text:
I shall simply have to plead ignorance on this one, but I was surprised nevertheless that I hadn't seen a competing explanation of the universe quite like this before. "How can it be that I've not heard a peep about something so ostensibly groundbreaking?" I wondered. Well, I haven't yet busied myself with reading any sort of refutation of this theory, and it's even harder yet to find follow up on the massive potential of such a description of the universe as this. As it stands, however, I can't help but predict that it was unable catch a lot of traction with cosmologists, but I'm wondering if anyone out there is/was familiar with this and can provide further information?
As an aside, what do we think about this idea, metaphorical plot holes and all? Clearly it doesn't address some of the protracted and lingering complexities that the BBT does, and yet it explains other core issues that the BBT does not. My interest has been piqued, but as much as I'd love to see big bang cosmology fall to the superfluous wayside - thus silencing men like William Lane Craig momentarily - I don't think I'll get too excited just yet.
Views: 2347
I was a little disappointed that you were not talking about another sitcom like The Big Bang Theory, but what you are talking about is interesting anyway.
I'll put up my hand that that was my first thought too.
I should be ashamed.
Interesting article anyway.
Maybe I'm missing something here, but Shu makes sense. Is it possible that he is correct and a little bit of both theories could go together to explain everything? A little revision and the idea might work. Where is Albert when you need him? Oh, sorry. He is dead.
It's always good to challenge entrenched presumptions as just that, and not concrete fact. That's the most important aspect of science -- that when done well, cherished 'truths' can be overthrown. It's also important that their overthrow is resisted, else we continually flail around and can claim to know nothing beyond momentary sensation. When the maths work, the new idea is bolstered and the old re-thought. This is science working exactly as it should.
It strikes me strange that your dad says you "are worshiping scientists." Most religionists think this way. Dylan had a song saying we all have to serve somebody, and that might fit better, but I disagree with the saying. You do NOT have to serve somebody. The church world claims that "everybody worships something" and they add your money, wife, car, TV addiction, etc. into that tired old mix. The idea is to prove and show to you that you should worship and serve God, and not other things in this world. Again, I disagree. Everybody does NOT serve somebody (or some thing) and everybody does not worship something!
Seems to me that religion is about authority and that religionists think we accept theories because they come from the "gods" of science simply because they themselves accept the authority of the Bible--as interpreted by the latest megapreacher. With the spread of fundamentalist/evangelical Christianity and its insistence on Biblical literalism, we are being dragged backward toward 17th century theocracy. We have Congress men and women who think that climate change is a hoax because it contradicts (in their fuzzy brains, anyway), the Bible. One said last week that Noah's flood was an example of climate change that showed that humankind cannot control or influence global climate. Apparently he has forgotten that Noah's flood reduced world population to just eight individuals. I guess that makes climate change perfectly all right.
The paper looks very interesting, but this is a complex field and well beyond my capabilities these days, however a few comments anyway.
The Big Bang theory was strongly supported by the discovery of cosmic background radiation independently of the theory. It has been around for a long time now as the leading cosmological model, but there have always been others— just not as interesting once it appeared the Big Bang was the most likely model.
However the discovery in the 1990's that the rate of expansion of the universe was apparently accelerating caused difficulties with the Big Bang and required ad hoc explanations—namely dark energy—that some cosmologists found hard to swallow.
In Shu's models—and his mathematics allows three different kinds— neither the speed of light nor the gravitational constant are in fact constant—they vary as the universe expands or contracts. His mathematics explains the apparent increasing acceleration of the expansion without the necessity of so-called dark energy and fit experimental data quite closely. Time is infinite.
Shu's paper appears straightforward and elegant, so it may indeed be right, but it will be hard for the experts to abandon the Big Bang and its possible that Shu's model may not be able to account for other observable phenomena—in particular the cosmic background radiation which has been the principal support of the Big Bang theory.
Allan, my capabilities are less than yours and so I appreciate your clear summary of the situation.
... as the Universe expands, mass and time are converted to length and space and vice versa as it contracts.
... singularities cannot exist in this cosmos.
... his data exactly matches the observations that astronomers have made on Earth.
[emphasis mine]
Huh? This bends my head too much. It's certainly challenging.
Mass converting to length? So does inertia change into distance between points? I can't imagine all of the mass frittering away over time into "empty" space stretching, while "duration of time" is itself converting to space stretching too. So at apogee of expansion there's no time and no mass, but then how would you define space or length?
Matthew, the BB theory has a few flaws: the so-called dark mass and dark energy are but two recent attempts to explain the theory's flaws. The inflationary idea is another attempt. The idea that both space and time originated with the BB is still another.
The BB theory itself is THE FLAW; it's the product of a mind damaged by a long immersion in Catholicism and its dependence on 13th Century scholasticism, which found truth in earlier writings rather than in research. Studying mathematics did not repair the damage.
The BB theory is a recent explanation. Its flaws are more sophisticated than those of the ancient idea that the planets followed circular orbits. That explanation began to fall when observation revealed that their orbits were not circular. The ancients, knowing little of gravity and less if anything of elliptical orbits, patched their explanation by saying the planets' orbits were circles on circles.
A perceptive high school student can see a major flaw in BB theory. With everything "exploding" outward from a singularity, explain the vast energies required to alter the directions of galaxies to put them on collision courses.
Someone decades ago pointed out a danger: the person who originates an idea is less dangerous than those who uncritically accept the idea. So it is with the BB theory; its uncritical followers will attack heresy.
I read the article you linked to. It has something in common with the book The Big Bang Never Happened by Eric Lerner.
I will be surprised if some BB followers don't attack; it's easier to change dogmas than it is to give up the need for a dogma.
Thanks, Mathew.
I too have read of a consensus in the scientific community supporting the BBT. Many who use the word don't know it has multiple uses; it can refer to:
1) unanimity,
2) a majority when the opposition remains silent, or
3) a plurality (less than a majority) when the opposition is divided.
It's so often used politically (to influence others) that I require users to clarify.
Mathew, what do acronymic sense and exploded phrase mean?
Consider the clause a consensus in the scientific community. When I read it, I want the writer to tell me which of the following he means:
1) A unanimous vote?
2) A majority voting yes and the minority not voting?
3) A plurality voting yes, and smaller minorities voting for other views?
Further, any decision might result from group think, especially when a leader expresses a position forcefully. The ancient Persians avoided group think cleverly. After an assembly made a decision, they got drunk and voted again.
We more civilized moderns may fall victim to group think and not know it.
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text:
Tigers Finish Fourth at PGA Minority Championships
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee State men's golf team ended their season with a fourth place finish at the 27th annual PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The Tigers finished with a three-round total of 899, a 35-over on the Par-72, 6,840-yard Wanamaker Course at the PGA Golf Club.
The Tigers completed the three-day event 16 strokes behind champion Bethune-Cookman who shot a 19-over, 883. Defending champions, Texas-Pan American was second with a 20-over, 884 and Alabama State finished third with a 31-over, 895.
James Stepp (75-73-74=222) led the way finishing the tournament at 6-over and scored in all three rounds for the Tigers. Andrew Warner (72-79-72=223) scored all three days as he shot a 7-over. Cameron Scitern (75-74-78=227) ended his TSU career with an 11-over and was countable in every round.
Dallas Hill (80-76-76=232) scored for the Tigers in the second and third rounds, while Codie Welborn (75-79-80=234) marked on the first day only, despite matching Warner on day two.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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|January 31, 2013, 09:04 AM
Join Date: September 14, 2011
Location: Port Henry NY
Posts: 78
9mm vs. .45 (Not The Typical Debate)
I'm in the market for my first handgun and I thought I had my heart set on a .357 revolver however as the date draws near to pick my first purchase I find myself reconsidering a semi automatic. I've only ever fired firearms once, at an NRA pistol course in VT last August, so I have limited experience. The class I took was a bit large for the two instructors, 10 students, so our range time per person was minimal. I shot, one full magazine/cylinder each, of 9mm, .38 and .45 with several magazines of .22 in various handguns. I remember the 9mm and .38 feeling about the same when fire and the .45 knocked me back a half step with each shot however that is most likely due to improper stance and handling of the weapon.
My question to the more experienced users is about my body type versus the caliber I choose. I'm 5'5", 140lbs with hands slightly smaller than a standard size small glove. The 9mm was somewhat manageable however I'm wondering if the .45 will become easier with practice and proper fundamentals. Despite the difficulty I had shooting the .45 it was, and I can't stress this enough, the most fun cartridge I tried that day. Am I better sticking with a smaller more manageable round or should I go larger and just learn to compensate?
PS- This will not be a carry gun, simply a range/hobby firearm so stopping power is not a concern for me. Also, I live in NY so getting out and trying several firearms before purchase is not exactly a viable option. I had to drive three hours just to get to that one NRA class.
PPS- In case anyone is wondering my picks for a revolver were between a 6" S&W 686+ (Pre-lock), a 4" Ruger GP100 or a 6" Colt Python in stainless or nickle.
|January 31, 2013, 09:17 AM
Join Date: December 10, 2009
Posts: 33
You'll likely get this a lot but...
A good .22. It'll be easier to master good shooting with and inexpensive to shoot.
Between the two choices you've put in the title I'd say 9mm for the same two reasons. If you can manage the recoil better you're more likely to use better form, less likely to develop a flinch. Also, if you can find it, 9mm ammo is significantly less expensive.
Body type will be of less importance if you spend your up-front time learning good mechanics.
|January 31, 2013, 09:24 AM
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Join Date: November 26, 2006
Posts: 1,084
By removing stopping power from the equation you fall right into the realm of the 9mm - low cost and mild recoil make for a fun round.
Don't discount the .22. Even more economical and just as fun. Especially advisable for newbies as it all but removes recoil from the firing equation and allows you to focus on mechanics. Even as you progress you'll find yourself going back to your .22 for high quality, low cost practice.
.44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.
|January 31, 2013, 09:31 AM
Join Date: March 16, 2010
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 86
I also am a small guy 5'2" 155lb. I am very experienced. At first the .45 will be a bit much. Practice as much as you can. Make sure you keep your wrist locked to give resistance to the slide. If you think it will be to much for you go to 9mm. With the self defense ammo on the market today you will be just fine using that set up. I carry a Kimber ultra carry 2 with crimson trace grips. It works for me. In time you than can go up to the .45 Good luck
|January 31, 2013, 09:49 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2008
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 11,020
My daughter started shooting my Colt Gold Cup when she was 8, (she's 41 now).
You can get use to the recoil, nothing too it. One of the best hard ball (full load 45 ACP) was a young lady named Kim Dyer. She shot for the army and wasn't as big as a minute.
However: The 9 mm is also easy to shoot and ammo is cheaper. Cheaper yet for the 38 Spl revolver.
Yeah yeah yeah, lots of people say "get a 22" .............good idea but that wasn't what you asked about.
Of the two: 9mm vs 45, I'd pick the 9mm. If the revolver was thrown into the mix, I'd go that route.
Thing is, I cast and reload my own ammo for all three, and with todays prices I can shoot either cheaper then I can the 22.
Go fondle all there and buy the one that just jumps out at you.
Kraig Stuart
CPT USAR Ret
USAMU Sniper School Oct '78
Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071
|January 31, 2013, 10:01 AM
Junior member
Join Date: January 21, 2013
Location: NY
Posts: 150
First off, in shooting anyway, size doesn't matter! Go with your gut instinct, buy a S&W, or Colt 357 mag revolver. Stay with a 4" barrel. Practice your form, and trigger control with 38's. When you get the hang of things, load up with 357mags for defense duty.
|January 31, 2013, 10:22 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: January 7, 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 802
I would not recommend that anyone start with a .45 simply because of the recoil. That often results in flinching and for a beginner that could become a bad habit that's hard to break.
I agree with what others have said bout a.22 It has very little recoil, therefore you're less likely to flinch and that will enable to focus on trigger control which is fundamental to good shooting.
Having said that , both of my kids (male and female in their 20s) started with a 9mm Glock and it worked out fine for them. I still don't have a .22 but after the hysteria calms down I'll be in the market for a Keltec PMR.
"Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State." -Vladimir Lenin
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (An early warning to Obama care)
|January 31, 2013, 10:29 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 3, 2011
Posts: 122
If you just are going to the range to have fun I would pick the cartridge that is most fun to shoot to you...
Best of both worlds: buy a .45 + a .22 conversion barrel. Develop fundamentals with .22, switch to .45 for "fun".
|January 31, 2013, 10:54 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: April 4, 2012
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,177
My vote is for a 9mm if you want centerfire. Ammo is inexpensive and usually very easy to find. Look at Beretta 92, CZ-75 and especially a Browning High Power. If you will go to a .22lr your ammo is eaven easier to find and less expensive. Check out the Buck Mark and Ruger Mark III. Small grip you may want to look at the Beretta NEOS, its very under rated and a terific gun.
If you like the revolvers buy a .357 because you always have the option of shooting .38. Ammo is a little more costly but you do get 2 guns in one. Light shooter and a heavy stopper.
DONT make the mistake of buying light guns. More recoil and harder to shoot accurate until you get more experience. Think longer barrels like 4"ish.
Have Fun, shoot safe
Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it.
Milton Freidman
"If you find yourself in a fair fight,,,
Your tactics suck"- Unknown
|January 31, 2013, 10:58 AM
Join Date: October 11, 2012
Posts: 76
I second the .22 or 9mm. For fun on range, .22 is actually quite fun especially when you get your fundamentals straightened out and can actually group shots.
9mm would be second choice, for it's ammo price, recoil, and again better to learn basics on. Also, same as .22, it's a lot of fun to shoot wen you can start to group with 9mm.
*edit* Would you buy a 450+hp car as first car or something more modest to learn the basics and gather some experience before moving to more powerful cars? I know it's not the best analogy, but close enough.
Let's wait until we actually see concrete legislation before we go off half-cocked. ~ Tom Servo
|January 31, 2013, 11:31 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 2, 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,676
I'm also in the .22lr camp but if you have you're heart set on a centerfire 9mm is fine. But I have to wonder, I've never noticed much recoil difference between the 9mm and 45 for recoil. Yes, the .45 has more but it's not as if one is managible and the other a monster. Definitely not enough difference to knock one backwards vs. the other.
|January 31, 2013, 11:34 AM
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Join Date: June 30, 2009
Location: dallas
Posts: 640
I am guessing you are the young side so keep this in mind, if you enjoy shooting this won't be the only gun you will ever buy so don't over think it. Probably everyone here has at least one .22, revolver or semi-auto. Same can be said for 9s and 45s. Seems like a good start would be a 38/357 revolver simply because the 38 is relatively cheap and thus a good training round and when you want a little more bang just slide in those 357s. Once you have made your caliber decision, check to see if you have any of the large retailers or some gun shows in your area and go handle as many as you can. There are a lot of choices of frame size and grips so pick the one that feels best in your chosen caliber. You'll probably be back here next year asking "what is a good choice for my second gun."
|January 31, 2013, 01:25 PM
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Join Date: January 2, 2005
Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam.
Posts: 2,397
Like most say, start with a 22. Size has nothing to do with it, once you learn proper technique recoil will not matter much. If you have your heart set on a 357 get a 357 or you will never be satisfied.
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|January 31, 2013, 02:19 PM
Join Date: September 14, 2011
Location: Port Henry NY
Posts: 78
I appreciate all of the advice, I hate living in a state where I can't try before I buy.
|January 31, 2013, 03:34 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: November 11, 2006
Posts: 2,292
Welcome Ale,
Recommend you consider the .357Mag, as you can use the target .38Spl loads to get familiar (without killing your budget). 6 inch barrel is good for range work, but later if you decide for a CPL, you night want to consider then a 4 inch.
Revolver mention are great also look at the S&W m19's and the Ruger Security Six (on the Ruger you might find a drawer puppy safe queen, that need a good home.
Best caliber is WHAT FEEL good to you. ( I'm comfortable with either the 9mm. 357Mag or .45.)
Good luck ask more questions.
Is there a local club or commercial range in your area, to help try differnt sidearms?
|January 31, 2013, 04:47 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 8, 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,465
Even if it is not going to be carried, will your want your new handgun to play a role in self defense? If yes, 9 mm is the cheapest center fire ammo by a considerable margin. If no, then the .22LR is a good recommendation - ridiculously cheap ammo (in normal times), lots of fun, and a good tool for learning the basics of pistol craft.
|January 31, 2013, 04:55 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: April 22, 2010
Location: MPLS, MN
Posts: 1,193
Lower cost, milder recoil, and still plenty of punch. The 9mm is the 'does it all' wonder round in my book. The .45 is fun to shoot, I do like the .40 s&w, but the 9mm is way out in front as my favorite round for everything.
597 VTR, because there's so many cans and so little time!
|January 31, 2013, 05:30 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: July 1, 2001
Posts: 4,450
Personally, I think a 38/357 revolver would be a best place to learn to shoot well. A striker fired 9mm would also be good and use cheaper ammo. To me the revolver will be a better life long choice.
|January 31, 2013, 07:57 PM
Join Date: January 20, 2013
Posts: 25
If you really have your heart on the 45 because of giggles then get it, but if your interested in growing as a shooter and becoming better i would say stick to the 9mm because you will be able to develop better technique shooting something that wont cause you to flinch with each shot and it will be much cheaper to to purchase ammo and practice frequently. Again if you do not see yourself shooting very often and thus the cost of shooting 45 is not a problem, the go with what makes you happy, in the end that is all that matters that you have a smile on your face each time you go shooting
|January 31, 2013, 08:53 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 917
I would advise to do what i did and check out the price of ammo (and now who knows where itll land). If 45 does it for you then get that but ill say last i 45 ammo i saw was around 35$ a box. 9mm was $12. I roll my own like alot of folks mostly due to that. you dont want an expensive paperweight due to the cost of ammo alone but also dont let that be the only deciding factor if its within your reach. Do the math.
|January 31, 2013, 10:24 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: July 9, 2004
Posts: 5,162
You did not state your age or your station in life. If money is not an issue, then the availability of ammo (and not the price) is what is important.
If that is your situation, and you like the .45, then I second the suggestion to buy a .45 and a .22 conversion kit. Perfect your technique using lots of cheap ammo, and then move up using the same pistol. Everything will feel familiar but the recoil, and honestly, using correct stance and grip will resolve any further issues. First handgun I ever shot (at age eight) was my dad's WWII 1911. I'm not going to say I was a master, nor did I get many shots with it, but it was enough to start a lifelong fascination.
|January 31, 2013, 11:06 PM
Join Date: September 14, 2011
Location: Port Henry NY
Posts: 78
|February 1, 2013, 01:00 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 23, 2005
Posts: 13,198
right now ammo prices are all over the board.....but
.357 mag ammo ...and .45 acp ammo ....in my area - retail - is typically about the same around $ 30 for a box of 50 rds...
9mm ammo in my area is $ 16 - $20 for a box of 50 right now ....
with the new NY State regulations in force, I don't know if you can still buy a Sig 226 with a 10 round mag or not...or if its entirely prohibited. The 226 is a nice gun - and personally since your state only allows mags of 10 rds or less, I still think its a good solid gun ( I have all stainless versions of the 226 both in 9mm and .40 S&W).
A good revolver ...like a Colt Python or a S&W model 27 ( which in my view, are comparable in quality ) and are both high end, desireable guns, that will be good long term guns in your collection ...are very good buys - and going up in price for the last several years..
Many of us ( or at least me ..) have a number of revolvers, and a number of semi-autos ...so a lot of picking a gun depends on where you want to go long term. From my perspective, both the Sig 226 Elite - or a Colt Python are very good long term choices...vs guns that you will end up trading in or getting rid of short term.
Last edited by BigJimP; February 1, 2013 at 01:22 PM.
|February 1, 2013, 01:25 PM
Join Date: October 15, 2012
Location: Illinois
Posts: 67
I personally started small with a .38 special taurus and worked my way up. I use .22's now for low priced fun and to work out that nasty flinch my .40's gave me. Have you considered an EAA Witness? You can run .45, .40. 9mm, and .22LR all through the same gun. If I had to start from scratch all over again, that would be where I would start.
|February 1, 2013, 03:06 PM
Join Date: May 31, 2012
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 58
Start with a 22. It's the best caliber to learn with and it's really inexpensive to shoot. You will learn to shoot on that gun. My wife and I still love to blow through a few hundred rounds on a Friday night and I reload for our centerfire weapons.
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Dan Rodricks' assertion that there are no rational arguments against same-sex marriage is unfounded ("Same-sex marriage foe: irrational fear," Sept. 11). In fact, there are logical arguments both for and against same-sex marriage, but they differ in their premises.
The argument against same-sex marriage assumes that marriage is primarily oriented toward the generation and upbringing of children. Since homosexual relationships are inherently incapable of generating children, they cannot be the basis for marriage. This premise also justifies government interest in marriage, since it is the generation and appropriate upbringing of children that produces competent future citizens.
The argument for same-sex marriage seems to be based on the premise that marriage is simply society's endorsement of a persistent sexual relationship. Given this premise, any kind of sexual relationship, including polygamy and incest, could be understood as a basis for marriage. It also raises a question as to why the state should be involved in regulating marriage at all.
Charles Roswell, Columbia


text:
Chelsea starlet Kevin De Bruyne could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, before even making a competitive appearance for the club, reports the Daily Star.
The 21-year-old winger - who arrived in west London in a £7million deal from Racing Genk last January - is currently enjoying a season-long loan spell in Germany with Werder Bremen.
And, De Bruyne is said to be enjoying his time in the Bundesliga so much, that he wants to return again next year.
With four goals and five assists for Bremen so far this campaign, the Chelsea loanee has attracted admiring glances from a number of clubs in the German top-flight, and the Premier League club could be tempted into selling him in the summer.
De Bruyne finds himself way down the pecking order in Rafa Benitez's first-team squad, with Eden Hazard, Victor Moses, Marko Marin and Oscar all ahead of him, despite arriving later than he did to the Chelsea party.
"Yes, it is possible that I will stay in Bremen," the attacking midfielder told German newspaper Bild. "In the summer, I will talk to Chelsea and see what happens next.
"Why should I not continue to play in the Bundesliga?"
With regular first-team football likely to be difficult to come by at Chelsea, a transfer might be best for both parties at the end of 2012/13.


text:
A fight is heating up between conservative Christians and Obama's Department of Defense over the Pentagon's admission that U.S. military personnel could face court-martial for sharing their Christian faith with others. In a statement provided to Fox News, the Pentagon confirmed: "Religious proselytization is not permitted within the Department of Defense.... Court martials and non-judicial punishments are decided on a case-by-case basis."
The statement follows on the heels of a column by the Family Research Council's Ken Klukowski, appearing on Breitbart.com, in which Klukowski noted that the Pentagon has turned to atheist activist Mikey Weinstein (shown), founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), to help the Defense Department "develop new policies on religious tolerance, including a policy for court-martialing military chaplains who share the Christian Gospel during spiritual counseling of American troops."
According to Fox News, Weinstein and other MRFF operatives met privately with Pentagon officials on April 23 to insist that the Air Force enforce a policy that supposedly bans proselytizing by Air Force personnel. The policy, included in the "Air Force Culture, Air Force Standards" published in August 2012, supposedly mandates religious neutrality among military personnel, particularly officers. Section 2.11 of the standards states: "Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual's free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion." The policy forbids officers to "promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion."
Weinstein and his MRFF agents insist that the policy means military personnel are forbidden from offering any expression of Christian faith, and he is pushing for the Pentagon to get tough on all military persons — including chaplains — from freely talking about their faith. "Until the Air Force or Army or Navy or Marine Corps punishes a member of the military for unconstitutional religious proselytizing and oppression, we will never have the ability to stop this horrible, horrendous, dehumanizing behavior," Weinstein told Fox News. He added that his group "would love to see hundreds of prosecutions to stop this outrage of fundamentalist religious persecution."
In an editorial published April 16 by the Huffington Post, Weinstein revealed the level of his passion against the Christian faith in the military, writing that "we face incredibly well-funded gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation's armed forces."
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, charged that the Air Force policy in question has the MRFF's and Weinstein's anti-Christian "fingerprints all over it," adding that the standard "threatens to treat service members caught witnessing as enemies of the state."
The FRC's Klukowski warned that the regulations, if enforced as Weinstein hopes, "would severely limit expressions of faith in the military, even on a one-to-one basis between close friends. It could also effectively abolish the position of chaplain in the military, as it would not allow chaplains (or any service members, for that matter), to say anything about their faith that others say led them to think they were being encouraged to make faith part of their life." Klukowski wrote that it is "difficult to imagine how a member of the clergy could give spiritual counseling without saying anything that might be perceived in that fashion."
Ron Crews, a retired U.S. military chaplain and head of the group Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, told The New American that the Pentagon's threat of court-martial over a military member's constitutionally guaranteed right of religious expression is "blatantly wrong." He said that insisting "a service member cannot speak of his faith is like telling a service member he cannot talk about his spouse or children. I do not think the Air Force wants to ban personnel from protected religious speech, and I certainly hope that it is willing to listen to the numerous individuals and groups who protect military religious liberty without demonizing service members."
Crew questioned the wisdom of Pentagon and Air Force officials in getting their sole counsel on the issue of religious freedom from someone "who calls religious service members 'spiritual rapists' or 'human monsters.' To understand real religious freedom, the Air Force should speak with the men and women in the trenches, making the sacrifices for our country, and ministering to the families and survivors of those that pay the ultimate price for religious freedom."
In an interview with a Washington Post reporter, Weinstein called proselytizing by military personnel a "national security threat," and "sedition and treason," insisting: "It should be punished." Tony Perkins responded by voicing his concern that the nation's military "is on a forced march away from the very freedoms they are sworn to protect. This language from Weinstein that Christians who share their faith or offer comfort to others from their faith in Jesus Christ is 'sedition and treason' is a treasonous statement in and of itself."
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin, a vice president with the Family Research Council, agreed with Perkins' concern. "Mickey Weinstein has a very visceral hatred of Christianity and those who are Christians," Boykin said. "He'd like to see it eliminated from the military entirely." He warned that the atheist activist's anti-Christian agenda "has the potential to destroy military recruiting across the services as Americans realize that their faith will be suppressed by joining the military."
Added the retired military general: "Our brave troops deserve better. If chaplains and other personnel are censored from offering the full solace of the gospel, there is no religious freedom in the military."
Photo of Mikey Weinstein: AP Images


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Tag: pastel outfit
Cruelty-Free Fashion Friday: Pretty Pastels
Happy Spring!!! Fiiinally, it's official! In honor of all the lovely flowers that are about to get their bloom on, I present this vegan and cruelty-free, fun & flirty, pastel ensemble. Enjoy! xo Pretty Pastels Spring Outfit by veganbeautyreview ...
Read more >>


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Last night, the premiere episode of Season 2 of Who Do You Think You Are? aired on NBC here in Chicago at 7:00 PM CST (after which I conducted a two-hour radio show. More about that in a bit!). The episode starred Vanessa Williams and the audience followed along as she traced her ancestors from New York to Tennessee and other parts of the United States.
- PLUS: I was so happy to see that NBC and the producers listened to the genealogical community (at least I hope so) and removed the inane recaps after the show returned from a commercial. My big complaint last season for WDYTYA was that you could come in at the last 20 minutes and understand everything that was going on. Also, it seemed to reduce a one-hour show to less than 30 minutes of actually viewing time.
- MINUS: the "coming ups" are still there but they seemed less annoying and less noticeable. Perhaps I watch too much PBS and other television with little or no commercials and thus I am spoiled.
- PLUS: I greatly appreciated the overall "tone" of the episode in terms of being serious about genealogy and family history research. Perhaps it was Williams using a notebook and taking notes. But there was less of that "poof" here are your records and here is your family tree. It appeared more realistic and you could actually sense the excitement when discoveries were made. Let's hope this seriousness carries through to all the episodes.
- MINUS: Williams sat down to do a search on Ancestry.com and BAM!
she found what she wanted. I wished they had prefaced that with some realistic information - this doesn't have to detract from the Ancestry.com databases but more serious genealogists know that it takes time, effort and good search skills to find what is needed.
- PLUS: The stories of Williams' ancestors were engaging and I appreciate the fact that they selected an African-American woman to start off the series during Black History Month. I also greatly appreciate the Civil War tie-ins since the American Civil War will be at the forefront of US genealogy for the next five years due to the 150th anniversary of that conflict.
- MINUS: During the media call about the episode (I participated in the call on January 24, 2011), Williams did say that some of what they discovered during the research was not depicted in the show due to time constraints. If there is such footage, it would be nice if NBC could post snippets at the WDYTYA website or perhaps incorporate it as a special feature in the DVD set of Season 2.
© 2011, copyright Thomas MacEntee


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sku 189135-2617
Belmar 5/0 Queen Panel Bed Complete Set Belmar New 189135 2617Queen Queen Beds Beds Wood Wood $1000 And Above $1000 And Above $1000 To $2000 $1000 To $2000 Bedroom Bedroom Coastal And Tropical Coastal And Tropical Panel Panel
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Product Information
Belmar conjures an atmosphere reminiscent of generations of summer afternoons spent at a family coastal cottage. A warm, casual environment is conveyed by heirloom like pieces, passed down from family to family through the ages. A beautifully unique, weathered hand painted finish is enhanced with nicks, rasping, worm holes and a sand-thru appearance. Several pieces are scaled down in size for a cosy fit in a summer cottage or condo, and the collection adapts wonderfully to a variety of lifestyles!
Rug & Home is proud to offer FREE White-Glove Delivery on most Furniture purchases totalling $2,500 or more! This offer excludes shipment to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Puerto Rico. If you have any questions, please contact customer service at 1-877-RUG-HOME (877-784-4663). We at Rug & Home want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase and, to ensure this, we have a convenient 7-day in-home-trial-policy for furniture purchases. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 7 days from the date the merchandise was delivered for a full refund (excluding return trip shipping fees). Please see our Shipping & Returns Policy for restrictions and complete details.


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2018 Prestige 560 S Express Cruiser
- Description
- View Full Specifications
- Year:
- 2018
- Length:
- 56'
- Engine/Fuel Type:
- Twin / diesel
- Located In:
- Baltimore, MD
- Hull Material:
- Fiberglass
- 79035-2592231
- Call for Price
Same great layout as the 550 Flybridge but in an Express Cruiser package....but you still get an area on the flybridge to relax and sun.
On the heels of the highly-awarded Prestige 500s and 500 Fly, Prestige is introducing this Prestige 550S motoryacht which is set to debut in the US this year at the Fort Lauderdale boat show. Featuring similar design, engineering and styling as current Prestige yachts, the new 58' 10" (17.92 m) 550S will carry three staterooms plus crew's quarters below, a galley, dining and lounging areas on the main deck. Even though it is an express cruiser there is a Flybridge style lounge area for relaxing and sunning while moored or underway! Very unique design and great use of space, still allowing for an expansive sunroof in the salon.
Give us a call to spec out your new Prestige today! All new Prestige Yachts carry a comprehensive 2-year bow to stern warranty. Call us to inquire about special builder finance offers!
Call us or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com for more information on special builder finance offers.
Give us a LIKE at Facebook to stay informed: www.facebook.com/chesapeakeyactcenter
Please contact Chesapeake Yacht Center at (410) 823-2628
Additional Specs, Equipment and Information:
LOA: 58 ft 9 in
Beam: 15 ft 8 in
Minimum Draft: 3 ft 10 in
Maximum Draft: 3 ft 10 in
Dry Weight: 38471 lbs
Total Power: 1200 HP
Engine 1:
Engine Brand: Cummins Diesel
Engine Model: 2 x 600-hp Cummins QSC 8.3
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Drive Type: Pod Drive
Engine Power: 600 HP
Engine 2:
Engine Brand: Cummins Diesel
Engine Model: 2 x 600-hp Cummins QSC 8.3
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Drive Type: Pod Drive
Engine Power: 600 HP
Cruising Speed: 24 knots
Maximum Speed: 30 knots
Fresh Water Tanks: 1 (211 Gallons)
Fuel Tanks: 1 (510 Gallons)
Number of twin berths: 2
Number of double berths: 2
Number of cabins: 4
Number of heads: 3
Distinguishing Features
• Engines mounted forward. Instead of putting the Cummins diesels directly in front of the pods, they are moved farther forward to more evenly distribute the weight around the boat's longitudinal center of gravity. This keeps the 550 from having excessive bow rise and allows for the ride at a more sedate 5-degree bow high attitude. The Zeus pods are located well aft, under the crew quarters berth, and a jackshaft connects the engines to the pods.
• A 59' Yacht that runs Fast and Effecient. Best cruise for the Prestige 560S is 25.8 mph (41.5 kph), and the boat gets 0.63 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.27 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 327 miles (526.26 kilometers)
• Low draft. Because her pod drives are in tunnels and she is of a moderate displacement her draft is only 3' 8'' (1.17 m), which is shoal for this size boat.
• Two control stations. The salon is home to the full helm station. In addition, an optional third station in the cockpit is available.
• Versatile VIP sleeping. Virtually every boat on the market in this class has a queen bed in the forward cabin. This is fine for a couple, but what if you are have two gents or ladies, or teenage children to accommodate? Prestige has thought of that and had built its queen bed so that it can be split into twins with each berth being moved to the hill sides. We think this is a super design.
• Private entrance to a huge master. Most yachts in class have one access to all accommodations. One problem with this design is that much valuable space is wasted on a long passageway. By creating a separate staircase to the master stateroom Prestige provides not only more privacy, but also more usable space for a walk-in closet and larger head.
• Four Stateroom 59' Yacht. Full beam master stateroom, Forward VIP, Forward 3rd Stateroom, Captains Quarters!!
• Unique Flybridge Sunpad Relaxation Area on an Express. Prestige makes good use of the Express Cruiser Roof by adding a huge sunpad that allows forward roof space for a salon sunroof! Talk about the best of both worlds!
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Manufacturer Website
YouTube Computer Animation
Other Boats from Chesapeake Yacht Center
560S Express Cruiser
Baltimore, MD, United States
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Doña Ana County Clerk Begins Issuing Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples In New Mexico
Taking a cue from a colleague in Pennsylvania, the Doña Ana County, New Mexico Clerk Lynn Ellins began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples this morning.
Same-sex couples in Dona Ana County New Mexico began receiving marriage licenses this morning from the county clerk who announced he was issuing them based on a widely discussed legal opinion, endorsed by the attorney general last month, that the state's equal protection laws required the state to provide the same benefits of marriage extended to other couples.
"We couldn't be happier for the couples in Dona Ana County – and those across the state who will soon, no doubt, make their way there – who have waited far too long for public sentiment and political courage to evolve far enough to publicly acknowledge their relationships as being just as equal as that of their neighbors," says Patrick Davis, Executive Director of ProgressNow New Mexico, a progressive advocacy group working to advance marriage equality in the state.
Clerk Ellins apparently started considering this move in the summer of 2012, when there was a rumble in the state government over concerns that New Mexico's ban on same-sex marriage was illegal.
New Mexico does not have a marriage ban. 49 states have drafted language illustrating their views on marriage. New Mexico's laws are ambiguous and do not ban same sex marriage. Nor condone it. I do know their is a federal law suit brought on by two couples in Albuquerque who asked for marriage licenses based on New Mexico's lack of specific language regarding marriage in their state. You guys have stated New Mexico has a marriage equality ban on more than one occasion. It's inaccurate.


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I bought some nagaimo,(or mountain yam) for a recipe and I have quite a bit leftover. It's sold here wrapped two or three sections together, so after using about half of one 8" length I've got that one and a whole other 8" section leftover. I did grate more and added some to a meatloaf and a soup, but still that only used about 3 or 4 tablespoons.
What else can you do with nagaimo besides grated in things? Can it be cooked like a root veggie? Does it still get gooey when you cook it whole? Any ideas would be appreciated; I'd hate to see it go bad in the fridge. Thanks!
You can just cook it as you would any potato-like root. You can put it in a chunky vegetable soup for instance, or slice it and saute it, or even bake it. When it's cooked it loses the slimy texture, and just becomes dense and floury. Try slicing it up and slow-frying in a little olive oil, and simply seasoning with a little sea salt. Delicious!
The Big Onigiri.
- Wherever you go, there you are. -
Thanks! That helped a lot!! Now that the weather has finally cooled down, it's time for Stew!
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SDN Strategies Part 4: Big Switch, Avaya, IBM,VMware
Posted by
Kurt Marko
April 18, 2014
My last post in this series on vendors' SDN strategies looked at SDN products from Juniper, Dell, Brocade, and Alcatel-Lucent/Nuage. In this final post of the series, I examine how Big Switch, Avaya, IBM, and VMware approach software-defined networking.
Big Switch
Big Switch was the first influential company founded to commercialize OpenFlow, and its core product remains an OpenFlow controller that's available as a physical or virtual appliance. It works with switches from most major hardware vendors. The Big Virtual Switch and Big Tap applications integrate with the controller, and the company's Switch Light is a software platform for merchant-silicon-based physical and virtual switches within hypervisors.
Big Switch has shifted strategy in the last year to focus on embedded controllers for switch hardware manufacturers, and on a unified physical-virtual fabric that works across all layers of the network stack, from bare-metal hardware and OpenStack virtual switches to network controllers and services, such as cloud data and monitoring fabrics.
Avaya dares to be different with its SDN strategy. It shuns OpenFlow and instead builds on a standards-based SPB (Shortest Path Bridging) network fabric (Fabric Connect). It then layers on programmable interfaces, automated network management, and OpenStack virtual network support.
Like Arista, Avaya avoids the term "SDN," preferring to call its strategy "Application Driven Networking," with a focus on virtual network services and orchestration. Key to Avaya's strategy is a virtual Ethernet overlay for OpenStack that extends the Quantum/Neutron network interface to support virtual networks spanning multiple subnets and VLANs.
Avaya's fabric was on display at last year's Interop, where it provided the conference and expo's network backbone. The combination of SPB and Avaya's Virtual Services Platform (VENA) provides MPLS-like functionality to access and edge devices. For example, several totally isolated networks can share a single Ethernet pipe, meaning retailers can use the same physical link -- say, a metro Ethernet or broadband connection -- for their guest Wi-Fi, company private intranet, and dedicated PCI DSS-compliant payment network.
And because VENA extends Layer 2 SPB to Layer 3 using IS-IS, VRFs can extend across WAN links. Adding APIs, network automation, and application services moves the platform into SDN territory.
IBM's SDN strategy is based on a mix of standard and proprietary technologies. The result is a hybrid of OpenFlow physical networks, OpenStack virtual networks, and its own system management and automation platform, SmartCloud Orchestrator. IBM is one of the founders of OpenDaylight and has a long history of working in open source projects.
The company is leveraging the cooperative OpenDaylight project to produce the physical network OpenFlow controller, define southbound (OF) and northbound (OpenDaylight) APIs, and set the interfaces to OpenStack virtual networks (Neutron).
Much like Cisco with ACI and VMware with its software-defined datacenter strategy, IBM sees SDN as one piece of a comprehensive, private cloud-based SDDC including storage, compute, and management running virtualized applications. One dark cloud over IBM's strategy is a news report earlier this year by Re/code that, after selling its x86 server business to Lenovo, a deal that included its blade servers and switches, IBM is now exploring the sale of its SDN unit.
VMware's SDN strategy is built on technology acquired from hot SDN startup Nicira and rebranded NSX. NSX is among the growing cadre of virtual network overlays built on an underlying physical network fabric for transport and tunneling protocols (VXLAN and NVGRE) with a central controller managing the mapping between virtual network resources and physical ports and servers.
NSX is clearly aimed at the sizable number of companies already using VMware. But while it does have a richer feature set when used on vSphere, including the ability to use virtual appliances for controllers and gateways, NSX works fine with KVM and Hyper-V, and with either the vSphere/vCloud or OpenStack management platforms. NSX also includes Layer 7 network services, including a firewall and VPN gateway (both site-to-site and client remote access).
And it has nurtured a growing ecosystem of virtual network appliances from the likes of Palo Alto Networks, Citrix, Silver Peak, and F5 for ADCs and WAN optimization, McAfee/Intel Security for virtual IPS, Symantec for virtual client anti-malware, and Trend Micro for a full virtual security suite.
Kurt Marko is an IT pro with broad experience, from chip design to IT systems.
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Review Summary
- Beautiful and expansive rooms all have private balconies
- 10 eateries and eight bars
- Nightly theme parties and entertainment
- All rooms include free minibars, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs
- Tons of free activities: non-motorized watersports, dance classes, bicycle tours, and more
- Expansive spa with hot and cold pools and a salon
- All-inclusive rates cover all meals and drinks
- No children allowed (a con for some)
- Nicer pool and better perks reserved for "Preferred Club" guests
- Nothing within walking distance
- Busy restaurants and a no-reservation policy mean long wait times
- Most amenities are shared with neighboring Secrets St. James making for crowded conditions
- No children allowed (a pro for some)
Bottom Line
The sprawling Secrets Wild Orchid is one of the more luxurious adult-only all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, and has a laundry list of property features, including 10 restaurants and cafes and eight bars, and a host of activities: a theater, a spa, a water sports and dive center, a shopping center, and a casino. But the resort shares virtually all of its amenities with the next-door Secrets St. James, and some of the best amenities and freebies are reserved only for the Preferred Club guests.
Oyster Awards
- Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica
- Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Montego Bay
- Best Luxury Hotels in Jamaica
- Best Beach Hotels in Jamaica
- Best Beach Hotels in Montego Bay
- Best Adult-Only Resorts in Jamaica
- Best Adults-Only Resorts in the Caribbean
- Best Hotel Spas in the Caribbean
- Best Hotel Beaches in Jamaica


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The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) at Evanston & Glenbrook Hospitals presents one of the country's most distinguished craft shows, the American Craft Exposition (ACE). Showcasing the country's finest handmade jewelry and art objects from world-renowned craftspeople, this juried indoor exposition and sale of fine craft includes one-of-a-kind pieces, luxury collections and uniquely creative artwork. Funds raised at ACE 2013 will support pioneering research at NorthShore that is already showing promising results in preventing ovarian cancer in at-risk women. This year's exposition will be held from August 22 to 25 at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (2311 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208).
A nationally recognized and celebrated event, the American Craft Exposition features distinctive pieces made in America, from the country's leading artists and more than a dozen emerging artists showcasing new achievements in jewelry, ceramics, metal, fashion wearables, glass, furniture, fiber decorative, leather, wood, mixed media and baskets. ACE is the only volunteer-produced Exposition of its caliber in the country with more than 100 volunteers working year-round to present this amazing show.
The 2013 ACE Co-chairs Leslie Sevcik of Evanston and Dana Turban of Northfield are proud to be leading this award-winning event benefiting ovarian cancer research at NorthShore. "ACE offers such a unique opportunity to shop for exquisite and exclusive items, and actually meet the artists behind the work," said Turban. "This event has become a staple on the North Shore for art and fashion lovers who are also interested in supporting an important cause in their community."
ACE returns to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus, Thursday, August 22 with a Collectors' Hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a Benefit Preview Party from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The Show runs throughout the weekend: Friday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, August 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 for a three-day pass. For more information or to make a donation, please visit americancraftexpo.org or call (224) 364-7270.
About NorthShore University HealthSystem
Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery system that serves the Chicago region. The system includes four hospitals in Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore employs approximately 10,000 and has 2,400 affiliated physicians, including an 800+ physician, multispecialty group practice with over 100 office locations. Further, NorthShore supports teaching and research as the principal teaching affiliate for the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
The NorthShore Research Institute focuses on clinical and translational research, including leadership in clinical trials and medical informatics. The NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation is the primary philanthropic entity of NorthShore. The Foundation raises charitable contributions and engages volunteer friends in support of NorthShore's ongoing mission to preserve and improve human life.
NorthShore has significant capabilities in a wide spectrum of clinical programs, including Kellogg Cancer Center, NorthShore Neurological Institute, cardiovascular care, orthopaedics, high-risk maternity and pediatrics. NorthShore is a Magnet recognized organization, the first in Illinois designated as a system to receive this prestigious honor that demonstrates excellence in nursing and high standards in patient care. NorthShore is a national leader in the implementation of innovative technologies, including electronic medical records (EMR). In 2003, NorthShore was among the first in the country to successfully launch a system-wide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients. NorthShore has been recognized by multiple national organizations for this notable achievement.


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Style # 204005
With cinched detail at sleeve, self-tie bow and ruffled front, this bebe button up blouse is a lovely way to give your wardrobe a feminine touch. Try it with a leather skirt, a pair of embellished heels and a minaudiere for a quick evening look.
- 100% silk
- Center back to hem: 24" (61 cm)
- Sleeve length: 19" (48 cm)
- Imported
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S
Ruffle Trim Victorian Button Up Blouse is rated out of 5 by 1.
Rated 5 out of 5 by NYanonymous from Picture doesn't do it justice I didn't even realize until I wore the top for the first time that it was a full button down. I couldn't tell in the picture online. Since I didn't see it mentioned in the item description, the blouse is completely sheer. That was the look I wanted though so it didn't affect me. This top fits me very well and is cut just right at the bust that it isn't too low when buttoned. There was also enough room that I was able to wear a camisole underneath without the silk top bunching or pulling from the bottom layer's presence, but the seaming on the front made it tapered enough for a sexy fit. I was able to purchase my normal size that I always wear in Bebe for silk button down tops. The sleeves were normal length as well.
Date published: 2013-01-16


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Kiran Mistry enters his sixth season as a member of Jeff Stork's staff at Cal State Northridge in 2008. Mistry assists the program with scouting, recruiting, team and individual training.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mistry has over 20 years of experience coaching both men's and women's volleyball. He started coaching at the high school and club level in 1986. In 1987, he became an assistant coach of the women's team at the University of Lethbridge, and was promoted to Head Coach in 1988 while completing his bachelor's degree in business. From 1989-92, Mistry was an assistant coach for the University of Calgary Men's team and helped lead the Dinosaurs to two conference titles. Calgary also posted third and fourth-place finishes at the Canadian Collegiate National Championships. During the summers of 1990 and 1991, he worked as a guest coach with the Canadian World Games Men's Team. In 1992, Mistry was hired by the Alberta Volleyball Association as an Assistant Coach for the under 20 men's team, which was national champion in 1992 and runner-up in 1993. Mistry then spent four years as a second assistant coach at the University of Kansas. In addition to coaching duties, his responsibilities included recruiting, travel, correspondence, statistical analysis, and program operations.
In May 1998, Mistry began a four year tenure with the Tar Heels of North Carolina. As Director of Recruiting Operations and assistant coach, he was responsible for recruiting, team travel, booster club, coaching clinics, and camps. Coaching duties included assisting with practices, scouting, match preparation, and statistical analysis. During Mistry's time at North Carolina, the team participated in the NCAA Tournament four straight years, won the ACC Conference Tournament three years in a row, earned eight AVCA All-Region team members, two All-Region Coach-of-the-Year, and earned numerous all-conference awards.
Kiran earned a business degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1989 and earned his Master's degree in sport management from the University of Alberta in 1995. His wife, Rashmita Mistry, is a developmental psychologist and Assistant Professor at UCLA. The Mistry's have one son, Millen (4).


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Method :
Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
Beat the eggs and sugar together until well blended.
Boil the milk in a saucepan.
Add the boiling milk into the egg-sugar mixture and mix until uniform.
Stir in the vanilla essence.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into the single large mold or individual molds.
Bake in a water bath for about 30 minutes for a single mold and 20 minutes for smaller individual molds.
Allow to cool and refrigerate.
Before serving, run a knife through the edge of the mold and invert onto a serving plate.
Source : Chef De Cuisine
- The recipe can be halved and it still works.
- Before pouring into the caramel coated mould, cool the custard mix slightly so that it doesnt melt the caramel coating.
- For the waterbath, place the mould in a bigger oven-proof pan/skillet and pour hot or boiling water atleast halfway up the sides of the custard mould. The waterbath helps the custard to cook uniformly without drying up.
- Caramel custard can be also served with fresh fruits. I just served them plain with some caramel juice, which is just the way we like it! :-)
- The caramel custard can also be cooked by steaming.
- Make sure to add the milk to the egg-sugar mixture and not the other way around, theres a chance of the mixture appearing curdled, if you do.
Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!


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Help with recipe ideas for loaf cake
I'm not a cake maker at all - sourdough is challenging enough for me! - so I wondered if you guys could help?
We had a lovely breakfast / tea type of cake in a small restaurant in London (called Honey & Co, the owners used to work with Ottolenghi and I think it has middle eastern background). It was called fig walnut & orange loaf - and it was lovely!
I'd like to be able to recreate (however they won't give me the recipe! :-) )
It was done in a loaf tin; it was quite thick and sticky - the closest I could think of in texture was quite like a soft gingerbread; it was quite sweet, some taste possibly of ginger, didn't really taste much orange (I think it was crystallised peel). Lots of fig...
I tried an Ottolenghi recipe for a chocolate cake (which they also seemed to have a version of) but with fig & walnut & marmalade in the filling instead of chocolate - it came out very dry and more like a bread; not slightly soft like the cake in the shop
Anyone any thoughts or ideas of what I could try? My thinking is perhaps a ginger bread recipe, but swapping out the molasses (as it wasn't dark brown at all, more golden)


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The natron-based glass industries
Glass made using soda from Egypt or "natron" dominated the production of the later first millennium BC through to the end of the first millennium AD and is particularly characteristic of the Roman period. This project uses advanced analytical techniques to determine the sources of the glass (largely in the Near East), the technology of production, and the structure of the production complex.
The project has evolved through a number of sub-projects and has included: characterisation of large primary glass making centres in Israel; development of the "divided production model"; development of innovative trace element and oxygen and strontium isotope methods for the investigation of provenance; demonstration that most Roman and early medieval glass material in Britain was imported from the Near East; demonstration that individual batches of glass may be identified in both consumer assemblages and in workshops; etc.
Current sub-projects include:
- (1) differentiation of glass made in Egypt and different parts of the Levant through trace element analysis
- (2) origin and technology of HIMT glass through trace and isotopic analysis
- (3) glass from wreck sites off the eastern Mediterranean coast
- (4) glass production at Basinghall St, London[Download Analytical data for the Basinghall Street project]
- (5) Hellenistic glass composition and production
Related outputs
- Wardle A, Freestone I, MacKenzie M, Shepherd J (2015) Glass working on the margins of Roman London. MoLA (Purchase book)
- Freestone I C (2015) Re-use and Recycling of Roman Glass: Analytical Approaches. Journal of Glass Studies 57, 29-40.
- Cholakove A, Rehren Th and Freestone I C (2015) Compositional Identification of 6th c AD Glass from the Lower Danube. J Arch Sci Reports
- Freestone, I C, Jackson-Tal R, Tal O and Taxel I (2015) Glass Production at an Early Islamic Workshop in Tel Aviv, Journal of Archaeological Science 62, 45-54.
- Rehren Th and Freestone I C (2015) Ancient Glass: from Kaleidoscope to crystal ball. Journal of Archaeological Science 56, 233-241
- Bayley J, Freestone I C, and Jackson C J, (2015) Glass of the Roman World. Oxbow
- Rehren Th and Freestone I (2014) Pattern in Glass Use in the Roman and Byzantine World: A Report on Current Research at the Institute of Archaeology and UCL Qatar. Archaeology International 17, pp. 74-78, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ai.1718
- Barber D.J., I.C. Freestone and K.M. Moulding (2009) Ancient copper red glasses: investigation and analysis by microbeam techniques. In Shortland A J, Freestone I C and Rehren Th From Mine to Microscope – Advances in the Study of Ancient Technology. Oxbow, 115-127
- Freestone I C, Wolf S and Thirlwall M (2009) Isotopic composition of glass from the Levant and south-eastern Mediterranean Region. In Isotopes in Vitreous Materials, eds P Degryse, J Henderson and G Hodgson. Leuven University Press, pp. 31-52.
- Freestone I, Price J and Cartwright C (2009) The batch: its recognition and significance, Annales 17th Congress AIHV 130-135
- Reade W, Freestone I C and Bourke S (2009) Innovation and continuity in Bronze Age and Iron Age glass from Pella in Jordan, Annales 17th Congress AIHV 47-54
- Tal O, Jackson-Tal R and Freestone I (2008) Glass from a Late Byzantine secondary workshop at Ramla (South) Israel. Journal of Glass Studies 50, 81-95.
- Freestone I, Jackson-Tal R and Tal O (2008) Raw glass and the production of glass vessels at Late Byzantine Apollonia-Arsuf, Israel. Journal of Glass Studies 50, 67-80.
- Tal O, Jackson-Tal R E and Freestone I C (2008) A secondary glass workshop. In Tal O and Taxel I (eds) Ramla (South): An early Islamic industrial site and remains of previous periods. Tel Aviv University, Salvage Excavation Reports 5, 66-76.
- Freestone I C, Hughes M J and Stapleton C P (2008) Composition and production of Anglo-Saxon glass, in V I Evison, Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon glass vessels in the British Museum. London, The British Museum, 29-46.
- Freestone I (2008) Pliny on Roman glassmaking. In Martinon_Torres M and Rehren Th (eds) Archaeology, History and Science: Integrating Approaches to Ancient Materials. University College London: Institute of Archaeology Publications, Left Coast press, Walnut Creek CA; 77-100.


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Celebrate Christmas in Italian style with wild boar - part of our four course Christmas menu.
Start with a bubbly aperitivo and welcome bites, followed by a choice of delicious starters, main courses and dolce. Wide selection of cocktails, bubble and choice wines to get you in the festive mood!
Vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options available
Groups welcome
Christmas menu available from December 1st - December 23rd
Choose from lunch 12.30 -3pm or dinner 6.30pm onwards
Book below or on our website
How do I book?
Register to reserve your prefered date and time slot then email us direct: email@example.com
Do I need to pay in advance?
To secure your booking we ask for a 50% deposit when you contact us direct and it helps us plan each day
What if I have a food allergy?
No problem, just contact us at the time of your booking and we can advise accordingly
What's the minimum number per table?
We welcome groups and a minimum of four per group is required for the Christmas menu
Can we book the whole venue?
Yes! We can cater for 40 covers or you can book the entire venue for free for your party with just drinks and nibbles. Total of 50-60 guests. Again, contact us for more details
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Email us firstname.lastname@example.com or phone 07957 735844
What's the refund policy?
We can only offer refunds upto two weeks before your booking
Is my ticket transferrable?
Yes. As long as the deposit is paid on booking, anyone can use the ticket


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Dr. Bönnemann's clinical and laboratory interests focus on genetically-caused neuromuscular disorders of childhood. In his clinical practice, formerly at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and currently at the National Institutes of Health, his efforts have been devoted to diagnosing and treating children with complex neuromuscular and neurogenetic conditions. His team uses next-generation genomic tools to identify new genetic disorders, as well as to carefully establish phenotypic spectra and the natural history of known genetic conditions. Their focus is on early-onset muscle disease, including the congenital myopathies, congenital muscular dystrophies, and the often rapidly progressive reducing-body myopathy, for which his research team recently identified the causative gene.
In its basic research, Dr. Bönnemann's laboratory team explores the role of interactions between muscle and its extracellular matrix in development, maintenance and regeneration of voluntary muscle. Using animal models and human cells in vitro, the group also looks at how these interactions are perturbed in muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders. Their overriding goal - in both the laboratory and the clinic - is to define opportunities for therapeutic interventions for patients who are affected by congenital muscle disorders.
Last Reviewed: August 27, 2013


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Minnesota's first case of culture-confirmed influenza reported
Minnesota has recorded its first culture-confirmed case of influenza for the 2008-09 season in a 39-year-old man from Chisago County.
The man's illness was caused by the A (H1) strain of the virus, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Friday, Dec. 12. The virus is a good match for this year's vaccine, state health officials said.
While there have been reports of influenza cases around the state already this year, this announcement marks the official start of flu season in Minnesota.
"Identifying influenza in the laboratory helps us know which strains are circulating and tells us how well this year's vaccine will protect people from influenza and its complications," said Kristen Ehresmann, section chief for immunizations at the Minnesota Department of Health.
State health officials said there's an added incentive to get vaccinated this year. Preliminary information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the strain of flu virus that's currently circulating is not susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the antiviral medication most commonly used to treat and prevent influenza.
"We will have fewer tools to treat influenza this year, so it's that much more important to prevent influenza in the first place by getting vaccinated now," Ehresmann said.
Widespread influenza activity in Minnesota usually peaks in February, but cases can occur as late as May. Flu season is off to a typical start this year; the first flu case has historically been confirmed most often in late November or early December.


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|Body Style
|4 Door
|Sport Special Edition
|2.4 L;4 Cylinder
|Drive Type
|Stock Number
|Rear View Monitor In Dash
|Rear View Camera Multi-View
|Stability Control
|Electronic Messaging Assistance With Read Function
|Security Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
|Multi-Function Display
|Phone Wireless Data Link Bluetooth
|Crumple Zones Front
|Audio - Internet Radio: Pandora
|Airbags - Front - Dual
|Airbags - Front - Side
|Airbags - Front - Side Curtain
|Air Conditioning - Front - Dual Zones
|Air Conditioning - Front - Automatic Climate Control
|Air Conditioning - Air Filtration
|Airbags - Side-curtain Rollover Sensor
|Audio Streaming: Bluetooth
|Audio - Antenna: Element
|Emergency Interior Trunk Release
|Audio Security System
|Power Brakes
|Airbags - Rear - Side Curtain
|Audio MP3 Player: CD MP3 Playback
|Audio Auxiliary Input: USB
|Audio Auxiliary Input: Jack
|Audio In-Dash CD: Single Disc
|Audio Auxiliary Input: IPod/IPhone Integration
|Audio - Radio Data System
|Audio - Radio: AM/FM
|Reading Lights Rear
|Floor Mats Front
|Assist Handle Front
|Braking Assist
|Audio - Speed Sensitive Volume Control
|Child Seat Anchors LATCH System
|Rear Floor Mats
|Reading Lights Front
|Child Safety Locks
|Audio System 4 Speakers
|Foot Pedal Trim Aluminum
|Braking assist hill start assist
|ABS Brakes (4-Wheel)
|Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
|Cruise Control
|Driver Seat Heated
|Center Console Front Console With Armrest And Storage
|Multi-function Remote Trunk Release
|Steering Wheel Mounted Controls Cruise Controls
|Power Steering
|Multi-function Remote Controls Fuel Filler
|Driver Seat Adjustable Lumbar Support: Power
|Driver Seat Power Adjustments: 10
|Multi-function Remote Keyless Entry
|Front 12V Power Outlet(s)
|Overhead Console
|Driver Seat Power Adjustments: Recline
|Rear Seats Center Armrest: With Cupholders
|External Temperature Display
|Fuel Economy Display Range
|Warnings And Reminders Low Fuel Level
|Inside Rearview Mirror Manual Day/Night
|Trip Odometer 2
|Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments: 4
|Fuel Economy Display MPG
|Headlights Auto Delay Off
|Mirror Color Body-Color
|Seatbelts Seatbelt Force Limiters: Front
|Exterior Mirrors Power
|Headlights Auto On/Off
|Trip Computer
|Security Engine Immobilizer
|Seatbelts Seatbelt Warning Sensor: Driver And Passenger
|Headlights Halogen
|Front Seatbelts: 3-Point
|Daytime Running Lights LED
|Front Suspension Classification: Independent
|Seats Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
|Impact Absorbing Bumpers
|Vanity Mirrors Dual Illuminating
|Rear Seats Folding
|Traction Control
|Seatbelts Second Row 3-Point
|Passenger Seat Heated
|Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments: Recline
|Rear Bumper Color Body-Color
|Body Side Reinforcements Side Impact Door Beams
|Rear Seats 60-40 Split Bench
|Digital Odometer
|Seatbelts Emergency Locking Retractors: Front
|Seatbelts Emergency Locking Retractors: Front And Rear
|Exterior Mirrors Manual Folding
|Rear Spoiler Color Body-Color
|Seatbelts Seatbelt Pretensioners: Front
|Headlights Wiper Activated
|Warnings And Reminders Maintenance Reminder
|Front Suspension Type: Macpherson Struts
|Seats Front Seat Type: Bucket
|Rear Seats Rear Heat: Vents
|Tail And Brake Lights LED
|One-Touch Windows: 1
|Front Headrests Adjustable
|Power Windows
|Suspension Rear Gas Shock Absorbers
|Suspension Rear Coil Springs
|Suspension Front Spring Type: Coil Springs
|Suspension Front Arm Type: Lower Control Arms
|Windows Front Wipers: Variable Intermittent
|Windows Lockout Button
|Suspension Rear Coil Over Shock
|Suspension Front Shock Type: Gas Shock Absorbers
|Windows Rear Defogger
|Exterior Mirrors Driver Side Spotter Mirror
Notice: Ron Norris makes every effort to ensure that our information on this website is accurate and true. However, Ron Norris cannot be held responsible for inaccurate information provided by outside sources. Vehicle availability subject to prior sale. Prices do not include taxes and/or fees and includes all applicable incentives. Incentives are subject to change at the beginning of each month. Please contact us with any questions.


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Sooners rout Iowa State
ALEX ABRAMS, Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Barry Switzer was so confident that Oklahoma would beat Iowa State that he got on Twitter on Friday and congratulated Bob Stoops for matching his record for most wins with the Sooners.
Trevor Knight then went out and took care of the rest.
Knight replaced injured quarterback Blake Bell in the second quarter and led No. 22 Oklahoma to a 48-10 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.
The Sooners (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) closed the game with 45 unanswered points over the final three quarters, handing Stoops win No. 157 at one of college football's most successful programs and backing up Switzer's boast that he downplayed later in the day.
"I've done my best to ignore that or stay away from it," Stoops said of tying Switzer's record. "All I'll do is compliment coach Switzer. He was a special coach at his time. Not many coaches have a Super Bowl with three national championships."
Knight was 8-of-14 passing for 61 yards and rushed for 123 yards and one touchdown. Damien Williams added 10 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns for the Sooners.
Iowa State (1-9, 0-7) held Oklahoma scoreless in the first quarter and led 10-3 before Jalen Saunders returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown right before halftime.
Knight provided an instant spark after replacing Bell, who was 2-of-5 passing for 10 yards before he appeared to get injured on a fumble with the Sooners trailing 7-0.
Stoops stuck with Bell as his starting quarterback after Oklahoma managed only 237 yards of offense in a 41-12 loss at then-No. 5 Baylor. And while the Sooners got off to another slow start, they outscored the Cyclones 38-0 in the second half.
"We had fun. Like we've said all along, it's not about one guy in this group of quarterbacks," Knight said. "It's the strength of the group. We've got to prepare every week to be ready to go and in situations like that."
Williams scored on a 69-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the third quarter, lifting Oklahoma to its first lead of the day. The two-play, 75-yard drive showed the Sooners are capable of scoring in a hurry.
Brennan Clay added a 63-yard touchdown later in the third to extend Oklahoma's lead to 27-10. The two long touchdown runs all but dashed Iowa State's hopes of snapping a 15-game losing streak to Oklahoma.
And Knight made a case for the starting role when he stumbled his way for a 56-yard touchdown on the first play of the quarter. It was the redshirt freshman's first career rushing touchdown.
"He played with poise (and) took care of the football," Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said. "He missed a couple of things in the pass, but he handled himself well."
It was the first time Oklahoma had three players rush for a touchdown of at least 50 yards in a game since 1988.
Stoops said Bell left the game because of an injury and not as a result of his inability to move the offense. Stoops added that the plan was to play Knight as well against Iowa State, but the move came sooner than expected because of Bell's injury.
Stoops said he'll wait until he knows more about Bell's health before he makes a decision on his starting quarterback for Oklahoma's next game at Kansas State.
"We'll see. I'm not gonna say anything here a half-hour after the game," Stoops said. "We'll look at what we feel what's the best way moving forward."
Oklahoma's offensive woes carried over into Saturday, and things didn't begin to get better until Knight took over.
The Sooners managed just one first down and 25 yards of total offense in the first quarter. It marked the fourth straight game that Oklahoma failed to score in the first.
Saunders scored Oklahoma's only touchdown of the first half when he fielded a punt at the 9, eluded a few defenders, and raced to the end zone with 1:09 remaining in the second quarter.
"We had the guy surrounded a long way from the goal line, and then he escapes and makes a great play," Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said. "Woe is me. Why us? I can't believe this is happening again."
The Cyclones, losers of seven in a row, jumped out to a 7-0 lead when Sam Richardson ran untouched on a 4-yard touchdown run with 14:18 left in the second quarter.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Gayly - November 17, 2013 @ 12:00pm


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Fargen Amps FJLI John Lennon Limited Edition 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo
Sku #H94996000000000
Fargen Amps
Tube Combo Guitar Amplifiers
- Write a Review
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Handmade combo that offers you 50s, 60s and 70s Lennon tone.
The Imagine Series combines world-class tube amplifier engineering with luxurious cabinetry and craftsmanship, to accomplish the ultimate John Lennon experience. Adorned with pure white features and components throughout, the Imagine Series amplifier captures the essence of John Lennon and his vintage tones. The Imagine Series is available in a limited series of 51 hand-numbered pieces.
The Decade Switch quickly transcends between his 50s Rock 'n Roll, 60s Liverpool and 70s Plastic Ono Band tones. Fargen's master wood craftsman builds each cabinet by hand, and Ben Fargen builds each circuit by hand to produce a strong, resonant amp full of tone and depth.
- Premium Eastern soft maple lumber with a 13mm Baltic birch baffle
- Two EL84 15Watt power amp design
- Two 12AX7 preamp and phase inverter tubes
- VIntage 60s style mustard tone caps
- VIntage carbon comp resistors
- Three-way mode tone shift Decade Switch
- Hi and Lo power switch
- Custom handbuilt parts tag board
- Belton high-grade tube sockets
- Custom built proprietary JL-15, 12" Alnico speaker
- Evidence Audio Siren II high-end speaker cable
- Precision dovetail joinery
- Certificate of Authenticity signed by Ben Fargen
- Hand crafted in the U.S.A.
Call or click to get this combo today.


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MOSCOW, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Russian energy company Gazprom Neft said oil from the Badra field in southern Iraq is making its way to the Persian Gulf for exports.
The company, the oil arm of Russian gas company Gazprom, brought Badra online in December and testing of new pipeline infrastructure to the export terminal at Basra began in May. Now, the company said, the field is sending 15,000 barrels of oil per day to the southern port city.
"Over the period of just a few years, a consortium of companies led by Gazprom Neft has fully prepared Badra, one of the most complex geological field structures in Iraq, for full-scale commercial development," Alexander Dyukov, Gazprom Neft board chairman, said in a statement Monday. "This is the first major international project in the upstream sector the company has implemented from scratch."
In June, the company started preliminary oil production from the Badra oil field in Iraq, which has estimated reserves of 3 billion barrels of oil.
The delivery from Badra of 15,000 bpd should be static for the rest of the year. The Russian company said the terms of its Iraqi contract call for the eventual production of 170,000 bpd.


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From Openmoko
NumberX is one of the applications that runs on the Openmoko Phones. For a list of all applications, visit Applications
NumberX is a mathematical puzzle game that will challenge your mental math abilities!
Four random numbers, between 1 and 9, you are given and you must put them all together using the basic arithmetic operators in such a way as to arrive at a given target random number.
Every puzzle has a solution. The difficulty of the puzzles varies, some are easy and others are much more difficult!
It's written in Python / Elementary.
The Project is hosted on Google code.
Download and installation
You can install NumberX directly from Web with opkg. All packages are available here. For example:
opkg install http://numberx.googlecode.com/files/numberx_1.0.1-r0_all.ipk
- python-math
- python-elementary
A mathematical puzzle game that will challenge your mental math abilities!


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Campus Happenings
NDUS Blog
NDUS Home
Feldner named NDUS Vice Chancellor for IT and Institutional Research
Posted on 5/7/2013
Linda Donlin, Director of Communications and
Media Relations
North Dakota University System
Phone: 701.328.2962
BISMARCK, N.D. - Lisa Feldner, Ph. D., Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Information Technology Department (ITD) for the state of North Dakota, will take one of the top jobs in the North Dakota University System, effective June 3. Feldner's new position is vice chancellor for Information Technology and Institutional Research, where she will oversee the NDUS System Information Technology Services (SITS) and will take charge of institutional research, one of the most critical components of university system operations. She will succeed Randall Thursby, who has served as NDUS CIO since July 2006 and will retire this summer.
"We are very excited to have Dr. Feldner on board with the extensive depth and breadth of IT concepts, applications and management she brings to this expanded and important role in our system," says Hamid Shirvani, NDUS Chancellor. "We are extremely grateful to Randall for his leadership in and dedication to building the outstanding IT system that we now have in place. With Lisa's knowledge of the system and collaborative relationships she already enjoys with Randall's team, we are confident we will have a smooth transition and will continue to ensure that our IT system is one of the best in the country."
One of Thursby's major initiatives was to create the unified SITS organization employing about 140 people, which consolidated a number of IT services that had been delivered by disparate departments throughout the university system. During this consolidation, he also launched a strategic IT architecture that focused on connected and integrated services that meet the needs of students, faculty and staff. Thursby was recently named North Dakota's 2013 IT Champion.
Feldner oversaw technology activities in state and local government, managed a staff of 300 employees and a budget of $82 million. Feldner also held an important leadership role in coordinating major IT initiatives, including the Statewide Technology Access for Government and Education Network (STAGEnet), the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), ConnectND, and the Geographical Information (GIS) Hub.
Feldner holds memberships in the State Information Technology Advisory Committee (SITAC), North Dakota Education Technology Council (EduTech), National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), North Dakota Association of Technology Leaders, North Dakota Longitudinal Data System Committee, Chairman of Criminal Justice Information System Board, and the National Association of State Technology Directors.
Prior to Feldner's appointment as ITD's CIO in April 2006 by Governor John Hoeven, Feldner served as the Technology Director for Bismarck Public Schools, where she managed the budget and staff, including the development, design, and integration of software and hardware systems for more than 13,000 users at 26 campuses.
Feldner has a Ph. D. in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota, a master of science in mathematics education from Minot State University, and bachelor's of science degrees in computer science and business education, also from MiSU.
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|Palestinian / Israeli Separation Wall
Our world is connected as never before. People from all corners of the planet share culture and commerce at the click of a mouse. In contrast to this great convergence of humanity, Israel is building tall concrete walls while Palestinians fire rockets over them. There's a shared recent history between these people, and I think there could be a shared future that's more in tune with what's going on with our ever-connected universe.
Hamas' policy of not recognizing Israel is a dead end. All our lives are a result of the course of history. In other words, one thing leads to another, and our circumstances bring us to where we are. Israel has been a state for over 50 years, and has grown to seven million citizens. Furthermore, Israel is an inclusive democracy with universal human rights. In fact, Arab Israelis, like all its citizens, can vote for parties who hold seats in the Knesset, the national legislature.
However, if there is to be recognition of the course of history, we cannot forget the demographic changes the idea of Israel has created over 50 years. The influx of people into Israel--mostly Europeans--has displaced some four million Palestinians. You can give any anecdote you want about how small Israel is in comparison to the rest of the Middle East but the sentiment is still there--Palestinians feel that their land was taken away.
The region is host to the convergence of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It's where these religions started, and the region's extensive history draws from all three of these Abrahamic faiths. Radicals hold eschatological beliefs that, if manifested, could set off a major religious conflict in the region and world. You have to credit Israel for keeping a lid on this dynamic while at the same time granting religious freedom.
As we've seen with other conflicts, things do and can change. The "troubles" in Northern Ireland were a result of events a century ago, and after a proactive effort, peace has taken hold. Yugoslavia was another 19th-century idea that when put into practice caused much controversy and conflict. Today we find the south Slavs working to come together in the European Union. In both these cases, a resolution of the conflict was buttressed by the promise of the stability needed for prosperity to happen.
The people of Palestine and Israel deserve peace and prosperity. It is time to stop repeating the same old arguments, dogma and hate speech. It is the knuckleheads on both sides that should be criticized and not the singer from a rock band. In addition, both sides need to make hard decisions about finding a settlement to the catastrophe that is Israel/ Palestine.
Thanks Eddie for sharing your feelings. I stand with you my friend!!!
|"They are all our enemies and their blood should be on our hands. This also applies to the mothers of the dead terrorists." Israeli Lawmaker Ayelet Shaked of the Jewish Home Party advocating genocidal policies.


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For the last four years Muntu has been wowing audiences across the globe with his ingeniously creative manipulation of technology, innate musicality and generous sincerity. He has toured all over the world, from Paris to Douala, Womad UK to Mexico, London Jazz Festival to Singapore and back. He has played alongside some of the biggest names of African music new and old, such as Staff Benda Bilili, Ali Farka Toure, Keziah Jones, Tony Allen, Richard Bona and Manu Dibango, and has forged exciting new collaborations with the likes of cult folk visionary Alasdair Roberts and Damon Albarn's Africa Express.
Muntu Valdo is a Sawa from the coast of Cameroon in West Africa. Now based in London, he delivers his unique 'Sawa Blues' solo, with just guitar and harmonica and using live technology to underpin his powerful melodies – conjuring up multi-layered loops and mysterious sound textures thanks to a constantly expanding armada of pedals at his feet.
'5 Circles Of Humanity' was written especially for the 2012 Olympic Games, and features Muntu with the Maria Fidelis School Gospel Choir.
You can listen here: http://soundcloud.com/airmtm/muntu-valdo-five-circles-of/s-Aa6I3
"5 Circles Of Humanity is pure spiritual uplift." - - Metro
Muntu Valdo - 5 Circles Of Humanity