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McCain: Obama not an Arab, crowd boos
Fearing the raw and at times angry emotions of his supporters may damage his campaign, John McCain on Friday urged them to tone down their increasingly personal denunciations of Barack Obama, including one woman who said she had heard that the Democrat was "an Arab."
Each time he tried to cool the crowd, he was rewarded with a round of boos.
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"I have to tell you. Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States," McCain told a supporter at a town hall meeting in Minnesota who said he was "scared" of the prospect of an Obama presidency and of who the Democrat would appoint to the Supreme Court.
"Come on, John!" one audience member yelled out as the Republican crowd expressed dismay at their nominee. Others yelled "liar," and "terrorist," referring to Obama.
McCain passed his wireless microphone to one woman who said, "I can't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh — he's an Arab. He's not — " before McCain retook the microphone and replied:
"No, ma'am. He's a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab]."
The public display of fear and unease over Obama comes at the end of a week in which other Republicans at McCain and Sarah Palin events expressed similar frustrations, a product of exasperation at the prospect of the Illinois senator becoming president and their own nominee not doing enough to prevent it.
McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, sought to tamp down concerns about the audience outbursts on a conference call earlier Friday, saying they were not a "big deal."
But that was before the highly-charged meeting in a high school gymnasium in Lakeville, Minn., Friday night.
In addition to the man who said he feared Obama as president, another predicted the Democrat would "lead the country to socialism."
"The time has come and the Bible tells us you speak the truth and that the truth sets you free," the man added.
Yet another voter implored McCain in plain terms: "The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight."
McCain promised the audience he wouldn't back down — but again sought to tamp down emotions.
"We want to fight, and I will fight," McCain said. "But I will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments, and I will respect him."
At which point he was booed again.
"I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," he added over the jeers. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."
The anger is plainly worrying McCain and his campaign. Already viewed with skepticism by the conservative base, they don't want to throw a proverbial wet blanket over the enthusiasm of the worker bees of the party. But they also fear a backlash from less partisan — and still undecided — voters seeing clips of the angry activists on TV and online.

subset: commoncrawl


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SEOUL (Reuters) - Global health officials agreed a deal on Monday to fight smuggling of tobacco products, a trade which robs governments of more than $40 billion in revenue each year and undercuts efforts to reduce smoking.
The measures include making it mandatory for member governments to license manufacturers and for tobacco packaging to be marked so the products can be tracked.
The agreement came at a meeting of the 176 member states to the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the South Korean capital Seoul and follows more than five years of negotiations.
"The protocol gives the world an orderly, rules-based instrument for countering and eventually eliminating a very sophisticated international criminal activity," WHO Director General Margaret Chan told the conference.
"Illicit trade is bad for health because it circumvents measures like taxes and price increases that are known to reduce demand."
Roughly one in 10 cigarettes, or 600 billion, are smuggled each year by organized gangs, experts say.
A study by the independent non-profit International Tax and Investment Center based in Washington said approximately 11 percent of the world cigarette market is illicit, resulting in annual loss in government revenue of more than $40 billion.
"There is evidence that the proceeds of the illicit trade in tobacco products funds both international criminal organizations
A network of civil society groups, the Framework Convention Alliance, called to pact a major step in curbing the illegal trade in tobacco products.
"The illicit trade in tobacco feeds the worldwide tobacco epidemic by flooding markets with cheap products and keeping tobacco taxes low," it said.
However, some countries where major tobacco companies are based, notably the United States, will not be subject to the anti-smuggling agreement because they have not ratified the original pact.
Industry giants Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco have previously said they would back a pact with effective measures against illicit trade.
Editing by Jonathan Thatcher


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It's been a strange road for The Crow remake. We've been covering the film since 2008, and during that time it's gone through multiple directors, writers, and lead actors. Now, it appears that The Crow is going through yet another change.
Most recently, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Hangover star Bradley Cooper were linked to the project. Fresnadillo is still directing the film, but it looks like he's going to need another star.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper has left the project due to scheduling conflicts with Alex Proyas' Paradise Lost. (Such is the life of a hot Hollywood A-lister.) Cooper's departure opens up the role for another actor, and, interestingly, one of the names being discussed is a blast from the past.
In addition to the news that Cooper is leaving the film, THR reports that Channing Tatum and Mark Wahlberg are being considered as possible replacements. Fans might recall that Wahlberg was offered the lead role for the film last year, but he announced that he would not be playing the part a couple of months later.
One of the reasons Wahlberg said he dropped out of The Crow was because his preferred director (Stephen Norrington) was no longer attached to the film. Considering that Norrington still isn't on board, it seems unlikely that Wahlberg would return to the project, but stranger things have happened.
The rumor that Channing Tatum may be involved the project makes more sense, and could actually be a good turn for the actor. With lead roles in films like G.I. Joe, Tatum has become a legitimate movie star and is one of the few actors in Hollywood that could get audiences excited about yet another Hollywood remake. Whether you like him or not, he definitely fits the part and makes sense from the studio's perspective.
What do you think? Is Cooper's departure disappointing? Could Channing Tatum succeed in a gritty reboot of The Crow, or will nobody be able to fill Brandon Lee's shoes as the vengeful rocker Eric Draven?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter


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Today's look centers around a fall/winter prerequisite: a warm and exceedingly dapper top coat. But we're equally enthused by the finishing touches we picked to accentuate the official GQ selections—like Hav-A-Hank's paisley pocket square (available in 8 eye-catching colors) and budget-wise gloves by Topman.
Michael Bastian Double-Breasted Houndstooth Top Coat. "Every guy needs a great top coat this season. When done right, like this Michael Bastian number, it works for any occasion, from a black-tie ball to the office to weekend errands. Bastian's is modernized by its slimmer peak lapels. The trim double-breasted silhouette ensures this coat will look good over any and all of your fall outfits."
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)
Allen Edmonds 'MacNeil' Oxford. "When we talk about wingtips at GQ we talk about them with a lot of passion and gravitas. A black wingtip is one of the most worthwhile and elegant shoes a man can have in his wardrobe. It stands up to dressier fall flannels but looks just as appropriate with a pair of khakis or corduroy jeans. This pair walks the line perfectly between being too chunky and too refined—the proportions are just right. They're made in America, and with a little care, these will last 20 years. Guys can rest assured they will never go out of style."
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)
Nordstrom's picks to complete the look:
Hav-A-Hank Pocket Square | Brixton Driver's Cap | Jack Spade Henley
Topman Burgundy Stripe Gloves | Obey Fingerless Gloves | Topman Navy Stripe Gloves
Each month, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men's Fashion Director Tommy Fazio and the Men's Shop, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.
For the latest edition of GQ Selects, we've chosen 15 favorites from the November issue—from immaculate outerwear to unexpected accessories. Check back each month for more.


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Precision Hardwood Flooring LLC has been providing wood floor installation in Bergen County, NJ community for many years by providing affordable and quality hardwood installation services. Our company has made a commitment to its customers to always offer a large variety of hardwood flooring styles as well as experienced professionals who can install these floors the way they should be. We guarantee that you will be highly satisfied with all of our work.
We offer Bergen County hardwood flooring installation from a number of notable brands, such as:
We like to hear from the community and are always willing to work with our customers to provide them with what they want. If you would like to learn more about our Bergen County hardwood floor installation services and want to receive a free quote, call Precision Hardwood Flooring LLC at 845-369-8814.
Precision Hardwood Flooring - Your trusted provider for Wood Floor Installation in Bergen County, NJ.


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I first heard about HIV in high school in Far Rockaway, Queens. But not as much as I would have liked. They showed us a movie called "Kids" and I felt scared about what the main character, a straight female, went through. Her appearance terrified me!
But I didn't connect with the information they gave me because they only focused on straight relationships. I began to feel attracted to boys at age ten, so I felt like my feelings were not counted or accepted. I kept my thoughts to myself and just listened to what everyone else said. There was nothing in the sex ed class about gays.
I came out to my friends and some cousins when I was in 10th grade. In December 2011, I came out to my family after the school contacted my mom about a rumor about me and another boy. I felt scared and alone, and I was afraid that I was going to get kicked out of my house because I was gay. Fortunately, that didn't happen. But my parents didn't want to accept that I was gay, so I never brought it up again. Since my family didn't really talk about sex, I never talked about it with them either.
I had my first boyfriend when I was 17. He was my age and we always used condoms when we had sex. But after we broke up a year and a half later, I wanted to try new things. I found a new boyfriend who was a couple of years older, and the condoms just kinda came off. I had a little bit of concern about that, but I just put it in the back of my head and didn't think about it. He told me he was tested for HIV every three months and was negative.
"I wasn't thinking about HIV because I never really learned about it. The only thing they talked about was that you could die from it. And everyone they showed us who had HIV looked really sick. My boyfriend looked healthy, so I never thought he could have HIV."
To be honest, I wasn't thinking about HIV because I never really learned about it. The only thing they talked about was that you could die from it. They never talked about anal sex. And everyone they showed us who had HIV looked really sick. They were all thin and looked like they were dying. My boyfriend looked healthy, so I never thought he could have HIV.
I had an HIV test in July 2012 and I was negative, but when I tested again in November, I was diagnosed with HIV. My heart stopped, and all I could think about was death. I felt scared. I told my boyfriend the same day and he said he didn't have it but he still loved me and stuff like that. He eventually admitted that he did have HIV. I didn't think to talk about it when we were dating. Now I know you can't tell if a person is infected or not.
I feel like society failed me because people don't teach you truthful information about STD s and HIV. People teach more about straight sexuality and not about LGBT sex. I wish society could teach better about LGBT-specific issues because not everyone lives a straight life and they're hurting kids that might feel lost, like I was.
The other gay guys I knew in high school never talked about HIV. I think they thought like I did, that you could tell who has HIV because they looked unhealthy.
I honestly thought I would never get HIV, because I learned to think that you can tell if somebody has HIV, the skinny body and pale face. But I was so stupid to believe those stories I heard. I never knew that there were medications that could keep you healthy when you have HIV so no one could tell if you had it. The only thing I learned is that HIV kills you.
Now I speak to my friends about HIV a lot. Some of them are partners that I told. They didn't even know about it and they said we could be friends, but they shut me down. Some of them think you can get it just by sharing things, to this day. I showed them some info and told them that wasn't true.
There should be a spokesperson who is living with HIV who goes to schools to show them that you don't have to look unhealthy if you have it. The school should let you know that it's unnoticeable and that you can catch it without knowing that your partner is infected. Advertise it -- do a TV commercial about it -- there's not much of that. There should be books about it in schools that tell the whole story. They should give out more information and not just scare the kids.


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Leggings can be very comfortable and versatile when it comes to styling. If you like leggings don't be afraid to wear them. It may be true that leggings outline the body, showing each and every contour you have, so if you have a curvier figure, they can be tricky to wear. However, there are some tips women can use to feel trendy and confident wearing plus size leggings. Plus Size Leggings Style Tips: Fabric When purchasing plus size leggings you need to pay special attention to the quality and the opaqueness of the fabric. It is imp... Read More


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Manning acquitted of aiding enemy
FORT MEADE, Md. — A military judge Tuesday acquitted Pfc. Bradley Manning of aiding the enemy — the most serious charge the Army intelligence analyst faced for leaking hundreds of thousands of classified military reports and diplomatic cables.
Manning was convicted on all but one of the lesser charges considered by the judge, Army Col. Denise Lind, in connection with the website WikiLeaks's receipt of the largest breach of classified material in U.S. history.
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The suspense at Tuesday's five-minute-long court martial session was limited because Manning previously pled guilty to at least portions of 10 of the 22 counts he faced. Also restraining the drama was the absence of a military jury, which the defendant waived.
( Also on POLITICO: Bradley Manning attorney: Analyst had humanitarian motives)
Lind made no comments and displayed no emotion as she read her verdicts, which followed almost three months of witnesses and evidence which the judge heard as the sole fact-finder in the case.
After warning spectators in the packed courtroom to avoid any outbursts, Lind recited a list of the charges, adding her "not guilty" or — more often — "guilty" to each. She also accepted and described changes in some of the charges that the defense offered with Manning's guilty pleas.
The aiding-the-enemy charge could have resulted in a sentence of up to life in prison or even in the death penalty, but the military did not seek capital punishment in Manning's case.
Manning faces a potential sentence of up to 136 years in prison on the charges he was found guilty of Tuesday. The charges to which the Army intelligence analyst pled guilty carried a potential sentence of about 20 years.
( Also on POLITICO: Manning prosecution sums up in WikiLeaks case)
Manning did not dispute the fact that he sent WikiLeaks most of the material that led to the charges against him. However, his defense argued that some of the counts were legally flawed.
Defense attorney David Coombs also argued that Manning leaked the reports, cables and some other material because he grew angry about what he saw as U.S. military indifference to civilian casualties.
"We won the battle, now we need to go win the war," Coombs told reporters Tuesday, referring to the upcoming sentencing phase. "Today is a good day, but Bradley is by no means out of the fire."
Prosecutors contend that Manning was guilty of aiding the enemy because knew what he sent to WikiLeaks would wind up in the hands of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
However, Manning's defense and First Amendment advocates expressed concern about the aiding-the-enemy charge, saying it could convert almost any leak of classified information to the media into an aiding-the-enemy case since terrorist groups have access to most media reports and websites via the Internet.
The Army intelligence analyst was arrested in May 2010 at a forward operating base in Iraq where he studied threats in a section of Baghdad. Manning, now 25, has been in custody since.
Lind ordered the sentencing phase of Manning's court martial to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Prosecutors are expected to call witnesses demonstrating the harm caused by Manning's disclosures, while the defense will seek to undercut that evidence and argue for leniency.
Reaction to the judge's verdicts varied.
"Justice has been served today," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and ranking member Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) said in a statement. "Pfc. Manning harmed our national security, violated the public's trust, and now stands convicted of multiple serious crimes. There is still much work to be done to reduce the ability of criminals like Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden to harm our national security."
Manning was convicted on six counts of violating the Espionage Act, but critics said such serious charges should not have been brought in the first place in a case like Manning's.


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If you don't want your upper arms waving long after you've said goodbye, you'll need to work on your triceps.
The supine triceps extension, sometimes called the skull crusher, is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to sculpt this muscle. The move, demonstrated here by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak is featured on his "Harley's Hollywood Workout" video game.
What it does
This exercise tones your triceps — the biggest muscle in your arms — making them look longer and leaner.
What to do
Lie down on a mat with your back flat against the floor, knees bent, with the soles of the feet touching the floor.
With or without light hand weights, extend your arms straight up to the ceiling in line with your shoulders. Slowly bend your forearms back from the elbow behind your ears. Then raise them back to the starting position, keeping your lower back pressed into the floor and elbows pointing straight up.
How much
Do 20 repetitions of the exercise, working up to two or three sets.


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Former President George W. Bush said Russia's President Vladimir Putin sees the United States as its enemy and he tried to convince Putin to change his opinion while president.
"I got to know him very well,'' Bush told his daughter and "Today" correspondent Jenna Hager Bush on Friday's show. "I had a good relationship throughout. It became more tense as time went on."
He added: "Although he wouldn't say that, I felt he viewed the world as either U.S. benefits and Russia loses, or vice versa. I tried to, of course, dispel him of that notion."
Bush, who found painting as his new passion after leaving the White House in 2009, painted a portrait of Putin and 23 other world leaders. Those paintings will go on display Saturday as part of the exhibit "The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy" at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
On "Today," Bush also recounted a meeting with Putin he thought revealed a lot about the former KGB officer.
"As you know, our dear dog Barney, who had a special place in my heart — Putin dissed him and said, 'You call it a dog?''' Bush told Hager. "A year later, your mom and I go to visit and Vladimir says, 'Would you like to meet my dog?' Out bounds this huge hound, obviously much bigger than a Scottish terrier, and Putin looks at me and says, 'Bigger, stronger and faster than Barney.'
Bush said he "just took it in" and didn't react.
"I just said, 'Wow. Anybody who thinks 'my dog is bigger than your dog' is an interesting character.' And that painting kind of reflects that," Bush said.
The exhibit is Bush's first as an artist, and also includes portraits of his father, former President George H. W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as artifacts, photographs and personal reflections. It runs through June 3.
"I don't think he has [seen it],'' Bush said about Blair's portrait. "No telling how these people are going to react when they see their portrait. I think I told Tony I was painting him, but he kind of brushed it off, so to speak.
"He said, 'You painted my portrait?' I hope he likes it. I like it because it conveys a compassionate person and a strong person and a reliable friend."
Bush said his favorite portrait to paint was that of this dad.
"I watched him very carefully through his presidency," Bush said. I always admired him as a man. It was a joyful experience to paint him. I painted a gentle soul."
Bush said former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, also a painter, was his inspiration to pick up a brush and hire an instructor.
"She said, 'What's your goal?' and I said, 'Well, there's a Rembrandt trapped in this body,''' Bush said. "Your job is to unleash him."
"Has she?" Hager asked.
"Time will tell," Bush replied.


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As The World Turns... Against Israel
By Shira Sorko-Ram
Now, each year the UN hosts a formal event and commiserates with the Palestinians over their misfortune from the UN's passage of resolution 181! This year a map of the Middle East was presented at the event attended by Kofi Annan and the presidents of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, but the state of Israel was no where to be seen on the map!
In the past, liberal theologians have warned Israelis and American Jews against evangelical Christians, charging that their love for Israel is not rooted in regard for the Jews, but merely "a byproduct of their desire to witness the Second Coming of Christ."
However, Israel is not only increasingly appreciative of evangelical Christians, but is increasingly anxious about the all-out anti-Semitic war now being perpetrated by some liberal branches of Christianity and their Palestinian associates.
For example, one third of the Anglican's church statements on human rights issues have been aimed at Israel, whereas, nations such as China, North Korea, Syria or Saudi Arabia who have intolerable human rights records have never even been mentioned.
In the last couple of years, many liberal churches have initiated anti-Israel campaigns - that is, they have resolved to withdraw investments from companies owned by Israelis, or that even do business with Israeli companies, and these churches suggest that all of their members do the same.
Last summer, a Presbyterian committee accused megacompanies such as Caterpillar, Citigroup and Motorola of contributing to the "ongoing violence that plagues Israel and Palestine," and pledged to use the church's multimillion-dollar stock holdings in the businesses to pressure them to stop. The church has about 2.4 million members. (Ibid., 7July05)
Following the example of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., the World Council of Churches, the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church have all suggested divestment from Israel in the past year. (Ibid.)
In June 2005, the Anglican Consultative Council in Nottingham, England, unanimously recommended the anti-Israel divestment policy around the world. Their resolution followed a decision by the U.S. Episcopal (Anglican) Church to take steps to prevent its churches' investments from "inadvertently supporting Israeli occupation." (Ecumenical News International, 5July05)
When the United Church of Christ was considering the introduction of anti-Israel divestment issues, a committee of anti-divestment speakers won a commitment from the UCC not to include a call for divestment against Israel. However, at the last minute, John H. Thomas, president of the UCC, held a clandestine late-night meeting, inviting only a select group of men, and pushed through a strong divestment resolution. He later wrote that had they not passed the resolution, "[It would have been] injurious to our relationships with Palestinian partners. In addition, we felt it would send the wrong signal to the Jewish community [i.e. they might think the UCC approved of Israel's policies]." (http://www.ucctruths.com/2005 AugustArchive.html)
Divestment calls are being led by a network of dozens of Palestinian charities, unions and non-governmental organizations. Such organizations provide bridges to wide church involvement in this propaganda campaign. Even organizations such as Christian Aid, World Vision and War on Want use the ever-present double standard of singling out Israel for excessive attack but failing to even mention the terrorism that is dedicated to extinguishing the Jewish state. (J.P.17July05)
Of course, the World Council of Churches claims it is calling for divestment in order to work "for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians." American Jewish leaders like Rabbi David Rosen said, "The divestment call, far from furthering reconciliation only increases a climate of delegitimization of Israel, drawing an unjust parallel between Israel and South Africa." It clearly gives encouragement to the Palestinian public that one day Israel will no longer exist. (Ibid.,2Aug05)
The outspoken Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, himself a Jew, condemned "the delegitimization and demonization of Israel." He declared that this is nothing more or less than the classic anti-Semitic symbolism of Israel as the "poisoner" of the international "well" that has plagued Israel for 2000 years. (Ibid.,21July05)
And so we ask: Why are politicized church groups calling for divestment from Israel but not from countries well-known for their terrorism, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria?Simple…fulfillment of scripture: And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:3)
Maoz Partners write letters to the Government of Israel:
We Evangelical Christians support Israel in every way we can, but we do not and will not look the other way while this persecution is happening to Jewish Believers in Jesus. If this situation is shown on the Christian media, and I believe it should be; then you will not be seen in a very favorable light by millions of Christians.
To allow this group of religious extremists to shout obscenities about Jesus - and especially at the children of Jewish Messianic believers - is absolutely deplorable! The police, who do nothing about it, are also as guilty.
The Gur Hassidim are not behaving in a Godly way. If this type of treatment was happening to Jewish people by other religious groups, then they would be called Anti-Semitic. Clearly the Gur Hassidim's actions are no different!
We urge you to stop this persecution from happening and make such actions a criminal offence for them to do so in the future. You are a democracy and this activity should NOT be allowed to happen.
My understanding is that the Israeli authorities there turn a blind eye to the Haredi harassment, attacks, vandalism and even alleged arson in the burning of a chess-playing club owned by one of the Messianic minority. Newspapers report that even the police fear that there will soon be the loss of life in this wave of intense persecution against this religious minority.
Is there Freedom of Worship in democratic Israel or not?
I'm told that in the Jewish State of Israel you can be a Buddhist, a Bahai, or even a gay or lesbian - and your democratic rights are fully protected and upheld. But if you are a Messianic Jew, civil rights are overlooked; and authorities will only take action to protect your life and liberties if and when there is bloodshed. Is this correct? Is this correct in Arad??
If so, this is unacceptable in a free, democratic society!
I (and our many thousands of Evangelical Christian listeners to our radio network) urge YOU to actively respond to this trampling of the rights of the Messianic believers in all Israel and particularly in Arad. Please show the world that you have learned the lessons of the 1930s in Germany and that Freedom of Worship in Israel includes an active tolerance for the beliefs of all people—especially minorities like the Messianic Jews.
May I please request a response from you? Thank you.
Israelis have enough persecution from terrorist groups and the surrounding nations - must Israelis also be attacked by their own brothers?
Moreover, I understand that upon the burning and destroying of a local Bible library/chess club belonging to these persecuted Messianic Jews, the police showed absolutely no concern for the people who were the victims of the terrorist-like acts that are being done in Arad.
This inhumanity and cruelty must be stopped immediately. If it is not, Israel's foreign policy, tourism industry, trade, religious freedom, public security, reputation, and immigration will surely be drastically affected.
I am asking you, Israel's government, to put an end to this violence and to the decidedly anti-democratic crimes which the Gur Chassidim are committing.
Politically, I support Israel because of my faith in Jesus. Millions of believers around the world support Israel because of their faith in Jesus. Why should Orthodox Jews persecute believers who support Israel? Why do Muslims get protection under the Israeli Basic Law but not followers of Jesus who support Israel? Muslims believe Israel must die but followers of Jesus believe Israel must live! Why don't you support believers in Jesus who believe in Israel?! Do Orthodox Jews have a death wish for the state of Israel? Their actions in Arad are reminiscent of Nazi persecution of Jews before WWII! Please enforce the democratic safeguards of your Basic Law!
What is really frightening in the internet video [see November 2005 Maoz Israel Report] are the actions of the Orthodox children. A seed of HATE is being planted. You see one little boy sticking his tongue out and making faces. Those adults are transferring and planting a seed of hate. I think that this hatred is the greatest injustice.
Put out these sparks of anti-Semitism!!! Please do SOMETHING before someone dies or gets hurt. PLEASE!! These Messianic Jews should be afforded their rights to practice their beliefs in peace.
You may send your own letter of protest by email to the Israeli Police spokesman at email@example.com or the Justice Ministry at email@example.com
It has been about three months since my last visit to Arad; and although I had hoped that things would have improved for the believers there, I soon discovered that the situation had actually worsened.
This time, returning with my husband who is the accountant for Maoz, our goal was to present much needed financial help to both the congregational leader, Yakim Figueras and also to Eddie and Lura, the owners of the King's Men Chess Club and Bible Shop that had been tragically burned down.
Though his bosses fought hard to keep him, Yakim felt it was time to leave in order to work full-time in ministry and oversee his growing congregation. And indeed, though some searchers have been frightened away from the congregation because of the persecution, others are coming because of the free publicity that the Gur Hassidim are giving them. Although a substantial sum of financial assistance his family was receiving from another ministry was coming to an end as of January 2006, Yakim had no intention of leaving Arad. He was simply bringing this request before the Lord whom He believed would faithfully provide. He has!
We were able to present Yakim with the first of many monthly checks (which he informed us was nearly the identical amount of what he had been receiving).It is our hope to continue this assistance for a long time to come, believing in the worthiness of this living testimony. We continue to pray for the Spirit of the Living God to breathe upon this town (which has the purest air in all of Israel) and use these events to bring forth a great awakening to the citizens of Arad which will spill over and impact the rest of the country.
From Yakim's house, we continued on to the marketplace in the center of town where the once burnt-down chess club is undergoing steady restoration as funds come in. Eddie took us through the very small structure which houses the club for the faithful pensioners. They wouldn't miss a day of domino and chess playing with those who have become for them a close-knit family. Eddie showed us the large 5-gallon bottles of water that are ordered regularly and stored in the club, providing these men with the ability to walk in and make themselves as many cups of tea or coffee that they would like during the day. He says, "This small service makes them feel they are important."
About five weeks ago, Eddie and Lura began to hold Shabbat services at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, immediately after the Shabbat morning tournament finishes. A few of the pensioners have begun to attend. They feel called to pray for the sick, knowing that the signs and wonders which will undoubtedly follow their prayers will draw others in as they see lives change.
We presented Eddie and Lura with a $10,000 check to rebuild the club and properly secure it with cameras and an alarm system. They quickly began making the rounds from table to table, showing these elderly men that believers in Yeshua from all over the world wanted to invest in them. These men could hardly believe their eyes! It was quite a scene. We cannot express how blessed and privileged we feel to be able to tangibly help the believers of Arad to stand strong in the face of this persecution which has been ongoing for several years. In recent months, the persecution has escalated to alarming proportions.
We returned home with the knowledge that something of great significance is about to break loose in Arad which will begin to shake this desert area of Israel in a new way. We ask you to continue to pray for the believers as it's not easy to live under these difficult conditions day after day. Mostly, we ask you to pray for the eyes of the persecutors to be opened to see their Savior, the One pierced that theirs will be a Damascus Road experience which will radically change the fabric of this nation as we continue to claim Romans 11:26 "All Israel Shall Be Saved."
Form Response From Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Maoz partners: (Note our comments in red to their response!)
Thank you for your query.
Israel does not discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation or creed. Christian and Muslim citizens and permanent residents of Israel enjoy full equal rights. Messianic Jews who are citizens also enjoy equal rights. [This is obviously an inaccurate statement in regards to the believers of Arad.]
However, a Messianic Jew from abroad who seeks to become an Israeli citizen will not be considered acceptable under the Law of Return, which excludes Jews who have taken up another religion. [The subject of Messianic Jews who have immigrated has little to do with the persecution in Arad because Jewish immigrants, native-born Jews and Christians married to Jews are all being persecuted.] Native born Israeli Messianic Jews cannot lose their citizenship by virtue of their religious beliefs.
Friction has occurred between groups of Messianic Jews and their surrounding communities, whenever the Messianic Jews have been perceived as attempting to proselytize. [The ultra-Orthodox wish to make their own rules. There are no better organized and well-padded campaigns to garner Jewish converts to their brand of Judaism than the missionary efforts of the ultra-Orthodox of Israel. They stand at traffic lights, handing out literature and soliciting donations, own cafes and centers around the country. They have counters in the airport and other public places. They offer university scholarships and many other benefits to young people who will attend their synagogues, etc. Secular Israeli parents have in sorrow told us that their own children have been lured away and separated from them after being proselytized by the ultra-Orthodox.]
This is because non-messianic Jews consider them [i.e. Messianic Jews] apostates bent on proselytizing Jews and luring them away from the Jewish people. This is particularly so regarding Jews from the former Soviet Union who lack a strong Jewish upbringing when they come to Israel and face a crisis of identity. [Seventy percent of Israelis are secular and do not have a "strong Jewish upbringing" if that is interpreted as meaning they have not been brought up in an Orthodox home. Democracy by definition demands a free exchange of ideas through non-violent means.]
What seems to be hard for supporters of Messianic Jews to accept is that their very presence might be the cause of considerable friction with their Jewish neighbors, particularly when they are perceived as attempting to proselytize their Jewish neighbors. With all due respect to the religious freedom of Messianic Jews, if their behavior is perceived as antagonistic vis a vis the religious freedom of Israeli Jews, they invite a negative response.[This "negative response" of intolerance and hatred is the same spirit that Muslims display towards Israel. As this letter confesses, "their [the Messianic Jews] very presence" incites violence and intimidation among ultra-Orthodox.]
That said, there is of course no justification for violence, whether verbal or otherwise. If Messianic Jews feel they have been the victims of violence or any other injustice, they have recourse to the police, the courts, and the media. [The police have been contacted numerous times and have done nothing. There is a legal case pending which has been initiated by persecuted believers from Arad.]
Curiously, despite the recent, well orchestrated campaign in the United States on behalf of the Messianic Jews of Arad, [The government is clearly aware of letters protesting the persecution!] there has been only a single report in the Israeli press about harassment. [There have been 26 newspaper articles in Israel that we know of, and two Israeli TV reports. The believers, being a tiny minority, have been disinclined to aggressively fight the persecution.] This is the kind of story that would generate lots of coverage -- were there much substance to it.
The Gur Hassidim are evidently reacting to what they perceive as attempts to proselytize Jews. Israeli Jews don't proselytize Armenians, or Arab Christians, or Arab Muslims, or Hindus, or anyone else. On the other hand, throughout history Christian groups have tried to convert Jews, often by the sword. [It is true that Christianity has a grave history of trying to force Jews to convert. Nevertheless, today, in the democratic state of Israel, there must be a free flow of ideas and religious freedom, else the State cannot be democratic. Today, the Bible-believing Christians throughout the world are Israel's best friends. Furthermore, the Messianic Jews of Israel are strongly against converting Jews to another religion. Rather, they are bringing their people back to the truths of the Bible, back to the God of Israel and back to Yeshua, the King of the Jews.] It is unfortunate when the most loving, God-fearing, Messianic Jews ignore this and are then surprised or affronted by the hostility of believing Jews who consider them to be a threat.
Since your query relates to an internal issue, please contact the Israel Police spokesman: firstname.lastname@example.com. If you fail to obtain satisfaction from the police, you could try our Justice Ministry at firstname.lastname@example.com. You might also consider writing a letter to the editor of The Jerusalem Post [email@example.com] or Haaretz [email@example.com] newspapers. [GOOD IDEA!]
Information and Internet Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem
First, being a Messianic Rabbi myself, I know the importance of the local Messianic congregation - it is the very heart of Jewish revival. Ari and Shira's congregation, Tiferet Yeshua, is a dynamic and growing Messianic Congregation in the midst of Tel Aviv, Israel. Their 10th anniversary service which I attended was packed with Israelis and was exciting. When Ari asked how many people had begun to attend the congregation in the last two years, I was amazed to see a majority of hands go up. This shows that Jewish revival has intensified in Israel in the last two years and that Tiferet Yeshua is poised and positioned to reap and to disciple this new harvest. These young believers are blessed to be under their seasoned leadership.
Secondly, the work Maoz is doing to translate books into the Hebrew language is remarkable and of monumental importance. Being in the basement of their headquarters and looking at pallets of books that have been translated into Hebrew, I saw before my eyes the means by which the nation can be discipled. These outstanding books are being used not only by Maoz, but also by ministries throughout Israel to teach and disciple new believers and to train and strengthen new emerging leaders in Israel.
Finally, I was amazed by the amount of financial assistance that istandwithisrael.com has given to individual Israelis in need, to ministers of the Gospel who are in need and to various Messianic ministries throughout Israel. I consider it an honor to be associated with such an effective and generous ministry in the land of Israel."
Norma SarvisSuccat Hallel Intercessory MinistryKatzir Youth Ministry, Maoz U.S.A. Board MemberJerusalem"I so appreciate Maoz and their heart for this nation. I see a deep desire to raise up a generation of leaders in the Body and a generation of nation-changers who will impact Israel for the furtherance of the Kingdom. I personally have seen them help those who are desperate and hurting. For the first time Israelis have access to Spirit food in the books that Maoz is translating and offering to the Body at large."
There are only a handful of ministries in Israel that are making a difference and truly reaching out to the indigenous population. Maoz is one of them. I consider it a privilege to be part of such an effective ministry reaching God's Chosen People!"
Dr. Dan (and Helen) Delap M.A.,D.O.The New Jerusalem Dancers Maoz Administrator, Maoz UK, LondonThe Bible teaches us that God's end-time plan for the world depends upon His beloved people Israel turning back to him and inviting His Son, the Messiah Yeshua, to return to Jerusalem. The devil hates this idea and will do everything possible to prevent it. That is why Messianic believers in Israel are involved in the most intense spiritual battle of all time. This is what motivates Helen and me to give so much time and energy to Maoz.
We have visited Israel many times in the last 10 years and have seen our congregation grow from a tiny beginning to a thriving vibrant force to be reckoned with, 250 strong. When we visited in October we were astonished at the dedication, talent, and professionalism of the team. The members of Congregation Tiferet Yeshua are truly living in obedience to the Lord's command to love one another, to build up strong bonds, to witness to others, to develop leaders, to make wonderful music and to minister to one another. It was heart-warming to hear about the bonds of love between Jewish and Arab believers. There is a great children's and youth ministry. We were particularly impressed by the high-tech equipment for recording tapes, videos and CD's, and for printing and distributing Hebrew books.
The teaching of God's Word is of paramount importance and Jews possess unique skills in explaining scripture. Members of Tiferet Yeshua are the beneficiaries of inspired exposition of the Word but it needs also to go out to the Nations. Already the message has been taken to Japan, Burkina Faso, India, the USA, Canada, England, Wales, Ireland and Germany. We long for the day when all Israel will be saved, when those greater riches will bless the whole world and the Word of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem."
We really enjoyed meeting so many people who were enthusiastic and evangelistic. We also enjoyed meeting many of the talented people you have: singers, musicians and technicians who produce videos and DVD's to such a high standard and who also print books in Hebrew for distribution throughout Israel.
Finally the fellowship we experienced, especially at the barbecue, made us feel very welcome; and we felt that this event was a wonderful way of reaching out to those with questions and unbelievers. We send you our love and we remember you constantly in our prayers.
I could see on my visit this time that truly, people are the purpose. It seems the Lord is assembling an 'A Team' to lead the assault on the strongholds we all know exist in the land.
What they are producing is impressive...but who they are is even more impressive. Our people are committed to the vision that Ari and Shira have had for all these years. And now, the vision is becoming a reality every day. Books are being printed; lives are being changed; and families are prospering. The congregation is vibrant and growing. Truly Yeshua is Lord and Messiah of their lives! It is an exciting time to be a part of what God is doing in Israel through Maoz Israel Ministries."
I have easily bonded with the Maoz vision of "All Israel shall be saved." It seems no effort is being spared toward that goal--from nurturing a Messianic congregation that would make an impact on fellow-Israelis to respond to their Living Messiah, to translating books into Hebrew for new believers who need faith-building materials, to supporting the needy and hurting through the istandwithisrael.com fund, to investing in quality and depth of Biblical teaching.
As part of their calling to be a light to the nations, Maoz has been reaching out to remote places, such as, Burkina Faso in Africa. Ari and Shira have truly been God's representatives there, encouraging the poor with the love of God and His heart for Israel. Then they inspired our congregation back in Israel to contribute financially toward improving the lives of people in such an underdeveloped African country.
Thanks to Maoz' financial and prayer support of Arab congregations, Jews and Arabs can worship together in unity of heart and relate to each other in a newly found freedom, which is truly the fulfillment of the Lord's heart for these two peoples.
I have been one of those who have been enabled by Maoz to materialize their calling. Maoz has helped me to finance my training in Biblical counseling. I currently serve as a counselor in the congregation, a fellow-laborer in the white fields, preparing for the harvest."
One of the areas of their ministry that I MOST appreciate is istandwithisrael.com. They are raising funds through this ministry, which are being channeled directly into the hands of believers in the Land who have specific needs. I am personally acquainted with some of these cases and I know the very positive impact these gifts are having."
January 2006
Dear Maoz Partner,
It is clear to us that these are the days that Isaiah prophesied would come upon the peoples of the world in the last days: "For behold, darkness will cover the earth...."
OK…so that's about the earth....
But what about us? Isaiah promised: "But the Lord will rise upon you...and nations will come to your light." Isaiah 60:2-3
This prophecy is addressed to the believers in Israel AND all the believers in the world who have been grafted into Israel's olive tree! This means you and me!
So as it gets darker, our Light shines clearer and brighter! As gross darkness covers the peoples, the glory of the Lord will certainly rise upon us who are redeemed by God. He has promised it!
So what is God going to do this year through you and through us? He is going to empower us to:
1. Raise up leaders to pastor Congregation Tiferet Yeshua and plant additional congregations.
2. Strengthen the Israeli Body of believers economically.
3. Publish twelve or more books in Hebrew.
4. Preach Yeshua the Messiah and evangelize our people.
5. Energize an army of intercessors in Israel
6. Build the faith of Israeli believers to experience signs and wonders
7. Bless other ministries in the Land.
You enable us to do this and more. You partnership is just as necessary and significant as our part in the work we are doing here on location.
And we always keep in mind that as the number of born-again Israelis grow, so will the outpouring of God's Spirit increase across the world, including your world for God has so ordained. (Romans 11:12-15)
It's one of the very few certainties of our world that God is preparing us, the Body of Messiah that is alive today, for the Day when all Israel shall be saved!
Your continued partnership is part of God's plan to bring Israel the Message of Repentance and Redemption which will inturn be a catalyst to world revival.(Joel 2:28)
May God bless the work of your hands and give you great treasure in Heaven!
Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram


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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
|Have you ever wondered what the weekend shift might be like in a major city's psychiatric emergency room? In this segment, we'll talk with psychiatrist Julie Holland. In her new memoir, she describes her nine years on the weekend shift in the psychiatric emergency room of New York City's famous Bellevue Hospital.


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|House-SG is the #1 service platform in Singapore to provide up-to-the-minute house rental information.
Serve yourself with some housing ads to support our endeavor.
Expedia offers flights and hotels for a great price.
Singapore's #1 House Rental Platform - Singapore house for rent, apartment house for rent, hdb for rent
新加坡最好的租房论坛 - 双语 租房 买房 不用愁


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FERPA Annual Notification of Student Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An "eligible student" under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who is attends a postsecondary institution.) These rights include:
1. The right to review and inspect his or her own education records. An eligible student has the right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day Purdue University (the "university") receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate university records custodian a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The appropriate records custodian will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the records custodian to whom the request was submitted, that person shall advise the student of the correct records custodian to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request an amendment of the education record. An eligible student has the right to seek amendment of the student's education records that the student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA.
- A student who wishes to ask the university to amend a record should write the records custodian responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
- The university will, within a reasonable time after receiving the request, decide whether to amend the record as requested.
- If the university decides not to amend the record as requested, the university will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student's right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information is disclosed, except when FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. An eligible student has the right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
The university may, and from time to time does, disclose education records without a student's prior written consent when authorized by FERPA, including to university officials whom the university has determined to have legitimate educational interests. Purdue defines "university officials" and "legitimate educational interests" as follows:
"University officials" include (a) persons employed by Purdue University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or clerical or support staff position (including but not limited to law enforcement unit personnel, attorneys, counselors, and health staff); (b) persons serving on the board of trustees; or (c) persons (including students) serving on an official university committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee.
A university official also may include a volunteer, contractor, consultant or other party outside of Purdue University (i) who performs an institutional service or function for which the university would otherwise use its own employees, (ii) who is under the direct control of the university with respect to the use and maintenance of education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another university official in performing his or her tasks, and (iii) who is subject to the obligation not to disclose PII from any education record without the prior written consent of the student.
- "Legitimate educational interests" include performing a task or engaging in an activity related to (i) one's regular duties or professional responsibilities, (ii) a student's education, (iii) the discipline of a student, (iv) a service to or benefit for a student, (v) measures to support student success, and (vi) the safety and security of the campus.
4. The right to file a complaint. An eligible student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Purdue University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
When does FERPA permit disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) without student consent?
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students' education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to university officials (as defined above), disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, §99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.
The university may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of an eligible student —
- To other university officials whom the university has determined to have legitimate educational interests, as described above under paragraph 3. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the university has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that certain conditions are met. (§99.31(a)(1))
- To officials of another university where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. (§99.31(a)(2))
- To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university's State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
- In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§99.31(a)(4))
- To certain state and local officials or authorities when authorized by state statute in certain cases. (§99.31(a)(5))
- To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the university, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§99.31(a)(6))
- To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§99.31(a)(7))
- To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§99.31(a)(8))
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§99.31(a)(9))
- To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10))
- When it is information the university has designated as "directory information" under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11))
- To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§99.31(a)(13))
- To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, if the university determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the university's rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§99.31(a)(14))
- To parents of a student regarding the student's violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the university, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the university determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§99.31(a)(15))
- The disclosure concerns sex offenders and other individuals required to register under section 17010 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
Directory Information
Institutions may disclose a student's "Directory Information" without their consent, and without violating FERPA if the student has not restricted their personal information. Purdue University considers the following to be "Directory Information":
● name
● email address
● address (local & home)
● telephone number (any listed)
● college/school & curriculum
● enrollment status & credit hours
● dates of attendance
● classification
● receipt or non-receipt of degree
● academic awards received (dean's list, honors students)
● participation in officially recognized activities
● sports photograph(s)
● position, weight, height in athletics
Request to Restrict Directory Information
While attending Purdue University, students may request to restrict the release of their Directory Information except to university officials with a legitimate educational interest, as outlined in item 3 above. In order to restrict all information, a signed and dated request must be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar, Hovde Hall, room 45, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040. A form is also available in Hovde Hall, room 45 of the Registrar's Office, West Lafayette campus. Should the student graduate or otherwise leave the university, this restriction will remain in place until the student requests for it to be removed.
Note: Once a student's record has been made confidential, no information can be shared about the individual without the student's written consent. In such a case, problems may occur thereafter when potential employers or other parties make inquiries about the student.


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Identifying Complicated Grieving
Complicated grieving is the technical name that grief professionals give to a grieving process that gets stuck at some point, making it impossible for the bereaved to successfully start or conclude the grieving process. Complicated grieving is often a sign of unresolved problems in the relationship between the bereaved and the deceased that make it more difficult than usual for the bereft person to grieve.
Whereas a traumatic loss almost always makes for complicated grieving, you need to keep in mind that not all complicated grieving involves traumatic losses. Human relationships are sufficiently varied and complex to create all sort of snags (some traumatic and some not) that can interrupt the grieving process.
If you find that you're unable to start grieving the loss of a loved one or you aren't getting through the grieving process, stop and take stock of the relationship you had with your lost loved one. Depending upon the intricacy of the relationship and its particular problems, you may not be able to really assess it without the help of a mental health professional. However, by working through the issues that stand in your way of grieving a loved one, you not only ultimately free yourself from the grief but also create a new appreciation for yourself as you honestly face all the aspects (good and bad) of your erstwhile relationship.
Complicated grieving in one-sided relationships
Almost all the relationships you build with your loved ones are complex and multifaceted. Sometimes, however, these relationships aren't as balanced as you may like them to be. Unbalanced relationships — especially those in which one person doesn't have anywhere near as much influence or power as the other — can often result in some level of complicated grieving when the person wielding the greater influence dies.
Unfortunately, after the death, it's far too late to rectify the balance of power, and you're left to deal with whatever damage this imbalance caused. Bereft of a particularly powerful person in your life (whether a parent or a spouse), you may experience an overwhelming sense of abandonment and emotions that vacillate between great anger and acute apprehension.
Both the anger and the fear come from the same place of uncertainty — not knowing whether or not you have what it takes to survive on your own. Instead of focusing on grieving the loss, you can only focus on the predicament that your new status confers on you. Before you can feel the grief, you must first deal with your lack of confidence and all the emotions that your insecurity engenders. Many times, this requires the help of a mental health professional other than a grief counselor who can help you work on these aspects not entirely related to the pain of your loss.
Complicated grief in excessively dependent relationships
Relationships in which the two people are exceedingly dependent upon one another for emotional support (sometimes referred to as a codependent relationship) can also result in complicated grief when either person dies. This kind of dependent relationship may exist between a child and parent, but it more commonly occurs between spouses and life partners.
Typically, the two companions are so close that one or both feel as though they couldn't live without the other. Then, when one of the two dies and this misgiving is finally tested, the survivor finds himself hard-pressed to grieve the loss.
Losing the person who defines you in so many ways is sometimes too much too handle. As a reaction, you refuse to acknowledge the loss in an effort to ward off grieving. More importantly, denial keeps you from having to admit that the loss is real and that you have to change a great deal in order to thrive rather than survive.
Instead of continually denying the loss, some survivors of codependent relationships refuse to stop mourning the loss of their loved ones. In essence, they create a perpetual mourning in which they safely reside. This too is a defense against real grieving (a process that has a definite end, even when there's no set timetable for reaching it). Perpetual mourning represents an effort to keep the dependent relationship alive in some form and to insulate the survivor and keep him from having to adjust to the new reality. The only way for such a person to break through this kind of stalemate is for him to realize that the end of the grieving is not synonymous with the end of the relationship.


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Game Day is not complete without a chips and dips. My favorite dip of all time is Classic Creamy Spinach Dip. You can make so many variations of this - add artichokes, crab, red pepper, etc. It is surprisingly simple to make - just takes 10 minutes. I also like to serve it with sour cream and salsa with tortilla chips.
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 white onion, diced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 package of frozen chopped spinach
2 cups of heavy cream
2 - 8oz. blocks of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, grated
salt & pepper
1 bag of tortilla chips
In a saute pan, saute garlic and onion in olive oil until the onions are transparent. Squeeze out water from spinach, then add it to the garlic and onion and continue to cook for a minute or two. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-5 minutes until cream slightly thickens. Stir in cream cheese and parmesan until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm with chips. If you make it ahead of time, transfer it to a baking dish and heat in a 350 degree oven for 15-25 minutes until bubbly.
Let the cream boil and thicken.
The Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe is part of my Game Day Menu. Get all of the Game Day recipes & tips here >>


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Chris Elsberry: Despite winning tradition, Thibault sent packing
It comes down to this: Mike Thibault didn't get the job done. Yes, he won a lot of games. Yes, he got the Connecticut Sun into the Eastern Conference finals five times, and twice, he coached the Sun into the WNBA Finals.
But he never got the brass ring, never won a title. And in the "Sorry-but-what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" world that is professional sports, that wasn't good enough.
And that's why after 10 seasons, Thibault and his staff were fired by Sun vice president and general manager Chris Sienko on Tuesday. Thank you for the 206 wins. Thank you for the eight playoff appearances. Here are some parting gifts and don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out.
"The decision to let Mike go was difficult based on our friendship and working relationship," Sienko said in a release announcing the decision. "Mike has had much success here in Connecticut over the past ten seasons. However, we felt it was time for a new voice and new direction for our players and our fans as we continue to try to capture that first, elusive title. We wish Mike and his family nothing but success and know our paths will cross again in the future."
A new voice? What's Sienko trying to say? That the team didn't listen to Thibault? That they didn't play hard for him? That they didn't agree with his coaching philosophy? In his 10 seasons in Uncasville, Thibault had one losing season. One. He won an average of almost 21 games a season, not bad.
And, even better, he got his team into the playoffs a lot.
This year, the Sun went 25-9, reaching the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Fever. They had the deciding game of that series on their home court, the Mohegan Sun Arena. And just five minutes into the game, the Fever lost their star, Katie Douglas, to an ankle injury.
But that's when the Sun suddenly set. They were blasted off the court, losing 87-71 and looking totally lost in the process.
The Sun were the best team in the East all season, had the Most Valuable Player (UConn product Tina Charles) and the Best Sixth Player (Renee Montgomery, also of UConn) in the league on their team. That's without mentioning some other pretty good names in Asjha Jones, Kara Lawson, Allison Hightower, Kelsey Griffin, Kalana Greene and Danielle McCray. But no one played well that night against the Fever. No one.
"I don't have a lot of answers," Thibault said after the game.
Sienko sure had one -- fire the coach and his staff.
"After much thought and consideration, we have decided to make a coaching change with the hopes that this will allow us to achieve our ultimate goal of bringing a WNBA championship to Connecticut," said Sun CEO Mitchell Etess in that same statement.
"We have the ultimate respect and appreciation for everything coach Thibault has done here, and he has played a huge part in establishing the Connecticut Sun as the model franchise in the league. However, our ultimate goal is the championship, and this change is made with an eye to accomplishing just that."
And it was that number, a 17-17 postseason record, that made Sienko and Etess bring the hammer down on Thibault, sending his 206 wins and his eight WNBA playoff appearances packing.
"It's a shame that all the good stuff that we did will be defined by this," Thibault said after that Indiana loss. "It's a shame because we had a real good season. I live for winning games like this and we didn't win, so I'm going to be disappointed until we play again. This is going to eat at me."
No, it won't. Because Mike Thibault won't get the chance to coach the Sun again.
"It's their money. They write the checks," Thibault told the New London Day Tuesday. "They get to do what they want. It's a business. I understand that. I disagree that a different voice will change things. But it's their decision to make."
Yes, it is, right or wrong. And the Sun made it.
"We are committed to bringing a WNBA championship to our loyal fans, who have given us tremendous support our first 10 seasons," Sienko said. "We have several candidates in mind who we believe can help us accomplish that goal. Ultimately, we want to find the best fit for our athletes and this organization."
Good luck with that.
email@example.com; http://Twitter@elsctpost


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Recent News
March 19, 2013
ProtiDiet High Protein Chocolate Dream Bars Recalled due to Salmonella Risk
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services received information regarding the recall of Pro-Amino International Inc., of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, ProtiDiet High Protein Chocolate Dream Bars. The recalled product may contain Salmonella. Salmonella is a public health risk and is one of the most common causes of food borne illness. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
This product has been distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia. It was also sold via the Internet. Consumers should avoid eating the potentially contaminated High Protein Chocolate Dream Bars and discard the product or return it to the point of sale.
The full recall can be found at www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm344353.htm?source=govdelivery


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NAIA Wrestler of the Week ? No. 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo - Eric Thompson of Grand View (Iowa) has been named the NAIA National Wrestler of the Week, announced Wednesday by the national office. Thompson, who is receiving this award for the third time in his career, was selected based on his performances from Jan. 21 - 27.
Thompson, a native of Shell Rock, Iowa, improved to 32-5 on the season after going 5-0 last week en route to an individual title at the 2013 Grand View Open on Jan. 26. The junior heavyweight opened the event with an 18-2 technical fall against Dortanyia McIntyre of Ellsworth Community College (Iowa) before recording three-straight pins, including two against NCAA Division I wrestlers, by a combined time of four minutes and 12 seconds. Thompson defended his 2012 Grand View Open title with a 15-0 technical fall against NCAA Division I Northern Iowa's Cody Krumwiede.
Thompson now boasts four individual titles this season with previous victories coming at the Loras Open (Iowa) on Nov. 3, the Harold Nichols/Cyclone Open (Iowa) on Nov. 10 and at the Simpson (Iowa) Invitational on Dec. 1.
The next Wrestler of the Week announcement will be on Feb. 6. For the complete Player of the Week calendar, click here.
Nominees: Jahusa Marsh, Midland (Neb.); Brandon Gebhardt, Baker (Kan.); Javier Carbahal, Cumberlands (Ky.); Steadman Wang, Hastings (Neb.); John Sievert, Morningside (Iowa); Dillon Kifer, Jamestown (N.D.); Conor Young, Campbellsville (Ky.); Michael Gonzalez, Cumberland (Tenn.).
2013 Wrestlers of the Week
Week 1 (Jan. 9): Tyler Kacmarynski, Morningside (Iowa)
Week 2 (Jan. 16): Jarid Price, Baker (Kan.)
Week 3 (Jan. 23): Mitchell Lofstedt, Southern Oregon
Week 4 (Jan. 30): Eric Thompson, Grand View (Iowa)


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The headline provides the sense our company is set for an enjoyable ride and then in most ways our company is.Nevertheless, the section blasts into activity with a visualization exercising that produces some serious and emotional thoughts.You find your self at the funeral service which right after pursuing the process happens to be the one and only yours. Offered directly into this physical exercise, it is extremely powerful. Starting with the end in mind
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What type of individual have been you, what sort of son, mother, grandparent, close friend or function colleague? What has your character been like and how perhaps you have handled the life of the near you?Publish your thinking lower and it will provide quality toward your "end in mind".Your description for success will probably be written there before you.
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Think it over. Can you chart from the trip into a friends home in your mind initial prior to taking to the roads? Do you take into account the diet plan well before getting that nightclub of delicious chocolate?There exists a great segment relating to control which illustrates the variations among management and management. It's a genuine eyesight opener.
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Capacity to analyze our ideas Additionally
The strength in this section will come from the participation.Your pathway in your future and how you receive you will see an actual eyesight opener if you haven't done the memorial exercise just before..What I notice you would be that the first time I did this exercising, the things I thought had been crucial that you me and also the issues i imagined identified me bore small resemblance as to what I had visualized. Mike Dillard
Will see an actual eyesight opener
- Which kind of individual were actually you, what sort of son, mother, grandparent,.
- Awaken the giant within.
- 7 habits of highly effective people.
- The center area within this section is branded by Stephen.
- Think about it. Do you chart from the quest to some.


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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court, dominated by a 5-4 conservative majority, may be poised to gut the national healthcare reform law when it rules next year on a challenge brought by 26 states, at the same time delivering a blow to President Barack Obama's chances of re-election.
Anyone who doubts the political nature of the high court need only look to the 5-4 decision in 2000's Bush vs. Gore, which stopped the presidential recount in Florida.
At the time, the five conservatives were considered the protectors of federalism, championing the rights of the states against the power of the federal government. The four liberals were more likely to see the federal government and the Constitution as the protector of individual rights.
Nevertheless, the five conservatives brushed aside a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court that interpreted state law as backing the recount, saying the recount method violated the equal protection guarantee of the Constitution.
In vain, the liberals filed four dissents defending the right of Florida to run its own elections.
The cynical view: Whenever an extremely important issue is political to the bone, individual justices will follow their political preferences when trying to forge a ruling, sometimes going through constitutional gymnastics to reach their conclusions.
What's more, the justices seem not to care about how political they are perceived.
Some Republicans are pressing for Justice Elena Kagan to "recuse" herself, or step down, from the case because she was the Obama administration's top courtroom lawyer when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was rammed through Congress over bitter Republican opposition.
Across the aisle, some Democrats are demanding Justice Clarence Thomas withdraw from the case because of his wife's links to organizations dedicated to killing the federal law.
Incredibly, on the same day the Supreme Court decided behind closed doors to accept the challenge, Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia "were feted at a dinner sponsored by the law firm that will argue the case before the high court," the Los Angeles Times reported.
The two justices were the featured guests at the Federalist Society dinner in Washington.
None of the justices has indicated a willingness to step down before the challenge is heard for 5 1/2 hours in March.
So the odds at the Supreme Court are still weighted in favor of the challengers, if only slightly, and the high court probably will rule against the law.
Or maybe not. It might be useful to ask ourselves, as Scrooge asked the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, "Are these the shadows of the things that will be or are they the shadows of the things that may be, only?"
It would be a genuine shock if any of the conservatives vote to uphold the Affordable Care Act, and just as shocking if any of the liberals voted to outlaw it.
But the high court has shocked us before. And liberal Justice Stephen Breyer occasionally has been persuaded to join the conservatives for a 6-3 majority.
The high court can duck the whole problem, too, ruling that a federal law, the Anti-Injunction Act, bars court challenges such as that brought by the states.
The Affordable Care Act has a number of provisions: Insurers are banned from putting lifetime dollar limits on coverage (no sending patients into bankruptcy from long hospital stays); insurers are restricted from putting annual caps on healthcare expenditures; insurers can't discriminate against those who have pre-existing conditions, and many others.
Small businesses also have a stake. One of the challenges accepted by the high court, along with the states', came from the National Federation of Independent Business.
NFIB President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Danner said in a statement: "Only 18 months after its passage, the new healthcare law has been brought to the steps of the Supreme Court by America's small-business owners. For the small-business community, this comes not a day too soon. The healthcare law has not lived up to its promises of reducing costs, allowing citizens to keep their coverage or improving a cumbersome system that has long been a burden to small-business owners and employees, alike. The small-business community can now have hope; their voices are going to be heard in the nation's highest court."
Of course, the law's provisions won't be fully implemented until 2014.
James Sherk, senior policy analyst in labor economics for the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation, produced a report this fall saying the Affordable Care Act's requirements on employers will price lower-skilled workers out of full-time jobs.
"President Obama's healthcare law requires employers to offer health benefits to full-time employees," Sherk wrote. "This employer mandate will price many unskilled workers out of full-time employment.
"After paying the new health premiums, the minimum wage, payroll taxes and unemployment insurance taxes, hiring a full-time worker will cost employers at least $10.03 per hour," he said. "Full-time workers with family health plans will cost $13.75 per hour. Employers who hire workers with productivity below these rates will lose money. Businesses employing less skilled workers will probably respond by dumping their employees onto the federally subsidized healthcare exchanges and replacing full-time positions with part-time jobs."
But the focus of the challenges by states' and others is the "individual mandate," the requirement that uninsured Americans who can afford it must buy some kind of health insurance, or face a fine. Currently, about 55 million people in the United States do not have insurance (though the number includes illegal immigrants, who are not affected by the healthcare reform law) and may use visits to hospital emergency rooms as their primary healthcare provider.
The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether Congress has the power under the Constitution to do this.
Veteran high court reporter Lyle Denniston put it succinctly on the SCOTUSBLOG Web site.
"As the justices review the case filed by 26 states against the Affordable Care Act, they will be examining the core meaning of the Constitution's vertical separation of powers, between national and state governments," Denniston said. "That separation, the Supreme Court said just last term, is a factor contributing to the individual liberty of Americans. The court will hear from one side that the new healthcare law is essential to economic liberty and the basic health of Americans, and from the other side that, as a manifestation of the concentration of power in Washington, the new law itself is a threat to Americans' personal liberty."
The Commerce Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes." The Necessary and Proper Clause says Congress may do whatever is "necessary and proper" to enforce its Commerce Clause authority and other "enumerated powers" contained in the Constitution.
The states' challenge asks the Supreme Court to decide, "Does the Affordable Care Act's mandate that virtually every individual obtain health insurance exceed Congress' enumerated powers and, if so, to what extent [if any]) can the mandate be severed from the remainder of the act?"
For much of its history, the commerce power of Congress was limited to the regulation of the movement of tangible goods across state boundaries through roads and rivers. That power was vastly expanded in 1942's Wickard vs. Filburn, in which the Supreme Court ruled for the first time the Commerce Clause allowed the regulation of goods produced and consumed solely within a state.
For the next 50 years, Congress used the Commerce Clause to enact a vast number of laws that only had a tenuous connection to interstate commerce.
But in 1995 the Rehnquist Supreme Court unexpectedly limited the scope of the clause. In a 5-4 vote, the justices struck down the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which forbade anyone from knowingly carrying a firearm in a school zone.
In the majority opinion, Chief Justice William Rehnquist said the law was "invalid as beyond Congress' power under the Commerce Clause."
The "possession of a gun in a local school zone is in no sense an economic activity that might, through repetition elsewhere, have ... a substantial effect on interstate commerce," the opinion said.
It added: "To uphold the government's contention that [the law] is justified because firearms possession in a local school zone does indeed substantially affect interstate commerce would require this court to pile inference upon inference in a manner that would ... convert congressional Commerce Clause authority to a general police power of the sort held only by the states."
Rehnquist said the Supreme Court had identified three broad categories "of activity that Congress may regulate under its commerce power ... : Congress may regulate the use of the channels of interstate commerce. ... Second, Congress is empowered to regulate and protect the instrumentalities of interstate commerce, or persons or things in interstate commerce, even though the threat may come only from intrastate activities. ... Finally, Congress' commerce authority includes the power to regulate those ... activities having a substantial relation to interstate commerce ... i.e., those activities that substantially affect interstate commerce."
A second major blow to congressional commerce power came in 2000's U.S. vs. Morrison when the same five-justice majority struck down provisions of the federal Violence Against Women Act.
A woman who said she had been raped by two other students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute filed suit for damages under the civil provisions of the federal act. But the Rehnquist majority said the civil provisions of the act "cannot be sustained under the Commerce Clause or section 5 of the 14th Amendment," which allows Congress to use legislation to enforce "the constitutional guarantee that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process or deny any person equal protection of the laws."
However, in 2005's Gonzalez vs. Raich a couple of conservatives apologetically joined the four-member liberal bloc to rule 6-3 that Congress had the authority to regulate home-grown quantities of prescribed marijuana under its commerce power.
The ruling did not invalidate California's medical marijuana law, but meant that someone charged under federal drug laws could not use state law as a defense.
Three of the five-member majority justices in Lopez and Morrison -- conservative Justices Scalia and Thomas, and especially moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy -- are still serving on the high court.
The other two are gone, but their successors are equally conservative.
Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. replaced Rehnquist after the old chief died of cancer in 2005. Roberts is a former Rehnquist clerk.
Justice Samuel Alito replaced retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2006.
As a federal appellate judge in Philadelphia before ascending to the Supreme Court, Alito questioned the use of the Commerce Clause in congressional regulation of machine guns, and even its use in the enactment of environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.


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Nation & World
Egypt's government won't find it easy to clear pro-Morsi encampment
The site of a sit-in staged by supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has become a city of its own within the nation's capital, a development that surely will complicate any effort by the militarily installed government to uproot it without the agreement of the Muslim Brotherhood members who've built it.
Tents line every road leading to the mosque in Rabaa, the epicenter of the pro-Morsi demonstration. Many of the tents have been numbered and bear signs detailing the governorates from which their occupants have come. Many residents have been there since June 28, when the sit-in began.
There are kitchens, bathrooms, field hospitals and even media centers over the several blocks the sit-in now occupies. Some tents have cupboards and TVs.
The demonstrators have vowed to stay until the imprisoned Morsi is reinstated, a pledge that seems to invite more bloodshed. More than 200 Morsi partisans have died in confrontations with the military since he was deposed July 3. and the military is insisting that the sit-in end. But the vastness of the demonstration's infrastructure and its settled nature seem to make uprooting it nearly impossible without the agreement of the Muslim Brotherhood – or a massive show of force.
International mediators, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, have tried to end the impasse. In calls to Egypt, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has urged the Egyptian government to employ restraint in dealing with the thousands of protesters. For now, the government seems to be waiting, but it warned Sunday that while it welcomes negotiations, "time is limited" for Morsi supporters in Rabaa and at a similar sit-in in Nahda, near Cairo University.
Morsi supporters cannot envision a way their makeshift city can be cleared that doesn't end violently.
"It will be a massacre and it will be the worst one ever," said Roqaia Gala, 15, standing behind hills of sandbags and brick walls while checking the bags and IDs of the thousands of protesters who arrive at the site daily. "And then victory will come. Don't ask me how, but I truly believe that it will."
Others say the threats of violence works to their advantage.
"It just increases the numbers," said Reda Mahmoud, 26, while consoling her weeping 2-year old daughter. "We came here with our children, and we are not afraid of bullets."
A government and social order has settled in. Every sit-in resident has a role. There are security guards, wearing motorcycle helmets and holding sticks and shields. They're deployed at every entrance to the sit-in area, and they're prepared to hide behind the long brick walls protesters have built in case of attack. Big bags filled with sand fill gaps in the wall.
Morsi supporters, holding brooms and wearing vests in neon colors that read, "Responsible for cleaning and beautification," can be found every few blocks, pushing trash and garbage into piles. Every few yards around the tents, steel pillars have been sunk into the ground with ropes strung between them to keep pedestrians from disturbing the protesters asleep on rugs inside. Slippers and shoes are spilled outside the tents.
Many of the thousands who live there go to work during the day and return at night. During the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, some protesters return just before the night sets in to enjoy a feast provided by the Muslim Brotherhood.
On a recent night men, women and children shoved for places at a 10-foot-long wooden table where they could eat for free. Small steel plates were filled with beans or "mesh," a traditional Egyptian pink feta cheese. After each meal, the table is peppered with crumbs of bread.
Street vendors have taken advantage of the encampment to make a living out of people's needs, selling clothes, luggage, food and even toys.
One clothing vendor helped customers find proper-fitting pants and T-shirts while wearing a green Brotherhood headband that read, "There is no God but Allah."
"Down, down with military rule," the vendor chants along with the crowds, stopping to look at a McClatchy reporter and ask suspiciously: "Are you with us or a visitor?"
In a city where power can be sporadic, the lights are always on in Rabaa.
There appears to be little fear, even though government security forces have taken a heavy toll on Morsi demonstrators in confrontations. The first, July 8, left 55 dead, most of them Morsi partisans. The second, which may have killed as many as 90, only made people more insistent that they'll stay.
"We saw bullets flying in front of us but we still can't leave. There is now blood between us," said Roqaia, the 15-year-old.
Many protesters say that to leave now would be to concede defeat. With animosity against the Brotherhood so high in the nation, they don't trust the government to treat them fairly. And as the government has rounded up and pressed criminal charges against scores of Brotherhood leaders, those who remain are hiding in the sit-in.
One of the complaints the government has made about the sit-in is that it's made traveling in the already congested city difficult. It's made it hard to reach the airport – the sit-in straddles the airport road – and travel in the area requires a circuitous route. Drivers often must chant support for Morsi or protesters won't let their cars pass. Nearby businesses have shuttered.
For now, the security forces are keeping their distance. Army tanks can be seen parked along the roads leading to the protest, but they're outside. Some say that moving in to clear the site will be a signal to other, less moderate Islamists.
"A lot of Islamists don't believe in the democratic means of change," said Mustafa Mahmoud, a 30-year-old sales manger who's among the protesters camped out at Rabaa. "There is another Islamic current that still hasn't participated in the sit-in. They only believe in force to bring about change. Even if they (the government) finish killing all of those in Rabaa it won't end, because those Islamists haven't appeared yet."