shopped Designs!!!
For this week's challenge, the Pink Ninjas Design Team is swapping places with the Candy Shoppe Designs team. So, when you hit up the Ninjas blog on Wednesday, don't be alarmed...the CSD girls will be posting their creations over there that day.
And today, the CSD challenge is all Pink Ninjas. Check it OUT! We really rocked the challenge: The Bold & the Beautiful. Here's our inspiration:
We were to use at least 3 clashing patterned papers, with a BOLD title, and this color scheme:
Here's my interpretation:
Oh, Yeah! Definitely MY Kids.
So, whadaya think? I've got some rockin' skull-filled black, white, and silver DCWV Rock Star Stack paper, some vintage-y, beautiful pink & black Glitz Designs paper; and some sweeeeeeeeet, little girly, lacey, sparkly lollipop DCWV Sweet Stack paper.
Of course, had to do some fussy cutting. What day is complete without tedious, unnecessary OCD cutting? I cut along the guitar border on the Rock Star paper, cut around some of the stars to frame the pics and the skull to disappear the lace border behind, and of course, around the lace border and lollipops. Sheesh! I'm obsessed, I tell ya!
Details: Paper - DCWV, Glitz Designs; Alpha Stickers - American Crafts, Paper Adventures; Stickles; my trusty Cutterbee scissors!!
So, you simply MUST check out the CSD blog to see what the other Ninjas did. As expected, THEY ROCKED IT!!
And I'd love to see you play along with this prompt this week. Hook your creation up to the CSD blog by December 8 for your chance to win a Vintage Styled Apron from BOOJIBOO! They're so cute, you just have to play along!!
Have a great day!!


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Folks came from near and far to browse the annual Christmas Bazaar held Nov. 21 at the North Creek nursing home. Doors opened at 10 a.m. and revealed tables full of Christmas decorations, gifts, home baked breads, brownies, cookies and fudge. Many residents living at the home enjoyed being able to go in and shop at the bazaar. Prices were reasonable, making this an affordable event for all. There was also a large selection of books to choose from as well as crocheted and knitted items, dolls, stuffed animals and teddy bears. Many items for sale were also made by the day care registrants. Tables were set up for visitors to enjoy a delicious lunch with cookies and finger sandwiches made by the Auxiliary ladies.
A lovely handmade quilt made by Charlotte Bessey was won in a raffle by lucky ticket holder Nancy Beaudin. The day care program's Thanksgiving Basket raffle was won by Nancy Shaw.
Across the hallway is the ATCNRC gift shop which is open a few hours each week and is maintained by volunteers and Auxiliary members. They have a wide variety of holiday gifts, candy, magazines, greeting cards, hug-able stuffed animals and teddy bears, collectable cups and porcelain items and many jewelry items. The gift shop is open Monday 10 a.m. - noon, Tuesday 1:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m.-noon and Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (on the second and fourth Thursday of the month.) Everyone is welcome to stop by and check out our small shop which has a large selection of items.
Anyone wishing to become a volunteer should call Hal Payne at 251-4712 or stop by for an interview.


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Queuing is not customary in Germany. In an instant where people have to wait their turn for something, where no queuing system has been established, people will know exactly when it is their turn. The way they know this is by noting who was already there when they arrived. So as long as they go after the last of those people has gone they are safe. And don't think Germans are shy about letting you know if you think it is your turn, when it isn't yet, because they will. They will politely step forward and inform you that they did in fact arrive before you did. Queuing may be simpler, but then again Germans aren't exactly known to be sloppy about things now, are they?
Maps: Poster Book is available now from all good bookshops - put the world on your wall today. Paperback 9781783702039 £12.99


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Since last year I forgot to make a cake (even i didn't buy 1. Haha). so this year im committed to make it. I asked the recipe from my best friend Sita (ssttt she's the owner of Blastacake. Really recommended!!). Early in the morning me and Kay baked together. Kay weighed the flour, sugar, vanilla extract , etc and it turned out that she ate salt. Have i mentioned that Kay's new fave food is SALT? Everytime she tiptoe in the kitchen, it must be Kaysa is digging for salt. Hahaha. I ever gave him a lot just to make her stop this habit but it didnt work.
At noon I gave her first present : playing at an amusement park, Playparq. Woohooo... she really enjoyed it. She played sliding, swing, water park, fishing, ball shower, dingdong, trampoline, climbing through the stone corner, etc. When i asked her preference Playparq vs Lollipop she said that she prefer Playparq to Lollipop. Hamdalah
When she took a nap, i finished the birthday cake topping. It turned out cute (pede). I never bake a birthday cake before so im so happpyyyy that i nailed it. After that we blew the candles and gave goodie bag for Kay's friend. Actually Kay has only 4 friends in Tanjung Barat. Huhu.. poor her. Hopefully there'll be newcomer whose kids. Amiiiinnnn
I have another present to Kay. But i'll keep it till this Sunday, a ticket to Disney Fairy Magic Tales. Anyone? Regarding i dont like princess tales that much i asked the best to accompany, aunty Riri. Can't wait.
Once again happy birthday Kay. Wishes you grow as a salihah girl, kind-hearted, tough, has a good EQ, SQ, and IQ *see i put IQ at the end lho Kay. Salihah salihah salihah. Amiiinnn... and may Allah always be with you. Amiiiinnn


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Friday, July 31, 2009
just a general update
Two became One
Friday, July 17, 2009
estoy en mexico
Thursday, July 9, 2009
confession: i love to watch movies and tv dramas. i love a great story line... wait i love any story line, great is not a requirement. but that is not the confession. the confession is that when the show is over, i am sad. actually disappointed!
here's my routine: i rent a dvd. i watch the dvd. i then watch every extra thing they have put on the dvd (deleted scenes, bloopers, behind the scenes, etc). and then i sit here and almost lament that its over. why cant i have more???
i am sure this sounds like the weirdest and lamest thing ever, and you are probably wondering why i have the urge to tell the blog world all about this. well here is the thing, tonight i actually started wondering why i do this.
here is an example: earlier this year one of my students let me borrow her one tree hill seasons on dvd. i was a big fan of the show in college and had not watched it since. it is an hour show (well w/o commercials it is probably 40 something minutes) and there are like 20 episodes at least each season. so it would take the average watcher at least a few weeks to put a dent in one season. how long did it take me? go on, guess...
like a weekend for each season... yep. now before you start judging me and thinking i must not do anything but sit and watch tv all day long, just wait and hear me out. the reason i do this is not bc i have alot of free time. in fact, i gave up sleep to watch those shows. why?
b/c i am addicted to the story. any story. once i get inside a story i want to be there forever... i am the girl who is still thinking about what the couple from the movie's life would be like five years down the road days after i watch the movie. i am the girl that will talk about the character like they are my best friend that i grew up with. i am the girl... you get the picture.
so this still bears the question- why? well tonight (after watching and loving Confessions of a Shopaholic and getting disappointed when alas it was over) i realized it is because i long to truely be in peoples lives. it is because i long for community. God made me that way. and thru movies and shows, you get to see into character's lives and inner thoughts. i just eat it up like a drug!
but real life isnt like this. we put up masks and talk on the surface and are too busy to really see past the surface of each other. this, i think, is why the entertainment industry is so lucrative. because we all long for the "non-reality" it is selling us.
so i am endeavoring to give more effort to be real face to face with people (as opposed to simply on my blog), and less effort to squeezing every drop of life from my redbox-rented-dvds. if you see me, hold me too it!


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Alexander Hamilton's Letters from Phocion (1784) were written to blast the intemperate proceedings against loyalists in the state of New York that unfolded in the aftermath of the American Revolution. In the course of his first letter, he gives a profound exposition of "spirit of Whigism" and shows, with examples from English and Roman history, the folly of policies predicated on the sentiment of revenge. The letter is also notable for the view taken of the sovereignty of Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, in all matters of war and peace; for its warning that unjust measures may form dreadful precedents for future usurpations on the rights of the community; for its bold avowal that the "safest reliance of every government is on men's interests"; and for its reminder "that justice and moderation are the surest supports of every government."
* * *
[I]n the present moment, we see the most industrious efforts made to violate the Constitution of this State, to trample upon the rights of the subject, and to chicane or infringe the most solemn obligations of treaty; while dispassionate and upright men almost totally neglect the means of counteracting these dangerous attempts . . .
The persons alluded to pretend to appeal to the spirit of Whigism; while they endeavor to put in motion all the furious and dark passions of the human mind. The spirit of Whigism is generous, humane, beneficent, and just. These men inculcate revenge, cruelty, persecution, and perfidy. The spirit of Whigism cherishes legal liberty, holds the rights of every individual sacred, condemns or punishes no man without regular trial and conviction of some crime declared by antecedent laws; reprobates equally the punishment of the citizen by arbitrary acts of legislation, as by the lawless combinations of unauthorized individuals; while these men are advocates for expelling a large number of their fellow-citizens unheard, untried; or, if they cannot effect this, are for disfranchising them, in the face of the Constitution, without the judgment of their peers, and contrary to the law of the land. . . .
Nothing is more common than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government, principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves. Of this kind is the doctrine of disqualification, disfranchisement, and banishment, by acts of Legislature. The dangerous consequences of this power are manifest. If the Legislature can disfranchise any number of citizens at pleasure, by general descriptions, it may soon confine all the votes to a small number of partisans, and establish an aristocracy or an oligarchy. If it may banish at discretion all those whom particular circumstances render obnoxious, without hearing or trial, no man can be safe, nor know when he may be the innocent victim of a prevailing faction. The name of liberty applied to such a government would be a mockery of common sense.
The English Whigs, after the Revolution, from an overweening dread of popery and the Pretender, from triennial, voted the Parliament septennial. They have been trying, ever since, to undo this false step in vain, and repenting the effects of their folly in the over-grown power of the new family. Some imprudent Whigs among us, from resentment to those who have taken the opposite side (and many of them from worse motives), would corrupt the principles of our government, and furnish precedents for future usurpations on the rights of the community.
Let the people beware of such counsellors. However a few designing men may rise in consequence, and advance their private interests by such expedients, the people, at large, are sure to be the losers, in the event, whenever they suffer a departure from the rules of general and equal justice, or from the true principles of universal liberty. . . .
There is a very simple and conclusive point of view in which this subject may be placed. No citizen can be deprived of any right which the citizens in general are entitled to, unless forfeited by some offence. It has been seen that the regular and constitutional mode of ascertaining whether this forfeiture has been incurred, is by legal process, trial, and conviction. This ex vi termini supposes prosecution. Now, consistent with the treaty, there can be no future prosecution for any thing done on account of the war. Can we then do, by act of Legislature, what the treaty disables us from doing by due course of law? This would be to imitate the Roman general, who, having promised Antiochus to restore half his vessels, caused them to be sawed in two before their delivery; or the PlatÆans, who, having promised the Thebans to restore their prisoners, had them first put to death, and returned them dead.
Such fraudulent subterfuges are justly considered more odious than an open and avowed violation of treaty.
When these posture-masters in logic are driven from this first ground of the meaning of the treaty, they are forced to that of attacking the right of Congress to make such a stipulation, and arraigning the impudence of Great Britain in attempting to make terms for our own subjects. But here, as everywhere else, they are only successful in betraying their narrowness and ignorance. Does not the act of Confederation place the exclusive right of making war and peace in the United States in Congress? Have they not the sole power of making treaties with foreign nations? Are not these among the first rights of sovereignty? And does not the delegation of them to the general Confederacy so far abridge the sovereignty of each particular State? Would not a different doctrine involve the contradiction of imperium in imperio? What reasonable limits can be assigned to these prerogatives of the Union, other than the general safety and the fundamentals of the Constitution? Can it be said, that a treaty for arresting the future operations of positive acts of Legislature, and which has indeed no other effect than that of a pardon for past offences committed against these acts, is an attack upon the fundamentals of the State Constitutions? Can it be denied that the peace which was made, taken collectively, was manifestly for the general good—that it was even favorable to the solid interests of this country, beyond the expectation of the most sanguine? If this cannot be denied—and none can deny it who know either the value of the objects gained by the treaty, or the necessity these States were under at the time of making peace—it follows, that Congress and their ministers acted wisely in making the treaty which has been made; and it follows from this, that these States are bound by it, and ought religiously to observe it. . . .
But let it be admitted that Congress had no right to enter into this article; do not equity and prudence strongly urge the several States to comply with it? We have, in part, enjoyed the benefit of the treaty; in consequence of which, we, of this State, are now in possession of our capital; and this implies an obligation in conscience, to perform what is to be performed on our part. But there is a consideration which will, perhaps, have more force with men who seem to be superior to conscientious obligations: it is that the British are still in possession of our frontier posts, which they may keep in spite of us; and that they may essentially exclude us from the fisheries, if they are so disposed. Breach of treaty on our part will be a just ground for breaking it on theirs. The treaty must stand or fall together. The wilful breach of a single article annuls the whole. Congress are appointed by the Constitution, to manage our foreign concerns. The nations with whom they contract are to suppose they understand their own powers, and will not exceed them. If they do it in any instance, and we think it proper to disavow the act, it will be no apology with those with whom they contract, that they had exceeded their authority. One side cannot be bound, unless the obligation is reciprocal. . . .
But, say some, to suffer these wealthy disaffected men to remain among us will be dangerous to our liberties. Enemies to our government, they will be always endeavoring to undermine it, and bring us back to the subjection of Great Britain. The safest reliance of every government is on men's interests. This is a principle of human nature, on which all political speculation, to be just, must be founded. Make it the interest of those citizens who, during the Revolution, were opposed to us, to be friends to the new government, by affording them not only protection, but a participation in its privileges, and they will undoubtedly become its friends. The apprehension of returning under the dominion of Great Britain is chimerical: if there is any way to bring it about, the measures of those men against whose conduct these remarks are aimed, lead directly to it. A disorderly, or a violent government may disgust the best citizens, and make the body of the people tired of their independence.
The embarrassed and exhausted state of Great Britain, and the political system of Europe, render it impossible for her ever to reacquire the dominion of this country. Her former partisans must be convinced of this, and abandon her cause as desperate. They will never be mad enough to risk their fortunes a second time, in the hopeless attempt of restoring her authority; nor will they have any inclination to do it, if they are allowed to be happy under the government of the society in which they live. To make it practicable, if they should be so disposed, they must not only get the government of this State but of the United States into their hands. To suppose this possible is to suppose that a majority of the numbers, property, and abilities of the United States has been and is in opposition to the Revolution. Its success is a clear proof that this has not been the case, and every man of information among us knows the contrary. The supposition itself would show the absurdity of expelling a small number from the city, which would constitute so insignificant a proportion of the whole, as, without diminishing their influence, would only increase their disposition to do mischief. The policy in this case would be evident of appealing to their interests rather than to their fears. . . .
Viewing the subject in every possible light, there is not a single interest of the community but dictates moderation rather than violence. That honesty is still the best policy; that justice and moderation are the surest supports of every government, are maxims which, however they may be called trite, are at all times true; though too seldom regarded, but rarely neglected with impunity. Were the people of America with one voice to ask: "What shall we do to perpetuate our liberties and secure our happiness?" the answer would be: "Govern well," and you have nothing to fear either from internal disaffection or external hostility. Abuse not the power you possess, and you need never apprehend its diminution or loss. But if you make a wanton use of it; if you furnish another example that despotism may debase the government of the many as well as the few, you, like all others that have acted the same part, will experience that licentiousness is the forerunner to slavery.
How wise was that policy of Augustus, who, after conquering his enemies, when the papers of Brutus were brought to him, which would have disclosed all his secret associates, immediately ordered them to be burnt. He would not even know his enemies, that they might cease to hate where they had nothing to fear.
How laudable was the example of Elizabeth, who, when she was transferred from the prison to the throne, fell upon her knees, and thanking Heaven for the deliverance it had granted her from her bloody persecutors, dismissed her resentment. "This act of pious gratitude," says her historian, "seems to have been the last circumstance in which she remembered any past injuries and hardships. With a prudence and magnanimity truly laudable, she buried all offences in oblivion, and received with affability even those who acted with the greatest virulence against her." She did more, she retained many of the opposite party in her councils.
The reigns of these two sovereigns are among the most illustrious in history. Their moderation gave a stability to their government which nothing else could have effected. This was the secret of uniting all parties. . . .
* * *
Source: Works of Alexander Hamilton (edited by Henry Cabot Lodge), Volume 4, via On-Line Library of Liberty


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Saturday, July 17, 2010
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa's name is synonymous with saintliness, even if she has yet to be fully canonized by the Catholic Church. Certainly, on the surface, anyone who has devoted her life to caring for the poor of Calcutta would seem saintly. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II (this is the third of four steps to official sainthood).
Yet it's hard not to be a bit suspicious of such a pristine public image. Especially when such great care seems to have been taken to burnish that image.
Christopher Hitchens' book about her, "The Missionary Position" was published in 1995, two years before Mother Teresa died. The book details the life of an extremely ambitious woman who cultivated the rich and famous, but who did little real good for those to whom she was supposed to be ministering.
Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, was always secretive about her Albanian origins. Her father, who evidently was involved in Albanian politics, died when Agnes was nine. Agnes left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto; after that she never saw her mother or sister again. This makes one wonder what kind of family bonds she had. If she had any love at all for her family, one would think she would have made some small effort to see them, at least once. But she could never be bothered.
Question: if Agnes had no real love for her own family, how much love could she really have had for those to whom she ministered later in life?
Agnes soon thereafter took the name Teresa, after Therese de Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries.
In 1952 Mother Teresa converted an abandoned Hindu temple into the Kalighat Home for the Dying. According to Wikipedia, "Those brought to the home were afforded the right to die with dignity, according to the rituals of their faith: Muslims were read the Quran, Hindus received water from the Ganges, and Catholics received the last rites."
Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, "A beautiful death is for those who lived like animals to die like angels."
Mother Teresa also opend an orphanage and a home for lepers, who received medical attention. The Lancet and the British Medical Journal, however, both criticized the quality of medical care she made available, reporting reused syringes, poor living conditions, and cold baths for all patients. Patients who might otherwise have survived died of infection and other easily diagnosable diseases because of the slipshod practices at her hospices. Mother Teresa herself did not believe in pain relief: she felt that suffering would bring people closer to Jesus.
As Hitchens points out in his book, Mother Teresa could have taken the considerable war chest she had accumulated, which amounted to over $50 million, and built the finest teaching hospital in Calcutta. But instead she chose to keep the money in the bank, and instead merely have hospices, which generally consisted of large rooms with straw mats for the indigent and dying to lie on the floor.
The money she did spend went mostly toward building new convents, the purpose of which was to spread her religious beliefs.
(When Mother Teresa herself had a heart attack, she wanted nothing to do with her own clinics. Instead she opted to be treated at a fully equipped hosital in California.)
Mother Teresa interpreted the teachings of the Church so strictly and literally that she saw no room for alternative interpretation. She said that even when a husband regularly beat his wife, the wife should not leave because divorce is a sin. However, when it came to her friend Princess Diana, Mother Teresa said that she deserved a divorce, because she had "suffered enough."
She cultivated other rich and powerful friends, for instance the Duvaliers of Haiti. Baby Doc, son of Papa Doc, and his wife Michelle, who basically stole the entire national treasury of $800 million when they left the country, may have hoped to achieve some measure of redemption through their association with her. What Mother Teresa wanted from them was probably money.
Mother Teresa also became friends with Charles Keating, of Lincoln Savings and Loan fame. She would occasionally travel on his corporate jet. When Keating was on trial in Los Angeles for fraud, she wrote a letter on his behalf to Judge Lance Ito (yes, that Lance Ito) pointing out that Keating had donated $1.25 million to her Missionaries of Charity, and asked him to "look into [his] heart" and "do what Jesus would do."
Deputy DA Paul Turley, who was prosecuting the case against Keating, then pointed out to Mother Teresa that Keating was on trial for having stolen more than $250 million from over 17,000 investors. He wrote to her:
"Ask yourself what Jesus would do if he were given the fruits of a crime; what Jesus would do if he were in possession of money which had been stolen; what Jesus would do if he were being exploited by a thief to ease his conscience? I submit that Jesus would promptly and unhesitatingly return the stolen property to its rightful owners. You should do the same. You have been given money by Mr. Keating that he has been convicted of stealing by fraud. Do not permit him the 'indulgence' he desires. Do not keep the money. Return it to those who worked for it and earned it! If you contact me I will put you in direct contact with the rightful owners of the property now in your possession."
As Hitchens then pointed out, "Mr. Turley has received no reply to his letter. Nor can anyone account for the missing money: saints, it seems, are immune to audit."
When Mother Teresa had an audience with the Pope, she flew to Rome on a private jet. Then, once in Rome with the press watching, she rejected an offer of a limousine ride to the Vatican as too ostentatious. Instead she took a bus, because that's what the common people take.
On another occasion, she visited a convent near Washington D.C. The nuns who were hosting her, excited to have such a famous guest, gave her the nicest room at the convent. But Mother Teresa, upon arriving, insisted that the room be redone in a more austere fashion which would suit her image better. So, at great expense, the nuns had her room redone.
(Wouldn't a real saint have just stayed in the room without putting her hosts to so much trouble?)
One scene from Hitchens' book has stayed with me. At one point a suffering patient at her Calcutta hospice begged her for medication, saying that his pain was just unbearable. Mother Teresa, who didn't want to spend any of the vast fortune she controlled on painkillers, refused. Instead her eyes lit up, she grasped his hand, and said, "My child, the pain means that Jesus is holding you."
It was the part about her eyes lighting up which really struck me: it was almost as if she were enjoying and savoring his pain. What kind of person enjoys this? I'm reminded of Jack Kevorkian, another who devoted his life to working with the terminally ill, and who also saw himself as a saint. There was an unquestionably ghoulish aspect to his work.
I'm even reminded of Ted Bundy, who once early on worked at a suicide hotline, theoretically helping those at the end of their tethers. Why would he, a man who clearly enjoyed causing others pain, have done this? One can only conclude it was because, at a certain level, he enjoyed savoring their pain.
I meet good, decent people all the time. They love their families and none could imagine purposely cutting off all contact with them after age eighteen. They tend to express their goodness in small but telling ways. They don't crave reputations for goodness, let alone saintliness. It's the people who express their "good character" in loud, splashy, public ways who make me suspicious. When I see a new wing of a hospital with some hedge fund billionaire's name on it, it doesn't make me think, wow, he must be a really good person. What I think is, hmm, he really wants public acclaim.
Now devoting your life to the poor of Calcutta is certainly an altogether different matter from peeling off one percent of your wealth to slap your name on a public edifice. But it's not that different than the work that Jack Kevorkian did, at least before he went to jail. And one can make the case that he actually alleviated more suffering. Mother Teresa was not interested in actually curing the ill or eliminating poverty. (In her words, "I think it is very beautiful for the poor to accept their lot, to share it with the passion of Christ. I think the world is being much helped by the suffering of poor people.") She was much more interested in giving them a place where they could die in a religious atmosphere. While burnishing her public image.
But would a real saint campaign for sainthood?
8 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Maureen Dowd has a good line in her column today "Rome Fiddles, We Burn":
"If Roman Polanski were a priest, he'd still be working here".
To me it's not too surprising that the reality of Mother Theresa should be rather different from the PR, given her membership of a morally decadent institution that it seems to me lost touch with the teachings of its "founder" and his inspirer at least a millennium ago.
It's more surprising IMHO, that so many still seem to look to this institution for spiritual and moral guidance and channel billions of dollars into its coffers. (But you already know of my odd Quakerish tendencies. :))
I like the irony that RP's name can be translated "Polish pilgrim to Rome".
- July 18, 2010 at 6:16 PM
- John Craig said...
Roman Polanski worked in Hollywood, and if it were up to Hollywood, he'd still be working there, too. And the NY Times would never object, since he pretty much shares their sensibilities. As a matter of fact, he still gets to direct movies, his career only suffered to the extent that he had to make smaller European movies rather than big budget American movies. Also, one difference between Polanski and the pederast priests was that the priests generally didn't drug their victims before having sex with them.
It's my impression that with most religions, the people who are members of the church (i.e., the flock) are generally pretty decent people, whereas the people who lead the flock, i.e., claim to have the direct line to God, are corrupt. It's not just true of the Catholics (though I agree that the Vatican seems like a pretty corrupt place). This is true of almost all religions. Look at the televangelists, many of whom are from the South and most of whom are various shades of Protestant: they are as dishonest as they come. There have been plenty of rabbis who have been involved in off-limits sexual activity, though it doesn't get reported. I think shamans and witch doctors from Day One have pretty much all been con men. Anyone who claims to have contact with God and then uses that "fact" to make money is a charlatan.
It wasn't my intention to pick on the Catholic Church here, just to point out that Mother Teresa herself was not what most people think of her as.
- July 18, 2010 at 6:59 PM
- Anonymous said...
I'm mystified by why "decent people" follow the priests, televangelists, shamans, and other con men given all the evidence of their corruption and venality. (Actually, maybe this applies to politicians too.) Is it not possible to be "decent" and sensibly cynical too?
PS BTW, interesting post on MT. I would never have looked closely at the story behind the public image (because I don't really care), but it's another reminder that history is more about reputation/image building (or destroying) than truth. Even George Washington was a more complex character than his popular image allows.
PS Got you going on RP ;)
- July 18, 2010 at 7:14 PM
- John Craig said...
The answer to your first paragraph is, because they're gullible and they were brought up to be religious. I agree, you'd think that after all the scandals that people would wise up, but...
Yes, it's possible to be decent and cynical: you're an example of that.
And yes, you're right about history. As far as RP, his existence and crimes don't bother me so much as the fact that he highlights Hollywood's immense hypocrisy. Hollywood liberals (and liberals in general) decry, for instance, aggression against women, as the recent publicity about Mel Gibson shows. But when it comes to one of their own, like Roman Polanski or Bill Clinton (who was accused of rape by Juanita Broaddrick as well as harassment by Paula Jones), it's okay. I remember when Paula Jones came out with her claims against Clinton, and all the Democrats --who are always claim to be on the side of the poor and downtrodden -- called her "trailer trash." Hypocrisy writ large.
- July 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
- Anonymous said...
Mother Teresa was not a perfect human being; she understood the power of celebrity to gain money for a cause--but her commitment to Calcutta's poor shows she's not the devil Hitchens makes her out to be. She was a celebrity and she knew it--why is that something to condemn her over? She's dead; let's remember the great legacy and move on.
- August 20, 2010 at 9:07 AM
- John Craig said...
Anonymous -- The question is, was she dedicated to Calcutta's poor, or were they just a means to her own beatification? I think the latter.
I'm not saying she didn't do any good. But I'm interested in the question of her character, especially since she is up for sainthood.
- August 20, 2010 at 9:30 AM
- Anonymous said...
That story about the painkillers is just warped. I've lived with a sociopath and even he would give me painkillers when I needed them (although I noticed a packet of tramadol suspiciously disappearing from my room after I stopped needing them, but that's another story). It really does sound like this woman was a hypocrite and merely after publicity. A real philanthropist would build one well-equipped hospital for the benefit of patients, not lots of poor quality hospices for publicity. I'm interested in reading Hitchens' book now to get more info on this.
- July 30, 2013 at 4:22 PM
- John Craig said...
Anon --
You're right, and I think you used the right word there: sociopath (though in another context). I'm actually convinced she was one.
- July 30, 2013 at 4:36 PM


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A delegation of Chinese soybean buyers on a relationship-building tour signed a letter of intent with U.S. soybean exporters at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) April 6. The letter of intent demonstrates the commitment of the Chinese industry to continue purchasing U.S. soybeans.
China is the number one export market for U.S. soybeans with 435 million bushels, more than 40 percent of total U.S. exports, sold to China in the last marketing year. The delegation currently visiting the U.S. represents 67 percent of those 435 million bushels. Since 2002, the value of China's agricultural imports has more than doubled, with soybeans accounting for 30 percent of the increase.
The delegation is hosted by the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), an organization that implements international marketing activities on behalf of the soybean checkoff; industry stakeholders, such as the North American Export Grain Association; and USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service.
Leading the delegation is Cao Xumin, President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Others at the signing include: Pat Quinn, Illinois Lieutenant Governor; Curt Raasch, USB Chairman; and Rick Ostlie, First Vice-President of ASA. The delegation will tour four U.S. cities: Chicago; Minneapolis; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle.
"China is a growing and vital market for U.S. soybeans, and maintaining good trade relations is important, not only to the U.S. soybean farmer, but to the U.S. economy as well," says Raasch, who also farms in Odebolt, Iowa. "As farmers, we have to constantly be working to ensure there is a market for the crops we are growing, and China is high on our list of priorities."
U.S. soy has the fewest trade barriers among all world agriculture exports. Total U.S. soybean exports have nearly doubled since 1984, from nearly 598 million bushels of soybeans to over 1.1 billion bushels in 2005. Last year, exports of soybean and soybean meal hit the 1.4-billion-bushel mark, an ongoing upward trend.
"U.S. soybean farmers have been on the ground in China for 25 years, providing ongoing service to buyers throughout China with our contracted representatives," says Raasch. "We fund work on best management practices with processors and the swine, poultry and aquaculture feeding industries, and, most recently, we've been helping to grow demand in China by promoting soy protein to bakers, millers and food processors."
Building and maintaining relationships with these Chinese buyers will help ensure that U.S. soybean exports continue to grow and add to soybean farmers' bottom line.
ISA is the statewide organization for Illinois soybean farmers. The 24 farmers on its board administer soybean checkoff funds to support research, promotional activities and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and administer legislation and membership programs.
USB is made up of 64 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Customer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.


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My first knitting project is coming along nicely and I am enjoying the process a lot!
The scarf that is loosely based off of BBC's Sherlock is coming together both quickly and slowly. Quickly because it is composed of short rows and slowly because I'm using it as my on-the-go project and this bitter cold we've been having has kept me inside at the sewing machine.
The scarf is currently 32cm but it definitely has a lot of growing to do! It is by no means perfect; the edges are all over and I think I dropped a stitch. But that's why they say practice makes perfect!
I couldn't be happier with my first project!


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Would you be willing to cannibalize the blood of your young in order to stave off old age?
I'm ashamed to say I'm thinking of ways to do this without exploiting kids. I only have nephews and I would guess that the more DNA you share with the donors, the more potent the results would be. But what if their male hormones affect me as a female (i.e. become more hirsute, be prone to balding, etc.)?
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Staying Young
Would you be willing to cannibalize the blood of your young in order to stave off old age?
Coriander Tofu
Coriander Tofu
1 500 grams soft (not silken) tofu, cut into 1′ cubes and deep fried until the cubes form a golden brown skin – this is the toughest part of this recipe
2 medium brown or spanish onions, sliced ¼ inch thick
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3-5 diced fresh tomatoes, or 1 can whole tomatoes
1 bunch fresh coriander, chopped. Separate the stems from the leaves, but don't be too anal about separating, or you'll be separating until the next day
salt and pepper to taste
2 T olive oil or better yet, rice bran oil
100 grams ground chicken breast
You can also opt not to deep fry the soft tofu
about 1 tsp corn starch to thicken sauce
1 cup or 100 mls water
Heat the wok until you see it smoking or until your fire detector goes off. Get the ladder and turn it off first, then get working on your coriander tofu, unless you can work with that goddanged racket on. Put in the oil, wait five seconds, then add in the onions and the minced garlic. Toss everything around for about 10 seconds, then remove about half of the onions out of the heat. Continue stirring the onions and the garlic until the onions turn translucent, then add the coriander stems. Stir to mix, then add the tomatoes. Stir, making sure all the ingredients are well mixed, turn down the heat all the way down to very low and cover. Stir occasionally until the sauce is thickened.
You can opt to add in about a hundred grams of ground chicken breast at this point, making sure to separate the ground meat, but not cooking them too much to the point of dryness. Turn up the heat and once it turns opaque, leave it alone and go on to the next step.
Add in the deep fried tofu and the coriander leaves, stir to make sure everything is covered with the sauce, and you can put in the additional corn starch dissolved in water if you want your dishes to be saucier. Stir vigorously if you opted to add the corn starch until you see the sauce thicken out.
Add back the onions and cover for about a minute or two then remove from heat and serve it up.
Sharon's Shakshuka
About 2 cups of diced tomatoes
Diced medium bell pepper – you can opt to not add this if tomatoes are all you have and you're too lazy to go out and buy one
2 medium sized onions, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced – but you can leave it just crushed and remove later if you have a nitpicky sister
2 T Extra virgin olive oil – it can just be plain olive oil, but I like the virgin one
1 tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp smoked paprika – you can add more, it's just that I didn't have more
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper – or a bird's eye chili snapped in half and added before the eggs
Dash of cinnamon powder
½ tsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
Optional: chopped fried sausages
Heat the oil in a mid-sized pan over medium to low heat. Add the onion until it's nearly translucent, then add the garlic. Stir about like you know what you're doing, or until the onions are fully translucent, then add the salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, and sugar. Stir some more for about half a minute, then add in the diced tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, making sure that nothing sticks on the bottom. As soon as the mixture thickens, crack the eggs on top of the tomato sauce and sprinkle some salt on top. You can make it runny and stir up the eggs into the sauce, or well-done and leave it cooking a bit more over low heat. Shakshuka is traditionally served on the skillet or pan it was cooked on.


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Yikes, it has been a long time since my last post, sorry about that, there's no excuse frankly. Although I have to say that I have been pretty busy in the past couple of weeks, developing a game for a contest, so it's not just laziness the reason why I keep forgetting to update.
Anyways, due to time constrains the overall design does not push any boundaries that I can think of. It's definitely something I have never seen before though, but that may be due to my ignorance. Imagine a graphic adventure game with lighting mechanics, the perspective and sprites of a 16-bit era RPG and simplistic keyboard controls. For now, it's called "Casting Shadows", it's a preliminary name but I think I'll stick with it.
It all takes place inside a cave, with the player character visiting it for the first time in search for treasure. Unluckily for him, the cave is currently being used as a prison, so digging around for treasure before freeing everybody is not an option (especially since he's going to use dynamite).
For the time being I'm going to develop it in spanish since, you know, it's my main language and I really don't have the time for extensive proofreading. Although I will translate it to english with some outside help once the contest finishes.
I'll be posting some screenshots in a couple of days hopefully =)


text:
Because of the distinct risk of coercing students to participate in, or at least acquiesce to, religious exercises in the public school context, the Court finds the legislative exception does not apply to the policy and practice of prayer in Chino Valley School Board meetings.The court also invalidated the Board's practice of praying reading from the Bible and making religious statements at various points in school board meetings. (Court's order). FFRF issued a press release announcing the decision.
Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Prayer At School Board Meetings Governed By School Prayer Criteria
In Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education, (CD CA, Feb. 18, 2016), a California federal district court, in a 26-page opinion, held that invocations at school board meetings are governed by case law relating to school prayer, not by the line of cases on legislative prayer. Emphasizing that students regularly attend and make presentations at school board meetings, the court found the invocation policy unconstitutional, saying in part:
Posted by Howard Friedman --PermaLink: 10:19 PM
Labels: School prayer


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Downloading the driver:
From the list, download the appropriate driver. (e.g. If you are running Windows XP, download and run: PCL6V32W2KXP.exe)
Double click on the file, and unzip the files to a temporary directory.
Setting up the printer:
- Go to Start -> Settings -> Printers (Windows 2000)
Go to Start -> Printers and Faxes (Windows XP)
- Double-click on "Add Printer"
- Click Next
- Check "Local printer" (Windows 2000)
Check "Local printer attached to this computer" (Windows XP)
Click Next
- Check "Create a new port" and select Standard TCP/IP Port on the pull-down menu.
click "Next"
- You will see the "Welcome to the Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port wizard" menu. Click "Next"
- For "Printer Name or IP Address" enter: Canon Ir5000 and Click "Next"
- You'll see "Completing the Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard
SNMP: Yes
Protocol: Raw Port 9100
Device: canon ir5000
Port Name: canon ir5000
Adapter Type: Canon Network Printing Device with P9100
Click "Finish"
- Another window will appear titled: "Add Printer Wizard" Select "Have Disk"
- Select "Browse" and go to the directory where you unzipped the printer driver and select the driver (P62KUSAL.INF in this example.)
- Then click Ok, and then OK for the "Install From Disk" window.
- In "Add Printer Wizard", select Canon iR5000-6000 PCL6
- Another window should appear, where you can specify a printer name. Enter: "canon ir"
- You'll have the option of selecting this printer as default. Click "Next"
- Select: Do not share this printer in the Print Sharing window. Click "Next"
- Print a Test Page if you prefer. Click "Next"
- In the "Completing the Add Printer Wizard" window, click "Finish"
- You should now see canon ir in the list of printers.
Configuring the printer
- Right click on the Printer and click "Properties".
- Click on the "Device Settings" tab
- Select "Output Options" to: Finisher-F1
- Select "Puncher Unit" to: Puncher Unit-B1" Check "Job Accounting" Click Apply
- (Optional: To set printing to be double-sided by default:) Go to the Advanced Tab -> Printing Defaults -> Finishing Tab -> Select Print Style to be: 2-sided Printing
- Go to "Quality" Tab and set "Objective" to be Publications for best quality.
- Click "Apply" and Exit.


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This Blog contains Digital Works. My other interests are Architecture, Interior design, Graphic design, and Canvas painting...Check it out at www.muchanu.com
why do you have 2 different blog sites?
Which is the other blog u referred to? I post all my sketches on this one... the other just the joined blogs with friends.


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Hey all, just put up my first app for review in the iTunes store. It's not there yet, but I will make a new post once it's approved. This program is for iPhone 3.0 with In-App E-Mail, and an In-App map. Website for the program is located at
Here is the description once approved in the App Store:
Since the dawn of time, there has always been a question in the minds of humans. This question is quite possibly the most epic question pondered throughout the day. That question is "What's for Lunch?" (or Dinner 🙂 ). Local Lunch Time Decider or LTD for short helps you answer that question in today's wonderful world of technology. Everytime you launch the app, it already has a random choice chosen for you. Then you can have it choose again, find new locations around you, map those locations, call them, e-mail your friends to meet you there, and even add in your own secret locations!
Save these locations in here so you don't clutter up your address book! Driving down the highway with a friend? Have your friend check out the local eats, and save them in your list! Then you can check them out whenever you get a free chance
Have fun and I hope you do enjoy!
Check it out when you get a chance!


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The Sean Parker Analogy
This is weird. I am watching this video. And I am at the 27 minute mark, and I am like this is weird.
I am not into smartphones either. I mean, I don't even have one. I don't have a regular phone. I have a barebones prepaid. And the guy pulled out a primitive phone.
I am not into gaming. Reality is more fascinating than fiction. My World Of Warcraft is the crowd action across the Arab world. That's my "gaming."
I don't do product/coding stuff. For me it is about the user experience. Third parallel.
I don't care about money. But it is a good measuring tool. It is necessary fluidity. I have to convince myself it is about curing poverty for me to be able to think in terms of big money. If it is just, just, just about me, I am just fine where I am, and I need to find a new place to live by July 1.
That white male, how did he know these things?
White Male Conspiracy To Drive Me Homeless
Sean Parker, Billionaire, Was Really Poor Once
The Day I Got Called Sean Parker


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Sunday, February 1, 2015
Jenna Astrologer Changes Her URL from AboutAstro.com to The-Astrology.com
After thousands of customer complaints about her shabby "readings" and shabby customer service, Jenna the psychic astrologer at AboutAstro.com has changed her Web address to The-Astrology.com. There is no change in the services offered, nor the fees: Just the site's owner trying to hide a well-earned negative reputation and hundreds of bitter customer reviews. Read the updated Jenna review here, and the comments from her former clients.
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text: pretty much went to the dogs...literally. Angie got very sick this week and needed to go to the vet twice after throwing up nearly every morning somewhere between 4am and 6am. Charlie needed a haircut and that was also an ordeal. So my aim for practice 6 times was once again met with a 3 day practice reality. Which is not to bad for a sick dog, three jobs, and a husband who is busy all the time. Here is a picture from my practice today. Marichyasana D is proof that practice changes everything.


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A Study of 2 Timothy 1
A Study of 2 Timothy 1
As biblical students there are certain rules we need to adhere to. We all know that any verse has to be kept in its context to be able to rightly divide it. We also must know to whom a verse is written to be able to see how it applies to them and then see how we can get a benefit from the verses that are not written directly to us. This applies not only in the Hebrew Scriptures but also in the book of Acts as well as in the general epistles 1&2 Peter and 1, 2, &3 John. There are also books written to Groups such as Hebrews and James, there are books addressed to Timothy, Titus, Jude, and Philemon. If you don't remember that then you will end up incorrectly dividing God's word. The seven Church Epistles are the only books written directly to us and, the general epistles apply directly to us.
We are going to look at chapter 1 of 2 Timothy a book that was written to an individual and applies directly to his life. The scriptures need to be understood in that light or you will sooner or later have the book saying things it doesn't say. Once we see how the information applies to Timothy then we apply those general principals to our life. I can take verses out of context and build whole religions around them.
1Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Okay the word says to not drink water but instead we are all to switch and start drinking wine. Sounds like the base of a new religion to me. After all the word says we are suppose to do that right?
Of course not, the word teaches no such thing. That verse is directed to an individual not the body of believers. It is like if you were to minister healing to someone and you were directed to tell them to drink more water, it applies to that person in that situation it doesn't mean you start directing everyone to start drinking more water.
All the rules of biblical interpretation must be applied to ever verse. This is one of the most important things for any biblical students to remember.
Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God
So now we know from the word "There is no God" Does the word say there is no God? Yes it does if I pull it from its context that is exactly what I can make the word of God say. All I have to do is leave off the part about the fool having said.
There are things that we can learn from in those books not directly addressed to us. Some time read Hebrews 11. It talks about the cloud of witnesses with which we are surrounded. A testament to those who came before us and who believed God and took God at his word and because of their believing the word and the promises of God came down to us. We can read about these people and see how they believed what God had promised them. We can then find what God has promised us and believe that what God says he will do, he will do.
So bearing all of this in mind let us go to 2 Timothy 1.
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
This book is written to Timothy. It applies directly to Tim not to us directly. We can find out about Tim and see how we can take what is written here and use it in our life. We look at the principals taught and see how they work in our lives.
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Paul and Timothy must have had a very special relationship. He wanted to see Timothy again. As you stand you will find these sorts of relationships develop. You will get close to people in the word and then you part from each other you go left and they go right. The thing is those people will be a part of your heart for the rest of your lives. From August 1975 till August of 1977 I was with a group of believers. We worked together to move the word, we saw each other daily, we prayed together ,we believed for each other, we cried on each other's shoulders. Those people will always be special to me. I have not seen any of them since the 1980's and yet I still think about them and pray for them. I smile at some of those memories. That is what Paul is talking about. Timothy had a big effect on him. Don't be surprise as you stand if you get really close to someone and then for whatever reason God wants them someplace else or he needs you someplace else.
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Okay so one of the other things we need to do as biblical students is make sure we know what words mean. If you do not know what unfeigned means then you won't understand what Paul is saying.
What is being said that faith runs in Timothy's family his mother and his grandmother both exhibited great faith. There is a real history in his family of believing what God has said. This is often the case, my mother was the first to share God's word with me. She got me to respect the word of God long before I started to study it.
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
There is a great deal of information in these two verses but they go together. Verse seven is used by many who study the word. Far too many pull verse seven out of its context and magnify it to the hilt and forget it goes with verse six. Now there is a great principal in verse seven something people need to know. Fear does not come from God. There are words translated fear that in context mean a different kind of fear or should not be translated fear. This is the only place the Greek word deilia or deilias. It can be translated timidity, fear, or cowardice. This is not the word that means respect this means to be afraid.
1 Samule11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
In this verse the word fear means respect. Fear of the LORD should normally be translated respect for the lord.
Here are a few of more examples:
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.
Provebs 1:7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
In context these all mean respect.
Matthew 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
A message that runs through the entire word of God is fear not. It was said to Mary by Gabriel. It was said to Joshua, Samuel, David, Isaiah and many, many more. Getting back to 1 Timothy in verse six it talks about how Paul had laid his hands on Timothy and a gift ministry was energized in Timothy. What is being said to Timothy is to operate his gift ministry.
It is the first lesson taught at angel school.
It is the first lesson taught at angel school.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
This is what the gift ministries are and what they are for. Now Timothy was an evangelist according to 2 Timothy 4:5. He was also not operating his ministry to its full potential. He had let some fear creep into his life according to what Paul said in verse seven and he was pointing out to Timothy that God had not given him a spirit of fear in contrast God had given him power, love, and a sound mind.
Power the Greek word is dynamis it is the word we get dynamite from. Potential power that won't be exhibited till the fuse is lit and reaches the dynamite, it is a noun, a thing. Love is the Greek word agapē the noun form of the word that means God's love, it is a noun, like I said there is no action; it is just a thing we have, it needs to be used, it then becomes a verb action and not just a thing. A sound mind is the Greek word sōphronismos again this is a noun a thing not activated till you take action. It is like having 3 quarters if they are sitting in your pocket they are not doing anything they are of no use till you use them to buy something then they are in action. What action needs to be taken by Timothy look back at verse 6:
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
So this verse is talking about Timothy a believer using the gift that God gave to him. We all have been given gifts. God gave us all abilities. If nothing else there is no one who can provide what you bring to the table. It says we are members in particular of the body of Christ, and that body is fitly joined together. I believe if we are walking for God we are where we are for a reason. Remember when I mentioned those people I was with back in the 1970's. I believe God wanted me to be there he had a reason for the others being there as well we all had things to teach each other. Every one of us was a born again believer who wanted to serve God and God's family. It was no accident any of us were there.
We bring ourselves and our ability that was given to us by God. Have you ever thought why there is nine manifestation? Could it be that God is showing us something by these manifestations? Is it time for you to get off the I-land and start looking for ways to help others? If you have some great need that needs fulfilling try helping someone else. Many of you may have heard the statement "Born to live, Born again to serve." We need to look for ways to do for others. When it is made available in a meeting for people to manifest do you hide in the corner and hope no one notices or do you Jump up and say I will! That is the truth it is a matter it's your will. I know when I am in a meeting that God wants his children blessed and I have an ability to make that happen. I am here today because many years ago someone manifested on a night when I was ready to give up because something had happened and I felt like an old wound had been broken open and I was heart sick about it. Someone manifested that night and God promised to bind all our old wounds if we would just stay faithful learn his word and stand for him. I heard that and was almost in tears the next person said God would wipe away all our tears and heal our hearts. What if no one had manifested that night? I do not know what would have happened that night but there were 2 believers who believed and manifested and I found the courage to keep going that night.
That is how important we are. We speak Gods word and people's heart gets healed. So I encourage you stir up the gift God gave you and know you will have a spirit of exousia which is energized power and agapaō which is the verb form of the word love that love in action, and a sound mind anamimnēskō which is the verb form of a sound mind in action.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Paul says to Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of because he is a prisoner for the lord. We have been given life from Jesus Christ he was God's plan for salvation. After Adam blew it God had the back up plan,
We have had it pretty simple herein the USA no one is trying to murder us for our belief. We have brothers ans sisters who put their lives on the line everyday because of their beliefs.
We have had it pretty simple herein the USA no one is trying to murder us for our belief. We have brothers ans sisters who put their lives on the line everyday because of their beliefs.
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul isn't ashamed of his calling and what he has to go through because he committed himself to the lord. Now Jesus Christ will keep that which he committed unto us against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
We are to hold fast those words and things that have been committed unto us.
2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
As we go forward let us stir that gift we have and bless many of our brothers and sisters.


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Nikonians Articles
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Resources to save time and money, reduce the pain and speed up the learning curve.


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Young Authors' Conference
The 23rd Island City Young Authors' Conference will take place at Cedar Key School on May 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m.. Michigan writer Lisa Wheeler will be visiting. Wheeler has written many children's books, including "Ugly Pie", "One Dark Night" and "Sailor Moo". During her workshop, she will share her love of writing and the process of publishing a book.
They took the kids' money, but the Suwannee River Fair, with the help of Perkins State Bank, will see to it the 347 kids who sold animals at the March show get their checks later this week.
"They're going to get their money," said Loran Brookings, president of the Suwannee River Fair Association which puts on the annual youth livestock show and sale.
The University of Florida Marina workshop, held at the Cedar Key Community Center on Thursday evening, was a hit.
Reports had crowd counts slightly below last year's tremendous turnout, but given the 90-degree weather and high gas prices, attendance was good. Food vendors in the park reported steady sales, but most did not sell out. The artists reported higher sales on Saturday and were overall very happy with the event and the organization of the show. Most expressed their desire to come back next year because of the wonderful hospitality provided by the entire community.
Best of Show – Rolly Ray Reel (mixed media) from Maitland.
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
Sa 28 Low 1:07 AM 0.2 6:53 AM Set 1:27 AM 34
28 High 7:52 AM 2.7 8:06 PM Rise 12:33 PM
28 Low 1:07 PM 1.6
28 High 6:46 PM 3.3
Su 29 Low 2:09 AM 0.4 6:52 AM Set 2:07 AM 44
29 High 8:59 AM 2.8 8:07 PM Rise 1:31 PM
29 Low 2:28 PM 1.6
29 High 8:13 PM 3.1
Spring is the best time of year to bring crowds outdoors to the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). Recently, a group that wants to soak up Florida's history and heritage made its way to the Nature Coast for its own kind of exploration outside.
Members of the Florida Humanties Council arrived April 12 night for a three-day stay.
Artist of the Month for May 2012 at the Cedar Keyhole Gallery is Virginia Stevenson.
Using a variety of fabrics and dyeing methods, Virginia Stevenson has steeply advanced the sophistication of her creations. Her works have appeared in a number of shows as well as collections. Stevenson has also been commissioned to devise fabric solutions for decorator challenges. Never idle, Stevenson uses many of her original fabric designs in producing ready-to-wear fashions. All of her latest creations will be on display at the Cedar Keyhole during the entire month of May.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts will continue for Cedar Key through the efforts of Sheltering Hands, Inc., a not-for-profit organization.
The good news is there is a $25,000 grant for TNR in zip codes 32625 and 32683. Now is your opportunity to ask for assistance with the feral/stray cats in your neighborhood. This grant allows for neuter/spay and vaccinations at no cost to you, though donations are appreciated since transportations costs are not covered.
The reading and discussion of Ordinance No. 482, regarding Sign Regulations, was removed from the Cedar Key City Commission's evening's agenda and rescheduled for the May 1 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.
In other matters:
Top five fantastic FCAT tips
By Taryn Epperso
Shark Correspondent
FCAT, the test that starts in third grade, and is taken until a student's sophomore year of high-school, determine what classes you take by the score you get. Having taken FCAT for six years, I've accumulated a set of tips that can prepare you for the big test!
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The Cedar Key Beacon is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Cedar Key Florida, and the surrounding area.


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Ralph Lauren + Nine West Booties
Happy Wednesday!
Hump day means that tomorrow is Thursday, then TGIF. Who is with me? Anyway, over the weekend, I was helping my sister in law with a couples photo shoot and I made sure to dress accordingly so I can take advantage of the opportunity afterwards. I reached for my recently purchased Nine West Booties and a linen blouse from H&M. I must say that I adore this cardigan from FOREVER 21 and since it was still pretty windy, that means dresses was out of the question. Also, being the human shade and reflector meant that I was going to be reaching up high or running around trying to find the perfect spot to shoot.
The botanical garden had almost every kind of flower you can think of. It is filled with tulips right now and I can see the peonies starting to bloom…. that means I need to visit again. The next time that I do visit, hopefully it would be warmer and nice enough for a nice stroll or even a little picnic. It is also perfect to take the little ones, there is a play ground and picnic area for them to roam and play then enjoy some snacks.
We actually spent more time at the garden than planned. Though there is a daily fee per person, students who attends the college that collaborate with the botanical garden are free and students from other schools receives a discount. Children are free to roam the gorgeous garden filled with tulips, peonies, daffodils, and so much more.
Here are a few tips when roaming any botanical garden:
- Wear comfortable shoes and avoid heels that will dig into the grass
- Dress accordingly to the weather but be picture ready
- Of course carry a camera to take photos to look back on
- Make sure to bring or purchase some water if the area is big
| Cardigan: FOREVER 21 | Shirt: H&M | Pants: Old Navy | Brown Booties: Nine West | Bag: Ralph Lauren |