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Israeli PM Netanyahu, the voice of reason on Iran in UN General Assembly speech (Video)
- Government
- October 4, 2013
Posted by bonniekgoodman on October 4, 2013
Focusing on Iran's nuclear program, Israeli prime minister strikes defiant tone: 'If Israel is forced to stand alone, it will;' says Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state to achieve peace.
Source: Haaretz, 10-1-13
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Thank you, Mr. President.
I feel deeply honored and privileged to stand here before you today representing the citizens of the state of Israel. We are an ancient people. We date back nearly 4,000 years to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We have journeyed through time. We've overcome the greatest of adversities.
And we re-established our sovereign state in our ancestral homeland, the land of Israel.
Now, the Jewish people's odyssey through time has taught us two things: Never give up hope, always remain vigilant. Hope charts the future. Vigilance protects it.
Today our hope for the future is challenged by a nuclear-armed Iran that seeks our destruction. But I want you to know, that wasn't always the case. Some 2,500 years ago the great Persian king Cyrus ended the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. He issued a famous edict in which he proclaimed the right of the Jews to return to the land of Israel and rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. That's a Persian decree. And thus began an historic friendship between the Jews and the Persians that lasted until modern times.
But in 1979 a radical regime in Tehran tried to stamp out that friendship. As it was busy crushing the Iranian people's hope for democracy, it always led wild chants of "death of the Jews."
Now, since that time, presidents of Iran have come and gone. Some presidents were considered moderates, other hard-liners. But they've all served that same unforgiving creed, that same unforgiving regime, that creed that is espoused and enforced by the real power in Iran, the dictator known as the supreme leader, first Ayatollah Khomeini and now Ayatollah Khamenei.
President Rohani, like the presidents who came before him, is a loyal servant of the regime. He was one of only six candidates the regime permitted to run for office. See, nearly 700 other candidates were rejected.
So what made him acceptable? Well, Rohani headed Iran's Supreme National Security Council from 1989 through 2003. During that time Iran's henchmen gunned down opposition leaders in a Berlin restaurant. They murdered 85 people at the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. They killed 19 American soldiers by blowing up the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.
Are we to believe that Rohani, the national security adviser of Iran at the time, knew nothing about these attacks?
Of course he did, just as 30 years ago Iran's security chiefs knew about the bombings in Beirut that killed 241 American Marines and 58 French paratroopers.
Rohani was also Iran's chief nuclear negotiator between 2003 and 2005. He masterminded the — the strategy which enabled Iran to advance its nuclear weapons program behind a smoke screen of diplomatic engagement and very soothing rhetoric.
Now I know: Rohani doesn't sound like Ahmadinejad. But when it comes to Iran's nuclear weapons program, the only difference between them is this: Ahmadinejad was a wolf in wolf's clothing. Rohani is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a wolf who thinks he can pull the eyes — the wool over the eyes of the international community.
Well, like everyone else, I wish we could believe Rohani's words, but we must focus on Iran's actions. And it's the brazen contrast, this extraordinary contradiction, between Rohani's words and Iran's actions that is so startling. Rohani stood at this very podium last week and praised Iranian democracy — Iranian democracies. But the regime that he represents executes political dissidents by the hundreds and jails them by the thousands.
Rohani spoke of, quote, "the human tragedy in Syria." Yet, Iran directly participates in Assad's murder and massacre of tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Syria. And that regime is propping up a Syrian regime that just used chemical weapons against its own people.
Rohani condemned the, quote, "violent scourge of terrorism." Yet, in the last three years alone, Iran has ordered, planned or perpetrated terrorist attacks in 25 cities in five continents.
Rohani denounces, quote, "attempts to change the regional balance through proxies." Yet, Iran is actively destabilizing Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain and many other Middle Eastern countries.
Rohani promises, quote, "constructive engagement with other countries." Yet, two years ago, Iranian agents tried to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador in Washington, D.C. And just three weeks ago, an Iranian agent was arrested trying to collect information for possible attacks against the American embassy in Tel Aviv. Some constructive engagement.
I wish I could be moved by Rohani's invitation to join his wave — a world against violence and extremism. Yet, the only waves Iran has generated in the last 30 years are waves of violence and terrorism that it has unleashed in the region and across the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish I could believe Rohani, but I don't because facts are stubborn things, and the facts are that Iran's savage record flatly contradicts Rohani's soothing rhetoric.
Last Friday Rohani assured us that in pursuit of its nuclear program, Iran — this is a quote — Iran has never chosen deceit and secrecy, never chosen deceit and secrecy. Well, in 2002 Iran was caught red-handed secretly building an underground centrifuge facility in Natanz. And then in 2009 Iran was again caught red-handed secretly building a huge underground nuclear facility for uranium enrichment in a mountain near Qom.
Rohani tells us not to worry. He assures us that all of this is not intended for nuclear weapons. Any of you believe that? If you believe that, here's a few questions you might want to ask. Why would a country that claims to only want peaceful nuclear energy, why would such a country build hidden underground enrichment facilities?
Why would a country with vast natural energy reserves invest billions in developing nuclear energy? Why would a country intent on merely civilian nuclear programs continue to defy multiple Security Council resolutions and incur the tremendous cost of crippling sanctions on its economy?
And why would a country with a peaceful nuclear program develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, whose sole purpose is to deliver nuclear warheads? You don't build ICBMs to carry TNT thousands of miles away; you build them for one purpose, to carry nuclear warheads. And Iran is building now ICBMs that the United States says could reach this city in three or four years.
Why would they do all this? The answer is simple. Iran is not building a peaceful nuclear program; Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Last year alone, Iran enriched three tons of uranium to 3 1/2 percent, doubled it stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium and added thousands of new centrifuges, including advanced centrifuges. It also continued work on the heavy water reactor in Iraq; that's in order to have another route to the bomb, a plutonium path. And since Rohani's election — and I stress this — this vast and feverish effort has continued unabated.
Ladies and gentlemen, underground nuclear facilities, heavy water reactors, advanced centrifuges, ICMBs. See, it's not that it's hard to find evidence that Iran has a nuclear program, a nuclear weapons program; it's hard to find evidence that Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapons program.
Last year when I spoke here at the UN I drew a red line. Now, Iran has been very careful not to cross that line but Iran is positioning itself to race across that line in the future at a time of its choosing. Iran wants to be in a position to rush forward to build nuclear bombs before the international community can detect it and much less prevent it.
Yet Iran faces one big problem, and that problem can be summed up in one word: sanctions. I have argued for many years, including on this podium, that the only way to peacefully prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons is to combine tough sanctions with a credible military threat. And that policy today is bearing fruit. Thanks to the efforts of many countries, many represented here, and under the leadership of the United States, tough sanctions have taken a big bite off the Iranian economy.
Oil revenues have fallen. The currency has plummeted. Banks are hard-pressed to transfer money. So as a result, the regime is under intense pressure from the Iranian people to get the sanctions relieved or removed.
That's why Rohani got elected in the first place. That's why he launched his charm offensive. He definitely wants to get the sanctions lifted; I guarantee you that. But he doesn't want to give up Iranians' nuclear – Iran's nuclear weapons program in return.
Now here's a strategy to achieve this. First, smile a lot. Smiling never hurts. Second, pay lip service to peace, democracy and tolerance. Third, offer meaningless concessions in exchange for lifting sanctions. And fourth, and the most important, ensure that Iran retains sufficient nuclear material and sufficient nuclear infrastructure to race to the bomb at a time it chooses to do so.
You know why Rohani thinks he can get away with this? I mean, this is a ruse. It's a ploy. Why does Rohani think he – thinks he can get away with it? Because – because he's gotten away with it before, because his strategy of talking a lot and doing little has worked for him in the past.
He even brags about this. Here's what he said in his 2011 book about his time as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, and I quote: "While we were talking to the Europeans in Tehran, we were installing equipment in Isfahan."
Now, for those of you who don't know, the Isfahan facility is an indispensable part of Iran's nuclear weapons program. That's where uranium ore called yellowcake is converted into an enrichable form. Rohani boasted, and I quote, "By creating a calm environment – a calm environment – we were able to complete the work in Isfahan." He fooled the world once. Now he thinks he can fool it again.
You see, Rohani thinks he can have his yellowcake and eat it too. And he has another reason to believe that he can get away with this. And that reason is called North Korea. Like Iran, North Korea also said its nuclear program was for peaceful purposes. Like Iran, North Korea also offered meaningless concessions and empty promises in return for sanctions relief.
In 2005 North Korea agreed to a deal that was celebrated the world over by many well-meaning people. Here's what the New York Times editorial had to say about it, quote: "For years now, foreign policy insiders have pointed to North Korea as the ultimate nightmare, a closed, hostile and paranoid dictatorship with an aggressive nuclear weapons program. Very few could envision a successful outcome, and yet North Korea agreed in principle this week to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, return to the NPT, abide by the treaty's safeguards and admit international inspectors."
And finally, "diplomacy, it seems, does work after all. Ladies and gentlemen, a year later, North Korea exploded its first nuclear weapons device."
Yet, as dangerous as a nuclear-armed North Korea is, it pales in comparison to the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran. A nuclear-armed Iran would have a choke hold on the world's main energy supplies. It would trigger nuclear proliferation throughout the Middle East, turning the most unstable part of the planet into a nuclear tinderbox. And for the first time in history, it would make the specter of nuclear terrorism a clear and present danger. A nuclear-armed Iran in the Middle East wouldn't be another North Korea. It would be another 50 North Koreas.
Now, I know that some in the international community think I'm exaggerating this threat. Sure, they know that Iran's regime leads these chants, "death to America, death to Israel," that it pledges to wipe Israel off the map. But they think that this wild rhetoric is just bluster for domestic consumption. Have these people learned nothing from history? The last century has taught us that when a radical regime with global ambitions gets awesome power, sooner or later its appetite for aggression knows no bounds.
That's the central lesson of the 20th century. And we cannot forget it. The world may have forgotten this lesson. The Jewish people have not.
Iran's fanaticism is not bluster. It's real. The fanatic regime must never be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons. I know that the world is weary of war. We in Israel, we know all too well the cost of war. But history has taught us that to prevent war tomorrow, we must be firm today.
And this raises the question, can diplomacy stop this threat? Well, the only diplomatic solution that would work is one that fully dismantles Iran's nuclear weapons program and prevents it from having one in the future.
President Obama rightly said that Iran's conciliatory words must be matched by transparent, verifiable and meaningful action. And to be meaningful, a diplomatic solution would require Iran to do four things. First, cease all uranium enrichment. This is called for by several Security Council resolutions. Second, remove from Iran's territory the stockpiles of enriched uranium. Third, dismantle the infrastructure for nuclear breakout capability, including the underground facility at Qom and the advanced centrifuges in Natanz.
And, four, stop all work at the heavy water reactor in Iraq aimed at the production of plutonium. These steps would put an end to Iran's nuclear weapons program and eliminate its breakout capability.
There are those who would readily agreed to leave Iran with a residual capability to enrich uranium. I advise them to pay close attention to what Rohani said in his speech to Iran's supreme cultural revolution — Supreme Cultural Revolutionary Council. This was published in 2005. I quote. This is what he said:
"A county that could enrich uranium to about 3.5 percent will also have the capability to enrich it to about 90 percent. Having fuel cycle capability virtually means that a country that possesses this capability is able to produce nuclear weapons." Precisely. This is why Iran's nuclear weapons program must be fully and verifiably dismantled. And this is why the pressure on Iran must continue.
So here is what the international community must do: First, keep up the sanctions. If Iran advances its nuclear weapons program during negotiations, strengthen the sanctions.
Second, don't agree to a partial deal. A partial deal would lift international sanctions that have taken years to put in place in exchange for cosmetic concessions that will take only weeks for Iran to reverse.
Third, lift the sanctions only when Iran fully dismantles its nuclear weapons program. My friends, the international community has Iran on the ropes. If you want to knock out Iran's nuclear weapons program peacefully, don't let up the pressure. Keep it up.
We all want to give diplomacy with Iran a chance to succeed, but when it comes to Iran, the greater the pressure, the greater the chance. Three decades ago, President Ronald Reagan famously advised, "trust but verify." When it comes to Iran's nuclear weapons program, here's my advice: Distrust, dismantle and verify.
Ladies and gentlemen, Israel will never acquiesce to nuclear arms in the hands of a rogue regime that repeatedly promises to wipe us off the map. Against such a threat, Israel will have no choice but to defend itself.
I want there to be no confusion on this point. Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone. Yet, in standing alone, Israel will know that we will be defending many, many others.
The dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran and the emergence of other threats in our region have led many of our Arab neighbors to recognize, finally recognize, that Israel is not their enemy. And this affords us the opportunity to overcome the historic animosities and build new relationships, new friendships, new hopes.
Israel welcomes engagement with the wider Arab world. We hope that our common interests and common challenges will help us forge a more peaceful future. And Israel's — continues to seek an historic compromise with our Palestinian neighbors, one that ends our conflict once and for all. We want peace based on security and mutual recognition, in which a demilitarized Palestinian state recognizes the Jewish state of Israel. I remain committed to achieving an historic reconciliation and building a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Now, I have no illusions about how difficult this will be to achieve. Twenty years ago, the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians began. Six Israeli prime ministers, myself included, have not succeeded at achieving peace with the Palestinians. My predecessors were prepared to make painful concessions. So am I. But so far the Palestinian leaders haven't been prepared to offer the painful concessions they must make in order to end the conflict.
For peace to be achieved, the Palestinians must finally recognize the Jewish state, and Israel's security needs must be met.
I am prepared to make an historic compromise for genuine and enduring peace, but I will never compromise on the security of my people and of my country, the one and only Jewish state.
Ladies and gentlemen, one cold day in the late 19th century, my grandfather Nathan and his younger brother Judah were standing in a railway station in the heart of Europe. They were seen by a group of anti-Semitic hoodlums who ran towards them waving clubs, screaming "Death to the Jews."
My grandfather shouted to his younger brother to flee and save himself, and he then stood alone against the raging mob to slow it down. They beat him senseless, they left him for dead, and before he passed out, covered in his own blood, he said to himself "What a disgrace, what a disgrace. The descendants of the Macabees lie in the mud powerless to defend themselves."
He promised himself then that if he lived, he would take his family to the Jewish homeland and help build a future for the Jewish people. I stand here today as Israel's prime minister because my grandfather kept that promise.
And so many other Israelis have a similar story, a parent or a grandparent who fled every conceivable oppression and came to Israel to start a new life in our ancient homeland. Together we've transformed a bludgeoned Jewish people, left for dead, into a vibrant, thriving nation, a defending itself with the courage of modern Maccabees, developing limitless possibilities for the future.
In our time the Biblical prophecies are being realized. As the prophet Amos said, they shall rebuild ruined cities and inhabit them. They shall plant vineyards and drink their wine. They shall till gardens and eat their fruit. And I will plant them upon their soil never to be uprooted again.
[Repeates paragraph in Hebrew.]
Ladies and gentlemen, the people of Israel have come home never to be uprooted again.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on October 1, 2013
Source: Jerusalem Post , 1-17-13
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told Turkish daily Hürriyet on Thursday that Israel may use diplomatic language inspired by the letter sent by Washington to Islamabad over the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in order end the impasse with Ankara….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 17, 2013
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 19, 2012
Source: Israel National News, 5-18-12
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said he is skeptical that Iran will agree to halt its nuclear program.
"I see no evidence whatsoever that Iran is ready to end its nuclear program," he said just days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran.
The P5+1 – the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany – are set for a May 23 meeting with Iran in Baghdad.
Speaking in Prague, Netanyahu called it "the paramount issue of our time."
Netanyahu did not present any ultimatums, but Israeli officials have said time is running out to avoid military action…READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 18, 2012
Source: JTA, 3-25-12
Time is running out for a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, President Obama said.
"I believe there is a window of time to solve this diplomatically, but that window is closing," Obama told reporters Sunday after discussing Iran with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Seoul, which is hosting a nuclear security summit this week.
Iran has said it is open to new negotiations with world powers about its nuclear program, which the Islamic Republic insists is peaceful despite international suspicions that it has secret military designs.
Israel has made a veiled threat to attack Iran pre-emptively if it deems diplomacy a dead end. Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said that Israel insists the new negotiations stop Iran's uranium enrichment, remove its stocks of the potential bomb fuel and dismantle its fortified enrichment plant near Qom. Iran has ruled out such conditions….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 25, 2012
REUTERS/Chris Wattie
Prime Minister Stephen Harper walks down the Hall of Honour with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Friday.
Source: National Post, 3-2-12
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his meeting with Stephen Harper in Ottawa on Friday with a public declaration that Iran poses a "grave threat" to global security — adding that Israel is prepared to "defend" itself if necessary.
"The warnings that I and others have been giving over the years will materialize unless Iran is stopped. And that's why I say the international community must do everything it can to stop it. And the danger is not only to Israel — it is obviously a danger to Israel — but I think it's a danger to the whole world," Mr. Netanyahu said.
The Israeli Prime Minister arrived in Canada against a backdrop of growing fears that Israel could unilaterally strike suspect Iranian nuclear facilities to delay or destroy that country's nuclear capabilities.
"They hang gays, they stone women. This what they're doing today without nuclear weapons and imagine what a regime like this would do if they had atomic weapons," Mr. Netanyahu said.
In recent weeks, countries such as the United States and Britain have made it clear that that they are not in favour of such a military move by Israel — arguing it is not yet necessary, and fearing it would spark a much larger conflict in the Middle East.
U.S. President Barack Obama, in advance of his own meeting early next week with Mr. Netanyahu, was blunt in an interview released Friday, saying a premeditated Israeli attack would be "unacceptable."
In some of his toughest comments yet on Tehran's nuclear drive, Mr. Obama also warned that Israel and Iran should take seriously possible U.S. action against Iranian nuclear facilities if sanctions fail to stop the country's atomic ambitions.
"I think that the Israeli government recognizes that, as president of the United States, I don't bluff," Obama told the Atlantic Monthly magazine in remarks published Friday.
"I also don't, as a matter of sound policy, go around advertising exactly what our intentions are. But I think both the Iranian and the Israeli governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say."
Tehran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only but Western nations suspect the Islamic republic is leading a covert program to develop a nuclear weapons capability and is not far from achieving its goal.
In recent weeks, it has not been clear where Canada — which has become a major ally of Israel under the Harper government — stands on the question of a premeditated attack on Iran.
Tehran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only but Western nations suspect the Islamic republic is leading a covert program to develop a nuclear weapons capability and is not far from achieving its goal.
Netanyahu's government has maintained that all options remain on the table with regard to action on Iran, whose firebrand leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has questioned Israel's right to exist.
As he shook Mr. Harper's hand before their meeting, Mr. Netanyahusaid he wanted to discuss with Mr. Harper "the remarkable turbulence that is shaking the Middle East, and of course Iran's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"I know from many conversations that we've had that you share my view: That this is a grave threat to the peace and security of the world," he said.
"And I think it's important that the international community not allow this threat to materialize. For Israel, like any sovereign country, we reserve the right to defend ourselves against a country that calls and works for our destruction."
He added that it was "particularly gratifying to be among such good friends here in Ottawa."
For his part, Mr. Harper said Canada's position on a pre-emptive strike on Iran was "very clear."
"We of course recognize the right of Israel to defend itself as a sovereign state, as a Jewish state. That said, we want to see a peaceful resolution of this issue. And we want to see every action taken to get a peaceful resolution of this situation."
Earlier, in the nearby House of Commons chamber, the government appeared to reveal a reluctance to endorse military action against Iran.
Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae asked Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird to clarify Canada's position on the issue. He asked Mr. Baird if Canada supports countries such as the U.S. and Britain in their concern about a "unilateral" attack by any nation against Iran.
"We obviously don't want to see any military action," Mr. Baird replied.
"That's why we're working hard with the United States and the European Union, with the United Kingdom and others to take every single diplomatic effort necessary to try to ensure that Iran doesn't achieve nuclear weapons status."
"We believe right now the best course to take is every single diplomatic action. And that's exactly what Canada is doing."
Earlier, at a news conference, Mr. Rae said that his party shares the deep international concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions and horrific human rights record.
But he said any action taken should be done on a multilateral basis — not just by one country.
"This is not a subject which affects Israel alone. It's a question that touches countries around the world. None of us want to see a nuclear-armed Iran. None of us want to see an increase in tensions and conflict in the Middle East. I think it's very important that we look at this not simply as an issue between Israel and Iran, but understand that it's an issue that has much broader implications for the world."
This is the Israeli leader's second visit to Canada in three years.
The last time he was in Ottawa, in May 2010, Mr. Netanyahu was forced to cut his trip short to deal with the fallout of an Israeli commando raid on a Turkish ship bound for Gaza. Nine activists died in the highly controversial boarding and several others were wounded.
This time, Iran's nuclear ambitions will likely be the top issue, with Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Harper expected to brainstorm ways to encourage and co-ordinate more international action against the Islamic republic.
This will likely include discussing a strategy to encourage the Obama administration to take a tougher stand, particularly an overt threat of military action, should Iran continue moving ahead with its nuclear program.
There has been a growing sense in recent months that Israel is on the verge of attacking Iran, as the latter continues to defy the international community and move ahead on its nuclear program, which many fear is aimed at building an atomic arsenal.
Mr. Harper and Mr. Netanyahu have developed a close personal relationship over the years as the Conservative government has made Canada one of Israel's strongest international supporters. Mr. Netanyahu will publicly thank Mr. Harper for his "principled" support of Israel.
Mr. Netanyahu is also expected to meet with Gov. Gen. David Johnston during the visit.
According to the Ottawa-based Centre for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, Mr. Netanyahu will speak at a Jewish community breakfast Sunday before leaving for the United States later that day.
Source: CBC, 3-2-12
Canada wants a "peaceful resolution" to prevent further development of Iran's nuclear program, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said during a press conference in Ottawa with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Harper's counterpart, however, said "all options" to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons should be on the table.
Instability in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria, topped the agenda when the two leaders began meeting on Parliament Hill on Friday.
But among the "sea of troubles," the most disturbing is Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, Netanyahu told reporters during a brief news conference.
"The international community must do everything it can to stop it," he said.
Netanyahu's government has recently been suggesting that Israel is considering launching a military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
"I think there is agreement right now on the main powers that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and that all options should be left on the table in order to assure that that doesn't happen," he said.
Harper was asked whether Canada would support a pre-emptive strike on Iran, and he said the country's intentions and capabilities remain "a serious concern" to Canada.
"In terms of hypothetical situations, I think as the prime minister is aware, Canada's position is very clear. We of course recognize the right of Israel to defend itself as a sovereign state, as a Jewish state. That said, we want to see a peaceful resolution of this issue and we want to see every action taken to get a peaceful resolution of the situation," Harper said.
The two leaders had a brief meeting after Netanyahu arrived on Parliament Hill, greeted by a military honour guard, and they are continuing their talks over a working lunch. Later Friday, Netanyahu will meet with Gov. Gen. David Johnston….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 2, 2012


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April 18, 2019 – Brevard County's Save Our Indian River Lagoon Commission Workshop hosted presentations by the Brevard County Utility Services Dept and the Department of Natural Resources. The workshop focused on the role of Utilities and the SOIRL Trust Fund in restoration efforts. Several very interesting projects were discussed. The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition supports joint funding of projects that directly help the Lagoon. See the slide decks here.
How Utilities can Improve the Indian River Lagoon – presentation by Brevard County Utility Services Dept.
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subset: commoncrawl


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This presentation is one of the most helpful explorations of the complexities surrounding Bible translation. It focuses especially on comparing various modern translations, and shows arriving at a 'word for word' translation is not only virtually impossible, it's also not necessary.
Do yourself a favour and take the time to watch this video:


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Here it is the 18th of March and I am happy to report that I have finished 3 of the 5 "to do" things on my list and I've added one more thing as well.
Here is what I've done:
This quilt went to a teacher friend.
This quilt was shipped to Florida.
This quilt is going to France.
I managed to add two more rows to the scrabble quilt but I haven't finished that yet and I haven't made anything yet for my etsy shop.
I did buy some lovely Riley Blake Apple of my Eye fabric here to make these.
So you could say I'm halfway done with my March To Do List.


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Two actual conversations that I've had today:
D. sees that I'm on the phone and raises his eyebrows, wondering if it's an important call.
Me: "This is Shannon."
D.: "From Rocks In My Dryer?"
Me: "You got it."
D. [laughing]: "Well, I guess since you're not on the computer right now, it's only fitting that you're talking to one of your computer friends."
Alex answers the phone, then passes it to me.
Me: "Hello?"
Mama: "Did you call earlier?"
Me: "I did – we were just wondering if everything was okay since we haven't talked to you in almost a week."
Mama: "Oh. Well, since I read your blog every day, I'm all caught up."
Me [thinking to myself]: "Well, it's good to know that my real-life presence is no longer required."


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United Muslim Relief holds volleyball game to raise money for Syrian refugees
With her 8-year-old sister beside her, Zena Khoudeir, 21, watched several amateur teams face off in intense volleyball matches — all to raise funds for refugees of Syria, her parents' native country.
It was because of this personal connection that Khoudeir said she drove to the College Avenue campus gym on Sunday afternoon from her home in Princeton, New Jersey, to join dozens of Rutgers students for a volleyball tournament organized by the campus chapter of the national non-profit United Muslim Relief.
"It's amazing that there are people who do want to help us and that want to help them," she said. "It makes me happy to see that people from other religions, cultures and races are out here to support Syrian refugees."
Ten teams made up of students, members from various Rutgers organizations and other New Jersey residents competed in the charity competition, which lasted for five hours.
Kulsum Khan, president of the Rutgers chapter of United Muslim Relief, said all of the proceeds will be sent to their national umbrella organization, which will use them to finance humanitarian aid. This includes food, water, healthcare and housing for Syrians displaced by the ongoing war.
"They need help (the Syrians)," said Khan, a School of Arts and Sciences junior. "They have no homes anymore. They are suffering."
Although the student group strives to help marginalized and impoverished groups in New Jersey and abroad, its members emphasized that the organization does not participate in political or religious advocacy.
Muna Mashhour, one of the group's event coordinators and a School of Engineering junior, said the organization has Muslim origins, but its membership is not exclusively Muslim or focused solely on Muslim causes.
Mashhour said the group has also done volunteer work in Newark and New Brunswick.
Syrian refugees need assistance like the groups they have previously helped, but they are now at the forefront of worldwide humanitarian efforts because of their dire circumstances, she said.
Yet it is not up to them to dictate what policies should be implemented by governments as it pertains to refugees, she said.
"We are not telling the country what to do," she said. "We have no political stance. We just see people in need and we want to help them."
Khoudeir, who was born in America, said she used to visit Syria every summer before sectarian conflict broke out in 2011. She said the people who have been displaced by the violence and famine in the country are in desperate need of humanitarian aid.
The Southwest Asian country has been embroiled in a convoluted war — involving forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, moderate rebel groups, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. A number of external countries and secular groups have also become increasingly entangled in the conflict over time.
Khoudeir said her family is from the historic city of Aleppo, now infamous for the carnage and destruction it endured while it was sieged by government forces.
The prolonged war has prompted millions of Syrians to abandon their native lands for neighboring countries or to apply for asylum and refugee programs in Europe or countries like Canada and the United States.
The United Nations also estimates that around 6.3 million Syrians have found themselves internally displaced by the violence.
According to statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, most Syrian refugees have resettled in the region, with nearly 5 million registered refugees in countries like Turkey and Jordan.
There are also nearly 900,000 Syrians in Europe who have filed asylum applications, with Germany, Sweden and Hungary having the most.
In North America, Canada has resettled more than 40,000 Syrian refugees and nearly 18,000 have arrived in the United States between 2015 and the first quarter of 2017, according to figures from the Migration Policy Institute.
During his first week in office, President Donald J. Trump rolled out an executive order that temporarily banned immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries and halted the nation's refugee admissions program.
After days of nationwide demonstrations, an injunction was placed on the order by a federal judge in Washington and upheld by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Feb. 9.
The White House has been working on a new order that will withstand legal scrutiny. Senior advisor to the president, Stephen Miller, told Fox News that the new order will have the "same policy outcome" as the previous one.
Khoudeir said she does not understand why Muslims, like herself, or refugees fleeing war zones were targeted by Trump's executive order or demonized by some sectors of the public, noting that her religion is one of "peace, not hate."
"Why would you want to shut the door on people who are trying to live a safe life and provide for their family?" she said.
Although the primary reason she brought her younger sister was because she did not have a babysitter at home, Khoudeir said events like the tournament can help instill values of servitude and compassion in younger generations.
"Refugees have no way of getting other help," she said. "We have the power to help them — they don't need much."
Camilo Montoya-Galvez is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in Spanish and journalism and media studies. He is a staff writer for The Daily Targum. Follow him on Twitter @camiloreports.
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Organic Beef Koftas [Gluten Free]
A must-have for summer barbecues, made from our best mince
Up the ante at your next barbecue by chucking some Coombe Farm Organic beef koftas on the grill. They're made from a succulent mixture of fresh beef mince – and really very little else. That means the depth of flavour is authentically beefy, with a robust hum of smokiness that makes it distinctive. Our koftas are quick to cook, too, making them a filling choice for speedy lunches.
Love a kofta? Try our organic lamb koftas too.
- Delivered frozen
- 4 x 100g
All of the beef we use in our koftas comes from our herd of organic cattle. Avoiding waste is a huge part of our philosophy so we run a system that crosses dairy cows with beef bulls. This produces stocky calves that are perfect for producing meat. It also makes good use of calves that, in a traditional pure-bred dairy system, would otherwise be surplus to requirements. Our smoked beef koftas are made with a combination of smoked brisket and unsmoked chuck and flank. These are all hard-working cuts with lots of meaty texture and plenty of flavour. The open grain of the brisket means it readily absorbs the oaky taste of smoke so you're rewarded with a kofta that really packs a punch.
Ingredients: organic beef (98%), sea salt, organic black pepper, water
- Supplied: Insulated box at -18°C
- Freezing: Will arrive frozen, use by best before date on packaging
- Defrosted: Store between 0 - 5°C and use within 2 - 3 days
We deliver all around mainland Britain, excluding the Highlands and Islands. You will be able to choose your preferred delivery slot at checkout.
We can deliver to you Tuesday to Saturday.
We will pick, pack and deliver your box the day you have requested.
For every order, we'll send you a text message on the morning it is due to be delivered.
Our courier will leave it in your requested safe place if you would prefer a contactless delivery.
We have a minimum order of £40. There is no minimum order value or delivery charge if you collect from our farm shop
Our Standard Delivery Charge is £3.95 (Tuesday to Saturday). There is Free Delivery on Orders Over £90, Recieve your order Before 12pm for £6.95
No. You can leave a message with your order telling us where you would like to have your box placed. It would be best placed somewhere cool or at least in the shade – especially during the hotter months of the year. Our products will stay at the same temperature for up to 40 hours, so just make sure that you can pick up your order within that time.
Our couriers will send you a text message or email, which ever you prefer, giving you an hour slot when your box will arrive. If that doesn't suit you, some options will be provided to make your delivery more convenient.
Our products will stay frozen at the same temperature for up to 40 hours. Simply put them in your freezer after delivery or in your fridge if you want to defrost them and use them within the next few days.
At Coombe Farm we believe in sustainability. And we live it. Regarding our packaging:
Eco-friendlyYour delivery box is made of 100% recycled paper and is 100% recyclable.
Delivered FrozenTo keep your order frozen we use ice packs which will retain a low temperature for a long period of time. Reuse them for a picnic or simply snip, empty the water and pop in your plastic recycling.
Sustainably InsulatedWe use paper pulp sheets to insulate the box. They are great for craft projects or can also simply be recycled with paper waste.
Product FAQs
We deliver our organic produce Tuesday – Saturday and you will be able to choose your preferred delivery day at checkout. The delivery charge is £3.95.
Freezing is the most natural way of preserving food. And as here at Coombe Farm Organic we believe in slow-grown, healthy food, a form of preservation that doesn't need artificial additives gets a big tick from us.
We use blast freezing to preserve all of our meat products. It's done at the point of butchery, to temperatures of -26°C. This locks in all the freshness, flavour and nutritional value and means you get the longest possible shelf life at home once you've defrosted it.
It also guarantees it will arrive with you in tiptop condition - confidently delivering fresh meat would be much more challenging.
All of our meat is butchered in our in-house butchery by our small team. This means we have full control of what is cut and also means that we can accommodate more requests from our customers.
You will find any product ingredients on the relevant product pages.
Can't Find the Answer?
If you cannot find the answer to your question and would like to speak to someone contact us and we will be happy to help.
Quick as quick can be is the way to cook your koftas and keep them juicy and tender. A couple of minutes each side on the barbecue, in a griddle pan or under the grill is all that's needed. Serve with some spicy slaw made with red cabbage or a lemon-dressed crisp green salad. Wrap the whole lot in a flatbread and tuck in – keeping a stash of napkins close at hand.
Reviews & ratings
Barbara Scarlett
Nice and tasty Nice and tasty
Posted 1 month ago


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|Conductor in Residence
Hi all,
I thought I'd share a picture of my new EDC knife- Benchmade Nakamura 485-1. Carbon fiber grip, S90 steel for the blade. This is my first Benchmade, and the first folder that I ever spent more than $125 on, but I certainly feel the quality that I got for the money.
I like deeper carry than this clip provides, so I ordered an aftermarket deep carry clip in a blue that (hopefully) matches its blue accents.
|What is the
soup du jour?
Congrats. That's a great looking blade. Love the Axis lock, and the S90V blade steel is one I definitely want to add to my collection.
THAT is a great looking knife !
I dig it.
And thanks for posting the pics. Another one to check out further.
Awesome knife. I have the standard version but that one is beautiful.
Photographs: http://photos.digitalperspective.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoman12001/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/photoman12001/videos
Nice. Carbon fiber and S90V is a good way to start.
I'd be curious of your impressions when you get around to sharpening it.
The butcher with the sharpest knife has the warmest heart.
|Bone 4 Tuna
That's HANDSOME!
An unarmed man can only flee from evil and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it. - Col Jeff Cooper
NRA Life Member
Long Live the Super Thirty-Eight
Excellent choice! After fondling one, I've added it to my wish list.
|His Royal Hiney
That certainly looks nice.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
I don't usually love carbon fiber clad knives, but this one has always just called to me. I need to add it to the collection. It looks to be the perfect gent's folder to me.
That is very nice!
Congrats on your purchase.
|Obviously not a golfer
Beautiful! That's on my short list of knives I NEED to buy.
I looked at them, the g10 and the carbon version. The g10 has significantly larger grooves in the handle. The carbon is way more comfortable. The down side is that I like the looks of the silver liner of the g10 and the overal feel of the carbon. So they dont make the version I would like and i dont want to buy both to make it.
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Belgian brownies baked in muffin papers. A soft, gooey and intensely chocolate-flavored composition, with very little flour but with lots of sugar. A traditional Belgian recipe which collapses after being taken out of the oven creating this unique and recognizable appearance. And of course, don't even think about not making these with Belgian chocolate :)
Recipe source: Smitten kitchen.
Last year: Polish buttermilk drink (Kwasne Mleko Ze Szczypiorkiem).
Ingredients (makes 12):
- 225 g butter
- 250 g dark chocolate (Belgian, preferably)
- 5 eggs
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 300 g superfine white sugar
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Line a muffin tin with muffin papers.
Melt the butter and the roughly broken chocolate in a pot over low heat (or in a bain-marie):
When the two ingredients are well-blended together, remove from the heat and add the sugar and flour. Mix it in:
Next, add the eggs:
Mix it well and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. After the waiting time, transfer to the muffin papers:
Bake for 30-35 minutes. Take out and allow to cool a bit:
Transfer to a serving platter. It's done, dig in! :)


text: AdFreak KFC's Colonel Sanders Heads to France With a Tin-Ear Accent and Old Spice-ish Adventures Meet the man on the bucket, Frenchies!By Angela Natividad|January 16, 2018 KFCShare By Angela Natividad|January 16, 2018 Share Sometimes you encounter an idea whose time has come. That doesn't make the idea good.Case in point: Twice in as many weeks, a famous American face has dived into the French market with strong "We come in peace" vibes, pioneers for their ilk, zealously shilling our two favorite types of food—junk and fast. Both men are charged with explaining the merits of their brand in great detail. And both do it with a wretched accent.Because it's funny! We're still reeling from Owen Wilson's hopelessly fumbled French on behalf of Oreo, which has perhaps proven so awkward for everyone involved that viewing rights for the ad itself are not available outside France. (Been a long time since we've seen somebody try shoving the internet genie back into its box.) Now, with warm regards from Sid Lee Paris, we give you KFC's Colonel Sanders. Unlike Burger King, whose long absence from the French market transformed the brand—and its king—into a fetish, KFC has existed in France since 1991. Weirdly, though, it hasn't taken advantage of that time to plug Colonel Sanders, who infects our childhood memories like an Inceptioned oil spill.Today, 26 years after the launch of its first restaurant, just 3 percent of French people even know who Sanders is. Until now.The Colonel's hitting the road, Kerouac-style! The video above, directed by Jeff Low of La\Pac, debuted Sunday on French network TF1 and served as the country's first introduction to the mysterious man on the bucket. Gone is the round, friendly face of actor Christopher Boyer, who currently plays the Colonel in the U.S. This guy, whoever he is, is sleepy-eyed and kind of intense.After overhearing two Frenchmen discuss his chicken with indifference, he embarks on a journey from Kentucky to France, confronting the kinds of challenges that only The Most Interesting Man in the World—or at the very least, Old Spice Guy—should be allowed to engage in.All this so he can tell the French in person why his chicken, with its 11 herbs and spices (seasonings of such glorious lore), is so special. "Nature gave man 10 fingers," he says at one point. "I'll give you one good reason to use them." That's some titillating innuendo, sir. "Our hope is to make Colonel Sanders a real pop-culture personality in France," explain Sid Lee Paris creative directors Céline and Clément Mornet-Landa. (Off-topic: Cute how these two not only share a last name but speak like a Greek chorus.) "It's an incredible opportunity to be able to tell the story of such a persona."Awkward, then, that it feels so derivative. The Colonel's triumphant voyage over alligators, etc., with bucket in hand (now available for Bitcoin!) was supported by an outdoor campaign announcing his arrival, a Twitter Uptime activation that tweeted every minute over the hour preceding the film's launch, and an interview with pop culture site Konbini (yet to appear).A handful of French KFC employees also got to meet the Colonel in-person for a keynote."More than an ad campaign, our objective is to put forth a genuine storytelling about Colonel Sanders and his recipe, and to set it up through a privileged exchange between the brand and French people," says KFC France marketing director Pascale Laborde.Think that accent will improve? Probably not.CREDITS Agency: Sid Lee Paris Client: KFC France Ad Title: Colonel Sanders Chief Creative Officer: Sylvain Thirache, Executive Creative Director Brand Supervisors: Frédéric Levacher, Pascale Laborde, Sophie Lacroix, Cécile Lequeux Creative Directors: Céline and Clément Mornet Landa Agency Supervisors: Johan Delpuech, President; Mehdi Benali, Managing Director; Héloïse Marchal, Account Director; Benoit Fernandes, Account Manager Copywriter: Simon Lamasa Art Director: Sophie Dherbecourt Head of Strategy: Benoit Pellevoizin Strategist: Patrice Zamy Head of Production: Thomas Laget Agency Producer: Marine Redon Production Company: La\Pac Producer: Delphine Guerin Director: Jeff Low Director of Photography: Martin Ruhe Music: Sanjiv Sen Music Producer: Schmooze Postproduction: Mathematic Postproducers: Jane Jamaux, Paul Crehange Share http://adweek.it/2rcNBQ8 copy Angela Natividad @lucktheladyAngela Natividad is a frequent contributor to Adweek's creativity blog, AdFreak. She is also the author of Generation Creation and co-founder of Hurrah, an esports agency. She lives in Paris and when she isn't writing, she can be found picking food off your plate. Adweek Adweek


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Do you take insurance?
I am not a participating provider with commercial insurance. For one thing, insurance requires I assign you a mental health diagnosis, and most of my clients are perfectly healthy people just struggling with some life challenges. This diagnosis becomes part of your medical record, which can then be considered a pre-existing condition and possibly create problems for you getting coverage in the future. Your insurance company also requires regular reports on your progress, which means you and I are no longer in complete control of your privacy.
Many of my clients prefer the privacy that private pay ensures. However, for clients who would like to submit claims to their insurance per their Out of Network benefits under their plan, I'm happy to provide a monthly SuperBill. Feel free to ask if you have more questions, or check with your insurance about Out of Network Benefits.
How long will therapy take?
That depends on what you're working on! Some people come in for help with shorter-term problems or tough decisions they're trying to make. Others come in after wrestling for years with anxiety and depression, and they want to find relief and explore more deeply. Your length of time is dependent on your goals and your level of commitment to the process.
Do you see couples or kids?
I do not, but many people I work with might also be seeing a couple's therapist with their partner. If that's the case for you, I can collaborate with that person as needed and requested by you.
Do you do phone sessions?
I offer phone sessions as needed due to illness, travel, etc. I am also happy to offer video session for anyone living in PA. Teletherapy has been proven to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy, and I'm proud to provide it! The only service that I'm unable to offer online is EMDR, as that is an in-person modality.
Where are you located?
My office is conveniently located at 1362 S Atherton St in the Southwood Office Center in State College Borough. Access to parking is off of Edna Street.
Contact Me
The season of midlife can bring drastic changes in your relationships, your body, and your values. You can learn to navigate this time of life to feel empowered, purposeful, and excited about life again.
Email me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
Address: 1362 S Atherton St, State College, PA 16801
Fax: 814-954-4149


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Five Quick Tips to Keep Your Red Hair Frizz-Free
Here are five tips to fight frizz even in the midst of a heat wave:
1. Avoid brushing
Brushing not only disrupts your hair's cuticle but it can stretch the hair, leading to breakage and frizz. After shampooing, finger-comb or use a wide tooth comb to part and smooth your hair. Then, add a touch of your preferred leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz product. Allow your hair to air dry.
2. Look for protein in your conditioner
A protein-infused conditioner will not only help you manage frizz but will help to create shine too.
3. Don't cook your hair
When it's hot outside, you wouldn't turn on your oven. So why add heat to your hair? Blow drying with humidity and heat only encourages more frizz. Minimize frizz by avoiding flat irons, curling irons, and limiting heat sources to a blow dryer with a diffuser.
4. Dry only the roots of your hair
If you need to blow dry your hair and short on time, dry only your roots. This will give the hair a lift but will help you to avoid drying out the hair shaft. Pull hair back in a sleek pony for a sophisticated look or a messy, ballerina bun for those crazy busy days.
5. Go alcohol-free
Because alcohol can dry the hair out, setting you up for frizz, look for alcohol-free products. That may mean switching to salon-quality shampoos, conditioners, and hairsprays. It'll be worth the investment and your red hair will be healthier!
Rock it like a Redhead!


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TCADP Annual Conference in Austin, February 19
Seizing the Momentum… Advancing Statewide Vision through Local Action
Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center, First United Methodist Church
13th and Lavaca, Austin, Texas
The Panel Discussion on the impact of the death penalty on a county level will include:
- Sam Millsap, former Bexar County District Attorney
- Dennis Reeves, Assistant Public Defender of the Regional Public Defenders Office for Capital Cases
- Karen Peissinger, El Paso TCADP Chapter Leader
- Sachin Chheda, NCADP Deputy Director (moderator)
New offering this year! Afternoon training will feature legislative workshops designed specifically to your legislative district Register today. More information and flier (Download PDF)
Scheduled Executions
February 15: Michael Wayne Hall
February 22: Timothy Adams
Learn more about responding to these scheduled executions at the link.
TCADP Lobby Day – HB 819
On Monday, January 24, 2011, State Representative Jessica Farrar filed House Bill 819 calling for repeal of the Texas death penalty.
What you can do to support this bill:
- Telephone your State Representative and tell them:
- you support repeal of the death penalty in Texas, and
- you support Rep. Farrar's H.B. 819.
- Ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.B. 819.
- RSVP for the TCADP Lobby Day to be held on March 8 at the Capitol!
- More information on contacting your lawmakers, including talking points, is available at the link.
If you do not know who your State Representative is, you can find out at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.
You can follow the progress of H.B. 819 at http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB819. Now is the time to make your voice heard by your elected Representative. Please make your call this week. Let TCADP know the results of your conversation!
Recent Editorials on the Texas Death Penalty
Both the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently published editorials calling on members of the Texas Legislature to examine the serious flaws and failures of the state's death penalty system. In "Death penalty debate should start, not end," (January 15, 2011) the Star-Telegram notes that "The capital punishment system is troubled and expensive. The Legislature needs to debate how to fix it – and whether it can adequately be fixed at all." Read more from the Star-Telegram and Morning News.
TCADP members throughout the state hold respectful vigils on the days of executions in Texas. Attend a Vigil in your area!
See http://tcadp.org/ for locations and times.


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I am really excited about how nice the floor looks in the living room. The edges still need to be done, and so does the dining room.
These are the floor stain options.
It is going to be hard to choose because they look very different based on how the light is hitting them. Right now we are leaning towards the one on the right. It seems to have the same tones as the baseboards.
The upper cabinets were torn out of the kitchen.
My DH got the ceiling re-drywalled and can lights installed. The new kitchen cabinets may arrive as soon as Thursday! I am very excited!!!
The cold cellar is painted, walls and floor. Now it looks crisp and clean. We need to build some more shelves for storing canned goods and pantry items.
Here is what the house looks like now after the trees were cut down and the shrubs trimmed. The brush on the left still needs to be removed. Quite a bit different from the picture on the top of the blog!
The side is trimmed neatly too. Now you can see the big stones along the border.
This is the side yard where our lumber jacks cut down the first tree row of four trees, and thinned the next row of pines. It still looks pretty thick, but they really did take down over half a dozen trees out of that row. Now to get the stumps removed and decide what to put there instead.
The progress keeps happening and the projects are moving along. This week we hope to get the floors finished and some painting done. The kitchen cabinets should be installed and the counter top measured. We are planning on getting my office dry walled as well. I would also like to get a few fruit trees planted.
Thanks for reading my blog! Please feel free to leave a comment every once in awhile!!!


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The Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21, 2013
John 10:22-30: 22At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; 26but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. 30The Father and I are one."
Grace to you and Peace, from God our Father and our Lord and savior, Jesus the Christ
The text says it was winter. It's one of the few places in the story of Jesus that we get a detail like this. And the interesting thing is that John has already told us that it is the feast of the dedication, it is Hanukkah. That information, by itself, would tell us it is December. So if it's December, why would John go on to tell us it is winter? I think John is telling us that it was raining, for the word 'winter' can also mean rain.
It was Hanukkah and it was raining. When I think about Jesus and his followers, the picture that comes to mind doesn't ever involve rain. Somehow, that simple reference makes this moment in Jesus' life more vivid.
It was Hanukkah. It was raining. They are under the shelter of the portico on the east side of the temple square. It's a covered area, two rows of columns, 28 feet tall, each made out of a single piece of marble, with a ceiling of cedar. Across from them, rising above the walls that marked the boundary between the outer courtyard, the court of the Gentiles where anyone could enter, from the first inner courtyard – called the court of women, where only ritually clean Judeans could go – above those walls rose the temple proper, covered in gold. Before it was the great "altar," the fire on which the sacrifices were offered. Within it stood the anteroom, with the candles ever burning and the bread of the presence and the incense. And behind the curtain, the holy of holies.
There on Solomon's portico, in front of the temple, out of the wind and rain, Jesus is being attacked by the Judean leadership. Our translation has "How long will you keep us in suspense." But the literal phrase is "how long will you take our spirit away." "How long will your rob of us our right mind?" "How long will you rob us of our peace of mind?" "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." It is not a friendly question. At best it means, "If you are the messiah, prove it." Mostly it is a challenge to provoke Jesus into saying something that will give them cause to kill him. It's is one of those loaded questions like, "Have you stopped beating your wife." There's no way to answer it without getting into trouble. If Jesus ducks the question, he loses honor. If he answers it, he is guilty of blasphemy. It's like the questions people ask in politics today. They are not questions looking for information or truth; they are questions designed to gain power by shaming an opponent.
Our reading this morning stopped with Jesus saying: "The Father and I are one." It gives it a nice, upbeat ending. It makes his discourse seem spiritual and religious. But the very next sentence declares: "They took up stones to stone him."
When Jesus says he and the father are one, it means that he and God are bound together in a tight relationship of loyalty and common purpose. There's no space between them. They are bound in perfect trust. In marriage we say "the two become one" not meaning that they somehow morph into a single being, we mean they bind themselves to one another in a relationship such that to deal with one is to deal with the other.
God has done the same thing with you. "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven." God binds himself to you so that any word of forgiveness you speak God will stand by. Jesus prays that we will be one with him, even as he is one with the Father. Jesus prays that for the world to encounter us is for the world to encounter Jesus.
Jesus claims that to deal with him is to deal with the Father – but that's the job the high priests have claimed. They are the ones who speak for God. That's why they take up stones. This hick preacher from Galilee is trespassing on their turf. He is claiming to be Israel's shepherd.
In the rest of the story, in the verses that follow, Jesus brilliantly stops them by asking for which of his good works are they going to stone him. Because he healed a blind man? Because he healed a lame man? Because he saved a family from dishonor by providing wine at their wedding? Because he rescued a woman from shame at Jacob's well? They don't have an answer to this. They say it's because Jesus makes himself God. And to this Jesus has a clever Biblical argument that leaves them all stumped. They try to arrest him, but he escapes. When they try to take Jesus down, his honor in the eyes of the crowd rises even higher.
But what's most important in this interchange happens in the text we have read: It is raining. It's cold. It's in the darkness of winter. They are under the portico with the temple before them. It is Hanukkah, the festival of lights, honoring the cleansing of the temple after Antiochus Epiphanes had desecrated it. Jesus is under attack. But Jesus takes their hostile question and turns it back upon his attackers: they want to know if he claims to be the good shepherd. He asks them if they are true sheep.
God is the shepherd of Israel. The people are the sheep. The people are supposed to hear God's voice. Jesus and the Father are one; they speak with the same voice. If the people don't hear God's voice in Jesus then the real question is "Are they God's sheep?"
They say, "If you are the messiah tell us plainly." And he answers, "I have told you." All the things he has done in the name, in the spirit, in the power of the Father, proclaim who he is. But they have not heard because they do not belong to the sheep. "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me."
Jesus' opponents are fierce defenders of God's honor. They are deeply religious men and women. They are inheritors of an ancient tradition. They are the guardians of the temple and all its religious rituals. They are the guardians and interpreters of God's commands. They are the keepers of the holy writings. But they are not God's sheep. They are not listening to the voice of their shepherd. They do not recognize that everything Jesus has said and done is straight out of the mouth of God.
It's troubling to consider that you can have the name of sheep and not be sheep. You can have the name of Christ and not be a Christian. In Matthew's Gospel we hear Jesus say "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' shall inherit the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my father." (Matthew 7:21)
Please understand. It's not that some people are better Christians than others. It is simply that some hear and follow and others don't.
Those who hear and follow find an imperishable life. Nothing will ever snatch them from the God's hand.
Shepherds in our country are like shepherds in almost every country – they herd the flock from behind; they drive the sheep. Shepherds in Palestine at the time of Jesus – and still today – walk in front of their flock , and the flock follows them. They lead the sheep. The flock recognizes the voice of their shepherd and follows.
I worry that Christians today are not very good at recognizing the voice of Jesus. We listen to the voice of the news. We listen to the voices of politicians. We listen to the voices of fear. We listen to the voices of consumerism. It's like we walk around with earbuds in our ears and do not hear the voice of the one, true, noble shepherd: the shepherd who lays down his life for us.
And I worry that, being unable to recognize the voice of Jesus, we fail in our task of speaking for him, of giving voice to his voice.
Fox News and CNN aren't in the business of giving voice to the voice of Jesus. They are in the business of making money and shaping public opinion. Bank of America isn't in the business of giving voice to the voice of Jesus; they are in the business of making money by getting you to spend more money on your credit card. The politicians aren't in the business of giving voice to the voice of Jesus; they are in the business of gaining and keeping power. You are the ones God has sent into the world to give voice to the voice of Jesus.
If we don't hear, we can't speak. And if we don't speak, who will?
I think about this poor young man who was captured wounded and bleeding in a backyard boat. He is just a kid. And what voices filled his head? The voice of his brother, I am sure. And what voices filled his brother's head? Voices of resentment and bitterness I am sure. Voices that claimed to speak for God, but did not. I think about this poor kid, and I wonder: "Was there no one near him to speak Christ's voice?"
Jesus is the good shepherd. God is our good shepherd – and Jesus and the Father are one. To see one is to see the other.
Jesus is the good shepherd. And he's not just our good shepherd; he is the noble shepherd for all the earth – for God is the noble shepherd, the true shepherd for all the earth.
He feeds us with good pasture. He feeds us good food. He provides us with an imperishable life.
The other voices bring death to the world. The voices of fear and greed and envy and power – they bring death to the world. Jesus brings life. The Father brings life. He brings healing. Hope. Compassion. Generosity. What are the fruits of his Spirit? "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22)
The question is not whether Jesus is the good shepherd. The question is whether we are his sheep.
The Prayer of the Day for the 4th Sunday in Easter, year C
Gracious Heavenly Father,
shepherd of our souls and guardian of our way,
in the resurrection of your son Jesus Christ
you have opened for us the way of life.
Continue to lead us by your Word and your Spirit
that we may dwell with you in that life which is eternal.


text:
- AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation
- Caelynx
- Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions
- dSPACE
- Eravant
- MixComm
- Qorvo
- Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations
PHILADELPHIA, June 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- IMS 2018 -- SiTime Corporation, the market leader in MEMS timing, invites attendees of the International Microwave Symposium (IMS2018) to Booth 1433 in the 5G Pavilion, where they can view a demonstration of our innovative MEMS-based timing solutions for 5G.
5G is expected to transform connectivity with significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency. These features, offered after network densification and infrastructure upgrades, are expected to enable a host of new services such as network slicing and virtualization, broadband everywhere, faster machine-to-machine connectivity as well as automated driver assistance systems (ADAS).
In a dense 5G network that transmits at higher speeds, radio-to-radio time accuracy must be within 65 nanoseconds – 20 times better than 4G. SiTime's MEMS-based timing solutions enable this crucial requirement by ensuring synchronization in the toughest environment, such as in the presence of disturbers such as shock, vibration, rapid temperature changes, and extreme temperatures. SiTime's solutions do this while offering 20 times better reliability and one-fifth the power.
Demonstration Highlights:
SiTime will showcase our Elite family of Super-TCXOs, including:
SiTime will also be presenting at the time and location below. The presentation will detail SiTime's over-temperature stability and the impact of the oscillator frequency-over-temperature slope (ΔF/ΔT) performance, which plays a critical role in time accuracy during clock recovery with 5G networks.
Presentation Highlights:
Overcoming 5G Time Synchronization Challenges
Tuesday, June 12, 11:30-12:00 pm
Thursday, June 14, 10:00-10:30 am
5G Pavilion Theater, Booth 1433
More Information
About SiTime
SiTime Corporation, the market leader in MEMS timing and a wholly owned subsidiary of MegaChips Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6875), offers MEMS-based silicon timing solutions that replace legacy quartz products. SiTime's configurable solutions enable customers to differentiate their products with higher performance, smallest size, lowest power, and best reliability. The rich feature set and flexibility of SiTime's solutions allow customers to consolidate their supply chain, reducing the cost of ownership and time to market. By using standard semiconductor processes and high-volume packaging, SiTime offers the best availability and shortest lead times in the industry. With 90% market share and over 1 billion devices shipped, SiTime is driving the electronics industry to use 100% silicon-based timing. www.sitime.com.
Media Contact:
Green Flash Media
SOURCE SiTime Corporation


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The Skye Terrier originated in the 16th century in Scotland and was bred to do a job. His assignment was to rid the island farms from destructive vermin such as mice, foxes, otters, badgers. To win a battle to the death, the dog needed to be a fearless fighter with a large jaw, big teeth and a muscular body. It took almost 400 years to perfect such a dog. But in the end, the Skye Terrier evolved to be just the right thing, a big dog on short legs. Such a dog needed a quick wit, a keen nose, and a good eyesight to follow his prey to its hiding place. He also needed short, strong legs with large feet and tough nails to dig down into the den.
The Skye is obedient, loyal, a one-man dog, reserved with strangers and somewhat standoffish. In his terrain, among the rocks, burrows, and treacherous waters, the Skye has no equal. He has a good nose, especially for badgers, and he can follow a scent two hours old. He has unsurpassed sight and hearing and is fierce in battle, yielding to no animal.
The Skye Terrier is very sensitive to people, especially his owner, and he always wonders if he is liked. Some Skyes become neurotic if they are not sure of their owner's love.
In show dogs, the ears may be erect or drooped, but the famous prick ears are generally more favored.
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Utilization: Terrier
FCI Classification: Group 3 - Terriers; Small sized terriers (without working trial); AKC Classification: Terrier Group
Size: Small (9.5 to 10 inches at shoulder. A slightly higher or lower dog of either sex is acceptable)
Coat Type and Colors: The outer coat is firm and straight, the udercoat is short, soft and woolly. The colors are black, dark or light blue, gray, fawn, or cream.
Litter Size: 4
Life Span: 10-12 years
Grooming Requirements: The coat is double. The undercoat is short, close, soft, and woolly. The outer coat is hard and straight, 5.5 inches long. The body coat hangs straight down each side, parting from head to tail. It is so long and thick that it falls to the ground and covers him completely, like a cloak. High. The Skye has a very demanding coat. His profuse, hard coat is groomed almost like Lhasa Apso's. It can become easily matted if not brushed regularly, so it should be kept up on a regular basis. Brushing two or three times a week with a natural bristle brush or a pin brush, making sure to brush down to the skin will keep a Skye Terrier's coat in good shape. Finish off with a wide-tooth comb. Keeping a dog in good coat also means a bath at least once a month. Part with a comb from head to toe when the dog is totally dry.
Shedding: Little
Personality: Intelligent, energetic, alert, reserved with strangers and formidably loyal. He is often described as a one-man dog.
Social skills: Will chase cats and other small animals.
Suitability for Children: The Skye Terrier will tolerate children if raised with them. But in general, he is not the best friend of children.
Exercise Needs: The Skye is a great indoor dog but he enjoys moderate exercise.
Train Ability: The Skye Terrier is intelligent but can be stubborn and dominant. He is usually not recommended for a person who has never owned a dog. He needs firmness and consistency in training. He will quickly learn to disregard inconsistent and inexplicit commands and the person who issues them. This is a "thinking" breed with its own opinion about how things should be done. The trick to train a Skye is to convince him that he wants to do something, not you. Skye terriers perform well as tracking, obedience and agility dogs.
Health & Behavioral Issues: The following problems exist in the breed and a puppy buyer should be aware of them. A reputable breeder will be doing his utmost to keep these genetic diseases out of his line.
Keywords: Skye Terrier, hunting dog, chien de chasse, Jagdhund
Working dogs
Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs
Pinschers, Schnauzers & Molossian Types
Companion & Toy Breeds
Herding Dogs
Sporting Dogs
Dog Breeds of the World (Interactive)


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Great news!The r4i gold deluxe edition card has released out the newest firmware 4.0B1.
Please view the official website http://www.r4ids.cn.
And this update information as follow:
Deluxe Edition firmware 4.0B1 is released ! (2014-05-29)
change log
Games Update:
1. V4.5+ Games
The coming firmware V4.0B2 will include the following:
1. Multi-ROM
2. EmuNand
3. Online Eshop
[Download Now]
From the information we can know the v4.0B2 will released out very soon and the r4i gold deluxe edition card will support multi-roms very soon.
Hope the new firmware released out soon.


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Oral health practices should start in individuals' early stages of childhood – their first dental visit should be before their first birthday – and continue as long as they are alive. Unfortunately, many seniors are suffering from the adverse effects of poor dental health.
Zakhor Dental Group points out that looking out for the elderly doesn't stop at watching the food they eat and assisting them in their daily activities. They – or at least those watching over them – should also take care of their dental health because if they don't, this will affect their overall health and their quality of life.
Dental Issues Associated with Old Age
The buildup of food and plaque can cause gum disease. Other factors that contribute to the development of the disease are smoking, ill-fitting dental appliances and poor oral hygiene. This may lead to tooth loss, as well as the development of other health issues.
It is quite common for the elderly to have a dry mouth, however, this is not something to take lightly. The lack of saliva production in the mouth can promote tooth decay because, without saliva, there is nothing to wash away the food particles and bacteria that stays in the mouth.
Periodontal disease not only affects the mouth but the rest of the body, too. There are studies that support the link between gum disease and heart problems. Those with poor oral health can also suffer from pneumonia – once they breathe in the bacteria from the mouth and into their lungs, they become more susceptible to the illness.
When they don't take care of their dentures, this can cause a buildup of the Candida albicans fungus, characterized by the inflammation of the tissue underlying a denture. This may result in denture-induced stomatitis.
The Effect of Old Age in the Upkeep of Oral Health
Their age isn't the only determinant when it comes to poor oral health. There are medical conditions that may hinder them from brushing or flossing properly, such as arthritis. Certain medication can also take a toll on their dental health.
Taking care of the elderly shouldn't stop at watching their food and assisting them in their daily activities, their dental health is important, too. By continuing good oral practices and visiting their dentists regularly, they can alleviate the possibility of suffering from a severe illness or worsening the state of their health.


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Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance given £4,000 by Freemasons
Photo: Members of East Kent Masonic Province pictured presenting their cheque to Air Ambulance paramedic Lewis Price
A group from the East Kent Masonic Province visited the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance's base at Marden recently to present a cheque for £4,000 to the crew.
The masons who were from lodges throughout the county were able to meet the helicopter's pilot, paramedic and doctor and have a tour of the aircraft before it was called out to attend a seriously injured horse rider.
The visit was arranged by Peter Rodd, Assistant Grand Provincial Master from the Province of East Kent.
Presenting the cheque, Peter said: "We are delighted to be able to show our continued support of Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance. Charitable giving is central to Freemasonry and a great many lives would be lost without the swift lifesaving help provided by the dedicated air ambulance doctors and paramedics."
The cheque was donated through the Freemasons' Grand Charity which supports the air ambulance and many other charities on an annual basis. The Grand Charity has donated more than £1.6million to Air Ambulance Trusts throughout England and Wales since 2007.
Jill Playle, Director of Communications for the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, said: "We are very grateful for this cheque and the very generous support we receive from the Masons. I am delighted that they were able to visit the base and speak to the crew to find out just how their donations are used and the vital difference it makes to those people who need our services."
Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance is the only charity of its kind in the country to operate a 24-hour Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The crews respond to an average of 4-6 callouts during the day and 1-2 at night and the service is funded almost entirely by donations.
If you would like to find out more about the Air Ambulance or make a donation, please visit www.kssairambulance.org.uk


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The General Directorate of Traffic, represented by the Traffic Patrols and Investigation Department, has opened a Traffic Investigation Office at the Gulf Takaful Insurance Company headquarters as part of the department's efforts to improve its performance and services.
First Lieutenant Hamoud Mubarak al Shafi, officer of Traffic Investigation Offices in insurance companies at the Traffic Patrols and Investigation Department, said the offices carry out procedures related to repair and maintenance of vehicles damaged in road accidents.
Obtaining accident certificate, paying traffic violation fines, obtaining a painting permit of a vehicle with the same colour, as well as registering unknown accidents can be done through these offices without referring to the Traffic Investigation Department at the General Directorate of Traffic or any of other traffic sections. He added that the office will have an investigation officer to complete the traffic procedures, which will be followed by the procedures of the insurance company. "This is the sixth investigation office opened by the Department at insurance companies" First Lt. Al Shafi said. He pointed out that the plan of the Department includes the opening of more traffic investigation offices with other insurance companies to alleviate the work pressure on the Traffic Investigation Sections.
For his part, Salah Mohammed Abdul Ghani, Executive Director of the Automotive Department at Gulf Takaful Insurance Company, thanked the General Directorate of Traffic for opening a traffic investigation office inside the company's headquarters. It also promotes transparency and clarity regarding the rights of auditors commensurate with the damage to the vehicle.
source: Qatar Tribune


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Biblia Arabica
Bridging religious divides through translation
München, 03/24/2016
The Hebrew Bible and the New Testament were first translated into Arabic in the 8th century. Ronny Vollandt, Professor of Jewish Studies at the Institute of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, LMU, is studying this little known phase in the dissemination of the Scriptures.
Every day Ronny Vollandt's research takes him back to the time when Islam had expanded far beyond the bounds of the Arabian Peninsula to reach the Atlantic shores and the borders of China. The conquest of this vast territory, which began in the 7th century, brought Muslims of Arabia into contact with Jewish and Christian communities of the Mediterranean littoral and established Arabic as the new language of administration in the region. Christians and Jews increasingly adopted Arabic as their everyday language, gradually leaving behind their native modes of expression. As a result, they could no longer understand the Bible either in the original Hebrew or in the Greek of the previously dominant Byzantine Empire.
"So Jews, Christians and Samaritans, the communities referred to in the Quran as the ahl al-kitāb – the Peoples of the Book – began to produce Arabic versions of their religious texts," Professor Vollandt explains. The oldest of these manuscripts dates from the 8th century. Strikingly, many of these translations were not written in Arabic letters, but in the translators' own scripts. "In this period, the relationship between the three religions undergoes a drastic shift. The Muslims are now in the majority, having made many converts among both Jews and Christians. Thus, the Arabic versions of their holy books were not intended just to make the texts accessible to all or to conserve their own traditions. They also had a defensive purpose – to counter some of the pressure placed upon non-Muslim communities to convert to Islam."
Vollandt holds the Professorship of Jewish Studies at the Institute for Near and Middle Eastern Studies at LMU. As Joint Coordinator of the project "Biblia Arabica: The Bible in Arabic Among Jews, Christians and Muslims," he is now engaged in studying a large number of extant Arabic translations of this era's Biblical texts, which have long been neglected by scholars.
Crossing religious boundaries
The most famous of these translations is the work of Saadia Gaon (882-942) who was born in Egypt and became one of the most outstanding scholars of his time. Around the year 920 he began to translate large portions of the Hebrew Bible into Arabic using Hebrew characters, and his version of the text achieved canonical status among the Jewish communities of the Near East, North Africa and Spain. At some later point, Gaon's version was transcribed into Arabic script. This was a crucial turning point in its transmission, for it made the text accessible to Christians, who helped to propagate it further. Muslim authors also began to refer to Gaon's translation. "This development shows how easy it was for Jewish texts to find their way into Christian and Muslim contexts. All one had to do was use a different script," Vollandt points out. Much later, in the 17th century, a version of Gaon's translation in Arabic script was included in the Paris Polyglot Bible, a multilingual printed version of the Biblical text.
"These Arabic translations very often found their way across religious divides and, in this sense, the Arabic Bible can be regarded as an important intersection among religions. The translations were important for adherents of all three monotheistic creeds, and therefore occupy a unique position," Vollandt explains. Muslim scholars also took note of the Arabic version of the Scriptures. "Muslims consider both the Old and the New Testaments to be divinely inspired (though corrupted) texts, which are transcended by the text of the Quran. In its own terms, the Quran is the ultimate and most perfect expression of a progressive sequence of divine revelations. Muslims have always respected and exhibited an interest in Biblical texts, although this relationship can at best be described as ambivalent. However, there are many instances in which Muslim scholars have drawn on the Bible for support of their own theological positions or used it polemically in the context of interreligious disputation."
The Bible's influence on the Quran
One other remarkable feature of the Biblical tradition in Arabic is the number and diversity of versions that have come down to us. Every religious community that evolved in the Near East has its own series of Scriptural translations, whether these versions are based on the Hebrew Bible, the Greek Septuagint, the Syriac Peshitta, the Coptic Bible or the Latin Vulgate. The Biblia Arabica project also hopes to elucidate the historical and cultural backgrounds in which the different versions emerged, to dissect the motives of translators belonging to different religious traditions and to trace how they may have influenced one another.
"The big question sparking controversy is whether or not the very first Arabic Bible predates the emergence of Islam. The Quran includes many Biblical narratives, of which the Joseph Sura is the longest. But the figure of Moses is also quite prominent," says Vollandt. When might Muslims first have gained access to an Arabic translation of the Jewish Scriptures, and might such a work have had an influence on the canonical text of the Quran? "From what we know so far, we assume that Arabic versions of Biblical texts were transmitted orally in some form, but that no written translation of the Bible into Arabic existed in Islam's earliest phase. Moreover, subsequent translations seem to have been made principally to serve the internal needs of Jewish and Christian congregations." Ronny Vollandt's own work focuses on translations of the Pentateuch, the five Mosaic books of the Bible. In early Arabic versions of these books, the language is very reminiscent of that used in the Quran. In one of these manuscripts (now in the Monastery of St. Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula; see Fig. 1) the translator has used exactly the same version of a specific passage in the Joseph narrative as is found in the Quran. "That is, of, course no accident. Christians could point to this passage and argue that everything in the Quran had already been revealed to their own predecessors. This is one example of the role apologetics played in the various translations," says Vollandt.
Late pioneers
The translation of the Pentateuch into Arabic that is thought to be the oldest also belongs to St Catherine's, one of the most ancient Christian monasteries in existence. Indeed, the monastery's library possesses so many Biblical texts in Arabic that researchers are still cataloguing the collection, and Ronny Vollandt is confident that unknown translations remain to be discovered. In the course of the project, he and his colleagues hope to catalog and describe the most important Arabic translations, which are held by monasteries in the Near East and in research libraries scattered around the globe, and to prepare a comprehensive bibliography of the Arabic Bible.
"These Arabic versions have long been ignored by researchers, because they are significantly younger than, for example, the Greek translations which appeared in the Classical Age. In addition, many are translations of translations, so that they have no intrinsic value from the standpoint of the Bible's textual history or Biblical exegesis," Ronny Vollandt explains. For their part, scholars of Arabic have traditionally concentrated on the literature of the Muslim community. The significance of Arabic translations of Scripture has only become apparent thanks to research done in recent years. "Translations of the Bible into Arabic are part of the exegetical traditions of Jewish and various Christian religions in the early centuries of Islam, and, as such, they form an integral part of their cultural heritage," says Vollandt. In addition, they serve as witnesses to an era in which the Bible provided the basis for a unique series of cultural and intellectual exchanges between scholars representing all three monotheistic religions.
Professor Ronny Vollandt
Professor of Jewish Studies at LMU's Institute for the Near and Middle East, and Joint Coordinator of the project "Biblia Arabica: The Bible in Arabic among Jews, Christians and Muslims."
Biblia Arabica
The project "Biblia Arabica: The Bible in Arabic among Jews, Christians and Muslims" is supported financially by the German Research Society (DFG) as part of its program of German-Israeli collaboration. The project began in 2013 under the joint supervision of Professor Sabine Schmidtke (Free University, Berlin) and colleagues at the University of Tel Aviv. Following a positive evaluation in 2015, the project continues under the leadership of Ronny Vollandt at LMU and Professors Camilla Adang and Meira Polliack in Tel Aviv. The results are being published in a series of volumes entitled Biblia Arabica: Texts and Studies.


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3D modeling in combination with 2D design planning is one of the most important CAD trends of 2017-2018. What has long been taken for granted in the automotive industry is only very hesitantly establishing itself in architecture. Many of the respondents justify this with the increased effort. The opposite is true: the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
Digital working methods have long been standard for architects such as e-mail, smartphones, and tablets. Tendering, CAD software and calculation are common tools in everyday planning. But while the automotive industry offers self-steering models, many architects still use their CAD software as a drawing board. One reason for this is that the acceptance of 2D drawings is still there. On the other hand, a conversion also means the abandonment of habits and a time-consuming conversion of processes. Here you will find out 5 reasons why architects should rely on 3D planning.
1. Competitive thanks to 3D
In the meantime, more and more countries are recognizing the advantages of digital planning and developing uniform standards, and procedures in order to be able to use data more diversely. Once established, this will also have consequences for architects, as 2D plans will no longer meet the requirements. It is already clear today that if you want to remain competitive in the future, you cannot avoid 3D planning.
2. Various possibilities of visualization
Many architects use 3D models for presentation purposes at building owners, or investors, or in competitions. Most of the time these are 3D objects with realistic textures and surfaces for visual presentation. They are not comparable with real 3D models due to the lack of a database. A real 3D model is a digital image of the later building and offers various possibilities for further use already in the design phase – from virtual reality to 3D printing.
Virtual Reality makes the 3D model an almost touchable experience for planners and builders. How high is a ceiling, how large are the windows, how is the sun and shade throughout the year, what do different materials look like or what is the atmosphere of a room like? With the help of virtual reality, this information can be communicated much better than with classic renderings or videos. Planning errors are detected earlier and can be corrected before the start of the construction phase.
Using 3D printing methods, architectural or environmental models can be created within a short period of time, which is a great advantage, especially in competitions. Especially organic forms or filigree structures become touchable and understandable – in flexible scales and as a color print with realistic surfaces.
3. Time-saving and error avoidance
Nowadays, investors and building owners demand more than just flawless planning and construction of a building. Rather, they also require all building data for the following management. Many large architectural firms develop computer-generated forms in the early design phases and print them out with 3D printers. The advantages are obvious: The 3D model can be constantly changed and extended from the draft to the work planning up to the complete building, including room book, building services and furnishing with the involvement of all specialist planners. In contrast to the 2D working method, where all views and sections have to be updated manually with every change. Thus even the smallest changes can become a daily project.
4. More transparency in planning
In addition to saving time and avoiding errors, digital planning above all means transparency for all parties involved – across national and language borders: collisions can be easily identified, installation and maintenance scenarios can be checked at any time. The design can be more easily coordinated with engineers and building technicians. The quality of the services provided by the individual specialist planners can be checked more easily and the overall planning quality increases.
5. The introduction to BIM
In addition to geometric information, the 3D model can also be enriched with alphanumeric and physical information. This turns the "simple" 3D model into a BIM model. The BIM model is available to everyone involved in the project and serves to exchange information. It enables building and process simulations and creates all-embracing transparency in the life cycle of buildings.


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We hate to break it to you but... Not all CBD is created equally. The world of CBD is indeed a minefield. Here at GM we take that fear away, each product is tagged with it's exact make up and with our CBD usage chart in this blog post it should make life a whole load easier.
It's a question as old as CBD itself.
How much is too much?Well if you ask a doctor in the UK, they probably won't know. If you ask a doctor in the USA he might respond with a question like... Depends on how much THC your taking and how that lines up with your prescription.
Think of it sort of like taking an inhaler for an asthmatic, the reason the asthma inhaler works and was developed is due to it's fast acting brain / blood barrier crossing ability and how that affects the human being who relies upon the mechanism.