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RUM, FERRINGGHI AND OTHER FOREIGNERS: THE ETHNIC "OTHER" IN THE MALAY IMAGINATION - A Talk by Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican
Perdana Leadership Foundation
"Rum, Ferringghi and other foreigners:
The Ethnic "Other" in the Malay Imagination"
A Talk by
Prof. Dato' Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican
Recipient of the Honorary President's Resident Fellowship at Perdana Leadership Foundation & Professor, Department of Management and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Petronas
26th November 2015
9am – 12:30pm
Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican's talk was well-received today at Perdana Leadership Foundation, with many of the attendees who came from the academic and corporate sector keen to know more about how Malays perceived themselves and foreigners throughout history. We will be publishing the notes of the talk soon. In the meantime, feel free to download Professor Murad's lecture slides here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Source: New Straits Times, 27/11/2015
9:00am : Registration (Tea & Coffee will be served)
9:45am : Welcome Remarks & Introduction by Moderator, Dr. Hamisah Hasan, Senior Lecturer, Communications Department, Universiti Putra Malaysia
10:00 : Talk "Rum, Ferringghi and other foreigners: The Ethnic "other" in the Malay Imagination" by Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican
11:00 : Dialogue Session
11:30 : Closing Remarks
11:45 : Refreshments
Topic Brief
A multitude of different peoples had been visiting the Malay archipelago (and Southeast Asia) for centuries prior to the Europeans in the sixteenth century. These were visitors and traders who were part of extensive networks from China, to India, and to West Asia and the Mediterranean region. From West Asia, which includes India westwards – from the meaning of 'atas angin' (above the wind) as a Malay geographical and ethnic marker, – the visitors formed as least semi-permanent communities in the main trading cities. The often-quoted account of Portuguese historian Tome Pires mentions 1,000 Gujerati merchants, and 4,000 Persians, Bengalis, and Arabs together with a sizeable number of Tamils.
We know of the Batu Ferringhi in Pulau Pinang. If we translate the name of that well known beach area, it would come to mean 'foreigner's rock.' Not many take the name seriously. We can imagine how the Malays in Kedah (Pulau Pinang before Francis Light), like the Malays in Melaka earlier or at the same time, had likened the foreigner in the Portuguese as a Ferringhi (meaning foreigner,outsider). It depicts an early encounter between East and West. Early Portuguese fleets, carrying hundreds of Portuguese with little prior experience of non-Christians were perceived as the "Franks" by the larger non-European Asian population. The Muslims who first encountered the Portuguese brought the idea of the "Franks" as the people who had attacked the holy places during the Crusades. The word "Frank" originated from the Farsi Farang or Farangi, meaning European (Frank). Some attributed Farang to the Arabic afranj. Hence, we hear of the Faranj, Franji, Paranki, Parangiar, and of course Ferringhi. While there is the 'us-them' distinction, there was no presumption of moral or cultural superiority involved in the Malay categorization of the Ferringgi as the Other.
Drawing from geographical and cultural location as ethnic markers and self-identity – the other is 'bawah angin' (below the wind), referring to most obviously the Chinese and the Japanese. While also the 'atas angin' in the Ferringgi was in the immediate environment and the observable pasts, that of Rum seems to represent a revered, an almost sacred realm in the traditional Malay psyche. In the narrative of Hang Tuah, we find that Melaka had become a significant power in the region and wanted to pioneer relationships with the great powers of the 'negeri di atas angin' (lands above the wind) such as Rum, Eqypt and Makkah. Accordingly, Hang Tuah led missions to Majapahit, Kalinga, Brunei, Acheh and Rum. On a few occasions he, or other representatives of the Sultan, bought gems and elephants, to reflect their prosperity and finally, of necessity, purchased weapons from Rum, as Melaka was being threatened by an invasion from the Ferringghi's (Portuguese). The unknown author of Hang Tuah portrayed Hang Tuah as a much respected statesman in the various polities of the Malay archipelago, and also that of "Byzantium, the outpost of 'Rome.' Rum, certainly than, was not the city of Rome. Although reference was made to Byzantium, then Constantinople, Rum also refers to the region of the farthest extent of Hellenism and the 'Occidental' reach in Asia. And this would stretch until the regions on the north of the Indian sub-continent. Perhaps a re-reading of 'Rum' as narrated by such text, and including other known ones such as the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa is inevitable to demythologize the expanse of the Malay worldview. The Raja Rum, whether understood as Greek, Persian or Turkish ruler is a popular figure in traditional Malay literature. An array of the kings of Rum occurs in many Malay literary genres conjuring images in the Malay imagination.
Thus from the known (or unknown) writers, we know much of Malay society, encounters and influences from the outside world. Apart from the numerous classical texts from across the 'Malaysia' of the Malay archipelago which need constant reinterpretations, not only in its literary form, but in sociological, anthropological, historical and geographical perspectives. There are also autobiographies, sociological and journalistic narratives that definitely deserve a revisit.
This talk is about how Malays have viewed foreigners from the time of pre-Independence. It promises to shed light on the present complexities of ethnic relations in Malaysia.
About the Speaker
Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican is a professor at the Department of Management and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak. His academic and research interests include Malay Media and Journalism Studies, Media History, Intellectual History and history of Social Science, and press Council and Self-Regulation. He has published three monographs, five books (three edited volumes), journal articles and book chapters on his areas of interest. He obtained a Ph.D in History and Philosophy of Science (Malaya), Master of Arts (Mass Communication), and a Baccalaurette in Political Science (Minnesota). He holds a Diploma in Mass Communication, majoring in Journalism from Institut Teknologi MARA.
He is a referee/contributor to such journals as the Asiapacific Media Educator, Current Sociology, Forum Komunikasi, International Sociology. Journal of the Malaysian Branch Royal Asiatic Society, Jurnal Komunikasi, Melayu: Jurnal Antarabangsa Dunia Melayu, and Southeast Asian Journal of Social Sciences. He is also on the editorial board of Analisis Sejarah (Department of History, Universitas Andalas),Forum Komunikasi (Faculty fo Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA - UiTM), International Journal of Communication and Media (College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia), and a consultant editor to Search: The Journal of the South East Asia research Centre for Communications and Humanities. He was advisor to Sasaran, the Malaysian journal of media criticism published by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, UiTM. He has been interviewed both by the Malaysian and foreign media including the New Straits Times, Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, the Star, RTM, TV3, ASTRO, Radio Singapura Internasional, Reuters, Padang Ekspres, Harian Singgalang, BTTV (Bukittinggi, West Sumatera) and TVRI, in Padang, Indonesia.
He was instrumental in establishing the journalism and media studies program at Universitas Andalas in West Sumatra, Indonesia. He is associated with the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI). His contributions to the journalistic fraternity was through moderating and conducting workshops mainly in science and technology journalism under the auspices of MPI, and at various times, being a member of the panel of judges for the Petronas-Malaysia Press Awards. He co-authored the Report on the proposal for a Malaysian Media Council.
He sits on various panels, among them the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and Radio Bernama Panel of Advisor, as well as the History and Philosophy of Science Committee under the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, He has been a member of the Ministry of Higher Education's Social Science and Humanities, and Malaysian Qualifications Framework Panels. One of his books is titled Media History: Worldviews and Communication Futures (University of Malaya Press, 2005). He has put together and is editor of his latest book titled Blinded by the Lights: Journalism and Communication Study in Malaysia since 1971 (Upena, 2008). His current projects include Malay intellectual history, and developing alternative perspectives on the production of knowledge. He formerly taught at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, UiTM, and was founding editor of the School of Mass Communication Media Monograph Series, co-founder of the university's Institute of Knowledge Advancement, and is founding-chairman of the Centre for Intellectual History and Malay Thought (Centis). He is working on several initiatives on the history of Penang and is a member of the Acheen Street-Armenian Street Heritage Conservation Committee under the auspices of Universiti Sains Malaysia. He was awarded the first Perdana Leadership Foundation Honorary President's Resident Fellowship for research work on Malay Occidental discourse. He was a journalist with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in the early 1980s.
- Back To: 2015 Workshops and Seminars


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Chris Gittings is the agent for new Chargers running back Danny Woodhead. He is the president and founder of his own agency, One West Sports. In January, he was featured in the Sports Agency Blog's monthly spotlight.
Gittings is good.
He's not that good.
Last week, an online report detailed Woodhead's two-year contract, citing a worth of $11 million. Front-office members, when approached in private, shook off that sum, and indeed, the numbers learned Monday were lower than those circulating.
Woodhead's two-year deal is worth $3.5 million. It includes a $1 million signing bonus and, with a $750,000 base salary, will count $1.25 million against the 2013 salary cap — figures that make sense for both sides.
This is not the year the Chargers go spending.
This is the year they're scheduled to devote in cap space a minimum of $6 million to tackle Jared Gaither and $6.875 million to wide receiver Robert Meachem. Those contracts are two of the team's top five costliest in 2013 cap space, accounting for about 10.5 percent of the possible $123 million total.
This is the year Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' contract, renegotiated in 2009, happens to peak in cap value. The $17.11 million, worth 13.9 percent, will drop more than $2 million in 2014.
This is the year the Chargers work to reward their own talent — inside linebacker Donald Butler is in a contract year — and draft and develop the next wave, they hope, to fill roster holes.
That is the plan. With the numbers, the real numbers, that's been the plan.
Ed McGuire, the Chargers Park contract worker, is paid to find ways on paper to fit players on the field. Zero of the free agency additions thus far have exceeded a cap hit of $2.1 million, a number that belongs to new starting cornerback Derek Cox.
Tackle King Dunlap: $1.775 million. Tight end John Phillips: $1.317 million. Both multi-year deals are laced in incentives.
Guard Chad Rinehart: $1.25 million. Guard Rich Ohrenberger: $675,000. Each deal expires after the season.
No new contract can hurt the Chargers in 2014 the way those from 2012 are now. Cox has a $4.25 million base salary in 2014, but it isn't fully guaranteed the way Meachem's was. It comes with an injury guarantee that becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2014 league year.
Free agency has quieted around the NFL.
While there appears to be nothing imminent ahead for the Chargers, given their attention to improving the offensive line, they cannot be counted out to make a play for a tackle. Whether that materializes is a separate matter.
There also are players, such as defensive end Vaughn Martin, outside linebacker Shaun Phillips or cornerback Quentin Jammer, that could theoretically return to their old NFL home at the right price.
But San Diego has a little more than $7 million in cap space.
And that doesn't include hidden fees, such as roughly $4 million in draft picks to come, the injury reserve budget and the extra wiggle room a team likes to keep for a midseason move in a possible playoff push.
For contracts worth more than $5 million a season, look to last year.
This isn't it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Very little is known of George Carnefix's military service in the Civil War, other than what we find here.
We know he served as a Private in the Virginia Militia's 108th in Company F.
His name appears on a roll of names of individuals who received payment.
And again, he served as a Private.
George Carnefix was married to [1] Susan Elizabeth PATTESON about 1852 or '53. Susan died between 1858 and 1860. And on 02 May 1860, George married Mary Susan Daugherty of Monroe County.
George and Mary had one daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1861.
George is one of the individuals believed to have died in the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia on 19 Oct 1864. He never returned home.
Susan later married Jacob Wickline.


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Cayenne Chile, Extra Hot
A wonderfully fresh version of the common chile used in everything from curries to chutneys. This is a clean heat than can intensify flavors much like salt or lemon. An interesting twist is to dust this over papaya or mango in the Caribbean tradition. The African source of the cayenne creates a classic flavor profile but with more than double the heat of the Indian. A must for Cajun and Creole dishes.
ORIGIN: India/Africa


text: "Sometimes I slow down and be like, 'Wow, you were just in your room, writing in your notebook, wishing to have a real studio. Now, not only do you have a studio but you're working with the artists that you used to listen to growing up," says B.o.B. Read Erika's whole interview on Billboard.com. Photo Credit: Diana Levine


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I had a hard time deciding which ones to feature here, but I have to say these are 4 of my favorites from this week:
Aleacia at Dilly-Dali Art celebrated her daughter's birthday with some belly printing. I literally laughed out loud when I saw how much fun they had. You've got to take a look at it.
Ren at Lady of the Arts did some melted crayon art with her boys. I loved how the boys decided on a design on their own and went with it. Check out how these turned out!
Amy at One Artsy Mama pulled out some old magazines, gluestick and scissors and her son created this fantastic fall tree collage.
Tracey at Musings of the Monroe Family just finished a fantasitic unit using robots and ended with this fun homemade robot - so cute!
If you were featured here this week, go ahead and grab the "featured at" button on my sidebar.
Now on to this week's party! Art for Little Hands and I would love if you would share something to brighten our day and start our week of on the right foot. Go ahead and link up one blog post: new or old posts welcome. I will share some of my favorites next week.
Feel free to add this button if you are submitting:
{sorry if you grabbed a button last week and it is no longer working, I had a little technical difficulty ;) }


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Family Support Organization of Bergen County is a family-run, county-based not-for-profit. It is a component part of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) within the Division of Children's System of Care (CSOC ). They provide direct family-to-family peer support to families enrolled in the Care Management Organization. They also provide education, advocacy and other supports to family members of children with emotional and/or behavioral challenges, exhibit developmental/intellectual delays, and/or are dealing with substance abuse challenges. All programs are provided at no cost to participants.
Click here to visit the Family Support Organization of Bergen County website.


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I have installed heartbeat package at both linux devices so that when ever clients request a service they will be arrived to this IP, and client will not know what are the back-end/actual ip addresses of the nodes. (this is know as virtual-ip or floating-ip)
To enable this feature does each of both devices have two ethernet cards (etho and eth1)?
In many documents I have found there are two eth interfaces are configured?


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This 2011-2012 Knicks season was very disappointing in my book. This was a team that I expected to contend in the eastern conference. I projected before the season that this team would win 44 games and defeat Miami in a playoff series. Clearly I was very wrong about those predictions. However, the past is the past and the future is now for the New York Knicks. While we continue to debate about acquiring free agents and the Lin v Nash debate, lets take a second to hand out grades to the Knicks from the 2011-2012 season.
Head of the class
Tyson Chandler: A-
- Chandler is the only Knick to receive an A from me for their performance this season. The only reason Chandler doesn't receive an A+ from me is due to the fact that he under-performed in the playoffs. I understand that health had to do with that, but he just flat out played poorly in games 4 and 5. However, that should not overshadow his entire body of work. Make no mistake, Tyson Chandler was everything the Knicks thought he could be. And then some. Defensively, we knew he would make a difference, but nobody thought he would help bring this team from 21st in the NBA in defensive efficiency to 5th this season. Without Chandler in the lineup, the Knicks gave up an average of 116 points per game in 3 games played. Chandler dominated Dwight Howard defensively, holding the best center in the league to 28 points and 23 rebounds in three games. Offensively, the big man led the NBA in shooting percentage with a whooping 67.9% FG%. Chandler was the emotional leader of the team all season and the Knicks most consistent player. He was the Knicks most valuable player this season and he receives an A- from this Knick blogger. Here's to you, Tyson!
Other Smart Kids
Iman Shumpert: B+
- Before Shumpert tore up his ACL (and my heart), he was having a phenomenal rookie season. While his offense needs some work, Shumpert was the Knicks best on-ball perimeter defender. He played lock down defense all season, holding opponents to just 33% shooting in isolation. Shumpert gets a B+ because of the impact he made on this season. When the Knicks were dealing with the Toney Douglas-Hindenburg experiment, Iman Shumpert was asked to step in as the starting point guard. He was not the best point guard, as that is not a position that takes advantage of his strengths, but he did give good, consistent effort. After Jeremy Lin came along, Shumpert was able to slide to the 2 guard position which really suits his skill set well. Shumpert had a fantastic second half of the season defensively, and even had some very strong offensive games. One of the things that I love about Shump is how willing and confident he is to guard the opposing team's best player. Sure, he had games where he got burned by elite guys, but Shumpert always gave great effort. It was a great rookie season for Iman Shumpert, lets just hope he recovers fully from his gruesome injury.
Jeremy Lin: B+
- If Lin didn't get hurt, I would give him an A. Lin basically saved the Knicks season. Before the Taiwanese 5th string point guard jumped into action, the Knicks were 8-15 and I was getting ready to hang myself. Lin is kind of like Batman in a way (stick with me here). The Knicks, who do play in Gotham City, were in complete disarray before Lin came along. Lin was already a popular figure, being Asian in a league with like 2 other Asian players, but his talent was largely un-noticed by everybody. All the sudden, he puts his Bat suit on and saves Gotham from destruction. This comparison is a reach, as there is no Bat suit, Robin or Mr. Penguin, but you get what I'm saying. If it wasn't for Lin, there would have been no Linsanity (duh), there would have been no playoff berth and there would have been no playoff win. Jeremy Lin saved the Knicks season. It wasn't Carmelo Anthony or Mike Woodson, it was Jeremy Lin. The Knicks finished as a 7 seed. Without the spark from Linsanity that at least kept them afloat, they would have been a lottery team, except that they don't have a first round pick this year. Like 300 other guys on the Knicks, Lin also suffered a bad knee injury, so I pass my regards to him as well.
- Steve Novak gets a B+ for two reasons. 1) he was spectacular this season and 2) because he does the goofiest, yet most awesome celebration ever. Novak was probably my favorite Knick this season, due to the fact that he is such a goofball. He's just this tall, lanky white guy who does a championship belt when he hits big threes, but I just think he's dandy! I celebrated almost every single one of his three pointers in incredibly obnoxious and over the top fashion, but I enjoyed every minute of it. In serious talk, Novak was also the most lethal three point shooter in the league. His 47.2% three point shooting percentage led the NBA. He would have garnered an A here if he hadn't have done a complete Houdini act in the playoffs. To be fair, that had a lot to do with the facts that 1) Woodson ran 0 plays for him and 2) the Heat played him well. This is a production based game and Novak didn't really produce anything in the playoffs. He did manage to get through the year with his ACL in tact though.
Mike Woodson: B-
- Iron Mike Woodson gets a B- from me. He was just solid. He wasn't spectacular, but he wasn't horrible. I can't give him full credit for the Knicks regular season turnaround, as the Knicks success had more to do with guys actually trying as opposed to Woodson's actual coaching. As a coach, Woodson is very mediocre. His offense is too stagnant, too isolation oriented and was far too ineffective against Miami in the first round. Defensively, the Knicks were very good under Woodson until the last 10 games of the season in which they were worse than they were under D'Antoni. Overall, Woodson was just okay. He's not great, but he's not Vinny Del Negro either. And he was able to keep his ACL's in tact, so he automatically gets a small grade boost for that!
Jared Jeffries: B-
- Jared Jeffries is one of the more important players on this team, although very few non-Knicks fans seem to realize that. With Jeffries you know what you're going to get. He's not going to score, he's not going to shoot well and he's probably going to blow a layup or two. However, his positives far outweigh his negatives, in my opinion. He is a high energy, high effort guy who has been more than willing to play with the Knicks on a veterans minimum. Jeffries is an excellent low post defender and draws more charges than Kim Kardashian's credit card. He was really having a great season, but his health ended up failing him as he had to deal with a chronic, GUESS WHAT, knee injury (damn you, knee injuries) that hampered him late in the season and in the playoffs.
The Average Kids
Josh Harrellson: C+
- Jorts is the man. Getting a C+ for him is a big accomplishment given the fact that a lot of people didn't think he'd even play, much less contribute. Like everyone on the roster, Harrellson suffered an injury that hampered him, a broken wrist that kept him out 6 weeks. Before his injury, Harrellson was a rotation player under Mike D'Antoni (remember him?). He was stroking three's at a consistent rate and playing even more consistent defense. He's not a guy who scores many points, as he's quite anemic in the paint, but like Jeffries he is a high energy guy. I like what Jorts does and I hope to see the big farmhand continue to develop next season.
Mike Bibby: C+
- Mike Bibby (former Wildcat!!) was brought in to be a veteran back up point guard. That's pretty much what he did. His season consisted of lots of backup point guarding, a bit of starting point guarding and a stretch of not playing at all-ing. Bibby had a stretch where he wouldn't have been able to hit Rihanna if he was Chris Brown's right hand, but he found his shooting stroke late in the season. In the playoffs, he was very solid against the Miami Heat defense. I also liked how he yelled at Dwayne Wade and his gigantic jaw for throwing Bibby's shoe out of bounds. Good season for Bibby, especially late, and I'd be okay with him coming back as the Knicks 3rd string point guard next season.
Herb Williams: C
- Good old Herb was solid once again this season. What he actually does, I couldn't tell you. Sooooo yeah… yeah we'll probably end that here.
Carmelo Anthony: C-
- I could go on for 3 days about how disappointed I am in Melo. However, I'll give a quick synopsis for why he garners a C- and I hope that is satisfactory. His 43% FG% and 22.6 ppg were each the lowest of his career excluding his rookie and sophomore seasons. He failed miserably as a point forward. He suffered many injuries, tried to play through them and still refused to take less than 20 shots a game. Jeremy Lin did really well, but then Anthony came back and decided he didn't like sharing the ball. Anthony didn't like the coach and then got him fired. He then had a dynamite month in which he led the Knicks in the playoffs, only to play mediocre at best in the first round and lead the Knicks to a 5 game gentleman's sweep at the hands of the Heat. The Knicks needed more from Anthony this season (no, not more shots taken) and they didn't get it.
- The positive about JR was that he gave great effort. His defense was very solid during his time with the Knicks and I can appreciate that. However, the Knicks signed him to score and make shots. He did neither of those things. I kept hearing "well he's streaky, he's just streaky, etc". Well in order to be "streaky" you have to have streaks in which you are good. JR Smith had like 4 really good games, and he was erratic shooting in all the others. He also had a few nice dunks and alley oops, but in the grand scheme of things, who really cares? The Knicks brought him in to shoot, he shot 17% from downtown in the playoffs. Not good JR, not good! And he's annoying on Twitter, although the giant ass picture was funny.
The D Students
Amar'e Stoudemire: D+
- I don't hate Amar'e Stoudemire, in fact I like him very much, but he had an atrocious season. He had statistical career lows across the board (if you discount the 2005 season in which he played 3 games) in terms of points per game, field goal percentage and rebounds per game. He couldn't stay healthy either, having been injured to start the year, injured late in the year and then the whole fire extinguisher thing. To make matters worse, he tweeted a picture of his hand which gave me goosebumps for days. Stoudemire is a very good player, but he's awful on defense. When he's not scoring at an elite level, and he definitely wasn't, then he's pretty much useless. There were many times this year in which he was pretty much useless. He had 2 solid playoff games and a couple good regular season games, but overall he was did not have a good season.
Baron Davis: D+
- I wish Baron the best of luck on his injury recovery as he tore his ACL, MCL and part of his patella tendon. I'm not going to rip on Davis as much due to the fact that I HATE that his career may be over. Davis was always one of the better showmen in the league. I had a front row view of this, living in the Bay Area during the "We Believe" Warriors. This season, Davis was awful. He seemed to have lost 3 steps and his play was very erratic. He couldn't consistently hit shots, although he was consistent in terms of making stupid plays and turning it over a lot. He'd be in the F range, but he had a good post season before he got hurt. Get well soon, B Diddy.
Landry Fields: D+
- The Knicks played well defensively this season. The Knicks did not shoot well this season. They really needed some perimeter shooting and Landry Fields was one of the guys they were relying on. He failed, miserably. Having started at shooting guard most the season, Fields shot a measly 25.6% from downtown on the season. Now, if he couldn't shoot, I would be less critical. However, Fields regressed badly from his rookie season a year ago. Last season, Fields was a 39% three point shooter. I don't know where his fundamentals went, because his shot is Rosie O'Donnell ugly right now, but he needs to get it back. His complete inability to hit shots hinders the rest of his solid game. Fields had a solid year defending and rebounding, but the Knicks needed him to make shots and he didn't do that.
Dan Gadzuric: D
- Gadzuric gets a D because his name starts with a D and his wife is hot.
- Jordan had a really good game against the Bobcats in the final game of the season. YEAH JEROME!
The Kid Who Tried Really Hard, But Failed Miserably
Toney Douglas: F
- This makes me sad, because I really like Toney Douglas. I thought he could adequately be the staring point on this team, but he ended up more rotten than Carlos Boozer's jockstrap. Douglas shot a depressing 23% from downtown and his PER was only 7 points higher than mine. Douglas was thrown into action in the playoffs due to everyone else on the Knicks being
deadinjured, but provided them with 1 cool layup and literally nothing else.
Bill Walker and Renaldo Balkman: F-
- Rumor has it that Kenny Atkinson, or "Kenny Atkins" as Jeremy Lin refers to him, found both these guys smoking Salvia in Dolan's office while Dolan was performing "Fix the Knicks" downstairs on the Garden floor. They were disbanded from the team. Balkman went on to evidently do a lot of baking (see what I did there) which he then showed us all on twitter. Rumor has it that Bill Walker now runs a Moonshining service out of West Virginia, although nothing has been confirmed.


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A blog about the art of writing and the writing business. Writing for the soul and writing to be paid.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Just Another Sunday
Someone, and I'm sorry but I can't remember who, told on his blog about his previous year's NaNovel getting corrupted by viruses or something like that. I boasted that I usually write on my laptop which isn't connected to the internet and therefore is very safe. What I didn't mention was that my laptop is nearly 8-years-old.
This morning, not being very different from others (yet), I stayed in bed and turned on my laptop. It had problems starting up, but hey, being seven and half, it wasn't the first time this happened and so I didn't get too anxious. When on the fifth attempt my laptop wouldn't start, I began to feel little pangs in my chest area. Forty-five minutes and two dozen attempts later you could have found me pulling my hair out. I no longer cared about my laptop, only about the material inside, especially the NaNovel (I have backups for most of the rest).
Eventually, after much qualm, I managed to start the computer in DOS mode and copy the necessary files onto a floppy. I sent copies of the files to my gmail, yahoo and msn accounts. Just to be on the safe side.
As I was finishing doing all that my alarm clock went off. I ran back to the bedroom, leaned over the bed to reach the night table and turned on my night lamp. You guessed it, the alarm clock didn't stop alarming. I tried turning off the night lamp. Nothing. I tried turning the night lamp on and off a few more times to no avails when I finally had an epiphany - turning on and off the light won't affect the alarm clock, perhaps I should try pushing the little button on the clock. Lo and behold - it worked, I did it! I chuckled to myself, feeling pretty silly, but already knowing what this day was about to turn to.
By this time I also needed to get dressed. So I did. Then I even put on my socks and heavy winter shoes on. I nearly left the room when I realized that while I was wearing shoes, I wasn't wearing any pants... That's right and you can imagine the sight: underwear, bare legs, socks to the knees and heavy winter shoes. This time I wasn't chuckling, I was laughing hysterically.
So, when a day like this happens, I always get the impression it wouldn't stop, but then again, if I don't take charge and change my day, who would? When these little mishaps happen I simply take a break, a deep breath and make myself come out of the funk (despite not writing anything for NaNo…)
Have a good day everybody and if things happen, try to laugh at them, and then maybe they'll laugh back - who knows?
Categories: writing, life, misc
19 comments:
- rdl said...
Very funny, tho i'm sure it wasn't funny while you were fighting with that laptop. And at least you didn't go out and get the Sun. paper dressed like that. Have a great day!
- 06 November, 2005 08:54
- Deborah said...
That's hysterical, Melly. :) I'm so glad you were able to recover your NaNo story. Phew! I'll share one of my crazy stories with you.
One Saturday, I went up to San Francisco with a friend on a group shopping trip. She told me to bring a sweatshirt in case it was cold (which it often is).
I got dressed in the dark (hubby was asleep), and shoved what I thought was a sweatshirt into my oversized handbag. We took the bus up to SF. Just as predicted, it was cold.
So, I reached into my handbag to grab my sweatshirt and came out with my orange and black Garfield nightshirt! My friend and her mother had a good laugh, as did I. I'm just glad that we were in the touristy section, where there were plenty of clothes. :)
Happy Sunday!
- 06 November, 2005 12:53
- Jennifer said...
I was laughing along with you :)
Oh I've had days like that. The best way to deal with it is laugh...and pray that tomorrow is a better day :)
Good luck on the writing. It seems like the world of blogging has gone quiet :) Everyone's busy writing those stories!!
- 06 November, 2005 14:24
- Cavan said...
It could've been worse - you could've shown up to a NaNo write-in without any pants.
If it makes you feel any better, I spent 45 minutes today staring at my computer, trying to get the monitor to turn on. Of course, that was my fault (turns out I shouldn't try to install new video cards myself).
- 06 November, 2005 15:45
- Jean said...
Oh, my. I have days like that sometimes. All you can do is laugh.
- 06 November, 2005 23:14
- Patry Francis said...
I always get behind on weekends. We'll catch up tomorrow, right?
- 06 November, 2005 23:57
- Paul Darcy said...
You always have a choice of how to react to any situation. I think you made the right one.
And my laptop is just as old (I wonder what it is in dog year?), and yes, everything I write is backed up because you just never know.
- 07 November, 2005 05:55
- Lee Carlon said...
I probably would have said bugger it and gone back to bed!
Bet you're glad you didn't though.
- 07 November, 2005 08:18
- Trée said...
Melly, feel free to copy me on all those files, just for safe keeping you see. :-)
- 07 November, 2005 10:02
Poor Melly, it's a good thing you found a way to get your files. When my laptop crashed. I lost everything. Nothing could be recovered.
On the other hand. I'm glad to know I'm not alone when it comes to haveing one of THOSE days.
- 07 November, 2005 13:55
- melly said...
Thanks rdl. That was lucky indeed :)
Deborah, that's hilarious. I tend to find the best clothes like that, when it's out of necessity and least expected.
Jennifer, it does seem quieter, doesn't it? Aren't you part of the NaNO madness?
Cavan, I hope your video card is properly installed by now and that you're back on track.
Jean, yup, nothing else to do but laugh, is there?
Patry, right now I'm catching up on pen and paper (this computer isn't available for my writing, only for short internet intervals). But I hope I am catching up somehow.
Paul, thank you for the encouragement.
Lee, the thought did cross my mind, but I'm glad I didn't.
Oh, Trée, thanks :)
Easywriter, sorry to hear about the loss of your stuff. These darn computers. Must learn to backup more diligently! (I say it as much to myself...). And you're definitely not alone in having days like that, seems to be universal :)
- 07 November, 2005 14:55
- Pat Kirby said...
Must be something in the air. I've already lost the barn keys...spent quite a while searching whilst an angry horse screamed at the house.
For what it's worth, the husband got me a little USB drive with several Gb of space. It plugs into any computer with USB port/plug in thingies, whatever. I've trained myself to backup right before I log off the computer.
My laptop has a corrupted bios so it's always a gamble whether it'll boot up.
- 07 November, 2005 18:06
- ME Strauss said...
Has anyone told you lately what a truly special person you are? So many folks would have had such a different reaction. I think it's so cool you could laugh about it.
- 07 November, 2005 23:09
- Jennifer said...
No! I don't like deadlines. I've never had a problem writing nor do I like being pressured. Plus I'm currently focusing on studying for my exams for my architectural license...hence only a little writing has been going on.
- 08 November, 2005 07:25
- ariadneK, Ph.D. said...
TOO DAMN FUNNY!!!!! I"ve had days like that, too. You just about lost me on the "shoes with no pants" thing...been there/done that as well. :-)
- 08 November, 2005 19:57
- The Phoenix said...
Whoa Melly!
Thanks for the morning chuckle, that was a great story. I hope you got all your files OK, though.
Wearing heavy winter boots, socks up to your knees, and bare legs - you must've looked like the Eskimo Princess.
- 09 November, 2005 10:06
- dog1net said...
Nothing like a little panic now and then to put things in perspective. I found myself laughing with you, especially since I had a Monday morning that got off to a way too early start. I woke up from a dream, and when I looked at my clock, I thought it read 5:10am. I normally get up a little before 5, so I couldn't quite figure out why my alarm hadn't gone off. I got up and started my morning routine, and while in the kitchen making coffee, I noticed the clock on the coffee maker indicated it was 2:30am. No wonder I still felt tired. Realizing I had confused the big hand with the little hand on my clock, I had a laugh and went back to bed. Enjoyed this post.
- 10 November, 2005 19:52
Take care of yourself up there in Toronto. I know it is very liberal and all, but even men who walk outside with no pants get strange looks.
- 14 November, 2005 09:04
- Melly said...
Oh, Pat, corrupted bios. Seems to be a universal laptop problem. I think I'll get me one of them USB keys. Sounds so much easier than burning CDs.
Liz, that's me - shpecial... ;)
Okay Jennifer. No NaNo for you!
You're doing enough writing as it is, so who cares, right?
AriK, it's been a while. So awesome to see you. Figured you done something similar :)
Phoenix, Eskimo Princess??? Moi??? Why, thank you. I think. Oh, but thanks for the chuckle right back at ya :)
Oh, gosh, Scot. I'm still laughing. That's hilarious. What are clock hands, by the way? Just kidding... although I know way too many children who can't read a hand-clock.
Thanks Scot.
Oh, yeah, Lance. Absolutely! Although I do know a very macho guy who once went to work with his wife's pantyhose sort of stuck to his coat. He said he noticed people staring at him in the subway but being a 6'5'' big guy no one said anything...
- 17 November, 2005 13:39


text:
Canada's Provincial Genealogy Societies
December 6, 2009 by © Joan Miller - Luxegen Genealogy.
Filed under Alberta, British Columbia, Canada, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Find your Canadian ancestors
A list of the Canadian Genealogy Societies:
(click on the names for more information)
Alberta Family Histories Society
British Columbia Genealogical Society
New Brunswick Genealogical Society
Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia Genealogical Network Association – list of several societies
Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society
Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
Additions, changes? Please add your comments and links below.


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Prince Ea Says He Is "The Real Death Of Autotune" Freestyles For 6 Minutes [User Submitted]
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text: How to add excess baggage to an existing booking Step 1, enter your details to retrieve your booking. Click on "buy baggage & select seats" Step 2, click 'add bag' to buy excess baggage Step 3, fill in the form. Continue through the seat page then complete the payment process


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Through the joyful practice of improvisation, the BNW Student Union delivers engaging learning experiences in a supportive environment so humans of all ages can become their best selves, make authentic connections, and bring more laughter into their lives.
John Sweeney and the Brave New Workshop Creative Outreach team help Fortune 500 organizations including General Mills, Unitedhealth Group, Ameriprise, Facebook, 3M, Target and many more focus on the human side of innovation. John and team inspire and train thousands of professionals each year through keynote speeches, workshops and train-the-trainer experiences. With 15+ years of bridging the attitudes and behaviors of improvisation to the business world and 2,500 corporate engagements, our team is poised to be an expert trusted partner for your team and enterprise learning initiatives.
Our Experimental Thinking Centre (ETC) event space was designed with flexibility, quality, and innovation in mind. Able to accommodate a variety of configurations and functions, the venue is inviting, state-of-the-art, and conveniently located in vibrant downtown Minneapolis. Already got a spot for your event? Our talented writers and performers provide custom improvisation, live entertainment, emcee services, and video production for hundreds of successful events worldwide each year. Whether at our place or yours, the BNW can provide the elements of a successful and unforgettable event.
Check out a few of our favorite videos we've created for shows, for promos, or just for our own goofball purposes.


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If you're looking for a simple game for your Windows Phone 8 device to pass short bits of time with, give Touchdown Run a try.
The game is about as simple as it can be but challenging enough to make it interesting. With Touchdown Run, you play the role of a football player fielding a kickoff or breaking away from the line of scrimmage heading to the end zone.
You have to navigate your player through a sea of defensive players, without getting touched, and make it safely to the end zone.
The main menu for Touchdown Run has options to view the game's settings and the information/about details. Settings have options to mute the sound and choose which field design you'd like.
Again, game play is simple. The football field is your playing field and your player starts on their own one yard line. Tap/hold the player and drag him safely to the opposite end zone without being touched by the other team. The instance you move your player forward, the defenders begin to run down field.
If you safely make it to the end zone, you advance to the next level where the number of defenders grow. The rule of having only eleven defenders is tossed out the window and there is no breaking tackles in this game. The slightest contact with a defensive player sends your player to the ground and the game's over.
Your player's speed is reflective of how fast you drag him and there are times you have to pause to create gaps in the defense to run through. Graphics are a little on the soft side and for the most part, the game ran smoothly. I did experience a few instances of lag between moving my player and him actually moving. The problem wasn't frequent enough to be frustrating but noticeable.
I can't say that Touchdown Run is on the same level of say.. Madden... but the game is fun, simple and worth trying. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but I found Touchdown Run is a decent game for short bits of time but I'm not sure it could support marathon gaming sessions.
Touchdown Run is a free game for your Windows Phone and you can find it here in the Windows Phone Store.


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Besides being a wonderful sport that nearly everyone can play at any age, golf is a great social venue.
You might invite a friend to bowl or to play tennis with you, but you probably would not invite a friend to participate in your senior men's ice hockey league. You might invite a friend to your club or neighborhood pool for the afternoon, but that visit would not involve swimming competitive laps. Imagine a basketball, football or baseball invitational tournament in which folks of all ages and abilities compete?
I think not.
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As it happens, the President made this statement while I was attending a reception for US citizens at the American Embassy. We were required to surrender all electronic devices before going in, so I walked in knowing that the President was expected to make some sort of statement about this issue, then walked out an hour later, checked the news and had the uncanny sensation that the world had changed while I was inside.
That probably seems melodramatic. After all, in terms of policy - the President's statement changes little. Perhaps nothing. President Obama has long been on the record stating that believes there should be no difference whatsoever in the law between committed same sex couples and married straight couples. He favoured a version of civil unions that would offer full legal protection to these couples. But, of course, the president's views on this are not especially relevant since decisions about the issuance of marriage license are made at a state level - and although some states (including most recently New York) have recently allowed gay couples to marry, others are moving in the opposite direction. Including, of course, North Carolina - which only the day before the President's statement had overwhelmingly voted in favour of a referendum that would add a prohibition against both civil unions and gay marriage directly into the state constitution. (It has been noted that the last time North Carolina amended their state constitution, it was to ban interracial marriage. Plus ca change...)
So why, then, this sense that the world was in some way fundamentally different now?
I think back to my first year of college - in 1992. That was the year Bill Clinton became President. It was the year I turned 18, and voted for the first time, and lived on my own for the first time. It was also the first time I met anyone who was openly gay. Actually, I met a lot of people who were openly gay or bisexual that year. And thank goodness I did, because it instantly cured me of the embarrassing crime of being unreflectively homophobic. And I do mean instantly. I grew up in a small town at a time when no one of high school age was openly gay (although I now know, several of the people I knew well in high school were closeted gay. Oops.) so I never had the opportunity of getting to know anyone who identified as a sexual minority. But the very instant that I realised some of my new friends were gay or bisexual, I flipped - like a coin toss. These people were great! Funny, and kind. Smart and interesting. Mature sometimes, ridiculously silly others. They were the sort of friends I'd been searching for all my awkward teenage years.
In the Spring of that year, I marched in a huge gay rights parade in Washington, DC, on a beautiful sunny day. I remember that Ellen DeGeneres, who at that point was a relatively minor stand up comic, gave a speech referencing her own lesbianism so openly that several years later when she officially came out of the closet I was really confused ("I thought we all knew that?").
But even in the sunniest mood on that sunny day, I never would have imagined that just 20 years legalised gay marriage would be the mainstream and reasonable position of a popular and centrist US President. At that time homosexual acts were still illegal in many states (this was before the Supreme Court Deciaion in Lawrence V Texas that protected the right to private sexual acts). Employment discrimination was relatively routine against gays and lesbians. A teacher at my high school who I only later on realised must have been gay was so fiercely closeted that he visibly panicked when I ran into him with a male friend at an out of town theater. Goodness. He must have been terrified - it wasn't that uncommon then for teachers to be fired or "encouraged" to resign if they were found to be gay.
We were just coming off the worst years of the AIDS crisis, and I remember that the AIDS quilt was brought to the Capitol and spread out in the Mall between the Washington and Lincolm memorial.
The goals of the gay rights movement then seemed on the one hand so modest, and on the other so unreachable - essentially... to be left alone. "Please don't discriminate against us." "Please allow us to serve in the military."
The idea of the government providing formal legal protection to gay couples in the form of civil unions was at that time considered pretty extreme. And there were many on the left who opposed the idea of gay marriage at all. Because, in their view, marriage was an elite bourgeois institution perpetuating gender stereotypes and unrealistic ideas of lifelong monogamy. Or some such nonsense.
Basically, both the left and the right agreed about one thing - being gay would never be "normal". Gay people would never settle down in suburbs and raise children. They would never marry in a church. They would never file a joint tax return. They would be cursed (in the right's view) or privileged (in the left's view) with a perpetual existence of lifestyle nonconformity.
Now, there's nothing wrong with living a transgressive life. If you want to enact in your life a non-monogomous relationship model, or if permanent commitment isn't for you, or if you just don't buy into any of the prevailing norms about family formation - good for you. Go forth, be free - live your life and best wishes.
But at the time, I think most of the people at that DC march believed that so-called normality would never be an option for them. That whatever their own inclinations may be, the best gay people could hope for was to be tolerated.
But today, we have come so far as a country that the President of the United States - in an election year - can come out and say gay people should have the option of being celebrated and honoured for their commitment. Because, putting aside all the legalities - that's the function of marriage. It is for society to affirmatively honour, respect and support the commitment of two people to each other. That's why so many marriage ceremonies include a moment when the priest asks the congregation to make vows to the couple. Because, to steal a phrase from Hillary Clinton, it takes a village to enact a marriage.
Famously, around the same time that I was marching in Washington for gay rights, President Clinton was agreeing a "compromise" that would allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military - so long as they lied about who they were. A couple years later, under duress, he signed the so called "Defence of Marriage Act" which has the perverse effect now of preventing couples who are legally married in some states from having their marriages recognised elsewhere.
What President Obama did this week was historic - not because it was radical, but because it was... normal.
He made both a common sense and a compassionate argument. How could he, a man whose parents' marriage would have been illegal in many states of the Union at the time he was born, explain to his daughter why the parents of their friends should not be allowed to marry? He couldn't. Of course he couldn't. The more you think about it, the more it makes sense.
Mitt Romney says he not only won't support same sex marriage - he won't support civil unions (which even President Bush said he could support).
Mitt is living in a different America than the President is. An America that looks a lot like that closeted small town I grew up in. It's a worse America. I am so glad that I moved out of that place in my mind so many years ago, and I'm so glad to move forward with the President into a new America where equality can be real and meaningful.


text:
Cramping After BMT
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
My daughter had a M.U.D. bone marrow transplant 12 years ago to treat acute myelogenous leukemia. She is free of most GVH symptoms with one exception. She has frequent and sporadic muscle cramping throughout her extremities and occasionally in her abdominal muscles. Initially it seemed to worsen with increased sodium intake, and was relieved only by 1 mg of Ativan. We have tried increasing her magnesium and potassium via supplements, but it hasn't been effective. Currently the cramping is worsening, no matter what her sodium intake, and no one seems to be interested in diagnosing why this is occurring. Have you encountered this in BMT patients? What is it and how is it treated?
David Porter, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Program at the University of Pennsylvania responds:
Muscle cramping after BMT is not unusual. At times, it is related to electrolyte imbalance. Tacrolimus, Cyclosporin or even steroids can potentially make it worse. Fluid hydration and normalizing magnesium and potassium are important. Ativan is probably helpful to treat the symptoms, but this cramping can be very difficult to treat.
Things that may help relieve the cramping include: walking (if the cramp is in a leg) or moving and stretching the affected areas, taking hot showers or baths, and increasing fluid intake (non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages). Strengthening the muscles through regular exercise may also help. Few medications have had good success in relieving cramps, and those that have been used are originally designed to treat other conditions, which may cause unwanted side effects when they are used for cramp treatment.
A rare complication of transplant is myositis, a generalized inflammation of the muscle tissue. Myositis is most often seen in conjunction with chronic GVHD. The most common symptoms include proximal extremity muscle weakness and aches (the proximal muscles are those closest to the body, in the thigh or upper arm, for example). Some patients may have fever, difficulty swallowing and inflammation, thickening and/or tenderness of the skin around the affected muscles. Most patients will have an elevated CPK (creatinine phosphokinase, a blood test for an enzyme that is elevated in the presence of muscle damage). The majority of cases improve on immunosuppressive therapy, although given the relative infrequency of the condition,there is no standard treatment.
This case does not sound like myositis, but one should always discuss this possibility with the treating physician(s).


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Welcome to the Patient Education Center! We created the Patient Education Center to help you lead a healthier lifestyle and make informed health care choices.
Video Library
Lourdes is pleased to introduce streaming videos on a variety of topics of interest to our patients.
These short videos will give insight into our services, facilities and care providers. Currently we are featuring just a few videos, but will be adding more very soon.
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Our Document Library gives you access to printed materials that are available for many of our services. Included are patient guides for services or procedures that you may have questions about.
Download a copy for yourself or to share with family and friends.
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Featured Site
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free. You can use MedlinePlus to learn about the latest treatments, look up information on a drug or supplement, find out the meanings of words, or view medical videos or illustrations. You can also get links to the latest medical research on your topic or find out about clinical trials on a disease or condition.
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Confused by the deluge of healthcare information on the web? Lourdes is here to clear up the confusion. We've reviewed hundreds of sites to find the ones worth your time. Visit Best of the Web for links to some of the most useful healthcare websites.


text: 12 ديسمبر 2013 12:30 Etihad Airways' James Rigney was last night named the Middle East Chief Financial Officer of the Year by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), the world's leading professional membership organisation for the accountancy and finance profession. Mr Rigney's accolade was announced at the ICAEW's Middle East Accountancy and Finance Excellence Awards, staged at the Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi.The CFO of the Year Award is open to finance professionals who have consistently complemented and supported the CEO's and board's vision and strategy, contributed to financial growth during the year and shown commitment to increasing shareholder value.Mr Rigney won the award after a year in which Etihad Airways delivered US$ 4.8 billion in revenues and tripled net profits, to US$ 42 million, in only the ninth year of operation. The airline now has a portfolio of more than 60 national and international financial institutions, providing more than US$ 7 billion in financing. In the last 12 months, it has taken minority equity stakes in Air Serbia, Jet Airways and Darwin Airline, adding to previous investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus and Virgin Australia.James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: "This is outstanding recognition of the work of James Rigney, his team at Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority, and many others."This airline works to a commercial mandate and that means we need a highly professional team, able to deliver consistently across the full range of our financial and governance functions. This award, a pinnacle within the accountancy industry, shows that we have that."James Rigney added: "I am honoured to accept the ICAEW Middle East CFO of the Year award on behalf of the much wider team, within Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi Government and our financial advisors, particularly PwC and KPMG, who have helped us deliver over the seven years and in particular, over the last 12 months."As we look ahead, we know that we must redouble our efforts, as Etihad Airways and its partners enter a period of even greater growth."Last month, Etihad Airways announced orders for up to 199 aircraft and 294 engines, worth $67 billion at list prices, to support its strategic growth plan for the next decade.ICAEW is a world leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 140,000 chartered accountants worldwide. It provides qualifications and professional development, shares knowledge, insight and technical expertise, and protects the quality and integrity of the accountancy and finance profession. The Middle East Accountancy and Finance Excellence Awards were launched in 2011. اتصلوا بنا تفاصيل الاتصال آراؤكم إذا أردتم أن توجهوا لنا أي تعليق أو شكوى أو إطراء أو سؤال، اضغطوا هنا انضموا إلينا انضموا لصفحتنا في فيسبوك شاهدونا زوروا قناة الاتحاد للطيران في يوتيوب تابعونا الاتحاد للطيران (العربي)


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USDA is committed to helping organic agriculture grow and thrive. To help meet Secretary Vilsack's goal of increasing the number of certified organic operations, USDA is delivering results through its many programs which serve the growing organic sector. October 2012 marked the 10th anniversary of the USDA Organic Seal, and we are proud that it has become a leading global standard.
What is Organic Agriculture?
Organic agriculture produces products using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, such as pesticides and antibiotics. USDA organic standards describe how farmers grow crops and raise livestock and which materials they may use.
Organic farmers, ranchers, and food processors follow a defined set of standards to produce organic food and fiber. Congress described general organic principles in the Organic Foods Production Act, and the USDA defines specific organic standards. These standards cover the product from farm to table, including soil and water quality, pest control, livestock practices, and rules for food additives.
Organic farms and processors:
- Preserve natural resources and biodiversity
- Support animal health and welfare
- Provide access to the outdoors so that animals can exercise their natural behaviors
- Only use approved materials
- Do not use genetically modified ingredients
- Receive annual onsite inspections
- Separate organic food from non-organic food
Organic Certification Benefits Farms and Businesses
Over 25,000 farmers, ranchers and other businesses get many benefits from USDA organic certification. Many receive premium prices for their products through the growing $35 billion U.S. organic retail market. Most operations that grow, handle, or process organic products-and want to call their products organic-must be certified.
Organic Certification Benefits Consumers
USDA has strengthened its oversight of organic products, using methods such as inspections and residue testing to ensure the integrity of organic products from farm to market. We've created a level playing field by developing clear standards, investigating consumer complaints, and taking action against farmers and businesses that violate the law.
USDA Supports Organic Agriculture
In addition to setting the standards for U.S. organic products, USDA supports organic agriculture in all of its agencies. In May 2013, Secretary Vilsack issued new Guidance on Organic Agriculture, Marketing and Industry (PDF, 96KB) directing all USDA agencies to support organic agriculture and markets. USDA offers a wide variety of funding opportunities, including conservation grants, organic crop insurance, and simplified microloans. To learn more about USDA programs and how they support organic agriculture, view the USDA's Organic Resource Guide (PDF, 1.8MB).
Trade partnerships streamline organic exports and imports with other countries, increasing the market share of organic products worldwide while maintaining rigorous production standards. Additionally, foreign products certified to the USDA organic standards can access the U.S. market. USDA also provides current prices for organic apples and other market information, funds research at public and private institutions, and provides practical advice to farmers and ranchers.
Overall, USDA oversees organic farmers and businesses to make sure that organic food is produced with organic methods. Each year, organic farmers update a farm plan and complete an inspection to confirm that their practices match their records. The farmer must correct any issues to continue certification. Organic food processors meet similar requirements.
If you are concerned that an organic product isn't meeting the USDA standards, you can submit a complaint to the USDA. We investigate every complaint we receive, and if we find any problems we take action. Anyone can file a complaint by contacting the USDA.
Organic Agriculture, USDA 2014
Brush Creek Berries Organic Cert 2014


text:
Achievement Award Presented
SALISBURY — The Lifeline Program at Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) and Manager, Bevereley Stoakley were recently presented the Philips Lifeline Certificate of Achievement Award in recognition of their accomplishments in 2012.
As a Philips Lifeline Achievement Award winner, the PRMC program was named among the nation's top performers in advancing subscriber growth and was among an elite group of programs that added over 20,000 new subscribers to Lifeline in 2012.
Philips Lifeline is a medical alert service, which in the event of an emergency or fall provides access to help at the push of a button. Since 1994, Peninsula Regional Medical Center has been offering seniors the Philips Lifeline service that gives them, for a little more than a dollar a day, the confidence to continue to live independently at home.
Through the collaborative help of the Peninsula Regional Medical Center administration and by educating seniors and professional caregivers in the community, Peninsula Regional Medical Center's Lifeline Program has been able to grow its subscriber base allowing it to, over the years, serve 1,450 seniors in the Peninsula Regional Service areas in the Eastern Shore counties of Maryland, lower Delaware and Accomack County, Virginia.
Appointment Announced
SALISBURY – Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate has announced that Ben Alder has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Land Product Council for Sperry Van Ness International. Alder will serve as a liaison for Sperry Van Ness brokers in 165 offices covering 350 markets nationally to help serve land clients with their needs.
"Ben was the obvious choice for this prestigious position. He is an expert and is passionate about land. He tenaciously fights for the best interests of his clients, and will bring great value as he shares his expertise and best practices with our Land Product Council," said Bo Barron, Vice President of Organization Development for SVN International.
Alder serves as Senior Advisor for Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate specializing in land and farm sales in Maryland and Delaware.
Branch Managers Named
SALISBURY — Edward M. Thomas, President and CEO of The Bank of Delmarva, recently announced two new branch managers.
Kevin J. Christophel has joined the bank as branch manager and assistant vice president for the Delmar location. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelors Degree in Economics. He brings with him several years of experience in the securities industry and retail banking.
Robin Parker has joined the bank as branch manager and loan officer for the Seaford location. She joins the bank with over 33 years of banking experience. She has been involved in the Millsboro-Georgetown Rotary and The Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.
New Agent Welcomed
SALISBURY – Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc., the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States, welcomes Rebecca Ward to its Salisbury office, located at 1315 Mt. Hermon Rd.
Ward is a top producer with nine years of real estate sales experience and knowledge and produced more than $3 million in sales volume last year. She said Long & Foster's excellent agent tools, brand recognition, leadership, support staff and superior market share were important factors in making her decision to join the company.
"Nothing gives me more satisfaction than finding each of my clients the home of their dreams," Ward said. "Each and every family has their own wants and needs, and I pride myself in having the ability to listen and interpret what they are looking for. I work hard to make sure my clients find the right home for their family."
"Long & Foster continues to lead the way with cutting-edge tools and technology, which, attracts top real estate professionals, like Rebecca, to join our team," said Suzanah Cain, sales manager at Long & Foster's Salisbury office. "With the best-trained, best-equipped agents, Long & Foster continues to help Eastern Shore-area buyers and sellers reach their homeownership goals."
Chamber Board Altered
BERLIN — The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber's Board of Directors has announced the 2013/2014 slate of officers and directors for the board to serve beginning Oct. 1, 2013.
The officers are president, Kami Banks, Banks Wines & Spirits; president-elect, Anne Powell, The Anne Powell and Jennifer Hughes Realtor team with Ocean Atlantic Sotheby's International; vice president, Richard Mais, McCabe's Gourmet Market; secretary, Jennifer Jones, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays; treasurer, Ron Derr, PKS & Company, P.A.; and immediate past president, Barbara Howard, PNC Bank.
Serving a three-year term as a director will be Sara Booth, Ryan Homes; one-year term, Tim Haley, Blue Crab of Bethany Beach; one-year term, Ernie Felici, Creative Resource Group; one-year term, Jim Brannon, Atlantic General Hospital; three-year term, Eunice Carpitella, Transformative Dynamics; one-year term, Rick Hundley, Baja Beach House Grill; three-year term, Jeff Evans, Great Scott Broadcasting; three-year term, Terri Mahoney, WMDT Television.
"We are thrilled and excited about the talent on the new 2013/14 Chamber board," said Kami Banks, from Banks Wines and Spirits and incoming Board President. "The Chamber's goal is to positively impact the Quiet Resorts business community and our member's success, and this group of individuals will have much to offer."
Advisor Awarded
SALISBURY — Wesley Cox, CCIM, Senior Advisor with Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate in Salisbury, was recently awarded the Rotarian of the Year award by the Wicomico Rotary Club. The purpose of the award is to recognize someone that has demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service with an emphasis on volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others.
In order to receive the Rotarian of the Year award, one must live a life that exemplifies fellowship and the Rotary motto, "Service above Self." One must also live by Rotary's 4-Way Test in his/her professional and personal life which includes is it the truth; is it fair to all concerned; does it build good will and better friendships; and will it be beneficial to all concerned.
"Every year the Wicomico Rotary Club selects one individual who gives more of him or herself to better our community and extends the philosophy of Rotary International. This year, Wesley Cox has dedicated his time to his club and community through his many projects. Mission of Mercy, Christian Shelter, Salvation Army, and the Village of Hope are a few of the organizations who have benefited from his work. For this reason, I am so proud to select Wesley Cox as the Wicomico Rotary Club Rotarian of the Year," said Carol Wright, president of the Wicomico Rotary Club.
Wesley said, "It's such a great honor to receive this prestigious award and I am thankful to be in a position to help others in our community."


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U.S. Army War College >> Strategic Studies Institute >> Publications >> Details
Women in Combat Compendium
Edited by Colonel Michele M. Putko, Dr. Douglas V. Johnson II.
- Added January 24, 2008
- Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers
- 81 Pages
- View the Summary First
- Download Format: PDF
- Cost: Free
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Brief Synopsis
These facts involving women in combat are: Women comprise approximately 15 percent of the U.S. Army today, and as of September 2007, 70 Army women have been killed and a significantly larger number wounded; the American public is vaguely aware of this state of affairs and has raised no outcry. The nature of the current battlefield makes it impossible to apply the existing rules for excluding women from combat without serious reduction in combat capabilities, degrading the professional development and thus status of women, and producing a potentially serious reduction in overall readiness. Two major conclusions are reached: (1) the nature of combat for the U.S. Army has changed, and the existing rules governing the employment of women do not fit this new situation; and (2) there is not the slightest doubt that women can perform their assigned duties in the combat zone, including engaging in combat actions essential to their personal and unit's self-defense, with skill and valor equal to their male comrades.
You may also be interested in the following titles:
Command Decision: Ethical Leadership in the Information Environment
Creating Great Expectations: Strategic Communications and American Airpower
Still Soldiers and Scholars? An Analysis of Army Officer Testing
Also by the /Editors:
Borders: Technology and Security--Strategic Responses to New Challenges
Global Climate Change: National Security Implications
The Test of Terrain: The Impact of Stability Operations Upon the Armed Forces
The U.S.-UK Special Relationship: Past, Present and Future
The Rise and Fall of Empires
Asymmetry and U.S. Military Strategy: Definition, Background, and Strategic Concepts
Future Leadership, Old Issues, New Methods
Warriors in Peace Operations
View other pubs in the following categories:
Military Leadership
Managing Change
Military Culture
Retention and Recruitment
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Helping Customers Deliver Products the World Can Trust
Be it testing, inspections, certifications or supply chain solutions, the experienced engineers and specialized technicians at NTS stand ready to make your project a success. For over half a century, the most innovative companies in the most performance-critical industries have trusted our diverse capabilities to ensure their products are developed and perfected in compliance, on time and on budget. Discover how our global resources and the largest national network of fully accredited laboratories in North America can help you deliver stronger, safer, more reliable products to market quickly and efficiently.


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Monday, April 5, 2010
Who Do You Think You Are? Has Been Renewed for a Second Season!
6 comments:
Greta, I so enjoy your blog. I'm always amazed by the things you post. Informative and useful!ReplyDelete
I'm sharing the Ancestor Approved Award with you. Stop on by Genealogyframeofmind.blogspot.com & grab it off my page!
Thank you so much, Karen - I am honored to receive this award from someone who can always make me think with her articles!ReplyDelete
I am forwarding the Ancestor Approved Award your way. You are so supporting of me and I so enjoy your blog entries. Picture can be copied at Http://ancestorsiclaim.blogspot.comReplyDelete
YAY! Great News! And I heard it here first!ReplyDelete
Greta - you have been awarded the Ancestor Approved award for your great work on your genealogy blog...please stop by my blog and pick up the award and then post the below information using the format I used when receiving it.ReplyDelete
The Ancestor Approved Award asks that the recipient list ten things you have learned about any of your ancestors that has surprised, humbled, or enlightened you and pass the award along to ten other bloggers who you feel are doing their ancestors proud. Here are the 10 things I have learned from my ancestors.
Kim and Lisa - Thank you so much, and the admiration is mutual!ReplyDelete
Darlene - I am totally tickled that you read it here first - I am usually SO behind the curve!


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McConaughey with a side part
Well hello.
Matthew McConaughey was photographed on the set of True Detectives in New Orleans yesterday with his hair styled to the side. Umm... MM looks really, really GOOD with a side part, non? Like waayyyyy better with a side part than what he normally does which is ... slicked back like douchebag Hollywood agent styles?
Oh! Do you hear that?
That is the sound of Justin Timberlake taking credit for McConaughey's side part.
The side part actually makes his arms look longer, doesn't it?
There's been somewhat of a resurgence lately for McConaughey's career. Back to back to back to back projects, and they say The Dallas Buyers Club will earn him an Oscar nomination. For a while there he was just making Kate Hudson movies. And now he's... a serious actor...? Matthew McConaughey? A lot of credit here has to go to his management team which includes Bryan Lourd and mostly Jim Toth at CAA. Yes, Reese Witherspoon's husband. Here's a good case study for professional strategy and patience. And a good example of how in Hollywood, for men, the business doesn't end at 40. In many cases, it only gets better. Certainly not the case the other way around.
Pacific Coast News


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Accidents reported
K-15 north of 340th Road
Joel Janzen, 74, 9704 10th Ave., Tacoma, Wash., was driving north on K-15 when he struck a deer at 1:21 p.m. Oct. 2. Lucille Janzen, 72, same address was a passenger in the vehicle. Janzen was driving a 2012 Nissan passenger car registered to Thrifty Car Rental, 1 Nassau Circle, Kansas City, Mo.
330th Road east of Limestone Road
Brent Potocnik, 24, 317 N. Roosevelt St., Tampa, was driving west on 330th Road when a tire blew out causing him to lose control of his truck and enter the east ditch. No injuries were reported in the accident. Potocnik was driving his 1998 Ford pickup truck.
U.S. 56/77 north of 300th Road
James Dupuis, 39, 1607 Lantern Lane Court, Andover, struck a deer driving north on U.S. 56/77 at 5:45 a.m. Oct. 1. Dupuis was driving his 2013 Ford passenger car.
U.S. 77 north of 190th Road
Eric Olsen, 45, 501 Lombard St., Lincolnville, struck a deer driving south on U.S. 77 at 5:15 a.m. Sept. 28. Olsen was driving his 2010 Toyota passenger car.
290th Road west of Nighthawk Road
Genesis Rudolph, 17, 3015 Timber Road, Lincolnville, and Dana Newton, 50, 500 S. Duncan St., Newton, were driving in opposite directions across a narrow bridge at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 30 on 290th Road. The two vehicles clipped left mirrors. Rudolph was driving a 1999 Ford pickup truck registered to David Rudolph, same address. Newton was driving her 2008 Chevrolet pickup truck. Rebecca Newton, 46, same address was a passenger with Dana Newton.
U.S. 50 east of 120th Road
Robert Bell, 53, 2050 200th Road, Cottonwood Falls, struck a deer driving west on U.S. 50 at 3:45 a.m. Sept. 29. Bell was driving his 1995 Toyota passenger car.
2200 block of Remington Road
Serena Eldridge, 31, 630 SE 3rd St., Newton lost control of her vehicle while driving south on Remington Road, entered the west ditch, and overturned the passenger car at 3:50 p.m. Sept. 30. Emily Newton, 22, 1002 W. 5th St., Newton, was a passenger. Eldridge and Newton were each possibly injured, but no ambulance transports were listed in the report. Eldridge was driving a 1998 Buick passenger car registered to Ron McGlachlin, 315 W. 8th St., Newton.
Last modified Oct. 11, 2012


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Children's Book Baby Shower Ideas
A Charming Children's Book-Inspired Baby Shower
A Charming Children's Book-Inspired Baby Shower
It's fairly unusual to plan your own baby shower, but for event planner Kristen Janes of Kio Kreations, it meant she got the party of her dreams. "I have always wanted to have a classic children's book-inspired baby shower, since I have a degree in illustration and have been collecting children's books for years," says Kristen, who put the shower together with the help of her best friends, mom, and sister. "I wanted to start a collection for my soon-to-be-born daughter, so I figured a book-themed shower would get us on the right track."
Tables inspired by Eric Carle, Beatrix Potter, Dr. Seuss, and Little Golden Books introduced the theme to guests through flowers, decor, and food ("green egg salad and ham sandwiches" and "fruit salad (made with leftovers from a Very Hungry Caterpillar)" were just two offerings). A host of creative shower games and a DIY onesie station added to the fun. Keep clicking to check out all the beautiful and inspirational details, captured by photographer Caitlin Hazelton.
Source: Kio Kreations


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NCSF Survey on Consent
NCSF Survey on Consent
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) wants to hear from you! Please take our Consent Counts survey and tell us what you think about consent: www.ncsfreedom.org/survey.html
As part of decriminalizing BDSM in the legal codes, we need to be able to articulate a clear definition of consent that the BDSM communities believe in. The results of this survey will assist in the creation of a statement on consent that will be presented for the consideration by the BDSM communities at LLC in Seattle in 2013.
NCSF needs your input on defining consent. What do we mean by consent? When is consent invalidated? Does "safe, sane, consensual" still work as a community creed? Are there behaviors that the BDSM communities don't accept? What is your experience with consent in the BDSM communities?
To participate in discussions of consent online with kinky people both in the US and around the world, join our Consent Counts group at https://fetlife.com/groups/46202 NCSF is committed to supporting and encouraging people to discuss ethical consent so we can move to a more thorough understanding of what consent is, and can provide better education for people who are interested in exploring their sexuality.
NCSF has actively participated in changing the social discourse of BDSM since 1997. The term "consenting adults" is a commonly accepted standard for sexuality today due in a large part to our work. NCSF has pledged to continue to lead the change in political discourse until all consenting adults need not fear prosecution or victimization because of their sexual behavior.
2008 Survey of Violence & Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities Fast Facts
By Susan Wright
The 2008 survey saw a total of 3,058 responses collected. Of those, 2,412 respondents resided in the United States (83.4%). Of the remaining 480 respondents, a total of over 42 other countries were represented. Where appropriate, the data is compared to the 1998 Violence & Discrimination Survey Against Sexual Minorities which collected over 1,000 responses to similar questions over the course of a year. The 1998 survey did not cover business or event-related experiences of harassment, nor did it ask about Internet experiences. The 2008 survey also included more questions about sexual activity and identity.
|Table 1. Gender
|Table 2. Sexual Orientation
A total of 1,146 (37.5%) respondents indicated that they had either been discriminated against, had experienced some form of harassment or violence, or had some form of harassment or discrimination aimed at their BDSM-leather-fetish-related business. Of the respondents who reported some form of persecution,
- 476 (41.5%) identified as male
- 615 (53.7%) identified as female
- 9 (.8%) identified as intersexed
- 78 (6.8%) identified as transgendered
(Sexual orientation, like gender, was a question which required some answer, but allowed respondents to choose as many as they felt might apply, so the percentage totals more than 100%.)
Of the 1,146 respondents who indicated that they had either been discriminated against or had experienced some form of harassment or violence,
- 380 (33.2%) identified as heterosexual,
- 440 (38.4%) identified as bisexual
- 292 (25.5%) identified as gay or lesbian.
- 97 (8.5%) indicated that they identified in some other way from heterosexual, bisexual or gay/lesbian.
(Sexual orientation, like gender, was a question which required some answer, but allowed respondents to choose as many as they felt might apply, so the percentage totals more than 100%.)
The sexual orientation of respondents who were discriminated against or had experienced some form of harassment or violence is compared in Table 6.1 to the total percentage of respondents who identified their orientation. It is interesting to note that Gay/lesbian, Bisexual and Other respondents have slightly higher rates of persecution than their average percentage of total respondents, while Heterosexuals are less likely to be discriminated against.
|Table 3. Sexual Orientation
and Discrimination
|Total Percent
2008 Respondents
In 1998, the survey asked: "Are you completely 'out' about your involvement in sexual minority practices? "62% stated they were not "completely out." That is statistically almost the same as the 59.5 and 59.7% of respondents in the current survey who said they weren't out to work and/or family.
11.3% (346) of the total number of respondents (3,058) reported being discriminated against by professional or personal service providers. That is 30% (346) of the respondents who were discriminated against (1,146). Those respondents could check one or more of the specific ways they were discriminated against (Table 8.), with 48.8% discriminated against by a medical doctor, and 39.3% discriminated against by a mental health practitioner.
|Table 4. Discrimination by Professionals
|Medical doctor
|Mental health practitioner
|Police or govt. employee
|Other Professional service provider
|Other Personal service provider
|Building contractor
In total, 203 (6.6%) respondents stated their business had been harassed or discriminated against.
Respondents could check one or more of the specific ways they were discriminated against
(Table 5.).
|Table 5. Business Discrimination
|Negative media coverage
|Harassment by police/author
|Harassment by neighbors
|Harassment by organizations
|Loss of lease
|Refused credit card services
|Loss of business
|Refused insurance coverage
|Loss of occupancy certificate
When asked, "Have you curtailed your use of the Internet for fear of prosecution?" More than one-third of the respondents, 1,065 (34.8%) of the 3058 respondents, said "yes". Respondents could check one or more of the specific ways they curtailed their Internet use (Table 10.).
|Table 6. Curtailed Internet Use
|Didn't post image
|Didn't visit website
|Didn't post text
|Didn't link to website
|Didn't join email group
|Posted 18-over warn
|Barred users
|Didn't add meta-text
9.3% of respondents, 285 out of the total returned surveys, reported that US 2257 had an impact on their use of the Internet. Of the 1,065 respondents who indicated that they had curtailed their use of the Internet regarding BDSM activities, 214 (20.1%) reported that US 2257 was a significant reason for that curtailment.
When respondents who experienced violence and/or harassment were asked, "Did you press charges?" 90% said no as compared to 96% of the respondents in the 1998 survey who did not press charges.
|Table 7. Reasons Declined To Press Charges
|Fear of further harassment
|Fear of family disapproval
|Fear of job safety
|Fear of legal repercussions
|Fear of losing child custody
Copyright Susan Wright, Survey of Violence & Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities (2008)
Letter To The Editor - July 15, 2010
NCSF was asked by the DSM Paraphilias subworkgroup to respond to their proposed changes to the DSM's consensual paraphilias. This is our letter to the editor of the Archives of Sexual Behavior that was published on July 15, 2010.
Depathologizing Consensual Sexual Sadism, Sexual Masochism, Transvestic Fetishism, and Fetishism
[Letter to the editor]
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Archives of Sexual Behavior July 16, 2010 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-010-9651-y The final publication is available at www.springerlink.com
Corresponding author:
Susan Wright
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
410 Guilford Ave, #127
Baltimore, MD 21202
Depathologizing Consensual Sexual Sadism, Sexual Masochism, Transvestic Fetishism, and Fetishism
[Letter to the Editor]
The DSM-V Paraphilias Subworkgroup's suggested revision to differentiate between paraphilias and Paraphilic Disorders appears to be a step forward in depathologizing unusual sexual interests. Paraphilia diagnoses are regularly misused in criminal and civil proceedings as an indication that individuals cannot control their behavior; these individuals turn for assistance to the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF), a national advocacy organization that advances the rights of, and advocates for consenting adults in the BDSM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities.
One recent child custody case referred to NCSF illustrates the common misunderstanding that legal and social service professionals have with the DSM-IV-TR, and is the first documented reaction to the proposal to differentiate between paraphilias and Paraphilic Disorders. The children were removed in July 2009 while psychological evaluations were performed on the mother and the children, which concluded there was no mental illness.[1} However the case worker with the Department of Social Services Children's Division in the Midwestern state where this case occurred sent the following January 21, 2010 letter to the mother's court appointed psychologist: (DSS, 2010):
"With regards to [mother's] alternative lifestyle; can she separate this from her parenting? There has been some questions arise from other team members regarding her sexual sadism. These are as follows:
"We were made aware at the last FST meeting that while all parties involved have seen the information provided regarding [mother's] blog and website, no action has been taken to determine how it affects the children or is factored into the stated case goal of reunification with [mother]. The following information is relevant:
A. Sexual Sadism is considered a form of paraphilia in accordance with the DSM-IV-TR.
B. [Mother] admitted in court on March 9, 2009 that she was a "domme" – slang for a female sexual sadist.
C. Sexual Sadism involves inflicting pain and suffering on another individual in order to achieve sexual arousal." …
"Sexual sadism on the web has the following information: 'The essential feature of sexual sadism is a feeling of sexual excitement resulting from administering pain, suffering or humiliation on another person. In extreme cases, sexual sadism can lead to serious injury or death for the other person. According to the DSM these catastrophic results are more likely when the paraphilia is diagnosed as severe, and when it is associated with antisocial personality disorder.[2} They may experience distressed or impaired functioning because of the sadistic behaviors or fantasies. This distress and impairment may be due to the fact that the partner is not consenting. The diagnosis of sexual sadism is complicated by several factors, beginning with the fact that most persons with the disorder do not voluntarily enter therapy.'"
"[Mother] indicated she gave up this lifestyle in March. However the blog and stories that were found were posted to her website in May. There are concerns that she is still a moderator of the [BDSM] yahoo group. I have attached pages from her website in hopes that you can explore with [mother] her current involvement with this alternative lifestyle."
The CPS letter concludes with the recommendation that: "Even though [mother] is complying with attendance in therapy, we feel the above issues need to be explored and addressed."
At the final permanency hearing in February, 2010 the mother's lawyer submitted to the judge the proposed revisions for the DSM-V to separate the paraphilias from Paraphilic Disorders, resulting in a court determination to re-evaluate her entire case. The judge specifically chastised the Department of Social Services for not being aware of the proposed changes for the DSM-V. Based on the proposed revisions, in March the mother was awarded custody of three of the children, with the father retaining custody of one child in order to take advantage of his health care coverage.
As this example shows, when individuals who practice BDSM are brought to the attention of authorities, they are regularly misdiagnosed with a mental disorder. In 2009, NCSF was asked for help by 132 people regarding child custody/divorce issues directly involving their alternative sexual practices (NCSF, 2009). The year before, a total of 157 individuals contacted NCSF for help with child custody/divorce issues (NCSF, 2008). In total, almost 500 people each year request help from NCSF because of discrimination or persecution due to their alternative sexual practices.
Therefore the implications of "ascertaining a paraphilia" and "diagnosing a paraphilic disorder" are critical to depathologizing consensual paraphilias. I am concerned that if sexual sadism receives its own diagnosis code separate from Sexual Sadism Disorder, social services and legal professions will continue to think that anyone who practices consensual sexual sadism (or sexual masochism, fetishism and transvestic fetishism) therefore has a mental disorder.
The consensual paraphilias should be mentioned as the healthy comparison to a Paraphilic Disorder, much like various sexual behaviors are referred to in the proposed Hypersexual Disorder. Cybersex and masturbation don't have separate diagnosis codes in the DSM, and it is equally erroneous to assign separate codes for the paraphilias when they are not mental disorders or of clinical concern. For the same reason, the consensual paraphilias shouldn't be listed among the V-Codes.
Separating sexual behaviors (paraphilias) from the mental disorders (Paraphilic Disorders) is the first step in depathologizing consensual alternative sex. The second step is defining what exactly constitutes clinically significant distress. NCSF often consults with individuals who suffer distress and impairment in their social and occupational lives (ie. interpersonal difficulties) because their desires conflict with current societal standards. These standards stem in a large part from the DSM itself: pathologizing unusual sexual interests has led to increased discrimination and discouraged individuals from seeking treatment for physical and mental health problems (Wright, 2008).
A distinction must be made in the DSM-V between distress imposed by societal stigma, and distress that is generated internally. As seen in the above referenced child custody case, mental health professionals are not the only ones who consult the DSM. When attorneys, judges, and social workers read the diagnoses in the DSM, they see "distressed or impaired" as the determiner of mental illness. Without a comprehensible definition, they look at the individual who is on trial or in a child custody battle, and that individual certainly appears distressed. They even speculate that if the individual gave up their BDSM practices, then their life wouldn't be in disarray, so clearly they must be suffering a mental disorder because their sexual behaviors are obligatory or "obsessive" (DSS, 2010).
Therefore the current list by which distress and impairment are diagnosed must be rejected: 1) are obligatory, 2) result in sexual dysfunction, 3) require participation of nonconsenting individuals, 4) lead to legal complications, or 5) interfere in social relationships. Legal complications and interpersonal difficulties are common consequences of the stigma and discrimination against BDSM practices. In the Second National Survey of Violence & Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities, a total of 1,146 (37.5%) of the respondents indicated that they had either been discriminated against or had experienced some form of harassment or violence (Wright, 2008). As a result, 60% of the 3,000 respondents are not "out" about their BDSM interests; the stress of being closeted and/or coming out promotes distress and impairment in these individuals, similar to that experienced by homosexuals.
In addition, once a Paraphilic Disorder is diagnosed, can it ever be in remission? If so, what are the mechanisms for determining that? If the distress and impairment are resolved, does the individual go back to the ascertainment category? As of now, once a mental disorder is diagnosed, it appears to apply for the lifetime of the individual.
Finally, it must be made clear that Paraphilic Disorders are extremely rare. In particular, the descriptive text for Sexual Sadism Disorder needs to clearly state that it is limited to forensic populations, and, as Krueger (2009) states, "virtually all of the published papers using DSM criteria for Sexual Sadism have been done on studies of forensic populations." This will help prevent the conflation of those who practice consensual paraphilias with those who have a Paraphilic Disorder.
[1] All names and locations have been removed to protect the identity of those involved.
[2] Bolded in original letter despite there being no evidence the mother has antisocial personality disorder.
Krueger, R.B. (2009). The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Sexual Sadism. Archives of Sexual Behavior, published online 08 December, 2009.
Department of Social Services, Children's Division. January 21, 2010 letter.
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (2009) (retrieved 5/7/10). 2009 Incident Response Report
[Online]. Available: https://ncsfreedom.org/index.php?option=com_keyword&id=318
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (2008) (retrieved 5/6/10). 2008 Incident Response Report
[Online]. Available: https://ncsfreedom.org/index.php?option=com_keyword&id=308
Wright, S. (2008) (retrieved 5/6/10). Second National Survey of Violence & Discrimination