text:
Project Row Houses offers free weekly tutoring to students of any age who need assistance in their studies. Through a pool of dedicated volunteer tutors, aid is available in a wide variety of subjects. Tutoring sessions are offered every Monday evening from 6-8pm. To schedule a session for a specific subject, please call PRH at 713.526.7662.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: April 3Monday Night Tutoring
Later Event: April 16Art Houses Closed


text:
Stephane Hessel, who inspired Occupy movement, dies at 95
Hessel's Time for Outrage rallied people to change the world
Stephane Hessel of France was a man of many talents.
As a spy for the French Resistance, he survived the Nazi death camp at Buchenwald by assuming the identity of a French prisoner who was already dead. As a diplomat, he helped write the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And at age 93, after a distinguished but relatively anonymous life, he published a slim pamphlet that even he expected would be little more than a vanity project.
Au contraire.
Hessel's 32-page Time for Outrage sold millions of copies across Europe, tapping into a vein of popular discontent with capitalism and transforming him into an intellectual superstar within weeks. Translated into English, the pocket-sized book became a source of inspiration for the Occupy Wall Street movement.
In the book, Hessel urges young people to take inspiration from the anti-Nazi resistance to which he once belonged and rally against what he saw as the newest evil: The love of money.
The book, called Indignez-vous in French, had an initial run of 8,000 copies in 2010 and sold for $4 Cdn before becoming a bestseller.
Hessel died overnight in Paris. He was 95.
Occupied France
"I'm eagerly awaiting the taste of death. Death is something to savour, and I hope to savour mine. In the meantime, given that it has not yet happened and that I'm generally getting around normally, I'm using the time to throw out some messages," Hessel told RTL radio in 2011.
Born in Germany, Hessel and his parents immigrated to France in 1924, where they settled into an avant-garde life, hanging out with artists like Alexander Calder and Marcel Duchamp.
Hessel fled to London to join the resistance led by Gen. Charles de Gaulle in 1941, but snuck back into occupied France on a spying mission in 1944, where he was arrested by the Gestapo and shipped off to the Nazis' Buchenwald concentration camp. The day before he was to be hanged, he swapped his identity with another French prisoner who had died of typhus.
As a French diplomat after Second World War, Hessel joined a panel that included former U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt which wrote up the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Hessel "leaves us with the invaluable heritage of fighting for universal human values and his inalienable sense of liberty," Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said Wednesday.
UN honours Hessel
A proud Socialist, Hessel said the aim of Time for Outrage was to convince adrift or discouraged young people that they can change society for the better — even if they feel the world is controlled by entrenched and financially powerful interests. But he hardly expected it would find a large audience in France, much less elsewhere.
Hessel said he purposely offered no solutions.
"I am not giving them a meaning, but I am saying: 'Do try to find for yourself what would be meaningful."'
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Hessel had succeeded in that goal.
"In France, in Europe, in the world, Stephane Hessel was the spirit of resistance incarnate," he said. "For every generation, for young people, he was a source of inspiration but also a reference. At 95, he embodied faith in the future of this new century."
In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council observed a minute's silence in Hessel's memory, which the U.N. said was unprecedented.
"Stephane Hessel was a towering figure in the human rights world," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said. "His close involvement with the team who drafted the Universal Declaration is enough by itself to earn him a place of honour in global history. But he went on to do so much more, and kept contributing to the advancement of human rights well into his 90s."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mobile Computer Service - 02 9817 0544
When it comes to IT service and solutions, Mobile Computers is an undisputed winner. We can provide mobile computer repair and service assistance throughout the Sydney area. We are least bothered about the operating system you use, whether Mac or Windows, if you are facing any hardware or software related issue, we can fix it in no time.
Super Geek - 13 4335
Our live Call Centre is open for phone calls between 6am and 10pm Monday to Sunday to book your jobs. All after hours messages received will be addressed at the earliest possibility during the following business hours. Our SuperGeek technicians can service your tech needs Monday to Saturday 8:00am – 10:00pm on availability.
Computer Repairs Sydney - 0416 206 604
We're the house call doctors for your computer. We offer a professional onsite computer repair service directly to your home or small business. No need to disconnect all of those tangled cables. Just call for prompt service with a smile. Experience the onsite difference - you'll never take your computer to the shop ever again.


text:
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- 03-24-2010, 12:37 PM #1Member
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- Mar 2010
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Senior Java Software Engineer-Wicket Expeience a Must! Located in NYC
Are you an amazing Senior Java Software Engineer? Our Java Team is looking for the best digital folks in the industry to join Fi as a Java Software Engineer in our New York office.
Position Overview
Fi is an interactive agency and software development studio whom focuses on building the next generation web applications. Fi was ranked 3rd after Apple and Pixar in Imagine Publishings list of most inspiring companies. From offices in New York City and Stockholm, Fi has spent over a decade building award-winning experiences for top clients including EA Sports, Porsche, Ikea, Joost, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts.
As a Senior Java Software Engineer you will be designing and implementing server-side components for large-scale web applications utilizing state of the art Java technology and development processes. You will be a key player within our team, contributing your hands-on software engineering expertise and excellent problem-solving skills. You will also interact closely with our front-end developers, to provide highly interactive and seamless user experiences.
You will begin working on evolving our vision to create the best online media destination, Kontain. Working on this cool, emerging social media platform will allow you to use cutting edge Java technology (Spring, Hibernate, Wicket and Maven)
Our Java Software Engineers are detail-oriented and extraordinarily passionate. We are looking for ambitious and communicative hands-on individuals who are comfortable working as part of an interdisciplinary team, and have experience working in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge & Qualifications
* In-depth knowledge of Java/J2EE, with at least 5 years of commercial development experience or 3 years if you have a degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent
* Experience in building server-side components for large-scale web applications
* Knowledge of agile development methodologies
* Experience in working with Spring Framework, Hibernate and Apache Wicket
Merited Experiences
* Maven
* Spring Security
We are now accepting applications. We like to review applicants that send an overview of their latest projects which includes a short summary, their role and utilized technologies. Please send your application to firstname.lastname@example.com marked Senior Java Software Engineer NYC.
Kontain grows around its employees offering an extremely creative, collaborative and challenging work environment. We have some exciting projects in the works, and are looking forward to bringing on some passionate new team members.
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text:
Greenwich reclaims Class LL swim title from Fairfield Prep
MIDDLETOWN -- Fairfield Prep broke Greenwich High School's 19-year stranglehold on the Class LL boys swimming title last year, but it didn't take long for the Cardinals to get the championship plaque back in their hands.
Sparked by a staggering seven first-place finishes and numerous impressive performances, Greenwich swam away with its 20th CIAC Class LL championship in 21 years, amassing 922 team points before a packed house at Wesleyan University.
Junior Alex Lewis won two individual events (100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke), set a state record and was part of two winning relay teams for the Cardinals, who placed second behind rival Fairfield Prep at last year's competition.
"It's definitely nice to get the title back by finishing ahead of the team that beat you last year," said Lewis, who clocked in at :49.88 to win the 100 backstroke, a new state record. "We got a little bit of payback today, but we know we still have a lot of work to do."
Greenwich veteran coach Terry Lowe echoed the same sentiment.
"The job's not done yet," Lowe said. "We have the State Open ahead of us. But if this team continues to swim at the rate they are competing at they will go down as the best team I've ever had. I don't think I've ever seen a better performance from our team than what they accomplished tonight."
Fairfield Prep placed second in the team standings with a score of 725, Staples finished third (387), followed by Amity Regional (377.5), Glastonbury (355) and Ridgefield (302). Westhill/Stamford finished seventh (282) and Norwalk/McMahon was ninth (201).
How's this for an impressive start to the meet? The Cardinals' 200-yard medley relay team of Lewis, Iain Edmundson, Julian Fraser and Ed Moss touched the wall first in a state record time of 1 minute, 34.06 seconds. The foursome broke state mark of 1:34.09 set by Greenwich in 2006.
Fairfield Pep was the runner-up (1:34.76). Junior Nicholas Wargo gave Fairfield Prep a victory in the 200-yard freestyle. Opening a lead in the fourth lap, Wargo posted a winning time of 1:42.47. Thomas Dillinger of Greenwich placed a close second, clocking in at 1:42.51, while Staples junior Jonathan Blansfield took third in 1:42.74. Cardinals junior Ben Wurst had a sixth-place finish (1:46.69).
"I had high hopes going into this meet," Wargo said. "I've always looked up to Dillinger, who is a great swimmer. I knew it was going to come down to the two of us. Tonight, I really think we exceeded our expectations."
Westhill/Stamford sophomore standout Oscar Ike registered a second-place finish in the 200 individual medley. Taking it out fast, Ike placed second in 1:54.30. Amity Regional junior Alan Pite took home the LL title in the event, touching the wall in 1:53.78. Fairfield Prep's Brandon Cole finished third, followed by Greenwich's Edmundson.
"I was really surprised that I did that well tonight," Ike said. "I'm very happy with the times I swam. I feel like our whole team has improved as the season has gone on."
What transpired in the 50 freestyle was something the meet hasn't seen in quite some time. Neck and neck during the two laps, Greenwich sophomore Ed Moss and Fairfield Prep Bjorn Davis shared the Class LL title, finishing in a tie at :20.98. There was another Cardinals/Jesuits deadlock in the 50 freestyle, as Prep sophomore Bryce Keblish and GHS senior Kevin Parker tied for fourth (:21.95).
"Ed Moss pulling out a tie in the 50 freestyle was huge for us," Lowe said. "Everyone tonight just kicked it up to a higher gear."
Lewis continued his sensational season for Greenwich, claiming the 100 butterfly championship in a sizzling time of 50.46. Lewis took the lead in the second lap, before holding off Keblish of Fairfield Prep (51.23). The Cardinals scored a wealth of important team points in the event, as junior Julian Fraser finished third (51.78), freshman John Montesi placed fourth (51.81) and senior Luka Fikre took seventh (53.55). Ike of Westhill/Stamford posted a sixth-place finish (:53.77).
The Jesuits got another individual win in the 100 freestyle, with junior Bjorn Davis touching out the competition in :46.15. Leading from the start, Davis finished ahead of Moss of Greenwich, who continued his impressive evening by swimming a :47.11 in the event.
Wargo of Prep was third (:47.35), senior Tim Hardman of the Cardinals placed fourth (:49.09) and senior Sherman Lau from Norwalk McMahon took fifth (47.06). Ridgefield received a sixth-place showing from senior Patrick Maguire in the event (:48.82).
"I broke a team record in the 100 freestyle, which has been my goal since freshman year," Lau said. "I have been working so hard to reach it. It's feels very rewarding to get that record."
Said Davis of Fairfield Prep: "Going into this meet we knew we were going to receive tough competition from Greenwich, they're a great team. But I thought tonight we did better than we could ever hope for."
Staples junior Jonathan Blansfield captured the 500-yard freestyle championship, swimming a 4:34.15. Dillinger of Greenwich was the runner-up (4:40.39), followed by Norwalk/McMahon sophomore Anthony Dell'Isola (4:43.04) and Fairfield Prep's Cole (4:43.07).
"We had a lot of personal-best times tonight and a lot of guys dropped time, so it was really a great meet for us," Dillinger said. "We put ourselves in good position heading into the Open."
Ridgefield's Maguire was pleased with his team's performance.
"I saw a lot of guys drop times and have some personal-best times tonight," Maguire said. "We really picked it up when we needed to and gave a good effort."
In another race that went down-to-the wire, the Cardinals edged the Jesuits for the 200-yard freestyle title. With a slight lead heading into the last lap, the Greenwich posted a winning time of 1:25.36 -- a Class LL record. Fairfield Prep, which set the previous record of 1:26.05 in 2009, finished the race in 1:25.36 (which also would have broken their record).
Lewis produced another eye-opening swim for Greenwich, winning the 100-yard backstroke in a state/LL record time of :49.28.
"My goal the entire season has been to break 50 in the event," Lewis said. "I felt I had a great chance to do it tonight."
Edmundson gave the Cards yet another victory, touching the wall first in the 100 breastroke (:58.48). Pite of Amity Regional placed second, while Newtown senior Jonathan Broduer finished third.
Greenwich concluded the meet in style, with the foursome of Tim Hardman, Matthew Fraser, Lewis and Dillinger registering a winning time of 3:09.84.
"Our relays were outstanding," Lowe said. "Winning that first relay was a great way to kick off the meet and they way we finished it was great."
Class LL swim championships
at Wesleyan
Team scores
1. Greenwich 922, 2. Fairfield Prep 725, 3. Staples 387, 4. Amity 377.5, 5. Glastonbury 355, 6. Ridgefield 302, 7. Westhill/Stamford 282, 8. Windham/RHAM 227, 9. Norwalk/McMahon 201, 10. Manchester 194, 11. Xavier 186.5, 12. Newtown 185, 13. Trumbull 171, 14. Bristol 122, 15. Southington 119, 16. East Hartford 113, 17. Platt/Maloney 82, 19. Simsbury 80, 20. Hamden 66.
Individual results
Winner in each event and regional swimmers in top six
200 medley relay: 1. Greenwich (Alexander Lewis, Iain Edmundson, Julian Fraser, Edward Moss) 1:34.06 (state record); 2. Fairfield Prep (Edward Stolarski, John Hoin, Bryce Keblish, Bjorn Davis) 1:34.76; 4. Staples (Daniel Williams, Ethan Hunter, Michael DeLuca, Christopher Mombello) 1:41.71; 6. Amity (Dylan Swanepoel, Brian Liang, Matthew Cucurello, Jamie Huang) 1:41.85; 200 freestyle: 1. Nicholas Wargo (Fairfield Prep) 1:42.47; 2. Thomas Dillinger (Greenwich) 1:42.51; 3. Jonathan Blansfield (Staples) 1:42.74; 5. Dylan Swanepoel (Amity) 1:46.36; 6. Ben Wurst (Greenwich) 1:46.69; 200 IM: 1. Alan Pite (Amity) 1:53.78; 2. Oscar Ike (Westhill/Stamford) 1:54.30; 3. Brandon Cole (Fairfield Prep) 1:55.18; 4. Iain Edmundson (Greenwich) 1:55.22; 5. Andrew Stotesbery (Greenwich) 1:56.37; 6. Michael Hopkins (Westhill/Stamford) 1:56.71; 50 freestyle: 1. (tie) Edward Moss (Greenwich) and Bjorn Davis (Fairfield Prep) 20.98 (Class LL record); 4. (tie) Bryce Keblish (Fairfield Prep) and Kevin Parker (Greenwich) 21.95; 6. Julian Fraser (Greenwich) 22.00; 100 butterfly: 1. Alexander Lewis (Greenwich) 50.46; 2. Bryce Keblish (Fairfield Prep) 51.23; 3. Julian Fraser (Greenwich) 51.78; 4. John Montesi (Greenwich) 51.81; 6. Oscar Ike (Westhill/Stamford) 52.31; 100 freestyle: 1. Bjorn Davis (Fairfield Prep) 46.15; 2. Edward Moss (Greenwich) 47.11; 3. Nicholas Wargo (Fairfield Prep) 47.35; 4. Tim Hardman (Greenwich) 47.67; 5. Sherman Lau (Norwalk/McMahon) 47.86; 6. Patrick Maguire (Ridgefield) 48.82; 500 freestyle: 1. Jonathan Blansfield (Staples) 4:34.15; 2. Thomas Dillinger (Greenwich) 4:40.39; 3. Anthony Dell'Isola (Norwalk/McMahon) 4:43.04; 4. Brandon Cole (Fairfield Prep) 4:43.07; 5. Dylan Swanepoel (Amity) 4:43.15; 6. Daniel Williams (Staples) 4:48.16; 200 freestyle relay: 1. Greenwich (Tim Hardman, Julian Fraser, Edward Moss, Thomas Dillinger) 1:25.36 (Class LL record); 2. Fairfield Prep (Nicholas Wargo, Brandon Cole, Bryce Keblish, Bjorn Davis) 1:25.41; 3. Amity (Jacob Laser, Charles Pite, Sam Guerra, Alan Pite) 1:29.55; 5. Westhill/Stamford (Oscar Ike, Justo Karell, Nikita Zemlevskiy, Michael Hopkins) 1:30.21; 6. Staples (Michael DeLuca, Christopher Woods, Christopher Mombello, Jonathan Blansfield) 1:30.44; 100 backstroke: 1. Alexander Lewis (Greenwich) 49.88 (state record); 2. John Montesi (Greenwich) 51.72; 5. Kevin Parker (Greenwich) 53.87; 6. Edward Stolarski (Fairfield Prep) 54.01; 100 breaststroke: 1. Iain Edmundson (Greenwich) 58.48; 2. Alan Pite (Amity) 59.13; 3. Nick Lafky (Newtown) 59.64; 4. John Hoin (Fairfield Prep) 1:00.27; 6. Tim Agro (Greenwich) 1:00.71; 400 freestyle relay: 1. Greenwich (Tim Hardman, Matthew Fraser, Alexander Lewis, Thomas Dillinger) 3:09.84; 2. Fairfield Prep (Nicholas Wargo, John Hoin, Edward Stolarski, Brandon Cole) 3:11.29; 3. Amity (Jacob Laser, Charles Pite, Dylan Swanepoel, Alan Pite) 3:14.93; 5. Westhill/Stamford (Oscar Ike, Justo Karell, Nikita Zemlevskiy, Michael Hopkins) 3:18.88.


text:
DhavalBhatt necesitaba un nuevo diseño de tema de wordpress y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 15 diseños de 8 diseñadores freelance.
Phoenix Lasik Surgeons
We are looking for a clean, crisp, professional, and simple design for a Lasik Treatment blog. Lasik is an eye-surgery treatment that helps people see clearly without wearing glasses.
We want to great is simple and crispy design for the blog that says "we are professional". Kinda like Mac website. It's simple, clean, and crisp. That's what we want.
Out target audience is individuals in mid 20's and 30's. These individuals are fairly educated and have college degrees. They are fairly sophisticated and have a special preference for "clean" & "crisp" appearance
Need to redesign out current Lasik Surgery wordpress site. The design should - clean, crisp, professional, and simple. Current site is: phoenixlasiksurgeon.org
Structural Guidelines:
See the attached file for structural guidelines.
Design Guidelines:
Design should revolve around following pillars: clean, crisp, professional, and simple.
The banner should have a clean graphics with following text:
Arizona Lasik Experts
Your Trusted Lasik Advisors In Arizona
Send the files in photoshop format or illustrator format - whichever it is that you use. Also provide the font-type that is used for any text in design.


text:
Mitchell County was formed in
1861 from Yancey, Watauga, Caldwell, Burke and McDowell counties. It was named
in honor of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a professor at the University of North
Carolina. While on an exploring expedition of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak
east of the Mississippi River, Dr. Mitchell fell and was killed. He was buried
on the top of this lofty mountain. It is in the western section of the State and
is bounded by the state of Tennessee and Avery, McDowell and Yancey counties.
The present land area is 220.23 square miles and the 1990 population was 14,433.
The first court was ordered to be held at Eben Child's. Commissioners were named
to acquire the land, establish a town by the name of Calhoun, and erect a
courthouse in Calhoun. They maintained it was inconvenient to three-fourths of
the citizens. They said the matter should, therefore, be referred to the
Assembly. In 1862 an act was passed authorizing the people to decide by ballot
for Calhoun, or for Davis as the county seat. In 1863 an act was passed which
stipulated that the county seat should be located at the geographical center of
the county by actual survey and measurements. In 1863 the justices met and
unanimously agreed that Norman's Hill should be selected as the county seat.
From 1861-1866 commissioners were appointed to acquire the land and lay out a
town. At the regular September term, 1866, held at Davis, the commissioners
reported that they had acquired 29 acres of land and sold the lots. In 1868 the
county seat was changed from Davis to Bakersville. Bakersville was
incorporated in 1870 and is the county seat.
Would you like to volunteer ?
We are looking for volunteers who would like to help local
community organizations. If you'd like to volunteer, follow this link to Ways to Volunteer
then send an e-mail to Mike
Sutherland at email@example.com
or call Mike at 828-688-9051 and let him know how you'd like to help. Becoming a
volunteer in your community can be very rewarding. If you need more information
about this, you can also call the MAIN office at (828) 255-0182. Or
e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
Wireless High Speed Broadband Internet Service is now available in
Mitchell County from the Mountain Area Information Network. To obtain more information click on the
following link:
If you participate in a club or know of a
community activity, or have a web site to list, please share your information
with us, send it to,
[ Home ] [ Activities ] [ Mitchell County Info ] [ Community Links ] [ Artists ] [ Real Estate & Rentals ] [ Pictures ] [ Map of Mitchell ] [ Churches ]
Comments about
this Web site? e-mail: webmaster
September 13, 2003


text:
Give Chad Johnson credit, he's doing everything he can to fit in with the Dolphins.
The 34-year-old wide receiver has even gone so far as to volunteer for special teams work in training camp, taking snaps as a gunner on the punt team, as well as fielding punt and kick returns.
Or, maybe he was just bored.
"I must have been at some other drill when that was going on," coach Joe Philbin said when informed of his participation, via Omar Kelly of the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. "Again, we're exploring any option possible and he is a potential option, but beyond that he certainly hasn't been harassing me [about it]."
Johnson's certainly not going to be covering punts during the regular season. And unless things break down in a serious way, he's not going to be returning, since they have speedsters Lamar Miller and Clyde Gates for kickoffs, and Davone Bess for punts.
So for the moment, Johnson's doing what he does best — having fun and attracting attention to himself.
But at least he's engaged in the process, and that can't possibly hurt.


text:
- About Pullman
- SEWEDA - Palouse Business...Palouse Life
- Awards and Recognitions
- Pullman Video Tour
- Pullman Transit
- Pullman History
- Downtown parking map
- The Lay of the Land
- Sister City History
- Housing Resources
- Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport
- Neill Public Library
- City Statistics
- Welcome to Pullman
- Greening of Pullman
Home About Pullman Greening of Pullman Downtown Pullman Riverwalk Project
Municipal Achiever Gold Award
Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 September 2013 12:46
In 2006, the city received the AWC Municipal Achiever Gold Award in recognition of the Downtown Pullman Riverwalk project, as one which significantly improved the quality of life in our community.
As envisioned, the pathway and bridges increase the flow of non-motorized traffic into the downtown area and the Pine Street Plaza terminus provides a place where people are attracted, where they meet, mingle and connect.
The collaborative project stimulated innovative design changes to offset skyrocketing costs of building materials and generated more than $400,000 in private donations.


text:
In case some of you haven't heard, there is a new Spyro game that was released in October of last year called Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. I'm not going to get into the game details yet because I plan on making a lesson for just the game title. Instead I will tell you that I have been getting bombarded with requests for me to make some tutorials on the characters from the game. So, after careful consideration, I will do just that. To start, how about we learn "how to draw Camo", step by step? Camo is a cool looking dragon that is said to be plant like as far as background goes. Camo is also the thirty second main playable character in the Skylanders game series. Some of the things that Camo can do is grow fruit and even vegetables that eventually explode when they grow to perfect ripeness. Like all dragons, Camo can also breathe fire and this is actually one of his attack abilities. Now because he is a miniature sized dragon, Camo is not going to be all that difficult to draw, but you will probably have some difficulty with some parts of the body when it comes time for adding details and such. Even though there will be bumps in the road, I have complete confidence that you will be able to tackle the task of drawing Camo from Skylanders. I will be back in a bit with some more exciting fun so try and stay tuned in to see what pops up on Dragoart.com next. Peace out people!
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


text:
We oppose Islam, not Muslims. We are against hate, not faith
Hi Vesta., what a name .. did you get that from Avesta?? You see what have written is a classic state of inquiry in to ones self. For that you should be proud of your self, Not depressedVesta wrote:Hi everyone.
I am a 19 year old girl living in Middle east.I used to be a faithful Shiite Muslim. I defended Islam with all my strength.I wanted others to see the truth of Islam but suddenly it was me who started to see things differently.as soon as i finished school i started to doubt in many things.when i started university everything worsened.With every new word that i read i lose a part of my faith.I wasn't trying to find some excuse not to wear Hijab or go to parties.My belief was shaken by more fundamental things.I began to feel that many excuses that are offered for some things in Islam are shallow and i would not have accepted them if they were from another group.So suddenly i woke up and with a panicked.Until then i have considered myself an opened minded Muslim.But then i looked at myself and saw that i am losing my faith completely.I was frantic and tried to regain my faith with extreme forms of prayer but that didn't answer.Even speaking of Islam was sickening for me.I felt very guilty.I felt that what ever i am feeling are because of my sins.
No.. No you don't need to give up anything at present. Wat all you are doing is inquiring int o your faith. Questioning the existing norms in religion and in life is not bad thing. That is how you progress. So you are in 1st year college? There is so much to learn and read you should have very little to thing like religion.since then i am feeling worse and worse.Some times i feel depressed other times aggressive and angry.I feel that i should gave up on my faith but i feel so lost and terrified. Some times i am sure that some thing will happen to me for the way i am feeling.Some times i think what if all the conclusions i have made are all wrong and i am going to the wrong way?
I just don't get you, why do you need to tell your parents that you left Islam? And what is so special in leaving Islam or not leaving Islam to a 19 year old?? You should be busy in School/ college and what not. Off course parents wants best to their children in heaven as well as on earth. Your parents are no exception to that rule. So use their money, their help.. go to collage get out of it in flying colors, get a good Job.. then think about the religion..faith and all that rubbish..My parents though educated fiercely believe in political Islam. I can't leave them and live some where else.I can't tell them how i feel.If i tell them that i can't be a Muslim anymore there would be no university no Internet no e books any more.Probably they will force me to marry some GOOD MAN.It's not that they are cruel.They just want me to go to heaven instead of hell and they think that God's love is above any love.I don't want to hurt them and if i turn my back to Islam it will
Vesta wrote:Hi everyone.
I used to be a faithful Shiite Muslim.
Trouper wrote:Vesta wrote:Hi everyone.
I used to be a faithful Shiite Muslim.
A shiite? Muslim? Sorry you never were a Muslim. So, you never left Islam. You left the cult, shiasm. Congratulations on that.
Ram wrote:Why there is no freedom of religion in Muslim countries?
Why women are forced to cover their faces in many Muslim countries?
Why is the testimony of a Muslim woman is worth half as much as that of a Muslim man?
Why is the testimony a non-Muslim worth half as much as that of a Muslim man?
Trouper wrote:Ram wrote:Why there is no freedom of religion in Muslim countries?
Islam brooks preaching of other religions. It advocates freedom of religion.
The Order to fight People of the Scriptures until They give the Jizyah
Allah said,
[قَـتِلُواْ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلاَ بِالْيَوْمِ الاٌّخِرِ وَلاَ يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَلاَ يَدِينُونَ دِينَ الْحَقِّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ حَتَّى يُعْطُواْ الْجِزْيَةَ عَن يَدٍ وَهُمْ صَـغِرُونَ ]
(Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the People of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.) Therefore, when People of the Scriptures disbelieved in Muhammad , they had no beneficial faith in any Messenger or what the Messengers brought. Rather, they followed their religions because this conformed with their ideas, lusts and the ways of their forefathers, not because they are Allah's Law and religion. Had they been true believers in their religions, that faith would have directed them to believe in Muhammad , because all Prophets gave the good news of Muhammad's advent and commanded them to obey and follow him. Yet when he was sent, they disbelieved in him, even though he is the mightiest of all Messengers. Therefore, they do not follow the religion of earlier Prophets because these religions came from Allah, but because these suit their desires and lusts. Therefore, their claimed faith in an earlier Prophet will not benefit them because they disbelieved in the master, the mightiest, the last and most perfect of all Prophets . Hence Allah's statement,
[قَـتِلُواْ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلاَ بِالْيَوْمِ الاٌّخِرِ وَلاَ يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَلاَ يَدِينُونَ دِينَ الْحَقِّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ]
(Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the People of the Scripture,) This honorable Ayah was revealed with the order to fight the People of the Book, after the pagans were defeated, the people entered Allah's religion in large numbers, and the Arabian Peninsula was secured under the Muslims' control. Allah commanded His Messenger to fight the People of the Scriptures, Jews and Christians, on the ninth year of Hijrah, and he prepared his army to fight the Romans and called the people to Jihad announcing his intent and destination. The Messenger sent his intent to various Arab areas around Al-Madinah to gather forces, and he collected an army of thirty thousand. Some people from Al-Madinah and some hypocrites, in and around it, lagged behind, for that year was a year of drought and intense heat. The Messenger of Allah marched, heading towards Ash-Sham to fight the Romans until he reached Tabuk, where he set camp for about twenty days next to its water resources. He then prayed to Allah for a decision and went back to Al-Madinah because it was a hard year and the people were weak, as we will mention, Allah willing.
Paying Jizyah is a Sign of Kufr and Disgrace
Allah said,
[حَتَّى يُعْطُواْ الْجِزْيَةَ]
(until they pay the Jizyah), if they do not choose to embrace Islam,
[عَن يَدٍ]
(with willing submission), in defeat and subservience,
[وَهُمْ صَـغِرُونَ]
(and feel themselves subdued.), disgraced, humiliated and belittled. Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to honor the people of Dhimmah or elevate them above Muslims, for they are miserable, disgraced and humiliated. Muslim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said,
«لَا تَبْدَءُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى بِالسَّلَامِ، وَإِذَا لَقِيتُمْ أَحَدَهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ فَاضْطَرُّوهُ إِلَى أَضْيَقِه»
(Do not initiate the Salam to the Jews and Christians, and if you meet any of them in a road, force them to its narrowest alley.) This is why the Leader of the faithful `Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, demanded his well-known conditions be met by the Christians, these conditions that ensured their continued humiliation, degradation and disgrace. The scholars of Hadith narrated from `Abdur-Rahman bin Ghanm Al-Ash`ari that he said, "I recorded for `Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, the terms of the treaty of peace he conducted with the Christians of Ash-Sham: `In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. This is a document to the servant of Allah `Umar, the Leader of the faithful, from the Christians of such and such city. When you (Muslims) came to us we requested safety for ourselves, children, property and followers of our religion. We made a condition on ourselves that we will neither erect in our areas a monastery, church, or a sanctuary for a monk, nor restore any place of worship that needs restoration nor use any of them for the purpose of enmity against Muslims. We will not prevent any Muslim from resting in our churches whether they come by day or night, and we will open the doors [of our houses of worship] for the wayfarer and passerby. Those Muslims who come as guests, will enjoy boarding and food for three days. We will not allow a spy against Muslims into our churches and homes or hide deceit [or betrayal] against Muslims. We will not teach our children the Qur'an, publicize practices of Shirk, invite anyone to Shirk or prevent any of our fellows from embracing Islam, if they choose to do so. We will respect Muslims, move from the places we sit in if they choose to sit in them. We will not imitate their clothing, caps, turbans, sandals, hairstyles, speech, nicknames and title names, or ride on saddles, hang swords on the shoulders, collect weapons of any kind or carry these weapons. We will not encrypt our stamps in Arabic, or sell liquor. We will have the front of our hair cut, wear our customary clothes wherever we are, wear belts around our waist, refrain from erecting crosses on the outside of our churches and demonstrating them and our books in public in Muslim fairways and markets. We will not sound the bells in our churches, except discretely, or raise our voices while reciting our holy books inside our churches in the presence of Muslims, nor raise our voices [with prayer] at our funerals, or light torches in funeral processions in the fairways of Muslims, or their markets. We will not bury our dead next to Muslim dead, or buy servants who were captured by Muslims. We will be guides for Muslims and refrain from breaching their privacy in their homes.' When I gave this document to `Umar, he added to it, `We will not beat any Muslim. These are the conditions that we set against ourselves and followers of our religion in return for safety and protection. If we break any of these promises that we set for your benefit against ourselves, then our Dhimmah (promise of protection) is broken and you are allowed to do with us what you are allowed of people of defiance and rebellion.'''
Trouper wrote: You asked "Muslim countries?" According to me, there are no Muslim countries.Why women are forced to cover their faces in many Muslim countries?
Islam does not compel women to cover their faces. Islam suggests modesty. Covering faces is optional, not mandatory.Why is the testimony of a Muslim woman is worth half as much as that of a Muslim man?
Why is the testimony a non-Muslim worth half as much as that of a Muslim man?
I am not sufficiently versed on this matter and hence cannot answer you at this moment.
Thank you for the questions.
Muhammad bin Lyin wrote:Let's take a look at that claim from an historical perspective
9:29. Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
Cassie wrote:I know you won't get it, Eagle, but true peace does not involve slaying, fighting, killing, oppressing anyone. Islam is a demonic religion because it alone among all the major religions actually encourage its adherents to slay, fight, kill and oppress.
9:29 kill or fight all those who do not believe in Allah or the last day, until they pay the jizya with humiliation.
This is not a good commandment. It does not say that it applies only to those who fight you. It applies to ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN ALLAH OR THE LAST DAY.
Your religion is evil. We all know it. Deep in your heart of hearts you know it, despite your desperate apologetics.
Cassie wrote:I know it's an excellent refutation of your apologetics. What sort of religion would encourage its adherents to commit violence and oppression? Have you ever thought why the Muslim world is so violent and hateful? Compare that to peaceful religions where people aspire to higher levels of humanity - such as world peace, goodwill, friendship, equality to all.
Trouper wrote:Islam brooks preaching of other religions. It advocates freedom of religion. You asked "Muslim countries?" According to me, there are no Muslim countries.
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Current Status of LCIW
Due to the August 2016 flooding in South Louisiana, Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) is undergoing repairs and restoration. During the renovation, the offenders usually housed at LCIW are being incarcerated in one of three facilities, the former Jetson Center for Youth, Louisiana State Penitentiary, and Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. LCIW administration is temporarily located at the Jetson facility, and can be reached at (225) 319-2701 LCIW at Jetson 15200 Scenic Highway Baker, LA 70714
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women to provide custody, control, care and treatment in a professional manner to adult female offenders through enforcement of the laws and management of programs designed to ensure the safety of the public, employees and offenders while reintegrating offenders into society.
1. Ensure public safety by preventing escape from custody through implementation of adequate physical and procedural safeguards.
2. Maintain accreditation with the American Correctional Association (ACA).
3. Ensure provision of basic services to the offender population by maintaining sufficient and appropriate facilities, adequate medical and mental health services, ample pastoral care services, food services that meet basic dietary requirements and clothing conducive to the climate. Provide special accommodations to offenders when warranted. Ensure offenders receive continuity of care in all areas.
4. Enhance consistency in medical, mental health and security operations through internal review of programs, processes and procedures.
5. Ensure compliance with the ADA. Expand services provided to special needs offenders, which consists of the elderly, the hearing impaired, etc. and on-going rehabilitative services to offenders.
6. Ensure compliance with PREA standards and D.R. C-01-022, Prison Rape Elimination Act, through the adoption of the practices set forth in the PREA standards.
7. Develop and maintain partnerships throughout the community with private and public agencies to assist in providing the offenders with a smooth transition into the community.
8. Recruit and maintain stability in the workforce, both in security and civilian sectors through enhancement of the training program.
9. Promote professionalism and productivity in the security and civilian division to promote the retention of staff.
10. Enhance medical division with the use of community volunteers to provide health related education to the offender population
11. Continue to enhance wellness among the offender population.
12. Continue to enhance the Re-Entry Program by recruiting volunteers from the community to teach specialized subjects on a recurring schedule.
13. Enhance the provision of in-house medical services due the changes in the delivery of the offender healthcare system throughout the state.
Driving Directions
If traveling I-10 Westbound:Exit I-10 at Gonzales (Exit 177) at the Tanger Outlet Mall. Go left under the interstate on Hwy. 30. Follow Hwy. 30 until you get to Hwy. 74 at St. Gabriel. Turn right on Hwy. 74. LCIW will be on your left after about one (1) mile.
If traveling I-10 Eastbound:Take I-10 east towards New Orleans. Take Exit 173 Prairieville/Geismar and turn right onto Hwy. 73. Follow Hwy. 73 to Hwy. 74. Turn right on Hwy. 74. Proceed approximately 5.5 miles to LCIW. LCIW is on the right after a large curve.
From downtown Baton Rouge: Proceed south on Nicholson Drive (Hwy. 30) past LSU Tiger Stadium. Drive eight (8) miles to Hwy. 74. Turn left and drive one (1) mile to LCIW entrance on left.
Visitation Information
It is the policy of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) to recognize the importance of visitation in the maintenance of family ties. Visitation with family members is a vital aspect in the rehabilitation of an offender. The institution also recognizes that the maintaining of relationships with extended family members and friends is also important. Therefore, every effort shall be aimed at allowing the offender to visit with her family and friends, and at the same time not overtax the institution's ability to process visitors, and provide adequate control and supervision of the visiting process. The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women does not discriminate against offenders and visitors, including the clergy, attorneys, offender family members and other authorized visitors, on the basis of disability. When requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to afford accessibility, wherein such accommodation does not result in an undue hardship on the institution, nor jeopardize the safety of employees, offenders, and other visitors.
Eligibility of Prospective Visitors
All persons, except as specifically prohibited in accordance with this policy, are eligible to be considered for approval to visit an offender confined at LCIW upon application and request by the offender. A person is ineligible to visit if the individual has been convicted of, and/or has criminal charges pending against him/her for the following crimes/criminal activities:
- Introduction and/or supplying, attempting or conspiring to introduce or supply contraband as defined in Department Regulation No. B-05-001 "Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Adult Offenders;"
- Possession, control or delivery of an explosive device or substance, including attempt or conspiracy to do the same; or
- Assisting an offender in an escape or unlawful departure from a correctional facility, including an attempt or conspiracy.
A person who has been convicted of a felony, who has not been finally discharged from an institution or from probation or parole supervision for more than two years without an intervening criminal record shall be denied approval to be placed on an offender's visiting list. In addition, any person who in the previous five years had three or more felony charges (regardless of disposition) shall be considered ineligible to visit or, if already an approved visitor, shall have visiting privileges revoked. When an active criminal warrant is found, the application shall be reviewed and local law enforcement shall be notified of the information provided.
No visitation is allowed while the visitation application is in pending status.
Offender Eligibility
All offenders, except those offenders in intake status or as specifically provided herein, are eligible to apply for visits while confined to LCIW.
Visitation will not be allowed while an offender is in intake status. Once an offender is removed from intake status, visitation with immediate family members may be authorized at the request of an offender. If the intake process exceeds thirty (30) days, the offender may request a special visit with immediate family members in accordance with LCIW visiting procedures.
Offenders who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child family member, or who have a documented history of sex abuse with a minor child family member, are ineligible to visit with any minor child, including their own biological or stepchild.
Offenders who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child who is not a family member are ineligible to visit with any minor child. However, at the Warden's discretion, such offenders may be authorized to visit with their own biological child. The legal guardian shall submit a written request and shall accompany the minor child during the visit. The legal guardian may be permitted to name another individual (other than the legal guardian) who is on the offender's visiting list to accompany the minor child for a visit. The legal guardian shall provide a written, notarized statement authorizing a specific individual to accompany the minor child. If approved by the Warden, the visit may be contact or non-contact at the Warden's discretion.
Visitation Process
At the time of admission and then quarterly as per schedule, offenders may apply for approval to visit with family members and friends. LCIW offenders mail visiting applications to those they wish to visit. The application must then be mailed back to LCIW (faxed applications are not accepted). Once applications are returned to LCIW, LCIW employees process the completed applications, and criminal record checks are run. Offenders are notified when their requested visitors are approved to visit.
The number of approved visitors allowed in any one visit is determined by the custody status of the offender. Minimum and Achievement Custody offenders may have up to 6 adult visitors per visit while Medium Custody offenders may visit with up to 4 approved adult visitors. There is no limit on the number of children under age 15 who may attend Minimum or Medium Custody visits. Maximum Custody offenders are only allowed two visitors per visit and Death Row are allowed only one approved visitor each visit. There is no limit on children for Maximum Custody visits if it is the offender's own children, or if others are approved in advance by the Warden. All custody levels excluding non-contact visits are limited to two visits each month with each visit lasting up to two hours. In addition, Minimum Custody and Achievement Status offenders will be allowed an additional four hours a month for immediately family only. The duration of non-contact visits is at the discretion of the Warden, but may be up to two hours.
Families driving long distances to visit with offenders are suggested to call LCIW prior to leaving home to make sure visitation will be held that day. Visitors should also be aware that circumstances in prisons can change abruptly. Visitation may be canceled if necessary without prior notice.
LCIW takes into consideration the impact visits with parents or grandparents in a correctional setting may have on young children and provides age appropriate books in the gym to entertain and occupy the minds of these children. At all times, children must be supervised by the offender who is being visited or the adult visitor who brought the children.
Visitation is a privilege, not a right. Violation of rules may result in termination of the visit, loss of the offender's visiting privileges, banning of the visitor from entering the institution or its grounds, and/or criminal charges as circumstances warrant.
Contact/Non-Contact Visits
Most visits at LCIW take place in the Visiting Room and are monitored by security officers. However, in certain situations, offenders/visitors may be placed on non-contact visitation status for the safe and secure operation of the institution. Death row offenders generally have non-contact visits with their approved visitors, but are now allowed 2 (two) contact visits each year. Offenders who are housed in segregation/disciplinary units (which include protective custody) are also placed on non-contact visitation status.
All offender visits with attorneys are contact visits.
Any offender who pleads guilty or has been found guilty of a disciplinary rule for one (1) or more of the following reasons will be subject to non-contact visits for a minimum of six (6) months:
- Possession of any drug or drug paraphernalia;
- Producing a positive or adulterated urine sample;
- Refusal or substantial delay to provide a urine sample;
- Introduction of contraband into the institution;
- Positive breathalyzer test; or
- Any major rule violation that occurs in the visitation area.
Such restriction is formally reviewed, at a minimum, every six (6) months.
Shared Visits
While LCIW allows offenders with the same immediate family members to visit together, shared visits have been started for those who don't have frequent visits. Shared visits consist of a regular visit along with an additional offender and may be considered if the offender meets certain criteria. Achievement status and/or minimum custody offenders who have not received a visit in the past year and have not received a disciplinary report within the past six months of request may be eligible for shared visit once a quarter of the calendar year. Eligible offenders must submit written requests for a shared visit at least four (4) weeks prior to the requested date. Both offenders will be notified within one (1) week of the requested visit date whether the request is approved or denied.
Visiting Days/Hours
Monday & Wednesday – 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Death Row
Friday 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. All general population offenders and those offenders assigned to maximum custody, segregation or disciplinary units.
Saturday & Sunday- 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Contact visits for Medium, Minimum Custody by dorm as assigned per weekend. The Aquarius and Gemini dormitories and the Pisces and Libra dormitories alternate weekend days so that offenders in each dorm will be able to visit on a Saturday and Sunday on alternating weekends.
Offenders housed in the Honor Dorm may visit during approved visiting hours on Saturday and Sunday.
NOTE: Visitors are not accepted after 1:15 p.m.
Visiting Rules:
- Visitors must present picture identification at the time of each visit. The only exceptions shall be minor children below the age of eighteen (18). Failure to do so could result in a denial of the visit. The only forms of identification accepted by LCIW are: (1) A valid driver's license from the state of residence; (2) A valid state photo identification card from the state of residence; (3) A valid military photo identification card (active duty only); and (4) a valid passport.
- Visitors must submit to a search of their persons or property. Failure to do so may result in the visit being denied or terminated for that day. When drug detection dogs (K-9's) are in use at the facility, visitors shall be subject to search by these dogs, which are non-aggressive. All visitors will be searched prior to entering the visiting room and/or during the visit. If you do not wish to be searched when the dogs are in use, you may choose not to visit.
- Each visitor must sign in and out in the register (log) provided at Front Control. Failure to do so may result in denial of the visit.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring in purses/handbags or cell phones. Wallets and life-sustaining medication in properly labeled prescription containers are allowed in the Visiting Room after inspection by security.
- Baby diapers, diaper bags (clear bags only), baby food and baby formula (bottles) are allowed after inspection by Front Control officers.
- Coats, jackets, and sweaters are allowed to be brought into the Visiting Room but are subject to search.
- Visitors shall be expected to comply with the following rules while visiting:
- Visitors shall park only in the visitor's parking lot.
- Visitors shall keep in mind that since they are visiting a correctional institution, security is of paramount importance. As such, they should cooperate in every way with instructions given by security personnel who are charged with the overall responsibility of maintaining order and discipline.
- Visitors shall not give the offender they are visiting any items except food/ beverage items purchased at the institution.
- Visitors shall not communicate with or give anything to an offender they are not visiting, nor shall they communicate with or give anything to another offender's visitors.
- Visitors shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner, and shall ensure that children behave in an orderly manner and remain with them.
- No excessive displays of affection are allowed.
- Cameras are not allowed. Photographs offered for purchase may be taken in the Visiting Room only by approved institutional organizations.
- Upon completion of the visit, visitors shall leave the grounds immediately.
- Visitors are asked to respect the visiting time of others by keeping their conversations at a normal tone of voice.
- Persons are ineligible for visitation with offenders if the person is convicted of or has pending charges concerning any aspect of the following: Introduction of contraband; possession, control or delivery of explosive device; or assisting in escape. Visitors may be removed from a visiting list for a period of time for violating any of the above rules. They may be barred permanently if they violate a state law while visiting, such as, but not limited to the above charges and/or Assault or Battery.
- Visitors are allowed to bring only enough cash money for vending machines and/or concessions into the LCIW visiting area. Financial transactions for offenders shall be in the form of cash and/or credit or debit card payments made at the LCIW Front Control kiosk machines for use by the offender's approved visitors. Note: Vendor fees shall apply to these transactions.
- Visitors should be aware that visiting areas are designed to cultivate a friendly, family atmosphere for all ages. Visitors should dress and act accordingly. The following apparel is considered inappropriate and shall result in the denial of visits:
- Clothing that is similiar in appearance to the clothing worn by the offender population;
- Clothing that is similar in appearance to the clothing worn by correctional officers (i.e. camouflage, blue BDU's , etc.);
- Sheer or transparent clothing;
- Swimming suits;
- Skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes and dresses shorter than three (3) inches above the knee cap and not have deep revealing slits;
- Strapless, tube and halter tops, tank tops and strapless dresses;
- Tops that expose the midriff;
- Tight-fitting pants, such as stirrup, spandex, lycra or spandex-like athletic pants, aerobic/exercise tights or leotards and leggings/jeggings;
- Undergarments must be worn at all times and cannot be exposed;
- Clothing with revealing holes or tears one (1) inch above the knee cap;
- Clothing or accessories with obscene or profane writing, images or pictures;
- Gang or club-related clothing or insignia indicative of gang affiliation;
- shoes must be worn at all times, except for infants who are carried. House slippers or shower shoes are not allowed.
- Hats or other head coverings, except as required by religious beliefs.
- Shoes should be appropriate. Shower shoes, house slippers and thongs are not permitted.
- Individuals not appropriately dressed shall not be allowed to visit. This determination shall be made by the highest-ranking security supervisor on duty at the time.
Educational Programming
The education/vocational programs provide opportunities for offenders to improve their knowledge and skills, and special activities provide productive and diverse opportunities. Educational Vocational programs include:
Basic Adult Literacy
A reading/writing program designed to teach non-readers through intermediate readers reading skills, and life skills through reading, writing, and mathematical exercises. Offenders whose test scores indicate 1.0 to 4.9 grade level are enrolled in this class.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)/Developmental Studies
ABE/Developmental Studies is a class that provides instruction in the basics of Reading, English, and Math. This program offers those offenders basic upgrades to prepare them for a variety of vocational occupations and classes offered through Baton Rouge Community College – LCIW campus. This class uses some computer instruction, as well as individual personal instruction to teach these skills. This class is open to offenders who test at or above the 5.0 grade level.
High School Equivalency (HSE)
HSE is a class that enhances instruction in Reading, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Offenders with test scores 5.0 and above are enrolled in this program. Students participating in this program work towards achieving their high school equivalency diploma.
Culinary Arts Class
The Culinary Arts class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the food service industry. This is a program offered to offenders within 36 months of release. Training emphasizes the study of foods and their nutritional content, menu planning, food processing and production, quantity cooking, using and storing equipment, sanitation, safety, serving techniques, and self management skills. As an optional component of the class, offenders have the opportunity to obtain the nationally recognized ServSafe Certificate. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 9.0 or greater
Horticulture Class
The Horticulture class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as arborists, florists, horticulturists, and landscape contractors. Training emphasizes the study of plants, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, planting techniques and planning, and management of horticultural enterprises. Testing for Louisiana State Licensure is offered to qualified candidates. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 10.0 or greater.
Upholstery Class
This class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the field of upholstery. Training is provided in restoring furniture, upholstered items, and automobile and boat interiors. This is approximately an 18 month program. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 8.0 or greater.
LCIW's Welding program takes individuals through a welding curriculum providing industry-based credentials as the student progresses. The course is designed to provides hands-on training. Students are instructed in stick, mig and tig welding principles, working with steel and various allows in plate and pipe configurations. Length of the class is 12 to 18 months. Students must score at least an 8.0 on the TABE test to potentially qualify.
Offender Reentry Programming
Reentry programming for each offender begins at intake as needs are determined and goals to be achieved during incarceration are set. Prior to release, offenders complete 100 hours of structured programming geared to prepare the offender for re-integration into society. Topics include resume writing, interviewing skills, interacting with government agencies, assistance with getting necessary information, parenting, anger management and substance abuse instruction. Community agencies also present information pertinent to release during this program.
Other Programs and Services
Program for Caring Parents
This is a visitation component in which children and grandchildren age 10 and under are allowed to come onto the grounds on the fifth Saturdays during the year to spend the day with their mothers and/or grandmothers. Other special family-centered events included in the program are the annual Easter Children's Day and the Christmas Extravaganza. Offenders must enroll their children and grandchildren in advance to be screened for approval and attend these programs.
Teen Day is the annual visitation program that allows teenagers (11 to 17 yoa) to spend the day with their mothers and/or grandmothers.
Parenting Program
Partners in Parenting Program is a seven-week program designed to focus on concepts important for effective parenting such as communication skills, guidance techniques, and strategies for discipline. The program also focuses on building skills, providing support, and helping parents understand needs and abilities of children during the different stages of development.
Morals Integrity Group (The Louisiana Sex Offender Risk Management Project)
This group is for adjudicated offenders and has a psycho-educational component and a treatment component. Its theoretical foundation is cognitive behavioral and is strongly grounded in relapse prevention. This 26 week program allows offenders to explore the nature of the events, thoughts, and feelings related to their sexually inappropriate behavior with expectations that the offender shifts from maintaining inappropriate behaviors to expressing more appropriate and healthy sexual behavior. To graduate, offenders must successfully complete each phase, taking both pre-tests and post-tests for each phase, completing group and homework assignments and obeying group rules.
Survivors of Domestic Violence
LCIW's Survivors of Domestic Violence Program is sponsored by the Capital Area Family Violence Intervention Center (Battered Women). The program is ten weeks in length and is facilitated by AFVIC volunteers. The program is structured in two phases. Phase I Education Group (support group) and Phase II Leadership Group (mentor group). The program focuses on teaching participants about abusive relations and helping participants learn how to build healthy relationships.
Living in Balance
This is an eight and one-half week program in which offenders receive structured programming during the evening hours and work or go to school during the day. The core sessions for this program include: alcohol and other drug education; triggers, cravings and avoiding relapse; planning for sobriety; alcohol and tobacco; spirituality; sex, drugs and alcohol; stress and emotional well-being; skills for reducing stress; negative emotions; anger and communication; and relapse prevention.
Faith Based Programs
The Faith Based Programs of LCIW provide services to meet the needs of a growing offender population while assisting offenders with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community following release. The chaplain, as the Volunteer Coordinator, works closely with the community networking with Clergy and laymen alike from various faith groups and organizations to bring forth core changes in offenders, with the goal of reducing recidivism following release.
Big Sister's Program
This is an orientation program for new admits to LCIW. Representatives from various departments such as Mental Health, Records, Classification, Offender Banking and Medical partner with representatives from offender organizations to present newly assigned offenders with information on services provided by each department and how to access those services.
Offender Organizations
Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women has four (4) offender organizations: Jaycees, Lifers, Culinary Arts and Toastmasters. These organizations all seek to provide a means for the offenders to use their time productively and to learn to give something back to society, within and outside the prison.
- LCIW Jaycees provide training in leadership development and instill civic awareness. The Jaycees provide civic service through the organized efforts of young persons in the community by enriching the welfare of the community and its citizens through active, constructive projects.
- In 1992, the Ladies Involved For Education Rehabilitation Service otherwise known as the LIFERS Association of LCIW was formed. The Association enables lifers to come together and assist one another through the exchange of ideas and opinions. With the assistance of the administration, the LIFERS Association hopes to establish for its members an opportunity to forge a better relationship among themselves, their families, and the community.
- The mission of the Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.
- The Culinary Arts Club provides members with knowledge and skills in the food service industry. Activities include organizing menus, budgeting, purchasing, preparing and serving quality food. The club provides opportunities to learn garnishing, nutritional content, food processing, presentation of meals, gourmet cooking, equipment, sanitation, safety and self-management skills. It help members realize their full potential in the world of food service and prepares them for productive citizenship.
- All tours of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women will consist of a walking tour of the facility and a meeting with an offender speaker.
- Groups desiring a tour of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women should fax their request to the Office of the Warden at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women at (225) 319-2757 at least two (2) weeks prior to the desired date of the tour. The request should include the name of the individual requesting the tour, telephone number, fax number, name of the tour group, preferred date, as well as an alternate date, purpose of the tour, number in group, time of arrival and sex (male/female). Groups will be limited to forty (40).
- Tours are scheduled on Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. There are no tours conducted on weekends or holidays. There is one tour scheduled per week so that we can provide the group with a comprehensive overview of the facility. If an approved group should need to cancel a tour or will arrive late, they must contact the Warden's Office at (225) 319-2382 or (225) 319-2341, so that tour guides can be placed on notice of this delay.
- NOTICE: Any tour arriving late without advanced notice may be cancelled. The Warden's Office will make the final decision on cancellations.
- All tour groups will be notified of their approved scheduled date. Directions to the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women and Policies and Procedures for Tours will be sent to the approved tour group.
- The dress code should be proper and decent. No halter-tops, shorts, tank tops, see through clothing, low-cut articles exposing the upper torso, mini-skirts or mini-dresses or any form of seductive garments shall be allowed. No one will be allowed to wear camouflage, the combination of blue jeans and blue chambray shirts, gray or white sweatshirts or blue jean jackets. No flip-flops or beach shoes are allowed. Sandals must have a back strap. Leggings and jeggings are not allowed.
- Keys, purses and/or handbags will not be carried in during the tour. Keys, purses and/or handbags must be locked on the bus while the tour is being conducted. The institution will not be responsible for personal property.
- Physical contact between offenders and tour group members is strictly prohibited. Communication with offenders is limited to offender speakers approved by the staff. Violations will result in immediate termination of the tour.
- Loud, boisterous or unruly behavior will result in the tour being terminated.
- No cameras (video recorders, digital, etc.), tape recorders or any other recording equipment will be allowed.
- Tour group members are prohibited from bringing contraband on LCIW's property. Examples of contraband are alcohol, drugs, weapons, beepers, cell phones, etc. Introduction of contraband is a felony violation of state law and is punishable by a jail sentence.
- One person in the tour may carry necessary prescribed medication after having them checked by the Security Tour Guide. Prescribed medication must be in containers and properly labeled.
- No one under the age of twelve (12) will be permitted to tour the facility.
- Tour group members shall obey all instructions, procedures and orders while on institutional grounds. All members of the tour group will remain with the group at all times.
Staff Support of the Community
The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women staff has proven time and time again their commitment to giving to the community. Employees participated in the Capital Area United Way campaigns for several years. Their commitment to United Way and the services this organization provides to the local community is proven in the funds raised by staff.
It is the policy of Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women to encourage community involvement by permitting civic leagues, church groups, schools, college classes and public organizations/agencies access to tour the facility. The primary purpose of these tours is to portray an accurate and realistic account of prison life at LCIW. Special tours can also be requested to target risk groups.
Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women staff supports the American Heart Association's Annual Heart Walk through staff and offender walker teams who raise donations for the AHA to provide research for cures, education and support to benefit those suffering from heart disease.
Every Christmas, the staff of LCIW sponsors a special outing at the facility for students at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired. Staff members purchase Christmas gifts and a staff Santa Claus passes them out to the students during the program.


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I have heard recently that workers in the infamous 'research triangle' in the USA (in North Carolina and Virginia) are aware that Credit Suisse is the company responsible for the management of the United States' Social Security databases.
With locations on Madison Avenue in NYC and in Zurich, Switzerland, and being second to that other frequently mentioned assets corporation in Switzerland, UBS, it would be a convenient match up. Oddly, Switzerland is also the location of the spreading excuse for global bureaucracy: ISO standards (as mentioned in the Historical Development page of SeptemberClues.info).
I wonder just how many meetings about 9/11 were planned in that weird hypocritical den.


text: AOSIS OpenJournalshttp://email@example.com://www.curationis.org.za0379-85772223-6279Criteria to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of Limpopo Province, South Africa (Part 2) Background: Facilitation of mutual participation, respectful and egalitarian relationship between the mother and the midwife during childbirth is a critical aspect. This article delineated the criteria that would facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, following a concept analysis described in Part 1. Empirical referents or indicators were used to measure the concept woman-centred care and to validate its existence in reality. These empirical referents were referred to as measurable properties that further verified the concept. Objective: The objective of this article was to formulate criteria that would facilitate implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of Limpopo Province in South Africa. Method: Criteria to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care were formulated by the gathering of information about the topic under review and the use of resources to define the key elements of the criteria which were integrated into the Batho Pele principles. The criteria were then validated by selecting with a vested interest in the successful development and implementation of the criteria. Results: Criteria were formulated to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care that was integrated within the framework of Batho Pele principles. Conclusion: These formulated criteria for woman-centred care will be used as an institutional self-evaluation tool to enhance implementation of the Batho Pele principles in childbirth units. These criteria will give direction and provide guidelines for the performance of midwifery staff and will also help supervisors to guide staff to improve performance. Maria S. Maputle1 1Department of Advanced Nursing Science, University of Venda, South Africa Donavon C. Hiss2 2Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa Maria Maputle firstname.lastname@example.com Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa 5036110.4102/curationis.v36i1.5025 Aug. 201118 Mar. 201327 May 2013Maputle, M.S. & Hiss, D.C., 2013, 'Criteria to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of Limpopo Province, South Africa (Part 2)', Curationis 36(1), Art. #50, 7 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v36i1.50 © 2013. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. IntroductionProcess criteria define practices that enjoy general recognition and acceptance amongst midwives or authoritative statements by which the quality of midwifery practice can be judged (Danasu 2007). Criteria are also defined as a performance model that is used to judge quality of childbirth objectives, orders and methods. This article describes how formulated criteria were integrated within the framework of Batho Pele principles to provide a guide to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide safer and efficacious midwifery care. Such criteria would assure women that they are receiving high quality midwifery care. Midwives would also know exactly what is necessary to provide quality care, and that measures are in place to determine whether the care meets the standards. Part 1 of this study (Maputle & Hiss 2013) analysed woman-centred care as a core concept and was relevant to childbirth care within the framework of the Batho Pele principles as a customer focused approach. An extensive literature search of computerised databases and manual searches of relevant journals were undertaken to determine the characteristics associated with the concept of woman-centred care. The literature based analysis included specific disciplines, namely, nursing, medicine, humanities and nursing management. The concept analysis (Part 1 [Maputle & Donavon 2013]) found that woman-centred care refers to a complex, multidimensional, dynamic process of providing safe, skilled and individualised care (Rush 1997, cited in Hutchfield 1999:1183). It responds to the physical, emotional and psychosocial needs of the mother. Woman-centred care as outlined within the context of the Batho Pele principles in the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery (Department of Public Service and Administration 1997), is a customer-oriented form of care. This means that a midwife consults the mother, encourages her participation and supports her choices about the services offered. The Batho Pele principles further advocate that mothers should be allowed to practice their own preferences (be given courtesy), and to have access to personal control and decision-making (access). Moreover, the mother is given full and accurate information about childbirth and the midwifery care to which she is entitled. Unsworth (2000:318) refers to woman-centred care as the sum of activities that include emotional involvement, responsible participation and a sharing of practical and technical knowledge of health care. The empirical referents of woman-centred care were found to be mutual participation and responsibility sharing, information sharing and empowering, communication and listening, accommodative midwifery actions and maximising human and material infrastructure. The defining empirical referents of woman-centred care were measured through the use of the customer-care approach (Batho Pele principles). Each of these referents was integrated within the Batho Pele principles (Table 1) and these were used to formulate the criteria in Appendix 1. In this article, criteria define the characteristics or behaviours used to measure the level of midwifery care. Criteria were derived from the values (Batho Pele principles) that described the level of midwifery care considered acceptable. Chinn and Jacobs (1987:98) pointed out that criteria specify the characteristics typically present whenever a particular object, property or event occurs, whilst Muller (2002:207) suggested that criteria are refined dimensions of interest that can actually be measured. An article on patient empowerment (Anon 2002) supported the view that criteria are defined as standards by which an action can be measured. Criteria allow comparisons to be made and are thus key parts of the prioritisation process. According to Muller (2002:204), there are three different types of standards (criteria), namely, (1) structure, (2) process and (3) outcome. In this article, the researchers adapted the process type to formulate the criteria to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care. A process type describes the performance of an action or nursing act (Muller 2002:204). This will provide a means for analysing the efficiency or productivity of midwifery care for women in childbirth units. These criteria will be used to monitor whether efficient utilisation of services delivered according to Batho Pele principles results in quality woman-centred care. In attempting to develop these criteria, three basic questions were answered, namely, (1) what to measure, (2) where to measure it and (3) how to measure it. Design and methods A concept analysis of woman-centred care was conducted (see Part 1 [Maputle & Donavon 2013]). A framework, as suggested by Walker and Avant (2011, 2005:63–84), was used for analysis. The steps included selection of a concept woman-centred care, specification of the aims of analysis, identification of uses, characteristics or connotations of the concept, determination and definition of attributes, development of the model cases, which exemplified the analysis, identification of antecedents and consequences, and definition of empirical referents. The final step of the analysis was to identify the empirical referents that were the indicators used to measure the concept to and validate its existence in reality (Walker & Avant 1995). Empirical referents can also be referred to as measurable properties that further verify the concept. Empirical referents were defined as classes or categories of actual phenomena that by their existence or presence demonstrate the occurrence of the concept itself (Walker & Avant 1995:46). They further state that referents, once identified, are extremely useful in instrument development because they are clearly linked to the theoretical base of a concept, thus contributing to both the content and construction of the instrument. As such, they provide clear and observable phenomena of the concept. Furthermore, instrument development in itself is an operational definition (Burns & Grove 2009:147). Criteria were thus formulated to facilitate the implementation of woman-cantered care (Appendix 1). This was done by the gathering of information about the topic under review and the use of resources to define the key elements of the criteria which were integrated into the Batho Pele principles. To validate the formulated criteria, the researcher selected several stakeholders (Table 2). Polit and Beck (2008:320; 2010) indicate that stakeholders should be individuals or groups with a vested interest in the successful development and implementation of the criteria. Criteria for the implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth The empirical referents of the concept woman-centred care was integrated into the Batho Pele principles and criteria were formulated shown in Appendix 1. Validation of the formulated criteria The formulated criteria were validated by the relevant stakeholders. Validation is a method of determining the credibility of empirical knowledge in relation to a scientific model of a discipline (Chinn & Jacobs 1987:13). Irobi, Andersson and Wall (n.d.:2) described validation as taking a decision whether the model (criteria) in question is valid. They further pointed out that validation assures that a model contains the features imputed to it, which implies that it is well grounded, sound or capable of being justified. The purpose of validation in this paper was to identify the value and potential contributions these criteria could make to the provision of woman-centred care in the childbirth units at the tertiary hospital in the Limpopo Province. Methodology for the validation process SamplingPurposive sampling was used to select the appropriate participants (Table 2). Purposive sampling is a type of nonprobability sampling which is collected from a group of respondents chosen for a specific key characteristic (Sells 1997:172). The researchers used their judgement to select the participants who had most of the required attributes and represented the different categories to validate the criteria for implementation. Although this was a subjective method of sampling, it was necessary to include midwifery experts, policy makers, unit managers (supervisors) and providers of midwifery care in the validation, since all these participants were involved in the teaching, planning and provision of childbirth care. Data collection Data collection for validation were conducted after the criteria were formulated. Validation tools or checklists were developed for all the participants. Participants as indicated in Table 2 were selected to validate the formulated criteria. Appointments were scheduled for individual semi structured interviews with the midwifery experts, policy makers and managers and a focus group discussion was held with the providers of midwifery care. Data were collected at the participants' workplace. Participants made changes and modifications to the formulated criteria, where applicable, before these could be recommended for implementation in the childbirth unit at the tertiary hospital in the Limpopo Province. Their validation brief was to determine whether the formulated criteria were: applicable and relevant to enhancing the provision of woman-centred care in childbirth units; appropriately integrated into the Batho Pele principles to facilitate mutual participation during childbirth. Ethical considerations Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Johannesburg and permission from the Limpopo Provincial Department of Health. The ethical standards as set by Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) were adhered to before and during the structured data collection regarding privacy, anonymity and confidentiality (DENOSA 1998). Validation of descriptions The comments from the participants indicated that they were satisfied with the descriptions of criteria, as these descriptions were real representations of how they would prefer woman-centred care to be provided at the tertiary hospital in the Limpopo Province. These comments contributed to the truth value (credibility) of the study. Three experts in midwifery and nine other participants (two policy makers, two unit managers and five providers of midwifery care) were granted opportunities to make suggestions or comments that could contribute to the finalisation of the criteria. Two midwives (the policy makers) from the Directorate of Maternal, Child and Woman's Health in the Department of Health, who were involved in policy making on activities and programmes relating to mother, child and women's health, strongly agreed that the five formulated criteria were applicable and relevant to enhancing the provision of woman-centred care in childbirth units and were appropriately integrated into the Batho Pele principles to facilitate mutual participation during childbirth. Likewise, all seven unit managers and providers of midwifery care strongly agreed that the five formulated criteria were applicable and relevant to enhancing the provision of woman-centred care in childbirth units and were appropriately integrated within the Batho Pele principles in order to facilitate mutual participation during childbirth. The three lecturers involved in teaching Midwifery Nursing Science also agreed that the criteria were applicable to midwifery practice, with a suggestion that the outcome be 'interdependence' rather than 'independence'. Replication studies would be conducted for the criteria to be applied in other contexts in the Limpopo Province. The study, therefore, concluded that all the stakeholders had reached consensus on the proposed criteria. They agreed that these should be recommended and implemented in one district, as a pilot study to provide practical validation. Chinn and Jacobs (1987:165) point out that theory testing research has immediate practical application. By conducting or replicating the study in other districts at a later stage, the results may have wider significance and impact. TrustworthinessThe criteria for ensuring trustworthiness as outlined in Guba and Lincoln (1985:301–318) were used. Peer debriefing was achieved through discussion with peers who are outside the context and who have a general understanding of the issues involved. Presentations were made at research committees and seminars that were attended to establish the truth value of concept analysis. Transferability was attained through thick description of the methodology. RecommendationsOn the basis of the results, a need was identified to formulate criteria that would encourage participation and collaboration so that attending midwives could enhance the self-determination of mothers during childbirth. It is recommended that the criteria should be applied in maternity or obstetric and neonatal units, general nursing science and nursing research units, and at any institution where there is interaction between a mother (patient) and an attending midwife (nurse). Recommendations for implementation in obstetric units It is a special challenge for those involved in obstetric units to improve their practices so that mothers, who were less participative, may be able to participate more fully in the future. Since mothers experienced dependency and limited participation during childbirth, the criteria could serve as a frame of reference to enhance mutual participation and shared responsibility, sharing of information, and empowering and interdependence during childbirth in the obstetric units. The criteria for woman-centred care could be used as an institutional self-evaluation tool to enhance the implementation of the Batho Pele principles. Recommendations for implementation in general nursing units Dependency and limited participation may be experienced in all general wards in hospitals whenever a patient is involved in interaction with a nurse. As stated earlier, to be in line with the White Paper on Transforming the Public Service Delivery (Department of Public Service and Administration 1997), the Patient Charter and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, it is recommended that the criteria be implemented in general wards as well. The criteria are aimed at enhancing the provision of woman-centred (patient centred) care, which will facilitate mutual participation and sharing of responsibilities, create opportunities for information sharing and empowering, open communication and listening, and promote accommodative midwifery actions and the maximising of human and material infrastructure during the provision of care. Recommendations for implementation in nursing research units The recommendations for implementation of the formulated criteria in nursing research units would strive to enhance mutual participation, interdependence and collaboration during childbirth as these are broad topics that need further study in the Limpopo Province. From the formulated criteria, the following elements that could facilitate woman-centred care during childbirth were identified as: Mutual participation – egalitarian and respectful relationships. Equality includes the principle of power sharing and responsibility; there should be negotiation between the mother and the midwife. Sufficient information which is thought to be a prerequisite for decision making should be provided. Interaction that takes place between the mother and the midwife should enhance the self-esteem and self-determination of the mother. The midwife and the mother should listen to each other because they engage in a dialogue to identify preferences and expectations, and a new strategy for change is thus constructed. The cultural experiences of a specific mother during childbirth need to be considered Attention should be given to interaction skills by which participation can be enhanced and the practices of attending midwives should be studied to identify how these enhance or inhibit participation. Each of the above may be a research topic in itself. Subsequent research on experiences during childbirth could be replicated in any hospital in any district. Such endeavours could address the strategies of enhancing mutual participation during childbirth. The hypothesis was formulated and could be tested in replicated (follow up) research. This hypothesis could be: mutual participation and responsibility sharing during childbirth can be enhanced by the provision of woman-centred care. Recommendations for Department of Health, Maternal, Child and Woman's Health Directorate The formulated criteria (Appendix 1) would be made available to the Maternal, Child, and Woman's Health Directorate, for them to evaluate whether the said criteria are implementable within the Department of Health. The criteria could be implemented in order to improve communication and enhance mutual participation and responsibility sharing, information sharing and empowering, increased decision making and informed choices, and build capacity during childbirth. ConclusionThe criteria were formulated with the aim of enhancing the provision of woman-centred care which would facilitate mutual participation and responsibility sharing, creation of opportunities for information sharing and empowering, open communication and listening, accommodative midwifery actions and maximising of human and material infrastructure during childbirth. These formulated criteria will further be used as an institutional self-evaluation tool to enhance the implementation of the Batho Pele principles. AcknowledgementsThe researchers would like to thank the Department of Health, Limpopo Province, for granting the permission to conduct the study. Appreciation is extended to all the participants for their active involvement in the study and for providing necessary information. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship that has influenced us in writing this article. Authors' contributions M.M. (University of Venda, South Africa) and D.H. (University of the Western Cape) were involved in conceptualisation of the project. M.M. (University of Venda, South Africa) collected and analysed the data and D.H. (University of the Western Cape) wrote and edited the manuscript. 1. Anon., 2002, 'Patient empowerment: A patient-centred approach to improved care', Hong Kong Medical Journal 8(5), 372–374. PMid:12376717 2. Burns, N. & Grove, S.K., 2009, The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, generation of evidence, 6th edn., Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis. 3. Chinn, P.L. & Jacobs, M.K., 1987, Theory and nursing – A systematic approach, 2nd edn., Mosby, Washington. 4. Danasu, R., 2007, 'Standard nursing care: An asset', The Nursing Journal of India XCVIII (6), 128–130. 5. Democratic Nurses' Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), 1998, Ethical standards for nurse Researchers, DENOSA, Pretoria. 6. Department of Public Service and Administration, 1997, People first: White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery, Staatskoerant, Pretoria. 7. Guba, E.G. & Lincoln, M., 1985, Criteria for assessing trustworthiness of naturalistic inquiry, Sage, Thousand Oaks. 8. Hutchfield, K., 1999, 'Family-centred care: Concept analysis', Journal of Advanced Nursing 29(5), 1178–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1999.00987.x, PMid:10320502 9. Irobi, I.S., Andersson, J. & Wall, A., n.d., Correctness criteria for a models' validation – A philosophical perspective. Vasteras, Malardalen University. 10. Maputle, M.S. & Hiss, D., 2013, 'Woman-centred care in childbirth: A concept analysis (Part 1)', Curationis 35(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v35i1.49 11. Muller, M., 2002, Nursing dynamics, Heinemann, Cape Town. 12. Polit, D.F. & Beck, C.T., 2008, Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice, 8th edn., Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. 13. Polit, D.F. & Beck, C.T., 2010, Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice, 7th edn., Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. PMCid: 2903691 14. Sells, S.P., 1997, 'Teaching ethnographic methods in social work course', Journal of Social Work Education 33, 167. 15. Unsworth, J., 2000, 'Practice development: A concept analysis', Journal of Nursing Management 8 (6), 317–326. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2834.2000.00195.x 16. Walker, L.O. & Avant, K.C., 1995, Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk. 17. Walker, L.O. & Avant, K.C., 2005, Strategies for theory construction in nursing, 4th edn., Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 18. Walker, L.O. & Avant, K.C., 2011, Strategies for theory construction in nursing, 5th edn., Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.


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Chuck Hagel's prevarications in his Senate testimony this week about the prevarications of the Obama Administration's Iran policy brought to mind one of Churchill's characterizations of British government policy about disarmament in the early 1930s—what at other times he described more simply as "mush, slush, and gush." But this 1934 comment comes close to capturing the essence of Obama's own brand of mush, slush, and gush about Iran:
It is only a little while ago that I heard ministers say, and read diplomatic documents which said, that rearmament was unthinkable—"Whatever happens, we cannot have that. Rearmament is unthinkable." Now all our hope is to regulate the unthinkable. Regulated unthinkability—that is the proposal now; and very soon it will be a question of making up our minds to unregulated unthinkability.