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"If We Don't Grow Together, We Grow Apart"
Thanks Laurie (Wilson) for the introduction; thanks to the Press Club for organising such a good turnout; and thanks for the warm welcome.
As most of you would appreciate the job of Treasurer is an all-consuming one, especially so when you combine it with the job of Deputy Prime Minister. So when last Christmas rolled around I was really looking forward to the prospect of some family time, and the opportunity to tackle some of my own reading, beyond the usual offering of briefings and memos.
For reasons that are pretty well-known – from global meltdowns to tax reviews to natural disasters – there hasn't been time in recent years to make much of a dent in my summer reading. But this year was different. I had a bit more time for family, for friends, and to really immerse myself in a debate that is raging around the world – one that President Obama calls the 'defining issue of our time'.
It's a topic that drew me to the Labor Party four decades ago; one that spurred me into the parliament 19 years ago; that inspired me to write a book seven years ago; that motivated me to publish an essay over the weekend; that got me up this morning; and that brings me here today.
In the international debate, they describe this issue as equality, or as social mobility, but here in Australia we're used to calling it the fair go. The idea of a fair day's work for a fair day's pay, opportunities for our kids irrespective of where they were born or who their parents are, and a decent safety net for the most vulnerable. And given my lifelong passion, I was pleased to find available over the summer so much thoughtful writing and reflection on the gap between rich and poor and what it means for the economies of the world.
I was heartened to see this issue capture the attention of some of the world's finest economists and thinkers; names like Roubini and Krugman and others – some of the absolute greats. But the most telling indication of the urgency and intensity of the debate was the fact the Financial Times, a flag carrier for freer markets, opened its pages to the debate with its compelling Capitalism in Crisis series. If you can only read two things on all this, read that series and read the Fukuyama contribution in Foreign Affairs, about the impact of the declining Western middle class on the very foundations of capitalism.
Surveying the wreckage of the GFC, Fukuyama argues the idea of the middle class society is under mortal threat in the West, even as a growing middle class is lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty in the East. It was this argument that prompted me to write the Monthly essay and come here today, really to make four main points about: why this debate about inequality matters in Australia; the role of our contemporary policy mix in advancing the fair go in this country; why productivity, competitiveness and wealth creation is so crucial to providing opportunities to more people; and the risk posed by vested interests who'd rather see the benefits of the Asian Century flow disproportionately to a fortunate few.
So my first point is that the global debate about rising inequality is genuinely relevant to Australia today. Although this issue is being hotly contested overseas in the media, in parliaments, in universities, and on campaign trails around the world, the volume of the conversation here has been a lot lower. And although the Occupy movement that began on Wall Street also reached our shores, its local incarnations on the streets of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and even Canberra were not really comparable.
You often hear commentators say our local debate is isolated or complain that we're not talking about what's being talked about in the great centres of the world. In this case though, I suspect our debate is different because our reality is different. Simply put: we actually are fairer than much of the world.
Australians have done much better matching strong growth with social equity than almost anyone over the past century, and particularly in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. One of Australia's great achievements in the twentieth century was the creation of a truly middle class society. One where the overwhelming majority can get a good education, gain valuable skills, experience the dignity of employment, feel they have a stake in the character and direction of the national community, and have the resources to provide an even better life for their children. In Government, over the past four years, we protected this achievement and we built on it.
The social upheaval and disillusionment that's occurred in so many other parts of the world has not been the Australian experience. So as you follow the debate overseas, you can't help feel a sense of appreciation for what we've achieved in Australia. In the essay, I detail some of the indicators that show how well we stack up: Like the fact that incomes for the poorest 10 per cent of Australians have grown at more than double the average for developed economies in recent decades. Like the fact that shortly after the Second World War, Australia and the U.S. were roughly equal in the percentage of total income going to the top 1 per cent, while today the gap in Australia between the richest and the rest is less than half that of the U.S. And like the fact that Australia has done a better job than most other countries at preserving economic mobility – at making sure that success can be determined by hard work and effort and not simply where you were born or who your parents are.
So across 17 OECD economies, Australians that are in the bottom 20 per cent of income earners are the equal third most likely to lift themselves out of that situation within three years. We're at the top of the ladder when it comes to letting people climb the ladder. But with pride comes the sense that without constant attention these achievements and the egalitarian social contract upon which they rely is also somehow fragile, and at risk.
As the Prime Minister said last week, this didn't happen by accident, this took leadership, not luck. And it'll continue to take leadership to protect the fairness we value for the future. This brings me to my second main point: that there is nothing accidental about our record of social and economic mobility – it's a product of our history; a reflection on our people; and a tribute to our policy successes.
You see, the fair go was never pre-ordained or guaranteed; we've always had to fight for it. And I'm proud the labour movement has always been there, guarding it, advancing it, extending its reach. I'm talking here of things like the aged pension or superannuation; or Medicare; or paid parental leave; or the defeat of WorkChoices – all proud Labor achievements underpinning the fair go. Same goes for the Education Tax Refund we introduced; or more money for parents of teenagers, or the boost to the childcare rebate. Or laying the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme; or better schools for our kids; or tripling the tax free threshold to benefit workers.
Or the Labor values that make sure government payments are sustainable and targeted to where they are needed most, with practical steps like pausing indexation on some payments and means-testing the private health insurance rebate. These policies are all guided by deeply held values. They are guided by sound economic thinking as well.
Inequality isn't just unfair – it's inefficient. It makes no moral sense for the battler to subsidise his boss's private health insurance. It makes no financial sense either. That's why we've struck a balance between strong fiscal discipline and continuing to support job creation and growth.
And these important savings which double as fairness measures show that our determination to return the budget to surplus in 2012-13 doesn't come at the expense of our determination to keep providing a helping hand to those that need it most. Because ensuring more Australians feel the benefits of a growing economy is core business for the Labor Party and we've got a very proud record of dedicating these policies to nourishing the fair go.
But we also know it's not possible to give everyone a bigger piece of a smaller pie – they need a bigger piece of a bigger pie. And this is what brings us to the productivity challenge, our wealth creation agenda, and my third main point today:
That even with our successes to date, the big opportunities for Australian workers and businesses in the global economy can only be maximised into the future if we find ways to boost productivity, so we can create more wealth.
As you know, our future is being shaped by the relentless shift of global economic weight towards Asia. And as the global economy changes, this will inevitably change the structure of our own economy. The Asian Century can be as much the Australian Century if we make the right decisions and adopt the right policies.
In the 1950s, only 15 per cent of global GDP was created within 10,000 km of Australia's shores. Today, that share has doubled to around 30 per cent – and it could double again to almost two-thirds by 2050. This is already making an enormous imprint on our own economy, as Asia's enormous appetite for our mineral commodities drives an investment pipeline in the resources sector worth $456 billion. But the demand for resources is just the first taste of the economic transformation that's underway in the Asian Century.
In just eight years from now, there'll be more middle class consumers on our doorstep in Asia than in the rest of the world combined. These new ranks of middle-class consumers will increase demand for more than just our mineral wealth. It will also benefit Australia's tourism operators, education providers and manufacturers of high-end goods. But while the opportunities are immense, so are the challenges.
While industries in the fast lanes compete for better infrastructure and skilled workers, manufacturers, tourist operators and other sectors are coming under immense competitive pressure from the high dollar and weaker global demand. Many workers and businesses are understandably apprehensive about what the future has in store. This is despite our economy's solid growth, low unemployment, contained inflation and strong public finances – a considerably more accommodating backdrop compared to past periods of structural change.
You only have to look back to the early '90s, where workers and businesses adjusted to the dismantling of the tariff wall at a time of recession and double-digit unemployment. That gives us grounds for confidence – but not complacency. Because our success has never been an accident of our geography nor our geology – and it never will.
At the end of the day, the key ingredient to higher living standards of all Australians is productivity growth. Only greater productivity can help sectors of our economy make a sustainable adjustment to the pressures of a high dollar. And only greater productivity will make us the winner in the Asian Century, only greater productivity will build the manufacturing, agricultural and service sectors of the future which can compete for the business of the rising global middle class.
It's why we're investing in education, skills training and apprenticeships, delivering faster and more widely available broadband, and improving the delivery of services such as health care and public administration. It's why we're reforming the tax system, improving the competitiveness of businesses through cuts to the tax rate, and driving innovation in areas like clean energy technologies by pricing carbon. All to lift productivity. By fostering gains in broad-based productivity, we will lay the foundations for the long-term prosperity we need to spread opportunity right through our land.
Over the decades, I have come to appreciate this basic equation: productivity equals growth equals opportunity. And I've come to appreciate just how much business understands this equation too.
The overwhelming majority of businesspeople in this country are a force for good in our society; I have tremendous respect for them. I know they want to work constructively to ensure we make the most of the opportunities of the Asian Century. And I know that 99 per cent of Aussie businesses know how critical it is that we simultaneously prepare for the challenges ahead and retain the fair go.
For every Andrew Forrest who complains about high company taxes and then admits to not paying any, there are a hundred more that go about employing Australians and creating wealth in a constructive way. Like those who held on to their employees and worked with government to keep the doors of business open during the dark days of the GFC.
But despite the best efforts of government and the vast majority of businesspeople, I still feel that our prospects in the Asian Century and our proud egalitarian tradition are in grave danger. This is my fourth main point for today and I want to take some time to explain it.
As I wrote in the essay, the idea that an economy exists to serve society has always been one of the legitimising pillars of capitalism. We can all agree that rewards should be proportionate to effort and enterprise, recognising the hard work and entrepreneurship that create wealth and employment.
While pure equality is obviously not the answer, we do need to combat the types of disparities in opportunity that damage our society. But in recent years, we've seen the emergence of a tiny handful of people – in fact, the Monthly calls them 'The 0.01 Percent' – who mobilise their considerable wealth against policies designed to benefit the majority.
The combination of deep pockets, conservative political support and the ranting of the shock jocks has more and more brazenly sought to defend and promote the interests of very narrow section of the economy. I reckon whether or not you think that $180 000 a year is rich, we can all probably agree that $180 million a year is rich. Even in Sydney.
Of course, the wealthy have always exercised an influence over public affairs in Australia as they have elsewhere. And I welcome the involvement of everyone of good heart in the discussion of public policy whether I agree with them or not. But there has been a perceptible shift in this country over the past few years towards a stronger and stronger influence, being wielded by a smaller and smaller minority, and more and more plainly expressed in their own private interests. We see this most obviously in the ferocious attacks bankrolled by the likes of Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer against the mining tax and a price on carbon pollution.
The billionaires' protest against the mining tax would have been laughed out of town in the Australia I grew up in yet two years ago it got a wide and favourable reception in the media. We're also seeing the vested interests wielding their power in campaigns being waged against a range of other good public policies like the plan for the plain packaging of cigarettes and the means-testing of the private health insurance rebate. Advertising, armies of lobbyists, and dodgy modelling are all being used to stymie critical reforms that benefit all Australians.
Just as worrying to us is Ms Rinehart's foray into at least two media companies, reportedly to influence public opinion and further her commercial interests. You would have been just as worried as I was to read John Singleton let the cat out of the bag when he admitted to employing journalists to overtly and covertly attack governments they don't agree with. And that's before you even consider the havoc that these hyper-rich activists have wrought on poetry or soccer!
So the debate over the future of our country is at risk of being distorted and decided not by the strength of ideas, but the strength of influence. This is a deeply disturbing development that we must understand properly so that we can resist it forcefully. We can't afford to let the market system or the political conversation be undermined by the greed of a wildly irresponsible few.
It is a defining issue for our economy and our community. I believe it is also now the major dividing line in our politics. I've had plenty of disagreements with the conservative leaders of the past – from Menzies to Howard and everyone in between. But what you could never contest was that ever since the creation of the Australian Labor Party – in fact, because of it – the non-Labor leaders have been in a vigorous contest with us for the middle ground of Australian politics.
Today, we are witnessing the Americanisation of the Right in this country – obsessed with defending the advantages of the most-advantaged in our society. That has become their primary cause and all else is the search for a political strategy to sell that to the public at large.
Mr Abbott's opposition to spreading the benefits of the mining boom or preparing our economy for a clean energy future is about more than his reflex for negativity. He is of course singing for his supper – we can see that in the donations from the likes of Clive Palmer that have flooded into the Coalition's coffers in recent years.
In choosing to kneel down at the feet of the vested interests, rather than stand up for the interests of Australian workers, Mr Abbott has encouraged them at every turn. That's what explains the Coalition's plans to give a tax cut to the immensely wealthy while opposing tax breaks for small business and more retirement savings for Australians workers.
Reading the opinion pieces in the newspapers this morning from Mr Hockey and Mr Robb, I see my essay has done the impossible – making the Liberal Party's economic stooges finally agree on something. I don't remember these guys spending their weekends to rush out breathless op-eds defending more super for workers or tax breaks for small business But there they are, rushing out to defend the vested interests – and that proves my point about who we represent and who they do.
So let me finish on this general point. When you stand up to the vested interests, you're invariably accused of being anti-business or engaging in the politics of envy – these are the convenient phrases used by the champions of privilege.
My essay has been wrongly described as an attack on the rich when it is an attack on an imbalance in influence and opportunity. In a way the criticism of the essay from some quarters proves my point.
There was a time, when I was establishing myself in the office and part of a new Government, where I was probably concerned about this sort of criticism. To be honest, now I welcome it. Our economic credentials, and our credentials for working with serious business people in the national interests, are well established. And if talking straight and having the argument helps shine the light on something that matters so much, it's worth being the target of a few predictable phrases from a few predictable quarters.
With the resolution of the leadership issue on our side of the House, I for one am pleased we can turn to what really matters in federal politics. We can return to a straight comparison between our economic record and plans versus our opponents'.
We will be asking Australians to determine whether the benefits of a strong economy in the Asian Century flow to more Australians in our community, or just to the fortunate few. Whether we should choose shrinking inequality and growing middle class; or a shrinking middle class and growing inequality. These are the questions I tried to answer in the essay because I think they are the crucial ones for the economy and for our political system.
A strong economy is not an end in itself. What matters is what we do with our nation's prosperity. Who benefits. It's not just about putting dollars in people's pockets, but about building a better society; a society that provides opportunity to more people, a society that lifts up the worst-off, and gives everyone a decent shot at a decent life.
Economic success spreading in widening ripples to the very edges of our society. Not trickling down from the well-fed at the top. Because simply, if we don't keep growing together economically, our community will grow apart.
What's at stake here is the Australian egalitarian tradition and the prospects of so many Australians who we want to be the biggest winners out of the Asian Century and not just a fortunate few.
I look forward to your questions.


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Conversation at a café near the Trocadero (which may explain their clothes and style).
These kids were listening to this man's words as if they were the gospel... and they were inside Notre Dame. Art professor perhaps?
Energetic biker on the Rue D'Arcole. I should add he rides a taxi bike.
Girl checking her phone in the park Saint Julien Le Pauvre.
This man sits quietly on this bench and works away at temperas or watercolors of Paris. I've seen him more than once already.
The man came, ate lunch, and then proceeded to read.
Rue St Julien Le Pauvre... which leads to the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore (full of tourists). These two were shooting the breeze there... in English.
On the Pont Au Double, there was a small conclave of inline skaters competing that day. This is one...
This is the second skater, less showy than the first, but a lot more impressive.
Third skater: showed up on a kind of electric monocycle, a three-piece suit, and seems to fly on the ground.
From the steps of the Basilic of Sacre Coeur one has a privileged position when one has a long lens and intense sun light. This lady has beautiful, enviable hair.
The French love their pets, they dote on them, travel with them and vacation with them.
Macadam Manivelle and her renditions of Edith Piaf's songs had me going straight to iTunes...
In a remote nook of the neighborhood, a street performer had a captive audience by doing this métier in front of a restaurant.
This lady made a Nutella crepe for me.
First communion girls at the church of Saint Sulpice.
Students enjoying the Medici fountain at the Luxemburg gardens.
Returning home... Reamur Sebastopol metro station.
I will be back soon!

subset: commoncrawl


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- Online Games
- Adventure Games
- Ghost Motel 1: Resurrected
Related Games - continue your journey on Abroy.com with one of these games!
Ghost Motel 1: Resurrected
Download the free Flash Player. now!
Ghost Motel 1: Resurrected - This is a remake of a classic game here on Newgrounds. Original creators: Violet-AIM & XwaynecoltX All new Art/Animation/Programming/Writing: Graeme "Noodle" All voices: JayWEccent Ghost Motel Remix: Slaleky The original Ghost Motel came out on November 13th, 2002. When I saw that the 13th anniversary would be a Friday the 13th, I got to work immediately! My intention was to release this game on the exact anniversary, but I only had two weeks to make it. I worked on it for 20 hours straight and pulled an all nighter on the 12th. The game broke, and the deadline was missed. I pulled it apart, and re-code the game. One benefit is that I was able to add a lot of features that would have been previously cut. I think it feels like a much more full game now! I want to give a huge thanks you XwaynecoltX for giving me permission to make this game, and for the encouraging words while it was being developed. Slaleky and JayWEccent are heroes for how quickly they were able to produce and hand in their contributions! They really made this thing feel official, and complete. I hope the fans of the original can get behind this remake, and enjoy the series with a fresh set of eyes! Cheers.


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Election Section
Five seriously hurt in Lancaster prison riot
LANCASTER — As many as 400 inmates rioted Thursday at a state prison and five were critically injured, authorities said.
No guards or staff were hurt in fighting that began about 10:45 a.m. in a yard at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, said Margot Bach, spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections. The prison is in the Mojave Desert about 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
The fight involved 300 to 400 maximum-security inmates in a 200-by-200-foot recreation yard that includes a grassy area, basketball courts, a soccer field and monkey bars, prison spokesman Ron Nipper said.
"The inmates started to fight, and it just gained momentum," with prisoners using fists and homemade weapons, he said.
Hundreds of guards responded, using pepper spray, tear gas and wooden bullets on the prisoners, but it was unclear whether any of the inmates were hit.
Several warning shots were then fired. It took fewer than 15 minutes to quell the riot, Nipper said.
"There was no way they could get to a building and destroy it. We contained them in one small area and then they ran out of gas," he added.
Bach said 26 homemade weapons were recovered.
Five inmates were taken by helicopter or ambulance to local hospitals, where they were in critical but stable condition with "deep puncture wounds," Bach said.
Another 12 inmates were treated for cuts at the prison infirmary.
None of the wounds were believed to be life-threatening, she said.
The prison had been under lockdown since Dec. 11, when a guard was beaten by four inmates, department spokeswoman Terry Thornton said. Inmates were just starting to get some of their privileges back Thursday when the riot began, she said.
The prison remained locked down Thursday afternoon, with many inmates confined to their cells. Televised news reports showed dozens of others sitting outside along a prison yard fence, waiting for guards to search them and the grounds for weapons.
Nipper said most prisoners would be released from lockdown tomorrow. The section involved in rioting, however, will slowly return to normal over several weeks as authorities try to determine which inmates were involved in the fighting.
Those inmates involved could face criminal charges, Nipper said.
The prison currently houses more than 4,000 inmates in its minimum- and maximum-security wings. That is about 85 percent over capacity, but Bach said it was not immediately clear whether that may have contributed to the rioting.
"There could be any number of factors," she said, adding that it could take several days of inmate interviews to determine the cause.
Overcrowded prisons have been the scene of brawls involving racial unrest, but that did not seem to be the case this time, Bach said.
"It was multiracial. There wasn't any group attacking any other groups specifically. They all got into it," she said.
Last year at the prison, a racial brawl involving more than 120 Hispanic and white inmates left 10 injured. In 1999, an inmate was shot by guards during another brawl between whites and Hispanics.
The 262-acre prison opened in 1993 and has more than 1,200 employees, including more than 800 custody staff.
California has the nation's largest prison system, with more than 249,000 inmates, 33 prisons and 52,000 employees. The inmate population grew by nearly 40 percent in the 1990s, spurred in part by the war on drugs and passage of a "three strikes" law that requires long prison terms for repeat felons.
Violence is no stranger to the system. In October, a riot at the privately managed Victor Valley Medium Community Correctional Facility in Adelanto left eight inmates and two employees injured.
In February 2000, guards shot 13 inmates, killing one, to stop a race riot at the Pelican Bay State Prison, which houses some of California's most dangerous criminals.
The system suffers from a shortage of guards. California ranks 48th in its guard-to-inmate ratio, according to the Connecticut-based Criminal Justice Institute.
The corrections department last month projected a continued shortfall of 2,000 or more guards for at least the next two years, forcing tens of millions of dollars in overtime.
Some guards have faced legal action for alleged abuse of inmates. Last year, eight Corcoran Prison guards were acquitted of violating the rights of inmates who were allegedly pitted against each other in gladiator-style fights.
A federal civil rights lawsuit accuses three correctional officers and a former guard of setting up the rape of an inmate in 1993 by leaving him in the cell of a known sexual predator at the Corcoran prison. They were acquitted of criminal charges.


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The Pellerito family traveled to Disney World, in Orlando, Florida, the first week of August, and had a great time. Dominic, 12, Kate, 10, and Deno, 8, made sure to take the Post with them, and sent us their photo. Thanks so much for taking us with you on your trip!
Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to email@example.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!


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Antique Fishing Lures, Reels and Tackle Information website is intended to provide information to anyone interested in antique and vintage fishing lures, reels and tackle.
Photos of rare and collectable reels by George Snyder (GS), Geo. Gayle, J. F. & B.F. Meek, B. F. Meek & Sons, B.C. Milam & Son, Wm. Talbot, H.L. Leonard, J. Deally, J. L. Sage, Benjamin Thumezy, Thos. Chubb, Frank Fullilove, Otto Zwarg, Edward and Julius vom Hofe, Billinghurst, C. M. Clinton, C.H. Wisner, E. Holzmann, America Company, A. H. Fowler and Wm. Mills are just of few of the the ones that can be seen.
Photos of old and collectable lures made by R. Haskell, James Heddon's Sons, Creek Chub, Shakespeare, and Pflueger and by companies from Florida such as Ammie Lee Like Live Bait Co., Jim Pfeffer, Garland Bros., Eger Bait, Florida Fishing Tackle, Barracuda, Dazzy Vance, Cox's Sporting Goods, Bender & Flynn Bait, Robinson Bait and Flood Florida Shinner Minnow. British baits from UK companies like Gregory and Hardy are contained in this site.
Also contained in this website are photos of early Tournament Casting Medals, Club Award pins from Cabo Blanco and Cat Cay. Photos of Field & Stream Award and Honor Badges and pins are provided for your enjoyment.
The original boxes for these reels and lures can sometimes double their value.
Link to Another Great Antique Tackle Website
Link to My Facebook Page
Back to the Top of the Page


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Sayantani Dasgupta is the author of Fire Girl: Essays on India, America, & the In-Between and The House of Nails: Memories of a New Delhi Childhood. Sayantani is an award-winning essayist and fiction writer who received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho. To read more about Sayantani, please visit her website. You can purchase Fire Girl here and The House of Nails here. Hear Sayantani read from her debut collection of essays and get your copy signed at 7:30 PM on September 27 at Book People of Moscow.
C: I found myself very drawn to the namesake of the book, the essay called "Fire Girl." While I share the burden of and am still trying to write about similar violations, I deeply connected with your essay and I'm curious about how Draupadi has sustained you, as a child and now.
S: As a child, Draupadi was easy to like. I didn't have the word for it back then but I think I found her enigmatic. For me, she was the central character of the Mahabharata, one of India's oldest epics and my favorite book. She made things happen even when she was not there. As an adult, I still admire Draupadi but now I also have a great deal of empathy for her and for all the ways in which she was misunderstood. That's the beauty of mythology and all timeless stories, isn't it? They allow us to see ourselves in them and perhaps recognize our own flaws and human foibles. For me, Draupadi is a feminist icon not just because she is fearless or generous but because she is also unforgiving and never forgets slights. If such unapologetically authentic women could exist two thousand years ago, why can't we do the same? Why do we have such a need to be liked?
I'm curious about the process of writing this essay (and the entire collection). When did you feel it absolutely must be written?
I entered my MFA program as a fiction writer. In my second semester, however, I took a class on creative nonfiction with Professor Kim Barnes. It blew me away. I had no idea I could write about myself in such an intimate way and that that would be considered important. Literary. Beautiful. I thought nonfiction meant travel writing or food writing or memoirs by retired politicians. The idea that I, at twenty-six, had personal, worthy stories to tell was unbelievable. I couldn't stop. I switched genres from fiction to nonfiction. My MFA thesis became a collection of essays, which since then has grown to become the two books that came out this July—Fire Girl: Essays on India, America, & the In-Between, and the flash nonfiction chapbook The House of Nails: Memories of a New Delhi Childhood.
It's obvious that you've devoured words since you could read and that education, rightly so, is precious to you. One thread throughout the collection is the way that your family fed and encouraged your passions and the tension between that experience vs. women who, like Sona, were never given the opportunity or who don't value knowledge. Can you speak more to that?
Once I overheard two students at the University of Idaho library talking about how the words "biography" and "bibliography" mean the same thing. I was astonished especially given the fact that they were both half buried into their smartphones, they had in front of them their open laptops, presumably connected to the internet, and they had the might of an entire university's main library surrounding them, hugging them close. And yet, and yet, it did not occur to either of them to pick up either their phones or key into their laptops search engine the words "biography" and "bibliography" and understand the difference themselves. I tell this often to my students, there is no harm in not knowing something, but there is incredible harm if you are not curious about the world. I have empathy for those without opportunities but in this day and age, with the world on our fingertips thanks to smartphones, it is unforgivable to be ill-informed.
As an instructor, you now bring and share your knowledge with students. Is this something you always desired and imagined doing? What is it about what you do that is most exciting and important to you? Your interactions with your students and with education comprise a bulk of these pieces.
I wanted to be a teacher when I was very young but that changed over the years. After I got my bachelor's and first master's degree, I worked for four years in the publishing industry as an editor. When I quit that to become a student again, this time for my master's degree in creative writing, I began to teach as a way to financially support myself. It was then that I realized I quite liked it. For me, the most perfect moments of teaching have nothing to do with a student getting a perfect grade. Instead, it's when a student asks a truly riveting question or gushes about something they have read or an author they have discovered thanks to my class. I also love hearing from former students who are now scattered around the globe, pursuing kick-ass careers and dreams of their own. Hearing from them about their achievements is always an incredible honor.
What are some things that you miss most from home?
Family. Mangos. The explosion of languages. The traditional respect for education and toward the well-educated.
Do you have other projects in the works? What is happening?
Yes, I am working on two novels, one of which is YA, and it is about a girl who loses her brother to a violent crime and has to figure out how to keep the family together while everything else around her is falling apart. My third project is a collection of short stories, and each story features a woman behaving very, very badly.
If you had to describe this collection in one word, what would that word be?
Is there anything you'd like to share?
I'm with Her.


text: bakamann969 posts since 26 Apr 2008 18 February 2013 11:23am London BBC World News LeeWorldNews posted: Well, does anyone have this epic 2nd flags theme of BBC World? BTW, for those who don't know yet the composer of the World flags music, it's here on the Hum Music website: http://www.hum.co.uk/audio-branding/#/BBC_World I still wish someone had those 2nd flag themes, and music... but from what I see they were rare? I hope not. Formerly theBlockerPH Permalink


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| 10.9°C Dublin
A GRIEVING mother said prayers over the bodies of her twin sons who died after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs, an inquest has heard.
Identical 29-year-old twins Peter and Kevin Moran were found lying side by side in the apartment they shared at Harvey's House, Steamboat Quay, in Limerick city, on May 9.
Their mother Margaret Moran made the grim discovery when she got the landlord to open the apartment after she became concerned for her sons' welfare.
In her statement to gardai the mother-of-six described how she had a "gut feeling something was wrong" with her youngest children when she hadn't heard from them in a week.
She described finding her sons lying on the floor of the apartment, side by side, with their arms outstretched. She said they were stone cold to touch.
"I knew by their colour they had been dead for a few days . . . I said a prayer, the Our Father," she said.
State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said the brothers had taken a cocktail of drugs that included heroin, ecstasy, tranquillisers and anti-depressants.
Prof Cassidy agreed it looked as if the brothers could have been pulled or dragged into the position that they had been found in.
She said Peter Moran's clothing was slightly disturbed, suggesting there could have been somebody else in the apartment.
However, Prof Cassidy said there was no evidence of assault.
Limerick Coroner John McNamara said the case was a double tragedy for Mrs Moran.
He said the medical evidence clearly indicated the cause of death was drug related and gardai said no foul play was suspected.
The brothers were originally from Georgian Villas, Old Cork Road, Limerick.
A verdict of misadventure was recorded in accordance with the medical evidence.
Irish Independent


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Photographer's Note
Located in the National Park Hohe Tauern in Austria, the Grossglockner Road is one of the most beautiful mountain roads of Europe.
Due to heavy snowfall that is felt in winter, this road is only passable from May to November and from 5:00 am to 22:00.
The road began to be built in 1930 and was inaugurated in 1935, along the road the gap is striking, begins at 757 m above sea level, reaching the highest point in the past with 33Kms 2504m.
Nobody has marked this note useful
Photo Information
- Copyright: Joao Correia (sogal) (1686)
- Genre: 地方
- Medium: 彩色
- Date Taken: 1995-10-00
- Categories: 自然
- Camera: Praktica MTL-3, Pentacon 2.8/135 MC
- Photo Version:Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2010-07-13 1:24
Viewed: 3804
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After three months of being ignored by Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Transportation Director John Cooper and ALDOT Chief Counsel William Patty, Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler is doubling down on his efforts of questioning the spending priorities of the ALDOT.
On Thursday, Zeigler was forced to send a second letter to Cooper and Patty requesting further information about an $87 million state-funded bridge project in Baldwin County — which would be a second bridge to Orange Beach. But this time, Zeigler isn't taking their silence as an answer; he's given Cooper and Patty a deadline to respond: August 17.
Zeigler again requested the following documents from the ALDOT:
- Copies of any and all studies that demonstrated a need for a bridge over the Intercoastal waterway
- Any and all documents that show a change in the need for the Intercoastal bridge since the determination in 2016 that the bridge was unnecessary
- Any and all analyses to support spending $30-$87 million in state funds in light of the pressing infrastructure needs throughout the state
- Any and all documents that resulted in the range of costs projected ($30 to $87 million)
- Documents that show cost overruns on current and recent ALDOT projects
- According to the court filing from the bridge company, they agreed to widen their bridge at no additional cost to Please provide any and all documents that address why the option of widening the original bridge is not being utilized.
"Please let me know who will be working on this request or if there is a problem with getting the information requested by August 17," Zeigler wrote in his letter.
Zeigler sent his first letter requesting the information back in April.
"I have more questions than I do answers about the proposed additional bridge. I hope to solve that with my specific requests for public records," Zeigler explained in April. "With other pressing needs for infrastructure improvements, we need to make sure that this $30 to $87 million-dollar project is the best use of our limited funds."
Read Zeigler's second letter below:


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Adhering to an Australian tradition of advancing forward, Pat Cash took Grand Slam tennis upward in an ascent that marked the convergence of competitor and crowd.
Cash conquered world No. 1 Ivan Lendl to capture the 1987 Wimbledon crown and climbed into the Centre Court seats to embrace his father, coach and girlfriend in celebration. That victory tour completed a fortnight that saw Cash dispatch a trio of elite players—Mats Wilander, Jimmy Connors and Lendl—without surrendering a set.
The Aussie serve-and-volleyer and part-time guitar player, whose trademark checkerboard headband was a tribute to one of his favorite bands, Cheap Trick, set a precedent that has made modified crowd surfing a popular choice for many newly-crowned champions. It also earned him a polite request from All England Club officials.
"They told me it was great that I did it, but asked me not to do it again if I won again," Cash recalls with a grin.
That wasn't the first time Cash won at Wimbledon—he was a junior champion as well. Last summer, Cash took home another trophy at SW19, partnering with Mark Woodforde to win the Wimbledon senior doubles. In doing so, Cash became the first man in the Open Era to win Wimbledon titles as a junior, professional and senior player.
These days, the 45-year-old is still engaging crowds as a competitor on the senior circuit. Now a grandfather, Cash surprised his former charge, Mark Philippoussis, a player 11 years his junior, last month at Delray Beach with a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 10-8 win, and commemorated the occasion by tossing his sweatbands and headband into the crowd.
Though he began playing tennis on a red clay court with a Ken Rosewall junior model racquet, Cash's sporting path is rooted on grass—he grew up dreaming of playing Australian Rules Football before making the switch to tennis, but retained the rough-and-tumble, aggressive approach from his younger days.
An attacking player in the Aussie tradition of serve-and-volley players stretching back to Lew Hoad, Roy Emerson, Frank Sedgman, Fred Stolle and John Newcombe, and continuing through Patrick Rafter, Cash helped lead Australia to Davis Cup championships in 1983 and 1986. During his career, Cash won seven singles and 12 doubles titles. He was a singles finalist at the Australian Open in 1987 and 1988 and was a semifinalist at the U.S. Open in 1984.
We caught up with Dunlop-endorser Cash in Delray Beach for this interview about his gear and game.
TENNIS.com: Pat, how have the advancements in racquet and string technology changed the game? How has technology impacted your game?
Pat Cash: I think the biggest thing, for me, is the difference in the strings. The racquets are more powerful now and you can hit the ball harder, but the racquets haven't changed too dramatically in recent years. I think the strings have had the biggest impact on the game. For me, it's gone too far. I think the ITF should step up and regulate string technology. There's too much spin on the ball and there's too much power. It's killing the volley and making the game more boring because you don't get the contrasting styles as much; it's a very similar baseline game now. Shots are dipping in now with these strings that, 20 years ago, would not go in, so you have to play more safely. Years back, you couldn't afford to hit the ball so hard because you couldn't keep the ball in the court.
TENNIS.com: Watching you beat Philippoussis in Delray Beach, you were using the chip very effectively, changing up the pace frequently and of course working your way into net when you could. Is that more difficult for you to do with polyester strings, or are you playing half and half?
Pat Cash: I play half and half. I think (polyester) helps on the serve and on the ground strokes; even on the slice I feel I can get more bite on the ball. The only shot that the strings don't really help is the volley. You don't have the same control. You don't need power on the volley, you need the control. So that's the only shot it doesn't really help you on and it's the shot I use the most. I like to mix the play up and keep the opponent guessing, and that's the way I've always played, but there's less chance of doing that now.
TENNIS.com: You're 45 years old now and you look very strong on court. What are you doing for your fitness?
Pat Cash: It's a bit of variety; I try to do all sorts of stuff. I've been doing a lot of martial arts. I do this particular type called Feldenkrais, which is absolutely fantastic. It's about body movement and getting body control. It's more along the lines of Pilates than anything else. I don't do weights too much anymore. I do pull-ups and hop jumps and jumps up stairs and stuff like that. You can't be too tight when you're playing tennis. When you're out there playing two hours or more you just can't carry too much weight on you. The weights make you heavy.
TENNIS.com: Are there any young players out there whose style of play really excites you? Any young player you like to watch?
Pat Cash: Kei Nishikori is a good up-and-comer. He's not the biggest guy out on tour, but he takes the ball early and he can hit it bloody hard. He has a good sense of the court. The Bulgarian kid, [Grigor] Dmitrov, I think he's an exciting player who seems to have some all-court ability, which is fun to watch. The Lithuanian kid, [Richard] Berankis, is also an interesting player who can be exciting to watch.
TENNIS.com: Is Bernard Tomic the real deal?
Pat Cash: The real deal as far as what?
TENNIS.com: Is Tomic capable of being a consistent Top 20 player?
Pat Cash: He's got ability, there's no question about that, but I think he's struggled with his consistency. He's not very stable at the moment. He's got a bit of maturing to do. He's 19 now, he's big and tall and strong and he's still learning. I think he's one of those guys who will be able to upset players, but I'm not sure he's a guy who will be consistently in the Top 10. I don't know that at this stage.
TENNIS.com: You coached Mark Philippoussis to the U.S. Open final. Would you ever consider coaching full-time on the ATP Tour?
Pat Cash: I never say never. I've got plenty of things going on at the moment. I love coaching and I love teaching so I'd never say never. I don't think there's that many good all-around coaches now, so they get snapped up when they are let go. That's the nature of the beast.
TENNIS.com: Are still running your academy in Australia?
Pat Cash: I still have my academy out there. I'm opening up some smaller academies around the Caribbean. We'll be opening one in St. Vincent, the Dominican Republic and in St. Lucia and Barbados as well, in the next four or five years. They're resort tennis academies.
TENNIS.com: Do you think Roger and Rafa can continue this rivalry at the top and continue to face off for major titles for a few years to come?
Pat Cash: I don't see any reason why not. Roger set the benchmark for so many years and some of the top guys have caught up with him. You have to give Roger credit for trying to become a better player. But I think he was in cruise control for so long, I think he might have missed his opportunity to become a better player. I think he should have incorporated that attacking style earlier, but you can't fault him because he was winning so much, and it's hard to change when you're doing that.
He's trying to be more aggressive, but I think he falls back into a defensive kind of game at times, and guys like Rafa and Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych have shown they can beat him from the back of the court. It's pretty hard to beat those guys from the back of the court, so he's got to use his all-court ability more. He hasn't done that consistently of late.
A guy with his talent is going to be challenging all the time, but then you've got other guys like Andy Murray on the cusp of trying to break through, so it doesn't get any easier. I think some of it will come down to how his body holds up as well.


text:
Harmony Hearts Orange Owl
Gift Wrap?
- 0 in stock
- $15.99
A Heartfelt Harmony Heart Chime is a small heart (approx 3cm x 3cm) with chimes inside. Each heart chime comes in a black gift box on black velvety material.
STAFF COMMENT: Many people have been giving hearts to friends, mums, daughters and sisters. A heart goes in their handbag, so whenever they hear the chime it reminds them how precious they are. Jen


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Massages are the best way to relax your hair and make it strong and long. You can calm your hair at home by the natural products like olive oil, honey masks, aloe vera wash etc. Following these tips and precaution will not only relax your scalp but also make it healthier. These tips can be used by both men and women to relax their hair.
Taking proper care by following all the preventive measures to keep hair healthy and then by providing the nutrients required for its growth will keep your hair strands relax. Shampooing hair in regular intervals with conditioning is also an effective way for getting stress free hair.
Cold Water locks moisture to hair relaxing our scalp. Avoid using hot water for rinsing. Heat tends to remove natural oils from hair and demoisturizes it. It also damages hair leading to hair fall and split ends. Hence to relax your hair use cold water or luke warm water for rinsing.
Massage your scalp daily for 15 minutes. This will increase blood flow towards your scalp and help to relax and nourish them. Use coconut oil or olive oil for massaging your hair. These oils contain Vitamin E and some essential nutrients for making your hair healthy and strong. Massage hair with these oils 30 minutes before washing to keep it healthy and fresh.
Moisturize your hair daily to keep it calm and soft. Use natural oils, conditioners for deeply moisturizing hair and making it silky. Wash your hair with cold water to retain moisture to scalp. Lack of moisture makes hair rough, dull and greasy.
Clean your hair using good quality hair products that are free from harmful chemicals. Wash hair thrice a week to remove dandruff, dead cells, dirt and excess oils from hair. This makes our hair clear, smooth and keeps it relaxed.
Avoid using hot blowers for Drying hair. Heat can take away moisture from our hair, making it rough. Use blowers at low temperatures to protect hair from damage.
Cover your hair with a cap or scalf to prevent loss of moisture by sun's heat. Also strong winds and cold weather makes hair dry and frizzsy. Keep your hair protected and it will remain healthy and relaxed.


text:
Would you like to have an experienced local regulatory expert that can in your favor? Would you like to possess a local assistant that can help you track the latest medical device regulations and do the authentic translation in China? Would you need someone to clarify your questions by conducting research and communicating with local authorities? The answer is "Yes"! And here is a amazing news for you that us CIRS is now offering the China Medical Device Regulatory Assistant Program (MDRAP), which is a unique cost-efficient regulatory assistant program to help you reduce business risks associated with regulatory affairs, remove barriers to entry and save your cost greatly.
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Program Content
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text:
Saving the Unitary Executive Theory from Those Who Would Distort and Abuse it: A Review of the Unitary Executive, by Steven G. Calabresi and Christopher Yoo
Document Type
Publication Date
Calabresi and Yoo make three important contributions to the literature on separation of powers in their new book. First, they seek to rescue the unitary executive theory from the Bush Administration lawyers who have discredited the theory in the eyes of many by relying on it to support outlandish claims of presidential power that are unrelated to the unitary executive theory. Second, they make a persuasive case for the unitary executive theory by explaining why a president must have the power to remove executive branch officers and to control policy making in the executive branch. Third, they document the ways in which all forty-three of our presidents have demonstrated their beliefs in the theory by consistently acting in accordance with the theory. In this review, I agree with most of the arguments that Calabresi and Yoo make, but I disagree with them on two points. First, I do not believe that the president has the power to "veto" the decision of an executive branch officer. I believe that his only recourse is to remove an officer with whom he disagrees. Second, I do not believe that the for cause limits on the president's removal powers that the Supreme Court has upheld interfere with the president's ability to control policy making in the executive branch. I also make two other points. First, political limits on the removal power are often formidable and are socially beneficial as a means of rendering the president accountable to the electorate. Second, to the extent that the president's ability to control policy making by "independent agencies" is unduly impaired, the root of that problem lies in unconstitutional statutory limits on the president's appointment power rather than in the innocuous statutory limits on his removal power.
GW Paper Series
GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 452; GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 452
SSRN Link
Recommended Citation
Richard J. Pierce Jr., Saving the Unitary Executive Theory from Those Who Would Distort and Abuse it: A Review of the Unitary Executive, by Steven G. Calabresi and Christopher Yoo, 12 U. Pa. J. Const. L. 593 (2009).


text:
Item details
- Ad Type :
- Deluxe
- Ad No :
- 310
Leaf Stopper Gutter Protection
- Location:
- Cairns/Far North Coastal Region | Cairns Area
- Price:
- Price on application
- Warranty:
- Available
- Can deliver:
- Yes
- Can pick-up:
- No
LEAF STOPPER® is an aluminium mesh that will outlast other materials when installed on Colorbond®, zincalume® and aluminium gutters.
A good gutter guard system will do 3 things well:
1. Keep leaves and pests out of your gutters and valleys.
2. Allow water in.
3. Increases the chance of leaves coming off (reduces maintenance).
Many consumers now realise the benefits of collecting their own rainwater and Leaf Stopper makes it possible for you to collect cleaner water.
Seller Details
NQ Gutter Solutions
- Business Name:
- NQ Gutter Solutions
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- NQ Gutter Solutions
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- xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Contact Name:
- Alan Kroh
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The high standard set by Leaf Stopper is continually setting a challenge to others that try and imitate. The colour powder coating is sourced from a third party, that is, a publicly listed company with test certificates. For those wanting to cut corners, this is not an option because it is a significant additional cost. Powder coating is not something you might have an issue with until a year or two later but then it might be too late. So Leaf Stopper ensures that the future of your gutter guard is protected.
Question & Answer
Information, photos and advertisements are supplied by the sellers and service providers. Tropicalbuild (the administrators of the website) cannot guarantee the accuracy or authenticity of this content. All persons use the website at their own risk and Tropicalbuild will not be liable for loss or damage incurred by any person who relies on this content. Any false or misleading advertisement should be brought to the attention of Tropicalbuild.


text:
Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
Peggy Murray of Enfield, Maine relies on a cake mix and other pantry staples to make these rich crumb-topped treats.
Total TimePrep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min.
Makes2-1/2 dozen
- 1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons butter
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, peanut butter, oil, and egg until well blended.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
- In a heavy saucepan, heat the milk, chocolate chips and butter over low heat; stir until smooth. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Editor's NoteReduced-fat peanut butter is not recommended for this recipe.
Nutrition Facts1 each: 233 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Recommended Video
May 29, 2013
Easy to make and very tasty. Make sure you have lots of milk to go with them!
Oct 13, 2012
Oh my gosh, these were wonderful and so easy to make! They sure went fast! Great recipe . . . thanks!
Sep 13, 2012
These were great!!! Melt in your mouth little gems. I did use a whole package of milk chocolate chips, not 1 cup of the semisweet. That's the only thing I would change. Thanks for sharing!!
Aug 23, 2011
I make these all the time. They are always a hit at any picnic or family gathering


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When will you stop testing our patience? How long will you mock us? How long must we endure that famous audacity of yours? The people are alarmed — doesn't that mean anything to you? Even the Senate feels the need to defend itself against you. Don't the worried faces in this august assembly worry you? Don't you know that your plans already have been found out? Everyone here knows what you are up to. We know where you were last night, and the night before that, where you met, whom you met with, the schemes you hatched. Didn't you think we'd find out?
Marcus Tullius Cicero, In Catilinam
The proximate cause of the conspiracy of Catiline in 63 b.c. was debt: Lucius Sergius Catilina was a Roman nobleman from an ancient and celebrated family, a man of great physical courage and mental acuity, but he was utterly dissolute. Having wasted his fortune and spent himself hopelessly into debt, he assembled a small army of similarly ruined noblemen with the aim of overthrowing the Roman republic, murdering their creditors, and pillaging their rivals. Public debt in Rome was at record highs as the result of an unexpected economic downturn, expensive foreign wars, and a real-estate crisis that saw thousands of foreclosed-upon farmers lose their lands and flee to the city. Private debt was a problem, too, along with unfunded liabilities for veterans' benefits and social spending. Catiline, a senator, had emphasized the issues of economic stimulus for the poor and more spending on veterans' programs, which won him the support of the plebs, but it was his own debts that weighed most heavily upon his mind, along with his political future. Wise men long ago learned to be suspicious of very rich men demanding to be invested with political power on behalf of the poor, but that is one of the many lessons that the rest of us keep failing to learn.
In his famous denunciation of Catiline, Cicero described his coconspirators as the worst sort of riff-raff and lowlifes, but in truth they came from the cream of respectable Roman society: Publius Cornelius Lentulus, known as Sura, had been consul only a few years before, while Lucius Cassius Longinus had served as praetor with Cicero himself. But Lentulus had lost his position because of a political scandal, and Cassius had lost his race for the consulship and was widely regarded as a political has-been. Others who had been frustrated by their lack of political success joined the conspiracy — former senators and the less fortunate sons of illustrious families, men who had, in the words of Sallust, "dissipated their patrimonies by gambling, luxury, and sensuality, and had contracted heavy debts." Children of privilege up in arms, pursuing their own agenda under color of seeking justice for the masses against the financial elites: Occupy Rome, basically.
One cannot fault Catiline's strategic analysis: Given the decayed state of the republic — Julius Caesar was elected pontifex maximus that same year, quite possibly through bribery — controlling the levers of political power meant the opportunity to put the machinery of the state to immediate use crushing one's enemies and rewarding one's friends, with very little standing in the way of an aspiring tyrant other than what Sharron Angle might have called "Second Amendment remedies," had she and the Bill of Rights been around at the time. (Cicero was a defender of the right to keep and bear arms, but within limits: "Suppose," he wrote, "that a person leaves his sword with you when he is in his right mind and demands it back in a fit of insanity — it would be criminal to restore it to him.") Cicero demanded summary execution of the conspirator — "The senate is aware of these things, the consul sees them, and yet this man lives!" — which may seem a bit excessive, but the alternative was civil war, which was just what the Romans got after Catiline escaped. He died in battle, and Sallust noted with grudging respect that the corpses of Catiline and his men were found with their wounds in the right place: in the front.
Cicero, being a shrewd social analyst, recognized that Catiline's conspiracy was not the moral failing of one man, or even that of the entire class of ambitious sons of privilege. It was, rather, a comprehensive failure of Roman institutions from the senate and consuls on down to the self-interested veterans and envious plebs. His most famous words were not uttered lamenting the decadence of Catiline but the decadence of the age: "O tempora! O mores!" It is better to have a republic defended by civic virtue than to have one defended by swords and spears.
Catiline was hardly the first rotten apple to fall from the tree of the Roman aristocracy, but he was wildly and enduringly popular with the plebs and with those who presumed to speak for them. He survived in legend as a kind of Robin Hood figure well into the Middle Ages, and beyond: Ibsen's first play was a sympathetic treatment of Catiline, whom he regarded as a forerunner to the revolutionary movements then under way against the Habsburg empire. Catiline's crime was not only to plot to kill a few senators and walk away from a few debts: His crime was to render the unthinkable thinkable, that a Roman ruler might set aside all of the hard-won liberty of the uncrowned republic and treat the state as his personal instrument, to become the thing that Romans hated most: a king.
#page#In his De Officiis, Cicero meditated upon virtues that are necessary for political life, those "by which society and what we call its 'common bonds' are maintained." The cardinal political virtue was justice — "the crowning glory of the virtues, and the basis upon which we call good men 'good'" — which when applied to political questions entailed the ability to distinguish the common good from private interest. "The first order of justice is to keep one man from doing harm to another," Cicero wrote, "and the next is to lead men to use common resources for the common good, private property for their own."
Our House of Representatives has a hilariously long-winded and specific set of guidelines for helping members of Congress decide what is private and what is public, published under the heading "General Prohibition Against Using Official Resources for Campaign or Political Purposes." But it is a very serious matter, which you can learn from the House's declaration that
the misuse of the funds and other resources that the House of Representatives entrusts to Members for the conduct of official House business is a very serious matter. Depending on the circumstances, such conduct may result in not only disciplinary action by the House, but also criminal prosecution. Moreover, while any House employee who makes improper use of House resources is subject to disciplinary action by the Committee on Ethics, each Member should be aware that he or she may be held responsible for any improper use of resources that occurs in the Member's office. The Committee has long taken the position that each Member is responsible for assuring that the Member's employees are aware of and adhere to the rules, and for assuring that House resources are used for proper purposes.
The general principles outlined above are very good ones, and Cicero would have recognized them. Using public resources for private political purposes is not just an ethical violation; it is a crime very similar to bribery: one part extortion, one part abuse of office. And it is a crime for which superiors bear some responsibility for the actions of their subordinates.
No less than the actions of Catiline all those centuries ago, the actions of the Internal Revenue Service are a criminal conspiracy not only against the agency's particular marked targets but against the republic itself, against the very idea of a republic, predicated upon the abuse of official power for private political gain. Such are the mores of these tempora that this scandal has unfolded as though the main question were how it might affect the 2014 congressional elections, or possibly the 2016 presidential race. But those are short-term considerations. This kind of scandal — from the Latin scandalum, or "stumbling block" — goes to the very heart of whether we remain the sort of people who can be trusted to govern themselves. It is a scandal in both the political sense and the Catholic sense of the word: "Any action or its omission, not necessarily sinful in itself, that is likely to induce another to do something morally wrong. Direct scandal, also called diabolical, has the deliberate intention to induce another to sin. In indirect scandal a person does something that he or she foresees will at least likely lead another to commit sin, but this is rather tolerated than positively desired." (Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Modern Catholic Dictionary)
Already there are suggestions that other agencies, possibly the EPA and the ATF, have similarly abused the power entrusted to them, to say nothing of the worrisome developments at the (possibly misnamed) Department of Justice. The precedent that has been set cannot be undone, and the unthinkable is now thinkable, and everybody will be thinking it every time anybody is audited. The opinions of every crank and conspiracy theorist in the land just got a little bit more respectable. The wrongdoing is widespread and systemic; top managers knew about it and lied about it. The public trust has been entrusted to the untrustworthy. The question is not how much damage this scandal will do to the White House, but how much it will do to the country.


text:
| 12.4°C Dublin
A man has stripped naked at a US airport as a protest against airport security screeners, police said.
The incident at Portland International Airport in Oregon caused some passengers to cover their eyes and their children's eyes while others looked, laughed and took photos, a police report said.
Port of Portland police said 49-year-old John E Brennan was arrested for investigation of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
The Oregonian newspaper reported that the police summary said Brennan "disrobed completely naked" while going through a security screening area.
He later told authorities he flies often and "disrobed as a form of protest against Transportation Security Administration screening staff he felt were harassing him".
He missed his flight to San Jose, California.
PA Media


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We're adding a new reward for Kickstarter backers who pledge $50 or more to support Spirit Lake: The Game — an 8×10 signed photo of UFC women's champion Ronda Rousey.
The "Thank You for Supporting Spirit Lake: The Game" photo featuring Ronda will be a limited edition shot, exclusive to 7 Generation Games (meaning you will only be able to get one by backing us as part of this Kickstarter campaign).
Even better, you'll know that it's an authentic autograph. Hate to break it to you, but we've seen what's on eBay and a lot of the "Ronda Rousey" signed items might very well have been signed by someone named "Ronda Rousey," just not the one who fights in the UFC.
- Speeding up how fast the players move. She thought it was too slow.
- Adding invisible barriers, because Ronda would go wandering off the path toward the mountains, "I wonder what's over there."
- Making it impossible NOT to fall into the first pit – because she kept getting around it and that is where you overhear the settlers plotting.
- Suggesting that we add some additional sidequests and Easter eggs as part of the game. That is actually one of the things we hope to do with additional funding.
If you've already pledged at a level over $50, you'll get this reward as part of your package automatically. If you've pledged at a lower level, you can up your pledge to $50 to make you eligible for this reward.
Thanks again for backing our project!


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Last week American Idol lost its top spot in the Thursday night ratings for the first time in, well, ever, thanks to NBC's primetime Olympics coverage. The Winter Games are back this week with women's ski jumping, women's biathlon, women's hockey, women's alpine skiing and women's figure skating. Most networks are still holding back their new episodes until the Games are over. And some networks (*cough* CW *cough*) aren't airing any new episodes until mid-March. But there's still a handful of gay offerings coming out this week.
For NBC's full Olympic coverage schedule, check out nbcolympics.com.
24 (Fox, 9:00) — President Taylor (played by out actress Cherry Jones) is still working on her neverending peace negotiations. Can't we all just hold hands and watch the Olympics together?
Men of a Certain Age (TNT, 10:00) — In the season finale of TNT's freshman dramedy, Emily Rios reprises her role as a lesbian employee at Ray Romano's party supply store.
American Idol (Fox, 8:00) — Hallelujah! The auditions and Hollywood week are finally over! The top 12 girls compete on Tuesday night. This is what we (and Ellen) have been waiting for.
American Idol (Fox, 8:00) — The top 12 guys compete for the top 20 spots.
The Real World: Washington DC (MTV, 10:00) — Mike and Emily are up to their bisexual shenanigans while Josh gets busted for cheating.
Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me (HBO, 9:30) — If you haven't caught Sykes' now (in)famous HBO special, be sure to tune in (or set the DVR). Nothing is off-limits, and since it's on premium cable, you get the full-on swearing version. (Read our review here.)
Nip/Tuck (FX, 10:00) — Remember Ryan Murphy before Glee? Well, you've only two episodes of Nip/Tuck left to appreciate his pre-High School Musical days. Julie is back this week and lesbian doctor Liz apparently has some earth-shaking news.
Los Hombres de Paco (Spain) — LHDP returned last week for the first time since Silvia was gunned down on her and Pepa's wedding day. Set six months later, Pepa is trying to deal with her wife's death by smoking and making out with grandpa-types. This week she returns to the precinct.
Skins (Britain's E4, 10:00 GMT) — Effy and Freds get up to some drug-fueled hijinks at some kind of carnival. Fingers crossed for even a moment of Naomily. [AfterEllen.com Skins recaps]
American Idol (Fox, 9:00) — It's Ellen & Co.'s first audience elimination show. You can bank on tears and Ford commercials.
Caprica (SyFy, 9:00) — Bisexual headmistress (and cult ring-leader) Sister Clarice Willow spent some time in bed with one of her wives last week, before jetting off to thwart the Global Defense Department. This week, Shannon Adama escapes from the Matrix, apparently. And gay uncle Sam will be awesome as always. [AfterElton.com Caprica recaps]
The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox, 11:00) — Wanda is all new with Ray Ramano, Roland Martin and Kevin Hart
Pit Boss (Animal Planet, 10:00) — Out lesbian Ashley Brooks helps her team at "The Biggest Little Car Wash" to benefit their pit bull rescue team.
The Amazing Race (CBS, 8:00) — Lesbian couple Carol and Brandy (and gay contestant Jordan) continue to the third round. [AfterEllen.com Amazing Race recaps]
Desperate Housewives (ABC, 9:00) — Katherine and Robin began their fledgling romance on last week's episode, and while we're still not sure exactly where the writers will take this lesbian relationship, we've been assured that it's not just a ratings stunt. Fingers crossed!
Tool Academy 3 (VH1, 9:00) — Tool Academy's first lesbian, Courtney, gets a lesson in humility this week, when the tools' girlfriends tell them they are too obsessed with their appearance.
The Rachel Maddow Show, week nights at 9:00 on MSNBC. [AfterEllen.com's Rachel Watch]
Issues with Jane Valez-Mitchell, nightly at 7:00 on CNN's Headline News.
The Suze Orman Show, Saturdays at 5 a.m., 9 p.m., and 12 a.m. on CNBC.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, daytime weekdays. This week's guests: Randy Jackson, Ewen McGregor, Gordon Ramsey, Woody Harrelson and Felicity Huffman.
Also: Everybody's Fine comes out on DVD tomorrow, featuring Drew Barrymore as a lesbian with Kate Moennig as her partner, and out musician Holly Miranda's album The Magician's Private Library gets released on XL Recordings.
What are you most looking forward to this week?


text: Pivot is a delicate fine, silk lookalike collection and has a soft handle enhanced by the satin weave on the reverse. Pivot is an obvious co-ordinate option for Butler as it has a similar presence and many applicable colors that will allow you to introduce accents and coordinates. If Butler is the main fabric in the room, Pivot will easily tie in as it's partner.


text:
Alison Zeidler
Alison has always loved animals. As a child, she volunteered at Stanley Park Children's Zoo in Vancouver, and fondly remembers hand-feeding the fruit bat; sitting in the pen with a baby black bear on her lap; and playing with Fudge the beaver.
Alison had the wonderful opportunity to work at a small animal veterinarian clinic in Vancouver for 6 years before changing careers.
After moving to the Yukon in 1991, she took stock of her life and embarked on a new path - holistic health, healing and caring for both herself and her own animals.
This path developed into a passion for helping you and your animals in your own journeys to wellness.
Her training and official designations include:
- Certified Advanced Equine Massage Therapist (CEAMT)
- Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist (RCRT)
- Quantum Touch® Practitioner and Instructor, Level 1 and Level 2 (QTP/I)
She continues to upgrade and take further training (see below), working towards her designation as a certified Touch for Health practitioner.
For holistic services that will benefit YOU, including
Muscle Tuner Specialist
Touch for Health Specialized Kinesiology
Quantum-Touch® Energy Healing,
Chakra Balancing, and a current list of "people" workshops Alison teaches, check out her companion
websites and links at:
Current Memberships:
* International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork
* British Columbia Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork Professionals
* Quantum Touch® Inc.
* Reflexology Association of Canada
* Canadian Association of Specialized Kinesiology
* Muscle TunersTM International
* Yukon Wholistic Health Network
Freedom Trails Therapeutic Riding Association - keeping the horses healthy and happy!
Board member - Yukon Wholistic Health Network for 2016 / 2017 years.
I am always interested in adding new techniques and modalities to my "repertoire", so that I can better serve you and your pets in your own paths to healing. Below are some of the modalities, training and educational classes I have taken:
Animal Modalities:
Equine Unwinding
Equine Cranial Decompression
Pet Reflexology
Equine Advanced Massage
Equine Vertebral Realignment
Animal Communication
Canine Conformation
Quantum Touch® , Levels 1 and 2 **
Emotional Freedom Technique, 1 and 2 **
Reiki, Levels 1 and 2 **
Touch for Health, Levels 1 through 4 **
People Modalities:
JAW Reset 1 *
Touch for Health, Levels 1 through 4 *
Quantum Touch®, Levels 1 and 2 *
Quantum Touch® - Self Created Health *
Quantum Touch® - Core Transformation
Anatomy for Healers
Foot Reflexology
Hand Reflexology
Advanced Reflexology Skills
How to Relieve Chronic Foot Pain
Indian Foot Massage
Certified Law of Attraction
Emotional Freedom Technique, 1 and 2 *
** This training and associated techniques can be used for both people and animals
Publications/ Interviews:
Horse Conscious, Beyond Horsemanship site
Article October 2014
Reflexology Article - What's Up Yukon
November 7, 2013 issue
Horses Up North Magazine, monthly articles
Interviews with CBC Radio, Yukon News, and Up Here.


text:
|Never seen this before, a rainbow in the
morning fog
|"How's your children, errr I mean alpacas" said my friend
last week! Haha
|We have a squash plant. Last year we had a whole load by
this time in the year as you can see here
|Not the best photo in the world but as you
can see, autumn has arrived here with this
glorious maple
|Some better behaved cows on our way back from getting the
freezer. If you look hard you can see the lady in the horse and
cart who is driving them
|Arriving at their new destination (photo by Ieva)
|Ian trying his hand again at herding, this time sheep not cows
(photo by Ieva)
|Enjoying the sunshine in their new home (photo by Ieva)
It was back to school today for the children and it was fun seeing so many of them in their smart clothes and carrying flowers. One of our neighbours is a teacher and he came back carrying some flowers even though he is male, it is quite normal here to give flowers regardless of gender. It wasn't a full day back at school, just a sort of celebration of the beginning of the year, classes should start tomorrow. It did mean though that our neighbour turned up just as we were trying to manoeuvre the freezer down the stairs and he offered to help. Although I managed to help get it down the stairs the wrapping started to disintegrate badly and it was more difficult to hold and so I was really pleased when our neighbour reappeared having changed to help get it into the basement room itself.
Updated photos to properly credit the photographer, our young friend Ieva


text:
2018-2019 Events
Saturday, October 5th, 2019, 7:30pm
Tapestry, The Carole King Songbook
Tapestry, the Carole King Songbook with Suzanne O Davis, is the Premier musical tribute to Carole King.
This show recreates the sound and vibe of a 1970's Carole King concert experience following her legendary album, Tapestry. You will be transported back to the iconic image of her multi-million selling album of 1971.
Impeccable attention to detail is taken in recreating a respectful and accurate musical presentation of piano and vocals, just as they were. Suzanne's performance will take you on a journey back to those great recordings.
Tapestry not only presents the record-breaking, Grammy winning album of the same name, but is a retrospective of the iconic songwriting team of Goffin and King, and her hits that continued into the 70's. This prolific team wrote chart-topping hits for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Bobby Vee, The Beatles, James Taylor, the Drifters, Donny Osmond…and the list goes on.
You will feel the Earth Move under your feet with this show.
Saturday, November 16th, 2019, 7:30 pm
Salute To Glen Campbell with Jeff Dayton
Jeff's 15 years as bandleader and guitarist with Glen Campbell were filled with shows, adventures and stories as they traveled and recorded together. Glen remains one of America's best-loved and most-respected country/pop artists of all time, and since his Alzheimer's battle and recent passing, there's been a demand for his music to still be heard. Jeff has been answering that call with Salute to Glen Campbell, on tour now.
The show is filled with Glen's hits, led by his former right-hand man.
Saturday, February 8th, 2020, 7:30 pm
The Doobie Others
There's no one in the industry today that can recreate the sound and style of the world-famous Doobie Brothers like the Doobie Others can. Seven of Long Island's top professional musicians have pooled their talents, years of performance experience, and their love of the Doobies to become the very best Doobies tribute show in the country today. Inspired by the Brothers superior song writing, the Doobie Others deliver powerful harmonies and a fun filled high energy performance covering a catalog of Doobies hits.
Yes, the Doobie Others masterfully play them all, from Listen to the Music to What a Fool Believes, from Long Train Running to Minute by Minute, from Black Water to Takin' it to the Streets, and all the rest. If you have a favorite Doobies tune (and everyone does) it will surely be included in this Doobie Others Tribute Show, a show that's certain to delight and provide great entertainment to folks of all ages.
Saturday, April 4th, 2020, 7:30 pm. CANCELLED
The Doo Wop Project
The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning, tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. In their epic shows DWP takes audiences on a journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to DooWopified versions of modern musicians like Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. Featuring stars of Broadway's smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, the Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate—and in some cases entirely reimagine—some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history!


text:
Which gender has the upper-hand? I've always been proud to be a man; to know I dont have to deal with pregnancy, periods, and everything else that comes along with being a woman just feels like I won out. But what woman doesn't say the same? They love being women just like I love being a man. It seems to me that we all embrace our gender, and what comes with it, but when I tried to find out the real answer of which gender was better I was stunned at what I found…
It only took Google .43 seconds to produce me 3,710,000,000 results when I searched "what can men do that women can't." **Ahem,** again, that was… three billion, seven hundred ten million results in the same time it takes for a 100mph baseball thrown from a pitchers mound to reach the catchers glove.
At first I was overwhelmed, and didn't think it could be worth looking into or blogging about but then… I read the first two results Google provided and knew it was going to be worth my while.
First was a link to AskMen.com's article on the "Top 10 Things Only Men Can Do" and right under that was Cosmopolitan.com's rebuttal article naming "21 Things Women Can Do That Women Can't."
I knew this was going to be entertaining…
I decided to begin by reading the men's list since Google made it my destiny by putting it first, and I found that most it was true and relatable. Among the notable things that only men can do that women cant were number 10 – go topless, number 3 – pee standing up, and number 1 – get sexier with age. The list was obviously somewhat biased and opinionated because it was written by one of AskMen's male entertainment correspondents but nonetheless, it succeeded in its mission to make being a man look awesome.
But wait… I almost forgot, there is apparently 21 things women can do that men cant! So upon reading Cosmo's article by an anonymous writer, I started to think… S**t, maybe they do have it better! They started off with number 21 (a low blow IMO) – that women can make a longer list of their "talents." They call the men's list "pretty short" and then claim they already win just because they came up with more than two times as many points, I think not, its gonna take more to impress me. The good ones on the list were number 15 – women can blame it on the PMS, number 10 – get out of a speeding ticket, number 1 – get pregnant, and my personal favorite number 11 – become a cougar, and not a dirty old man.
What I found was funny. There's no real right answer, rather just a argument that deals with too much bias to determine a real victor. Although both articles were related in topic, their stances on the topic could not be further apart. The many conflicting opinons of which gender is better supports my earlier notion that most people by default embrace their gender and think its the bomb. This can be seen in the articles because women think they become cougars when they get old, and call men dirty when they age and on the other hand men believe they get sexier with age and women turn into Joan Rivers. All in all, men seem to believe that being a man is the best, and women seem to think being a woman is the best; basically, embracing our features, traits, and abilities both good and bad is all we can really do to be the best man or woman we can be.


text:
Biological Control In The Light Of Contemporary Evolution-Dr Peter McEvoy
Original article reference:
This SciPod is a summary of the paper 'Monitoring of microbially mediated corrosion and scaling processes using redox potential measurements' in Bioelectrochemistry 97, 137 144.
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