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A version of this column originally appeared in our email newsletter on Friday morning. Create an account to get the full scoop on Chicago sports in your inbox every morning.
Spring training starts next week and Jose Quintana is still a White Sox pitcher and Todd Ricketts isn't the deputy commerce secretary.
May we live in interesting times, as the saying goes.
But next week, reporters will descend on Cubs camp in Mesa, Ariz., where much of the team is already working out, to ask questions that have no answers.
How will the Cubs defend their title? One game at a time, probably. Maybe pitch by pitch.
How can they handle the pressure of a repeat? Staying hungry and humble, probably. Maybe humbly with hunger.
Will they make it to another World Series? Check back in late October, my friend.
The good news is the big question has been answered, because last year was the year. So Cubs players won't have to put up with every TV camera and national writer showing up to ask it.
But the Cubs will continue to be the darlings of baseball with national games galore and plenty of interest from the sporting press.
Cubs president Theo Epstein practiced his 2017 message on me last month in this interview.
He said he's trying to model the franchise after the San Antonio Spurs, the pre-eminent winners in sports. The Spurs won five titles between 1999 and 2014, including three in a five-year span. That's a foundation for sustained success.
"When you do win, there is a new set of potential vulnerabilities," Epstein told me before Cubs Convention. "We have to avoid organizational arrogance setting in. We have to avoid entitlement. We have to avoid, and not to just players but front office types, looking more at themselves than the group. We have to remind each other the best part of the 2016 experience was being part of something bigger than yourself. That's going to take some nurturing going forward."
As the Ricketts family took ownership of the team, I noticed a little bit of Cubbie Exceptionalism sinking in, particularly away from the baseball side. Epstein is speaking to those people too.
I believe the story of the 2017 Cubs can equal the 2016 team. OK, maybe not equal, but it will be interesting in its own way. Epstein's 2005 Red Sox team still made the playoffs in its hangover season, but were bounced in three games by the White Sox. Somewhere Orlando Hernandez is still smoking that post-game cigar.
Speaking of the White Sox, they will, once again, go into spring training low key. No national media contingent will greet them to get that precious Ricky Renteria B-roll.
It's a bit of surprise they haven't traded Quintana yet, but there's no desperate, contractual need to deal him, so it's not a mistake to have him report to camp with the rebuilding Sox. The same for Todd Frazier, David Robertson, etc. I'm assuming Brett Lawrie is still on the team, though I'm not sure he was informed there was a fan convention last month.
After stockpiling the system with young pitching, a top prospect in Yoan Moncada and a promising outfielder in Luis Basabe, general manager Rick Hahn goes into camp on a high note.
And in truth, Sox camp should attract a good deal of attention because of all the young talent they've assembled. Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, Alec Hansen, Zack Burdi, Zack Collins, Zack Morris, Zack de la Rocha, the ghost of Zachary Taylor. It's all happening ex-zack-ly how Hahn planned.
Most of the Sox prospects will spend the season in the minors, so unless you like Winston-Salem and Birmingham in the summer, Glendale, Ariz. will be the place to see them.
For as exciting as the present is for the Cubs, the Sox future is finally promising on its own.
As for The Athletic, we're heading into our second spring training with good vibes and empty notebooks. Sahadev Sharma will be in Mesa for the opening of Cubs camp and James Fegan will decamp to Glendale for the White Sox. I'll be in Arizona later this month, as will Lauren Comitor. Make sure your subscriptions are locked and loaded for what promises to be a very fun season.


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How to start drawing? Graphic illustration | Adobe Photoshop
Siena Summers, Nina Grace
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About This Class
Everyone can draw! You just need a little help and a bit of practice.
You will learn how to create a Digital graphic illustration in step-by-step course. We will study all the necessary tools and techniques used to create illustration. The course is suitable for both beginners and advanced artists who are interested in graphic style and want to transform it in Digital format.
Digital art is a lot of opportunities:
- You will learn how to draw, even if you have never done this.
- You can create a graphic illustration of the highest quality.
- Companies from around the world use digital images for advertising and production every day.
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Siena is an illustrator who uses the language of humans and nature and the mixture of organic lines and expressive strokes to form her images. She studies the emotions, faces, expressions, gestures, character, and lifestyle of her subjects. She's spent the last 6 years working as an art director and teacher in her own small digital art school, creating pictures for interior design, web design, and portraits of people surrounding her. She loves to experiment with different styles and technique...

subset: commoncrawl


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Random ramblings from the cluttered brain of a Brit ex-pat North Devonian trying to keep cool in the steamy summers and warm in the frosty winters of The Great White North.
Sunday, 1 March 2015
If it was "Rabbits" or "Rabbits Rabbits" or even "White Rabbits" you have ensured good luck for the rest of this month.
It's the first day of March today. When I was a child, I always remembered to say "Rabbits" as soon as I opened my eyes on the first morning of every month. My mum and dad said it too. There are various versions of this superstition. Mum used to say "White rabbits" on the first of January, then "Rabbits" for the next eleven months. And my cousin says you have to say it while looking at the moon.
Why? Many theories. The rabbit or hare was a sacred animal, and perhaps people paid homage on the start of the lunar month, when a rabbit image may be seen in the full moon. A ritual left over from pagan days.
Anyone else mutter "Rabbits" sleepily to themselves this morning? I did. It may only be a superstition but I like to be on the safe side of Fate.
13 comments:
- Hilary said...
Well Shammie, you're the second person who has told me this. The first was a friend of mine and she said it nearly 50 years ago. I've never heard anyone reference it since. How about that.
Happy rabbit day to you. :)
- 1 March 2015 at 11:39
- Ginny said...
It IS March! Silly me had forgotten, so your blog post today is a DOUBLE pleasure for me! I have never heard of this rabbit superstition. But back in the fifties and sixties when I was growing up, a rabbits foot was what we carried for good luck. Of course I carried one because I had no sense! I never would now, not in a million years. I love your sweet picture of the two huddled bunnies! Did you snap it? Are the rabbit wild?
- 1 March 2015 at 14:04
- Shammickite said...
Ginny: bunny pic stolen from the internet, and yes, they do look like wild bunnies.
- 1 March 2015 at 14:38
- Vagabonde said...
I have never heard about this rabbit and the month of March – don't think it's a French tradition. I hate to tell you when I liked to hear about rabbits - that's when my mother cooked one. She made the best rabbit stew!
- 1 March 2015 at 17:24
- EG CameraGirl said...
I have a vague recollection of someone telling me when I was a kid to say rabbit rabbit at the beginning of every month. Until you mentioned it, I'd forgotten though. :)
- 2 March 2015 at 08:02
- Susan @ A Slice of My Life said...
Somebody was just telling me about her friend that had to say "rabbit" to everyone she met on the first of the month. Nobody knew why.
At least just saying it to yourself when you first wake up is much more doable.
- 2 March 2015 at 19:39
- Suldog said...
With all of the blood from Ireland and Scotland flowing through my veins, and coming from a somewhat superstitious family, I have never heard this one. I like rabbits, though, if that helps (I'm hoping the very bad winter hasn't hurt them too badly, as I've enjoyed having wild ones in our yard the past couple of years.)
- 3 March 2015 at 05:43
- Maggie May said...
Well, over here on the first of every month kids say, *Pinch punch first of the month & no return* while gently punching the arm. Then another child might respond by saying *Flip kick for being so quick and no return*. Not always nice if they kick!
We have a saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb! (Weather wise)
Maggie x
- 4 March 2015 at 15:35
- Dumdad said...
I remember we used to say "white rabbits" when I was a child. Also, kids would come up to you and go "a pinch and a punch for the first of the month!"
- 5 March 2015 at 07:29
- sousca said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- 5 March 2015 at 19:10
- sousca said...
My first wife's grandmother used to say "white rabbits" on the first day of the month. She also used to curtsey to the new moon.
Perhaps she was a witch!
- 5 March 2015 at 19:15
- stardust said...
What an interesting superstition! Saying "Rabbit" while looking at the moon reminded me of the shadow on the moon which looks like a rabbit pounding rice cake (mocha) to Japanese eyes. Rabbits are so prolific that they might have seen as a symbol of wealth. I'll say "Rabbits" next month.
- 6 March 2015 at 09:08
- sonia a. mascaro said...
Rabbits looks so cute!
I have never heard about this
interesting superstition!
Happy rabbit month to you.
- 10 March 2015 at 14:33


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GW Pharmaceuticals plc and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd today announce a major long term strategic cannabis alliance. An exclusive licence and development agreement has been signed for Sativex® in the United Stated and the companies are in detailed discussions with a view to entering into a cannabinoid research collaboration in the field of Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders and cancer treatments to research, develop and commercialise a range of other early stage cannabinoid product opportunities.
The research collaboration agreement follows the signature in February 2007 of an exclusive license and development agreement between GW and Otsuka to develop and market Sativex®, GW's lead product, in the United States.
The cannabinoid research collaboration has an initial term of three years, during which Otsuka will make available a research fund of $9 million, which may be increased from time to time by Otsuka, to cover research activities carried out by GW and its scientific collaborators under this agreement.
The GW-Otsuka collaboration research team, which incorporates senior scientists from both companies, will evaluate a range of GW cannabinoids as drug candidates within the field of CNS and oncology, with a view to selecting the most promising candidates for full clinical development, regulatory approval and global commercialization. Products selected for full development will be the subject of a license from GW. Under the terms of each product license, Otsuka will fund the global development and commercialization of such products, and GW will receive license fees, milestone payments and a long term commercial supply price and royalty. The financial terms of each license are to be agreed at the time of selection of each product for global development.
Dr Geoffrey Guy, GW's Chairman, said, "Otsuka is a world leader in the field of CNS and we are delighted to be working with such a prestigious company to enhance and develop our product pipeline. The relationship between GW and Otsuka commenced earlier this year with the signature of the Sativex US license agreement, and this new research collaboration will serve to enhance further the close relationship between our two companies.
"Over the last few years, GW has been undertaking a primary cannabinoid research programme addressing a range of therapeutic areas under the direction of Professor Roger Pertwee and in collaboration with a number of other world leading cannabinoid scientists. This collaboration with Otsuka will enable GW to accelerate and expand this programme in order to develop and commercialise novel cannabinoid medicines in the exciting areas of CNS and oncology."
Mr. Tatsuo Higuchi, President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. said, "Otsuka strives to contribute to the health of people around the world through the creation of innovative products in an effort to address unmet medical needs. We are delighted to be embarking on this great opportunity with GW Pharmaceuticals to further investigate cannabinoids, which are considered to be a significant potential source of new medicines in the field of CNS and oncology. At the same time, we anticipate that our further contribution to global well being will be significant as a result of this research collaboration."


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"Lion Escape Game," "Fruit Bounce" and "Lion Ride" are a few lion games available online. These games are available to play for free at Africa-Games.com.
In "Lion Escape Game," the players find themselves in a cage with a sleeping lion. Players must find a way to escape the cage without waking up the lion. Players move items and look inside and outside the cage for things to aid in their escape. This game requires the players to think logically and use items to accomplish a variety of tasks.
"Fruit Bounce" is a game of angles. The goal of the game is to feed the lions. The players shoot apples at the lions with the trunk of an elephant. Each round offers a certain number of lions to feed in different locations. Players must use walls and the ceilings as places to bounce the apples off and redirect them towards the hungry lions. This game offers many levels that get progressively more difficult.
"Lion Ride" takes place in an amusement park, where players must help a lion ride its bike and perform a variety of tricks. The lion rides across the screen and flies through the air between ramps. Players need to help the lion obtain enough speed to get up the ramp and over the empty space without flipping its bike.


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Sheri, are you doing St George in October?
over 6 years ago • Like
Women from RunnersWorld, Jordan River Parkway Runners, running MOMS, Salt Lake Running Company
half marathon in under 2 hours, half iron man 2015
Dailymile makes it easy to keep track of your workouts. Map your routes and share with a community of active people.
ok!! I have kicked myself in the butt!! I have GOT to get moving for STG!! As I ran this morning I was thinking I need to keep up with it because I don't want to feel like crap after or during the marathon. I thought about the past few I have done and want to feel as good as I did then.
so for this run I felt pretty good for not running much in the past month. I only had to stop for lights, and when I needed to tell my son who was on a bike something. until about mile 5 then I was pooped. which I actually thought was pretty good! I am ready for new shoes!! I LOVE this weather!!


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A federal court in Washington recently denied a motion to compel the production of archived emails stored on backup tapes, rejecting the plaintiffs argument that the defendants culpability in failing to preserve the emails in a more accessible format outweighed the burden and cost to the defendant of restoration.
In Elkharwily v. Franciscan Health System (W.D. Wash.), the defendant did not maintain an email archive on its servers; rather, it saved its employees emails to physical backup tapes on a monthly basis. Without restoring the backup tapes, the only emails accessible to the defendant were those that remained in the relevant custodians live email accounts in other words, the emails that the users had not deleted from their inboxes.
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(2)(B), a party need not provide discovery … [when] not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or cost. The producing party has the burden of showing undue burden and cost, but, upon making that showing, Rule 26(b)(2)(B) places the burden on the requesting party to show good cause exists to produce the ESI in spite of the burden and cost.
The defendant in Elkharwily did not dispute that its backup tapes would contain at least some emails that were discoverable under Rule 26(b)(1), but it argued that obtaining those emails would impose undue burden and cost. Specifically, the defendant estimated that retrieving, restoring, and reviewing the emails archived on the backup tapes would cost $157,500.
The plaintiff did not contest the defendants cost estimate or otherwise dispute the defendants burden and cost arguments. Rather, the plaintiff argued that the defendant was at fault for the high cost of restoring the backup tapes, because the defendant should have preserved them in a more readily accessible format, starting from the first time that the plaintiff contended he had put the defendant on notice of the possibility of litigation.
The court found the plaintiffs blame-shifting to be unpersuasive, particularly in light of a dispute over when the defendant was on notice of the potential for litigation, for which the court found the defendants explanation to be more credible. What's more, the plaintiff could not say with certainty what the emails on the backup tapes would show, or that any would even be responsive to the plaintiffs discovery requests. Accordingly, the court found that the plaintiff did not show good cause under Rule 26(b)(2)(B), and the court denied the motion to compel production of emails on the backup tapes. The court did allow the plaintiff to continue to pursue discovery of those emails, but only at his own expense.
This case provides important lessons for parties requesting ESI and for parties producing it. Parties requesting ESI should carefully examine cost estimates when faced with cost and burden objections, because the burden shifting that occurs following a showing of undue burden and cost makes a motion to compel much less likely to succeed. For parties producing ESI, this case provides yet another reminder that objections to discovery that would require restoration of physical backup tapes are often successful when they are supported by objective and credible cost estimates.


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There Is Something About January0
From the many years that I went to school, from the ages 5 to 23, September and January have become permanently ingrained in my mind as months that represent fresh starts. For me, both of these months are bursting with possibility at a chance for a fresh start and an openness of time. I'm not someone who tends to make New Year resolutions, but I do rather enjoy thinking about a clean start.
Like clockwork, just before September and January start, you will find me doing my big 'Spring cleaning' at home. I purge out all the excess stuff that's accumulated over the last six months. I donate bins of old clothing and organize and tidy up loose strings and book my overdue appointments. Doing this gives me a sense of great satisfaction and helps keep the space in our apartment. All of those items that have sat and collected dust and are being crammed into the corner of a closet in our apartment; all of those things are collected and let go of.
January makes for a grand entrance into newness with the possibility that hint that things might just turn out really good. I know there is nothing magical or secret about a single month. I know that simply changing my calendar from old to new doesn't guarantee anything really great will take place, it's just that possibility of new that gives me a feeling of happiness and maybe even a surge of excitement!
Now with this new month ahead, I hope to feel an increased amount of energy gained from having 2 weeks of vacation away from work. I already feel more calm and relaxed and have plans to enjoy my official last day of vacation with a brilliantly clean and tidy house that is rid of all Christmas decorations.
If you are wondering where all the photos are for this blog post, check out the photo post below. Happy January!


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Situated just five minutes from the lovely Kilkenny village of Freshford on the main Kilkenny to Cashel road, Moate B&B is a handsome farmhouse set on a working farm.
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Cradóg is outside the picturesque village of Freshford. There is a guest lounge with warm open fire and garden for visitors. Breakfast provided for guests with early departure. An ideal location for touring.
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Modern, farm bungalow, on a beef and sheep & horse farm, set in scenic countryside a short distance off the main Kilkenny to Cashel road. Families welcome. Ideal area for touring or just relaxing.
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Blues star Buddy Guy came home to Louisiana for a blazing, soulful, humor-laced Saturday night show at the Manship Theatre.
The 76-year-old native of Pointe Coupee Parish lived in Baton Rouge for a few years before his 1957 move to Chicago. That city was a natural destination for a young man who wanted to play the blues. It was home to Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and more big blues names, many of them transplants, like Guy himself, from Louisiana and Mississippi.
Guy published his engaging autobiography, "When I Left Home: My Story," last year. On page 55, he recalls catching the train for Chicago in Hammond.
"All I had was a suitcase with a few clothes, my reel-to-reel tape with the song I cut at WXOK and my Les Paul Gibson guitar." He didn't have a heavy coat but he soon found out he needed one.
Nearly 56 years later, on stage in Baton Rouge, Guy could honestly tell his enthusiastic audience that he has been all around the world and he's drunk wine with kings and the Rolling Stones.
Guy didn't mention his trips to the White House, but his Manship Theatre performance is his first local show since he became a 2012 Kennedy Center Honors recipient.
When Guy previously played a Baton Rouge engagement, at the Texas Club in 2008, he'd already been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and won four Grammy Awards.
Unfortunately for his Texas Club audience, the singer-guitarist had lost his voice that night and could barely speak above a whisper.
Five years later, Guy was in full voice at the Manship Theatre. He even spoke and sang off the mic.
"I want to play something so funky you can smell it," he told the crowd.
Shortly after 8 p.m., following a few introductory bars of funky music played by his four-piece band, Guy strode on stage in wide, confident steps. He opened his 90-minute show with the title song from his Grammy-winning 1991 album, "Damn Right, I've Got the Blues." Based on primal blues-riff architecture, "Damn Right" is an intense, slow-burning, emotional piece in the Baton Rouge blues tradition.
But Chicago being so important to Guy's career, several of the night's songs were Chicago classics. The playful Guy customized the lyrics of his mentor Muddy Waters' "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man," singing, "I got a black cat bone. I got a mojo, too. I got the John the Conqueror root. I came to Baton Rouge to mess with you."
Guy favors dramatic contrast. Throughout the concert he'd sing quietly in a near falsetto and play his Fender Stratrocaster with the volume turned to a whisper. And then he'd break out, raising his voice, for instance, in righteous expression during the Denise LaSalle-penned payback song, "Someone Else Is Steppin' in (Slippin' Out, Slippin' In)."
So, too, Guy's guitar. If guitar solos were flammable, his six-string eruptions would have scorched the stage.
Guy also paid homage to some of his influences, including John Lee Hooker and Albert King, by imitating their guitar styles. Elsewhere, hearing Guy in full flight, it was obvious that he's the Guy who lit fires in Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and the many more stars of rock and blues who studied and imitated him through the decades.


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Cleveland Browns announce FirstEnergy Stadium renovations are on time and on budget
Updated ; Posted
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns announced on Monday that FirstEnergy renovations are on time and on budget. Browns President Alec Scheiner lead a hard-hat tour of FirstEnergy Stadium where reporters got a glimpse of Phase I of the $120 million two-year renovation project. Scheiner stated the completion of the construction will be done in time for the first home preseason game on Aug. 23. The construction will be completed in two phases, with the second phase taking place next year. Phase I of the renovations include: • Two new video boards, nearly triple the size of the old units • LED video boards and ribbon boards around the stadium • Completely new audio system • Increased lower-bowl seating capacity in the corners • Two new escalators at both east and west gates The stadium would lose about 3,000 seats to make way for the giant scoreboard – dropping capacity to about 68,000. But about 2,000 upper-bowl seats will move to the lower deck, giving more fans a chance to sit closer to the action. The historic Dawg Pound in the lower bowl will remain as it always has, though a handful of seats considered part of the upper Dawg Pound will be lost. The Daktronics video boards will be the NFL's fourth-largest in 2014 and will triple in size from last year's boards, which is equivalent in size to 645 60-inch HD TVs. They are also 32 feet lower and 56 feet closer to the field. Next year, for the second phase, the Browns plan on improving general-admission concession areas, with locally-based offerings. So-called "premium areas" of the stadium would see upgrades, as well, including refurbished club seats and suites and more top-level entertainment. Some quick facts about the construction so far include over 200 workers on-site and removing more than 5.5 million pounds of materials. Already have installed more than 2 million pounds of steel and poured more than 13.3 million pounds of concrete.


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(Discontinued) Mind-Body Bootcamp
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Upper body: Arms, chest and back.
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Abs: Abdominals (stomach), core and sometimes lower back.
Total body: Tones all three of the above muscle groups.
Instructor: Cameron Shayne (Instructor Profile)
Instructor: Patricia Moreno (Instructor Profile)
Instructor: Tanja Djelevic (Instructor Profile)
Runtime: 120 min.
Region: 0
Street Date: 03/05/2013
Certified instructor description:
Combat fat and stress with this unique take on traditional bootcamp! Join 3 Gaiam fitness experts on a journey of burn and balance designed to challenge you physically, mentally and emotionally.
Cardio Combo with Tanja Djelevic (30 min)
Target all of your trouble zones with this total-body cardio blast! During this high energy mix of yoga, Pilates, and cardio, you'll burn calories, increase strength and build stamina!
Calorie Burn Yoga with Patricia Moreno(30 min)
Sculpt your muscles while demolishing unwanted pounds with this form-focused yoga practice designed to boost metabolism, build endurance, and increase flexibility.
Budokon Blast with Cameron Shayne(40 min)
Feel the burn and get firm with the explosive movements of martial arts and then calm your mind with a peaceful closing mediation. You'll increase your heart rate while feeling the effectiveness of precise, fluid movement.


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The Meaning of "Personal Responsibility" - A Buddhist Response to Mitt Romney
Submitted by Ethan Nichtern on Tue, 9/18/2012, 12:50pm
Yesterday, former Governor Mitt Romney was heard on tape at a fundraiser saying that most people who voted for Barack Obama, 47% of the country, are "dependent" and he would "never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives." Actually, about 53% of the country voted for Obama in 2008, so Romney's comments were really directed to the majority of the public he wishes to serve.
First off, I'd like to say I have tremendous empathy for Mr. Romney. The path of public speaking is a treacherous one, and I also dread people with strong agendas taking things I say out of context and publicizing them. On the very minor level of public persona in which I operate, things I say are often taken out of context, and it A) sucks and B) makes me try very hard to qualify any statements I make and contextualize them properly. Running for president has to be an awful awful endeavor of foot-in-mouth anxieties, so let's have some compassion for anyone willing to step out on this brutal stage of public life.
At the same time, on reflection, as someone who voted for Obama in 2008 and after careful consideration plans to vote for Obama again, I also feel deeply personally insulted by Romney's statement that I am some kind of freeloader because I don't support his candidacy. Given that I have spent my entire life working, and working hard, in nonprofit and mind/body service, and educational professions, and also given that I clearly pay a higher rate of federal income tax than Romney himself, the comments especially sting. In fact, if I am fully and totally mindful, they bring up an internal "f--- you, you entitled bastard," knee-jerk reaction. But that's just an initial reaction, natural to the human mind, which can easily be labeled as thinking as I bring myself back to the real issues at hand, which are the world-views and views of self-empowerment and independence underlying the comments Romney made. And in that light, this seems the perfect opportunity to begin and discussion of what it means, from a Buddhist perspective, to really take personal responsibility.
The first relevant premise of Buddhism seems quite conservative on its face: the basic premise is that nobody, and we mean nobody, is going to save you from your own mind. Nobody can get into your experience and fix anything for you. If you want to make your own internal experience more hospitable, only you can do the work. Others can always help support and guide you, and everyone needs a supportive environment, but at the end of the day, you are your own boss and your own agent of understanding your mind and opening your heart. No one else can work with your karma for you. Nothing has been more profound for me than taking this teaching to heart, especially when I fall on difficult emotional times.
The second premise of Buddhism seems to totally contradict the first. Everything, and we mean everything, is interdependent. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Guess what: whatever is built, you really didn't build it alone. Co-creation is just the very way our universe is structured, the way EVERYTHING happens, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and countless others have noted. It is telling that in critiquing Obama, at the Republican National Convention, conservatives had to use the phrase "WE did build that." Note the WE. Nothing ever, ever gets built alone. Not wealth and not poverty. Even conservatives have to cede that point, whether or not it's admitted.
How do we then reconcile the above two premises, which seem to directly contradict each other? Here's what I believe. The second premise, interdependence, provides the proper and appropriate context for understanding the first premise, personal responsibility. In other words, it is when we begin to understand interdependence that we see the true importance of personal responsibility. Once we see that nothing happens in a vacuum, that all beings are really in this together, that's the exact moment that we are properly inspired to become responsible for our own mind. To preach personal responsibility without preaching interdependence seems to isolate our view of life outside of its true context. Thus, the version of personal responsibility that Romney espouses in these comments is one that is isolated, fearful, and lacking in empathy. The version of personal responsibility that come from seeing interdependence is inclusive, courageous, and deeply empathetic.
That's the difference between Romney's version of personal responsibility and a dharmic version of personal responsibility understood in the context of interdependence.
It should be obvious, but all views expressed here are mine and mine alone. Please keep any comments respectful. We are all still learning how to live together on this planet.
(Follow Ethan on Facebook or Twitter, Check out his books, or upcoming online courses he is teaching at IDP)
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Submitted by BrennaMatthews on Mon, 12/16/2013, 2:58am.
I like reading a post that will http://eireporter.com/ make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
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Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 9/21/2012, 12:52am.
Hi Ethan,
This is a very interest and unique article, I was quite pleased when I found it. Though, I am not so clear, on how interdependence is not a part of Romney's version of personal responsibility. When he says that people should be more independent of government this is not saying that there is no interdependence. He is simply making the point that people should have to RELY less on government and take more responsibility for their own life. Certainly there is still interdependence, maybe less so with the government, but more so with the people that make up this country.
In my opinion the only difference, in terms of interdependence, between a centralized government that distributes wealth and a limited government with free market economic principles is that the former is artificual and the latter more natural.
Also, I do respect how you empathize with Romney on public speaking and having your words misinterpreted. However to infer that Romney does not empathize with the public is quite a big misunderstanding. Just because his views on 'what is best' for the people of this country are not the same as yours does not mean he does not empathize with them. I am sure he does. In fact his comments are even an expression of that. In his view he does not want people to depend on the government but to suceed from their own efforts.
Ok, I will stop there because now it sounds like I am in support of Romney. I am not. I have not decided who I will vote for but it will not be Romney.
I am just on the first comment
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 10:19pm.
Buddhist will alway be "relevant" in this time, in any time, on any subject including politics. And yes they lean left bc no Buddhist will ever think for themselves like republicans do. You can be liberal in mind body and spirit and you can also be liberal in the way you vote. Now maybe I'll read some of the other comments
just fine with first comment
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 9/20/2012, 5:53pm.
congratulations you thing like everyone else ( Hitler would love you as he said " a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth)...very comfortable like the frog in the water experiment.. temp of water raised every so slightly and gradually.... so the frog's immune system was fooled or bypassed.... result he was burned to death,,, instead of jumping out when it got too warm. It is sad to see such 1984ish minds that are so programmed the same way... its all good.... but you guys are so intoxicated with new age verbiage your immune system is also not working..... and I wouldnt care so much but your irresponsibility and blindness is going to take US all down,,, it's not like you are smiking or eating junk foods or not fastening your seatbelt.. things like that you will reap what you sow but there are relatively few waves affecting others..... but NOW we are on the brink of global suicidal... oh boy bet you will let that go as a scare tactic... but what can I say??..you are gonna take us all down with this mentality that " all is good". I have yet to see one person even criticize or even critique Obama, Hell I spend a good deal of day critiquing myself so what.s the problem??. I fear one day I am gonna wake up see that there is no fantasy baseball anymore but fantasy buddhism....to see if you can win your league...world champion budhha. Gurdjieff said a long time ago that if the peace movement of his era were in charge of world peace the peaceniks would first start killing each as to whose "peace" plane would be implemented.
Freedom without responsibility is licentiousness... we have a licentious world,,, meditate over how you are adding to this epidemic........this world can be a buddhafield but we have a long way to go and its get longer by the minute
Buddhism is nonviolence, not pacifism
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 10/28/2012, 8:36am.
I believe that you missed the entire point of what was being conveyed, Ghandi also believed in nonviolence but was known to have said that had Hitler attacked India directly then violence would be necessary. But that's OK persist in your beliefs as you stated there is a lot of time, in this life or the next.
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 8:16pm.
amazing how "spiritual" people are leftists,,,,,the buddha I know is the one who took the middle road... and surely didnt care about politics ... If you guys really want to be politicians/political,,,, I would appreciate you wouldnt drag down Buddha by association,,,,,,.... heck we have christians desecrating Christ, Muslims denigrating the message of Mohammed,,,,, now we have buddhists who want to be relevant in this age.....relevant fools who would kill others (even by thought) even though they are "non-violent"
If we could make spirituality alive there would be no politics,, lets put things in proper order,,,,life isnt so difficult.. we have just made it that way.
P.S. when I walk I use both the left and right legs.... I dont get identified with one or the other....buddhism in Asia was fine but now it has been so corrupted by its importation over to the west,,,,, it is now a big money making machine....wake up and find the buddha within while thre is still a chance
Inequality : We built that.
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 5:06pm.
Great post Ethan.
The link I posted is a little more fuel for the fire of how the diff wealth classes have or have not benefitted from the policies of the last 20+ years on both sides of the aisle.
RE: interdependence - when some form of revolution comes...soft, hard, whatever...the Romney's of the world will certainly find out how dependent they are on all those folks they think are free-loaders...nevermind how many Red-Staters are on Medicaid or how many subsidies flow to BigAg, BigOil, etc.
Ho hum.
Same samsara, different day :)
-- Dan
Excellent essay.
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 4:12pm.
Just echoing others here in feeling you've done a very nice job of describing the two initially contradictory-looking aspects of responsibility. Very nice job! I only wish I were able to access a bit more compassion for Romney. It's a good exercise, and I'm afraid so far I'm flunking that one. I'm going to try to remember what Heinlein said so long ago: "Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes." Thanks!
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 3:28pm.
I am glad I caught this blog post. It reminds me to be compassionate to Romney, which is really hard in this political climate, because everyone is demonizing each other. I actually do feel bad for him, since I could see how it would be hard to say something that sounds a bit dumb and have it be mocked by everyone. I feel like it's also very sad that he doesn't seem to understand how difficult it can be for others to try to make it financially in the world.... it's really not the right approach and must make it really frustrating for him.
I was also thinking that it's very safe to demonize people that are in positions of power, because it almost seems as if they aren't connected to us, that they come from a different world. But if I kind of think again, think of them actually being human and having to make decisions, it does seem tough. They have a lot of responsibility and power, and at the end of the day, it really is just their job---- as a person that is still finding my way in my job path, I can sympathize in trying to do a good job, but not necessarily doing one. :) If I think of it that way, it makes it that much easier to be compassionate. Just because he's a politician doesn't make him any more special, he still has to go through his life path, he still is ignorant like all of us.
Fiscal Response Ability
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 1:04pm.
All fine and good but what I understood from Mittigating Romboid was comments chiefly and foremost regarding money. There was not, seemingly, any intention to refer to anything other than that when he mentioned personal responsibility. What he is really saying here is that what's mine is mine and what's yours is also mine because you don't take responsibility for maintaining what might be yours if you weren't such a duffis. He is attempting to convince people who made lots of mullah ($50,000/a plate) that their money is being used to foster the existence of people who aren't fending for themselves. We might be interdependent in the broader sense but not in Romney's world version.
Thus, you might be enlightened but you could also be broke. Also, we are interdependent whether we recognize it or not. But giving and getting money has been chugged into an entirely different non-philosophical category.
Therefore, the price for Buddhist teachings has gone up and up along with everything else. The teachings exist within the economic sphere.
It would be most interesting to know what generosity actually means to Romney. As I understand it, the tenets of Mormonism require that its followers contribute heartily to the church and it is an important part of their practice to make money. I wonder how they treat those having less than stellar financial acumen.
The Mormon Church requires
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 5:35pm.
The Mormon Church requires (strongly suggests, more like) that you contribute 10% of your income to the church. Unless this has changed since I grew up with a whole lot of Mormons in my hometown (I am Vajrayana Buddhist, myself). I am most certainly no Mitt fan. But I will tell you this, as it manifest in my hometown community, the Mormon value of earning money was not materialist as many tend to view it. It was community oriented, taught hard work and self reliance. None of the Mormons I knew cared if that 10% came out of a small salary or a large salary. Of course, if you start working your way up into higher ranks of Mormon burocracy, then you better be contributing your fair share (or more) and conducting yourself in other ways that show that you are worthy of the community's respect. But, that is no different in Shambhala, according to Shamhala's particular values. Or any other lineage of Buddhism.
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 12:55pm.
I wasn't personally insulted by Mitt's remarks. They weren't out-of-context. What they show is his character and how he feels towards people. Hopefully, people will see this and not vote for someone who shows so little compassion for his fellow Americans, particularly the poor, elderly, sick, disabled, and unemployed.
I think the interesting question to ask oneself is "Where does my responsibility end?"
Seems like Mitt feels his responsibility ends with wealthy people like him.
Excellent article
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 11:18am.
From the view point of a young practicioner, you have done an excellent job of taking something clearly intended to elicit negative diatribes and transformed it into an opportunity to teach. Reading the comments that have been posted, there are many that agree, some that disagree, and others that just don't seem to understand the importance of interdependance in practice and the world we live and how they influence each other.
Personal Resposibility
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 10:06am.
Personal Responsibility is taking responsibility for your actions, accepting the consequences that come from those actions and understanding that what you do impacts those around you.
I have heard that Mitt Romney has helped many people in his life in the background not showing to all the world to see. Doesn't ones behavior portray more than words? Isn't giving of oneself without recognition a selfless path?
According to the definition of personal responsibility above the primary ingredient requires some introspection. Helping people does not mean enabling them to continue in behavior that is not helping them or society, in fact it is very detrimental to all involved. "You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you, and allowing that goodness to emerge. But it can only emerge if something fundamental changes in your state of consciousness." Eckhart Tolle
There seems to be many who just want to believe the rhetoric, feel offended, and look no further. I have listened to all the rants against conservatives many of which are unfounded. "Anything that you resent and strongly react to in another is also in you." Eckhart Tolle
People make up government and corporations, and until we as individuals change ourselves there will be no change in a larger scale in the world. " If the structures of the human mind remain unchanged, we will always end up re-creating the same world, the same evils, the same dysfunction." Eckhart Tolle
Helped people?
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 3:35pm.
If you look into Romney's role as a businessman, his job basically was to convince struggling and failing companies that his business would help them out, by helping them take out a huge loan and restructuring. That huge loan would break the backs of the business while Romney and his ilk lined their pockets, and moved on to their next flopping business victim. It's like a mini version of what the IMF, World Bank and the greater "Imperial West" do to countries all around the world: promise them great growth and infrastructure via huge loans, which really just end up funneling that loaned money back into huge multinational engineering firms, leaving the few rich, controlling families/businesses of the country RICHER, but leaving the poor even poorer and in the dust, rubble and pollution of bulldozers and dammed rivers. Romney's whole line as some sort of empathetic helper is a total lie. Do the research.
All good points
Submitted by Ethan Nichtern on Wed, 9/19/2012, 10:23am.
Thank you!
Universal Responsibility
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 9:22am.
When I read Romney's comments, this passage about universal responsibility from The Dalai Lama came to mind: "To develop a sense of universal responsibility--of the universal dimension of our every act and of the equal right of all others to happiness and not to suffer--is to develop an attitude of mind whereby, when we see an opportunity to benefit others, we will take it in preference to merely looking after our own narrow interests."
-The Dalai Lama, "Ethics for the New Millennium"
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 1:11am.
The comments by candidate Romney were not taken out of context. They expressed the context, a $50,000 per plate dinner, exactly.
However your point is well taken. There is an ever increasing horizon of context if one will both lift up their head from their own endeavors and allow themselves to perceive it.
The subject isn't me.
Submitted by NellaLou on Wed, 9/19/2012, 1:18am.
Sorry. Thought I was logged in. Used to seeing the name first.
Just askin'
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 12:58am.
"I also feel deeply personally insulted by Romney's statement that I am some kind of freeloader because I don't support his candidacy . . . "
Buddhist? Personally insulted?
How does that work?
Don't understand the question
Submitted by Ethan Nichtern on Wed, 9/19/2012, 7:58am.
Is the question: "how can Buddhist people feel personally insulted?" The answer to that is Buddhist people are people. So all people at times feel personally insulted.
Just sayin'. :)
just sayin' redux
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 9/20/2012, 2:09pm.
Your answer implies an acceptance . . . personal insult is the source of anger, which we as Buddhist practitioners try to recognize and apply antidotes to temper and release. It (personal insult) is based on that sense of self which we are working to identify, understand and disarm.
I do not agree that all people at times feel personally insulted, and certainly not deeply.
To feel "deeply personally insulted" (especially at remarks not directed personally at you) spotlights where work is required.
All the violence, fear and suffering that exists in this world comes from grasping at "self".
What use is this great monster to you?
if you do not let go of the "self", there will never be an end to your suffering.
-- Shantideva
(he was "just sayin' also") :-)
Empathy is not always empathetic
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 11:58pm.
Regarding your comments on empathy in paragraph two - I quite honestly and vehemently disagree, and feel that this is a place where we, as Buddhists, get tied up in being "too Buddhist". Truthfully, if you are running for a leadership position of any kind - and for the President of the United States *especially* - THAT is your path. You simply must be willing to take all of that on, and understand that at the start, and take full responsibility for everything that you say and do, and understand that of course it will be taken out of context. Doing that with strength, courage, humor, and lots of other things is what makes a truly great leader. So no, I think your call for empathy is misplaced. Holding him responsible feels much more empathetic to me.
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 9:15pm.
Once you claim personal responsibility, slow down the clock, and SEE the undercurrent of life... accountability to the whole or interdependence is a natural occurring effect... The work to be there, is an undoing of learned effects from a distant cause....Nice essay Ethan
Awesome, Ethan. Really!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 6:34pm.
Awesome, Ethan. Really!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 2:31pm.
consumptive taxes are fixed and not dependent on the taxpayer's income - such as sales tax, toll road fees, user fees, travel fees, and licensing fees. that is income for the government. low and middle income wage earners cannot take advantage of most tax loopholes. suggesting that those who legally owe no *income tax* (but still subject to consumptive, payroll, and property taxes) are unpatriotic and not responsible, and those with high incomes who are able to take advantage of many tax loopholes and pay virtually no tax are patriotic and responsible - is just a tired and despicable argument. seriously - who is taking care of whom?
there are just too many of us to not work together - because whether we like it or not - it is all interdependent. if one of us gets sick, it affects all of us. likewise when people get educated, or lose their jobs, when they buy a home, or lose a home ... that affects all of us. people don't want to fall behind, but this is a real world, most of us were not born with wealth, and so it happens. and even so, we continue to pay taxes, and we work very hard to climb back up the ladder. that sounds like personal responsibility to me.
'Consumptive' taxes....etc....
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 9/20/2012, 4:33pm.
Thank you for pointing this out. Most people are being much more 'personally responsible' than they get credit for. In today's world, too many people (especially the rich) think that those who don't pay income tax are 'freeloaders'. Romney's 47% remark, as disgusting as it is, is only a reflection of what many people think today, especially the Tea Party-influenced conservatives. Thank you for reminding people that Everyone pays taxes, in one way or another......even those too poor to qualify for income tax. Income tax is NOT the ONLY way people pay taxes!
You mentioned sales tax.....that's a huge one. Anyone who lives in a state that has sales tax, pays taxes on just about EVERYTHING they buy, whether it's on big ticket items, or small merchandise. We all need food, and most states tax food, in one way or other. And of course, those myriad of fees that are tacked onto just about everything these days. There are many more taxes that people pay....probably too many to list here. As you aptly pointed out, these types of 'consumptive' taxes are not dependent upon the individual income of those who have to pay them. But one I would like to mention is Property Taxes. Property owners are not the only ones to pay this tax. Renters also pay it.....(although, not directly, of course).....since a portion of their rent money goes to pay the property taxes on the property they are renting.....they too pay property taxes......but they don't get credit for it. It's too easy to forget the 2nd & 3rd hand taxes that people pay, through other means.
The only people who truly pay no taxes are the homeless. They usually don't qualify for gov't assistance or help programs unless they have an address of some kind, so they are usually not the ones 'taking' anything from the system. Your tax dollars are not supporting these people......no one is.....they are not being supported in any way! And that's a shame! Because they need it most!
There is nothing shameful about being poor, nothing irresponsible about being stuck in poverty....at least not on the part of the poor..... The ones who should be ashamed about this are the greedy ones who take more & more of the wealth, and point fingers of blame at the poor, instead of helping them!
It's far too easy for rich folks, who do not see the interconnectedness of all things, and all people.... to think they're entitled to hoard their money, and don't have a responsibility to society as a whole....including the poor....and to just blame those who have less, and smugly continue on with their greedy ways. That pretty much sums up how the GOP/Tea Party conservatives feel, and why their party platform is so skewed towards the rich.
I'm sorry if I sound angry, instead of compassionate....towards the rich.....but what they are doing.....blaming the poor & low income people for our economic woes, and trying to convince people to that voting for austerity measures is the best way to go for our country.....is Just Plain Wrong!!
I cannot just sit idly by, maintaining peace & compassion, and do nothing, while there are those with Big Money, and lots of power, trying to KILL poor people....through starvation, lack of housing/shelter, lack of heat, lack of healthcare/medicine, lack of resources, etc, due to the lack of caring & compassion from those who have the means to help! Those of us who understand this....need to stand up & be vocal about it! DO something to help....don't just sit there, and talk about having compassion..... Become an agent of change!!!
thank you for continuing to acknowledge interdepence
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 2:05pm.
Well said...I have passed it on!
thank you for continuing to acknowledge interdepence
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 2:05pm.
Well said...I have passed it on!
thank you for continuing to acknowledge interdepence
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 2:05pm.
Well said...I have passed it on!
Thank you!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 1:54pm.
I really enjoyed hearing your feedback on Romney's comments. Its certainly not the first time that he has said some pretty short sided statements. Due to the fact that he has chosen such a high profile position, he should be much more careful with what he says.
You did an exception job at explaining exactly why many of us have chosen the Buddhist path.
Much appreciation!
Another view
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 1:48pm.
First of all - thanks Ethan for a thoughtful and respectful piece that invites discussion - rare these days.
I believe interdependence is "preached" in a similar way by Christians. The call to repentance (akin to personal responsibility) is a personal call but the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself - this assumes our interdependence and responsibility for one another. Still, this doesn't mean that government is the natural or best way to acheive interdependence and provide for all of society's needs. This is where conservatives part company with liberals. The family and social/religious/interest/neighbood groups can provide this support in terms of real service and also - most critically - teaching values and skills. Romney's 47% comment may not be "nuanced" but it points out the truth that doing for others what they can do for themselves creates an unhealthy dependency - and more neediness - not less.
the job of someone else.
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 2:24pm.
Dear Anonymous, I have heard your sentiment echoed by many Christians. I find it ironic that when we are discussing interdependence that they and you think of 'the government' as some different entity. We ARE the government. We elect those officials. We build the roads. We take care of others. There are plenty of NGOs and churches out there who are doing the job, too. I believe it should be both. I know there is somewhere in the Bible that basically says, "Woe unto the nation that does not care for it's poor."
I don't think anyone wants to give folks a free ride. I just think Mr. Romney has no clue how much of that percentage of non-taxpaying fits into the 'free ride' category. I would be curious about that. I suspect it's a small percent. I also believe there are conditions in welfare policies to prevent that.
In the Buddhist view, and in particular the Shambhala view, every human being is basically good, and I choose to believe that, and not the notion that 47% of our country is full of free-loaders who don't want to take care of themselves. We will never create an awakened society with a me vs. them view.
No, Mr. Romney's speech was not nuanced at all. It was highly insulting, in my opinion. But it did give the rest of us a chance to hear the whole thing, completely in context. I hope the rest of the 47% were listening.
Of course we "are the
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 5:57pm.
Of course we "are the government" as in the government which "derives it's just powers from the consent of the governed." But "the government" is not a benign all knowing all caring entity that some want to think it is. It is not a community, it is not a family, it is only a vehicle to protect our safety and freedoms. It isn't there to solve all our problems. I believe Romney sees interdependence as the most important part of personal responsibility. He sees each of us as problems solvers and helpers instead of seeing the government as the answer to problems. He sees that we each have responsibility for ourselves AND each other. We are our brother's keeper - and our brother is our keeper. Interdependence means we all contribute and are worthy. "The government" should not be our keeper - and to the extent that it is then our collective freedom is being limited.
Concerning the 47% statement - he was merely noting the truth that nearly half of the households in the country pay no income tax. Of course, I agree with you that there is a group that needs support in the this way and no one begrudges that. But the sad truth is that when that many people have no financial or working responsibility for their own government those people can become not only dependent but irresponsible regarding decisions about what "the government" should pay for. If you're not paying for it - and you directly benefit - who cares how much it costs, or how necessary and effective a program is. This is a recipe for irresponsibility, greed and corruption - dependence on the government is a way of buying votes.
not always so
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 1:59am.
income tax is a tax on income only. if you make too little, if you're disabled or elderly, if you're a soldier or a college student, you may be exempt from paying income tax for that year. you're NOT, however, exempt from paying sales tax, property tax, vehicle tax, license fees, payroll tax, tolls to use roads and bridges, etc., etc.
not paying income tax in a given year does not relieve one of personal responsibility. it merely excludes one from paying (some) taxes *on income.* repeating ... ALL other taxes still apply - including payroll tax.
this is neither "dependence on the government," nor "a recipe for irresponsibility, greed and corruption." can the same be said for tax loopholes that are available only to the wealthy?
Great points to both
Submitted by Patrick Groneman on Tue, 9/18/2012, 3:06pm.
Great points to both "Anonymous'" here.
I have to agree with Anonymous #2, that the "other-izing" of the government is a big road-block to arriving at what I believe could be a more harmonious governing system in our country. The government could be more than just collecting taxes and protecting our borders, but in the spirit of democracy somewhat represent the "will of the people" for various forms of social support (especially those who don't follow traditional family / community ways of living but are just as valuable to the whole)
Why I sympathize with Anonymous #1's viewpoint is that our government is often put in the place of NOT supporting the "will of the people", but rather the will of corporations and lobbyists (whose only organizational responsibilities are winning and earning more).
How will we affect change of this corrupt system? It's up to each one of us to take on the personal responsibility of collectively organizing in the most skillful way we see fit to overcome corporate influence in our political system.
After that, it may very well be much easier to view our government as an extension of our individual will, as opposed to an impediment of it.
I'm voting for Romney because
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 9/18/2012, 1:27pm.
I'm voting for Romney because I want things to get so bad that people develop a sense of renunciation.
Faulty premise
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 9/19/2012, 11:06am.
Renunciation must be a choice; it cannot be imposed from without. Creating a situation in which external reality becomes intolerable only plunges people into despair and causes them to cling to the flimsiest illusory thread of hope. Your statement makes the same mistake as that which was made by some people I knew when I was young, who believed that voting for the greater of two evils would help to bring the system down faster and make way for the dawn of the anarchist paradise.
Are you serious? People
Submitted by Ethan Nichtern on Wed, 9/19/2012, 8:11am.
Are you serious? People developing a sense of renunciation can only happen when they relate to their own mind honestly, not when outer circumstances are poisoned and sabotaged.
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Hahahahahahahahahaaaa! Sorry I cant get over this! Ahem... so the joke started when I found Sana and KT totally engrossed in some typical girl talks. These girls confessed how they hate repeating their outfits. And when you talk about audience watching you live all the time all they wish for is a 10 on 10 day fashion wise.
Sana had been sharing, rather flaunting her latest attires and accessories in front of Karishma, as she is the latest entrant in the house. Whereas, KT, who has been in the house for over three months now, had been pleading to Bigg Boss to send some new clothes as she said she just couldn't do without the new ones. The girls even decided where would they shop from next time, once they would be out of the house. Karishma was so worried the last time she was sent some new clothes, as she shared with Sana that she had actually started having nightmares where she was in some task wherein she got 5 minutes to collect as many clothes as she could from her house before she was arrested to be back in the Bigg Boss house!!!! *Lol*
Sometimes life just makes you go crazy isn't it? Looking at these young ladies I can guarantee that Iss ghar mein kuch bhi ho sakta hai!


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This ongoing therapy group will provide a confidential context in which graduate students can work to improve their lives with respect to a wide range of difficulties. This group is committed to two core goals of helping each individual develop a healthy, accepting relationship with one's self as well as developing and maintaining satisfying relationships with others, including family, friends, lovers, etc. A supportive but challenging environment will be created to help learn how to trust and to confront the conflicts in ways that help one feel effective and flexible in control.
Circle of Hope
A warm, supportive, and empowering therapy group for women who are survivors of sexual assault or intimate partner violence.
Inter-Cultural Connections Group
This is a group for international and American students who are interested in different cultures and would like to share each other's cultural experience. Develop deeper connections with others by joining us in these inter-cultural discussions.


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Signed Waterford Crystal Perfume Bottle With Stopper.
For your consideration we are offering signed Waterford Crystal Perfume Bottle. The bottom have has a cut glass design. The stopper has a very small flea bite on the very top of the frosted piece. Overall it's in beautiful condition. It stands approx. 6" high.
8 other shoppers have this item in their Cart or Wish List
A Good Selection Of Yesterdays Treasures
Welcome to Cameo Antiques, here you will find high quality Antiques and Collectibles at affordable prices.


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Bob Howard, CEO
A recognized sales strategy innovator and thought leader, Bob Howard is the Founder and CEO of Sales Overdrive.
Bob has a distinguished career selling professional services, sales consulting and coaching. Since 1996 Bob and his partners have built successful sales engines for hundred of clients. The firm's focus has been on accelerating top line sales growth through design and rapid deployment of sales and marketing strategies, recruitment, training, and mobilization of inside and field sales professionals, the achievement of large wins with key accounts, and the attainment of critical business alliances and investment capital.
Earlier in his career, Bob spent 15 years in corporate financing services with GE Capital, PruCapital and First Continental. He was responsible for structuring and closing a large number of complex financing solutions for Fortune 500 and smaller companies.
Bob holds a BA in Physical Anthropology and MBA in Finance and Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been a frequent visiting speaker at the Graduate School of Business and has testified before the FERC and a number of other government agencies. Bob is a co-founder of Venture and Philanthropy and serves on the Board of Directors of Voice Assist, Inc. (VSST)
Andrew Rauch, Senior Vice President
Andrew Rauch is a Vice President of Sales Overdrive responsible for business development. Andrew has managed a portfolio of venture clients and has managed more than 200 venture and philanthropy investment projects. He has 15 years of entrepreneurial experience in various industries including technology, training, real estate services, telecommunications, consulting services, and venture philanthropy.
Andrew previously served as Vice President of Sales at The Knowledge Capital Group, where he was responsible for delivering strategic marketing, sales, and business development advisory services to more than 300 technology companies. He has also held various marketing, sales and executive positions with Agillion, iChat, InfraWorks, and Motive Communications. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance from Pace University in Pleasantville, New York.
Ellen Menking Hess, Vice President of Recruitment Services
Ellen Menking Hess is the Firm's SVP of Recruitment Services and Founder of EM Resource Group.
Ellen has over 25 years of human resource management experience with strong recruitment and generalist experience. She has invested two decades working as a recruiting executive and consultant providing staffing solutions and human capital support to companies of all sizes. Ellen and her team have exceptional expertise in sourcing and recruiting sales and marketing talent and are the "Go-To" team for OverDrive clients in need of great talent.
Previously Ellen served as the Managing Director for People Solutions, Inc. Here she managed a variety of client projects including search work, consulting and large scale recruitment projects for a variety of industries including telecom, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and entertainment. Working with Bob Howard, she tripled the company's annual revenue in under 18 months.
Ellen holds a BBA in Personnel Management and Organization Behavior from the University of North Texas where she was a member of the Management Honor Society.
Ken Leaman, Technical Support and Contact Center Operations Advisor
Ken Leaman is the Firm's Contact Center and Tech Support Operations Advisor.
Ken is a nationally recognized leader in the technical support and contact center space, with over 25 years of industry experience. Many of those years were working for a large IT outsourcer (Technisource), where he started their outsourced call center and help desk practice, growing it from nothing to a $50 million division. Ken is currently at Synetra (www.synetra.com), an IT products and services company, where he oversees all of their operations. He has been involved in HDI (www.thinkhdi.com) for over 15 years, is certified at their highest level, served as the DFW HDI chapter President for 3 years, and continues to serve on their board.
Ken graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Computer Science degree. Ken and his wife spend a lot of time volunteering with their church youth group, helping to mentor teenagers.


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The Palm Beach Poetry Festival, which takes place annually in Delray Beach, recently received a $5,000 grant from Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida's tourism arm.
Visit Florida's Small Business Grant will be used to support the 10th edition of the festival, which will take place in January and will be dedicated to the memory of poet Kurt Brown, a pivotal figure in the festival's success.
"The purpose of these grants is to help nonprofit entities and local governments stretch their tourism marketing dollars in an effort to expand cultural, heritage, rural and nature tourism activities in Florida," said Will Seccombe, president and CEO of Visit Florida.
The festival's founder and director, Miles Coon, plans to use the funds to attract top poets from around the county to the festival, which draws hundreds of people to Delray Beach. "These funds will help us better position and market Delray Beach and Palm Beach County as a desirable destination," Coon said. "This year we wanted to let the world know more about the festival."
Among the attendees next January will be Natasha Trethewey, the 19th U.S. poet laureate, whose poetry explores race and human struggles.
"In order to get a poet laureate to come and spend her time, one must be willing to pay her," Coon said. "So many poetry readings are given for free, and it devalues the art."
Coon also wanted to use the festival to honor Brown, a longtime friend who died June 16. Founder and director of the Aspen Writers' Conference, Brown served as the Palm Beach Poetry Festival's national marketing and publicity director from 2006 to '09.
"Even after he left the festival, Kurt remained our go-to guy. He was just want we needed in our early years," Coon said. "Kurt dedicated his life to poetry. There isn't a poet writing today who didn't appear [at the Aspen Writers' Conference] in his younger days."


text: WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT You have three seconds to make an impression. Give them something to remember you by. Dress your website to impress with our Web Design and Development services. With a wide range of customizable templates and options available, ConnectIT Solutions can help build your business it's dream website, and give you something to wow potential clients with. Web Design and Development includes website hosting services, website maintenance, content management systems, mobile compatibility, ecommerce shopping cart options and clean, user friendly web sites that are interactive and responsive. GRAPHIC DESIGN Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it definitely helps when the looks of your project's blow the competition away. From logos and layout to branding and icons, ConnectIT Solutions can provide your business with stunning graphic design that will turn heads. WEB MARKETING & SEO Get noticed. In a highly competitive world, there are a lot of voices vying for your potential customer's attention. Search Engine Optimization and marketing consolation are tools every business must take advantage of in order to be heard. Ensure that your website and content are receiving the exposure and traffic they need in order to boost your company to success. Web Marketing and SEO include statistics and reporting, and improvement of your website's SEO capabilities. CONTENT & COPY WRITING We have a way with words. So should you. Efficient and economic but original and unique, our content and copy writing services will provide you with easily digestible content, making your business stand out from the crowd. Engage your potential clients with charismatic content that sells them on your services and gives your company a personalized, relatable touch. Includes content writing for websites, marketing materials, blogs and additional creative ventures. APP DEVELOPMENT Need an app? We can build it. With agile development and sleek aesthetics, our team of developers and designers can construct personalized web and mobile applications for your business, whether for internal or external purposes. VIDEO AND AUDIO PRODUCTION Your business will look great on camera. Our Video Production services include producing, shooting, and editing video and audio content for your business. Use video as a marketing tool and means of informing potential and current clients of what your business specializes at. Persona is key for branding, and video content serves as a visual representation of who you are as a company. Put a face to your name, increase your credibility and give clients a persona that they can connect to. Video Production includes video portfolios that highlight your company's capabilities, web advertisements for landing pages and social media video content to help extend and compliment to your SEO. We can make you sound great, too. We offer audio production, from Interactive Voice Response and on hold messages to recording work for voice over. Get a Quote


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Love will find its way: A Story Of Abhigya and Rabul Episode-3
Hi guys…….really sorry for not updating….was down with chickengunia and thus was not able to update. Anyways wishing you guys a very Happy Diwali……..here the story goes……..
the episode starts with abhi getting angry on the doctors as he didn't got the right structure for his hospital. just then……..
Pragya: ahm excuse me sir
Everyone looked at pragya in disbelief, Abhi stared at her
Pragya: i have also made a structure for the hospital,if you don't mind can i show my presentation…..
Abhi: OK.
Later pragya shows her presentation which impresses abhi a lot.
Abhi: Just what i needed (said with arrogance). You guys could not do that which this new girl did. Anyways, but how did you know what i wanted
Pragya: children are like delicate flowers they need to get a good environment for better nurturing. So a children's hospital should have a beautiful environment where the children should feel happy.
Hearing pragya's words abhi was taken back into his thoughts………
Flashback begins
Ishika: Abhi where are you, i getting late for clinic
Abhi: (hugging her from back): So what, i don't want my wife and baby to go away
Ishika: we are not going away from you forever baby
Flashback ends
Abhi is sitting in his room holding ishika's pic.
Flashback Begins
Ishika: ABhi, what do you want this valentine's day….?
Abhi:i have you,my baby,what else
Ishika:But Still…….
Abhi: hmm…then get me a watch so that when you're away i will keep my eye on the watch waiting for you and will keep my eye on that watch waiting for you
Flashback ends
Abhi is sad and is looking on his watch.
Flashback begins
Ishika is buying a watch for abhi…….
Tu aata hai seene mein
Jab jab saansein bharti hoon
Tere dil ki galiyon se
Main har roz guzarti hoon
Hawa ke jaise chalta hai tu
Main ret jaisi udti hoon
Kaun tujhe yoon pyar karega
Jaise main karti hoon
Haa.. Aa..
Meri nazar ka safar
Tujhpe hi aake ruke
Kehne ko baaki hai kya
Kehna tha jo keh chhuke
Meri nigahein hain teri nigahon ki
Tujhe khabar kya bekabar
Main tujhse hi chup chup kar
Teri aankhein padhti hoon
Kaun tujhe yun pyar karega
Jaise main karti hoon
Haa.. Aa..
Tu jo mujhe aa mila
Sapne hue sarphire
Haathon mein aate nahi
Udte hain lamhein mere
Meri hasi tujhse
Meri khushi tujhse
Tujhe khabar kya beqadar
Jis din tujhko na dekhun
Pagal pagal phirti hoon
Kaun tujhe yoon pyaar karega
Jaise main karti hoon
Ishika is driving when abhi calls her.
Abhi: Ishu where are you. you're fine na.
Ishika: ya abhi i am fine, what happened
Abhi: i am feeling strange, pleas come back early
Ishika: i am coming abhi
Just then abhi hears a crashing noise….
Doctor: i am sorry Mr.Abhi, we could not save your baby and ishika had a lot of internal bleeding and sorry to say but we cannot save her and she has very less time.
Abhi meets ishika
Abhi: i am angry on you, i will not talk to you.
Ishika: I am sorry abhi, please forgive me……
Flashback shifts
Abhi is standing in front of ishika's burning pyre and remembers about ishika's friend telling him about ishika donating her heart.
Abhi(in his mind): i just hate that person ishu who is carrying your heart.
Precap:ABhi gets attaracted towards pragya. Purab and bulbul share a moment.


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Guidelines and resource documents prepared by the diocese's congregational consultants regarding business practices.
In addition to the documents posted in this section, please also see the Document Library sections on "Compensation and Benefits Resources for Congregations" (which includes Compensation and Benefits Guidelines and a Model Personnel Handbook); "Guide for Parishes in Transition"; "Letters of Agreement"; "Model Bylaws"; and "Vitality, Viability and Mutuality."
The Episcopal Church's Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs is available here.
The Church Pension Fund's "Tax Guide for Episcopal Ministers" is available here, and its "2018 Federal Reporting Requirements for Episcopal Churches" is available here.
The Episcopal Church's Parochial Report and filing instructions and worksheets are available here.
Please visit the Congregational Consultants page for additional resource information.


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Mass Roundup (of Common Sense)
Unlike Jordan's Davos faux pas, Summers' comments have been released to the public. The cad.
I wonder which particular item Professor Hopkins was "sickened" by...almost every single assertion Summers made, as well as several minutes worth of prefatory remarks, were equivocated ad nauseam - certainly a depth and breadth of equivocation that exceeds what any person of normal intelligence would require on the topic. Then again, he was giving the speech to academics. But I repeat myself.
Bruce at mASS BACKWARDS compares and contrasts what happens when attackers invade your home in Louisiana as opposed to Massachusetts.
At CapeCodToday, towns look to up their spending, and the enormous metropolis of Falmouth has 10, count 'em, 10 town employees clearing more than $100k per annum. Nice work if you can get it.


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Equestrian riding is not like other sports
Despite what other people might say, to 2013 New Richmond High School graduate Alex Kerber equestrian riding is a sport and yet it is nothing like any other sport out there.
"Equestrian riding in my opinion is very different than any other sport," Kerber said. "For every other sport, even if it is a team or individual sport, you are able to communicate and work with your team so that everyone has the same message and the same goal. But with horses it is purely based on the amount of effort you put in. There is no way to tell your horse that you expect perfection."
Kerber started riding after a trainer at a riding facility close to her home offered to give her lessons when she was 10, and she hasn't stopped since. She got her first horse as a Christmas present after she had been taking lessons for a year and has owned three horses since.
"There wasn't really a specific reason why I got into horses," said Kerber, who is a freshman at UW-Eau Claire. "I remember telling my mom one day that it was something I wanted to do, and she told me to start saving up for it. I was too young to remember details, but my parents worked it all out so that I could receive lessons and train under Tina Langness, and I continued to until I left for school."
When Kerber was in fourth grade, she started to compete in open show competitions throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota and then moved up to compete in Paint and Pinto shows. After graduating high school and starting classes at UW-Eau Claire, Kerber joined the equestrian club team at the university and started competing on the Western team.
"I wanted to be a part of the team because I have a passion for working with horses, and I knew this would be my way to continue to do this throughout college," Kerber said. "We take lessons once a week at a local barn in Menomonie under our wonderful coach and trainer Karla Friedli as well as her assistant Tammy Olson. Other than lessons, we go to shows located in River Falls,Crookston, Minn., Fargo, N.D., and St. Paul, all at the local college's equine facilities."
Competition for Western shows often last two days, with Kerber participating in one event per day. The events are slotted at different difficulty levels from 11-15, with 11 being the beginner level. Kerber competes at level 14.
"Each class is relatively the same and pretty boring if you're a spectator," Kerber said. "But we do all of the gates including walking, jogging and loping. And then, depending on the judge, we may be asked to do more difficult things, such as counter cantering or doing a pattern."
For each competition, the riders on Kerber's team at UW-Eau Claire ride different horses picked at random for each show, which means there is no time to warm up with any specific horse or get to know them.
"They bring them into the center of the arena where we get on, and as soon as everyone is ready the class begins,Kerber said. "Before I was a part of this team I did have a horse, Jaida, or her registered name, Everybody Dance Now, for roughly four years and worked with her almost daily throughout it."
Although Kerber is more used to riding her own horse, she has enjoyed the challenge of riding different horses for competitions at the college level.
"I am used to riding my own horse on a regular basis and this forces me to become more diverse and accepting with what I get," Kerber said. "We also are only supposed to focus on ourselves while riding. We are not supposed to worry about what the horse is doing, even if it is running around like it's a race. This is very hard for me to do because I am so used to working as a team, but it will make me a better rider overall."
But at the end of the day, all Kerber wants is to ride.
"My goals are mainly to have fun and become an overall better rider," Kerber said.


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My objective is to obtain a full time sale position with a Real estate company
My name is Dillon Merkatz, I am a new mother to my son Cole, he is my life. I strive to make my live the best it can be. I put in 110% on everything that I do. I am looking for a career not just a job.
Work experience
Nov 2005 - Present
puma north america
- I have moved up from part time to full time and now Supervisor in two years and have been a member of managment for three years.
- Have hired and trained over 15 of the stores employees.
- Compleate all store paperwork including payroll, schedualing and weekly and monthly paperwork.
- Contributed $82,906 in sales in a eight month time period.
- Maintained staffing levels incompliance with payroll.
- Have resolved all customer issues within a timely manner.
Feb 2004 - Nov 2005
Assistant sales
I managed payroll while keeping sales at an all time high. I opened and closed the salon. Mantained appropriate staffing levels to insure customer service.
Aug 2006 - Present
associate degree in arts
North West Vista
Customer Service
I have had alot of customer service experience and have always come out on top.


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This place is nice and in a wonderful spot. Our food was good, but not 'great'. Each dish we had had strange seasoning. I'm sure some people love it but for us it just wasn't a classic taste. The staff was wonderful as were the Bloody Marys.
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.


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Physically-backed gold ETFs attract $1.2bn in 2012
Net inflows to physically-backed gold products exceeded $1bn in 2012, according to exchange traded products (ETPs) provider ETF Securities.
In the ongoing financial and political volatility, investors have allocated $1.2bn assets to the firm's physically-backed gold products, with demand for the securities mainly coming from Europe.
"Investors are understandably concerned about how to position themselves in light of continued market uncertainty. We continue to see lower overall trading volumes in the US and European stock markets, while global M&A activity has also been in decline. Yet inflows into our gold ETPs have been particularly strong this year, as investors seek additional exposure to the metal," said Kris Walesby, head of capital markets at ETF Securities.
Walesby added that the liquidity of the physical gold market is a fundamental driver for a correct execution of the trade.


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"You only have one body. Know it as well as you do your favorite bike, car or recipe, so you can move better, live better and keep enjoying the activities you love for a lifetime."
Having contracted a serious case of wanderlust at a young age, I created Ems Yoga & Ems Pen to share my passions for the ink, off the beaten trails adventure, with my love for movement.
Did I just say I love movement? I am IN love with movement. I am an IAYT certified Yoga Therapist, Yoga Tune Up® instructor & Roll Model Method Trainer, Pilates teacher and E-RYT. I craft my classes based on 10 years' experience teaching movement in Thailand, South Africa, the United States and the UAE.
Slightly obsessed with all things wellness you'll also find various lifestyle pieces, from breast-cancer and diabetes to more light-hearted conversations and inspirational human interest stories.
If like me you're a wanderer, then browse through my travel clippings: from my trials and tribulations in the Kalahari desert to saddling up to explore the less-traveled roads of Bangkok in search of scrumptious street eats, the unexpected always awaits.
When I'm not putting pen to paper or teaching, you'll find me hanging out with my family, catching up on the Marvel Universe (yes!), rolling on my YTU therapy balls and indulging my inner geek reading anatomy books and articles.
See you in a column or on the mat!
In health, Emilie


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Long term project for Indians
Budjetti ₹600-1500 INR
Hello, I am seeking someone for a long term project relating to content writing using keywords. The projects can come at varied speeds and frequency. The first article is only a test and it will only give rs 100 for 500 words. Think of it as a test.
I am open to assigning the project to new freelancers as well, the future projects can pay much better. Please Bid only if you are interested in doing the first project for rs 100.
13 freelanceria on tarjonnut keskimäärin %project_bid_stats_avg_sub_26% %project_currencyDetails_sign_sub_27% tähän työhön
250 INR for 500 words Hi there, I'd like to be considered for your writing position. I'm a strategic writer with a strong background developing online content, including blog posts, social media posts, articles, pre Lisää
Hi Greeting! I feel that I am an exact match for your job responsibilities and definitely provide you the quality content. I have excellent English writing & communication skills. Relevant Skills and Experience My pr Lisää
Interested Relevant Skills and Experience writing and editing Proposed Milestones ₹1300 INR - writing on various topics
Hello sir/madam, good day, i read your job description fully... I have worked on similar projects to what you are looking for, and I am confident that I can exceed your [login to view URL] okay with price Relevant Skills Lisää
Bonjour,je suis disponible et efficace pour faire ce travaille comme il faut même si avec un montant plus bas que j ai choisir dans mon offre, je n ai aucun problème. Expérience et Compétences appropriées traduction Lisää
It seems to be an easy project. I can deliver the articles before the deadline since I am in the editorial business.
I Write Hindi Articles Relevant Skills and Experience Writer Article Writer Hindi Love, emotional, romantic, etc. Shayari
i work on proper time Stay tuned, I'm still working on this proposal.


text:
SOURCE: Bahamas Tourist Office
May 19, 2014 09:05 ET
Bahamas Contest Provides Chance for Couples to Say "I Do's" Celebrity Style
Bahamas Contest Provides Chance for Couples to Say "I Do's" Celebrity Style
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwired - May 19, 2014) - Sixteen engaged couples are being offered the chance of a lifetime to exchange wedding vows celebrity style in The Islands Of The Bahamas. Through The Bahamas' 16 Islands 16 Weddings competition, 16 lucky couples can win the opportunity to join celebrities -- such as former Masters champion Adam Scott -- who over the years have made The Bahamas their dream locale for tying the knot.
Scott created a buzz over the weekend when it was revealed that he was the latest celebrity to wed in The Bahamas, exchanging "I do's" with longtime girlfriend, Marie Kojzar. The list of recent Bahamas wedding celebrities include Mariah Carey and Nick Canon, who were married on Eleuthera in 2008 and Penelope Cruz and Javier Barden in 2010. Also, reportedly, Johnny Depp is planning upcoming nuptials at his private retreat in Exuma, Bahamas.
Freda Malcolm, 'Director of Romance' for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, said, "people of all walks of life, including celebrated personalities are drawn to The Islands Of The Bahamas for picture-perfect weddings. The setting really does it," she said. "You place two people who are in love into an idyllic environment with blue sky, blue seas and a sandy beach, and good things happen. With the right planning, it's very hard to beat a Bahamas destination wedding."
To date over two thousand couples have signed up for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's major destination wedding contest, now in its last few weeks. The contest 16 Islands 16 Weddings Invitation, allows 16 couples throughout the continental United States to win a dream wedding in The Bahamas. The prize includes air travel, and hotel accommodations for the couple and two guests, wedding dress, tuxedo, rings and a reception. The invitation is open through June 13th, followed by voting and judging.
On January 16th, 2015, the 16 lucky couples will be wed in ceremonies on 16 major Bahamas Islands, hosted at Green Turtle Cay Club, The Abacos; Acklins Island Lodge, Acklins; Tiamo Resort, Andros; Resort World Bimini, Bimini; Pigeon Cay Club, Cat Island; Tranquility on The Bay, Crooked Island; Pineapple Fields, Eleuthera; Valentines Resort, Harbour Island; Sandals Emerald Bay, Exuma; Inagua Ocean Villas, Inagua; Gems of Paradise; Long Island; Riding Rock, San Salvador; Grand Lucayan, Grand Bahama; Hilton Hotel Nassau and Atlantis Paradise Island.
In addition to the 16 hotel partners, The Bahamas other partners for its massive wedding initiative include MasterCard®; 1888mytuxes.com and Mon Cheri.
Couples may get complete details of the competition and enter for their dream Bahamas wedding at www.Bahamas16islandsWeddings.com.
The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world's best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It's Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The following files are available for download:
Media Contact:Jeannie GibsonBahamas Ministry of Tourism(954) firstname.lastname@example.com
Media Contact:Jeannie GibsonBahamas Ministry of Tourism(954) email@example.com
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