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Academic experience
First off, the way the University is administered in Graz is completely different compared to UQ. You will find that the general University administration is extremely casual and that even if you miss important deadlines it is often not the end of the world. In particular when registering for courses at the beginning of semester you will find that the sign-on periods are extremely short (~2 days) but if you miss one don't panic. As long as you just talk to the lecturer everything will work out alright. They are usually very accommodating for incoming exchange students. For example if you have to leave early in the semester or have other difficulties you can ask them to move the time for your final exam to better suit you. One thing you might find challenging is forming some kind of cohesive timetable. Although there are a lot of courses available the times are somewhat random and often clash so pay close attention.
I took mostly law courses (all in English) at the University of Graz plus two German language courses. I would highly recommend taking the pre-semester 3-week German intensive course. If you don't know any German from the beginning (like me) it will give you a good basis to get around town. Plus the classes are also full of other exchange students who are in the exact same circumstances as you so it's a great place to make friends. If you are more serious about learning German throughout the semester I would recommend you look outside the University, as the courses available to you at the University only run once a week for 1.5 hours. In particular, there is the Deutsch in Graz institute which runs intensive evening courses through the semester that should not clash with any of your University courses. These courses are external and won't count for any credit at UQ, but they are a great way to leave with a good level of German.
For other classes, I found that, at least for law, they were significantly easier than what I expected. This is largely because the courses that you study in English are designed for people with English as a second language since they make up the vast majority of the participants. As a native speaker you will have a significant advantage in these courses. One thing to be prepared for is the possibility of oral exams. Many lecturers in Austria prefer to give oral exams as opposed to written ones which was somewhat challenging for me since I had never sat one for anything other than a conversational language course.
My favourite course by far was Law of the European Union. I would highly suggest you take it if you are a law student, the content is interesting and the lecturer is extremely charismatic and delivers the course with a good mix of seriousness and sarcasm.
Personal experience
After just one semester I made friends for life and enjoyed myself so much that I ended up staying for another semester as a Free Mover. We travelled a lot, around Austria and to most neighbouring countries on weekends, went skiing and of course had a lot of parties. The ESN network is great about organising events for students to help you get to know new people and the area better. If you speak another language other than English I can almost guarantee that you will meet someone in Graz amongst the exchange students who can also speak it. There were just over 700 exchange students during my semester from all over the world.
I learned a lot of German. I thought that honestly, I would not learn much since most of my courses were in English but Graz is a great learning environment. You are surrounded by the language all the time and there will be times when the person you are trying to talk to doesn't know any English and you will have to put your German to the test.
One thing that really stuck out to me is how different people really are. Austria is not much different to Australia when you look at it from the outside. But the longer you stay, the more small differences you notice about the people and culture. Their unwillingness to engage in idle conversation on the bus, their extreme love for their dogs (they take dogs with them everywhere they go, including restaurants and the bus) or the fact that couples are always holding hands when they walk down the street are just a few examples.
Graz is not a massive city. You will be able to get around to most places by foot if you have to or by bus/bike within a few minutes.
During the semester I lived in the WIST dorms on Moserhofgasse. These are somewhat central and consisted of 6 person flats with individual bedrooms. Inside the flat, there were 2 bathrooms and a shared kitchen. It was pretty comfortable and clean but if you have a problem with the noise you should consider private accommodation. Most of the dorms have parties every week that can be extremely loud. These dorms were also fairly cheap considering the other options.
If possible however I would recommend finding private accommodation. There are fairly large rooms available which are very centrally located. Living in a private flat gives you the flexibility of not being bound by the regulations present in many of the dorms. However, this can be quite difficult to arrange before arrival so if you do plan to look for private accommodation make sure to start early. If you are planning to pursue this option make sure to check out the current ESN/Erasmus Facebook page in Graz as it will have people offering rooms for incoming students towards the end of each semester. Outside of that, the WG-gesucht website for Graz and the "Wohnungsbörse Graz - suchen und bieten" Facebook page are good places to look, however, note that these two are in German, but most people advertising will speak English.
You will find that living in Graz is fairly cheap compared to Australia. Rent will cost you between 300-400EUR/month for private and most of the dorms work out to be even cheaper than this. I got by spending ~200 EUR on food per month which included everything, grocery shopping, dining out, drinks in bars and the like and I was not particularly conservative in my spending. Other monthly expenditures will be between 10-20 EUR for your phone and ~80 EUR for a public transport ticket for the whole semester, or you can spend this money on a bike if you'd rather. The city is small enough that you can get everywhere on a bike with no difficulty. Plus you can sell the bike at the end of the semester to get some of the money back.
Your biggest expense will come from travelling. Trains can work out to be cheap but are usually not the best option. Make sure you buy an OeBB card which comes with discounts for under 26-year-olds and will most likely save you more than the cost of the card on your first purchase. This card is valid for the whole year. In general, the trains are cheap when booked in advance. There are bus services like Meinfernbus that can take you around most of Europe for much cheaper than the trains. If you keep an eye out you can snag some cheap tickets like 6 EUR from Vienna to Berlin.
I would recommend checking out the blablacar website if you really want to save. This is a carpooling service where people offer up spots in their cars when driving longer distances. You usually just pay a few Euros to cover the cost of petrol and a bit extra. If you are feeling brave you can try hitchhiking, some of the other exchange students here had a lot of success with this but I never tried it myself. If you do hitchhike though, make sure you always go with at least another person for safety reasons.
Professional development and employability
This experience will teach you to become independent. You are just dropped in a foreign country, that speaks a foreign language and will have to sort out everything yourself and survive for 6-12 months. I can only imagine this sort of experience having a positive effect on your future.
One of the biggest highlights for me were the uni sports courses. They have every sport under the sun available for you to try out and I would recommend just picking something random and going for it. For me, I picked Salsa having never had any real dance lessons in my life and it was a blast. It's definitely something I will continue within Australia.
Top tips
- If you are unsure whether or not you want to actually go on exchange. Just apply and go, don't think about it. You only get an opportunity like this once in your life and 30 years down the track you will regret not going when you had the chance, more than you will regret going and having a bad time.
- There is always a way to make it work. Whether it be issues with money, courses, transport, accommodation or whatever. If you have a problem there is a solution and there are people around who can help (the UQ Abroad team is amazing in this regard).
- If you are considering going on an exchange anywhere I would say apply for 1 year from the beginning. Extending your stay can be extremely tricky if not impossible but cutting it short is always an option.
- Go to a country where the native language is not English. You already know English and you only get one shot like this, so you may as well throw yourself into the deep end.
- Be a yes wo/man. If someone asks you to go on a trip/party/dance/skiing/anything just say yes! You will have a good time.
- Avoid sticking together with other groups of Australians. There are plenty of them waiting for you when you get back home.
- Learn some German before you go, it will make it much easier. People generally speak some level of English but not everybody has a high level, particularly the older generation.
- Everything is closed on Sunday. Buy groceries on Saturday or you will have to get very creative with what's left in your fridge for Sunday meals.
- Join the ESN/Erasmus Facebook group and sign up with the ESN office, they organise trips and events for exchange students.
- Do a language tandem. This is where you, wanting to learn German (or any other language) gets paired with someone who wants to learn English (or any other language you are a native speaker of) and you teach each other in a casual setting.


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Friday 21 July, 2006
Will soon be back in action…
I have just returned from an overseas trip to China and Hong Kong and will be moving to Gilgandra in the next 2 days. I have responded to a comment or two since my return.
Expect a few new articles in the coming week!
"The Medicine Box" has done pretty well in the past two months averaging over 2000 hits per month! Thanks to everyone for their interest and support.
Best regards,
Michael Tam

subset: commoncrawl


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Shyness – How Much Is Normal?
- 1 Cultural Differences
- 2 Model Parents
- 3 Development in steps
- 4 Exaggerated fearful
- 5 Help from the outside
Most adults can easily remember the queasy feeling when you think back to your school days: The stomach clenched, just because you speak in front of a larger group or sing. In some children the threshold is much lower. You blush when a teacher appeals to you. Also in the Playground, and shy children are often loners: do not run around with other students, but be in an Offside position.
Cultural Differences
In Germany, shyness is perceived rather as a disadvantage – these children are often outsiders, they are considered to be fearful and inhibited. Differently in Chinese society: at the end of the children are considered to be particularly intelligent. They are popular everywhere – in peers, and teachers. Chinese parents, therefore, encourage the timid behavior of their offspring.
Model Parents
Why are some children reluctant to others? Shyness is a character trait that can be innate, but learned. Children watch adults and older siblings do. You will learn by watching how the parents deal with unfamiliar situations and people. The parents are more anxious is transferred to the child.
The younger you are, the less you can judge how promising are the habits of their direct role models. Everything that dad and mom make is good and recommended for imitation. Behavior researchers call this strategy \"Learning model\". You have the impression that your child is more shy than the other, consider what it might be imitating, it knows from home.
The playmates also play a role. Formative experiences with friends can strengthen the tentative attitude. And that has consequences: children Are excluded in a group, without that you can explain to, you start to doubt yourself. You will lose the self-confidence and withdraw.
Development in steps
In certain age levels of shyness, however, is quite normal. At the age of eight to twelve months of \"shy\" children and youth with disabilities. Why is this so? Children develop the ability to distinguish between the Familiar and the Foreign. All people except for mom and dad – are classified as foreign. The Small fear now, even before the views of people you have a friendly smile.
The fear of strangers, curiosity, a sign of the binding ability of the child to the parents. It is part of a normal development. Now about six weeks, \"Pause\", in which the children are open to everything Unknown consequences. Of long duration that is not, however, because it is the next timid Phase in front of the door. Children between the ages of 18 and 24 months with Strangers and extremely shy, or even anxious. At the same time you say to almost all of the \"no\" and want to own everything and hold on to. This also applies to mom and dad that you want to give up under any circumstances.
In the third year of life, children develop more independence. You make arise contacts to peers and first friendships. They offer their offspring a platform: joint trips to playgrounds, visits to neighboring children, and the first invitation to playmates. Here, your child will need your organizational skills and your concern. If you believe the shy Phase is now over: wrong!
Even at the age of four to seven years, many children are shy. The Transition to Kindergarten and later to school is a particular challenge. Even if most of the children look forward to school, they need the support and encouragement of the parents, so that you find yourself in the new environment.
Exaggerated fearful
Some children feel comfortable in social situations outside the family is extremely unsafe. This can intensify if further social Stress is added, for example, a move to a different city. Fearful children, for example, it is difficult to say your opinion, let alone enforce them. They also tend to withdraw and to deal excessively with their own uncertainty. In the extreme case, this inhibition blocks the thoughts and leads to ongoing feelings of anxiety, depression and further isolation.
Without suitable counter-measures, the withdrawal may increase behaviour and to socio-phobia increase. This refers to the excessive fear of situations in which one stands in the center of attention of other people. Some Affected people develop to be shy of human beings and isolate themselves from the outside world. At the same time however, they suffer from this self-chosen solitude.
The 7 deadly sins of health You Know Your \"Inner Driver\"? Alprazolam to treat anxiety disorders
Help from the outside
The inhibition is so great that they affect the mental readiness of your child or you see a clear withdrawal tendencies, you should talk with the educators or teachers. You will receive a confirmation if your child does not behave so, if you are going to. All persons involved agree and have a variety of measures, no significant values of improvement, you should not be afraid, a child psychologist.
Experts differ on whether it is only a repression, or a developmental disorder. Psychological treatment focuses on the personal Strengths of the child, to strengthen the self-confidence and to learn in a code training for dealing with unpleasant situations.


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Hi Mums, Dads, Teachers & Kids!
Here's our newsletter for April. We have two great themes – as we have every month. This month its all about "Spring has Sprung" and "Animal Rockstars!" With the arrival of spring we are having so much fun, loving our exercise and our healthy water theme! We also link with the Aistear themes of Well Being and Communication. Let me know if you have any comments. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks, Sheila.
Newsletter April
If you want to continue with fun fitness for kids during the summer, why not check out our fun GATEWAY TO SPORTS SUMMER CAMPS.
Non Competitive sports camps where kids learn pre-sports skills to get them ready for sport! All Abilities welcome!


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Press Release
Press Release
October 4, 2017
Contact: Eric Wilson
Cell Phone: 859-983-5190
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
New Book changing the way people view the past, present, and prepare for the future.
Every culture goes through predictable cycles of abundance and catastrophic "resets." Eric Wilson, the director of the 9/12 Project and former leader in the Tea Party movement has released his latest book "Cultural Cycles" and warns the United States is on the brink of its next reset, with potentially disastrous results – and he backs it up with data.
Owensboro, KY – "Cultural Cycles" is a book written by Eric Wilson who is also a professional business forecaster for an international company and worked in the field of analytics for over twenty years. Through an intriguing mixture of historical acumen and big-data analytics - Cultural Cycles examines the cyclical nature of history and applies it to the United States today. Basing his observations on repeating eras and cycles from the seventeenth century to the present, Wilson reveals that the United States' next cultural reset is imminent and posits what the consequences will be for a nation already divided.
"This book was the coming together of my professional life and personal passions where I use history and analytics and most of all the readers own intuition and logic to explain the seemly rhythmic nature of history," said Eric Wilson. "I wanted it to be easy to understand but thought provoking and maybe even a clarion call as well."
Eric's book is a fascinating, easily understood exploration of history and the future, Cultural Cycles uses practical reasoning and intuitive insight to reveal what many sense—the next great turn of the wheel of history. His book demonstrates a predictable cycle of historic extremes from periods of abundance and growth to cultural crises, or "resets," marked by disastrous social and political upheaval. Each cycle, per his calculations, is approximately eighty-two years and separated into four distinct eras called "Family", "Community", "Self", and "Guardian." At its worst, during the final era comes a reset that can destroy a culture—and any nations strong enough to survive such events are forever changed.
Book available in stores October 9th or online now at Amazon.com
# # # #
For interviews contact Eric at (859) 983 5190


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Janet Jackson Reveals Struggles With Body Image, Icy Relationship With Joe Jackson
To the world, Janet Jackson has always been seen as one of the most beautiful of women, but, as the pop star has recently revealed, she herself has struggled with seeing her own beauty. And it's a struggle which, at times, has led to her becoming physically abusive toward her own self.
"I would literally bang my head up against the wall because I didn't feel attractive," explained Jackson to Meredith Viera in an exclusive interview with "TODAY." "There was a lot of pain in my life, but I did. I felt very unattractive."
According to Jackson, that and other personal struggles will be discussed in her upcoming book, True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself.
Although things aren't as intense or painful for Jackson as they were during her younger "Rhythm Nation" years, the pop icon admits that she still struggles with her body image issues.
"I still have issues with it. I don't bang my head up against the wall, but I still have those moments," said Jackson. "And I think it'll probably continue, but, at least, I know how to deal with it now. And I'm in a much better space."
As Jackson explained it to Viera, the body image issues likely began with the teasing she endured as a child from her older brothers, including Michael, who used to call her things like "horse, pig, cow, slaughter-hog," she said.
Jackson added, "It makes you laugh. It really does. It makes you laugh. I guess some people could say, 'Oh that's, you know, brothers and sisters joking. It's all affection. It's all, you know, it's in a loving way.' But not everybody can brush it off, and I was one of those."
Her brothers weren't the only ones in her family to act cold towards Jackson, who also talks about her rather icy relationship with her father, Joseph Jackson.
"He said, 'I'm Joseph to you. You do not call me dad.' That affects you as a kid … I know my father loves me. He just has a very, very different way of showing it."
Jackson's "TODAY" interview is set to air on Friday and on "Dateline" on Sunday, Feb. 13. What do you think of Jackson's painful body image and family issues? –nicholas robinson


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Inauguration of the new home for Deborah in Flesquieres :
Best Regards
Also a picture of Deborah in her new home ( In fact at the same place she was buried ! Yes !!!! ).Philippe ( Right ) and myself in front of the famous tank , few hours prior the inauguration.The museum is all about the battle of cambrai but is mostly focused on the tanks themself.
There will be the explainations of the battle in a room , displays of tank equipment , materials , display of the crew members of Deborah , models of various tanks of WW1...
Videos related to the archeology of WW1
Of course there is still a little bit of finish to be done but won't take long.
So for the people interested by the " landships" :...a must !
So far there is no website yet .
I will get back to you for contact information.
Best regards
argonne64 wrote:HelloSo far there is no website yet .I will get back to you for contact information.Best regardsOlivier
Hello, Mr. Oliver, I also appreciate that you keep me informed of this information and others about The Museum. Greetings from Fray Bentos Uruguay


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If your receipt numbers will not increment, it may be caused by one of the following conditions:
- You are not producing a Receipt mailing. Receipt numbers will only increment when producing a Receipt mailing. If you are sending Thank-You letters, newsletters, etc. receipt numbers will not increment.
- You do not have the Receipt number field in your receipt. Make sure you have placed the Receipt number field in your Receipt letter.
- The most common reason receipt numbers won't increment is because at the end of the mailing process, you must click the DONE button. This will commit the mailing to GiftWorks, record all the receipt numbers in the respective donation, and ensure that all is completed.


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It starts with a group of Stanford psychologists in the 1960s, led by Walter Mischel. Mischel used a small research room at the Stanford University preschool, and he posed the following scenario to the kids in the study:
"Here's one marshmallow for you. I am going to give it to you and leave the room. While I'm gone, you can eat it, or not, it's up to you. When I come back, if the marshmallow is still here, you get TWO marshmallows because I will give you another one. "


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Comunidades de Investigação em Programação: Uma Estratégia de Apoio ao Aprendizado Inicial de Programação
AbstractThis paper describes a research process that intends to develop a strategy to support initial programming learning. It is inspired in the theory of Matthew Lipman, as it was conceived through the redefinition of the concept of Learning Communities, to assist the students to maximize their learning through the conscientious evaluation of their level of self-efficacy, while they develop a better behavior to study programming. We present the results of the preliminary tests made to the proposed strategy, and the changes in the strategy that result from those results
KeywordsComputer Science Education, Programming Education, Self-efficacy
SubjectComputer Science Education
JournalIEEE-RITA - Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias da Aprendizagem, Vol. 5, #1, pp. 39-46, Martín Llamas Nistal, Manuel Castro Gil,Carlos Vaz do Carvalho, February 2010
PDF File
Cited by
Year 2010 : 1 citations
Moreira, F., Ferreira, M. e Sobral, S., Proposta de um Modelo Blended Mobile Learning Orientado ao Contexto. IEEE-RITA - Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias da Aprendizagem, 5(4), pp. 132-137, Novembro de 2010.


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I read with great interest The Courant's front-page story about the increase in ticks and risk for Lyme disease this season [April 24, Tick numbers up, raising lyme risk"]. There is one misunderstanding that I'd like to correct.
The story quoted Dr. Theodore Andreadis at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station as saying that most insect repellents "aren't very effective against ticks." On the contrary, multiple studies have shown that insect repellents containing 20 percent to 30 percent ofDEET are both safe to use on the skin and very effective in preventing tick bites (showing an 80 percent or more reduction).
Even more effective and very safe are permethrine-containing clothing sprays (a synthetic product similar to a chrysanthemum compound), which approach 100 percent effectiveness in preventing tick bites and the risks of tick-borne infections. After a single application to clothing, these products continue to work for several weeks.
Steven Luger, West Hartford
The writer is director of ProHealth's Lyme disease evaluation service in West Hartford.


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Head's Newsletter
Group of universities. Moreover, we will remember them as a group who engaged with everything Tiffin does, producing some outstanding actors and sportsmen (see the articles below); it is no surprise that some of them will be returning to work with us during their gap year! Great success was also seen with this year's AS and GCSE results. GCSE results were particularly pleasing, with our highest percentage of A* grades ever! Congratulations to all the students taking exams this summer, for their hard work and achievements. Full details of the results will be published later in the term on the website when all results enquiries are completed. Last year, we felt it was an appropriate moment as a School to re-examine and refresh Tiffin's Vision and Aims. As a consequence of this process, the Governors approved a new Vision Statement and set of Aims. In particular, they reinforce the incredible benefits that we aim to deliver from the extraordinary breadth and quality of education at Tiffin School, as we prepare our students for the wider world that they will progress into. New Vision and Aims
Dear Parents
Welcome to my first newsletter as Head of Tiffin School; I hope you like the new format. Tiffin is a great School and I am very much looking forward to the forthcoming year, and do hope that I will meet as many parents as possible over the next term. I start by thanking Miss Clarke, on behalf of the School, and personally, for her terrific work here, and we hope that she is enjoying her well- earned retirement. I would also draw your attention to the new letter on the website from the Chairman of Governors, Phil Phillips, which can be accessed here . It has been fantastic to see the boys all back at School as we anticipate another extremely busy and exciting term. In particular, we warmly welcome those boys, and their parents, who are new to Year 7 and Year 12. With our new year group of 180 in Year 7, and over 200 in Year 12, we are providing the opportunity and benefit of a Tiffin education to an ever greater number of students. We also welcome some new staff this year. Mr O'Malley takes over as Director of Music, and he is joined in the Music Department by Mr Day as Director of the Choir, and Mr Mylechreest. Mr Kyriakides joins us in the Art Department, which is now headed by Miss Nava. In DT, we are joined by Mrs Wicking and Mr Rowland; in French by Mr Makula; in PE by Mr Balasubramaniam; in English by Mrs Warne and Miss Phillips; Miss Bond in Biology; Mr Watkins in History and Miss Rawlinson in Economics and Maths. In the LRC we welcome Miss Line. Today, we are holding our Leavers' Celebration for the outgoing Year 13, who have just completed their A Levels, and are going off to university or on their gap years. It is certainly a time for celebration: their A level results were even better than the previous year's, with over 86% at A*-B, a fantastic achievement, enabling them to proceed to the courses and universities of their choice, the great majority to the Russell Outstanding Exam Results:
Tiffin's vision: Inspiring students to engage, aspire and excel .
Tiffin's aims:
To prepare our students for their future lives in the modern world, we aim to:
• Nurture a love of learning , and pursuit of academic excellence and scholarship
independence, adaptability,
determination and confidence
curiosity, open-mindedness
and creativity
• Foster empathy, generosity and respect for others
participation, commitment,
leadership and responsibility
I hope that you will recognise these characteristics as the hallmark of the fine education your sons receive at Tiffin School, and I have enjoyed going through the new Vision and
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker


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Though we generally think of developing and poor countries when it comes to STD, even developed countries are not yet rid of this scourge. Indeed, the problem is more pronounced in poor countries due to lack of awareness programs, medical infrastructure, and healthcare facilities, but this problem exists worldwide to some extent. Insidermonkey experts made a list of 10 countries with the highest STD rates in the developed world.
Nowadays, there are medicines to both contain and cure STDs. Spreading awareness on the use of condoms to contain the spread of such diseases is now considered a key goal of those working with STDs. However, these do not always work, especially with various religious leaders interfering in the medical goals of the country. You can also check our list of 11 Countries with the Highest HIV Rates in the World.


text: SubOhm Salts by CRFT Labs Butterscotch | SubOhm Salts by CRFT Labs | 30ml | 40mg Warning: This product is NOT meant for use in devices that reach sub-ohm resistance. Flavor Profile: Vanilla ice cream with a butterscotch swirl.Details: 1 bottle contains 30 mL with 40mg nicotine salt. $24.00 $21.95 Choose Options Add to Wish list Compare


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This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
CHICAGO -- A group of Chicago Public Schools parents is speaking out against cuts to special education services.
At the same time, the coalition is proposing ways to reduce spending in other areas .
WGN's Julian Crews reports.


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A long lasting light on stage, actor Park Eun Seok 데뷔 6년차, 여전히 꿈을 꾸는 배우 박은석
Six years since his debut, a Korean actor Park Eun Seok is always dreaming the stage with the attitude of rookie. In fact, his 11 hard years of fierce challenging makes him more perfectly as well his brilliant appearance. CultureM meets Park Eun Seok who is returning as intelligent yet venerable at heart 'Michael.'


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The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, carried out by Professor Liz Sockett's team at The University of Nottingham, with Dr Robert Atterbury and Professor Paul Barrow at the University of Nottingham Vet School; and published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Researcher Dr Laura Hobley said "Bdellovibrio has the potential to be used as a living antibiotic against some major human and animal pathogens, such as E.coli and other so-called Gram-negative bacteria."
Previous studies have shown that Bdellovibrio is very effective at invading and killing other bacterial cells in a test tube. It looks likely to provide an alternative to antibiotic medicines at a time when bacterial resistance is a significant problem to human and animal health.
Dr Hobley continued "We think that Bdellovibrio could be particularly useful as a topical treatment for wounds or foot rots but we wanted to know what might happen if it is ingested – either deliberately as a treatment, or by accident."
Salmonella likes to grow in the guts of poultry and other animals and can cause food poisoning in humans. In lab experiments Bdellovibrio can kill Salmonella by breaking into the cells and destroying them from the inside. This research shows that it also works inside the gut of a bird and is safe, not harming them or changing their behaviour.
Bdellovibrio reduced the numbers of Salmonella by 90% and the birds remained healthy, grew well, and were generally in good condition.
"We concluded that Bdellovibrio aren't long lived in the bird guts – they had a strong effect for about 48 hours, which dropped off after this time. If we were to use this method to completely rid the birds of Salmonella, we might have to test a program of multiple dosing. But the point of this study was really to ensure that Bdellovibrio is safe and effective when ingested," said Dr Hobley.
Professor Douglas Kell, Chief Executive, BBSRC said "Once we have understood the fundamental nature of an extraordinary organism such as Bdellovibrio, it makes sense that we should look at potential uses for it. The impact of bacterial infections on human and animal health is significant and since antibiotic resistance is a major issue, alternatives from nature may become increasingly important."
Notes to Editors
A video of Bdellovibrio can be found here: http://youtu.be/-uZjo0ohjFw
About BBSRC
BBSRC is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences and the largest single public funder of agriculture and food-related research.
Sponsored by Government, BBSRC's budget for 2011-12 is around £445M which it is investing in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life in the UK and beyond and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders, including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
BBSRC provides institute strategic research grants to the following:
- The Babraham Institute
- Institute for Animal Health
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (Aberystwyth University)
- Institute of Food Research
- John Innes Centre
- The Genome Analysis Centre
- The Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh)
- Rothamsted Research
The Institutes conduct long-term, mission-oriented research using specialist facilities. They have strong interactions with industry, Government departments and other end-users of their research.
Mike Davies, Media Officer
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text: These Steve Madden Concord flats is the perfect flat to take with you from day to night and not to mention how happy your feet will feel by the end of the evening. These Steve Madden flats make for such a great statement piece I usually opt to pair them with a monochromatic ensemble and bold accessories. They also make for a great transitional piece into fall. Whether you're walking to class or grabbing happy hour with your girlfriends these are the quintessential statement shoe this season. We just got a huge shipment of flats in at Grand Central Clothing and all Divaz Boutique locations! Here's some inspiration of celebrities wearing their favorite flat for fall.


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- adopt advanced technical from BALLIU, USA, whole set
of laser solution
- high speed, high acceleration, high precision
- gantry flying light beam, the least lens
- imported high precision gear, stable, low noise
- laser source is IPG YLS-1000(1000W), Germany
|Laser power
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|Process range (length x width)
|X axis stroke
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|Position precision
|Re-position precision
|Max suport weight of worktable
|Max. moving speed
|Power demand
- FAGOR8055i, Spain CNC controller
- IPG YLS-1000 (1000W), Germany Laser generator
- LASERMECH, USA or PRECITEC, Germany cutting head
- Equipped with exchange worktables
- Equipped with blower dust removal device
- Equipped with water cooling unit
- Equipped cooling and drying machine (SMC, Japan)
- Equipped with voltage stabilizer
- Often-use internal hexagonal key spanner
- Automatic programming software METALIX CNCKAD V9.5
- Automatic programming software Radan from England
- Laser generator IPG YLS-500, YLS-1500 or YLS-2000
- Change CNC controller to 840D from SIEMENS, Germany
- Dust removal device
High energy conversion rate: Ytterbium Fiber Laser Module, photoelectric conversion rate is up to 30% - 3 times comparing to large power CO2 (only 10%)
Low Energy Consumption it is only about 20%-30% of traditional large power CO2 laser. No need of extra generator gas for laser beam out. Saves energy and protects environment
Lifetime is more than 100,000 hours, almost maintenance-free: Fiber laser using semiconductor modular design, no optical lens in resonator, no start time, no need to adjust frequently, no need for frequent maintenance, high stability, reduce consumable cost and maintaining time
Low cost only 1/10th of large power CO2 machine, fiber laser wave-length is 1060nm, 1/10th of CO2 laser wave-length, high quality output laser ray, high power density, easily absorbed by metal
One fiber laser for mutiple usage: when the fiber laser equipped with shutter, one laser can work with multiple machine, fiber can separate laser to multiple ray to work on multiple machine. Easy to upgrade and expand function.
Fiber laser small in size, only 1/3rd of large power CO2 laser: small and light in weight, mobile working position, can minimize the working space requirement
Easy maintenance: fiber laser generator consist of many small semi-conduct laser module, if one single module is not working, it can be replaced easily. So there is no need to change all the laser generator, it is economical and covenient.
HLCF Series
HLH Series
HLB Series


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Image Above: (L-R) Jamie Hepburn MSP (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) presenting the Best of VIBES Award to Martin McCrimmon, Support Services Director at CMS Window Systems, and Amy Ledger, Environmental Advisor at CMS Window Systems
CMS Window Systems has been recognised for the long term contribution it has made to Scotland's sustainable development by being named the winner of the Best of VIBES Award.
This special award featured in the 2019 programme to celebrate the 20th year of the VIBES Awards, with ten previous winners including CMS shortlisted for a public vote. The awards programme for Scottish businesses aims to encourage the efficient use of resources, enhance competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support the wider goals of sustainable development, including social benefits through community and staff involvement.
CMS is a previous winner of two VIBES awards in 2009 and 2015, but this year's accolade is particularly special for the company as it recognises the organisation that can best demonstrate its continuous improvement and contribution to Scotland's sustainable development. It is a win that reflects the ongoing progress that CMS is making on its path to being a net zero carbon business – this is illustrated by its success in eliminating landfill waste for the last two years, the commissioning of its first electric vans and the implementation of its ground-breaking biodiversity programme to protect and enhance the environment around its sites.
Gillian Bruce, VIBES Chair said: "We would like to congratulate CMS on their outstanding achievement of winning the Best of VIBES award. CMS has previously won two VIBES awards and represented Scotland in the European Business Awards for the Environment. This latest award shows their exceptional ongoing commitment to the environment
"The scale of the environmental challenge facing humanity, from climate change to plastics in our oceans, is enormous, with a real urgency to act. The most successful businesses in the future will be those that are not just compliant, but which are also low carbon, low material use, low water use and low waste, and which see environmental excellence as an opportunity. This is at the core of SEPA's One Planet Prosperity regulatory strategy.
"It is very encouraging to see the diverse range of businesses, small and large, which are taking important steps to reduce their impact on the environment and which understand how environmental excellence can also benefit their bottom line. I would like to congratulate each of this year's winning businesses and organisations, and hope that others will be inspired to follow in their footsteps."
David Ritchie, CEO at CMS Window Systems added: "We're thrilled to win the Best of VIBES Award and would like to thank everyone who voted for us from a shortlist packed with businesses who are making a tremendous contribution to Scotland's sustainable development. Holistic sustainability – environmental, social and economic – lies at the heart of our business strategy, but we know we cannot stand still, and we are continuously looking at how we can do things better.
"Our latest move to align our business with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals will undoubtedly help shape our sustainable future and we hope other businesses will follow suit to maintain Scotland's status as a stand-out nation for its environmental achievements."
Find out more at www.cmswindows.com


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This Episode: The group makes some odd randomly generated races. Then, they take their new creations out for a leisurely stroll into an abandoned tower.
Jesse, Dave, Kelli, Gabby, Al, & Besse
Direct Download
RSS Feed
You can also contact us at email@example.com, or you can contact us directly at:
Jesse at email@example.com and Direct Download@KiloGex
Dave at firstname.lastname@example.com and @dfShade
Besse at email@example.com and @Salarioth
Kelli at email@example.com and @KLegerPhoto
Al at email@example.com and @TheHarm85
Gabby at email@example.com and @Raine14
Shamus at @ShamusScannell
You can also follow us on Twitter with @DragonFisters, or you can like us on Facebook
Also, head on over to the Nerdbound forum for more podcasts and an abundance of play-by-posts
Music included is provided by Immediate Music


text:
The Centre
Research Groups
Tech Reports
Open Positions
How to get to CISUC
Member Access
Towards assessing representativeness of fault injection-generated Failure Data for Online Failure Prediction
Ivano Irrera
Marco Vieira
Online Failure Prediction allows improving system dependability by foreseeing incoming failures at runtime, enabling mitigation actions to be taken in advance, though prediction systems' learning and assessing is hard due to the scarcity of failure data. Realistic software fault injection has been identified as a valid solution for addressing the scarcity of failure data, as injecting software faults (the most occurring on computer systems) increases the probability of a system to fail, hence allowing the collection of failure-related data in short time. Moreover, realistic injection permits the emulation of software faults likely to exist in the target system after its deployment. However, besides the representativeness of the software faults injected is recognized as a necessary condition for generating valid failure data, studies on the representativeness of generated failure-related data has still not been addressed. In this work we present a preliminary study towards the assessment the representativeness of failure-related data by using G-SWFIT realistic software fault injection technique. We here address the definition of concepts and metrics for the representativeness estimation and assessment.
Failure prediction, software fault injection, estimation metrics
Related Project
DEVASSES: DEsign, Verification and VAlidation of large-scale, dynamic Service SystEmS
1st Workshop on Recent Advances in the DependabIlity AssessmeNt of Complex systEms (RADIANCE 2015) at DSN 2015 2015
Cited by
No citations found
University of Coimbra 2020
Portugal - WEST GMT


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How to Design Great User Interface, Tips and Tricks
A Great User Interface will always focus on what the needs of the user and ensures that the elements present can be easily understood and is accessible by the user. User Interface combines the concept of visual design with information available and interactional design. It basically works to make the user's experience better.The best designers make their interface in such a way that it is completely invisible to the user. To make the user interface invisible, the designer needs to make be clear in language they on messaging and labels. Moreover, they need to avoid any unnecessary elements that would cause cluttering and result in confusion.
For a Great User Interface the user interface can be consistent if the designers use common elements. The common elements allow the users to feel more comfortable which allows them to get done with things easily and they feel positive about using the device. Moreover, it is important that the designer creates similar patterns and language in the layout so that the consumer adapts to the site quickly and it is easy for them to further accommodate the knowledge that they have previously attained on the other parts of the site. The user would then feel more comfortable when they have finally learned to make their way across the site or the software. However, there are a few aspects that a user might expect from any user interface. We have listed down these points that the designer should focus on to create a Great User Interface.
Related Posts
The user needs to create hierarchy around the site for better understanding and a great user Interface The designer can use same font sizes to denote something that has a similar concept so that the user can relate to them over and over again. Different fonts, sizes and arrangement of texts help increase readability, legibility and increases the scanning power of the user.
The designer should make sure that the user interface communicates properly with the user. If the user interface fails to do this, then the user will end up confused. Designers should make sure that they inform their users about the changes in locations or any actions and tell them about any errors that might currently be taking place.
The main task of the designer is to understand the user they will be catering to because it is important they create the site according to the comfort of the user.
As it is the main job of the designer to focus on the color of the site to attract more users they need to make sure that the texture color they use on their site is comfortable for the user. Color and texture has the ability to direct and re-direct attention to and from different items and the designers can use this as an advantage to guide the users according to them on the site.
UI and UX Design is not your cup of tea?
Leave all the tech ache to us, contact at (91) 85 9090 4070


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The National Health Service spends billions of pounds each year on products and services. The University's Knowledge Network takes a look at the NHS's procurement process, on 29 November, to find out how local small businesses can compete to become NHS suppliers.
The Knowledge Network welcomes guest speaker Howard Rolfe, NHS Director of Procurement, East of England, to the Putteridge Bury campus near Luton, to discuss the services and products the NHS buys in and how Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can become NHS suppliers. Did you know that the majority of suppliers to the NHS are SMEs?
You don't need to be a large corporation and it's easier than you may think to become an approved supplier. Its supply chain manages the purchasing and delivery of more than 620,000 products - from everyday goods like stationery and bed linen to high-end clinical equipment. Howard's talk will cover
- Current opportunities for SMEs
- NHS procurement structure and process
- The Carruthers Review and potential outcomes
- Innovation and SMEs
- Previous Carruthers report on innovation and how that has made a difference
Howard's career spans some 30 years and before leading the East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub, he was Vice Chairman of the Hub's Supervisory Board and a senior executive with Marks and Spencer. Howard spent two years in the Cabinet Office, during which time he chaired the 1998 Review of Procurement within the NHS and is now a member of the National NHS Procurement Council.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight into the NHS and network with one of the organisation's most influential procurement figures. This event is being hosted by the University's Knowledge Network – which offers support to businesses.
Welcome Reception from 5:30pm, talk from 6.00-7.15pm with wine, buffet and networking opportunities afterwards. Tickets cost £20 for Knowledge Network members (£30 for non members) and includes wine and buffet. Spaces are limited so call 0800 328 5334 or email email@example.com to book your place.
The Knowledge Network is organised to help companies grow their businesses. Its aim is to provide a supportive framework enabling local businesses and entrepreneurs to develop new business relationships, to learn from peers and to share knowledge and experience. Visit the Knowledge Network to find out more about future guest speakers: http://www.theknowledgenetwork.co.uk/


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Stylish table light Vera in crystal design
The crystal table lamp Vera of Illuminati lighting consists of polished chrome metal and square cut crystal glasses. It is operated with 4W energy-saving LED in light color warm white. A charming and modern table illumination which takes place in every living room or bedroom as a bedside lamp.
Complete Vera series:
- Table light
- Wall light
- Ceiling light
- Pendant lights
Illuminati lighting are experts in combining the flair of Italian artisan design with modern technology. Their award winning range of chandeliers, wall, table and floor lamps bring a distinctly elegant style to your interiors.
Type: table lamp
Design: Illuminati Studio
Material: chromed steel, crystal glass
Screen color: crystal-clear
Dimensions: W: 8cm, H: 30cm, D: 14cm
Light source: 4 x 1W LED 230V (LED integrated)
Luminous flux: 300 lm
Light color: 3000K warm white (cool white 6000K on request)
Ø lifespan: 25,000 h
LED changeable: no
Switch: cabel switches on/off
Dimmable: no
Protection: IP20
Energy label according to EU Regulation No 874/2012:
Energy class: This lamp is suitable for lamps of energy classes: A++
The energy efficiency class is specified on a scale of A + + (very efficient) to E (less efficient).
LED is not replaceable.


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In his recent speech, the prime minister said tourism is vital to help the UK get back on track, that it's "fundamental to the rebuilding and rebalancing of our economy". He stated the industry contributes £115bn to the British economy every year, and would provide "one of the best and fastest ways" of generating jobs and income.
Listen to the speech here


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uTorrent is a powerful and efficient BitTorrent client for Windows.
* Multiple simultaneous downloads
* Configurable bandwidth scheduler
* Global and per-torrent speed limiting
* Quick-resumes interrupted transfers
* RSS Downloader
* Trackerless support (Mainline DHT)
Micro-Sized Yet Feature Filled
Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in µTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading and Mainline DHT (compatible with BitComet). Additionally, µTorrent supports the Protocol Encryption joint specification (compatible with Azureus 188.8.131.52, and now BitComet 0.63) and peer exchange.
µTorrent was written with efficiency in mind. Unlike many torrent clients, it does not hog valuable system resources – typically using less than 6MB of memory, allowing you to use the computer as if it weren't there at all. Additionally, the program itself is contained within a single executable less than 160 KB in size.
156KB | Windows version Windows (All) | Download | Freeware


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Local Directional Number Pattern for Face Analysis: Face and Expression Recognition
This paper proposes a novel local feature descriptor, local directional number pattern (LDN), for face analysis, i.e., face and expression recognition. LDN encodes the directional information of the face's textures (i.e., the texture's structure) in a compact way, producing a more discriminative code than current methods. We compute the structure of each micro-pattern with the aid of a compass mask that extracts directional information, and we encode such information using the prominent direction indices (directional numbers) and sign—which allows us to distinguish among similar structural patterns that have different intensity transitions. We divide the face into several regions, and extract the distribution of the LDN features from them. Then, we concatenate these features into a feature vector, and we use it as a face descriptor. We perform several experiments in which our descriptor performs consistently under illumination, noise, expression, and time lapse variations. Moreover, we test our descriptor with different masks to analyze its performance in different face analysis tasks
In the literature, there are many methods for the holistic class, such as, Eigenfaces and Fisherfaces, which are built on Principal Component Analysis (PCA); the more recent 2D PCA, and Linear Discriminant Analysis are also examples of holistic methods. Although these methods have been studied widely, local descriptors have gained attention because of their robustness to illumination and pose variations. Heiseleet al.showed the validity of the component-based methods, and how they outperform holistic methods. The local-feature methods compute the descriptor from parts of the face, and then gather the information into one descriptor. Among these methods are Local Features Analysis, Gabor features, Elastic Bunch Graph Matching, and Local Binary Pattern (LBP). The last one is an extension of the LBP feature that was originally designed for texture description, applied to face recognition. LBP achieved better performance than previous methods, thus it gained popularity, and was studied extensively. Newer methods tried to overcome the shortcomings of LBP, like Local Ternary Pattern (LTP), and Local Directional Pattern (LDiP). The last method encodes the directional information in the neighborhood, instead of the intensity. Also, Zhanget al. explored the use of higher order local derivatives (LDeP) to produce better results than LBP. Both methods use other information, instead of intensity, to overcome noise and illumination variation problems. However, these methods still suffer in non-monotonic illumination variation, random noise, and changes in pose, age, and expression conditions. Although some methods, like Gradientfaces, have a high discrimination power under illumination variation, they still have low recognition capabilities for expression and age variation conditions. However, some methods explored different features, such as, infrared, near infrared, and phase information, to overcome the illumination problem while maintaining the performance under difficult conditions.
v Both methods use other information, instead of intensity, to overcome noise and illumination variation problems.
v However, these methods still suffer in non-monotonic illumination variation, random noise, and changes in pose, age, and expression conditions.
v Although some methods, like Gradientfaces, have a high discrimination power under illumination variation, they still have low recognition capabilities for expression and age variation conditions.
In this paper, we propose a face descriptor, Local Directional Number Pattern (LDN), for robust face recognition that encodes the structural information and the intensity variations of the face's texture. LDN encodes the structure of a local neighborhood by analyzing its directional information. Consequently, we compute the edge responses in the neighborhood, in eight different directions with a compass mask. Then, from all the directions, we choose the top positive and negative directions to produce a meaningful descriptor for different textures with similar structural patterns. This approach allows us to distinguish intensity changes (e.g., from bright to dark and vice versa) in the texture. Furthermore, our descriptor uses the information of the entire neighborhood, instead of using sparse points for its computation like LBP. Hence, our approach conveys more information into the code, yet it is more compact—as it is six bit long. Moreover, we experiment with different masks and resolutions of the mask to acquire characteristics that may be neglected by just one, and combine them to extend the encoded information. We found that the inclusion of multiple encoding levels produces an improvement in the detection process.
1) The coding scheme is based on directional numbers, instead of bit strings, which encodes the information of the neighborhood in a more efficient way
2) The implicit use of sign information, in comparison with previous directional and derivative methods we encode more information in less space, and, at the same time, discriminate more textures; and
3) The use of gradient information makes the method robust against illumination changes and noise.
1. Face recognition,
2. Histogram generation,
3. Expression Recognition,
4. Face Retrieval
1. Face recognition:
In the first module, we design the system such that first the image dataset folder should be indexed by the user. After index is made, it shows the number of images in the folder which we indexed. Next the query image is selected by the user. The LH and MLH are used during the face recognition process. The objective is to compare the encoded feature vector from one person with all other candidate's feature vector with the Chi-Square dissimilarity measure. This measure between two feature vectors, F1and F2, of length N is measured. The corresponding face of the feature vector with the lowest measured value indicates the match found.
2. Histogram generation:
In this module, the histogram is generated based on the query image selected from the image dataset. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the tonal variations, while the vertical axis represents the number of pixels in that particular tone. The left side of the horizontal axis represents the black and dark areas, the middle represents medium grey and the right hand side represents light and pure white areas. The vertical axis represents the size of the area that is captured in each one of these zones. Thus, the histogram for a very dark image will have the majority of its data points on the left side and center of the graph. Conversely, the histogram for a very bright image with few dark areas and/or shadows will have most of its data points on the right side and center of the graph.
3. Expression Recognition:
We perform the facial expression recognition by using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. SVM is a supervised machine learning technique that implicitly maps the data into a higher dimensional feature space. Consequently, it finds a linear hyperplane, with a maximal margin, to separate the data in different classes in this higher dimensional space. After the histogram identified in the previous module, we extract all the feature automatically and the features are stored separately. Based on the extracted features, the expression is recognized.
4. Face Retrieval:
In this module, we retrieve the similar images based on the expression recognized on the previous module. The efficiency of the descriptor depends on its representation and the ease of extracting it from the face. Ideally, a good descriptor should have a high variance among classes (between different persons or expressions), but little or no variation within classes (same person or expression in different conditions). These descriptors are used in several areas, such as, facial expression and face recognition.
ü Speed - 1.1 Ghz
ü RAM - 256 MB(min)
ü Hard Disk - 20 GB
ü Key Board - Standard Windows Keyboard
ü Mouse - Two or Three Button Mouse
ü Monitor - SVGA
• Operating system : - Windows XP.
• Coding Language : C#.Net


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I kind of assume most Americans are aware of the situation as of July 4th, 1776. Maybe not.
War had broken out between England and the Colonies. The work of the First Continental Congress had not been able to persuade King George that rebellion was imminent were the Intolerable Acts not repealed. In the wake of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress convened in May of 1775, ready to begin forming an organized effort behind the military action already underway.
Curiously, it took some time for the Colonists to decide that the gunfighting between their own soldiers and British armies might mean they really needed to formally break with England. Granted, some of this was due to the long process of managing communication between the colonies and their representatives in Philadelphia.
Finally, in June 1776 the situation logically seemed to call for a formal statement, something to be shared not just with the public, but which would communicate the intentions of the Continental Congress to the world.
Thomas Jefferson was tapped to write the document. The work would receive word-smithing from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, but you can't argue with the results.
|"Yes, but instead of 's', let's use 'f' everywhere. I think it'll really take off."
I think a lot of people assume the beginning of the Preamble is part of the Constitution (the second paragraph you'll find below. The first is the Introduction). The Preamble so clearly lays out the purpose of government for its citizens that one just sort of assumes it would be a fine way to begin your new government's bulleted rules of the road.
Instead, it makes the strongest possible argument for why the colonies have a right to break with England in terms both commoners and royals would understand. The government is here to serve the betterment of the people - and that the government should come from the people, not the whims of a guy who was born lucky. Still, the Preamble does not advocate for thoughtless revolution. It hopes for peaceful change until it becomes obvious such change is no longer possible and the will of government has overtaken that of the best interest of the citizenry.
Now, everyone will see their personal causes and outrages in this, the sorts of things that make them want to send nasty letters to government employees and make wild and unsupportable statements in the comment section of their local paper's website. But there's a pretty big difference between a law being passed you don't dig and the throttlehold of tyranny meaning some wacky King somewhere has the right to do you wrong without due process any day of the week (I hate getting tried at sea for my comments about the king).
I'm a fan of the Introduction and Preamble, and we recommend you give it a whirl.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
Sure, the Colonists had precedent in Roman and Greek modes of republicanism and England had Parliament (non-Funkadelic), but there's something positively Magna Carta-ish about just point blank saying "here's what government is for, and you've clearly forgotten that and think you're in charge of all of us. This is going poorly. We're out. Going to go revolutionize how people think of their nations. Talk later," that I have to admire like crazy.
But, let's return to those first words of the Preamble:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident" - we are putting you on notice. This is not a point of bargaining.
"all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" - this doesn't just speak to England and what the Colonists think Government is for, its become the founding principle upon which we should consider our own Government's legitimacy. It says right there, as a founding principle, that we think everyone is equal. There are no Lords or Barons who are above us, nor should another person be seen as below us. Certainly we do not believe a King or Queen holds divine powers beyond our comprehension and we've got to fall in line.
And most certainly - If Government isn't there to help us preserve our lives, support and defend our liberty and make the land safe for us to pursue our own paths to Happiness (ie: it shouldn't go out of its way to block our lives and liberty and thus quash any chance for happiness - you know, within reason, people), then the government has lost its claim to legitimacy.
Tommy J. I'm a fan of his work.
For a full transcript of the Declaration of Independence, check out the Archives.gov site (and visit the Archives in person in DC to see the original signed doc and to understand why people still name-drop John Hancock.


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Matthew Chapter 9:1-13
I included this first verse with the end of Chapter 8, at the end of the story of the Gadarene demonaics. But it seemed worth including again, just for context.
1 Καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασεν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν.
And embarking on the boat, they crossed and came to his own city.
We discussed the implications of this at the end of Chapter 8. As a refresher, this seems to be part of the argument that Jesus was actually from Caphernaum, and not Nazareth.
BTW: John Calvin says that…This passage shows, that Capernaum was generally believed to be the birth-place of Christ…
So maybe I'm not so crazy after all….
1 Et ascendens in naviculam transfretavit et venit in civita tem suam.
2 καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπεν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, Θάρσει, τέκνον: ἀφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι.
And look, they brought a paralytic to him lying on his litter. And seeing his faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son, your sins have been removed."
Here we have the beginning of another set-piece story that was in Mark. There, of course, the setting was Jesus' house, and the crowd was such that the paralytic had to be lowered down to Jesus through a hole in the roof. Apparently Matthew thought such vandalization of Jesus' house by persons unknown was too scandalous to repeat. Again, by "set-piece", I mean a story that had accumulated over time into a discreet chunk, a single unit, as the story of the Gerasene demonaic. And here, once again, Matthew chooses to eliminate much of the detail surrounding the tale. Now, we can suggest that Matthew got this from another tradition that didn't have the details, but that's bordering on silly. The probability is very high that Matthew used Mark, so Matthew had access to the whole story in Mark, whether or not there was a variant version or not. So the bottom line is that Matthew very deliberately decided to pare away much of the surrounding context and report "just the facts". One interesting omission is the crowd; in fact, there haven't been that many crowds so far in Matthew. I did a count of the occurrences; so far, we've encountered a crowd a handful of times. This will change as we progress, but, for the time being Matthew has not stressed the crowds the way Mark did. And in this story in particular, the crowd was more or less the whole point in Mark. It took some doing to get the paralytic to Jesus.
Aside from these issues, what's interesting here is that what Jesus does is to say "your sins are forgiven". Why? Of course, part of this is the mental connexion between sin and illness that was still prevalent at the time Matthew wrote. All God's friends are rich and healthy, and probably good-looking, too. But of course, this will set up a conflict, as we shall see in the next verse….
2 Et ecce offerebant ei paralyticum iacentem in lecto. Et videns Iesus fidem illorum, dixit paralytico: "Confide, fili; remittuntur peccata tua ".
3 καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, Οὗτος βλασφημεῖ.
4 καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν, Ἱνα τί ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν;
And lo, some of the scribes said among themselves, "He blasphemes." (4) And Jesus knowing their thoughts said to them, "Why do you think evil thoughts in your hearts?"
The first question here is what is meant by "in themselves". Is this meant as, they murmured to each other, within their little group, or they said it silently, each within his own heart, or mind? It may not entirely matter, but given Jesus' response about the thoughts "in their hearts" it's not clear if Jesus just has really sharp hearing, if he has a keen grasp of human nature, or if he can actually read minds. I mean, did he hear them? Did he see them shifting uncomfortably in their chairs and have a good idea of the way they thought, or did he literally read their minds? The Greek could imply the first, but Jesus' response almost implies the last. There is no answer to this; it's probably not necessary for Jesus to read minds, but it's an interesting problem.
3 Et ecce quidam de scribis dixerunt intra se: " Hic blasphemat ".
4 Et cum vidisset Iesus cogitationes eorum, dixit: " Ut quid cogitatis mala in cordibus vestris?
5 τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν, Ἀφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, Ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει;
6 ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ, Ἐγερθεὶςἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου.
7 καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ.
8 ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.
(5) "For what is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Get up and walk around'? (6) But in order that you may know that the son of man has authority on the earth to take away sins", then he said to the paralytic, "Take up your litter and go to your home." (7) And getting up he went to his home. (8) Then seeing, the crowd was frightened and praised God giving such authority to men.
Here the connexion between sins and disease is very clear. Jesus took away the sins, then the paralytic got up and walked. This is pretty direct causation.
The second point is that Matthew retained this particular aspect of the story. He got rid of the anecdotal details, but kept the contention with the scribes. Why? The apparent purpose here is to separate Jesus from the religious establishment. This was very clear in Mark, and it was arguably very necessary for the time given the freshness of the Jewish Revolt. But another generation has passed; so why? Here it's worth bearing in mind the progression towards John, who blames "The Jews" for the ills that befell Jesus. I don't meant to imply that Matthew was anti-Jewish, but keeping this part of the story was a choice. He didn't have to do so, but he did. The reasonable conclusion to draw is that Matthew kept this deliberately to provide the separation between Jesus and the Jews, or at least the Jewish establishment. He may not be emphasizing it to the degree that Mark did, but he's not sweeping it under the rug, either.
Now it has long been assumed that Matthew was Jewish. What do we think of this? I've been suggesting that, perhaps, we may not want to be entirely so certain about this. Yes, the name is Jewish, but no one seriously believes that Matthew Levi (coming up shortly!) is the author of this gospel. The line about "not an iota of the law will be lost" has long been held out as proof of Matthew's Jewish heritage: he was concerned with retaining the Law. But was he? Really? Recall, that in the passage where he has Jesus say that, Jesus no more than utters the words and he's changing the Law. So take that phrase away, and what do we have? Well, so far, not so much. More may come. I can't recall anything so far that has made me think "Aha! There is a grand indication that Matthew was, indeed, Jewish".
Think back to Paul. He left no doubt that he was Jewish. He bragged about it . He was one of the most zealous of his generation. We have gotten nothing like that from Matthew. We got nothing like that from Mark. The fact that we have to ask the question is really all we need to know. That we don't know, I think, is a prima facie indication that perhaps neither of these two evangelists were Jewish. Now, that once again flies in the face of tradition, that Christianity maintained its ties to Judaism for a long time, but I find nothing to indicate this in the texts. Where is the evidence? IMO, it's just as likely that Matthew had Jesus say that not an iota would be dropped so that Matthew could emphasize that Jesus wasn't an innovator, and that his teaching wasn't a novelty. To admit that he was changing the Law would have been a bad PR move if one were trying to convert pagans who, by and large, respected the pedigree of antiquity.
Now, a statement like I've just made that Matthew wasn't Jewish requires that a case that has to be built up quote by quote to be convincing, and I certainly have not done that. But, really, have those who say that Matthew was Jewish actually created such a case? I'm not aware of it. This is another thing that is pretty much just assumed. It's always been assumed. Think about Peter's successors: Linus, Anacletus, Clement…pagan names. Already by the end of the first century the Bishops of Rome were consistently former pagans. Yes, Jews could have Greek or Latin names, but think of it. Where are the Jewish names connected with the Church in the last half of the First Century? Luke is not a Jewish name. John is, so maybe the fourth evangelist and the author of Revelations were both Jewish. But there aren't many more. Titus & Timothy are Greek names, and Paul told us that Titus was a pagan, so pagans had already become prominent by then. Yes, authors of the epistles have Jewish names, but so has Matthew. Were the epistles written by the people whose names they bear? Not in all cases, surely. My point is that it should not be taken for granted that the followers of Jesus, that the Christian followers of Jesus were predominantly Jewish; they may have been, but a case needs to be made for this. I don't think it ever has been made. I will start piecing my case together. If anyone is aware of anyone who has actually made the case, feel free to enlighten me.
Finally, the last sentence: they were afraid…(because)…God had given such authority to men. Now, this is interesting for all sorts of reasons. First, they were afraid. They didn't marvel; they feared, but despite this, they praised God. Now, this makes me wonder if this is one instance where the NT definition of "ephobo" (think phobia) may not be warranted. Perhaps it's like "awe" and how it became "awful"; rather than "full of awe" the word has morphed into "terrible". So, one fears because of the power of God, but it's a holy kind of fear. Sort of like Moses before the Burning Bush.
But the most pertinent point, I think is that God had given such authority (or power; or simply "competence") to men. Not to a man; not to God's son, but to men, sort of generically. What does this imply? Again, this is Matthew saying this; this is not in Mark, so Matthew added it deliberately. Honestly, and off-hand, I have no real explanation for this. I find it baffling. That being the case, I checked in with M Calvin of Geneva. His solution to the problem is simple: these men were mistaken; Jesus was not a man. Which puts this in a rather different light: why does Matthew tell us that others thought Jesus was a man? Hmmm…who were these others? Well, they were Jews, because they are in and about Jesus' residence, they were in the presence of scribes…Is this one more clue about Matthew's religious background? Or one more way of remaining separate from, while simultaneously being attached to Judaism? If so, it's fairly subtle, and decidedly clever. By the time Matthew wrote this, it would have been plainly obvious that a lot of Jews had not become followers of Jesus, they had not made the jump to Christian. As such, Matthew had to explain this. Mark had the Great Secret; is Matthew going to toss out little clues like this? Is this how Matthew will handle this problem?Time will tell. All in all, my suggestion about Matthew may not be completely ridiculous.
5 Quid enim est facilius, dicere: "Dimittuntur peccata tua", aut dicere: "Surge et ambula"?
6 Ut sciatis autem quoniam Filius hominis habet potestatem in terra dimittendi peccata — tunc ait paralytico – : Surge, tolle lectum tuum et vade in domum tuam ".
7 Et surrexit et abiit in domum suam.
8 Videntes autem turbae timuerunt et glorificaverunt Deum, qui dedit potestatem talem hominibus.
9 Καὶ παράγων ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκεῖθεν εἶδεν ἄνθρωπον καθήμενον ἐπὶ τὸ τελώνιον, Μαθθαῖον λεγόμενον, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, Ἀκολούθει μοι. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ.
And going about, Jesus then saw a man seated in the tax collector's office, named Matthew, and he (Jesus) said to him (Matthew), "Follow me," and (Matthew) standing, followed him (Jesus).
Offhand, I really don't know why this gospel is associated with Matthew Levi. I'm sure there's a long explanation in the tradition, but it's likely an ex-post rationalization. And it's interesting to note that the "Levi" is missing here. That's what Mark and Luke call him. Why not Matthew? I have some vague sense that being named Matthew here, rather than Levi, has something to do with the gospel being attributed to Matthew. The thing is, these traditions were often born of stuff like the fact that only Matthew calls him Matthew, and that Matthew doesn't mention Levi. The bases for a lot of what we "know" about the earliest history of the Church and the early days of the Jesus movement rests on such slender reeds, which was the phrase used by writers on Greek history. And trust me: there are a lot of ponderous edifices built on some very slender reeds in Greek history, so I can usually recognize one when I see it.
I do want to mention something again. One of the reasons that it matters whether Jesus was from Caphernaum is situations like this, or the calling of Simon and Andrew and the sons of Zebedee. If Jesus had lived in Caphernaum (which is where Calvin says this story occurs), then his calling to these men, and these men responding is perhaps neither so mysterious nor remarkable as the stories would have us believe. Had Jesus lived here some time, had he grown up here, then he likely would have known these men, and they likely would have known him. As such, it's not like they dropped everything to take up with a complete stranger that they had never met. It's not quite the blinding flash that the story tries to imply.
9 Et cum transiret inde Iesus, vidit hominem sedentem in teloneo, Matthaeum nomine, et ait illi: "Sequere me". Et surgens secutus est eum.
10 Καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτοῦ ἀνακειμένου ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ, καὶ ἰδοὺ πολλοὶ τελῶναι καὶ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἐλθόντες συνανέκειντο τῷ Ἰησοῦ καὶ τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ.
11 καὶ ἰδόντες οἱ Φαρισαῖοιἔλεγον τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, Διὰ τί μετὰ τῶν τελωνῶν καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἐσθίει ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν;
12 ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας εἶπεν, Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ ἰσχύοντες ἰατροῦ ἀλλ' οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες.
13 πορευθέντες δὲ μάθετε τί ἐστιν, Ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν: οὐ γὰρ ἦλθον καλέσαι δικαίους ἀλλὰ ἁμαρτωλούς.
And it happened he (Jesus) was reclining (which means "dining") in his house, and lo, many tax collectors and sinners having come reclined together with Jesus and his disciples. (10) And the Pharisees seeing his disciples, (asked) "Because of what with tax collectors and sinners does your teacher eat?" (12) He (Jesus) hearing, said, "The strong (i.e., "healthy") do not need a physician, but those having bad things (i.e., "diseases"). (13) Going, learn what (this means) is, 'Compassion (pity/mercy; it can mean all three) I wish, and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but the sinners'."
First, this is taking place at Jesus' house. Mark was a bit ambiguous on this, but Matthew is fairly clear. Note that this is clarified by the fact that the tax collectors and sinners came; Jesus did not go to them. So once again, this is a strong indication that Jesus was a native of Caphernaum, rather than Nazareth. I do not believe it was customary to go to another town and purchase a house; my sense is that houses were constructed by the family that intended to occupy them. I suppose the house could have been in the family of a relative, perhaps an aunt or uncle or cousin who died childless, and then Jesus took it over, but this is all very speculative. The plainest sense of the text is that this was Jesus' house, which would imply it was where he grew up.
Second, once again Jesus has those keen ears that allow him to hear conversations that were held sotto voce, or at some distance. Sort of like he was able to hear what the scribes were thinking. Now, this story is also in Mark, and it runs fairly closely along the lines of Mark, which is actually a tad longer. So once again, Matthew abbreviates. Not much, it's true, but he does. Let's take a look at this, and at the placement. The Sermon on the Mount lasted three chapters. Matthew seems to be condensing a bunch of Mark into a section. Now here's a thought: does the idea of Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners seem a bit quaint after the Sermon? Sort of dated? In a way, I dislike making suggestions like this because it's this sort of thing that the Q proponents use as the totality of the "argument" for the existence of Q. But I don't quite think I'm doing that. I am pointing out what I believe is a different tone in Matthew towards some of these episodes than we found in Mark. I'm not suggesting that Matthew's version is somehow superior to Mark. Is a difference in tone so ridiculous? Isn't that kind of the point? I will say this again: Matthew didn't write just to repeat what Mark said, in the way that Mark said it. Rather, Matthew wrote because he felt he had something different to say.
The line about pity/mercy/compassion vs. sacrifice is from Hosea 6:6. The REB that I have translates Hosea as "loyalty", but the point is that God isn't as impressed with the outward act of burning an animal as he had been at one point. Now, Hosea is set in the 7oos BCE, but, does anyone take these dates seriously as the time of its composition? Rather, this seems to reflect a time much closer to the turn of the era than to the eve of the destruction of Israel. So the point is, it's a reflection of how Judaism was changing, becoming much more internalized. This is why there has been such a (much-needed) effort to contextualize Jesus in his Jewish milieu. And this is exactly why I think that Matthew found it a bit quaint, something to be condensed, rather than something to be elaborated. He elaborated the story of Jesus' baptism; he elaborated the story of the temptations; he added entirely the story of the centurion's boy; he cut the story of the Gerasene demonaic and a couple of others found in Mark. At this point I am reluctant to draw too many inferences from this admittedly limited sample; however, as we progress, this will be worth keeping an eye on: what does Matthew lengthen, what does he add, what does he trim?
Finally, the line about the healthy not needing a physician is, I think, likely to be authentic. It's part of the "triple tradition", which means it's in all three of the Synoptic Gospels. It's not part of Q, unless it's part of the convenient 'Mark/Q overlap', which is a category created to catch such gems as this saying. This is another aspect of Q that I love: it's so flexible. It can include whatever the proponents think it should, or think it has to contain because whatever it is has to trace back to Jesus. Except when it's about John the Baptist. That must be in Q because it's in Matthew and Luke, but not Mark. Never mind that Luke is nearly a verbatim copy of Matthew. That's because both of them copied Q faithfully. Regardless, this is the sort of aphorism that makes Mack believe that Jesus was a Cynic sage; it's witty, a bit irreverent, and it makes the person on the other end look a bit foolish. This, I think, is the sort of mot that would be easily remembered and often repeated.
But we have to ask how, or even if, this fits with the idea that he came to call sinners, not the righteous. This idea leads us back to what we think the kingdom was all about. We have the sort of topsy-turvy thought expressed here that we found in the Beatitudes. Or do we? The latter are about those who suffer; this is about forgiveness. Those referred to in the Beatitudes have it bad, probably through no fault of their own. They are the victims–real victims–of oppression, at the mercy of powers much greater than themselves. Thucydides has such circumstances in mind when he said, "the strong do what they can. The weak suffer what they must". Can we say that about sinners? Are we really talking about the same groups here? The same sort of overall, overarching theme for what the kingdom is about? I'm not entirely sure that we are. Now, the overturning of the current status quo was thematic in Mark. While the Beatitudes have that theme, it refers to a different group of people. Now, this could simply be picking nits on my part, but I feel like there is a qualitative difference between eating with sinners and tax collectors–who were generally quite wealthy individuals–and having mercy on the poor in spirit, or those persecuted. [I seriously hope I said that the idea of being persecuted for Jesus' sake is something that could describe a situation in the 50s or 60s, perhaps, but probably not during Jesus' lifetime. As such, it's a real clue that Jesus did not say that…] Tax collectors were collaborators with the Romans. They had made a choice to use the situation to their personal advantage and collaborate with the army of occupation for their own personal benefit. They were not, IOW, poor even in spirit. They were not hungry for justice. So we have to ask if we have two different messages here? Perhaps the result of them coming from two different individuals? Perhaps the message about the sinners came from Jesus, and the message about the poor in spirit came from James?
People like JD Crossan talk about Jesus' eschatological message, about the kingdom as an apocalyptic vision. When they do, they tend to conflate the message of this passage with the message of the Beatitudes, since both seem to refer to "the kingdom". Now, that may be the case, but do they refer to the same kingdom? I'm not so sure.
10 Et factum est, discumbente eo in domo, ecce multi publicani et peccatores venientes simul discumbebant cum Iesu et discipulis eius.
11 Et videntes pharisaei dicebant discipulis eius: " Quare cum publicanis et peccatoribus manducat magister vester?".
12 At ille audiens ait: " Non est opus valentibus medico sed male habentibus.
13 Euntes autem discite quid est: "Misericordiam volo et non sacrificium". Non enim veni vocare iustos sed peccatores ".
Posted on March 6, 2015, in Chapter 9, gospel commentary, gospels, Matthew's Gospel and tagged Bible, Bible commentary, Bible scholarship, biblical scholarship, commenting, gospel commentary, gospels, Matthew's gospel, New Testament, New Testament Greek Translation, NT Greek, religion, St Matthew, theology. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.