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Recently I saw a book called Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller. I readily admit I didn't read the whole book but, knowing Keller's penchant for Calvinism, I couldn't help but read the chapter called The Sovereignty of God.
As you would expect, there are the common explanations that suffering is ultimately the result of human sin (Adam and Eve) but that individual suffering is largely mysterious as to the direct cause (Job).
What is more curious is his use of David Bentley Hart's book The Doors of the Sea: Where was God in the Tsunami as he tries to explain how suffering is the enemy of God. Firstly because Hart is ardently anti-Calvinist (especially in that book) and secondly because this makes little sense on a Calvinist worldview. How can something God divinely authors and decrees be described as his enemy? Keller, in my opinion, offers us little of a response.
What is even more curious is that Keller gives just two pages to explain compatibilism to his audience. I have already claimed in numerous previous blogs that this is one of the fundamental issues that causes the Calvinist a huge intellectual problem and this is why it is sad to see it treated so very briefly.
In the key paragraph Keller states:
What do we mean, first, when we say that God is sovereign over history and therefore over suffering? The doctrine of the sovereignty of God in the Bible has sometimes been called compatibilism. [227] The Bible teaches that God is completely in control of what happens in history and yet he exercises that control in such a way that human beings are responsible for their freely chosen actions and the result of those actions. Human freedom and God's direction of historical events are therefore completely compatible. To put it practically and vividly – if a man robs a bank, that moral evil is fully his responsibility, though it also is part of God's plan.
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering p.140
Keller goes on to assert that this should be understood quite differently to some Islamic and ancient Greek ideas of fate but, if you think about it, it's pretty tough to see how.
How on earth can God "completely control" (not partially control or merely know in advance) each and every individual action that takes place in the universe and yet still hold such agents fully responsible for their actions? They are doing what he has decreed!
I confess that I love Calvinist analogies and the robber analogy doesn't disappoint. Now imagine that same man robbed the bank because he was literally forced to by some other agent (person). How on earth can the robbery be his responsibility? Even the most incompetant solicitor would argue for dimished responsibility in this case.
Now here comes the sneaky bit… A few sentences later Keller explains:
God's plan works through our choices, not around or despite them. Our choices have consequences, and we are never forced by God to do anything – we always do what we most want to do. God works out his will perfectly through our willing actions.
I think Keller has been sneaky here myself. Calling it God's plan makes it sound more compatible with the man's action than if he were to admit it was God's will or decree. Once you call it that it becomes much harder to explain how it could possibly be compatible. It also becomes harder when you remember that God has given us our natures and desires by his own sovereign decree as well. You desire what you desire because God has decreed you will desire it. But Keller is not about to make that clear to his popular Christian audience. Now the robber analogy should make it clear that the robber robs according to his own desire and will but that this desire and predisposition to do such an act has been created by some other agent's source other than his own so that the other agent's will is achieved. Keller doesn't go back to his own analogy to spell this out and it's no surprise he doesn't.
Good luck finding a Calvinist who can explain compatibilism… this is where you will be told about divine mysteries and the fallen nature of man's understanding. The mystery card is played by all people who believe irrational things!
Footnote 227 recommends D.A. Carson and J.I. Packer for further reading on compatibilism. If Keller is in agreement with these two it would indicate he is an inconsistent Calvinist as Jerry Walls puts it. For a refutation of Carson and Packer see:


text: Apprentice magician Conn battles a new magical threat while continuing to drive friend and foe alike mad with irritation in this headlong sequel. As the clueless magicians of the local college continue to deny reality, a rising tide of attacks from Dementor-like Shadowmen prompts the Duchess to send her daughter Rowan to the distant desert city of Desh to see if it has been similarly afflicted. Having blown up his home in a pyrotechnic experiment and left beloved bodyguard/nanny/cook Benet badly injured, remorseful Conn invites himself along—and soon finds evidence that the sorcerer-king of Desh is hiding something ugly indeed. Told in a mix of narrative and correspondence, the tale hurtles along to a climax in which Conn deals Evil a sharp setback that also sets up the next episode. Readers of the opener will understand the sometimes complex relationships better than latecomers, but the sequel stands sturdily on its own, and Conn, equally gifted at picking locks and being a thorn in the side of all, remains a vivid, memorable lead. (maps, recipes, thumbnail bios) (Fantasy. 11-13)

subset: commoncrawl


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Crispy Chicken With Avocado And Mango
Time needed
10 min preparation + 4 hour cooking
Serving Size / Yield
6 servings
- 1/2 C. orange juice
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 T. agave
- 4 chicken breast halves, boneless
- 1 T. cilantro, chopped
- 1 C. mango, chopped
- 1 C. avocado, chopped
Whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and agave. Pour mixture into a plastic bag. Add the chicken and marinade evenly. Remove the chicken from the marinade, and transfer it to a slow cooker. Cover and cook for about 4 hours. Once it's ready, top it off with cilantro, mango, and avocado pieces
Around The Web


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Andy Julia's ....14:27
... gorgeous photographs... ... see more here. guest post by Bec Winnel x
guest post by Bec Winnel
16 comments
wow. these are insane. love them! xxoReplyDelete
that last one is very Alice! very beautiful.ReplyDelete
these are so lovely!ReplyDelete
Really beautiful...they remind me of Ophelia by Millais somehow...ReplyDelete
These are gorgeous photos...you have a knack for finding beautiful things.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSaturday, February 21, 2009
oh wow, those are indeed very very pretty...ReplyDelete
wow lovely indeed!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous photographs:D Love them<333ReplyDelete
oh gosh, these are absolutely beautiful.ReplyDelete
the girl in the orange dress is divine.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSaturday, February 21, 2009
insanely beautiful! Love your blog :)ReplyDelete
these are beautiful.ReplyDelete
also such a lovely blog to.
This is truly beautiful. The second looks like a painting.ReplyDelete
ethereal. I love the orange dress.ReplyDelete
i think it's sweet how the models cheek matches her dress in the first photo. it is kind of peachy.ReplyDelete
i seriously adore those pictures! thank you for introducing andy julia to me!ReplyDelete


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Smart Insights recently asked more than 600 of their readers which digital marketing trend they thought would have the most impact on their business in 2015 and the answer most given should come as no surprise.
Yep, it was content marketing.
But, as content marketing looks to maintain its popularity and see continued growth in 2015 many organizations are still struggling with how to do content marketing effectively. We learned last week many marketers are struggling with measuring content effectiveness, while this week's infographic reveals that 56% of marketers don't have a documented content strategy.
The insights don't stop there though, as Smart Insights & JBH Marketing summarize the key issues facing content marketing while offering advice on everything from what is and isn't working to where to invest your budget for the best return.
And, if you just happen to be among the 56% without a content strategy they have also included the 7 content marketing planning tactics that just might be the missing ingredient to your organization's marketing success.


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Farmer's Markets
A trip to a farmer's market in one of Fresno County's 15 cities allows visitors to sense the abundance of fresh produce grown every day across California's Central Valley.
Circle K Ranch
8640 East Manning Avenue Selma, CA 93662
Circle K Ranch is a great place to see the fruit packing process in the ranch packing house located amongst the orchards. There is also the wonderful Circle K Ranch Country Store where you can sample fresh or dried fruit and natural, dried or chocolate covered nuts and of course raisins. Circle K Ranch offers a variety of products ready packaged and available for purchase or shipping.
Old Town Clovis Friday Night Farmers Market (May through September)
433 Pollasky Avenue Clovis, CA 93612
Come to the Market on the Mall and enjoy a great farmers market. Come on over from May to September and meet several farmers dedicated to giving you amazing produce every Friday, including three certified organic farmers.
Old Town Clovis Saturday Farmers Market
Fifth and Pollasky Clovis, CA
Join us at our Year-Round Saturday Morning Farmers Market from 8-11:30 AM, located in the heart of Old Town Clovis on Pollasky Avenue between Bullard and Fifth. Please note that the Farmers Market may move locations during the construction of the Centennial Plaza but will be in the general vicinity.
Simonian Farms
2629 South Clovis Avenue Fresno, CA 93725
Get a blast from the past at Simonian Farms, where you will find delicious farm fresh products and old fashioned charm. Tour the farm store and explore the antique memorabilia and vintage farm equipment.
Sumner Peck Ranch Friant
14439 N. Friant Rd. Friant, CA 93626
This unique spot offers unmatched views of the vineyard and its surrounding countryside. Sip wine from grapes grown on site or take in a gorgeous panorama while browsing the indoor farmers market.
Sumner Peck Ranch Madera
14860 Highway 41 Madera, CA 93636
This unique spot offers unmatched views of the vineyard and its surrounding countryside. Sip wine from grapes grown on site or take in a gorgeous panorama while browsing the indoor farmers market.
Vineyard Farmers Market
100 West Shaw Avenue Fresno, CA 93704
Vineyard Farmers Market provides the finest quality, locally grown, fruits and vegetables direct from the grower and is dedicated to providing your family with a healthy grocery experience - year round!
Blossom Bluff Orchards
17564 E. Clayton Avenue Parlier, CA 93648
Boghosian Raisin Packing Co.
726 S. 8th Street Fowler, CA 93625
Farm Grown Fridays Farmers Market
1800 Tulare Street Fresno, CA 93721
Fowler Farmers Market (August-October)
Panzak Park Fowler, CA 93625
Fresno Cherry Avenue Auction
4640 South Cherry Avenue Fresno, CA 93706
Fresno VA Farmers Market
2615 E. Clinton Ave Fresno, CA
Our market is unique in that it is for Veterans and those who care for them!
Kingsburg Farmer's Market
16th and Tulare Street Kingsburg, CA 93631
Kristina's Natural Ranch Market
761 E. Barstow Ave. Fresno, CA 93710
Manchester Shopping Center Farmers Market
1901 E. Shields Ave. Fresno, CA 93726
MOA Oasis Garden Farm Stand
5790 N. Indianola Ave Clovis, CA 93619
River Park Farmers Market
70 El Camino Fresno, CA 93720
Sanger Farmers' Market & Street Faire (September)
7th and N Streets Sanger, CA 93657
The Market on Kern
Kern St. Between M and N Fresno, 93721


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ReduFlex Green is a photo-selective coating that reduces the levels of green and yellow light in greenhouses. It substantially reflects this part of the grow-light that some crops use less efficiently for photo-synthesis. Reflecting the excess energy in the grow-light and the infrared radiation should reduce greenhouse temperatures.
- High reflection of green and yellow light
- Lowers greenhouse temperatures through high reflection of infrared radiation
- Relatively more radiation from blue and red light
- Lower plant and greenhouse temperatures
- Highly wear-resistant
- Suitable for glass, acrylate, polycarbonate and plastic film
- Easy to remove with ReduClean
ReduFlex Green is being tested on various crops. Contact Mardenkro for more information or if you would like to participate in a trial.
How to apply
For the best results, ReduFlex Green should be diluted with a certain amount of clean water (depending on the application method) and sprayed evenly on a dry and clean greenhouse roof. The best layer is obtained when sprayed by machine. The table below shows the number of buckets required and the effect on the greenhouse climate.
|Buckets per ha / acre
|Heat reflection
|Wear resistance
|22 / 9
|Grow-light reflection (PAR)
|Buckets per ha / acre
|Heat reflection
|Wear resistance
|18 / 7
|Grow-light reflection (PAR)
How to remove
ReduFlex Green is easy to remove with ReduClean. Spray at least 250 litres of ReduClean per hectare, diluted with 5-7 parts of clean water, evenly on the desired roof area. (26 US gallon/acre) Only apply when the roof surface is dry but rainfall is expected in the next few days. The rain will wash of the ReduFlex Green layer.


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Exceptional Service.
Unforgettable Charm.
Come Home to Gentry Square.
Come Home to Gentry Square.
Nestled on 11 beautifully landscaped acres in southwest Champaign, Gentry Square is a charming sanctuary from the everyday. Choose from 1 and 2-bedroom apartments and townhomes, each offering an incredible list of features and amenities. Combine our park-like setting with our commitment to delivering the highest level of service to our residents and you'll see that Gentry Square is ready to welcome you home.
Conveniently located on 10 Gold Bus Route to the University of Illinois Campus.
On Champaign Park District's Simon Trail
Outside Storage Closet.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces in Townhomes.
Gentry Square's peaceful, park-like surroundings will welcome you home each and every day. The resort-style swimming pool with sundeck, the meandering jogging/biking paths and tranquil lake and newly renovated clubhouse are all brought together to be pet-friendly and spoil you rotten. And it's all in the heart of one of southwest Champaign's most desirable neighborhoods.
By appointment 7 days a week!
For Same Day Tours Please Call (844) 222-0898
Gentry Square is unlike anything in Champaign. Those who choose to live the good life with us will appreciate the comforts and amenities of our apartments, not to mention the resort-like list of community offerings. Our commitment to service, peaceful surroundings and convenient location set Gentry Square apart. Exceptional Service. Unforgettable Charm. Come home to Gentry Square.
Schedule a tour today – we'd love to show you around!
Gentry Square is owned and operated by Regency Multifamily. Since 1974, Regency has strived to provide the most desirable, well-maintained multifamily communities backed by exceptional customer service. We take pride in our communities and are dedicated to exceeding our resident's expectations – and yours.
Since 2007 Regency Multifamily has been awarded the National Multifamily Customer Service Award for Excellence. The award, presented by CEL & Associates, Inc., recognizes companies whose management performance and commitment to the highest level and quality of service are considered to be the "Best in the Industry". Visit our corporate website to learn more.VISIT REGENCY MULTIFAMILY
Are you ready to learn more? Get in touch with us today for additional information, availability, or to schedule a tour. We'd love to show you the exceptional service and unforgettable charm of Gentry Square.
If this is a request for maintenance, please click here
|Office Hours
|8am - 5pm
|10am - 2pm
|By appointment 7 days a week.


text:
What did you do in Mitaka: Emilien Macchi
Continuing my series of interviews with RDO engineers, here's my chat with Emilien Macchi, who I talked with at OpenStack Summit last week in Austin. If you'd like to talk about what you did in Mitaka, please contact me at email@example.com. (If the above player doesn't work for you, please download the audio HERE. Rich: I'm speaking with Emilien Macchi,… Read more →


text:
|Is India Trying to Subdue Kashmir Through Religious Tourism?
|July 17, 2018
The Indian state under the increasing influence of Hindu nationalism is using Hindu pilgrimage sites..
|âAswachh Bharatâ marks Amarnath yatra
|July 15, 2018
Tourism and Plastic: Exploring the Contours
|June 04, 2018
|The threat that plastic poses to the health of the planet has been raising alarm bells for some time..
|As Women, Are We Really Economically EmpoweredâA view from the point of view of Tourism
|April 10, 2018
Do we enjoy the same quality of life as our male counterparts? How can we, when the figures of women..
|Meet the Majid Squad, a Group that Voluntarily Cleans Filth on Amarnath Yatra Routes
|January 29, 2018
|Notwithstanding the National Green Tribunal directions, Governor N N Vohra recently decided that a 60-day-long..
This section shares developments in tourism across the country as highlighted in the media. On clicking a Title, you can read the article online or where possible redirected to the respective website.
Filter:Kochi gets Indias first tourist police station
February 28, 2010 - www.expressbuzz.com
Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Saturday said that the police would involve the local people in implementing various security measures at Mattanchery, which was known world over for the Jewish synagogue.
Shantaram wants FEMA violations probed
February 28, 2010 - oheraldo.in
Shantaram Naik, MP, has said that there were large scale violations of FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999) by Russians in Morjim which require prompt action by State machinery.
Allocation for Goa to be spent on tourist infrastructure: Kamat
February 28, 2010 - www.mydigitalfc.com
The Rs 200 crore allocated for Goa in the union budget will be utilised to build tourist infrastructure and conserve its beauty to attract holiday makers, Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat has said.
Naked Russians corrupt minds: Goa Congress MP
February 28, 2010 - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Russian tourists in Morjim, a beach village in north Goa, move around naked on the beach or are scantily clad, Congress MP Shantaram Naik said Sunday after touring the area popular with Russians.
BJP flays govt on crimes against tourists
February 27, 2010 - www.navhindtimes.in
First it was the state Tourism Minister, then the industry bodies, and now it is the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that is criticising the government for not bringing under control crimes against tourists. The BJP further warned that this could affect the state's top industry-tourism.
Panel to monitor probe into crime against tourists
February 27, 2010 - oheraldo.in/news
In an important development related to crimes against women tourists, the Goa government has constituted a High Power Committee to monitor investigation of such cases.
UNWTO welcomes outcome of first T.20 Ministers Meeting in South Africa
February 26, 2010 - www.travelbizmonitor.com
United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has welcomed the outcome of the first T.20 Ministers' Meeting, a member-driven initiative with the support of UNWTO, held from February 22-24, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Russian lesson: How it all went wrong for Goa
February 26, 2010 - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
They are being called rude, offensive and arrogant. Ironically the term "our tourists" is also used to describe them. For the first time in its history, Goa is experiencing clashes and increasing tensions between its tourists and its people.
Industry welcomes Union budget 2010-11 announcement of investment-linked deduction for hotel development
February 26, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
The central government's decision to grant investment linked deductions under the Income Tax Act to companies developing hotels (two-star and above) has been welcomed by the industry. In the Union Budget 2010-11 announced recently, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated, ""To give a boost to investment in the tourism sector which has high employment potential, I propose to extend the benefits of investment-linked deduction under the act to new hotels of two-star category and above anywhere in India."
India's Tourism: India expects 5.5 million tourists in 2010
February 26, 2010 - www.eturbonews.com
India hopes to receive up to 5.5 million tourists in 2010, the highest number in any single year. However, tour operators and hoteliers are ruing the missed chance of marketing the first Commonwealth Games in India. They complained that this number could have been higher, with the Games coming up in October.
Kumari Selja welcomes announcements in Budget on Tourism and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Sectors
February 26, 2010 - Press Information Bureau - pib.nic.in
The Tourism and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Kumari Selja has welcomed the proposals made in the Union Budget 2010-2011 in Tourism and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation sectors. She thanked the Finance Minister for giving the encouragement to these sectors in the Budget. Shri Pranab Mukherjee announced following proposals for tourism and Urban Development and Housing sectors in the Lok Sabha today while presenting the Union Budget:
Children not included in inclusive Budget
February 26, 2010 - www.livemint.com
Union finance minister's Pranab Mukherjee's "inclusive" Budget 2010-11 does not include children, who are over 42% of the population. Out of every rupee spent in the Budget, he has allotted only 4.63 paise to children. The children's share in the next fiscal is only slightly higher than 4.21% in 2009-10, even as the total budget size has risen 8.61% to a record Rs11 trillion.
Air travel to become costlier
February 26, 2010 - www.dnaindia.com
Air travel on all classes in both domestic and international sectors is likely to become costlier with the government expanding the scope of air transport services to attract service tax.
IATO pleased with Railway Budget 2010-11
February 25, 2010 - www.travelbizmonitor.com
The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) is pleased with the Railway Budget 2010-11 announced yesterday in the Parliament by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Association has also extended felicitation to the Railway Minister.
Sultan Ahmed, Union Minister of State for Tourism releases Approach Paper for Rural Tourism in AP
February 25, 2010 - www.travelbizmonitor.com
According to a PIB release, at a two-day National Rural Tourism Workshop in Hyderabad recently, Sultan Ahmed, Union Minister of State for Tourism released the Approach Paper (document which aims to provide preliminary guidelines to enable the States/UTs prepare proposals) for Rural Tourism in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh is the first state to have released such a document. Geetha Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh was also present on the occasion.
Railway Budget Update: Railway Budget 2010-11
February 25, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
The Railway Budget 2010-11 announced by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted that social responsibility comes over commercial viability. With this view in mind, the government has proposed introduction of several new rail lines. Banerjee stated that there will be no increase in the passenger fares of any class or category of trains.
Orissa govt approves Rs 718 crore for tourism development
February 25, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
According to a PTI report, the Orissa government has approved a five-year prospective plan of Rs 718 crore for development of tourism in the state, including employment generation in the sector. The plan was prepared last year and some projects taken up last year were brought under it. "The plan envisages job to about 4.2 lakh people, including direct jobs to 1.2 lakh," said Debi P Mishra, Tourism Minister, Orissa after Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa approved the plan.
Few low budget visitors create problems, feels tourism department
February 25, 2010 - www.navhindtimes.in
The tourism sector feels that stray incidents such as those that occurred in North Goa recently wherein a couple of Russians attacked locals in different cases and minor scuffles, would continue to take place and there was very little the industry or the government authorities could do to totally prevent them, even as they said that the number could be curtailed by taking some proactive measures.
From Russia with love? Well, not really
February 25, 2010 - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Goa tourism's honeymoon with Russia seems to have taken a bitter turn. The gloom around is that when you have people coming in droves on 'tourist visas' and indulging in crime, it spells doom for a tourist destination. The fact that tourists have now started attacking locals, has stunned and shaken up the tourism industry and, of course, locals.
Goa police hand-in-glove with organised sex mafia: Official
February 25, 2010 - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A senior Goa police official on Thursday admitted that the state is emerging as a den for the organized sex mafia in collusion with the local police.
T-20 Meeting South Korea to host G20 tourism ministers' forum
February 25, 2010 - www.eturbonews.com
South Korea has been selected as the host country for the "T-20" forum, a meeting of tourism ministers from the G20 member countries, the culture ministry said Thursday.
Govt of Maharashtra, MEDC, MTDC to celebrate Visit Golden Maharashtra Year from April 2010 to March 2011
February 24, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
The Government of Maharashtra, Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (MTDC) in association with MultiNet Worldwide will be celebrating 'Visit Golden Maharashtra Year' from April 2010 to March 2011. The year-long celebration will kick start with a two-day business conference from April 20-21, 2010 in Mumbai. Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister, Maharashtra will inaugurate the conference on April 20, 2010.
SC seeks response from Karnataka govt over closure of hotels, restaurants at midnight
February 24, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
The Supreme Court (SC) has sought response from the Karnataka government and the police commissioner of Bengaluru on a petition challenging an order directing the closure of hotels, restaurants and places of public entertainment at midnight.
Railway Budget Update: Railway Budget 2010-11 gives thrust to Trans-Asian Rail Network
February 24, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
The Railway Budget announced by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for 2010-11 highlighted the government's initiative to kick start a new rail route between India and Bangladesh. High level discussions are on between the governments of two countries to launch these services. The proposed rail route between the two countries is Akhaura in Bangladesh and Agartala in India.
Railway Budget Update: Railway Budget 2010-11 proposes to start special tourist trains
February 24, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 today in New Delhi, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee proposed to start various special trains in India along with enhancing connectivity through improving the rail network on inter and intra state level. Banerjee said that tourist trains will be launched on 21 routes and ten more Duronto (non-stop) trains will be launched. The new budget proposes to run a special tourist trains called 'Bharat Tirth' connecting popular tourist sites in India- from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari, Dwarka to Vindhya Paarbat, Ajmer to Gangasagar and Madurai to Patna. "The running of 'Bharat Tirth' will emphasise on our 'Unity in Diversity'. The 'Bharat Tirth' trains are proposed to run on a total of 16 different routes in India," added Banerjee.
Railway Budget Update: Indian Railways to be lead partner of CWG 2010
February 24, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
While presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament today, Mamata Banerjee, Union Railway Minister announced that Indian Railways will be the lead partner of Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010. To mark this event and also to spread the message, the Railways proposes to run a Commonwealth Exhibition train. CWG will be held in the New Delhi from October 3-14, 2010.
Goa emerging as drug, sex destination, says industry
February 24, 2010 - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Goa is emerging as a drug and sex destination, the state's apex commerce and industry lobbying group has said. The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has issued strict caution to the state government, asking it to shore up its act on tourism, in a pre budget note which was handed over to chief minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday.
Railways to start special tourist trains, new services
February 24, 2010 - www.hindustantimes.com
In a bid to promote tourism, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that Indian Railways will be launching 16 special 'Bharat Tirth' trains connecting popular tourist sites and pilgrimage centres in different parts of the country.
Hotels urged to manage their own waste
February 23, 2010 - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in association with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) will conduct a one-day seminar on waste management on February 27, 2010 for hoteliers, restaurants and other stakeholders in Goa. The seminar will be conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
TAAI presents blueprint of `Travel Card for CWG 2010 to MoT, awaits approval
February 22, 2010 - www.travelbizmonitor.com
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) recently held a joint meeting with officials of Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation with regards to the launch of its `Travel Card' for Common Wealth Games (CWG) 2010 to be held in Delhi in October. According to Rajinder Rai, President, TAAI; the Association presented details, facts, figures and requirements of the 'Travel Card' and is aiming to launch the Card by August this year.
Morjim villagers demand ban on Russians
February 22, 2010 - www.navhindtimes.in
The president of state unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mandrem MLA, Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, who attended the Morjim gram sabha, on Sunday, said that the locals should not encourage the Russian tourists too much."With the increase in the number of the Russian tourists here in Morjim they are indulging in 'dadagiri' (bullying) and we should not encourage these Russian tourists too much," said the BJP chief.
Forum In Johannesburg: UNWTO international Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events
February 22, 2010 - www.eturbonews.com
South Africa will host the first ever UNWTO Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from February 24-26, 2010. This event will bring together the world's leading experts and create a platform for best practice and knowledge sharing towards mega-events excellence.
'It is aimed at distressing nocturnal animals': HC to decide on night safari at Bannerghatta
February 22, 2010 - www.deccanherald.com
After the presentation by the Forest Department and petitioner Deepak B R, the Bench adjourned the matter for further hearing.
Police to deport foreigners staying illegal in Goa: DGP
February 21, 2010 - in.news.yahoo.com
Goa police have ordered a clamp down on foreigners, staying in the state even after expiry of their visa, a senior police officer said. Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravindra Yadav told PTI that both the district police chiefs and foreigners'' branch have been issued directions in this regard.
Kerala govt launches Dream Season campaign to attract domestic tourists from April to September 2010
February 20, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
According to a report in IANS, the Kerala government recently announced the launch of 'Dream Season' campaign to attract more domestic tourists to the state from April to September this year. V Venu, Tourism Secretary, Kerala said that this is the fourth 'Dream Season' campaign. A wide range of value travel packages for domestic tourists will be effective from April this year. Information about the packages is available on the Kerala tourism website - http://www.keralatourism.org/dreamseason/.
Orissa government to acquire 626 acres more for Shamuka tourism project near Puri
February 19, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
According to a report in The Business Standard, the Orissa government is expediting land acquisition process for Shamuka tourism project, near Sipasarubali, about 10 kms south of Puri. The Shamuka tourism project will consist of four five-star hotels, a convention centre of international standards with a seating capacity of nearly 1,500, a 18-hole golf course, boutique hotels, international spa and wellness centres, an entertainment zone and sports facilities.
Increase in Russian mafia activity can affect tourism in Goa
February 19, 2010 - www.dnaindia.com
Russian mafia, which has so far no effect on Goa tourism, can trigger a slide down in state's tourism graph if it escalates in near future, a leading tourism body said today.
Gujarat relaxes prohibition to promote tourism
February 18, 2010 - beta.thehindu.com
The Gujarat government has decided to partially relax its prohibition policy for visitors from outside the State by opening a special counter at the Ahmedabad domestic airport from where the air travellers will be issued a permit for buying and consuming liquor during their sojourn within the State.
First time ever associations unite to present wish list for Budget 2010-11
February 17, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
In an unprecedented move, for the first time ever the entire travel and tourism industry, including hospitality, aviation and chambers of commerce and industry have come together and collectively drafted, as well as presented a list of recommendations for the forthcoming Union Budget 2010-11. This high powered meeting mooted a National Commission on Tourism under the leadership of the Prime Minister of India to make travel and tourism industry a top priority agenda for the Government of India.
Wayanad dairy tourism a hit
February 17, 2010 - www.deccanherald.com
Dr George Thomas, coordinator of Malabar Rural Development Foundation (MRDF) which manages the tourism package, told Deccan Herald that teams from Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh will be visiting Wayanad next month.
Tourism industry looks at Union Budget 2010-11 to fulfill its long pending demands
February 16, 2010 - www.travelbizmonitor.com
It's again that time of the year when all eyes turn towards North Block in New Delhi, the Finance Ministry headquarters, with speculations as the Finance Minister gets into the exercise of finalising the annual budget for the nation. Tourism industry, like any other industry of the economy, is also pinning a lot of hope this time around on the Union Budget. There were mixed reactions from the travel and tourism industry last year after Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee announced the Union Budget 2009-10.
Tourism policy needs to be overhauled
February 15, 2010 - www.navhindtimes.in
Buoyed by the 'massive' response from tourists, both domestic and foreign, the then state government headed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Mr Manohar Parrikar had announced tourism policy for the state way back in 2001 to give a distinct direction to the tourism sector and to reap rich dividends for the future.
University pulls out of Lavasa project
February 13, 2010 - www.cherwell.org
The Saïd Business School confirmed this week that the University has abandoned its support of a scheme to build a new Business Centre at the controversial Lavasa development site in India.
70 percent rooms completed for CWG 2010
February 12, 2010 - Press Information bureau - pib.nic.in
The XXVIIth meeting of the 'Task Force' constituted for the purpose of monitoring the augmentation of hotel accommodation in the National Capital Region of Delhi was held on 27th January, 2010. The review of the hotel projects coming up for the Commonwealth Games indicated that 7,307 rooms have been completed which is 70% of the overall 10,540 'Definite' rooms.
Lack of synergy among agencies irks guest house owners in Delhi
February 11, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
Guest house owners in Delhi are displeased with Ministry of Tourism (MoT) officials. The guest house owners have alleged that there is lack of coordination among various agencies, including Central, State and Municipal Corporation concerned on various matters related to guest houses in Delhi. Besides, the guest house owners are against the ministry officials on matters including setting up of dining hall to service the in-house guests, which they say had been agreed upon 'in writing' by Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister, Delhi.
The end is not near
February 04, 2010 - www.hindustantimes.com
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has acknowledged they made a mistake in their projection of 2035 as the year when Himalayan glaciers were said to melt. But the blunder is not a one-off mistake, and is the latest in the litany of errors that have dogged the panel over the past ten years.
Centres code push to wipe off child sex tourism stain
February 03, 2010 - Deccan Herald - www.deccanherald.com
What has made the government and the tourism industry sit up and take note of a trend in which foreign tourists visit tourism hubs like Goa, Kerala as well as pilgrimage-rich stateslike Tamil Nadu and Orissa to seek more than the sun and the culture.
Indian gov't plans code of conduct for 'safe' tourism
February 03, 2010 - www.thestatesman.net
In view of the increasing incidences of rape, sexual offences, sexual abuse of children, particularly street-children, the tourism ministry has finalised a "code of conduct" for the industry to prevent any form of exploitation of children.
MoT finalises code of conduct for Safe and Honourable Tourism
February 03, 2010 - www.hospitalitybizindia.com
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has finalised a code of conduct for 'Safe and Honourable Tourism' to be adopted by major stakeholders like hotels, tour operators, cab drivers and other hospitality-linked services. The code is likely to be unveiled on March 8, 2010 to commemorate International Women's Day.
CWG: HC appoints panel to look into labour law violations
February 03, 2010 - www.indianexpress.com
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday appointed a four-member committee to look into the alleged violations of labour laws at Commonwealth Games project sites.


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Did The Post 'celebrate' gay marriage in D.C.?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Few issues stir passions more than same-sex marriage, and The Post's recent coverage has provoked loud cries of bias from opponents. Their ire centers on stories, columns and photos that ran in the days after the District began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on March 3.
Scores accused The Post of abandoning neutrality and engaging in a victory celebration.
"The Post's unabashed bias in favor of gay marriage, in its reporting, is blatant, obvious and, I believe, 100 percent intentional," e-mailed Doug Schrader of Crownsville, who opposes gay marriage but not necessarily gay civil unions.
Many readers protested a March 4 front page photo of two men kissing outside D.C. Superior Court, which had started issuing licenses.
And the conservative Culture and Media Institute said its review showed that in the week after March 3, The Post coverage totaled 543 column inches ("equal to nearly four full pages") and included 14 photos of "gay celebrations." Supporters of same-sex marriage were quoted 10 times more than opponents, the group said.
"As soon as this became law, it was basically The Washington Post standing up and saying 'Yay!' " Dan Gainor, the group's vice president, said in an interview. "It's news," he acknowledged, but the coverage was excessive and "one-sided." Conservatives see it as evidence that The Post is hopelessly liberal, he said.
The Post is not always sufficiently attuned to conservative perspectives. But with gay marriage coverage, the accusations of journalistic overkill are off base.
By any measure, the issuance of same-sex licenses was historic. And many among the District's large lesbian and gay population are directly affected. A study last October by the nonprofit Williams Institute at UCLA, whose Web site says it uses research to advance "sexual orientation law," estimated that roughly 3,500 same-sex couples live in the District. At about 14 per 1,000 households, the percentage is nearly three times the national average and ranks above all states.
Also, The Post's coverage should be viewed broadly to include the run-up to the D.C. Council's Dec. 15 final approval of same-sex marriage. That's when debate was most intense. During that period, The Post ran roughly 20 stories, many airing opponents' views.
In mid-November, the Style section featured a 2,200-word profile of Bishop Harry Jackson of Beltsville's Hope Christian Church, a national figure and local leader in the movement against same-sex marriage. Earlier, Style ran a lengthy profile of Brian Brown, executive director of the anti-gay-marriage National Organization for Marriage. The Brown and Jackson profiles drew protests from gay readers who felt their side wasn't given equal exposure.
My only complaint about the more recent coverage is that The Post should have offered a stand-alone story on the legal challenge to same-sex marriage. The D.C. Court of Appeals has yet to rule on an effort to put the issue to a citywide vote. The referendum has sizable support. A Post survey of 1,135 District residents in late January found 59 percent in favor; it also showed a solid majority (56 to 35 percent) in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.
It's true that The Post's coverage after March 3 focused heavily on the victors in the same-sex battle. And why not? It was only natural that stories and photos would feature couples joyfully applying for marriage licenses or getting married. And it makes sense that many quotes would come from those benefiting from the new law. But far from a "celebration," coverage also informed same-sex couples that they would not be entitled to numerous federal benefits, that they still must file separate federal tax forms and that most states won't recognize their marriages. Another story reported on Williams Institute estimates that legalizing gay marriage would create 700 jobs and add more than $52 million to the local economy over three years. Yet another story dealt with Catholic Charities grappling with the same-sex issue.
A key question is whether the news coverage, over time, adequately exposed readers to varied views. Bishop Jackson agrees it did. In an interview, he accused Post reporter Tim Craig of intentionally underestimating the crowd size at an anti-gay-marriage rally; it's a serious charge that Craig and his editors deny. But beyond that, Jackson said, "the volume of coverage on us was fair."
The recent coverage has been largely shaped by the fact that same-sex marriage is, after prolonged debate, now legal in the District.
"Laws change," said Gainor. "Just because this battle is 'over' doesn't mean it's ended. And it doesn't mean that the other side is happy about it."
On that we can agree.
Andrew Alexander can be reached at 202-334-7582 or at firstname.lastname@example.com. For daily updates, read the Omblog.


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song for the youth
Call me "a man with a few drops of alcohol in his veins".
Don't call me "black".
Call me "a man with some extra melanin in his skin".
Don't call me "crazy".
Call me "a man who thinks in a different way".
Don't even call me "a man".
Call me "something that I don't know because it's not me".
Trust me: you don't know me.
All you know are your own thoughts about me.
Forget them.
Forget them and try to think on your own.
Forget them and try to feel on your own.
Forget them and try to look on your own.
And - please! - don't call the doctor nor the police
just because I'm crazy, black or drunk:
they know even less than you
about this vast and complex and changing reality
that doesn't belong to you or me or them.
Forget them
and look into my eyes
before we fall asleep
or die.


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Take the outdoor room concept to the next level with these wireless, solar-powered lamps from IKEA. Whether hung from a tree or awning, they're sure to make your yard feel a little more cozy. Available as a table lamp or hanging pendant in white, black, or red.
Solig Lights from IKEA: $19.99


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Transverse Bridge Deck Grooving
Grooving the alternative for tining.Transverse safety bridge deck grooving creates numerous drainage channels to dissipate water quickly. Several states have adopted this process to reduce wheel spray, hydroplaning, and freezing, by optimally increasing traction. Grooving patterns and other specifications may differ from state to state. Random patterns are commonly used to reduce tire noise.
Runway and Taxiway Grooving
Same general safety principles as in transverse bridge deck grooving. This process has been adopted by FAA. Grooving pattern typically .250 wide x .250 deep on 1.5 inch center spacing.
Longitudinal Pavement Grooving
Same general safety principals but the grooving pattern is cut longitudinal. Often performed on larger quantities of highway pavement when surfaces are worn. More productive and is a cost reducing approach. Diamond grinding is the best alternative.
Other Grooving applications Include


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Board of Directors Nomination Form
Please consider running for the West Virginia Rural Health Association Board of Directors.
As of Dec. 31, 2018, we will have four vacancies on the WVRHA Board of Directors.
The current Board has 12 members with one of these members completing their terms Dec. 31, 2018.
In accordance with the WVRHA Bylaws, the Board must have at least nine members and no more than 15, so four positions will be available.
The association welcomes new Directors and encourages eligible members to entertain the possibility of running for the Jan. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2021 term.
If you are interested in running for a seat on the Board, or want to nominate another individual, please consider the following points:
- Candidates must be a current member of the Association (either as an individual or as an appointed representative from an organization).
- The WVRHA Board is an active Board (two-year term) Members are expected to serve on committees, attend face to face meetings and participate on conference calls.
- Candidates must be committed to the mission and vision of the Association.
Nominations will open Oct. 18, 2018 and will close on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 at 5 p.m.


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D.C. residents hoping to ban corporate donations in city politics are facing a deadline to turn in thousands of signatures.
The citizens group, angered by ethics problems, hopes to get the ban on the Nov. 6 ballot. The group has thousands of signatures, and volunteers have one more week to collect more.
Supporters of Initiative 70 have been fanning out around the District getting voters to sign petitions that would help ban corporate donations to city campaigns, political birthday parties and other fundraising for politicians.
Bryan Weaver, a leader of the initiative, said the city's been battered by ethics scandals -- the felony convictions of former Council Chairman Kwame Brown and Council member Harry Thomas Jr. -- and citizens need to do something. Mayor Vincent Gray also is under federal criminal investigation for his 2010 campaign for mayor with rumors swirling that he could resign at any time -- rumors with no firm basis but still disrupting the flow of city politics.
"I think now everyone is sort of holding on to what's coming next and there is a little degree of everyone holding on to their seat saying, What's the next shoe to drop?" Weaver said.
Initiative 70 supporters must turn in 24,000 valid voter signatures by the end of the day July 9 and need many more just in case of errors. Weaver said the group is near its goal but will work through the July 4 holiday week.
"Just trying to find a way to sort of come out of this crisis of confidence that we're having," Weaver said.
About 20 states already ban corporate contributions to local campaigns.


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I have been a little lax in keeping up with the fiction writing recently, so it's about time for a new piece. Again based on a Chuck Wendig challenge, this time on the theme of a 'journey'. I interpreted that as an invitation to try to read the mind of a dead person (as an historian, it's basically what I do anyway) on a fairly short physical journey, but perhaps a very long metaphorical one.
Crossing the Bay
It was a chilly morning and still quiet, the silence only disturbed by the small waves washing against the side of the barge as it glided across the bay. George strained to catch a glimpse of the city they were heading towards, but thin strands of the morning fog still drifted over the bay and besides, his eyesight was not what it used to be.
"Mr. Humphreys," he asked his private secretary and steadfast companion for the last ten years, "can you spot the city?"
"Not as yet," Humphreys replied, "but I think I see some ships in the roads. We should be there in an hour or so."
His last hour as a private individual for years to come, George reflected with some regrets, or perhaps even the rest of his life; although in truth, he had not been a completely private individual for the last fifteen years or so. He had emerged from the chaos of the was as a national hero, and whether he had wanted it or not, the country had continued to look to his leadership – except, he thought with some bitterness, when it came to paying pensions and reparations to his soldiers – so when a Mr. Thornton had arrived at his front door with the letter that officially congratulated him on his election, it had almost been a formality.
It was all a great honour, of course, but one that George was still ambivalent about. He was not getting any younger – he had turned fifty-seven the month before – and in his quiet moments, he had dared to entertain a vain hope of getting to spend his remaining years in quiet retirement on his estate. There were so many things he was looking forward to do; plan out the field rotations, experiment with new varieties of crops, write books on surveying and long letters exploring the advantages of different species of cattle.
He had already sacrificed so much for the sake of his country, for the sake of the republic, and he did not think it unreasonable that he would want some peace and quiet after so many years and the hardships he had suffered. But the republic was a harsh mistress, who now required still greater sacrifices from him, and when she called, he would not allow himself to refuse. So things had turned out differently.
Even then, it was more than a little ironic that even though so many compared him to Cincinnatus, the Good Roman who put down his sword and his positions to return home and till his fields, he himself would not even be allowed to enjoy that small luxury, that reward. On the contrary, the sword and the fasces were practically being forced back into his hand.
As the barge made its way across the bay, many more boats joined in from all sides to escort it until they made up an entire water-borne procession. The almost monarchial pomposity and circumstance of it all sat poorly with George's republican sensibilities, and his distaste only grew when several series of thirteen gunshots thundered across the water from the several warships moored in the harbour, saluting their arrival. First the Spaniard Galveston and the North Carolina, then the city fortifications joining in until the echoes rolled back and forth for what seemed like an eternity.
Trying to distract himself, George pointed over to the mouth of the river that bounded the city on its eastern side.
"That was where we retreated from the British after the Battle of Brooklyn," he said to his secretary. "Brought the whole army across, night after August 27th."
"I remember hearing about that," Humphreys replied. "We were still in Connecticut at the time. Hard to believe that was thirteen years ago."
Had it been thirteen years? So much had happened since then, it rather seemed like a lifetime ago. George caught himself thinking that things had seemed simpler then; that had been a difficult, even a desperate time – but still…
Finally, the barge arrived at the pier, and followed by Mr. Humpreys and the rest of their party, George debarked to face the vast crowd of thousands that had gathered on the waterfront to greet him and now cheered and hollered at his arrival, waving flags, banners and hats in the air, and accompanied by tolling bells and more of those damned gun salutes.
Again he reminded himself that the excitement was as much to celebrate his position and his reputation as for him personally. Indeed, these people, and others like them, had elected him to the highest office in the new republic. But was it really a man they wanted, or an icon? His countrymen were a fractious people, and many hoped that unite a new country that threatened to come apart at the seams even before it had been properly established. But how many others were actually wishing that he would prove a demigod rather than a man, how many were secretly hoping that he could wave his hand and just banish all of their problems as if by magic? If any did, and he suspected there were more than a few, they would be disappointed.
Meanwhile, George Clinton, the rotund Governor of New York was advancing towards them, smiling amicably. Even though they had been political opponents recently, especially when Clinton had opposed the Constitution less than a year earlier, they were also old friends, and it was a pleasure to throw some glamour over him and his city through this occasion.
"President Washington. Words cannot express how honoured I am to welcome you to New York," Clinton said and extended his hand.
Dismissing his dark thoughts, George Washington gravely took the Governor's offered hand and shook it firmly while the cheers of the crowd rose to new heights. If being an icon was what the new country demanded of him, then by God he would strive to become the best icon history had ever seen.
Historical postscript: The event described here is the arrival of President-Elect George Washington in New York on April 23, 1789, where his first inauguration would take place the week after. The impression one gets from his letters is that Washington was notoriously reluctant to return to public service after some years in retirement following the Revolutionary War, not to mention accepting the highest office in the republic and the responsibilities that followed with it. Whether he actually meant that, or it was just false humility is of course as always up for debate, but the case for his sincerity is persuasive. So consider this an attempt to imagine some of the thoughts that might go through the head of a man who willingly or not has been turned into an icon.
Reading for context and extra credits:
American Revolution
George Washington
First inauguration of George Washington
Battle of Brooklyn (or more commonly 'of Long Island')
Governor George Clinton
Colonel David Humpreys


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……Aaaand I'm back! We moved last weekend in the first crazy, snowy weather of the season (just my luck!). We packed so early that we were living out of boxes for the last 2 weeks at the apartment. It was rough--I often found myself realizing half way through cooking that I needed something that had already been packed, and trying to figure out which box it was in was a nightmare. But, it's over now. We are in the new house, mostly un-packed, and it is feeling more and more like home every day. Internet was finally installed, so now I can resume my normal posting.
My Bread by Jim Lahey is a cookbook we use quite often. All of the bread recipes we have tried always turn out amazing, and so does the pizza dough. There is a seldom used section of the book that contains soups and sandwiches, however. A few weeks ago, we decided to give one of the sandwiches a try. We cheated a little bit and used a store-bought baguette instead of making our own, but either way, this sandwich was excellent! I really enjoyed the addition of the peppery arugula and the shaved parmesan. Even though the garlic aoili did not thicken as much as I hoped it would, it still provided a delicious extra flavor! Paired with a grain, this makes for one outstanding, and quick, dinner!
1 Demi-Baguette
2 tablespoons Aioli (recipe below)
8 Sun-Dried Tomatoes
5-6 slices Roast Beef
1/4 cup Arugula
Parmesan Cheese, shaved
Cut the baguette in half, lengthwise. Spread the bottom half with the aioli. Layer with the sun-dried tomatoes, followed by the roast beef, and the arugula. Sprinkle with some shaved parmesan cheese and top with the other half of baguette.


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Searching For A Great Sample Of A Compare And Contrast Essay Outline
After you have become better at writing, your teacher may assign you a compare and contrast essay. This is when you take two things and find the similarities and the differences between the two of them. It can be confusing, because you go back and forth a bit. There are two ways to present it. You can mix the differences and similarities in one paragraph for each main idea, or you can give the compare and the contrast separate paragraphs for each of your main points. You would keep them separate from each other.
Since this description alone is confusing, you may want to look for sample essay outlines to review and then use as a model when you write. You can find quality samples in several places online. Some of these are free sites and some of them will cost you:
- Homework Help Centers-there are free and for-pay homework help centers online. Decide what you budget is and then begin to look at all the different ones. There are quite a few, so narrow down your keyword search to the most specific terms that you can. You should go with the hub that has qualified teachers and educators as the operators and writers of the papers and outlines just to be safe.
- Writing Companies-a writing company will post apiece of a sample of an outline in order to entice you to use their company. This way you can see a sampling of how the company works and what kind of products it has. To see the complete piece, you will have to hire the company. The businesses are not expensive, and certainly well worth every penny, especially if you struggle to write.
- Educational Sites-educational sites are also in the business of making profits. They want people to look and to see what contents are in their products. You should be able to get a pass code for the textbook that you use at your school. Once you get into the system, you will find every kind of example that you will ever need from the writing subject.
When you need to look at an example compare and contrast outlines online you can check out homework help centers, writing companies, and educational sites. All of these locations will be able to provide you with all the model-writing pieces that you could possibly need.


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That night, I received an autographed(!) copy of his beautiful cookbook: How to Roast a Lamb. The recipes and photography are inspired and inspiring. And I want to give this very cookbook to one of you!
2. Let me know how I can contact you (blog, email, Twitter handle, etc.) so I can track you down if you are selected!
3. Share this giveaway post with your friends on Facebook and/or Twitter because, after all, sharing is caring!
4.Everyone is welcome to comment to enter, but I can only ship this set of cookbooks within the U.S. for no other reason than it is heavy and expensive to ship. (If you're outside the US and win, you just need to provide me with a US mailing address to send.)
This giveaway ends on Friday, March 8th at 5PM PST.


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Founded in 1991, New World Creation designs, develops and manufactures men's and junior apparel to retailers nationwide. Currently we operate under two brands, Smoke Rise and Soho Babe.
We pride ourselves in the quality, color, and design of our product. We have continued to succeed due to our focus on market trend, quality, and most importantly our loyal retail partners.


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Register with your social account
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#hollywood actress hot forced scene in theatre actress hot enjoyed


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A former newspaper journalist and magazine writer, Ron Base has written for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, Maclean's, and TV Guide. For several years he wrote about movies for Canada's Toronto Star, the country's largest circulation newspaper.
He is also the author of a book about the history of movie stardom published in the U.S., Britain, and Canada called If The Other Guy Isn't Jack Nicholson, I've Got The Part.
Ron Base's theatrically released features include First Degree (1995), a thriller, starring Rob Lowe and Leslie Hope; The Last Sign (2005), a supernatural thriller starring Andie MacDowell and Tim Roth; White Light (1990), a thriller starring Martin Kove.
He is constantly reminded that he was one of the writers of Heavenly Bodies (1984), a workout movie with music that is much more famous than it should be.
He has also worked on film projects with film-making legends John Boorman and Roland Joffé.
Magic Man, a novel, was published by St. Martin's Press of New York in August, 2006. The Strange, published by West-End Books of Toronto appeared in 2009.
In 2010, West-End Books introduced The Sanibel Sunset Detective, the first in a series of mystery novels set on Florida's Sanibel Island, featuring private detective Tree Callister.
Base was born and raised and educated in Canada. He currently resides outside Toronto with his wife, Kathy, and spends as much time as he can on Sanibel Island.
Ron's latest book Four Wives of the Sanibel Sunset Detective was published this winter.


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Pest Control Services in Greenville SC
Pest Control in Greenville, South Carolina causes residents problems for people both indoors and outdoors. Luckily, you have a hero in town to help!
Commander Pest Solutions' treatments are safe, effective, and environmentally friendly.
Commander Pest Solutions will design a program that is guaranteed to keep you protected from South Carolina pests all year long. We are committed to providing quality pest control techniques for your home and business. YOU choose what is right for you. Commander Pest Solutions is pest control designed with YOU in mind.
Commander Pest Solutions is Pest Control Done Well.
Residential & Commercial Pest Control Solutions
Voted Best Pest Control Service Company in Greenville County
24 Hour Emergency Pest Exterminator
Affordable Pest Plans Suited for All Budgets
Natural/Organic/Humane Pest Products
Top Rated Reviews From Satisfied "Pest-Free" Customers
Bed Bugs
Bees & Wasps
Fire Ants
Any animal that destroys your property, bites, causes health problems or is generally unwanted is considered a pest, and most houses have at least a few of them to deal with from time to time. Pests could be anything from mosquitos to rats to racoons to birds. There is no animal too big or too small to be exempt from pest status, and Commander Pest Solutions is there to take care of these problems for you.
Large pests get into your home through holes in the walls, open windows and other points of access that you might not even realize are there. Some of them can even climb down your chimney or come through the doggy door. Smaller pests can get into your home much easier, and the reason any pest is there is primarily because it has found shelter and food.
If your home seems habitable to a pest, then it may create a nest there, bring in the rest of its family or burrow someplace safe inside and set up a home. If you have left food out, left a door or window open or left standing water in your home, you may have attracted a pest and not even realized it.
Allowing even a small number of pests like these to continue to live in your home can open up your home to an invasion. They may lay eggs or produce offspring at an alarming rate, and while you may only see a few of them crawling around your property, there could be many more hiding in out of the way places in your home. This is why you want to deal with the problem quickly and effectively rather than letting it continue. Never just assume the pests will go away on their own.
Full Spectrum of Pest Control Strategies
Many pests will carry diseases or leave behind droppings that can make you ill. Others will bite you and cause health problems and make you uncomfortable. They may even attack your pets and cause health problems for them.
Many pests damage your home by making holes in the wall, leaving acidic droppings behind or building nests that damage materials over time. They can also lay eggs and expand their reach into your home over time. The longer they are allowed to stay there, the more damage they are going to cause. Some homeowners just ignore the pest problem and try to cover it up, but that is not an effective way to deal with this issue which is why a pest control company should be your first call.
Even dead animals can cause problems for you when looking for pest control in Greenville SC. They may die in place that makes them difficult to move, and their rotting body can create an awful smell and attract other pests. You want to get the dead animals taken care of as quickly as possible. Any pest control issue needs to be handled quickly, because it can be hard to tell how much damage is being done until a professional comes in and looks at it. As a customer, your needs come first.
Pest Control Experts Serving the Greenville SC Area
The best way to deal with pests is to call in the professionals. The pest control experts at Commander Pest Solutions can handle any pest you may have. We use humane biological pest control methods to get rid of all kinds of pests.
Our team can set traps for rodents and other crawling animals. Our insect control solutions include fumigating (pest control chemical) for insects or set bait traps that they take back to their nets to kill off their populations. For birds and bats, we can find areas of access in your home and close them off and then make your home unsuitable for them to build a nest there or hang out in.
We can even get those animals that are hidden away in your walls, removing them with minimally invasive efforts and repairing any damage that we cause. We ensure that the pests are thoroughly removed, and our methods tend to be more effective than what you may be able to accomplish on your own. Instead of trying to deal with these pests yourself and hoping you get rid of them all after you are done, you can just call us to take care of them for you.
As a professional integrated pest management company that services homes (residential) and commercial spaces near Greenville SC, we get results every time, and we know you will be happy with the work we do. No pest is too small, too big or too mean for us to get rid of for you.
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Music pros in New York often wear different hats and use their studios to service clients in a variety of ways in order to keep business growing. During the last several years, audio produced for multimedia and Internet applications has developed as a viable source of revenue along "Silicon Alley," the strip of Manhattan located on the West Side, south of Midtown. We spoke to a pair of composers with experience in these areas and asked them for tips that might be of help to others seeking to explore this side of the business.
Steve Shapiro is a legitimate triple-threat musician. He has extensive credentials as a composer and producer of numerous jingles, and as a jazz vibist, he has played with some of the best. Recently his vibe work was tracked at River Sound for inclusion on the soon-to-be-released Steely Dan album.
Shapiro, who lives in Westchester County and maintains office/studio space at Back Pocket Studios on West 23rd Street, says that the evolutionary process of multimedia audio is far from complete: "My experience doing CD-ROM and Web projects has been mixed. They usually involve quite a bit of work, and it's important to be organized. The project specs can get very complicated, and music is often used in a number of different ways." CD-ROMs can hold a lot of audio information, and even more MIDI data, and DVD-ROMs dwarf this capacity.
Keeping track of the work you store on this media is critical, according to Shapiro. "Good file-naming is essential," he says. "The best results are still usually with audio files [AIFF/.WAV] because you have the best control of how things end up sounding-although now there are MIDI file/sample-set formats used by game developers which provide consistent quality."
Shapiro, whose CD-ROM work includes Toy Story Animated Storybook, Toy Story Activity Center and Hercules Animated Storybook, is referring to the way MIDI has been implemented in multimedia presentations using the Quicktime Instruments synthesizers built into home computers. These tiny synthesizers, played back through a decent set of computer speakers, can sound okay, but system extension conflicts have caused disastrous problems.
"On the first Toy Story CD-ROM, Pixar's spec called for Quicktime Instruments and MIDI files to be used for much of the background music. I was apprehensive about this from the start," Shapiro says. "First of all, this meant they could include LOTS of music-I ended up transcribing huge amounts of Randy Newman's orchestral score into MIDI files which play behind most of the scenes. Talk about a lot of work. Second, I knew there would be problems with playback, because sound generation was dependent on the system setup. It turned out, if Quicktime wasn't installed right, then the music sounded horrible! All the drum parts defaulted to a piano sound, and it sounded like wrong notes!
"After that, most projects I have done have used audio file format," he continues. "The Disney projects also have tight schedules, because they tie in with the film release. Sometimes, I'd be waiting for a film scoring session to happen one day in L.A., so I could get the materials the next day in NY to do the corresponding scene for the CD project."
Shapiro says that working with .WAV and AIFF can reduce problems significantly: "It takes up more memory, but you know what you're hearing is what will be played back, crunched down to 44.1 and 8-bit. I delivered at 44.1/16-bit, they converted them down. Even the ones with Quicktime, I delivered AIFF as well as MIDI files. Used audio files for the main music, the important stuff. In order to get more music in the product, they incorporated the MIDI files.
"There is a new way of working with samples that the Sony PlayStation, for one, is incorporating," he continues. "The composer supplies MIDI files, but he also gets something like 2 megabytes worth of space for samples, and he or she writes specifically for these sounds. That eliminates a lot of the guesswork and problems that can occur when you write with a certain sound in your studio and the MIDI file gets played back by a completely different sound."
Frank Verderosa is a principal at Planet V, a full-service audio production company that caters to the needs of the advertising, television and independent film communities. In its three years of activity, Planet V has provided recording, mixing, original music and music licensing for a list of clients that include Nike, Bell Atlantic Mobile and Coca-Cola.
"When I first got involved with the Internet, I used to make fun of it. I would compare it to reading a magazine...while turning the pages as slowly as possible!" Verderosa says. "It has evolved so much since then, and I now embrace it as a resource, business tool and most recently as a source of income. I think that new technologies (Flash and the continuing evolution of MP3), have helped the Internet evolve from that slow-motion magazine into a way to express creative ideas using sound, video and animation.
"When Planet V started (about three years ago), one of our first clients was MSN, Microsoft Network," he continues. "Music was composed by Frank Verderosa and Tony Verderosa (aka 'VFX' who was part of the first single ever recorded on the Internet along with Thomas Dolby and Sinead O'Connor, among others) in the form of MIDI files to be streamed over the Internet. Each section of MSN was treated with a different music style, depending on the theme, topics and age group. The challenge back then was to make sure that the files would be universal. These days, Quicktime Instruments seem to be the standard for Mac and PC, but only a few years ago, you would have to compensate for differences between Soundblaster MIDI in the PC world vs. Quicktime MIDI in Macs.
"Although the MIDI files adhered to the layout of General MIDI, there were some programming difficulties that arose when playing them back on the PC after programming them on Yamaha's MU50 synth," Verderosa explains. "The problem was fixed with the purchase of some Roland synth modules that matched more closely how the tracks would be played back. The only real conflicts came from a difference in the lowest octave of the MU50 vs. the Roland standard. We would use some of the sound effects in General MIDI, pitched way down or way up to layer with the regular drum samples creating more interesting textures. The files were then sent via e-mail to the producers at MSN."
These days, Verderosa says, faster modems and faster ways to connect to the Internet allow audio to stream almost as fast as MIDI files used to. That creates new challenges. "A recent project for Planet V involved composing music against a 60-second piece of Flash animation to be streamed over the 'Net. When you mix for commercial work, you always check the mix on an Auratone or other small speaker to make sure it translates to all TVs and radios," he explains. "The Internet poses a new problem. The resolution of the audio is whittled down to AM radio quality or worse in order to be streamed fast enough. When mixing for this environment, special attention must be paid to compression and EQ to get the most out of what will be heard on someone's PC. Just like TV sets-not everyone has a nice set of speakers connected to their PC.
"It will be interesting to see how the business of audio-post begins to blend more with Internet content," he adds. "With DSL and cable modems becoming more affordable and more popular, the bandwidth for audio and video will increase. I imagine that soon the quality of what we see and hear will reach the level that TV has been at. The added ability of the Internet to be interactive within the content will make it a much more exciting medium than television has been. The current version of Quicktime gives you the ability to play back media content that is interactive. It will be great when that sort of thing can be sent over the 'Net in real time."
To contact Shapiro, e-mail email@example.com. For more information on Planet V, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Brittany Hargest
Vice President
Brittany Hargest is a Vice President at Greenspring Associates and is responsible for the sourcing and due diligence efforts on fund, direct and secondary opportunities as well as the management of the Business Intelligence and Associate/Analyst/Intern Programs. Prior to joining Greenspring, Brittany worked as a Manager in the tax practice for RSM fka McGladrey, LLP, in Baltimore. In that role, Brittany served a variety of middle market clients with a focus in Partnership Tax and Private Client Services. A Certified Public Accountant, Brittany graduated with Honors and received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she previously served as a board member on the Alumni Chapter Board.


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Clean bill for Todd Gurley's knee sets up massive showdown against Cowboys run defense
This is where frustrating countless fantasy football managers pays off.
At least the Los Angeles Rams hope so.
After sitting since Week 15 with knee inflammation and taking a cautious practice approach through the team's playoff bye, Rams running back Todd Gurley was a full participant during Thursday's final warmup ahead of Saturday's divisional round matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
McVay: Gurley 'looks explosive'
"He looks like Todd," head coach Sean McVay said Thursday. "He looks the explosive, great back that we're accustomed to seeing. He's feeling good. He's had a great week of preparation. And we're expecting him to be ready to go."
That's bad news for the Cowboys, but good news for neutral football fans.
Gurley vs. Dallas run defense an elite matchup
Gurley against the stout Cowboys defense will be one of the prime matchups to watch on football's biggest weekend.
The Cowboys were fourth in the league against the run this season, allowing 3.8 yards per attempt to opposing runners. They shut down Seattle's league-best running game on wild-card weekend, holding the Seahawks 87 yards short of their 160-yard average.
Gurley, meanwhile, tallied 1,251 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground in 14 games as arguably the most dangerous runner in the NFL.
So yeah. That should be fun to watch.
Gurley looked good on video
The Rams shared a video of Gurley high-stepping on Wednesday looking to assuage any lingering concerns about his knee.
.@TG3II on the move 👣#LARams pic.twitter.com/nBOUXNm6BC
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 9, 2019
"I was trying to get full speed, work on accelerating and decelerating," Gurley said of the footage. "… I don't have to keep getting tweets and Instagrams all day. They can just watch the video and see how my knee's doing."
We're not doctors, but his knee looks pretty good there.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Cardinals clap back at ESPN's Stephen A. Smith
• Coach gives Saints $225K reasons to be motivated
• MVP performance: Giannis outduels Harden
• Paylor: How Mahomes can help Chiefs avoid playoff flop


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Bring the whole family together with this exciting, fun, personalised pack of cards. Bring back traditional entertainment for kids, parents, friends and grandparents!
Our personalised pack of 32 cards consists of 8 characters, duplicated in the 4 suits. Choose 8 favourite characters from over 40 to choose from and then use your family and friends faces to make up the 8 different cards. Make your child into all 8 characters or add Mum, Dad, siblings, grandparents and even pets. For denominations of 8 it may require that some faces will be placed on more than one character (please don't forget to tell us who goes on which character).
The combinations are endless! It's very simple to personalise your pack of cards!
After your purchase, you will be redirected to an online form.
1. Choose 8 different characters from the 40 images on this page and list them on the form.
2. Send from 1 up to 8 different faces to put on the characters you chose. If you are sending in several photos, please make sure to tell us which face should go on which character.
3. Choose which character you would like on the front of the box (Must be one of the characters you picked for your game)
Feel free to email us or use the quick enquiry box at the bottom of this page if you need help with anything.


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A 17th place finish is a good finish for our team. I'm proud of it. Of course, I was still mad when I got out of the truck at Pocono.
We battled all day. On our first pit stop, we broke a shock. The right front of the truck never got back down in the racetrack afterwards. Anytime I was in the throttle, it was one of the tightest trucks I've ever driven. Unfortunately there wasn't much we could do to fix it.
We used some strategy & I was up to 7th on a restart in the middle of the race. I got smoked. We were 15th by the time we got to turn one. I thought I got through the gears alright, but our torque & horsepower disadvantage really showed when compared to the top trucks in the field.
I had to dodge several wrecks. Three happened right in front of us. I saw more aggressive driving during the race at Pocono than I've ever seen in a NASCAR race.
On the final restart I lined up 14th. I got a really good restart, and was able to move up to 13th, racing side-by-side with Jordan Anderson through turn one and into turn two. Jordan is a hard racer. I knew he wouldn't give me much room during the final four laps. We raced tight, but clean, for a whole lap.
As Jordan & I got to turn 2 with three to go, another driver made one of the dumbest moves I've ever seen.
He jumped to the inside of both of us, down to the apron, on the entry to the tunnel turn. The context here is that the tunnel turn at Pocono is one of the wildest corners in all of NASCAR. It's sharp, bumpy, & close to flat out. It's hairy to go through there side by side with one truck. Three-wide is a guaranteed wreck.
I was furious.
I got shoved up the track, slid sideways, saved it, backed out, lost all my momentum and lost a few more positions. Instead of finishing 15th, we backed up to 17th.
It was the final straw in a race full of nonsense. It's a perfect example of what's going on in the NASCAR Truck Series, and NASCAR in general. We've got a bunch of guys racing at this level that simply do not respect anyone.
They don't respect their teams. They tear stuff up every single week. They don't care about that. The teams are always funded enough to bring another one. They have no idea the amount of effort and time that goes into building & preparing these racecars every week.
They don't respect other drivers. Think about how many stupid, overly aggressive, unnecessary moves happened during our Pocono race. It's been that way all year. I've gotten put four wide for 25th place. Crowded in corners by torn up lapped trucks. I've watched guys turn into each other down a straightaway for 15th. It's insane.
They don't respect the effort it takes to get to this level. Guys have elite-level rides handed to them through tremendous amounts of sponsorship or family money. They've crushed people in lower divisions because their equipment is so much better than the field. When they get to the NASCAR level, they aren't prepared to race as closely as we have to race. Sure, the team taking their money tells them that they are, but it's obvious by the results that they aren't.
Worst of all, there are no consequences to any of this.
Think about the risk vs reward in my scenario. If it works, he just moved up to 13th, which is still not that big of a deal. If it doesn't, and I decide to keep us three-wide, then three trucks get totaled. Given our financial situation, our team would've probably been out of business. He was faster than both Jordan & I. He could've waited until turn three and it would've been a much easier, safer pass.
I was embarrassed to be a part of a race like that. Someone told me fans were booing us during stretches of the Pocono race. Not booing one driver; they were booing our entire series. We're supposed to be professionals. Ryan Ellis told me after the race that we didn't make it more than six laps without a caution flag. That's a joke.
You see, the perception is that we're the best drivers in the country. The NASCAR Truck Series is a top-three national stock car racing series. Top drivers. Top teams. The best of the best. To make it to this level it takes talent, determination, hard work & skill. That's simply not true.
We're not the best drivers in the country. We're the best drivers in the country that can afford it.
All it takes to make it to this level is money. You want to be a NASCAR Truck Series driver? Write a check. If you're 16 years old, have ever driven a racecar in your life, and have about $50,000-$150,000 lying around, then you can be a NASCAR driver. It's not about how talented you are. If you want to break into NASCAR then you have two options: be rich or be a great salesperson.
The only reason I get to be a NASCAR driver is because my father spent the money to start a NASCAR team. We're not millionaires. My dad owns a concrete business. He's had to spend every dime he's ever saved to give me an opportunity to compete at this level, and this is the third time we've done it.
Every time I race, I run the risk of ending my career. One too many crashes and we're done. It's been like that every time I've driven in NASCAR. Every one of my mistakes or unfortunate breaks on the racetrack has brought a tremendous burden to my family. Meanwhile, I see guys totaling trucks each and every week with impunity. It makes my blood boil.
The only thing that has held my career back is money. I've had team owners in the ARCA, Truck, & Xfinity series tell me I have the talent to be a race winning, championship level driver. All of them also asked my family for money to allow me to drive their racecars. When we couldn't afford it, those opportunities went away. It makes me wonder about the sincerity of their claims. Or does it even matter? The business model can't survive on talent alone. There has to be money attached to it. If a team won every race on the truck series schedule, they'd still lose money as a company if they were relying on prize money alone.
I desperately want the opportunity to showcase my talent. That's why we're out here. My dad and I believed if I could just be out here, that someone would notice. Maybe a team owner or a sponsor would give me a better chance than he could afford to give me. People have noticed. But talent has nothing to do with your progress in this sport. In the end, it all comes down to dollars and cents.
The industry has completely changed.
There are several guys in the truck series that are flat out unqualified to be there. They've proven it time and time again on national television. The NASCAR PR world desperately tries to define the public perception of these teams & drivers. Team press releases, media appearances, and television coverage all skew the truth of the matter: most of the sponsors you see at the lower levels aren't sponsors. You don't earn top rides in NASCAR anymore. You buy them. Then you try your best to cover it up to the general public or potential real sponsors.
A "development deal" is a kid bringing money to a team. A "development series" has become a place where teams can outspend the competition to help build resumes for newly crowned stars. People in the industry say the worst thing a young driver can do is get in bad equipment. How about finishing mid-pack or on the wrecker in great equipment? How does that make you look? Or does it even matter?
Every guy at the cup level has had someone pay for it. Whether it was their own family, a benevolent team owner, or a sponsor - someone paid the bill. To have success at the top levels of NASCAR, it takes a tremendous amount of money behind you. If someone tells you they made it on their own merit, that's not true. They might've caught the right person's eye and landed a good ride, but someone still paid for it.
Whoever brings the money is the one running the team. Team owners have no power anymore. If someone brings a sponsorship for a full season and they start tearing stuff up, what are they supposed to do? Throw them out? They can't! We've got drivers that have more power than the owners in the sport. When drivers pull sponsorship, entire teams shut down. Dozens of people's jobs rely on one driver's impression of the team. The crew can't get on them. If they hurt their feelings they might be out of a job.
We've allowed the top teams to completely take over the sport. At the lower levels, the only way a driver has a chance of standing out is to get in a top caliber ride. The fields aren't as deep as the starting lineup says they are. In the Xfinity Series, the only way you're going to win is to be with Gibbs, RCR, Roush or a cup affiliate. Those teams aren't scouting for talent. They're scouting for money. Or they just have it brought to them based on their winning reputation. They make money coming and going. I can't compete with my team without a great motor or truck. Guess who builds them? The teams I'm trying to beat! They won't sell me one of their best engines. I have to lease it for about $20,000-$30,000 per race. If I do buy one, it's going to be older and not nearly as competitive.
Sponsorship is a nightmare. We've allowed the costs in the sport to get so high that even small budget teams like ours are losing propositions. We're so desperate for money in our sport that we've allowed sponsors to completely dictate the terms of agreements instead of the other way around. As the prices have continued to rise, we've lost control. For the amount of money they're spending, sponsors want a guarantee. That's why every "famous" cup driver has 15 sponsors. That's why you see big teams with so many one-race sponsorships. Those same sponsors that might've sponsored me or another Xfinity or Truck series driver, instead chose to do partial deals with drivers that are already "branded names." No one wants to sponsor me. My dad didn't race. I don't have a family name to rely on. I've never won a race. When I say it costs $125,000 per race to win in the truck series, a sponsor scoffs at me. When Kyle Busch says it, people listen.
Do we even know who the best drivers are anymore? You don't have to be in the best car to win, but you've got to be in one of the best cars to win. Equipment has been a factor in racing for a lot longer than I've been around. It's called a motorsport for a reason. But it's never been more painfully apparent at every level of the sport.
Whoever is spending the most money is winning. That goes from local short tracks all the way up to the NASCAR level. Eventually, when you get to the cup series, everyone is spending a ton of money so it semi-levels out through about 30th place. Stroll through the Xfinity & Truck series. It's obvious who the haves & have nots are. There's a clear, wide, irreversible gap that can't be overcome by hard driving. They're supposed to be series to showcase talent good enough to go to the next level. Instead, they're series that showcase how great the top teams are compared to teams like us. The race winners aren't racing full field. They aren't racing against me. They're only racing the other guys in rides as good as theirs.
We can't go to a spec engine or some other form of spec racing. NASCAR tried with the Delta engine program. The big teams won't allow it. Why would they? They've invested millions and millions of dollars to get an advantage on teams like ours. But now the only way you can be noticed in the "development series" of Xfinity & Trucks is to either be affiliated with one of those major teams (which has an unrealistic price tag attached to it for 99.9% of drivers in the world) or just spend roughly the same amount of money on your own deal.
NASCAR isn't a sport anymore. It's a business.
When skill & talent aren't the primary factors that determine if someone can advance their career in a sport, then it's not a sport. What if Michael Jordan had to pay $1,000,000 to play for the Bulls. Would he have gotten to be an NBA player? That's what's going on in NASCAR. Careers are determined more by checkbooks & PR people than by results on the racetrack.
Dale Earnhardt wouldn't make it as a NASCAR driver in today's version of the sport. Neither would any of our old heroes. There's probably a driver out there with the charisma and talent to pack the grandstands for the next 20 years, and chances are they won't make it off their local short track. It's heartbreaking.
Sponsors aren't looking for drivers. Drivers are looking for sponsors. Competition isn't on the racetrack, it's in the boardroom. It's a race to see who can capture the biggest check from a corporate sponsor. If a driver has a connection with a company, they'll follow him to another team. Sponsors are currency. They define careers. I'd like to have a better resume to take to potential companies, but there's a glass ceiling unless I'm in a top-level ride. To get a ride like that it takes money, but to attract money it takes a ride like that. It's a chicken or the egg situation.
Until something changes, my career is stuck in neutral. And so is our sport.


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Mr. Awlaki, who was born in
American counterterrorism officials say Mr. Awlaki is an operative of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the affiliate of the terror network in Yemen and
It is extremely rare, if not unprecedented, for an American to be approved for targeted killing, officials said. A former senior legal official in the administration of
But the director of national intelligence,
The step taken against Mr. Awlaki, which occurred earlier this year, is a vivid illustration of his rise to prominence in the constellation of terrorist leaders. But his popularity as a cleric, whose lectures on Islamic scripture have a large following among English-speaking Muslims, means any action against him could rebound against the United States in the larger ideological campaign against
The possibility that Mr. Awlaki might be added to the target list was reported by The Los Angeles Times in January, and Reuters reported on Tuesday that he was approved for capture or killing.
"The danger Awlaki poses to this country is no longer confined to words," said an American official, who like other current and former officials interviewed for this article spoke of the classified counterterrorism measures on the condition of anonymity. "He's gotten involved in plots."
The official added: "The United States works, exactly as the American people expect, to overcome threats to their security, and this individual — through his own actions — has become one. Awlaki knows what he's done, and he knows he won't be met with handshakes and flowers. None of this should surprise anyone."
As a general principle, international law permits the use of lethal force against individuals and groups that pose an imminent threat to a country, and officials said that was the standard used in adding names to the list of targets. In addition, Congress approved the use of military force against Al Qaeda after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. People on the target list are considered to be military enemies of the United States and therefore not subject to the ban on political assassination first approved by President
Both the
At a panel discussion in Washington on Tuesday, Representative Jane Harman, Democrat of


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