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Mike's EVE online contest entry.
Keywords: digital concept spaceship illustartion design artwork from mike kingery created for deviantart.com create a starship contest for eve online video game worked on battle bears skyvu pictures
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James ShawFree Agent
Wide Receiver
Ht: | Wt:
News | Stats | Stat vs. Team | Targets | Injury | Depth Chart | Roster
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|NFL | Several clear waivers
Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:52:00 -0700
Free-agents OT Chandler Burden (Bengals), CB Korey Lindsey (Cowboys), RB Davin Meggett (Colts), RB Cameron Marshall (Dolphins), LS Tyler Ott (Patriots), PK Kevin Goessling (Raiders), WR James Shaw (Steelers) and C David Snow (Steelers) have all cleared waivers.
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|| Source: NFL
|Steelers | Sign two, release two
Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:44:40 -0700
The Pittsburgh Steelers released WR James Shaw, waived/injured OT Bryant Browning (shoulder) and signed free-agent OT Graham Pocic (Bears) and undrafted free-agent CB Dayonne Nunley (Miami (Ohio)) to undisclosed deals Monday, Aug. 18. Per NFL rules, all UDFA deals are three years in length.
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|| Source: ESPN.com - Scott Brown
|Steelers | Sign James Shaw
Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:24:28 -0700
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent WR James Shaw (Panthers) Tuesday, Aug. 5, to an undisclosed deal.
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|| Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
|Cardinals | Work out pair of WRs
Tue, 19 Nov 2013 18:10:09 -0800
The Arizona Cardinals worked out free-agent WRs Anthony Armstrong (Cowboys) and James Shaw (Panthers) Tuesday, Nov. 19.
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|| Source: NationalFootballPost.com - Aaron Wilson
|Panthers | Seven re-signed to practice squad
Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:01:38 -0700
The Carolina Panthers re-signed WR Brenton Bersin, LB Ben Jacobs, S Robert Lester, RB Tauren Poole, DE Craig Roh, WR James Shaw and DT Casey Walker to the practice squad.
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|| Source: Panthers.com - Bryan Strickland
|Panthers | Release eight players
Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:34:28 -0700
The Carolina Panthers have released QB Jimmy Clausen, CB Drayton Florence, TE Zach Pianalto, WR James Shaw, WR Brenton Bersin, OG Hayworth Hicks, DT Sione Fua and LB Douglas Hogue.
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|| Source: Charlotte Observer - Jonathan Jones and Joseph Person
|Panthers | James Shaw signed
Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:46:55 -0800
The Carolina Panthers have signed undrafted free-agent WR James Shaw (Jacksonville State). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
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|| Source: Charlotte Observer - Joseph Person

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Available ebook formats: epub mobi pdf lrf pdb txt html
Adrian is primarily known for his artwork and book cover designs, although he is also an author. Originally from Solihull, West Midlands, England, he now lives in Rural Cheshire.
Adrian has written a series of five Spiritually Influenced books, a series of thirteen Science Fiction books, and a series Fantasy and Mystery books.


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CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- Two deaths that occurred within a span of six days this week in Cortlandt have been linked to heroin.
Tyler Seger, 20, was found unresponsive in his Cortlandt home on Thursday afternoon, according to Trooper Melissa McMorris of the New York State Police.
Paramedics took him to Hudson Valley Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.
According to LoHud.com, Seger may have died of a heroin overdose though McMorris said State Police would not comment until receiving the toxicology report which could take several weeks.
On Sunday at 7:21 p.m., Buchanan police responded to the residence of 23-year-old Thomas Coogan, after a 911 call of a possible overdose and an unresponsive male, Police Chief Brian Tubbs said.
CPR was administered, but Coogan died at Hudson Valley Hospital. While police are awaiting toxicology results. Tubbs suspected heroin as the cause.
"Heroin is cheap and it seems to be available," Tubbs said. "Unfortunately there seems to be a lot more young people using heroin."
Tubbs said police monitor what goes on in the village and investigate reports.
"We do everything we can," Tubbs said.
Tubbs said the police often work with county police to coordinate investigations as heroin often impacts multiple communities.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


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Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and Daughters Sunday & Faith Join Reba McEntire's 'Pray for Peace' Campaign (Video)
Nicole Kidman, her husband Keith Urban and their two adorable little girls Sunday and Faith have joined Reba McEntire's "Pray for Peace" campaign with a new video.
The video was uploaded to Keith's Facebook and YouTube accounts and shows the family displaying peace signs for the cause.
"The idea to write the song "Pray For Peace" came to me last year as I was walking on our place in Gallatin, Tn. For days I'd sing, "Pray for Peace", over and over. It wasn't until several months later did the other parts start to fall in place. Some, not until we got into the studio to record it," Reba wrote on her Facebook about the campaign. "I feel this song is a gift from God. I have never worked on a song as long as this one. It went from a bass drum, fiddle and singers to guest artist singing with me, adding more instruments and even a choir and a bagpipe!"


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7 Billion Voices is a new online campaign whose goal is "to give everyone a voice without censorship, interference or fear of what happens after expression." Its members advocate that the European Union take a leading role with comprehensive and effective strategies for protecting freedom of expression online, and that its leaders incorporate them as part of their security and foreign policies.
The brain child of Marietje Schaake, 7 Billion Voices was founded as part of "Safer Internet Day" on 8 February 2011. Ms. Schaake, a member of European parliament, has recently condemned Vodaphone and other telecoms for their compliance in demands to shut down their services during the recent unrest in North Africa.
While the initiative is still in its infancy, it has begun to garner a following via its Facebook Page and Twitter account.


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I love Keri Wilk's photos, and I decided to try using a snoot for some of my macro shots. I have ordered Reefnet's double arm fiber optic snoot. I currently shoot with 2 Ikelite 161's, but also travel with a spare 161 strobe. In keri's article, he uses an ev slve controler on a tripod. I have all the equipment to do this, but wonder if haveing a sync cord to the snooted strobe on the tripod might be better? II see how using the slave allows you to move more, but I frequently use iTTL when shooting my super macro. Any thoughts?
Using Reefnet fiber optic snoot
Started by diverdoug1, Apr 24 2012 09:37 AM
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"I wish to have a thousand strawberries please," I very matter-of-factly told the waiter at Lindy's restaurant in New York. According to family lore, I was 5 years old at the time. My imperious reply was to his inquiry about what I would like for dessert. I had become fixated on a dish of strawberries I had seen in the window. My estimate of its size was only off by, say, about 975 strawberries.
Although my request did result in a rather large dish of berries, it would be 45 years before I actually got what I ordered.
I didn't have a specific recollection of telling that story to my husband, so when he told me he wanted to host a little get-together for my 50th birthday — just leave the details to him — I was happy to oblige.
Unbeknownst to me, he had sent out invitations to "The Night of a Thousand Strawberries," complete with a note promising that guests would get an explanation of what that meant.
So on the night of my birthday, I walked out the French doors to find a string quartet playing on our twinkle-light-festooned deck. Fifty family members and close friends sipping strawberry daiquiris at beautifully appointed round tables in the backyard toasted my "entrance."
After dinner, my mother, the only living witness to the Lindy's event, overcame her fear of public speaking to tell everyone what happened that fateful day at the now-defunct restaurant.
Following the applause, dessert was rolled out. One thousand big red strawberries. They were artfully arranged on platters, bowls and stands of varying heights, presented on a long buffet table draped in my favorite color, purple. Completing the display were more things to dip strawberries into than I knew existed.
And, yes, there were exactly 1,000 strawberries. I would later hear from our good friends who catered the party that they had counted them three times for George.
On every birthday since then, as I eat some sort of strawberry dessert, I am reminded that my real gift is having a husband who cares enough to make my wishes come true.
Email Patricia Bunin at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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We learn that Occupy supporter, Harvard Law Professor and Senatorial candidate Elizabeth Warren claimed minority status based on her purported Native American ancestry. Funny, she doesn't look Siouxish.
Our friend Susan Vass is not an amateur punster, but rather a professional comedian. She writes to ask: "Could Ward Churchill and Elizabeth Warren marry and franchise a chain of Forked Tongue Casinos for other fake Indians?"


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We turn in our Bibles tonight to the twenty-second chapter of Revelation, verses 13 and following under the title, "God's Last Invitation." By the time we have reached this point, the voices from heaven have spoken, the visions are complete, the message has been delivered, the sermons have been preached and most powerful and compelling sermons they were. The preacher was the divine omnipotent God of glory. We have swept through the end of the world, through this present age to the Rapture of the church, then through the Tribulation judgments and seals and trumpets and bowls. We have seen the day of the Lord, the return of Jesus Christ in judgment power and authority. We have been escorted through the visions of the Millennial Kingdom to the great white throne. And after that into the eternal state. For the ungodly the lake of fire, for the godly the new Jerusalem in the new heavens and the new earth.
And at the conclusion of all of this sweeping panorama of prophecy and in light of its absolute certainty, the book of Revelation closes with invitations. It demands right responses. First of all, from Christians and we saw that in verses 6 through 12. Four things were requested in the light of the coming of Christ; immediate obedience, immediate worship, immediate proclamation and immediate service. And now as we come to verse 13 we come to an invitation for non-Christians. Obviously since this great apocalypse was written for the church, to be given to the church, to be read in the church, to be taught to the church, these are invitations the godly must pass on to the ungodly. But in verses 13 to 21, you have the Lord's final call, the pleading, urging invitation, begging people to come to Jesus Christ and receive the gift of eternal life before it is forever too late. This is God's final plea.
Follow as I read. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices lying. I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star and the Spirit and the bride say, `Come,' and let the one who hears say, `Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come, let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book, if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, `Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen, come, Lord Jesus, the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen."
God's final call. God's last invitation. Now there are two features to be considered as we look at this text. First there is the invitation and then there is the incentive to respond to the invitation. The invitation itself in verse 17, and then all around it the incentives to drive folks to make the right response.
Now the invitation then actually comes in the middle of the passage. As you can imagine at the end of a book like this and beyond that, at the end of all of the revelation of God, the sixty-sixth book, the final chapter, the final part of that chapter, you can imagine that there is a gathering together of a number of things. And indeed that is the case. But in the middle of these final words there is a clear invitation and it is the heart of the text. We find it in verse 17. Let's go back to that verse.
"And the Spirit and the bride say, `Come.' And let the one who hears say, `Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come, let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."
Now the emphasis of that verse is "Come." We have to understand, however, that there are distinctions to be made in this verse because the term "come" has two distinct meanings. The first part of the verse is a prayer. The second part is an invitation. The first part of the verse is addressed to Christ. The second part is addressed to sinners. The two halves, then, do not refer to the same persons or the same coming. And that is a distinction that you need to make very carefully.
The first part is the Spirit and the bride calling for Christ to come. The second part is calling unbelievers to come to Christ. Now look at it with that in mind. "And the Spirit and the bride say,`C`Come.'" That's fairly clear, the Holy Spirit and the church. The church has already been identified repeatedly as the bride. We have seen that as far back as chapter 19 where the church was identified in verse 7 as the bride who made herself ready, was clothed in fine linen, bright and clean, which is the righteous acts of the saints. And then the Marriage Supper of the Lamb was introduced and we have read about that through these final chapters.
So the bride is the church and the Spirit is, of course, the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And to whom are they saying that? Well go back to verse 7, "Blessed is he..." pardon me, the first part of verse 7, "Behold, I am coming quickly." Then verse 12, "Behold, I am coming quickly." And then as we read a moment ago, verse 20, "Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen, come, Lord Jesus." And so what we have here is the Spirit and the church answering the promise of the soon coming by saying, "Come, Lord Jesus." They want the Lord to come. It is the desire of the Holy Spirit, it is the desire of the church that Jesus come.
Now, first of all, why does the Holy Spirit desire Jesus to come? Why would the Holy Spirit be saying, "Come, come, come?" Well the text doesn't tell us but it doesn't take much to stretch our minds beyond this one text and understand why the Holy Spirit wants Jesus to come. There would be both a negative and a positive reason. The negative reason would be that throughout the years of the age of grace, throughout the time up until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, men and women of the world have continued to reject Christ, ignore Christ, deny Christ. They've even mocked and blasphemed the work of the Holy Spirit whose task it is to point them to Christ. And even before that in the Old Testament, you remember that the Spirit of God was striving with men to lead them to the truth before the Flood, that exhausted the patience of the Holy Spirit who will not always strive with man. And then there were the forty years of wandering in the wilderness while Scripture says Israel provoked the Spirit of God, according to Hebrews chapter 3 verses 7 and 8.
And so the Spirit has labored long to bring about conviction and repentance and has been striving and fighting and agonizing over sinful men, while they have been provoking Him throughout the centuries. But nothing, I'm sure, nothing in the Old Testament era, even before the Flood, certainly after, nothing through the church age as we know it today, nothing has reached the apex of blasphemy that has been true of the time described in the Great Tribulation in the book of Revelation. And again nothing reached the proportions of blasphemy that could equal the end of the Millennial Kingdom when Satan was released and gathered all the blaspheming multitudes from across the earth for a final rebellion against the reigning Christ. By the time you come to the great white throne judgment, the accumulated blasphemy will have reached its ultimate proportions. And all along the Holy Spirit through the struggle would be wishing that Jesus would come. So when the Lord says, "I come," the striving, grieved, quenched, blasphemed agonizing Holy Spirit echoes, "Come. subdue Your enemies and Mine, judge sinners, end this long battle to produce conviction."
But then there's a positive side as well. It is the desire, it is the work of the Spirit, as you know, to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. He shows us Christ. He points to Christ. And obviously the last time the world saw Jesus lifted up, it was on a cross and He died in shame between two criminals, rejected, despised, mocked and murdered. And the Holy Spirit desires to see His fellow member of the trinity exalted in beauty and splendor and power and majesty and triumph. So it's no wonder that He says, "Come, come and take the glory due Your name."
This is a good indication that the purposes of God are the purposes of the trinity of God. The Lord Jesus says, "I'm coming." The Spirit says, "Come." The Father has laid out the plan.
What about the bride? Why does the bride, why does the church, the bride of Christ, the bridegroom say come? For obvious reasons, we too are weary of the battle against sin, as is the Holy Spirit. We too long for the exaltation of Jesus Christ. We who are the church, who belong to Christ, His sheep who love Him, who long for Him to bring us to Himself, we have been waiting and praying and hoping and watching and longing for the coming of the Lord. God's people have always longed for this. They've always longed for the day when the serpent's head would be bruised, crushed, he would be destroyed. God's people ever since in the very beginning, when God announced redemption, that there would be someone who would come and bruise the head of the serpent, God's people have longed for that destruction to come so that righteousness could prevail and sin be destroyed.
So here you have then the Holy Spirit and the church, the people of God, the bride, in harmony, together longing for the return of Jesus Christ. They too want no more sorrow, no more tears, no more crying, no more pain, no more death. No more rebellion, all glory to God, all glory to the Lamb, a dwelling place for God's people in the Father's house, immortality, Christlikeness, the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and God dwelling among His people, the glorious new Jerusalem, eternal riches, all of that. It's not wonder that the church and the Holy Spirit long for the return of Christ.
It's what Paul talks about in 2 Timothy 4:8 when he says, "We love His appearing." In fact, I would suggest that it's incongruous for a person to be a Christian and to say they are a lover of Jesus and not to look and long for His return. We are destined for fellowship with Him and it should be that our anticipation of that fellowship is our chief joy. The church would never be satisfied until it is presented a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So the church and the Holy Spirit cry, "Come."
Then the second half of the verse. "And let the one who is...pardon me...and let the one who hears say, `Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."
Now we have a change. This is an invitation not to Christ to come, but to the sinners to come to Christ. Notice it carefully. The first one says, the first phrase says, "And let the one who hears say, `Come.'" To whom does this refer? It's somewhat difficult admittedly, but the simplest and best explanation is the one who hears the message. "He that has an ear" simply means the one who's listening, the one who is listening and believing, the one who's hearing with understanding, the one who hears the Spirit and the bride say come, the one who hears Jesus say I'm coming. Let that one say come, let that one join in. Let that one chime in and say come. And he can't chime in and say come until he's come to Christ, that's the implication.
The Bible frequently pictures unbelievers who have no ears to hear but on the other hand, there are those who do have ears to hear, and they are the ones who become redeemed. And man must desire to hear. He must want to hear the voice of God, to believe the Word of God. And when he has ears tuned to hear the voice of God, he can hear with faith and believe. That's what he's talking about. Let the one who is hearing with the ears of understanding and the ears of faith join in with the church and the Spirit. It's all those who are not yet saved, and not yet in the church. Let them join and say come. And they're kind of the transition group. They'll say come with the Spirit and the church, but they can't say it until they have come as those in the second half of the verse are invited to do. You can't say come until you've come. No unsaved man is going to say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus." They're going to scoff and mock as they did in 2 Peter chapter 3, they're going to say, "Ah, where is the promise of His coming for since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." They're going to mock the return of Christ. They're going to mock the fact that Jesus is coming.
But the one who hears, who is that? Hearing is associated with obeying. Hearing is associated with obeying. In fact, often in the New Testament hearing is synonymous with obeying. Those who obey the gospel and come will join with the church and they will join with the Spirit in longing for the return of Jesus Christ. And if you apply that, for example, to people today, if you apply it to people during the time of the Tribulation it fits, all of those of you who are outside the church and who are outside the ministry of the Spirit of God, you come and you join and say come. It's kind of a play on words. Before you can say come, you have to come. And so the end of the verse, "Let the one who is thirsty come." The one He's talking to, the one who has ears to hear, now listen, is the one who is thirsty. Let the one who's thirsty come. Let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. And so he turns to that reality that before you can say come, you have to come. But before you're going to come you have to want to come, and that's all about spiritual thirst. Here then is the invitation to sinners made clear.
What does thirst indicate? It indicates a recognition of need. When you say you're thirsty, you are identifying your need. It is only when the sinner feels the dryness of his soul, it is only when he knows his heart is parched and barren that he's interested in coming to drink. Here you have then the prerequisite of repentance, understanding one's need. And it was this that Jesus started really His ministry with. In Matthew chapter 5, very familiar words, verse 6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied." It all starts with a spiritual hunger, a spiritual thirst. In John chapter 6 and verse 35, "I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." And in the seventh chapter of John and verse 37, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." And all that is doing is demonstrating the reality of need. You know your soul is dry, your heart is parched and barren. That's why you're listening. That's why you're hearing.
And then he adds another dimension to it in verse 17, "And let the one who is thirsty come, let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost." That's hosthelon, that translates, "whosoever will." Whoever wants to, whoever desires to, whoever wishes to. You're thirsty and you wish to have your need met. That, by the way, is an unlimited invitation. Typical of the gracious and wide offer of salvation that you see in Scripture. It is essentially what Jesus said in John 6:37 where He said, "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." If you're thirsty it's because the Father has begun to move on your heart and you've recognized your need. And if you come because you want to take the water, it's because you've been prompted to come and there's no way the Lord would ever turn you back. So whoever wants to come, He receives.
In other terms, Matthew chapter 11 and verse 28, He said, "Come unto Me, all you that labor under heavy laden, and I'll give you rest." He uses another metaphor to describe the same thing. Not thirsty, but weary, not needing water but needing rest. And all you have to do is come. If you sense the need and you're eager to come and you desire to come, then come. It's not something that you have to find out about first, like...are you qualified? Here is, by the way, human volition in salvation. I don't ever like to use the term free will because man has a will, it's just not free. But here is human volition, God saves but not apart from our desire. Salvation then is offered to those who know they are parched and barren and who desire to have that changed.
And then there's one final component. First is the recognition of need, second is the desire to have the need met. And thirdly, he says let the one who wishes, or whosoever will take the water of life. Take the water of life without cost. That's appropriation. You recognize your need, you know where the supply is, and you take it by faith. That's what "without cost" means, free to you. The only prerequisite, a recognition of need and a desire and a willingness to take. Your heart is parched for forgiveness, your mind is thirsty for truth, your soul is thirsty for purpose, and the Lord Jesus waits to quench your thirst eternally, and the water that He gives you is so fulfilling that you'll never thirst again. That's all it takes. It's without cost. As Isaiah said, "Come, without money and without price." There's the invitation. You see your need, and you see the supply and you take it by faith and not by works. The price has already been paid by Christ. Very simple terms.
And so the invitation is there in verse 17. The church, the Spirit say come, anyone who is hearing with believing ears who has come, joins in and says come, and the invitation then is extended to everyone who is thirsty, who sees where the supply is, to come and take the water of life freely. That's the invitation. Salvation is free cause the price was paid.
Now surrounding that invitation in verse 17 are the reasons to accept it, the incentives to the invitation. The invitation and then the incentives. What moves us to that invitation? To be honest with you, it is not easy to pull all of this material together, but I think the best way to understand it is that it circles this invitation. And the invitation is the heartbeat of the text and all the rest kind of surrounds it.
Now let me show you how that kind of falls together. First of all, the first incentive to accept the invitation is because of Christ's person...because of Christ's person. The first reason to accept the invitation to come and take the water of life which is eternal life, as we've already learned, the first incentive is because of who Christ is. It's because of who's inviting you, none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the glory of the eternal new Jerusalem. I mean, think about it. What he's going to say to us here is as simply understood as this...we get invitations to go to various places, some we accept and some we don't. I suppose our acceptance has a lot to do with who invites us, is that not true? And if whoever invites us is important enough in our judgment, we are more likely to accept the invitation.
How bout if the eternal incarnate God, the King of Kings, the Lord of heaven, the glorious Lord Jesus gave you an invitation. Would you respond? Purely on the basis of who He is? A response is demanded. Verse 13, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Now here the Lord is speaking personally...personally. And He's identifying Himself with the same terminology we found back in chapter 1 and verse 8, right at the beginning. This closing has many components from the very beginning of this great apocalypse. In chapter 8 verse 8, "I am the Alpha and the Omega." Here again He reminds us of that. Chapter 21 verse 6, He said it again, "It is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end."
Why this? Well, the readers of the book of Revelation, the original readers were, of course, Gentiles. Because of that in that part of the world, they spoke Greek. And so the Lord in His inspiring of this designation of Christ identifies Him by the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet, Alpha being the first and Omega being the last.
What is the point of that? It expresses infinity. It expresses eternity. It expresses the boundless life of God which embraces everything, includes everything and transcends everything. And it is then explained in verse 13, "I am the Alpha and the Omega means I am the first and the last, I am the beginning and the end." Now that's just three different ways to say basically the same thing, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning, that is to say the source of all things. He is the end, that is the goal of all things, the consummation of all things. He is the eternal transcendent infinite God. That kind of designation identifies completeness, timelessness and sovereign authority. He is not just another man, He is not an angel, He is not a created being, He is not some superhuman genius, He is not a distinguished martyr, He is God eternal and almighty...the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Such identifications, by the way, are also given by the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 41 and verse 4, "I the Lord am the first and the last, I am He." And then in Isaiah chapter 43 and verse 10, again, "Before Me there was no God formed and there will be none after Me, even I, even I am the Lord."
In Isaiah chapter 44, the very next chapter, verse 6. "I am the first and I am the last." What does that mean? It means there's no God beside Me. And then over in chapter 48 and verse 12, "Listen to Me, O Jacob, I am He, I am the first, I am also the last and My hand founded the earth," and so forth and so on. He is the only God. He is the Alpha/Omega. He is the beginning and the end.
Jesus Christ is the everything. If there is an ark in which the family of Noah is saved, that ark is a picture of Jesus Christ. If there is a lamb slain at the Passover, that lamb is a picture of Jesus Christ. If there is a kinsman redeemer, that kinsman redeemer is a picture of Jesus Christ. Before time, after time, and all during time He is the theme of everything. He is the everything. And at His designation as Lord, Paul says to the Philippians,"E"Every knee shall bow." To be saved is to be saved by Christ Jesus. To be a Christian is to be in Christ Jesus. To have forgiveness is to be forgiven by Christ Jesus. To have hope is to hope in Christ. To live is to live in Him.
To leave Christ out of a life is to leave the sun out the day, is to leave the moon out of the night, is to leave the waters out of the sea, the floods out of the rivers. To leave Christ out of a life is to leave the grain out of the harvest, the sight out of the eye, the hearing out of the ear, the life out of the living. He is the everything. And when He gives you an invitation, it's an invitation you ought to respond to.
Verse 16 further identifies Him in His own words, verses 13 and 16, "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star." He is the author, He is the source behind everything that's been described in Revelation. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things. The angels have brought the Word but the source is Jesus. It is Him who gives this revelation and this final invitation.
This is not a human call, is what he's saying. This is not a human call, this is the Lord Jesus calling. I cannot imagine anybody getting an invitation from the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, Jesus Himself and not responding to it. This is not a human fantasy. This is not all written by some committee. This is not a concoction of John's imagination. This is not a fake. This is not a forgery. "I, Jesus." That is a unique expression in Scripture, showing how personal this revelation and this invitation really are. My angel, they all belong to Him, all the holy angels, has brought it but it is from Me.
Now notice He says, "My angel has come to testify to you these things for the churches." Of course we note all the way through the book is written to all believers, but its message must be preached to the whole world. But believers have to preach it so it's written to them to preach to the rest.
And then to further identify Himself, the one who is the author of this and of all Scripture, says, "I am the root and the offspring of David." That is an absolutely astounding statement. What He means to say is, "I am both the ancestor, the root, and the descendant, the offspring, of David." How could you be an ancestor and a descendant at the same time? As the root, He is saying I am the source of David's life and line. That is deity, my friend. But as the offspring, He was the Son of David's life and line, and that is humanity. There you have one of the clearest statements of the fact that Jesus is the God/Man. He is the root of David's life and line, that is He is deity who created David. He is the source of David. And He is also the Son of David, and that is to say He is human, He was born into this world in the Davidic line. Only the God/Man can be both the root and the offspring of David. Isaiah talks about Him as a root, as a branch and an offspring.
And He is both. In 2 Samuel, and I would just have you turn to it for a moment because it's a text that shouldn't be overlooked. Second Samuel chapter 7 verse 12, this is that great text of Messianic promise. Verse 12 of 2 Samuel 7, "When your days are complete," speaking here to David, "and you lie down with your fathers," you die, "I'll raise up your descendant after you who will come forth from you and I'll establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." He was looking at Solomon but he was looking past Solomon to the Messiah. There was more here than just Solomon because this kingdom was going to be forever.
and down in verse 16, "And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever, your thrown shall be established forever." The promise of the eternal kingdom.
Jesus then was the source of David and also the very fulfillment of David's prophecies as one born in the Davidic line, His mother was in the line of David and so was His father Joseph.
In Psalm 132 verses 11 and 12, "The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back of the fruit of your body, David, I will set upon your throne." Out of your loins will come kings and the ultimate King. And so it is that Jesus fulfills all messianic requirements. He is both God and Man.
Paul emphasizes that same reality in 2 Timothy 2:8 when he says,"R"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead...that refers to His deity...descendant of David...that refers to His humanity."
Who is giving the invitation? The transcendent, eternal, infinite Lord. Who is giving the invitation? The One who brought David into existence and the One who was born in his family...the God/Man.
And beyond that, He says in verse 16, "I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star." And this, beloved, is a title with rich meaning. For a Jew to call someone a star was to exalt him. We do that even today. We say this person is a star. We even put a star in the pavement down in Hollywood. And we could debate about whether those people are really stars, but in somebody's mind they are. I guess in the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce they are. We talk about a star in athletics. We talk about a star in the music field. Someone who shines brightly for all to see.
And the Jews did that. They used that term "star" to refer to someone they wanted to lift up and exalt. For example, the rabbis used to call Mordecai a star. Mordecai, you'll remember, was the one that God used to deliver Israel from what amounted to genocide. And Mordecai was such a hero he garnered the name star.
The covetous prophet Balaam, we all remember him because his donkey talked to him, you remember that Balaam was moved by the Holy Spirit, contrary to his own wishes, and he made a prophecy. That prophecy is in Numbers 24:17. And what he prophesies is that a star will come out of Jacob. That star shining more brightly than any other was none other than the Messiah, the hero of all heroes. That's what He means, "bright morning star," the shining one, the one who stands out against the backdrop of all others.
It says of Him, Luke 1:78, "Because of the tender mercy of our God with which the day star from on high shall visit us to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death." That's a messianic anticipation. The day star is coming, the shining one is coming. How marvelous.
Malachi predicted this. In 2 Peter 1:19 we have the prophetic word, "Made more sure by which you do well to pay attention to a light shining in a dark place until the day star...till the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." The day is coming and the morning star is going to rise. That morning star, that day star is none other than Christ, the star of stars, the hero of heroes. And when it says in Revelation 2:28 that faithful believers will be given the morning star, it means they will be given Christ.
The morning star, by the way, is the brightest star and it announces the arrival of the day. And that is uniquely fitting for the Lord Jesus Christ because when He comes, the brightness of that star shatters the darkness of man's night and heralds the dawn of God's glorious day. The dawn of Kingdom glory. He is the morning star who appears right before the Kingdom dawns. Remember back in John 8 He said, "I am the light of the world, and whoever walks in this light will never be in darkness." This is the glorious person we're talking about. What a glorious person who has called us to drink of the water of eternal life.
And we have to ask the question, how could anyone turn this down? How could anyone turn down an invitation from the eternal transcendent infinite God of the universe, the source and goal of all that exists, the creator God and yet the Son of David, God/Man, God in human flesh, the day star who signals the kingdom of righteousness, none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the highest star in the whole galaxy of persons, the only light in the darkness who brings the glory of God? When this one says, "Come to Me and take the water of life," how can you refuse such an invitation? The invitation that I give to you as a preacher, the invitation that any believer gives to you who speaks to you about Christ is only an invitation that we offer in behalf of Christ. He said, "Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I'll give you rest." He said, "O everyone that thirsts, come and drink." He said,"Him that comes to Me I'll in no way turn back."
So, that's the issue. Here the invitation because of who offers it to you, because of the person of Christ. Secondly, here the invitation not only because of the person of Christ, but because of the exclusivity of heaven...because of the exclusivity of heaven. Not only because of the ultimate nobility of the person who offers the invitation and the deserving honor and glory that is His when you respond, not only because of that but because of the exclusivity of heaven. Notice verses 14 and 15. "Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city," and of course we know those things are in heaven, the tree of life, the gates."Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the immoral persons, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying."
This section begins with the last of seven beatitudes in Revelation, a beatitude is something that begins, "Blessed are," or"Blessed is." And this is likely Jesus speaking. If I were doing a red-letter Bible, I would have made red verses 14 and 15 as well. But verse 14 said, "Blessed are those who wash their robes." Blessed are those who wash their robes. That's simply a symbol of being forgiven. Back in chapter 7 verse 14 we have that symbol defined for us. When the question by John is, "Who are these clothed in white robes and where did they come from?" verse 13."And I said, `My lord, you know.'" One of the elders asked the question and John says, "You're going to have to tell me, I don't know." And the elder said to me...the elder said, "These are the ones who come out of the Great Tribulation...here it is...and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." That is simply a graphic way to say they have participated in the death of Christ, right? We've been learning all about that in our study of the substitutionary death of Christ. The people whose robes are washed are those who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, those who have been placed into Christ and He has paid the penalty for their sins.
Blessed are those who have washed their robes, who have been forgiven of their sins by being united with Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 64:6 and in Zechariah 3:3, soiled robes represents sinfulness. And the idea of removing sin by cleansing is given in Psalm 51 verse 7, and Isaiah 1:18. The writer of Hebrews also refers to the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, that is to say being immersed in His death is how we are purged from sin, how much more will the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God cleanse your conscience from dead works? First Peter 1, wonderful statement, 1 Peter 1:18 and 19, "Knowing you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers but with precious blood." That blood cleanses from sin.
And so, He says then in verse 14, "Blessed, happy, are those who washed their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life." The tree of life is where? In the New Jerusalem. That is correct. It is indicated to be in the New Jerusalem very clearly in the description of heaven, in chapter 22. "Either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruits."
And so, what He's saying is the only people who are going to be in heaven eating the tree of life are the ones who have a right to it. The only ones who have a right to it are the ones who have been forgiven of their sin, who have been cleansed, who've been immersed into the death of Christ, whose blood is therefore satisfied God as an atonement for their sin.
And then He adds, in verse 14, "And may enter by the gates into the city." Back in chapter 21 and verse 21, the twelve gates were twelve pearls and, of course, they were the entrance into the new Jerusalem, the capital city of the new heaven and the new earth. So what He's showing you here is simply heaven and the capital city, the tree of life, the gates and the only one who will go through the gates and eat the fruit is the one who has been cleansed. They're the only ones who have the right to enter and the right to eat. Nobody else. That is the exclusivity of heaven.
If your sins are not forgiven, you won't be there. It's that simple. You have an invitation, it is offered to you by the Supreme Being of the universe. He has prepared an eternal home that is only for those who have been forgiven, who have been washed, who have been cleansed, who have been purified, whose sins have been removed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. And if your sin is not dealt with, you can't come in.
So now we have extended these magnificent images. We started out with thirst and water meeting the thirst, that's a felt need and that's part of coming to Christ. Being overwhelmed with your sin and knowing your soul is barren and parched and wanting to have a quenched...a quenching water for that thirst. But that...that's to satisfy us. Now we're coming to the side of redemption that is to satisfy God, and those who enter into that place are not only those who sought for their own soul satisfaction but for whom God has been satisfied, because in putting their trust in Jesus Christ their sins were covered by their atonement. And heaven is exclusively for them.
Well, there's more to say but I'm going to stop at this point because I can't finish and I want to leave enough for another message. Verse 15, I believe our Lord is still speaking, continues the discussion of heaven's exclusivity by saying, "Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers and immoral persons and murders and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices lying." Boy, there are some fascinating things there. Just a hint, the word "dogs" refers in Deuteronomy 23:18 to homosexual male prostitutes who were considered the lowest of the low in terms of perversion. There are many other things in those terms that describe who won't be there if their sins are not forgiven.
But I want to close, in case someone listens to what I just said, by saying this, even a male homosexual prostitute can be forgiven and cleansed because in 1 Corinthians 6 the Apostle Paul writes that there are some people who are not going to make it into the Kingdom and here they are, "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers shall inherit the Kingdom of God." Listen to the next verse, 1 Corinthians 6:11,"And such WERE some of you but you WERE washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." It can happen to anyone who comes.
The invitation is from the Supreme One of the universe, how can you turn it down? And heaven is exclusive. On the inside are those who have been washed. On the outside are those who haven't. Let's bow together in prayer.
Father, we acknowledge that we are not worthy to be considered as citizens of heaven because we don't deserve it. We should be on the outside, actually we are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and idolaters and the ones who love and practice lying, but we've been washed. That washing took place when we were so profoundly thirsty and burdened over our own sin and we saw that there was forgiveness in Christ and we came and drank like a thirsty man. And all we had to do was come and take freely. And we know You offer us the water of life, the water of salvation. You offer us forgiveness and cleansing from sin. You offer to any who will come to Christ, confess their sin, accept His sacrifice on their behalf, repent and submit all to Christ. And let the one who is thirsty come, let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. What an invitation. No cost, free. And all that's required is that we want it and that we ask and receive. May that be the response of many hearts in the name of Christ. Amen.
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Fans celebrate Northwestern's win, bear with NIU loss
Bob Baker of Cary was hoarse minutes after the Northwestern Wildcats notched their first bowl victory in 64 years, defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs 34-20 in a seesaw game that was close until well into the fourth quarter.
"Can you believe it? It's historic," he said over the crowd of purple-garbbed fans, who stood and stomped in the end zone seats for several minutes after the final whistle.
"They're all standing. They're cheering. The players are still on the field. They sang the fight song to us. It's electric here," Baker said.
Despite the lack of bowl victories, Baker was optimistic about the Wildcats chances but admitted he was nervous until the very end.
"We ended the drought. The 64-year curse is done," he said from his spot in the family section of seats.
Baker, and his wife, Mary Ellen have had good reason to attend most of the Wildcats games this year, as their son, Hayden, is a backup center on the squad.
Hayden Baker grew up in Iowa and attended Cary-Grove High School. He is a redshirt sophomore so Tuesday's Gator Bowl won't be his last.
"He didn't get in but it doesn't matter. We'll have a lot to celebrate tonight," Baker said.
Before the game, Des Plaines resident Liz Kravis and her family gathered with hundreds of Northwestern fans in a pregame tailgate at an arena a few blocks from the stadium as the cheerleaders and band entertained.
The atmosphere was festive and nearly everyone in attendance wore purple, she said.
"The feeling is positive. People can't ignore the long history of bowl losses," she said above the hubbub of buzzing fans.
"I think people are as hopeful as any time in the past year this will be a victory," Kravis said.
Aside from a Wildcats win, the game had other significance for Kravis, whose son, Bret, 22, played drums in the NU drum line with the band.
"It's his last band performance, so it's a milestone," she said.
Farther down the Florida coast, Northern Illinois University fans gathered for the Huskies shot at an Orange Bowl win.
Jimmy Silverstein, of Buffalo Grove, graduated from NIU last year.
He and nine current and former students, all frat brothers, spent 26 hours driving from Illinois to Miami for the Orange Bowl -- the highest profile game the football team has ever qualified for.
After an afternoon of tailgating, Silverstein was cautiously optimistic about the game, expecting somewhat of a close finish and hoping if NIU didn't end up on top, it at least wouldn't be an embarrassing loss for the team or its fans.
The group arrived in Miami on Sunday, with hundreds of other fellow Huskies descending on the city as well. From the stands, Silverstein said there was a lot of support for the underdog team.
"There's really a ton of NIU fans," Silverstein said. "They really did travel well for this game."
Gary Byrne, Bill Pohl and Bill Marra, all NIU alums from the class of 1975, made the trip with Dan Kjeldberg, class of 1986.
They knew an NIU victory would be a longshot, but they flew in for the historic game to be able to watch it live.
NIU ended up losing 31-10, to Florida State, but Byrne, of Mundelein, said the stands were still a good place to be.
"People are making noise, having fun and cheering them on," Byrne said.
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Legislation now moves to Small Business Committee
Congressman Chris Collins' legislation to help scientists commercialize their ideas passed through the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology today. The TRANSFER Act of 2013, which passed with bipartisan support and has the backing of local and national research universities, will now go to the House Committee on Small Business for approval.
"This legislation addresses what we as a committee have heard time and time again: There is a valley of death - a place where innovative new ideas die because there is no path to commercialization," said Collins, R-NY-27. "This legislation mends that valley."
"Every day, new ideas are realized at our universities, nonprofit research institutes and national labs," Collins continued. "These ideas often remain just ideas because many researchers lack the resources to further their invention or concept. By investing in some of our nation's brightest minds, we can create desperately needed new jobs and small businesses. This bill will positively impact the federal taxpayers and local research institutions, including the University at Buffalo, RIT, the University of Rochester and SUNY Geneseo."
As a member of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Collins is the sponsor of the TRANSFER Act (H.R. 2981). This bill builds upon a current program and specifically awards grants to innovative technology transfer programs at universities, research institutes and national laboratories.
Collins announced this legislation earlier this year at stops at the University at Buffalo's Clinical and Translational Research Center in downtown Buffalo, the RIT Venture Creations Incubator in Rochester, and at SUNY Geneseo during a visit to its nuclear molecular lab.
The budget neutral TRANSFER Act would provide $50,000 grants, on average, and is supported by the American Council on Education, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Association of Independent Research Institutes, the Association of University Research Parks, the Association of University Technology Managers, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the State Science and Technology Institute, Battelle, SRI International, the National Venture Capital Association, Tech America and the Task Force on American Innovation.
This bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Derek Kilmer of Washington and is backed by Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).


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Expose Gallery Wordpress Theme - Rating, Reviews, Preview, Demo & Download
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HAMPTON — It was a rough Virginia Duals for participating Peninsula high school teams, but there were positives.
Although no local high school team advanced to the semifinals, several teams enjoyed multiple wins in the consolation rounds, and Hampton High took fourth place in the Black & Blue Division.
Hampton, along with Gloucester, Poquoson and York, won first-round matches Friday night to advance to Saturday's round of eight. Each team lost its quarterfinal, leaving the teams in a position to finish no better than third place.
Gloucester, competing in the American High School Division, was the first team to exit, losing first to Great Bridge and then dropping a 39-29 decision against Brookville to end its stay in the tournament.
The other teams — and Tabb, which beat Chancellor (60-21) and Fauquier (34-33) to claw back into contention — ended up facing each otherin a consolation round.
Hampton had its way against York, rolling to a 45-24 win. Poquoson also made easy work of the rival Tigers, winning its bout 51-24.
The wins gave the Crabbers and Islanders an opportunity to compete in the third-place match, held in the final session. To reach the consolation championship, Hampton was matched against Nansemond River, while Poquoson faced Western Branch.
Hampton got off to a rough start, falling behind 22-2. But, just as they had done the night before against Tabb, the Crabbers fought back valiantly, taking the next two matches to chip into the lead.
With the Crabbers trailing 22-11, James West (152) faced a crucial match, one he was narrowly winning 8-5 midway through the final period. But a takedown was followed with a pin, putting Hampton back into the thick of things at 22-17. Rognee Gardin (160) gave his team the lead, pinning his opponent in the final period for six points and a 23-22 edge.
The Warriors retook the lead, then tacked on three more points in the 182-pound match to build a 27-23 edge, which was erased when the Crabbers won by fall at 195. With Hampton clinging to a 29-27 advantage, the burden again fell to 220-pounder Shatiek Winn, whose key win sealed Friday night's victory over Tabb.
Winn came through in the clutch again, building a 5-0 first-period lead, then pinning his opponent at the 1:36 mark of the second period, which sealed Hampton's spot on the final docket.
Poquoson also faced a tough task, but was still trailing just 31-27 heading into the 195-pound match. Riley Howell worked his way to a 14-11 lead and held on for the decision and three more points, narrowing the gap to 31-30.
But the Bruins quickly ended the battle, scoring a 28-second pin in the 220-pound match, giving the team an insurmountable 37-30 lead. The bout ended 43-30 in favor of Western Branch.
That same Western Branch team proved too much for Hampton during the final session, taking third place by defeating the Crabbers 51-21. Timothy Parker (106), Avery Gilchrest (145) and James West (152) each outwrestled a Bruin, and Robert Wilson (113) and Najee Volk (285) won by forfeit.


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The dam that global warming zealots have erected to keep out criticism of their theory is giving way. The American Physical Society, which represents around 50,000 physicists, has retreated from its past position that anthropogenic global warming is "incontrovertible" and has now acknowledged that "[t]here is a considerable presence within the scientific community of people who do not agree with the IPCC conclusion that anthropogenic CO2 emissions are very probably…primarily responsible for global warming that has occurred since the Industrial Revolution." The APS has now opened a debate on global warming in its journal Physics & Society.
One of the two initial contributions published by P&S is by Viscount Monckton, who wrote in an email to DailyTech:
"I was dismayed to discover that the IPCC's 2001 and 2007 reports did not devote chapters to the central 'climate sensitivity' question, and did not explain in proper, systematic detail the methods by which they evaluated it. When I began to investigate, it seemed that the IPCC was deliberately concealing and obscuring its method."
According to Monckton, there is substantial support for his results, "in the peer-reviewed literature, most articles on climate sensitivity conclude, as I have done, that climate sensitivity must be harmlessly low."
Monckton, who was the science advisor to Britain's Thatcher administration, says natural variability is the cause of most of the Earth's recent warming. "In the past 70 years the Sun was more active than at almost any other time in the past 11,400 years … Mars, Jupiter, Neptune's largest moon, and Pluto warmed at the same time as Earth."
Most people do not realize that the U.N.'s IPCC report was a political document, not a scientific one. As such, it explicitly refused to consider any of the recent scientific work on carbon dioxide and the earth's climate. That work seems to show rather definitively that human activity has little to do with climate change, which has occurred constantly for millions of years.
This would be an appropriate occasion for John McCain to announce that, in view of the fact that the claim of a scientific "consensus" has now unraveled, he is rethinking his own position on the regulation of carbon emissions.
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From the green carpet at Premios Juventud to the ESPYS in Los Angeles, our stars pulled out all the (stylish) stops this week. Take a look:
1. Zuleyka Rivera
Zuleyka Rivera
The former Miss Universe and actress showed off her amazing legs in this sparkly minidress while at Premios Juventud.
2. Natalia Jimenez
Natalia Jimenez
Bella! Natalia was absolutely glowing in this white strapless dress on the green carpet for Premios Juventud.
3. Becky G
Becky G
Becky had shared that her dress for Premios Juventud was going to be "a cute, really short dress. It's kind of more on the sexyish side, but still fun," and she nailed it. This short pink dress was one of the fashion highlights of the night.
4. Roselyn Sanchez
Roselyn Sanchez
Roselyn embraced the crop top trend and looked beautiful while doing it at the Venue Magazine cover party.
5. Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba
Jessica shone in this Elie Saab dress at the 2014 ESPYS in Los Angeles. Love the metallic sandals!
6. Gloria Govan
Gloria Govan
Gloria looked beautiful (next to her man Matt Barnes) in this plunging blue number at the 2014 ESPYS pre-party.
7. Gisele
Even the World Cup trophy couldn't outshine Gisele, who looked great in this printed dress.
8. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez
Yowza! Selena looked seriously grown and sexy in this L'Agence dress while attending the 2014 Ischia Global Film and Music Festival in Italy.
9. Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie
The star looked beautiful in this black sequin top by Jenny Packham and sheer SAFiYAA skirt.


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After leading the Butler Bulldogs to one of the most successful six-year runs in recent NCAA basketball history (lack of a championship notwithstanding), Brad Stevens has decided to leave the Midwest for greener pastures in the NBA.
The move will be dissected ad nauseum over the next few days, as analysts wonder yet again whether or not a professional team made the right move in hiring a college wunderkind. Stevens is undoubtedly a basketball mastermind, but how will he cope in the NBA, especially in the middle of such a monumental rebuilding effort with the Boston Celtics? In reality, we won't know for several years. However, the move got me wondering. Stevens seemingly had it good at a small school in a state that loves basketball more than anything else, and yet, he still jetted for Boston.
Is coaching the Boston Celtics really a better job than what he had at Butler?
Just how good is the Boston coaching job anyway?
And of course, what are the best possible basketball jobs in America, regardless of level?
As with all Top 10s, the list is entirely dependent upon the set of criteria one uses. For this, I wanted to be as inclusive, but simple as possible. Therefore, I graded each job in the following categories:
- Level of Difficulty – Easy: How hard is it to win at this gig?
- Winning Tradition – Pretty simple: The organization carries an established pattern of success and a mindset that winning is its most important goal.
- Fan Base – Slightly more complex: 50 percent loyalty, 45 percent expectations, and five percent creativity. Basically, your dream job would be to coach for a team whose fans are unflinchingly loyal, regardless of the amount of success that you are experiencing, while also keeping things fun and energized.
- Prestige – How much does a championship really mean, not only to the organization, but to basketball fans in general? Fair or not, the 1973 New York Knicks will always be held high up on a pedestal, for example.
One thing that didn't factor into play was the players involved. Obviously, no coaching job in America is probably as attractive as the Miami Heat job right now, even factoring in the unbelievable expectations that come with it. Who wouldn't want to coach LeBron James? Still, players change from year to year, especially at the college level. Kansas and Kentucky are undoubtedly more attractive locations this year because of their fantastic recruiting classes, but are the actual jobs really better than others?
Let's also ignore money for the time being. No coach will wind up poor at any of the following 10 organizations, so let's not quibble over $4.5 million compared to $5 million.
One final note. Fans of the seventh place team will undoubtedly be furious that their squad isn't ranked higher up. Just remember that this list is meant to praise each of the following organizations, not nitpick between third and fourth. Although I will happily place Indiana as low as I possibly can, just because I cheer for the Boilermakers. Again, this list has everything to do with a job's attractiveness to a potential coach and less to do with the actual quality of the job in general.
Let's break down each of the previous categories in order to grade our Top 10.
- 10 – Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, UCLA
- 9 – Kentucky
- 8 – North Carolina
- 7 – Indiana University
- 6 – Duke
- 4 -Kansas, Louisville, New York Knicks
Each team carries with it a long-lasting tradition of winning. Every single squad, with the exception of the New York Knicks, has won titles at least 19 years apart, meaning that it is unlikely any of the jobs will become duds in the near future.
The Celtics, Lakers and UCLA wind up on top due to the sheer volume of championships that each team has. Even though North Carolina and Indiana have the same number of titles, UNC barely edges out the Hoosiers due to IU's 26-year drought and the fact that over the past 20 years, it hasn't even been the most successful program in its own state (shots fired). To the surprise of some, Louisville has just as many titles as Kansas, tying the Jayhawks with three. The Knicks and both of their titles wind up tied with the two Midwestern schools at the bottom.
Level of Difficulty
- 10 – Los Angeles Lakers
- 8 – UCLA, Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana
- 6 – Duke
- 4 – Boston Celtics, New York Knicks
- 2 – Louisville
For this one, a low level of difficulty results in a high score. As it stands, no other organization is able to chase championships as easily as the Lakers. Since 2000, the Lakers have five titles, more than doubling the efforts of any other organization. The combination of the Southern California weather, Hollywood's celebrities and the organization's willingness to pay the luxury tax gives the Lakers advantages that the rest of these teams can only dream of.
UCLA, Kentucky, Kansas and Indiana all carry unique advantages that make them a cut above Duke and UNC – namely that each school absolutely owns its region and is generally the clear-cut choice of youngsters that grow up near the school. Duke and UNC have to constantly compete not only with each other, but also with N.C. State, Wake Forest, Maryland and other nearby institutions. Duke falls a step below UNC because of its stricter academic requirements as well.
The fact that Rick Pitino has kept Louisville competitive is a tribute to his coaching ability. Louisville truly is the "little brother" in Kentucky, and constantly has to fight for respect in its own state.
Fan Base
- 10 – Kansas, Indiana
- 9 – Louisville
- 7 – Kentucky
- 6 – UNC, Duke, Boston Celtics
- 5 – UCLA, New York Knicks
- 3 – Los Angeles Lakers
Kansas possesses the best home-court advantage in America, in large part because of their fans. Jayhawks fans are fiercely loyal to their school, but also seem to have tempered expectations in terms of national success. Even though the Jayhawks have a history of choking, their fans rarely turn on them the way they do in Kentucky or Los Angeles. The Hoosiers are tied with Kansas at the top due in part to the sheer obsession that the state of Indiana has with the sport of basketball in general. Most Indiana fans don't even realize their school has other sports – and that's great news for the basketball coach. The level of understanding amongst Hoosier fans is also admirable. Even in the middle of a six-win season, Indiana fans supported their school.
Louisville fans constantly have to battle it out with Kentucky fans, and because of that, are among the most loyal fans in America. If you live in Kentucky and cheer for the Cardinals, you are in no way a fair-weather fan. Because of the Wildcats around the corner, Louisville fans also carry realistic expectations for their squad. A Sweet 16 birth would not be cause for a riot in the streets the way it would be in Lexington.
Of course Duke and UNC's fan bases are fantastic, but the close proximity of the two schools adds a tension to the environment that can make things more difficult for the coach. Coaches in Boston and New York don't have to compete with a rival school, but instead have to fight the Red Sox, Yankees, Giants and Patriots for attention constantly. As for UCLA, their fans are great, but apparently, Final Four births just aren't enough to appease them.
Lakers fans are among the most spoiled and whiny fans in all of sports – let's just move on.
- 10 – New York Knicks
- 9 – Indiana, UCLA
- 8 – Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics
- 7 – Kentucky and Kansas
- 6 – UNC, Duke, Louisville
As difficult and impressive it is to win a single championship, for one reason or another, not all championships are created equal. As mentioned before, the early 1970s Knicks are discussed in almost reverential tones. The same can be said about the undefeated 1976 Hoosiers, or John Wooden's legendary Bruins. Any coach that once again leads one of those squads to the promised land will be treated as royalty.
The List
10) Louisville (21 points)
By any metric, Louisville is a fantastic job and should be highly sought-after in a few years when Rick Pitino retires. Louisville sits in the middle of a region that is crazy about basketball, and even though it's not necessarily the "Big Dog" in town, any coach outside of Lexington would be thrilled to land there.
9) New York Knicks (23 points)
To be honest, there's not really a whole lot to love about this job. The basketball fans in New York are knowledgeable and know when wins are being left on the table because of subpar coaching. At the same time, they are incredibly passionate, and the appeal to a man's pride in and of itself will be enough to keep luring in coaches to Madison Square Garden for the next 30 years.
8) Duke (24 points)
One thing that has to be mentioned about this job – whoever follows Coach K will have some Ronald McDonald-sized shoes to fill. Still, the tradition, fan base, and recruiting advantages will make the Duke job a desirable position for the foreseeable future.
7) North Carolina (27 points)
Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Dean Smith and Nike. Need I say more?
6) Boston Celtics (28 points)
The more I think about it, this Celtics job was probably too good for Stevens to pass up. Obviously, the team will be in rebuilding mode for the next few years, but if Stevens can weather the storm, luck into a few good draft picks, and gain his players' trust, the possibilities for greatness are endless in Boston.
5) Kansas (29 points)
There is a reason Andrew Wiggins chose Kansas – and it has nothing to do with Canadians being a little different. There's simply a lot to love in Lawrence. Allen Fieldhouse and its fans will continue to rule the center of this country for years to come.
4) UCLA (30 points)
This job is probably a little less appealing after Ben Howland did seemingly everything that was asked of him (add discipline to the program while also advancing deep in the tournament) and still got fired. The legend of John Wooden will always hover over Pauley Pavilion, but the lure of it will remain as well.
3) Kentucky (31 points)
Kentucky actually tied with the Lakers on points, so they fall to third because of the level of expectations that come along with coaching there combined with the fans' vitriol should they lose. Lakers fans will turn on you in a second, but they will turn to the Kings, Dodgers or the beach. Kentucky fans will turn to message boards, radio stations, and hate mail – just ask Billy Gillispie.
2) Los Angeles Lakers (31 points)
Simply put, it's the best job in professional basketball, and probably will be for a long time.
1) Indiana University (34 points)
I don't even think site creator Jerod Morris would say that Indiana University is the best program in college basketball, but it's hard to think of a place that could be more appealing to a basketball coach. A loyal and knowledgeable fan base that cares more about your team than every other sports team in the region? Check. Unbelievable resources making recruiting a breeze? Check. Long-lasting tradition of excellence? Check. Prestige of winning it all? Double-check.
As much as it pains this Purdue fan to admit it, there's no better basketball job in America than the one in Bloomington, Indiana.


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Justice For Yemini Sheik
By Stephen Lendman
08 October,
This time is different for Yemini Sheik Mohammed Ali Hassan Al-Moayad and his assistant Mohammed Mohsen Yahya Zayed. On October 2, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reversed their unjustifiable convictions. More on that below.
On March 10, 2005, both men were convicted on multiple charges of conspiring to and providing "material support" for Al Queda and Hamas and became victims of the Bush administration's "war on terrorism" and Jihad against Islam. On August 2 and September 1, they received 75 and 45 year sentences respectively.
The charges were outrageous on their face and followed similar type persecutions of other Muslim figures like Sami Al-Arian, Rafil Dhafir, Yassin Aref, Seyed Mousavi, and many more. Innocent men unjustly convicted in kangaroo court proceedings. Often because of their prominence, leadership positions, and affiliations with Islamic organizations. Charity initiatives to others less fortunate. Efforts to promote unity among all faiths. Teach others about Islam, and work for social progress, peace and against war. As a result, be charged with "terrorism," tried, and become victims of police state justice in a climate of fear.
Both Yemeni clerics were targeted for their faith, ethnicity, activism, prominence and notable charitable efforts. Germany unjustifiably extradited them to the US to be prosecuted for their entirely legal activities. With testimony from a notoriously unreliable informant. Paid $100,000 by the FBI for his services. Then pressuring the agency for more.
At trial, the prosecution repeatedly attempted to prejudice the jury. Scare them with allegations about a Koranic verse being a "terrorist" one. A Palestinian-born attorney posing an "increased risk" because her "foreign born" status. Using this accusation to keep her off the case at first. Doing everything possible to convict two innocent men and claim a victory in "the war on terrorism."
Arrest and Charges
On January 10, 2003, both clerics were arrested In Germany with the help of FBI informant Mohamed Al- Anssi. A man with a dubious history of theft, burglary and defrauding Islamic organizations and charities. Stealing their property. Running up phone bills. Using public, private individual, and mosque services for his own benefit. Then in November 2004, pressuring the FBI for more money by setting himself ablaze in front of the White House.
Al-Anssi was an out-of-status immigrant fearing deportation. To avoid it, he contacted an FBI Terrorism Task Force agent. One eager to produce results by reeling in suspects. Islamic ones in a climate of fear. That juries would convict. Al-Anssi offered to help. With no substantiating evidence, he claimed that Sheik Al-Moayad supported Al Queda, mujahideen Islamic fighters, and even North Korea.
A month later, the FBI sent him to Yemen to target Al-Moayad even though his own government knew and approved of his activities. Their legitimacy having nothing to do with "terrorism." Over the next year, Al-Anssi and Yemeni-based FBI agents produced scant "evidence," none of which was incriminating:
-- three Palestinian charity donation receipts; ones not to designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs); and
-- a 30-minute video of a five-day Yemeni group wedding at which a Hamas representative to Yemen spoke.
Based on this alone, Al-Moayad and Zayad were to be charged with conspiring to and providing material support for Al Queda and Hamas. An entrapment scheme then followed in Germany. An Agent "Sharif" became involved, posing as a former Black Panther supportive of "Jihadist causes." The "civil rights movement" among them, according to an FBI agent BM.
A sting was arranged as follows. Agent "Sharif" instructed Al-Anssi to tell Al-Moayad and Zayad that he wished to donate $2 million for their work, and conversations were secretly videotaped. When the clerics learned it was for another purpose, they disapproved. "Sharif" then said: "I know what you're here for and I will give you what you want if you give me what I want." Both clerics still objected and wished only for funding help to build their charitable center. "Sharif" claimed conversations with him were about funneling it to Hamas. Based only on his word. Masked officers arrested both clerics three days after they arrived in Germany.
They were held for six months. Indicted on March 4, 2003. Extradited to the US in November. At a Senate hearing, Attorney General John Ashcroft called them "big fish." Claimed that they funneled millions of dollars to Al Queda and Hamas, and that Al-Moayad boasted of personally delivering $29 million to bin Laden.
The charges were concocted and false. Evidence showed both clerics supported Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Others in refugee camps in other Arab countries. Also that they knew Hamas members throughout the Arab world, in Africa, and in some European states. Entirely legitimate activities in Yemen and Germany unrelated to "terrorism." Not according to the FBI and John Ashcroft even though both men never raised funds in America or broke US laws.
Sheikh al-Moayad's Background
Early in life, he came to love the oppressed and indigent. He was born in May 1948 to a peasant family in Safya. A Sanaa, Yemen suburb. His father was a village teacher who earned only what local parents paid him in food and personal effects. He developed a desire to do community service like his father, and in the 1970s built a dam in Sanaa to distribute water more effectively.
In the early 1980s, he moved to Asbahi, Yemen. A town with no mosque, so he opened his home for worship. He convinced the government to provide land for a mosque and built one. Then expanded it to include religious services for women and a small basement elementary school.
By the early 1990s, Al-Moayad was well-respected for his honesty, charity and grassroots activism. His Al Ihsan Charitable Organization provided aid and got government support. He opened a bakery that fed hundreds of families daily. A market that charged wholesale prices and had fresh water for those without it.
He expanded his school to accommodate students from kindergarten through high school. One for girls as well and personally encouraged reluctant families to enroll their daughters. More efforts to teach trade skills.
In all, a near-endless number of charitable initiatives addressing all aspects of daily life for around 9000 needy families. Individual, communal and religious. An orphan fund project, blanket distribution, and full meal provisions during Ramadan. Group wedding coordination for poor groomsmen. Holistic healing. Computer training and a free medical clinic.
Al-Moayad is also a father of seven. However, he became known as the "Father of Orphans" throughout Sanaa and was appointed honorary supervisor of the Al Aqsa Foundation.
All along, he supported the Palestinian struggle for liberation. Their right of return, justice, and self-determination. He raised money and other essentials for Palestinians in refugee camps. Others in greatest need in Occupied Palestine. Efforts that Washington calls supporting "terrorism."
Al-Moayad is so well respected that Yemenis were outraged. Especially in Sanaa. Thousands protested publicly for over two years demanding his release. His assistant, Mohamad Zayad as well. Yemeni president, Ali Abdallah Saleh, said neither man had links to Al Queda, and they have every right to support Hamas and the Palestinian people. In vain, he urged Washington to release them.
The Indictment - United States of America v. Mohammed Ali Hassan Al-Moayad and Mohammed Mohsen Yahya Zayed
Count One: defendants "knowingly and intentionally conspired to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, to wit, al Qaeda."
Count Two: defendant Al-Moayad "knowingly and intentionally provided material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, to wit, al Qaeda."
Count Three: defendants conspired to provide material support to Hamas.
Count Four: defendant Al-Moayad provided material support to Hamas.
Trial and Convictions
For five weeks in early 2005, the proceedings took place in a Brooklyn courtroom. Unfairly described by New York Times writer William Glaberson (on February 6 in his opening paragraph) as the same one where "thousands of past cases (of) mobsters, drug dealers and con artists" were tried. Now the "sheik, in his silk hat and flowing robes....heard in hours of secretly recorded videotapes talking in a convoluted style....his meanings elusive....his style indirect. (Recounting) tales from the Koran or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad....In a conversation about a man who seemed to be offering a big donation to Muslim causes, the sheik started a discourse on a battle from the time of the prophet."
Both men "remain enigmas....mysterious figures, charged with funneling money to Al Queda and Hamas. Much of it raised in Brooklyn." In fact, none of it was or was it used for "terrorism." Nor did Al-Moayad issue a "public call for revenge against Americans for his arrest" as Glaberson wrote earlier (again in his opening paragraph) on September 22, 2004.
The trial was a travesty of justice in which Al-Anssi's unsubstantiated testimony, written notes and videotapes were the key "evidence". Plus US Attorney Mauskopf demonizing Palestinian resistance and saying that supporting their right of return is "extremism." Terrorism.
Unrelated testimony from a Scottish law student, Gideon Black, was also introduced. About a Tel Aviv suicide bombing that killed his cousin. Over defense objections, the judge allowed it and biased the jury. A bin Laden "terror camp" video as well. DOJ's customary strategy to portray Muslims as terrorists to instill enough fear to convict. Give jurors no other choice.
In the end, Al-Moayad and Zayad were acquitted of supporting Al Queda. Al-Moayad was convicted of conspiring to and providing support for Palestinian resistance fighters, Hamas, and bin Laden. Zayed was convicted of the Hamas conspiracy and support charges as well as conspiring to support Al Queda. Some of the many "material support" charges that DOJ cites in its worldwide war on Islam. Portraying Muslims as dangerous. Terrorists. Others who supports Arab rights. Palestinian self-determination. Equal justice the way US and international laws demand. What targeted Muslims almost never get in US courtrooms.
Nor did they on March 10, 2005 when both men were convicted. Or again on August 2 when Al-Moayad was sentenced to the maximum 75 years and fined $1.2 million. A beloved Yemeni cleric US Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf called a "master terrorist financier." On September 1, Zayad received a 45 year sentence and was fined $750,000. Both men were sent to the US federal Florence, Colorado Supermax prison.
Conditions In and Effects of Supermax Confinement
These prisons are intended for "the worst of the worst." Society's most dangerous, violent and incorrigible on the notion that behavior modification will result from solitary confinement, sensory deprivation and punitive treatment.
These facilities are known for their harshness. They crush the human spirit, mind and body through isolation and cruelty. Physical abuse is common and inflicted as punishment. Deprivation extreme. Inmates have little contact with staff. None with other inmates. They're confined alone in small windowless cells for 23 hours a day. Have no work, social contact, education, recreation, rehabilitation or personal privacy. Nearly everything is delivered there - food, medical supplies, other materials. Outside their cells, they're escorted everywhere by 4-man teams, painfully handcuffed and shackled. Over time, the effects are devastating:
-- severe anxiety;
-- panic attacks;
-- lethargy;
-- insomnia;
-- nightmares;
-- dizziness;
-- irrational anger; at times uncontrollable;
-- confusion;
-- social withdrawal;
-- loss of memory;
-- loss of appetite;
-- delusions and hallucinations;
-- self-mutilations;
-- profound despair and hopelessness;
-- suicidal thoughts;
-- paranoia; and
-- for many a totally dysfunctional state and inability ever to live normally outside of confinement.
Prisoner anecdotes describe the experience:
-- "People come in here with a few problems and will leave sociopaths."
-- You're like a "caged animal. I've seen people just crack and either scream for hours on end or cry."
-- Isolation "creates monsters (who) want revenge on society."
-- We "have a sense of hopelessless. Plus my anger (is) a silent rage....I am beginning to really hate people."
-- "They....try to break a person down mentally (and) mental abuse leaves no evidence behind (like) physical abuse."
-- others describe isolation as like being buried alive; living in a tomb; and in a March 2006 US Gulag Prison System article this writer tried to give readers a sense of what it's like by saying: "Try locking yourself in your bathroom with a little food and water for 24 hours and see how you (react). Then (do it for) 20....years" or the rest of your life.
Overall for many, prolonged isolation results in irreversible psychological trauma and harm. A condition no society should inflict on any human being. Nor should any law allow it.
Justice for Both Clerics
On November 26, 2007, attorneys for both men appealed their convictions. On October 2, AP reported that the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals "overturned the convictions of a Yemeni cleric and his deputy, finding they were prejudiced by inflammatory testimony about unrelated terrorism links." The decision means both men can have new trials under a new judge if DOJ orders them.
In its 68-page opinion, the three-judge panel was unanimous and referred to an FBI "sting operation." Video tapes of "FBI-orchestrated meetings between the defendants and government informants." The FBI paying Al-Anssi $100,000 for his role. Over defense's objections, allowing unrelated testimony to be introduced that was "enormously prejudicial (and) is a central issue in this appeal."
Noting that Al-Anssi's "evidence" can't be substantiated. That he couldn't "specify when Al-Moayad allegedly provided money to either Al-Queda or Hamas." Nor did Al-Moayad ever say he sent any. That "any support Al-Moayad may have provided to Al-Queda lasted only through the Afghan conflict in the 1980s" when the Reagan administration called the Mujahideen "freedom fighters" and provided billions in aid against the Soviet occupation.
The Appeals Court mentioned other reasons for their reversal as well. Relating to a second FBI informant named Saeed. When he "asked what he could do for Al-Moayad, Al Moayad described five goals: (1) teaching people their religion; (2) uniting Muslims; (3) raising young men in a manner of which God approves; (4) helping young people in need; and (5) doing everything for God's sake. Al-Moayad also discussed more specific projects, including the charitable bakery, educating Muslim women, and aiding the families of people who have been jailed or martyred."
Saeed expressed willingness to support these efforts, "but that he primarily wanted to fund mujahidin. Al-Moayad replied, '(l)et me tell you that I want to be honest with you....We can't say yes, yes to what you're asking then lie to you...." Discussions about money involved using it for charitable efforts. "Al-Moayad also explained....that although he had delivered money to Bin Laden during the (1980s) 'Afghani Jihad,' he distanced himself from al-Queda once that conflict was over."
The justices agreed that district court errors "when considered collectively denied (the defendants) due process of law and fundamental fairness." Enough "to warrant reversal of (their) convictions" and for the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals to "VACATE the judgments of conviction and REMAND to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion before a different district court judge." A harsh and rare rebuke of trial judge Sterling Johnson Jr. showing no confidence in him, according to legal ethics professor Stephen Gillers.
Al-Moayad's lawyer, Robert Boyle, said he was "extremely gratified" by the decision, "particularly its emphasis on the cumulative effect of the trial errors. I hope this means that Sheik Moayad, who's elderly and not in good health, will be able to go back to his country in the very near future." Zayed's attorney, Steven Feldman, said "Even in the war on terror, justice knows no country. Justice was served." Robert Nardoza, the US Attorney's spokesperson, said "We are reviewing the decision and will consider the options available to the government before deciding our next course of action."
This decision is extremely important and follows US District Court Judge Brinkema's granting Sami Al-Arian bail on July 10. Then his release on September 2. After five and a half years of unjustifiable and extremely harsh confinement. Both cases offer hope, if just a glimmer. For these men. All Muslim defendants. Those imprisoned on false charges and unfair convictions, and others yet to be targeted. In a climate of fear and the wrong time to be Muslim in America.
Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at email@example.com.
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Chicago Tribune senior correspondent Ellen Warren has been a local, national political, congressional, supreme court, foreign and war correspondent. She's also been a feature writer, metro and features columnist and the first woman legman for the late, great Chicago columnist Mike Royko.
She has covered the White House, Chicago City Hall, the Middle East, presidential campaigns since 1976 and opening day at Wrigley Field. She is a member of the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame who started her career as a police reporter for the City News Bureau of Chicago. That's the famed bootcamp for reporters known for its slogan, "If your mother says she loves you, check it out."
Woody Allen once laughed at her jokes. Actor Jimmy Stewart picked her up off the floor. And she is believed to be the only reporter President George W. Bush ever told, "F--- you!" To be fair, it should be noted that this happened before he became president. But that's another story.
Warren's husband, Wade Nelson, is a Chicago communications consultant. They have two sons, Ted and Emmett Nelson, and two dogs, Dash and Jelly Roll Warren.