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Freedom of religion in Germany
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Freedom of religion in Germany is guaranteed by article 4 of the Basic Law (constitution). This states that "the freedom of religion, conscience and the freedom of confessing one's religious or philosophical beliefs are inviolable. Uninfringed religious practice is guaranteed." In addition, article 3 states that "No one may be prejudiced or favored because of his gender, his descent, his race, his language, his homeland and place of origin, his faith or his religious or political views." Any person or organization can call the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany for free help.[1]
The German system of state support for otherwise independent religious institutions assists all religions equally in principle, though in practice it has been unable to fully encompass some minority faiths.[2] The government has granted most of the country's major religious communities "public law corporation" (PLC) status – Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts in German – which allows for numerous benefits. Traditions that lack a centrally organized national structure – most notably Islam – have had difficulty attaining PLC status and the benefits that come with it.[2]
- 1 Legal situation
- 1.1 "Collective" freedom of religion
- 1.2 Blasphemy law
- 2 Historical development
- 3 Social and cultural dimension
- 4 Individual freedom of religion
- 5 Cults, sects, and new religious movements
- 6 References
- 7 External links
Legal situation[edit]
The freedom of religion in the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) means one may adopt any kind of religious or non-religious belief, practice it in private or in public, confess it, or keep it for oneself. The state does not identify with any religious organization.
Religious freedom, like the other basic rights of the Grundgesetz, is limited where it collides with the core value of human dignity or with the basic rights of others, or if it is misused to fight against the basic constituency of free democracy.
Art. 4 sec. III provides for the right to refrain from military service in the name of religion (lit. "conscience").[3]
"Collective" freedom of religion[edit]
German law on freedom of religion distinguishes between individual and collective freedom of religion. Collective freedom of religion additionally covers the legal statutes of religious organizations. Of special interest is the statute of corporate body under public law, which allows the organization to collect church tax and hold religious education in state schools.
Types of legal statutes[edit]
A religious group in Germany can be formed under all legal statutes. It can be organised as a company under Corporate law, but tax regulations, company duties, and responsibilities are often seen as disadvantages. A voluntary association can be formed by anybody. Registration as an "eingetragener Verein" (abbreviated e.V.) gives the advantage of legally functioning as a corporate body (juristic person), rather than a simple group of individuals. It can by used by any secular or religious group.
Non-profit corporation[edit]
Two other types of organizations are often employed: the most frequent are gemeinnützige not-for-profit corporations, which can be companies or registered associations. This status requires not only limitation to non-commercial activities, but similar to American non-profit organizations, it is limited to those whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes. Like many other countries, nonprofits may apply for tax exemption status, so that the organization itself may be exempt from taxes. In some cases, financial donors may claim back any income tax paid on their donations, or deduct from their own tax liability the amount of the donation.
Corporate body under public law[edit]
The second is a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (corporate body under public law), a status which is specifically granted to religious groups. Some smaller communities may have this status in one state, while they maintain a different status in another. The status has a string of benefits attached. Religious communities which are organized under public law have the right to collect contributions (church tax) according to laws which are similar to general tax laws. Religious communities enjoy further privileges regarding building and tax regulations, the ability to teach religion as a regular course in state schools, and the ability to be represented in media consulting committees.
The right to collect church tax[edit]
The so-called "church tax" (German: Kirchensteuer) for corporate bodies under public law is collected with the regular state tax by the state from all registered members of these denominations.[4] On the basis of tax regulations within the limits set by state laws, communities may either request the state to collect fees from members in the form of a surcharge of the income tax assessment (the authorities would then withhold a collection fee), or they may choose to collect the tax themselves.
In the first case, membership to the community is registered onto a taxation document (Lohnsteuerkarte). The member's employer must then withhold church tax prepayments from the income of the employee in addition to the prepayments on the annual income tax. In connection with the final annual income tax assessment, the state revenue authorities also finally assess the church tax owed. In case of self-employed persons or other tax payers not employed, state revenue authorities collect prepayments on the church tax together with prepayments on the income tax.
In case of own collection, collecting communities may demand the tax authorities to reveal taxation data of their members, in order to be able to calculate the contributions and prepayments owed. In particular, smaller communities (e.g. the Jewish Community of Berlin) chose to collect taxes by themselves in order to save the collection fee[citation needed]. Collection of church tax may be used to found institutions and foundations or to pay ministers.
The church tax is only paid by members of the respective religious corporate body under public law . Those who are not members of a tax collecting denomination are not required to pay it. Members of a religious community which is a corporate body under public law may formally declare to state authorities that they wish to leave the community (this is commonly referred to as "leaving the church"). With such declaration, the obligation to pay church taxes ends. The concerned religious organisations usually refuse to administer rites of passage, such as marriages and burials of (former) members who had seceded. To rejoin a religious corporate body under public law one would get one's declaration of re-entry officially recorded. The Conference of the German Bishops, however, considers the declaration to "leave the church" to be a schismatic act to be punished automatically by excommunication.
The church tax is historically rooted in the pre-Christian Germanic custom where the chief of the tribe was directly responsible for the maintenance of priests and religious cults. During the Christianization of Western Europe, this custom was adopted by the churches into the concept of Eigenkirchen (churches owned by the landlord), which stood in strong contrast to the central church organization of the Roman Catholics. Despite the resulting medieval conflict between the emperor and pope, the concept of church maintenance by the ruler remained the accepted custom in most Western European countries. In Reformation times,[5] the local princes in Germany officially became heads of the church in Protestant areas, and were legally responsible for the maintenance of churches; the aforementioned practice is legally referred to as Summepiscopat. Only in the 19th century did the financial flows of churches and state get regulated to a point where the churches became financially independent – the church tax was introduced to replace the state benefits the churches had obtained before.
Fee for leaving a religious corporate body under public law[edit]
In July 2008, the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany had to decide whether a fee for leaving a religious corporate body under public law ("leaving the church") was in accordance with the constitution. Ultimately, the court decided it was an unconstitutional infringement of religious liberty.[6][7] As the state of affairs in August 2008 noted, declaring that one is no longer a member of a church costs between 10 and 30 € in most federal states. It is free in Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, and Thuringia; in some communities in Baden-Württemberg, in contrast, it may cost up to 60 €.[8] In its decision, the Federal Constitutional Court also clarified that the legislator is required by the constitution to reduce the fee, in cases where the person who wants to "leave the church" does not have any personal income.[9] The German atheist group IBKA disagreed with the decision and took the issue to the European Court of Human Rights.[10]
The right to provide religious education at state schools[edit]
Education is the responsibility of the 16 federal states (Bundesländer), and each state can decide how to organise religious education. In most states, religious education is obligatory. The curriculum is provided by the churches and approved by the state. Usually the Roman Catholic Church and one Protestant Church each provide school lessons for members of their own denominations, and for members of other denominations that wish to participate. Smaller denominations and some other religious minorities either co-operate with one of the big ones or may decide to conduct classes outside school. In the latter case they can provide the school with details of pupils' performance, so that this information can be included in school reports.
Children who do not want to participate in religious education are obliged to attend an alternative class called "ethics", in which various issues of philosophy, society, and morals are discussed.
In most cases, even if pupils that stay in one class for almost all their lessons, they are divided into three groups (Roman Catholic, Protestant, Ethics) for their religious education, joining other pupils they might not know very well, but who belong to the same denomination.
The position is reversed in some states (Berlin, Brandenburg): the default option, similar to "ethics", is called "knowledge of life".[11] Pupils may choose instead to attend a denominational course. As the city has many Muslim immigrant children, Berlin also offers Islamic classes, although Muslim associations are not corporate bodies under public law.[12]
Other states (Bremen, Hamburg) have different systems of their own.
Blasphemy law[edit]
In Germany, religious defamation is covered by Article 166 of the Strafgesetzbuch, the German criminal law. If a deed is capable of disturbing the public peace, defamation is actionable. The article reads as follows:[13]
- § 166 Defamation of religious denominations, religious societies and World view associations
- (1) Whoever publicly or by dissemination of writings (§ 11 par. 3) defames, in a manner suitable to disturb the public peace, the substance of the religious or world view conviction of others, shall be fined or imprisoned for up to three years.
- (2) Whoever publicly or by dissemination of writings (§ 11 par. 3) defames, in a manner suitable to disturb the public peace, a church established in Germany or other religious society or world view association, or their institutions or customs, shall be punished likewise.
In 2006, the application of this article received much media attention when a Manfred van H. (also known as "Mahavo") was prosecuted for defamation for distributing rolls of toilet paper with the words "Koran, the Holy Koran" stamped on them.[14][15][16] Beyond the sentence he also received death threats from Islamists and needed a police bodyguard.[16] In February 2016 a man was fined 500 euro for displaying anti-Christian bumper stickers on his vehicle.[17]
Historical development[edit]
The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 changed the legal situation from a uniform Roman Catholic area to the Cuius regio, eius religio principle, which defined freedom of religion for territorial princes, while their subjects had to follow them[clarification needed]. Individuals had at best the possibility to move into an area where their confession was practiced. Depending on the reigning prince, there could exist a certain tolerance towards other denominations, but not as a common law.
In the first half of the 17th century, Germany was laid to waste by the Thirty Years' War, where the lines between enemies within Germany followed mainly denominational borders between the areas of the Catholic League (German) and those of the Protestant Union, resulting in a time of harsh intolerance. Pastor and hymn writer Paul Gerhardt was forced out of office in 1755 due to his staunch Lutheran convictions in a Berlin ruled by a reformed prince. In the 18th century, the idea of freedom of religion was promoted by cultural leaders like philosopher Immanuel Kant and dramatist Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, but their stress was on the freedom of the individual to believe or to not adhere to the beliefs of a dominant state church.
The German Empire of 1871 recognized a basic religious freedom for individuals. The constitution of Weimar of 1919 defined individual freedom of religion in article 136: the civil and civic rights and duties are neither qualified nor restricted by exercise of freedom of religion. No one can be forced to attend an ecclesiastical act or ceremony or be forced to take part in religious exercises or use a religious formula of oath.
Article 137 was about religious associations. Main points include the omission of recognition of a state church. Religious associations manage their own affairs within the limits of general law. Religious offices are given without the influence of the state. Religious associations are legal entities. Religious associations which are "bodies of public law" keep this status. Other religious associations can request the same rights, if they can show by their constituency and number of members that they are permanently established. Associations with the purpose of cultivating a world view have the same status as religious associations.
During the time of the Third Reich, there was a very real danger of religious persecution for adherents of any religious association beside the Protestant Reich Church.
In 1949, West Germany formulated religious freedom in the Grundgesetz. On the other hand, communist East Germany did officially claim religious freedom, which existed in actual practice only for low-key private exercise of religion, and did not interfere with any duties towards the state. Outspoken pastors had to face prison in extreme cases, but the more frequent way of dealing with openly confessing Christians and clerics was subtle repression, like strict observance by the state security, or forbidding admission to college for their children.
Social and cultural dimension[edit]
While church and state in Germany are legally separated, and have been so since the Weimar Republic, there remains the fact that Germany has been under the dominating social and cultural influence of one single church, be it Protestant or Roman Catholic. This influence determined education, arts, music, customs, festivals, lifestyle, and even, to some degree, architecture. In eastern Germany and in urban areas, this cultural influence of religion has been substantially reduced; but, in rural areas, it still can be felt in Bavaria, and in some areas of Baden-Württemberg and the Siegerland.
Individual freedom of religion[edit]
Besides collective, German law protects individual freedom of religion, which is to be distinguished into positive and negative freedom of religion. Negative freedom of religion covers the right not to confess your faith unless legally required (i. e. registration for church tax) and the right not to be exposed to religion while in a position of "subordination" where one is legally required to attend. Landmark decisions are the Crucifix Decision[18] and the Headscarf Decision.[19]
Crucifix Decision[edit]
In the Crucifix Decision the German Federal Constitution Court in 1995 decreed a law that insisted on the presence of religious symbols (crucifixes) in public institutions to be illegal, excluding in some Roman Catholic elementary schools. The court further demanded that the symbols must be removed if a parent does not agree with them. In 1973, a Jew complained successfully that his freedom of religion was violated by the obligation to speak in a German courtroom decorated by a cross.[20]
Headscarf Decision[edit]
In 2004, the German Supreme court denied a Muslim teacher the right to wear a headscarf in class, on the basis that she had to represent neutrality. In this case, freedom of religion (of teachers) had to be brought into "balance" with the state's authority over schools (art. 7), the freedom not to be exposed to religion while in a state of subordination (art. 4), resp. the parents' rights to raise their children (art. 6), and the specific duties of teachers as state servants (art. 33). German courts rarely hold the freedom of religious and non-religious belief to be infringed, as freedom of religion is limited by the exertion of other basic rights (and duties) guaranteed by the Grundgesetz. Already in the late 1970s, a teacher had also been denied the right to wear the distinct clothing of his religion at the workplace.[citation needed]
In Germany, high school students are not excused from classes on sexual education[21] and evolution theory on the basis of religion, as it collides with the state's authority over schools (art. 7) and the legal duty to attend schools. Homeschooling for religious reasons is illegal.[22]
To leave a church or an officially registered religious group, authorities in almost all states demand citizens to pay an administrative fee between €30 and €60. It is not possible to leave an officially registered religion (and to end the tax duty on the income) by just declaring the rejection of the belief to this religious group.[23]
Cults, sects, and new religious movements[edit]
State-issued information on NRM[edit]
The German government provides information about cults, sects, and new religious movements. In 1997, the parliament set up a commission for Sogenannte Sekten und Psychogruppen (literally "so-called sects and psychic groups") which delivered an extensive report on the situation in Germany regarding NRMs in 1998.[24]
The main point of critics against Sekten from the governmental side is that they propagate a concept of the ideal human (Menschenbild de:Menschenbild) which is very different of the concept underlying the Grundgesetz (Basic Law). For example, some cults may stress the inequality of social groups, races or sexes, and foster a culture where blind obedience and fundamentalism are welcomed. The Grundgesetz, however, says that all people are equal and envisages people who are open-minded, discerning and tolerant.[25]
In 2002, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the German government had violated its constitution in its treatment of the Osho movement, using deprecating expressions about it that were not based on fact.[26] The Federal Constitutional Court took eleven years to come to its decision, and the overall duration of proceedings from the original complaint lasted over 18 years; Germany was subsequently fined by the European Court of Human Rights for the excessive duration of the case.[26][27][28][29] Given the limits set by the Federal Constitutional Court on the permitted scope of government actions in 2002, the European Court of Human Rights found that Germany was not in violation of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion), Article 10 (freedom of expression) and Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights, but found that it had violated Article 6 § 1 (right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time).[29]
Jehovah's Witnesses[edit]
Since the 1990s, German courts have repeatedly denied the request of the Jehovah's Witnesses to become a corporate body under public law for various reasons, one of them being that the Jehovah's Witnesses would discourage their members from taking part in state elections, and would not respect the Grundgesetz.
In March 2005, Jehovah's Witnesses were granted the status of a body of public law for the state of Berlin,[30] on the grounds that the alleged lack of fidelity towards the state had not been convincingly proven. The decision on the group's status in Berlin was upheld by the Federal Administrative Court in 2006.[31] In subsequent years, corresponding decisions were made in 12 other states.[32][33] In the states of Baden-Württemberg,[34] and Bremen,[35] the group was denied the status in 2011.
Due to their status of corporate body under public law (in some states), Jehovah's Witnesses in 2010 filed a complaint for broadcasting time at Germany's international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle.[36]
Concerning the issue of blood transfusions, the Federal Constitutional Court has held that transfusing blood to an unconscious Jehovah's Witness violated the person's will, but did not constitute a battery.[37]
German courts have come to different decisions on employees and members of Scientology regarding their religious status.[38] The German government considers Scientology "an organization pursuing commercial interests".[38][39] Scientology is not classified as a non-profit organization in Germany, and the current organizational form of Scientology is "Scientology Kirche e.V." (eingetragener Verein, or registered association). Germany has been criticized over its treatment of Scientologists in United States human rights and religious freedom reports, and the U.S. government has repeatedly expressed its concern over the matter.[40][41][42][43] Rebutting such accusations, and justifying its stance on Scientology, the German embassy in Washington has said that the German government believed Scientology's "pseudo-scientific courses can seriously jeopardise individuals' mental and physical health, and that it exploits its members."[41]
Illegality of religious TV advertisements[edit]
In 2002, there was a legal controversy regarding the "Power for Living" campaign by the Christian Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation featuring celebrities Cliff Richard and Bernhard Langer. The TV advertisings for their book were banned because they were considered as "advertising a worldview or religion", which is forbidden by § 7 section 8 of the state treaty on broadcasting (Rundfunkstaatsvertrag) and European laws on media. For its posters, newspaper adverts and leaflets, however, there was no such problem.[44]
Display of neo-pagan symbols[edit]
There have been cases of groups in Germany which practice Germanic neopaganism facing legal sanctions because of their display of symbols, such as runes or the Celtic cross, which prosecutors have deemed illegal under laws against neo-Nazi propaganda. Using "unconstitutional symbols", namely the swastika, is an offense punishable by up to three years in jail or a fine[45] according to § 86a of the German Criminal Code.
- ^ Fact sheet on the constitutional complaint at the Federal Constitutional Court Archived 2011-09-06 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b "Germany". Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Retrieved 2011-12-29. See drop-down essay on "Religious Freedom in Germany"
- ^ Religious Freedom in Germany
- ^ [1][2]
- ^ Zippelius, Reinhold: Staat und Kirche, 2. Auflage, Mohr Siebeck, 2009, ch. 9, 12
- ^ Spiegel Online, August 8, 2008, Länder dürfen für Kirchenaustritt Gebühren kassieren (in German)
- ^ Decision of the Federal Constitutional Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts): BVerfG, 1 BvR 3006/07 vom 2.7.2008
- ^ Decision of the Federal Constitutional Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts): BVerfG, 1 BvR 3006/07 vom 2.7.2008, para. 40
- ^ Decision of the Federal Constitutional Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts): BVerfG, 1 BvR 3006/07 vom 2.7.2008, para. 41
- ^ Internationaler Bund der Konfessionslosen und Atheisten / International league of non-religious and atheists: Fee for leaving church is brought before European Court of Human Rights, press release, December 2, 2008
- ^ God and Berlin, The Economist, Mar 26th 2009
- ^ Islam in Berlin
- ^ "StGB - Einzelnorm". Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ^ "Suspended prison for German who insulted Koran". Expatica. 23 February 2006.
- ^ Report in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (in German)
- ^ a b "Urteil: Ein Jahr Bewährung für Koran auf Klopapier". Spiegel-Verlag. 23 Feb 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ Huggler, Justin (26 Feb 2016). "Germany fines man for 'blasphemous' car bumper stickers". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ Decision of the German Federal Constitution Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts) BVerfGE 93, 1
- ^ Decision of the German Federal Constitution Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts) BVerfGE 108, 282
- ^ Decision of the German Federal Constitution Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts) BVerfGE 35, 366
- ^ Decision of the German Federal Constitution Court (Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts) BVerfGE 47, 46
- ^ Where homeschooling is illegal
- ^ "Germany". Freedom of Thought Report 2017. International Humanist and Ethical Union. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Final report of the commission of the Bundestag on the investigation into so-called sects and psycho groups
- ^ Final report of the commission of the Bundestag on the investigation into so-called sects and psycho groups, p. 7
- ^ a b Seiwert, Hubert. "Freedom and control in the unified Germany: governmental approaches to alternative religions since 1989". Sociology of Religion (Fall 2003). Retrieved 2009-12-13.
- ^ "Deutschland wegen langen Verfahrens zu Bhagwan-Bewegung verurteilt". 123recht.net. 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
- ^ Buyse, Antoine. "Negative Labelling of Osho Movement". ECHR blog. Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), Utrecht University. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
- ^ a b "Press release issued by the Registrar: Chamber judgments concerning Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Russia, Switzerland, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and Ukraine". European Court of Human Rights. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
- ^ Jehovah's Witnesses Granted Legal Status in Germany
- ^ Awake!, August 2006
- ^ Jehovah's Witnesses file complaint against Rhineland-Palatinate
- ^ Jehovah's Witnesses now corporate body under public law in Bavaria
- ^ Baden-Württemberg refuses to grant status of corporate body under public law
- ^ No recognition as corporate body under public law
- ^ Jehovah's Witnesses file complaint for broadcasting time, Welt Online, 06.07.2010
- ^ Decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court: [3] BVerfG, 1 BvR 618/93 vom 2.8.2001
- ^ a b bundestag.de: Legal questions concerning religious and worldview communities Archived 2009-03-05 at the Wayback Machine., prepared by the Scientific Services staff of the German Parliament (in German)
- ^ German Embassy, Washington D. C. (2001–06): Understanding the German View of Scientology
- ^ Bonfante, Jordan; van Voorst, Bruce (1997-02-10). "Does Germany Have Something Against These Guys?", Time Archived February 4, 2012, at WebCite
- ^ a b Barber, Tony (1997-01-30). "Germany is harassing Scientologists, says US". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (2009-02-25). "2008 Human Rights Report: Germany". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
- ^ "2008 Report on International Religious Freedom – Germany". United States Department of State. 2008-09-18. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
- ^ Religious TV advertisements are illegal in Germany – "Power for Living" ads banned by the state media authorities
- ^ Swastika Funeral Alienates NPD from Militant Neo-Nazis
External links[edit]
- German Embassy background paper: Church and state in Germany
- German Embassy background paper: Scientology and Germany
- German Embassy background paper: Jews in Germany today
- Final report of the enquete commission on so-called sects and psychogroups (pdf, 448 pages)
- Stephen A. Kent: The French and German versus American Debate Over New Religions, Scientology, and Human Rights
- US State department report on religious freedom in Germany 2007
- Gerhard Robbers: Religious Freedom in Germany, Brigham Young University Law Review 2001


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Meet Beth Hollis, aka MegaBeth
By day, she's Beth Hollis, a 53-year-old reference librarian in Akron, Ohio. By night, she's MegaBeth, an ageless dynamo on the roller derby rink.
Before discovering roller derby, Hollis had been casting about for a hobby. "I tried knitting and literally got kicked out of the knitting class for just not being able to get the hang of it," she chortled. "I guess it was just too soon for me to try knitting. I needed something that maybe was a little bit more physical for a hobby."
Video and story From CNN.
You mean they actually kicked her in the ass while ejecting you from the knitting class? Why join roller derby if you can already get into a similar kind of physical altercation in knitting?
Beth Hollis is freakin HOT!!
Beth Hollis is freakin HOT!!
I second the claim
Beth Hollis is indeed quite attractive...
Librarians Rule!!!!
Yeah Beth! I got the post from another librarian who said, "Reminds me of you." There's a lot of us out there but roller derby really says it all!!! Whohoo!!!!
hooray for beth!
Hey Beth Baby, has Shauna Cross, author of Derby Girl, heard about you? I hope so, because her book, on which the film Whip It is based, is so loaded with age stereotypes that I had to duck while reading it. The old people in the book are complete with granny panties, walkers, underarm batwings and cuteness. I'm 75, wear a size 7, work seven days a week and inline skate a couple hours a day. I started rollin' when FDR was prez and see no reason to stop now. No granny panties for this snazzy little Medicare package, Shauna baby. Keep it up Beth! I hope youll still be at it when youre old as me.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
As I wandered along the byways and roads, I spent a lot of time noticing the natural and man made features, capturing photos of some of these features, this post will look at just a few of the bridges and boardwalks, I crossed.
As I left Växjö I walked along the promenade which overlooks the lake, with the Växjö cathedral in the background, for me it was sunny but as the group from Kalmar arrived the weather was less pleasant.
Leaving the city precinct I entered a farm and forest area, crossing over a bridge for the inlet into Bergkvarasjön, nearby was an older bridge which had been replaced by a new concrete bridge, I preferred older stone bridge.
My love for old stone bridges was rewarded again with this small bridge near Vegby, I can just think of the work that went into building these bridges, much of it would have been by hand, whereas these days it is machines that do the work.
The first real boardwalk I came across was on the Munleden (Monks trail) it crossed a very damp heath area, can you imagine what it would have been like to cross such an area without a boardwalk?
Clearly the Monks using the trail would have had problems, but I found evidence that they were using Pacer poles even in those days. They were ahead of their time.
Store Mosse is a wonderful National Park and well worth a visit, and if you wish to train for the boardwalks in lapland and other locales, then this is the place to come to, there are many kilometres of boardwalks in all conditions which you can wander on and test your balance.
I was very much taken by this Iron bridge at Stjärnhyltan, the fact that it has stood for almost 100 years is impressive in itself.
It was also pleasing to see that the builders were proud of their work and happy to place their names on the bridge, something you see very little of these days.
I was also keen to take a closer look at the "arch".
The final bridge which I found interesting was a complete contrast, a wooden bridge, near Villastad, there is something about wood, it has a warmth that steel can never provide.
There were of course many more bridges, but for me the ones included here were special.
Next up will be a look at interesting buildings.


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|U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
|July 22, 2003
Dear Representative:
Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that "Congress shall have the power….to establish an uniform rule of Naturalization…" In other words, the legislative authority to shape immigration law is well understood to be explicitly reserved to the legislative branch of the federal government. Well understood by everyone except the Office of the U. S. Trade Representative.
Within the pending Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreements-H.R. 2738 and 2739-are new and potentially dangerous policy initiatives in the area of U.S. immigration law. At a time when hundreds of thousands of U.S. professional and technical workers are jobless and looking for work, the USTR has usurped Congressional authority over immigration law to create new professional guest worker programs in each agreement. Given our current economic circumstances, now is not the time to be creating precedent setting trade agreement-related guest worker programs that will not only import thousands more foreign workers but are like the H-1B and the L-1 programs, completely disconnected from the realities of labor market conditions.
These provisions were hatched by USTR in negotiations with Chile and Singapore with little or no meaningful or timely input by leadership of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Such consultation would likely have resulted in USTR being told by members of Congress to keep their hands off of this policy area. As a result, the guest worker provisions in the two agreements initially contained few meaningful safeguards that Congress had included in other long-standing guest worker programs. Push back, principally from Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, ranking Committee member John Conyers and Senator Diane Feinstein resulted in the adoption of a host of corrective measures that better reflect current law. Still the guest worker provisions are seriously flawed and should be rejected.
For example:
- The one year, guest worker visa created by these agreements, described erroneously as "temporary entry", is in fact renewable forever. No other guest worker program in U.S. law contains such an extraordinary and ill-advised provision.
- Congress would be proscribed from applying any reforms to other guest worker programs that it may adopt in the future, such as improved worker protections, to the Chile and Singapore visas if they conflict with the agreements. No trade agreement negotiated by the executive branch should ever be allowed to impair the sovereignty of the U.S. Congress to fully exercise its legislative authority.
- Under the H-1B program, the Department of Labor is authorized to self-initiate investigations of employer abuse or fraud based on specific, credible information. No such authority exists in the implementing legislation.
- The additional Labor Condition Application (LCA) requirements that apply to "dependent" employers (defined as employing 15% or more H-1B workers) under the H-1B program are also omitted. Under the H-1B program, these employers must attest that they are not displacing U.S. workers and that they are trying to find U.S. workers to fill the jobs that will be going to H-1B workers. No such attestation requirements relating to dependent employers apply to these trade agreements.
- While the H-1B visa fee of $1,000 was belatedly added to the implementing legislation accompanying the agreements, prohibitions against employers shaking down visa holders for repayment of the fee are not.
- As to the fee itself, either Chile or Singapore could file a dispute claiming that the fee is impairing and delaying trade by keeping some professionals out. A bi-national, FTA dispute panel – not Congress – would make the final decision on this question.
- The definition of a "professional" worker is not the same as that contained in U.S. immigration law. The H-1B program only includes occupations requiring the application of "a body of highly specialized knowledge" (see 8 U.S.C. ß 1184(i)(1)(A)). Yet the Chile and Singapore agreements leave out the requirement that the body of knowledge be " highly" specialized. This change could lead to the inclusion of professions under the Chile and Singapore agreements that are not be included under our H-1B system.
- The Chile and Singapore agreements omit the bound list of specialty occupations found in NAFTA. This list of the 63 occupations in which a TN visa can be made available to Mexican professionals under NAFTA is completely absent from the Chile and Singapore agreements. (The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement contained no new commitments on the entry of professionals). It is unacceptable to include a definition of "professionals" in the Chile and Singapore trade agreements that is broader than that found in our domestic law and broader than that found in previous trade agreements.
- The agreements may allow workers who do not have direct employment in the U.S. but in fact are only contractors, to use the new visa category. Under these rules, professionals could enter to perform various contracts or work for temp agencies, and their ultimate employers would not have to take any responsibility for guaranteeing that the domestic labor market is not being undermined. Temp agencies or "body shops" have been a primary abuser of both the H-1B and L-1 programs and are the subject of separate L-1 reform bills recently introduced by Representatives Mica and De Lauro.
In addition, there are other unanswered questions about these controversial provisions.
What exactly are the number of visas in the agreements based on? During Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, a representative of the USTR referenced the fact that according to the most recent yearly numbers available Singapore had used only 660 H-1B visas. Why then did the USTR set their trade visas at 5,400-over eight times what they actually use under H-1B?
One Senator learned from a side bar discussion with a representative of the Singapore government that they had not asked for the guest worker concession. Why then did the USTR, apparently on its own volition, include it the trade agreement?
The inclusion of so-called "temporary entry" guest worker provisions in these trade agreements has turned into a fiasco of patchwork legislating designed to belatedly conform them to existing law. Yet, despite the commendable efforts of key members to achieve that end, these agreements still remain defective.
In the final analysis, no logical argument can be made for the necessity of including new guest worker programs in these trade agreements. Congress should therefore send a clear an unequivocal message to the USTR that they have crossed the line; that an Executive branch agency had no business meddling in immigration law and that negotiation of immigration law into these trade agreements is an unacceptable violation of constitutionally-mandated separation of powers.
The Congress should dispatch this message to the USTR by sending these agreements back to the negotiating table for the expressed purpose of removing the guest worker provisions. On behalf of the 4 million professional and technical workers that our 25 member unions represent, I respectfully urge you to vote against these agreements.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Paul E. Almeida


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Interesting (and long) article about Information Technology and business
This article discusses how businesses can incorporate information technology to make their operations run smoother. It talks about how businesses can change to conform to ever evolving technologies. It specifically points out both the strengths and weaknesses of web services and service oriented architectures (SOA).


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I'm thrilled to be a part of this tour, and there's SO much great stuff here for you today! I've got all of the details for this adorable new novel, plus an exclusive excerpt, music playlist, and even a fabulous giveaway! Read on and enjoy!
by Teri Ann Stanley
Publication Date: February 8, 2016
ON SALE FOR ONLY 99c!
About ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH THE BIKER:
Aspiring writer Kelli Dalton needs a man, and fast. When she's rear-ended by a sexy-as-sin Biker on the way to a Vegas romance readers convention, she sees her chance. If he'll pose as her fake boyfriend long enough to impress a bestselling author, Kelli has a shot at saving the bookstore for underprivileged kids she runs back home.
Quinn Anderson doesn't know what to make of the cute little writer who stirs his heart and his libido, but he does know he wants to get better acquainted. And if that means keeping up their sexy ruse all week, he's game.
Quinn knows girl like Kelli deserves someone with a secure future to help with her store, not a guy struggling to turn a profit on his chopper shop. But if his motorcycle designs win the big Vegas competition, he'll have enough prize money to fund his dreams…and hers.
Purchase: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N | Kobo | iBooks
Excerpt from ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH THE BIKER:
Lying on the hot asphalt of Las Vegas Boulevard waiting for death to take him, Quinn reflected that he'd never envisioned his life ending under the chassis of a mass-produced hulk of acid green hybrid auto. He'd hoped to go quietly in his sleep when he was ninety-seven, but if it had to be a bike wreck, it should have been spectacular—fiery and with lots of twisted metal. Not with a thunk.
He also hadn't expected to be aware that he was dying. His lungs had stopped working, even though he tried to pull in air. This sucked.
Well, at least it was a Ford Fusion and not a Prius. Although a Prius probably wouldn't have been that green—
"Oh no, oh no, ohnoonononono."
The voice was coming from somewhere to his right, he thought, as his vision got fuzzy. But the sound distracted him enough to pull in a breath. He forced himself to lie perfectlystill, fighting the need to thrash and gasp like a refugee from Hillbilly Handfishin'.
Something poked his upper arm.
"Please don't be dead," came from somewhere near the poking thing, in a drawl that was half honey and half
husky—and all morning wood.
He turned his head toward the voice and took another breath. Okay. Not dead if he could hear and respond to the sound of a female. Even though he was on a self-imposed break. No more females. Especially not the kind who drove preppy cars. Nope. It was him and Mr. Handy from here on out.
Breathe in, out. Good. Ribs intact. And nothing else felt terribly beat up, either.
Something knocked on his helmet. "Is it okay to help you take this off? Your neck's not broken, is it?"
The sun glared down on the visor of his helmet, blinding him—so he put a hand up and found another, smaller, softer hand already there.
She was still talking and apparently not expecting a response—which was good, because once she flipped up his visor, he would have directly answered the breasts spilling out of the top covering the Body attached to that voice.
The aches in his bruised bones coalesced in his groin. He wasn't one of those assholes who talked to women's chests. At least, not usually. But damn. And these particular breasts led to a nice curvy little body, as far as he could tell from this angle.
She was quiet for a second, then said, "You look a little dazed. I should probably call 911."
That was when he finally found her face. Heart-shaped, all rosy-cheeked and wholesome, with strands of light brown hair coming loose from where it was fastened in the back. The face of an angel to go with that fifties pinup body. Throb.
Playlist for ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH THE BIKER:
DubThat2Step by Hubba Dub (Entangled Music) : This is the song that Kellie got at the party when she requested Hank William's Sr. meets Earth, Wind, and Fire:
Dating Game Bloopers: Kellie and Quinn played the dating game:
Kellie's drunken friend dances with the go-go girls to All About That Bass:
Quinn suggests Buddy Holly tunes–or strip poker– to pass the time:
When Quinn and Kellie pull into his parents driveway, she's reminded of Dallas:
Dancing at the party: Uptown Funk:
And slow dancing at the party: I'll Make Love To You, by Boyz to Men:
ABOUT Teri Anne STANLEY
Teri Anne Stanley began her writing career with scientific articles—followed by a three-ingredient recipe column, but wasn't allowed to write sex scenes for them—so now she writes fun, sexy romance filled love, angst and nekkid parts.
She's also worked as a fashion designer for female body builders and a sex therapist for rats. In her spare time, she is a neuroscience research assistant. Along with a variety of teenagers and dogs, she and Mr. Stanley live just outside of Sugartit, which is—honest to God—between Beaverlick, and Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post first appeared on Miss Riki – Welcome To My Literary World, please read the originial post: here


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I'll have two posts today so the cards I have already made can make the deadlines.
First up is Freshly Made
and my take on it.
When I saw the circle in the sketch I immediately thought of the jingle bell. It is cut from CM 'Tis the Season from silver paper (which doesn't show up well in the picture). The loopy border is cut from MS Elegant and the sentiment is stamped with a stamp from My Craft Spot. All the parts are inked with Walnut Distress Ink.
How lucky for me that this week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is Bells are Ringing. I can enter this into their challenge, too.


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Is it too early to start planning for 5G?
The development of 5G is gaining buzz, but is it too early to seriously discuss 5G for mobile networks? Mike Jude explains the issues.
5G planning is being discussed in some organizations, but is it way too early to be talking about that?
Unless we can reconcile and normalize frequency spectra, 5G wireless doesn't really matter. The various generations of wireless have been focused on pretty much one thing: how to increase the throughput to a mobile device.
Right now, LTE could conceivably increase transfer rates to nearly 1 GB but can't because there is a lack of spectrum to support such connections. Mobile devices can handle much higher data rates than the cellular network can deliver, which is why, for example, AT&T offloads high-capacity streaming to Wi-Fi when it can. In order to support a 5G standard, we simply need more spectrum. But where is the needed spectrum going to come from?
There is spectrum out there, but figuring out a way to make it available has turned out to be a regulatory mess. And although a 5G standard is also supposed to accommodate micro autonomous cells with rapid hand off, I suspect that it will require a huge amount of investment to make it work, which I don't think will happen soon.
I would say 5G is something to keep an eye on, but I don't expect it to happen right away. For the record, LTE is not really 4G or HSPA+. It just has gotten a pass. For LTE to be 4G, it has to deliver a much higher data rate.
Learn more about 5G:
- 5G is coming, but not soon: Learn why industry experts say we may not see 5G until 2020.
- 5G and cloud storage: Learn why 5G could make the cloud a viable option for production data storage.
Do you have a question for Mike Jude or any of our other experts? Send your telecom industry and technical question to email@example.com. All submissions are treated anonymously.
Next Steps
The evolution of 5G wireless promises benefits ranging from high broadband speeds to shared wired and wireless infrastructure uses, but is the cost of 5G justified?
Both 5G wireless and event-driven networking promise telecom benefits, but solving the remaining challenges will determine the outcome.
Dig Deeper on Wireless Services and Networks
Related Q&A from Mike Jude
What are the WLAN benefits of 802.11ac vs. 802.11n?
In analyzing wireless 802.11ac versus 802.11n, our expert says the advantages of 802.11ac are many, but the engineering has to be spot on. Continue Reading
Is big data implementation always a custom project?
An expert says it's important to figure out your big data objectives before purchasing hardware or software from a vendor. Continue Reading
What is the security impact of enterprise IoT?
Software management at the device level is key to mitigating security risks in the enterprise when IoT arrives. Continue Reading
Have a question for an expert?
Please add a title for your question
Get answers from a TechTarget expert on whatever's puzzling you.
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View all Telecom questions and answers


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Wednesday, 31 January 2018
Moderate 5 miles / 8 km
A walk encompassing Cleeve Common the River Isborne Valley, Corndean Hill and Postlip. Travel Donation £2.30
Access Road off A38 on city side off Escort Road, near playing field entrance
Exact location not specified
This is a circular walk
This is one of hundreds of Ramblers group walks for all ages and abilities every week - all led by our experienced walk leaders.
You're welcome to join us on any of our walks to see if the Ramblers is for you. Then, once you've enjoyed the views, fun, exhilaration and good company, it's just a case of becoming a member.
Do make sure you're fit enough and have the right footwear and clothing for the walk you want to do, though. You can contact the group or leader if in doubt.


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Why take the ASVAB test in the first place?
The ASVAB test is an important test that you may have to undertake especially if you are thinking of joining the United States Military. It is a test that is going to prove whether or not you are going to qualify to get a spot or not. This is why if you have decided to undertake this test that you need to make sure that you are able to do it to the best of your ability. Getting a high ASVAB score is not only going to give you more chances especially when it comes to joining the service. It is also a way of opening different career doors and ensuring that you are able to explore different opportunities that you never even knew existed in the very first place.
* The student ASVAB program is a great tool for students
The program is an important career assessment tool that students can make use of when it comes to the identifying of the careers that they feel suit them best. Since the ASVAB test is more of an aptitude test, it is not only going to tell you the areas that you are good at. It may end up telling you just how good you are especially when it comes to learning. For example, you may have no idea about electronics but you may find out that your high score in this test may actually tell you that you have a high ability when it comes to the learning of electronics.
* The student version of the ASVAB is considered to be much easier
In the event that you choose to have a retake of your ASVAB test, then this may end up being given in a number of different military tests versions. You may find that there may be either two or three version of the ASVAB that you really did not take seriously.
Most students may think that taking the ASVAB test this early is a huge waste of time for them especially if they really do not how to pass asvab want to join the military. However, you may really be surprised when things end up turning out differently in the long run.


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Osteoporosis is a disease that slowly weakens bones until they break easily. People who have a broken bone related to osteoporosis often experience a downward turn in their overall health.
Contact Us
To improve and save lives through compassionate quality health care.
To be the trusted provider of integrated quality health care in North Texas.
Methodist SHINES
Methodist Health System Foundation
Methodist Health System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age.


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Stories about teenagers held against their wills trying to escape before it's too late.
F Bodeen,S
Bodeen, S. A. The Compound.
When a nuclear war starts, Eli's billionaire father rushes his family in into their underground compound. They have everything they need to survive until it is safe to go above ground again. But when things start to go wrong, Eli realizes the real danger is not just on the surface but within his own family.
F Dashner,J
Dashner, James. The Maze Runner.
When Thomas wakes up on the lift, all he can remember is his first name. When the door's open, he finds himself in a huge maze with stone walls called the Glade. He is surrounded by a group of boys his own age who have a similar story. Every 30 days a new boy arrives, but no one has ever escaped the Glades.
F Henry,A
Henry, April. Shock Point.
When Cassie finds out that her psychiatrist stepfather Rick has been illegally prescribing an experimental drug to teen patients who have then committed suicide. To silence her, Rick commits her to a sadistic boot camp for troubled teen in Mexico called Peaceful Cove. Even if she can escape the brutal camp, she has to get through the Mexican desert and get back to Oregon. And even then, who will believe her story?
F Smith,A
Smith, Alexander Gordon. Lockdown: Escape from Furnace.
Furnace Penitentiary is the world's most secure youth prison. It is a mile underground and its inmates are all serving life sentences. The guards and the other inmates are sadistic, but they aren't the worst things about the prison. Alex Sawyer is a criminal, but he has been falsely imprisoned for murder. Together, with a group of other innocent kids and some cold blooded killers, Alex plans a dangerous escape.
F Strasser,T
Strasser, Todd. Boot Camp.
Harmony Lake is a boot camp for troubled teens and supposedly a godsend for desperate parents. Like all kids at the camp, Garrett is taken in the middle of the night. He knows that some of the kids deserve there, but when he is beaten and subjected to psychological abuse, he knows he has to try to escape at all costs before it is too late.


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Twenty-four years of software project management, software project development, and personnel management experience. I've been a principal in a number of start up companies and understand explicitly the needs of what small businesses need in order to thrive - technology-wise and business-wise. My goal is to assist companies of all sizes reach their potential in delivering efficient, cogent, and on task software systems and services. My current focus is on delivering high profile social networking and iPhone applications, such as Cheap Gas! (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290765007&mt=8).
Work experience
Jun 1996 - Present
Sumner Systems Management, Inc.
Sumner Systems Management (SSM) is a full-service software services and development firm with an established and lengthy record of success. SSM provides software services consulting, custom web application development and software project management services. We are known for being On Time, On Target, and On Budget. Our Cheap Gas! iPhone Application (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290765007&mt=8) is the #7 Travel App on Apples iTunes App Store. We also specialize in the development of Facebook applications, such as: LinkedIn Contacts (http://apps.facebook.com/ssmlinkedin/) Spitball (http://apps.facebook.com/searsarrivalsitball/) Start! Walking (http://apps.facebook.com/ahastart/)
1998 - 1998
Staff Parish Chairman
Hendersonville First United Methodist Church
You can provide a brief description for this position.
Jul 1995 - Jun 1996
Absolute Management, Inc
Custom Software Project Management & Custom Software Development.
Dec 1989 - Jul 1995
Director, Point of Sale Systems
Network Data Corporation
Network Data Corporation provided point of sales software and hardware to the Convenience Store Industry, to companies such as Amarada Hess, Farm Stores, and Citgo.
1991 - 1994
Adjunct Faculty
Nashville State Tech
Taught C Language Programming and Advanced Microcomputer Concepts.
Mar 1988 - Dec 1989
Director, Information Services
TIC Financial Consultants
TIC Financial Consultants provided funds transfer and cash advance services to the trucking industry, utilizing lines of credit and automatic bank drafts to fund fueling operations for over the road drivers.
Apr 1987 - Feb 1988
Computer Services of TN
Custom software development projects in Assembler, BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL, and C; ISAM, and Btrieve databases.
Jun 1985 - Mar 1987
Actuarial Student
American General Life and Accident
Responsible for the quarterly reporting of GAAP and Statutory Reserves of AGLA owned companies.
1980 - 1985
Minors in History, English, Computer Science, and Physics.
1981 - 1983
Western Kentucky University
Undergraduate work in Mathematics.
1977 - 1980
DuPont High
AP Math, AP English


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marathon running
We have selected MarathonGuide as the world's very best website on Marathon Running.
The MarathonGuide website, based in the USA, covers all aspects of marathon running. The main sections of the website are: Calendars, Marathon Results, Marathon News & Articles, Marathon Products, Community, Marathon Training, Members, and Race Directors. The Articles section contains articles on more than thirty marathon races in the USA and around the world, dating back to 2000.
The Training section of MarathonGuide is in three parts: Running Calculators, Training Articles & Advice, and Bulletin Boards. The Running Calculators section includes: Pace Time Distance Calculator, Pace Chart, Pace Wristband, Race Result Predictor, and Age Equivalent Results. The Pace Wristband Calculator enables you to create a wristband with your mile or kilometer pace overthe marathon distance.
Examples of articles in the Training section are: Heart Monitor Training, Nutrition for the Endurance Athlete, Marathon Recovery, and Fat: The Ultimate Fuel.
Click here for the MarathonGuide website: http://www.marathonguide.com


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City of Madison, Wis.
Madison, WIUnited States
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Do you have what it takes to maintain the integrity and security of the network for the second largest city in Wisconsin? The City of Madison is looking for an advanced level information technology professional to work with leading-edge government technology. This individual will participate in researching new technology, and leading future direction and initiatives of security efforts.
Find full details on the attached posting.


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We love our heated stair mats. They are working great during this cold Michigan winter
Cleveland, OH (Vocus/PRWEB) February 25, 2011
Martinson-Nicholls new residential Heated Snow Melting Stair Mats prevent snow and ice accumulation on stairs around your home. Made of customized thermoplastic materials, the mats are portable and can be left outside for the entire winter season. The stair treads can be used individually, or up to 15 connected quickly and easily as demonstrated by the heated stair treads video on Martinson-Nicholls web site.
The heated mats will generate sufficient heat to melt snow at a rate of 2" per hour, leaving steps to your home clean and clear 24/7. The Residential Heated Stair Mat can be used independently or interconnected with one another to create a continuous system of snow melting mats. With the mats' built in watertight connector cables, you can Mix and Match walkway and stair mats to create your perfect snow melting solution - all on a single plug!
Each Heated Stair Mat comes with built in watertight connector cables. A customer can use the watertight connector cables to connect the mats to other residential mats or to a control unit. Every group of Residential Heated Mats requires a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) control unit to connect the system to an electrical outlet. A customer can connect up to 15 stair mats (up to 15 amps) on a single control unit. Martinson-Nicholls web site includes a calculator that displays the total amperage for the number of mats selected.
"We love our heated stair mats. They are working great during this cold Michigan winter," volunteered one stair treads customer from Lansing, Michigan.
Watertight Cable Extenders come in 20-inch lengths to connect mats on tiered walkways or across landings. Multiple extenders can be plugged together to create custom lengths. Martinson-Nicholls also offers a 25-foot extender to connect the heated treads to the GFCI unit to reach a distant outlet.
About Martinson-Nicholls
Martinson-Nicholls, has established itself as a leader in custom anti-slip tape, heated floor mats, and eco-friendly floor matting for more than 25 years.
Martinson-Nicholls provides the customer with the exact size matting needed--small, large, standard, nonstandard, special shapes and logos. Custom installations are also a specialty of the company.
Anti-slip safety tapes and treads are available in various sizes and textures from hand cut or die cut pieces to full rolls and special shapes. For more information, please visit http://www.floormat.com.
# # #


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Every once in a while I will be sitting staring at an ingredient and remember that I have a subscription to watch the always helpful cooking videos at Rouxbe.com. This time the ingredient was a NY strip steak that I picked up at the store the other day. It was on sale, which is perfect for my "austerity" measures to save money.
I watched the How to Cook Premium Steak video and learned so much:
- Temper the steak (bring it to room temperature) by putting it in a turned off 200 degree oven.
- Season liberally with salt and pepper 15 minutes before cooking.
- Before cooking, pat with a paper towel and drizzle with oil.
- Then, the big secret… flip the steak every minute until it reaches the right temperature.
- Rest the steak for 10 minutes on a rack and tent with foil.
I tested the doneness by touch and when I thought it was medium rare I double checked with a thermometer. When you flip the steak every minute, the inside cooks really evenly without overcooking the outside. Tempering it first helps. Pretty cool and my kitchen didn't fill up with smoke like it normally does when I pan fry steak.
For a side I tried to make the shredded brussel sprouts with bacon that my dad made the other day, but I really didn't know how he made them. So, I cooked some bacon, drained some fat, chopped the cooked bacon and then cooked the sprouts in the bacon fat. It tasted a bit too good so it probably coulda used less bacon. I guess I'll just have to wait for papa Kempner to comment on this post tomorrow.
Just in case you think I just eat bacon and steak, I also ate some salad with pickled onions. I made these onions way back on October 31st and canned them. I had to slice 3 lbs of red onions! These onions make any salad taste better although this one had hearts of palm so it was off to a pretty good start. After I canned them, I made a little video of all the bubbles escaping from the jars. Vacuums are neat.
Vacuum seal of pickled onions from Michelle Kempner on Vimeo.


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DIY Lenticular Art Tutorial from Hideous! Deadful! Stinky!
I have literally been looking for a DIY Lenticular Art tutorial for years, after I saw a huge oil painting one in the office of a talk show personality.
These portraits change as you walk by them – so you get the illusion of one image slowly transforming into another. You can use this for Halloween, like at the Haunted House in Disneyland, where one image is happy and the other image is scary. Or you can use it to represent the change of seasons or facial expressions (as shown above).


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Sam Querrey doesn't set goals, but he has a reason to wake up every morning and train.
"My motivation? Prize money," Querrey said in a recent interview with ESPN.com. "I know it's kind of blunt, but honestly, I think that is a lot of guys' motivation. They don't say that because it doesn't necessarily sound great. Instead, a lot of people say, 'I have this passion for the game. That's my drive.'"
Listening to Querrey, who made more than $2.2 million last season, you might think he's a glass-half-empty player. But while he's not a guy who longs to win a Grand Slam, he just doesn't want to set himself up for disappointment. The 30-year-old has logged a lot of work recently.
"I want to improve and have a good 12 months," Querrey said. "If I go to Australia and play aggressive and do what I want to do and lose in the first round, I will be OK with that. At the end of this season, I want to look back and say, 'I'm proud of my improvement this year.'"
After last season, his 12th on tour, Querrey accessed his previous 365 days with that very sentiment. He made his first major semifinal, at Wimbledon, played in the quarters of the US Open and won two titles, including a best-of-three stunner over Rafael Nadal in Acapulco. He enters 2018 ranked No. 13, a career-high, and is the second-highest-ranked American man on tour behind Jack Sock (No. 8).
"The previous 12 months have been the best of my career," Querrey said. "I have a big game and I feel like I can beat a lot of these top guys. I can make big runs in Grand Slams. I know that now."
Before last season, Querrey believes if anyone asked if he would win a major before the end of his career, he likely would have said no. "I wouldn't even have said I would make the semifinals of a Grand Slam," he said. "But now I'm in the mindset that if the draw opens up, I can go far in Slams and win a Grand Slam. Over the past 10 years, that wasn't a realistic expectation."
So what is different? Querrey says he changed his tactics last season, thanks in large part to an earful from his coach, Craig Boynton, after his third-round win against Britain's Kyle Edmund in Acapulco.
"I won, but I didn't play aggressively, and I moped around on the court a bit," Querrey says. "After the match, Craig sat me down at dinner and, it's not that he laid into me, but he had a talk with me. He said, 'You need to change things up.'"
It wasn't the first time the pair had this conversation. Querrey understood he needed to play more aggressive tennis, even on days when he didn't feel like it or in moments when the match wasn't going his way, and he knew he had good results when he did.
"I played the rest of the tournament like that and ended up doing really well," Querrey said of his championship run. "When I play that way, I know I can beat anyone. When I don't, I'll win matches, but not tournaments."
Querrey is most at home on hard courts, winning eight of his 10 career titles on the surface, but the furthest he's advanced in Melbourne is the third round, which he's done five times including last year, when he lost in straight sets to Andy Murray.
But with Murray absent this season after having hip surgery and Kei Nishikori out with a wrist injury, the draw is already opening up. Six-time Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic (elbow) and Stan Wawrinka (knee), a semifinalist in Melbourne last year, both pulled out of the Abu Dhabi exhibition in early January, and it's likely neither will be full-throttle in Oz. The same goes for Nadal, the 2017 runner-up, who is also rehabbing a knee injury.
That means Querrey's first major final could come sooner than expected. "It's true, there is a fire and a focus inside," Querrey said. "I feel like I found a new level of intensity, if you want to call it that, especially in big moments in big tournaments.
"Even [last month] hitting, I feel my game is at an all-time high. I'm striking the ball well and my confidence is high, and confidence is the most important thing in those big matches."
That confidence could lead him to a memorable run in Melbourne — and a much bigger paycheck.


text: So I've got a question about backlinks and their anchor text. Basically, what's better to rank for a specific keyword. Having 10k backlinks pointing to your site with a name as the anchor text (for example "John Smith") or having 1k (or even less) backlinks pointing to your site with the keyword as the anchor text? I've been building tons of backlinks to my sites mainly with names as the anchor text, but not really seeing movement in the SERPS for my keyword. Maybe I should bite the bullet and risk having the links removed in order to get a few backlinks with the keyworded anchor text? Any information would be helpful. Thanks!


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Sponsors are vitally important to Springfest, without their generous support Ballarat's premier springtime season of events would not be the success it has become and our community would be the poorer for it.
Our sponsors for the Springfest Season of Events 2017 are:
Springfest also receives valuable help and assistance from the following companies and individuals.
- Haymarket
- Helen and Graeme Eyres
- John and Mandy Plush
- Gove Cycles
- Eureka Trailers
- Bartlett Canvas
- Voi Williams
- Wendouree Fire Brigade


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OUYA has expanded their partnership list again, and this time it is with a multimedia company instead of just gaming. They shared on their KickStarter page that VEVO has joined them and will offer their HD music service on the device when it launches. Here's a quote with some details,
As a sidenote, OUYA has now surpassed $6 Million dollars in funding.VEVO's SVP of Product and Technology, Michael Cerda, said that OUYAs vision that the future lies in being open and accessible for users looking for high quality entertainment experiences, and that's a vision that VEVO can get behind. The partnership will bring VEVO to center stage on Ouya giving users access to a huge amount of HD music videos.
Source: PhoneArena


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Lafayette Avenue - Water Main Replace Project
New Jersey American Water is preparing to replace approximately 5,500 feet of aging 6-inch main that was installed in the 1940s with new 12-inch ductile iron main along Lafayette Avenue (from Southern Blvd to Shunpike Road/Watchung Avenue). The existing pipe has reached the end of its useful life and will be replaced with new pipe. The project also includes replacing fire hydrants and utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. These improvements should enhance water service reliability and water flows for household consumption and fire fighting.
Lafayette Avenue Water Main Replacement Information - 2 page flyer (PDF)
Lafayette Avenue Postcard sent to residents
Lafayette Avenue Work Hours, Service/Disruptions, Traffic and Accessibility


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Salman Khan tops the Times Celebex ranking
Timex Celebex is a monthly rating index launched in September 2012. They measure the popularity of Stars through different research tools, like by their box office performance, their presence in news, their popularity on social media and brand endorsements. It is the first ever ranking system of Bollywood that collects data from more than 60 publications and more than 250 channels.
They recently published their 50 star's ranking for September 2014 where Salman Khan has beaten Sha Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan by being on the top of the ranking list. Salman Khan is on top while Hrithik and Shah Rukh come on second and third respectively.
Pakistani rock star and superstar Fawad Khan ranks fifth in the list, leaving behind Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan,Ranbir Kapoor and other milestone of Bollywood. According to that report Imran Abbas stands on 30th and Ali Zafar on 38th place.
Whereas, Priyanka Chopra leads the female rating list of top 50 actresses by leaving behind Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone.


text: Ok its so close to Christmas and I know I should be cleaning today but I was so excited last night about my daughters upcoming 2nd Birthday( Jan 3) I just had to start working on a special creation for her. I have had this idea swirling around and finally got to create it! I love crepe paper and how versatile it is and the effect it gives is like no other. So here is my latest creation for Priya I am going to be doing special orders for similiar ones on my etsy shop and probably will put some on my website as well. I had to make a hat for her too I still think it needs a number 2 on it so its not 100% complete yet but whatever is around here! I really believe you can't have enough, over the top is beautiful!!!!!!!! Less is never more in my book. I am looking forward to spring and working on projects for weddings/showers etc. I can't get enough of girly, frilly stuff. Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful, whimsical time of year-until next time


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The literary critic Roland Barthes once wrote that every book is "a tissue of quotations drawn from innumerable centres of culture." Maybe it's a French thing, since the same could be said of Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit, the latest game from Parisian developer Arkedo. It's an utterly barmy platformer, but it's also a love letter to games gone by, from Metroid to Castlevania to Pokemon.
The set-up is simple, if a little strange: Ash is both a dead white rabbit and the Prince of Hell. And someone has dared to take photos of him enjoying an intimate bath with his rubber ducky and put them on the 'Hellternet'. You must assist Ash on his murderous quest to retrieve those sensitive snaps and punish those responsible.
It begins much like any other platformer, but you quickly learn that, unlike Mario or Sonic, Ash can't simply hop onto the craniums of his enemies to defeat them. And this is where things get a little gory. For most of the game, Ash sits comfortably inside a giant rotating buzz-saw, letting him zip across levels gleefully eviscerating all the weird creatures that stand in his way. But that's not the only instrument of death in Ash's armoury. He can launch grenades, rockets or wield a M41A pulse rifle.
You can shoot in all directions with the aid of the right analogue stick. Most of the time, you'll be shooting directly in front of you, but when you find yourself in more open spaces or up against a boss, gameplay suddenly becomes much more taxing. You have to nimbly evade enemy projectiles, hopping between platforms, while trying to find the killer angle using the right analogue stick.
Once you've eroded the monster's health below a certain level, a quick mini-game begins. They range from mindless button bashing to quick time events. In one game you're presented with a clutch of dinosaur eggs, and asked to find the rabbit. Luckily, the shells have cracked, and a rabbit's foot can be seen poking out. Successfully completing this mini-game triggers an elaborate animation in which a T-Rex appears from nowhere and greedily munches the head of your enemy, as violent plumes of blood coat the screen. All the mini-games I saw were charmingly bonkers, and there seems to be a decent selection to avoid repetition.
Although fun enough, it's easy to see how Hell Yeah's gameplay could become staid. Reassuringly, it seems the developers are aware of this, too. In one of the later levels, Ash loses his serrated wheel and is forced to go things alone. Gameplay reverts to a much more traditional platforming experience. This section of hell resembles a Gothic cathedral, and is populated with flickering pale-blue phantasms. Ash must avoid straying into the light or he will be attacked by one of these roaming spirits. It's a welcome change of pace, and hopefully one of many that will appear throughout the game.
But it's the design and presentation of Hell Yeah! that is most striking. This is most noticeable in its unbridled love of monsters and character design. Oddly for a game that revels in gore so much, one of the major influences on Hell Yeah's eccentric bestiary is Nintendo's family-friendly Pokemon. But the imperative this time around is not to catch but to kill them all.
Psychoanalysts will tell you that monsters are patchwork beings, stitched together from our darkest anxieties. Well, based on that theory, the fears of Arkedo range from distended fugu fish masquerading as cowboys to cybernetic gorillas to anthropomorphic faeces with chainsaws sprouting from their heads. All are brought to life using a gorgeously garish art style. And if it all sounds a little unhinged, a little crude, that's because it is. Hell Yeah! is not a subtle game, and makes no apologies for being puerile.
The levels of Hell Yeah! are similarly indebted to the unfolding stages of Castlevania and Metroid. The razor-sharp wheel that Ash rides can also be used to drill through material, revealing new paths as well as secret areas. Zoom out for a moment or access the game's mini-map, and you'll be presented with a level that resembles an ant farm or, more appropriately, a rabbit warren. There are multiple paths to explore, which will hopefully reward multiple playthroughs.
But for all its peculiarities, its crass creativity, it's clear that Hell Yeah! is a game by video game enthusiasts for the like-minded. It's not lampooning them. This respect is evident from the moment you boot-up Hell Yeah! for the first time: you're greeted by the classic SEGA logo and that nostalgic jingle. It's not just a passing allusion; it's a statement of intent.


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.intro_image {max-width:500px;}
Review Overview
- Sales Rank – 42.75
- Refund Rate – 50
- Link authority – 1
Review too long? Well it'll be enough to read this summary where I provide Windows 8 Superguide an overall score. My objective has been to make use of stats to produce a totally fair review that helps to provide a clear idea of whether or not you should purchase this product. I looked at the sales figures, the refund rate and the authority of the product's website to set up an overall idea of reliability. It's a computer algorithm, yes, but it should be a great help nonetheless. So, the final score is 49.69/100 – pretty decent!.
Welcome to another great review here at thecalculatr.com. On this website I care about my visitors and helping you to make a good buying choice. I do this, principally, by looking at sales figures but I additionally ensure that every product on this site has a 60 day cash back guarantee. So strap yourselves in and let's get started! Oh, just before we begin allow me to point out that I do have a bonus for everyone who purchases by means of my link – a nice freebie as a thanks from me. Click here to read about that. One final thing before I start the review – please do click here to have a look at how this website is financed. I don't want you to feel fooled, and you should know that this webpage does contain some "affiliate links". Done that? Superb, now let's really begin.
Does it sell many copies?
To begin with, a confession. I am inclined to be influenced by the status of products. In the event that I see everyone is buying something I have a tendency to come along for the ride. My reasoning? Well, if everyone wants it, it has to be good, right? Of course, that is not always true but sales volume can be a good proof of quality. Luckily for you, I do have some sales information for Windows 8 Superguide. First, I've got something called Gravity which comes directly from the payment processor. It provides us a rough indication of sales volume. Windows 8 Superguide has a gravity of 0, which makes me think this might be one to avoid – maybe better to look at alternatives. Now, this gravity figure might not mean much to you. Therefore, dear readers, I have evaluated the gravities of every product on this site and created a sales rank! A rank of 100 means it's the best selling product here … and all the way down to 1 with the worst seller. So what about Windows 8 Superguide? Basically, it receives a sales rank of 42.75, which means it's undoubtedly substandard – I'd suggest you see if any alternatives do better.
Does it get many refunds?
Of course, I prefer to give my readers more than just sales stats. You want to know about a product's quality. Unfortunately, my time restrictions (and bank balance!) don't make it possible for me to try every product personally. So I use another stat – the refund rate.This stat comes straight from the payment processor, when it was available for a brief time. Windows 8 Superguide scores 3 /5 which is the average score and indicates we either don't have any refund data or the refund amount is at a satisfactory level – should be OK to proceed here.
Anything else?
OK, what else can I tell you? Well, why don't we have a look at the site that this product is sold from (top-windows-tutorials.com)? There are a few stats available that will provide us witha better idea about how effective the product is. Firstly, we know the website has 1580 pages – the idea is that the more pages it has, the older and more reliable it is. So, in this case, 1580 is really a lot and means I'm inclined to recommend it to you dear readers. But, naturally, you can't just judge a website by the number of pages it has. They could all be junk! Instead, let's take a leaf out of Google's book and take a look at the amount of other sites that are backlinking in to this one. Loads of links from quality websites means this one is sure to be quality too. So top-windows-tutorials.com has 0 backlinks with an authority score of 1/100, which means it hasn't gained much approval from other sites yet (and hence not from me either).
Additional products – what else is this vendor selling?
We're approaching the conclusion of this review now, but I still think there's a few more data to be found. I've hunted high and low and created a list of all the other products this supplier is selling, and also any specials they have on at this time. Let's take a look… So, it seems Windows 8 Superguide has no special product(s) on sale.
.img-right {float:right;margin-top:-50px;}
And what about any other products?


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Entertainment of Friday, 28 March 2008
Source: GNA
Accra, March. 28, GNA- Batman Samini, the Hip-life musician, who was recently adjudged the best Africa Artiste of the Year 2008 in a music awards held in Nigeria, has presented his award to the management of MTN Ghana.
The competition dubbed: Hip Hop World Music Awards saw artistes from various African countries competing. Samini said his category was a keenly contested one, involving Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. He expressed his gratitude to MTN and Ghanaians in general for their support and dedication to the growth of his career adding, "This award does not belong to me alone but Ghana as a whole". Ms Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Services Executive, said Samini was an embodiment of the Company objectives of excellence, leadership and "can do spirit".
Mr George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer, said Samini's association with the company had gingered greater commitment to the music industry. "Samini's achievements only reinforce MTN's position as an organization, which stands for the 'can do spirit, leadership and excellence,'" he added.


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JOHNSBURG - In its third year of competition in the Adirondack League, the Johnsburg Cross Country team is expected to be competitive, according to head coach Gary Wilson.
The Jaguars finished last year's season having finished well individually. Freshman Matt Hayden, junior Bridgette Crooms and senior Tyler Morse received all-star honors.
Wilson lost two strong runners to graduation last year and is looking to his younger members to rise to the challenge of replacing them.
Now a sophomore, Matt Hayden will lead the men's team.
"He has been training all summer and will be a top finisher in the league. He has a serious attitude and a positive outlook for the season," said Wilson.
Joining Hayden and hoping to finish in the top 15 will be juniors Lance Baker and Levi Kranick.
Finishing out the men's team will be sophomore Jesse Yates.
Wilson has high expectations for the girl's team, lead by two former runners.
"I expect a lot from them this season. I believe they will place high and are both looking for top five finishes in the Adirondack League," said Wilson.
Junior Kendyl Morse spent time at the at Peak Running Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid this summer and the benefits are obvious in her form, according to Wilson.
Experienced runner and senior Bridgette Crooms will add to the strength of the women's team and is hoping for a top five finish as well as remaining a member of the all-star team.
Rounding out the women's team is sophomore Stephanie Lawrence.
Wilson has some big talent on his small team and is confident that Johnsburg will be well-represented in the Adirondack League this year.


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Robert Pattinson Touches Down in NYC for the Weekend
Robert Pattinson keeps it casual as he arrives at JFK Airport on Friday (October 14) to spend the weekend in New York City.
The 30-year-old actor was also spotted catching another flight out of Los Angeles' LAX Airport last week alongside his fiancee FKA Twigs.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Robert pattinson
In case you missed it, Robert's Dior Homme Spring 2017 campaign images were recently released – check out the hot pics here!
Be sure to catch Robert on the big screen again in his film The Lost City of Z, set for release in 2017.


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The Washington Post reports that a prisoner who was in the police van with Freddie Gray says he could hear Gray "banging against the walls" of the vehicle and believed he "was intentionally trying to injure himself." According to the Post, the prisoner's statement is contained in an affidavit that's part of an application by the police for search warrant seeking the seizure of the uniform worn by one of the officers involved in Gray's arrest or transport.
I can't tell for sure from the Post's report whether the prisoner executed the affidavit or whether the affidavit is from a police officer who relates what the prisoner allegedly told him. It looks like the Post is saying it's the latter.
It seems counter-intuitive to suppose that Gray inflicted serious bodily injury on himself. However, without knowing Gray's state of mind at the time — e.g., was he high on drugs; was he trying to set up a claim of police brutality — it's impossible to evaluate the plausibility of the perception that this is what happened.
In any event, if Gray's fellow prisoner does indeed say he heard Gray banging against the walls and that Gray seemed to be trying intentionally to injure himself, this will cast doubt on claims that police mistreatment caused Gray to sustain injuries while he was in the van. Such evidence will also make it difficult to attribute Gray's death to the police.
The Post says that "video shot by several bystanders to Gray's arrest shows two officers on top of Gray, their knees in his back, and then dragging his seemingly limp body to the van as he cried out." Thus, some of his injuries may be due to what happened during the arrest, while others may be due to what happened in the van.
There is also the police commissioner's statement that officers violated policy by failing properly to restrain Gray via a seat belt while he was in the van. However, the police union is pushing back on this assertion.
The union president says that the policy mandating seat belts wasn't emailed to officers until three days before Gray was arrested. Moreover, it was emailed as part of a package of five policy changes.
Officers should, of course, read about all policy changes. But human nature being what is, the union president's statement that officers tend not to do so is plausible. It would be one thing if the officers who dealt with Gray had violated a longstanding, widely known policy on seat belts. It's another if, as seems to be the case, the policy was brand new and had only just been communicated by email as part of package of policy changes.
In any event, the Post's report suggests that the facts surrounding Gray's unfortunate death may not be as straightforward as those who have rushed to condemn the police assert them to be. The best approach remains what it has been all along — wait for the facts before forming a judgment.


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Luc Embracing New Challenge With Bengals
Jeff Luc's license plate includes the number 48 – his uniform number in high school and in his first three seasons of college football. His twitter handle is @JeffLuc1 – a reference to the number he wore as a senior at UC.
Now Luc has a new number (44) and a new position. The former Bearcats linebacker is currently working with the Cincinnati Bengals at fullback.
"At first, I didn't want to play it coming out of college," Luc told me. "But now that I'm here, I have a different mindset. So when I was approached about playing fullback I said, 'Sure, why not?' I think it's another opportunity to show what I cacn do and how versatile I am.
"I'm fairly new at the position, but I'm willing to learn and willing to put in the extra time. They know that I'll give it my all."
The chiseled 6'1", 256 pounder had an outstanding senior season for the Bearcats in 2014, earning first team All-American Conference honors when he finished 11th in the country in tackles (134) and tied for the NCAA lead in forced fumbles with six. Luc says his experience at linebacker should help him make the transition to fullback.
"I'm actually glad that I've had guys try to block me because I know what to look for in trying to block linebackers," he said. "I know the different leverages and how they take on a fullback, so with that being said, I've got to have a linebacker mindset at the fullback position. There are going to be some collisions going on."
Luc was not drafted last year, but signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins and made it through training camp and the preseason before being one of their final cuts.
"I sat home for 16 weeks and that's a long time," said Luc. "I finally got picked up by the Saints near the end of the year and was on their practice squad.
"You never know when the call is going to come. The biggest thing that stood out was all of the time that I had. Since high school, we've had everything scheduled and planned out for us. We have to be here at this time, we have to do this at that time. To get released and experience that for the first time was difficult because I was literally bored out of my mind. But I learned from it, and I've grown from it, and I think it made me the person that I am today. And that's a better person."
Luc signed with the Bengals in January and hopes that his NFL career mirrors his college experience. After being ranked as the nation's top middle linebacker prospect in high school by multiple recruiting services, Jeff originally enrolled at Florida State. But after battling injuries and seeing limited playing time in two years with the Seminoles, Luc transferred to Cincinnati and become one of the Bearcats' best defensive players.
"I ended up finishing well," Jeff told me. "It's kind of similar. I started with Miami and hopefully I'll have a long career and finish here. Everything happens for a reason."
The switch to fullback could give Luc a better opportunity to make the Bengals' roster or practice squad since Vontaze Burfict, Karlos Dansby, P.J. Dawson, Marquis Flowers, Rey Maualuga, Vinny Rey, Trevor Roach, and third round draft pick Nick Vigil (listed alphabetically) provide considerable depth at linebacker.
"I'm not even thinking about that," said Luc. "I just want to get better at this position and help the team any way possible whether it's at fullback, linebacker, or any other position.
"I can be whatever they need me to be. Special teams, defense, fullback, nickel packages – I think I bring a lot to the table. But at the end of the day, I have to go out and show it."
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If you're on Twitter, you can follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/Dan_Hoard
And I'm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dan.hoard.1