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Course Discussion
Feb 9th, 2009 by James Morrison
PS 0304 IPE with James Ashley Morrison at Middlebury College.
Feb 9th, 2009 by James Morrison
In response to the question as to whether remittances are a form of foreign aid, I would have to say that I disagree with that statement. Foreign aid is simply the aid that flows between governments, either bilaterally, or by means of a multilateral institution like the World Bank. Remittances, on the other hand, is money that immigrants send back to their families at home. While it certainly plays its part in alleviating poverty and promoting economic development in developing countries, especially when I consider how high the remittance figures are for my country, and the impact it has visibly made on the lives of the poor, it is definitely not the same thing as foreign aid. Foreign aid often doesn't even trickle down to the grassroots because of the inherent corruption in the governments of most developing countries, and the tendency for governments to spend the money on various other endeavours instead of what the money was intended for in the first place! Remittances on the other hand have a direct effect because it flows directly into the hands of those it is intended for, and the people in turn spend the money towards their own well-being and survival, be it to provide food and shelter, educate their children, etc. In my opinion, remittances have a greater impact on alleviating poverty than foreign aid does, because of corruption and lack of policing on how governments spend donor funds. Also, in some ways, foreign aid creates a syndrome of dependency on the part of the developing countries, whereas remittances are a means for immigrants from developing countries to assert their own independence and support themselves and their families back home who are largely ignored by their own governments.
As to the question regarding whether the US should prioritise foreign aid or an open migration policy and open capital markets, it largely depends on what the US agenda is. Lately, it has been in the US interest to restrict the number of foreigners which they allow into their country to prevent highly skilled migrants from taking away jobs from American workers, espcially during the financial crisis when more and more workers (Americans and foreigners) are losing their jobs. In such a case, if the US wants to continue to contribute towards the development of poorer countries, perhaps they might want to offset their tougher immigration policy by providing more foreign aid. However with providing aid must also come much stricter policing to ensure that developing countries are spending the aid funds on what they are supposed to. However, at the end of the day, I don't think it is as simple as prioritising foreign aid over open migration and capital markets or vice versa, because I don't think it is an either/or situation, where greater foreign aid implies tougher migration or vice versa. I don't see any reason why policies of foreign aid and easy migration/open capital markets could not exist hand in hand.
The question of where US priorities should lie regarding the importance of climate change relative to other considerations such as protecting human rights or the resolution of the current economic crisis is a difficult one to answer. In my opinion, issues such as the current economic crisis are short-term, and therefore definitely deserve their priority over such long-term issues as climate change. If Americans are losing their jobs, and firms are going out of business, Americans are not going to stand for it if their government pursues climate change instead of fixing their economy and returning their jobs to them!
With other priorities such as the protection of human rights, I think this is also an extremely important factor that the US needs to prioritise, because of how much I detest the abuse of basic human rights that is so abundant in the world right now. As a world hegemon, the US can use its influence to pressure rogue governments from abusing the rights of its citizens, or pressure countries to take action against domestic groups abusing human rights within its borders. For a situation such as Zimbabwe, it is appalling that the US hasn't taken a stronger stance against Mugabe's regime, and the human rights abuses, hunger, disease and sheer poverty occuring within Zimbabwe under Mugabe. Such issues are also current and need to be prioritised in the short-term. Therefore, where human rights is concerned, it is my belief that the US should prioritse this above many other factors related to its foreign policy agenda.
This is not to say that I don't think climate change is not a serious issue, given the fact that if global warming continues, the world will have on its hands millions of climate refugees who need to be taken care of. I believe that the US can play a significant role towards alleviating the dangers of climate change because of the simple fact that it is after all, the country with the highest emissions of greenhouse gases in the world, and it needs to take far more responsibility for its share of the blame than it has been doing thus far. However, again, climate change, and other short-term priorities such as the economic crisis or human rights abuses are not mutually exclusive, and the US taking measures to alleviate climate change does not necessarily take away from its ability to exercise its power to curb human rights abuses around the world. I understand, that during the present economic crisis, the US needs to prioritise rejuvenating its economy over a long-term issue such as climate change, but it does not mean that it cannot reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while it is still pumping bailout money into its economy! It is just a matter of prioritising short-term goals more when it is more pressing, while still simultaneously pursuing long-term goals in the mean time.
I too am responding to the question whether remittances are in fact substitutes for foreign aid. In my opinion, both these items can play important roles in the development of nations but they are not substitutes for each other. Remittances flow directly to the citizens of a specific nation thereby increasing the incomes of these citizens allowing them to consume additional products. However, in my opinion whether these remittances actually effectively alleviate depends on the country to which they are sent. The migrant workers of the world are not entirely from the impoverished nations of the world. In fact, many migrant workers (especially those from sub-Saharan Africa) are at least lower-middle class, as they must be able to pay for transportation to their country of employment. Thus for many of the poor countries of the world, remittances do not represent a means to alleviate poverty as their wealth does not flow to the impoverished classes.
Furthermore, in the countries where remittances flow to the impoverished classes such remittances alleviate poverty by increasing the incomes of the poor. This in turn allows the poor to consume/obtain the necessary products to rise above the poverty line. However, these remittances do nothing to alleviate the reasons for which the poverty existed in the first place. Foreign aid, however, can alleviate these reasons. The aid can be used to construct economic infrastructure (dams, factories, etc.) that not only provide short-term construction jobs but also provide Additionally, such aid does not even have to be money. The gift of technology, whether it is agricultural, industrial or otherwise, may also help bring nations out of poverty.
Finally, it is true that foreign aid can be co-opted by corrupt governments and thus does not always trickle down according to theory. However, this reflects inefficiencies in the oversight process of foreign aid. If more strings were attached to foreign aid that is currently given (making further aid contingent on the efficient use of the current aid for example), perhaps the ineffectiveness of foreign aid in certain case could be removed.
After watching Al Gore's movie, I think that we need to be cautious because it is easy to manipulate data to defend our opinion. Al Gore in his movie does not show some points like:
• 2008 winter in China – extremely cold weather never experienced during the past half a century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Chinese_winter_storms
• Also the very cold weather in Argentina in September 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6286484.stm
• Snow in the south (California and Florida) that same year http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325191,00.html
• Important snowfalls in Europe paralyzed some countries like France, Italy and Germany – http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3997868,00.html
• Very serious agencies like Hadley Center, NASA, GISS reported that 2008 was characterized by a drop in temperatures: "Calendar year 2008 was the coolest year since 2000, according to the Goddard Institute for Space Studies analysis [see ref. 1] of surface air temperature measurements." (Source: Goddard Institute for Space Studies)
• Concerning the higher level of the oceans we cannot forget that we always experienced in Earth some geological phenomenon and tectonics plate movements. The ocean level can rise in one place but decrease in another place.
• The last point I want to mention is the Kilimanjaro. (Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/6561527.stm)
We can see that this data is not present in Al Gore's presentation. I'm not saying that one is right and the other one is wrong. I'm saying that science needs some free debates and not a brainwashing only from one side. We need a debate without authority arguments principally if they have some political origin.
My opinion is clear: I don't believe that there is a "climate warming, but a climate change". Moreover, I don't believe that we have enough background, technology, and understanding to predict complexes systems concerning nature for the long term. We don't have them to predict economic downturns even if everyone tells us that an economy is cyclical. How can we predict something like our "mother nature"?
I have to admit that I don't know the causes of this "climate change"; however, I know that everyone of us needs to start adapting to new extremes climate conditions. We are in a total uncertain period. Unfortunately, nothing can stop "a climate change" because it is unpredicted and has so many tantrums and whims.
I found rodrick's balanced criticism toward globalization relevant to the current challenges face by some of the weakest developing nations. A few points that i found particularly interesting: the increasingly inequal distribution of wealth created by globalization, the minoritarian contribution of the "wage convergence theory" in the decrease in wages in developping nations and the threat to stability that more economic integration may pose to . I thought of that last argument and I was wondering how a country like Madgascar, whose economy is still poorly integrated in the world market, does not seem to benefit much from opening its trade. Although it has been advocated by most of the multilateral institutions for the past 20 years, it has not proven to be a determinant factor in domestic economic growth. I think that countries that have only opened to global trade relatively recently should do so on a very gradual level and at slow pace because the small size of their economy, the uncompetitiveness of their industries and their somewhat weak state systems may lead to severe exploitation from foreign investors and the long term destruction of their domestic economy. Although the opportunities offered by globalization are immense, the tendency of highly integrated economies to defend their own interests at the expense of others and the rise of privately owned corporations that function the same way as states make small and resource rich countries more vulnerable. In fact, the appeal Foreign Direct investments represent usually come along many other potential problems. They can range from environmental damages to labor exploitation and even a rise in corruption within the state. The current financial crisis has led many firms to close down mining projects in Congo, Botswana and Madagascar. These economies heavily relying on FDI will now have to face increased unemployment along with other eoconomic challenges while the firms simply pulled out without any difficulty.
In response to a question posed today in class regarding whether developing countries would benefit from fully adopting the Washington Consensus as a basis of their economic policy, I would have to say maybe? Having written a econometrics paper last year on the effects of economic size on trade openness, I found that smaller countries given the limitations of transport costs and heterogeneous preferences of consumers, among others. In turn it would seem that smaller developing economies should adopt policies of free trade, low tariffs, and flexible exchange rates. However, given the at times exploitative nature of foreign investors and multinational corporations, as well as the potentially intense attention paid to only certain sectors of developing economies, damages may be incurred. It seems maybe these smaller developing economies would benefit from the maintenance of some protections and limitations regarding the type of foreign investments allowed, while encouraging attention to a wide range of sectors to further balanced development. Unfortunately, having just finished a course on development economic theory, there is no easy answer to the question of what degree of openness is appropriate or desired. The only way to truly decide seems to be through experimentation, sympathy and altruistic support from wealthier nations, and lots of luck.
I also found Rodrik's arguments interesting in that they hit on one of the aspects of globalization that has always bothered me. I think it's fare to argue that there are significant potential benefits to globalization. The problem is not that globalization is inherently evil but that many people have treated it as a catch-all development strategy (which it clearly isn't). Developing countries often lack the means to benefit from globalization in the same way as developed countries. Without stable, trusted economic structures and well established industries it is difficult for them to compete on a global scale and difficult for them to deal with the transfer of shocks through the international economy. It is important to remember that the current leaders of the world economy didn't get there through opening themselves up to free trade. Instead they spent decades developing behind walls of protective barriers; letting their industries grow until they were stable enough to compete on an international level. It is unreasonable to assume that developing countries with unstable domestic markets will be able compete successfully with the world's economic super powers simply through a policy of trade liberalization.
Instead of telling others that they must liberalize their economies immediately the US and other leading nations ought to focus on stability and infrastructure development if they wish to provide aid to the developing world. It seems that many of the loans that are given out end up being used to pay of current debt. Debt forgiveness is a possibility, however as was mentioned during discussion it comes with the risk of restarting the debt cycle if reforms to the system aren't made. Because there are set winners and losers in globalization it is unlikely that we will see a resolution to this debate any time soon. There will always be some groups who benefit more than others and the real trick will be finding a strategy that can stop the rapid growth of international income disparity.
Our discussion today, particularly as it related to the abilities of developing countries to benefit from globalization, reminded me of an argument that I had seen a couple months ago in the Wall Street Journal concerning development in sub-Saharan Africa. Dambisa Moyo's "Why Foreign Aid Is Hurting Africa" spoke not strictly about FDI but also foreign aid in general. Moyo points to a disturbing and all-too frequent cycle of corruption engendered by foreign aid, writing, "A constant stream of 'free' money is a perfect way to keep an inefficient or simply bad government in power." The corruption and inefficiency that stems from easy foreign aid may hinder the abilities of sub-Saharan African states to fully capture the benefits of globalization. With such flows of aid, there is little incentive for governments of these states to attract substantial quantities of FDI and enjoy the growth that can result from efficient capital investment. Moyo argues that the reason why many sub-Saharan African states have been unable to capitalize on the opportunities of globalization is because wealthy Western nations keep funneling aid money to their corrupt and inefficient governments. While it is difficult to argue against charitable aid for purchasing food to feed the starving and distributing the AIDs drugs to aid the suffering, Moyo's approach may be the most effective way to do so. Perhaps we should halt the aid at its current rates in order to inspire a rise of more efficient governance and to create an environment in which FDI is less risky, enabling the impoverished citizens of these states to seek employment and self-improvement. However, charitable aid to some extent still seems crucial.
After reading Melissa's comment on immigration and obtaining citizenship, I was interested to see how each country choose to determine its principle of achieving its citizen's nationality. There are two different principles that countries can follow when deciding its citizen's nationality: jus sanguinis (right of blood) and jus soli (right of birthplace). Many countries that we know such as the United States, Canada and United Kingdom allow citizenship to anyone who is born within its soil. However, South Korea, France, and Germany (and other countries) follow the principle of jus sanguinis. In Korea, if a baby's father or mother holds Korean nationality at the time of birth of the baby, she or she can attain Korean nationality. However, when a Korean citizen marries a foreigner and obtains another passport, he or she looses Korean citizenship, therefore his or her baby cannot qualify for Korean nationality. Even though many people would argue that jus soli is a better principle since the parents can actually choose the birthplace of the baby and the citizenship, in case of Korea which has one of the most homogenous population in the world, jus soli principle seems to work better. Citizens have to carry on the culture and tradition of the country, and only people who can actually make this happen are the citizens who have learned these traditions and values from parents. I think that being a citizen of a country does not mean taking advantage of its law and resource; rather, one has to agree with the country's ideology and principles in order to be a "true" citizen. Many people choose to migrate to the United States because they value freedom and meritocracy. To me, the principle of jus soli seems like to work perfectly for countries like the United States which essentially was established through immigration, jus sanguinis fits better in some countries which have had long tradition and values and want to carry them on by their citizens.
There are several taboo words in American politics. Socialism ranks highly among them. Overly and wrongly associated with some form of soft communism, the word beckons Karl Marx and Robert Owen, among others. Our discussion of globalization's effects on income equality today had me thinking about the possibility of an American shift towards a modern welfare state, and the resulting effects. I'm not talking about Detroit and Wall Street stimulus packages, but rather a political-economic model that combines capitalism and social welfare, similar to current policy in the Netherlands.
We've never explicitly talked about this in class, but perhaps a key signal lies in the correlation between the GINI index and the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), an (albeit contested and subjective) indicator of happiness and progress. Countries like the Netherlands top both lists; both globalized and relatively economically equal, it is also one of the happiest regions on Earth. I'm not about to jump to causation about the origin of this happiness, but it seems that a combination of capitalism and social welfare has the potential to equalize many social arenas and bring happiness to developed countries plagued by a Great Recession. The great hurdle, of course, would be convincing the top income earners to subject themselves to extraordinarily high income taxes. Given their disproportionate influence on policy-making, could such a switch ever occur in America? A recent article in the New York Times suggests that there is hope.
This past week, the New York Times published an article about "Going Dutch," a reference to the incredibly high income tax rate imposed upon all residents of the country, citizen or not. The American author in question moved to the Netherlands (Holland, in this case) and wrote this article about the process of adjusting to the 52% income tax rate. He makes several interesting points. First, the US tax rate, taking into account social security, state, local and real estate taxes, hovers around a comparable 52% figure. Second, the author has grown to appreciate the surprising returns of his tax payments from the government in the form of vacation money, childcare support, and healthcare. Third, he strongly questions the possibility of a similar system working in the US. By masking the socialist aspect of the shift, it seems that combining capitalism with social welfare has the potential to be a very possible solution in the face of growing globalization and rising income disparity.
I was thinking about Professor Morrison's argument during discussion today about how maybe we should just tdo the empire thing again (or get rid of that pesky sovereignty thing altogether) so that we could all become citizens of one country and thus be all taken care of and somehow deal with this inequality problem.
well…aren't we already on our way to doing so? globalization means that we are all becoming more and more integrated. We are, in a sense, well on the way to becoming global citizens. The internet has helped put aside many cultural barriers–someone in America can be very good friends with someone on the other side of the world without having ever met. In the crowd most entrenched in internet cutlure, you already have online friends and online dating and stuff. Some small-business owners (especially artisans) make hteir living through their online presence. Is it possible, then, to say that aid can be disseminated in this way, through the empire that is the Internet?
Yes, I realize that in the very poor countries, people do not have access to the internet and computers that you and I take for granted. But as technology gets cheaper, thse things will be more readily available.
We won a presidential campaign with the help of the Internet and raised awareness for a host of other issues. Perhaps this is the venue for aid that we should be pursuing. It is extremely effective and easy (www.freerice.com, http://www.thehungersite.com). Furthermore, it manages to circumvent (for the most part) those "pesky" issues of sovereignty. We don't have to reduce inequality from the top down–do it from the ground up. Only then might the "top" be more willing to change things–once their constituents make it clear that inequality is an issue.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't really think that sovereignty is pesky or an insurmountable issue. I don't think that it's outdated or that it needs to be gotten rid of. Besides, it's too much to hope that the powerful would be so altruistic as to give up even a bit of their power.
Following up on today's discussion and several earlier posts, it seemed appropriate to comment a little more about the struggles facing developing countries in adopting globalization and pursuing development policies. One aspect which I feel is often overlooked in evaluating the comparative development strategies between countries is the (often negative) impact of resource endowments on a country's development efforts. In a book titled "the Paradox of Plenty", Professor Terry Karl briefly touches on this idea as she details how petrostates such as Nigeria, Venezuela, Iran, pursued similar development strategies during the 2 oil peaks in the 1970s and experienced similarly disappointing outcomes. In comparing African development to Eastern European development or Asian development, I feel one has to account for the impediments caused by the resource curse that have evidently appeared to act more as stumbling blocks than as catalysts for sustainable economic development in many African countries. As Vince pointed out, Dambisa Moyo arguably provides the most compelling account as of yet for why Aid in particular has failed to achieve significant development achievements in many African countries. While she is not the first to make this observation and she is part of a growing consensus of scholars and experts who hold similar views, her account is unique in that it comes from an African person and thereby provides a perspective and gives meticulous examples that previous arguments have lacked. Moreover, she uses sound economic analysis to back up her arguement, although she wrongly dismisses the short term applicability of aid, especially following natural disasters. Furthermore, she strongly believes that Chinese and Russian FDI in Africa is a positive development, although this may be hard to justify given what most Southern African economies have witnessed since August 08. Interestingly, another book criticizing aid, mainly the roll of greed in proliferating the aid industry, recently came out; "It's our turn to Eat" by Michela Wrong
I was also thinking along the same lines as Thao after discussion today concerning the supposed move back towards an imperial system. If this is truly the case, it's not hard to see the implications – especially the negative ones. Even more apparent, however, is that world opinion on the matter is decidedly unfavorable.
Prof. Morrison, playing devil's advocate, argued that we haven't exercised enough involvement in countries like Afghanistan, but most of the world would generally tend to consent that we've gone too far. According to a Pew Global Attitudes Project survey of 47 nations, conducted in 2007, only 4 of the 47 nations polled supported US involvement in Afghanistan, and by pretty narrow margins: U.S. (50%), Israel (59%), Ghana (50%), and Kenya (60%) (http://pewglobal.org/reports/pdf/256.pdf). Civilian casualties inflicted by the US continue to test the nerves of the Afghan people (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/world/asia/08afghan.html?_r=1&ref=world). Finally, within the US, the gap between those who support the original involvement in Afghanistan and those who oppose it has been closing steadily:
It's pretty obvious that the majority of the world rejects this move, at least in Afghan case. That should be evidence enough that we should not or cannot make a full return (if we haven't already, in a more subtle way) to the old system.
graph I forgot to put in:
Finally, within the US, the gap between those who support the original involvement in Afghanistan and those who oppose it has been closing steadily: http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/91r3fy32ykk2kukoaggfrg.gif
The question of a return to empire is an interesting one, and there have been several good comments already on the subject. What I would like to focus on is not so much whether or not a sort of "benevolent imperialism" can be justified, but if such a program is capable of succeeding, or at least capable enough that implementing such costly programs is good policy.
Professor Morrison argued that perhaps the real cause of American failure in Iraq and Afghanistan is lack of resourcing. This is to say that if only the United States would spend enough money and deploy enough troops, it could fix both nations and, by inference, any other. The examples of Germany and Japan were used to demonstrate how "simply" state building can be if only enough resources are devoted to it. However, I believe that this characterization is too deterministic and underestimates the challenges inherent in state building.
J.C. Smart in Utilitarianism: For and Against, makes the crucial point that when weighing costs and benefits, whether in a utilitarian ethical system or elsewhere, our ability to predict future outcomes diminishes rapidly as time horizons increase. He uses the example of saving a drowning person. Perhaps the person will become a dictator in the future, and more lives will be lost than his alone. But this does not mean we should allow the person to drown, as we have no way of adequately predicting such future outcomes in all but the most extreme cases. This problem is exacerbated by the high stakes of state building efforts. Building a political unit affects everyone who lives within that unit, often in terms of life and death. State building is also a long term process, making the likelihood of poor estimations higher.
Of course, there is nothing a priori about state building which makes it unpredictable. Its long time horizons and high stakes would be irrelevant if resources really are the only requirement for successful state building. There is little to predict rightly or wrongly in this case, only the amount of resources which need be allocated. If it appears that too few resources are allocated, leaders can simply send more, as Obama appears to be doing in regards to Afghanistan. But is state building really this simple?
I would argue that there are many challenges which face state building irrespective of the resources employed, or at least the level of resources which any nation is capable of employing. If the United States could afford to put soldiers on every block in the entire world and pay every person on the globe a salary, it would certainly make state building more simple. But neither the United States nor the Developed Nations as a whole have the resources to perform such actions, and even if they did, it is probable that they would meet with cultural challenges and the moral dilemma of imposing peace as an occupying power. Furthermore, the more resources which are poured into a state, the more likely it is that rent-seekers will arise within that state and unfairly seize resources. The state builder could regulate the resources more to counter this problem, but then they would be presented with the challenge of teaching the state to operate independently rather than as a dependent, semi-vassal. Finally, a successful, sustainable state rests on the legitimacy of its government in the eyes of its domestic population, a problem which resources cannot themselves solve.
It must also be noted that the probability of catastrophic failure is very high in state building, no matter how many resources are poured in. It is important to note that Germany and Japan were relatively simple cases, which fairly well defined nation groups and stable (though not necessarily friendly!) regional relationships. In many ways, state building in both nations was "reconstruction" rather than "creation." Less successful cases in Africa and the Middle East have not only suffered from less resources than Germany and Japan, they also present much more challenging social and security dilemmas. Iraq cannot be transformed into a secure, sustainable state unless regional issues are solved and the ethnic and religious conflicts between Iraqi's are ended. Resources may serve as a bandage for such problems, but not a true cure. And the bandage in this case may exacerbate problems rather than solve them, even with extremely well informed and intelligent leadership on both sides who wish for a peaceful state.
On the whole, state building in the imperial mode is simply too risky and too costly to be a viable strategy of development and security. I would rather suggest strategies aimed more at helping developing states, or at least groups within those states, help themselves. There should be no massive outlays, but small steps with constant evaluation and learning from all parties involved. This sort of approach would mitigate risk and allow for maximum input from those who development is supposed to help. This is, of course, a vague prescription, but I think the general point stands.
Thanks for a great class everyone!
The discussion from section on Thursday that has continued on this page concerning the possibility of a new benevolent imperialism can also be closely tied to the discussion we have been having throughout the course on the relationship between ideas, interests, and institutions in economic policy. Examining these three can help to explain why imperialism occurred in the past and why benevolent imperialism either won't happen or will be corrupted.
The creation of imperial institutions in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries was almost purely based on the interests of Western powers. U.S. imperialism in Latin American and the Philippines and European imperialism in Africa and Asia primarily had the goal of gaining access to resources and markets as well as expanding relative power in the international system. Together with these interests came ideas such as "the White Man's Burden" which justified imperialism as a system which would help the natives of conquered lands. These ideas, however, had little effect on policy, which can be seen in the lack of difference between the imperialistic policies of Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson in Latin America. While Roosevelt argued for imperialism based almost exclusively on self-interest, Wilson based it upon altruism and international liberalism. Despite this difference, the policy remained the same.
Today, there is little talk of the possibility of benevolent imperialism, most likely because it is not in the interest of the powerful countries to pursue such a policy. Furthermore, where these countries to agree on such an idea, the primacy of interests is likely to lead such "benevolent" imperialism to become self interested and fail to achieve its benevolent aims.
Altogether, I think it's a much better policy to allow development to be left to those who have it in their interest: the developing countries themselves.


text:
"I hate running, I hate it!", it was eight-thirty in the evening, he stormed into the house, dumped his backpack at the centre of the living room, and came running into my study.
"Ma, did you make something to eat? I am famished!". His face was almost the colour of his favourite jersey. I knew it was bad, he was really angry with someone. Amit hated being told what to do. Be it me, his step mom; be it Raghu, his Dad, or worse, people he couldn't scream back at, like his football coach.
"What did he do today?", I probed gently while serving him mashed potatoes. Had to be clinical here, one wrong word and he would visualise his coach, and then reward me with an earful. "He made me run, like a mad man! No, dog. Mad dog!"
"Aren't you supposed to be running? I thought you played football", Raghu walked in with his laptop and teased his only son. He loved messing with Amit. Both of us always wondered where he got his temper from. We were peaceful, gentle souls who never even said a curt word. Amit would go bonkers at the drop of a lid. He didn't pick it up from somewhere— he was an angry baby, an angry kid and now he was growing into an angry young man, our own Amitabh Bachchan.
"Yeah whatever! If only he would let us play. I ran like ten rounds today", he said, gobbling down a spoon.
"Ten rounds is…", Raghu started, but I stared through his words, and he tapered off.
"He's very tired, Raghu do you need something to eat?", I asked— get what you need and leave, if you want to live in peace, that is. I wanted some time alone with my son.
"Why is dad so annoying? He talks like this high school kid"
"Looks as handsome too doesn't he?" I teased.
"Mom you are hopeless!"
I had a good hearty laugh.
"The worst part is we have been doing the same thing over and over, every day. There is no difference, no change!"
"Life is all about change beta! It's bound to come your way. Don't worry"
"I don't know about that, I just wish I didn't have to run like a dog". He stood up and walked out, seething in anger.
I stood shaking in a quite, tube-lit corridor outside an orthopaedic ward, nine months away from this conversation. I was waiting for the specialist to come out. I knew what was coming my way, but I couldn't lose my hope.
A white coat walked outside. His steps exasperated and his movements long. He came over and muttered the inevitable to me in a low grave voice. I found it anti-climatic. Amit wouldn't walk normally any more. A drunk bastard behind the wheels had made sure that my son would be a cripple for the rest of his life. The fact that he died in the process, was no consolation.
I walked inside; annoyed, angry and consumed by my own helplessness. He was staring out the window, awkwardly reminding me of an O Henry novel, except that there were no trees, he was staring into the lifeless cement blocks.
"I won't be able to run again", he announced. There was no pain, just acceptance.
"You don't have to…", there was a steely reserve in my voice, but there was no conviction.
"Things change Ma, I don't have to. But I want to."
I walked out wiping my tears. Things had changed, but maybe not for the better.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Electronics has mainly been used until today for building computers.
A computer is basically a quite complex electronic system full of millions of components. They get every year more complex and smaller and today they can fit in a watch or even onto a view lense!
Most computers today are connected to the internet or many other wired or wireless communication system: they can share information to each other as well as to many other types of devices of their network ( as discussed with touch sensors ) and also react to an order by trigerring a new event (as discussed with transducers such lighs).
We would not dare to reproduce such complex elements as it is reserved to highly skilled professionnals, but understanding how these work will enable to discover their potential, understand their limits and prevent bad user habits.
The goal is to enable the production of our own technical solutions and possibly even our own technologies usingrecycled, custom or hacked resources. We will also introduce you to affordable electronic devices such as Arduino boards, accessible with little knowledge, patience and motivating projects!


text:
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There are many aspects of running a food or drink business that may not seem to earn the moniker "creative" yet fundamentally demand creativity to properly address. It takes a creative person to conceive an idea for a food or drink product, refine a business model that works from a blank canvas, develop branding to communicate their business' value and actually make a defensibly unique product that solves a real or perceived consumer need.
Figuring out the best way to finance a business is an undervalued creative exercise and the myriad challenges that confront companies, from finding the right suppliers, co-packers, distributors, target shoppers and sales channels, also demand high degrees of imaginative thinking.


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Greenwich High School's girls and boys indoor track and field teams successfully tested their skills at the North Shore Invitational at the Armory Track & Field Center in Manhattan, recently.
On the boys' side, Zane Nye led Greenwich's 55-meter sprinters, placing fifth overall with a time of 6.76 seconds. Cardinals teammates Tommy Pastore and Lance Large both ran personal-best times of 6.99 and 7.02 seconds, to qualify for the Class LL Championships. Tyler Bacco and William Taki also turned in personal-best times in the 55-meter event for GHS.
In the 300-meter race Large, a senior, finished 13th out of 236 runners with a personal-record time of 36.97 seconds. Nye finished in 29th place in the event in 37.97 (personal-record time). Pastore ran a personal-best time of 38.38 (38th place). Large, Nye and Pastore all qualified for the Class LL meet. Ian Foster finished the race in 39.71 seconds to qualify for the FCIAC meet in the 300.
Anthony Hill posted a personal-best time of 1:36 in the 600-meter run at the North Shore Invitational to qualify for the FCIAC Championships.
Both of the Cardinals' runners in the 3,200-meter event qualified for the FCIAC and LL meets, as Alex Kosyakov placed 16th at the North Shore Invitational(10:18.04) and Aidan Brock was 19th (10:19).
Kosyakov ran a personal-best time of 4:46.32 in the 1,600, qualifying for both the LL and FCIAC meets, while placing 12th overall at the North Shore Invitational.
Owen Bianchi placed fourth in the triple jump for GHS, and was 12th in the triple jump.
James Heavey represented the Cardinals in the shot put and qualified for the FCIAC meet.
On the girls' side at the North Shore Invitational, junior Jada Williams placed 11th in the preliminaries for Greenwich in the 55-meter dash, registering a time of 7.71 seconds.
Zoe Harris, a junior, finished 14th in the 300-meter finals, crossing the finish line in 43.13 seconds (personal-record time). The finals of the 600-meter event saw Cardinals senior Jordan Numme place 16th in the finals with a season-best time of 1:45.17. Demi Janis was 23rd in the 600 in 1:47.19.
Senior Caroline Webb finished 16th overall in the 1,000-meter run (3:15.50, personal-record time), while sophomore Bailey Gordon placed 13th in the 1500 run in 5:18.44.
In the high jump event, junior Stella Perrier finished 11th (4-feet, 8 inches).


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While someone's couch is often the harbor of last resort for many artists, a few got together and created a secret apartment in a mall parking garage in Rhode Island. How cool is that? I admit I love the idea of unusual living spaces, and I give these guys a standing ovation for combining hidden performance art with a roof over one's head.
They built a wall to hide the digs, which were furnished and even had a video game system. After four years of the good life (some leases don't even last that long!) they were busted; after a trespassing charge, the apartment will quietly fade away, but I'll bet that their sectional sofa will show up again in a space you wouldn't expect. Wal-Mart stockroom, anyone?


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by H. Slack
God's economy is completely opposite to man's economy. God's economy says if you keep giving away what you have you will never be in need while man's economy says grab and hoard all you can to be successful.
What is the ultimate goal of God's Economy? "The goal is equality, as it is written: 'The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.'" (NIV) [1]
The New Testament is rich with examples of God's economy at work:-
Sharing with those in need was taught:
– "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." (Luke 12:33) (see also Romans 12:13 (NIV))
Sharing with those in need was practiced:
– "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had… 34 that there were no needy persons among them." (Acts 4:32 (NIV)) (see also Romans 15:26)
Bread for food & seed for sowing
Paul encouraging us to be generous says, "God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food…" [2] If you are not a farmer or one who plants seed do not expect to get a harvest. All we receive from God is to be divided into 2 categories, consumption and production. For CONSUMPTION we should only take what we need and PRODUCTION here is simply giving to those who are in need. When we give to the needy or, as Paul illustrated, 'sow seed' God will supernaturally return a harvest on what we gave. This harvest should again be divided into two categories as before. Continue this cycle and it will keep expanding just as crops do for a natural farmer. "For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you." [3] (TLB)
Your seed must go to people (firstly the saints) who are destitute and hungry and to ministers and missionaries who are taking the true gospel to the world and are in need of support and food. Your money must not be 'tithed' to mega churches to maintain buildings and cars while saints and preachers are in great need. Kindly note also, that God never sent us chasing wealth but promised that if we make His Kingdom the priority, He would in return see to our needs. Give to those who cannot give back because God is the source of your harvest not man (though He often supplies our needs through others). Give and you shall receive but DO NOT GIVE TO RECEIVE. What you receive will come supernaturally from places and people you least expect.
Invest in people not things!
"There are two ways in which a Christian may view his money – 'How much of my money shall I use for God?' or 'How much of God's money shall I use for myself?'" – I am unable to bring to mind a single New Testament scripture that encourages investments in natural resources but I can think of many that instruct us to use our natural resources to make spiritual investments. You say, "But what about the parable of the talents?" That parable, as all parables, was using a natural scenario to teach a spiritual truth i.e. are we using our God given talents to invest in and expand His spiritual kingdom? Jesus is returning for a bride not a business. If you believe God gave you money to do business that would be a personal situation and not the general rule. If you wish to do business get an investor or borrow from a bank, and when you receive an income it should be divided into the two categories as mentioned before.
The criterion Jesus used to separate the goats from the sheep in Matthew 25 is very gripping. Selfishness could be a sign that the God of love is not dwelling in our hearts but having a willingness to help God's people who are in need could be a sign that Jesus dwells in our hearts. Stop wasting money on worthless, temporary luxuries and return to your first love. Help God's people who are in need and see how God will provide for you, and eventually, what great heavenly riches you will inherit.
Earthly Investments with heavenly returns
"… 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'" [4]
Here in Matthew 25:41-43 Jesus says He is that brother/sister who is hungry and thirsty; He is the weary traveller who needs a home to rest and stay before continuing on His journey; He is the one who was thrown into prison and fell ill there. Jesus, though ascended into heaven, still walks among us and He is not the rich minister with the mega church, mega house and luxury car. Jesus is the brother/sister that needs your help. The religious people of Jesus' time missed Him, could we be missing Him still?
Note that Jesus discerned between goat (destined to hell) and sheep (destined for heaven) based on how generous they were. Shocking isn't it? Sheep bore the fruit of love while goats did not. No mention of how often we went to church, how faithful our tithing was, our knowledge of scriptures or our religious promotions etc. This confirms what Jesus and the apostles said repeatedly i.e. people who are saved love the brethren and do not live for themselves. James comparing genuine faith with genuine love says both must be more than talk. (James 2:14-16)
John agrees, "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" [5] If we all give, no one will be in need, that's how God's economy works.
Jesus still walks among us
Our King is here but He is the meek and lowly among us, the one who is in need and dwells in humble circumstances. In Hebrews 13 we realise we could entertain [or neglect] angels unawares as, in Matthew 25, we realise we could neglect Jesus based on how we treat our spiritual brethren who are in need. God takes note of those who help the poor [6] so help the 'least' and you are helping Jesus. God is no man's debtor, when He returns He will reward us according to what we did while alive.
Jesus still walks among us in lowly people. How are you treating them, how are you handling the resources God has given you to fulfill His purposes?
References: [1] 2 Corinthians 8:14 [2] 2 Corinthians 9:10 [3] Luke 6:38 [4] Matthew 25:41-43 [5] 1 John 3:17 [6] Acts 10:1-6 (see Corinthians 8:14-15)


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One of the biggest take-aways (and surprises) for me from the 2015 Security Awareness Report is the lack of soft skills in our field. Over 75% of those leading or supporting a security awareness program had very technical backgrounds, to include IT admins, security analysts and even webmasters (page 8). In addition, we found most security awareness programs falling under the IT chain of command. Once you read the report it really makes sense.
If an organization is concerned about the security of their employees, where do they go? The security team. And who makes up most security teams? Highly skilled and highly technical wizards that live and breathe bits and bytes. However, awareness is ultimately about changing human behavior, and to do that effectively it comes down to communication. If people do not know what they are supposed to do or why, they will neither be motivated nor have the ability to do what you want (see BJ Fogg's Behavior Model). Now, how much training have most security teams had in communications? Probably very little. In fact, security professionals are taught on how to NOT communicate. The less you share, the more secure you are. So, in most cases security professionals are the last people you want leading, or at least communicating, your awareness program. I'm just now beginning to see organizations' recognizing and address this. I know of two Fortune 500 companies that put out job advertisements for Security Awareness Communicators. In addition, I know of one extremely large bio-tech company that has someone from their communications department embedded full-time into the security team.
Long story short, for us to really start securing the human element, I feel we have to develop our softer skills, starting with communication. For security geeks looking to develop their communications kung-fu, a great place to start is the book Made to Stick, by Chip and Dan Heath.


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Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity's day,
God leads His dear children along.
As Christians, we have already experienced God's power to lift us up out of the mire and the clay once. In Psalm 40:2 the Bible says, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." This is speaking about salvation. God brought us up out of an horrible pit and out of the miry clay. That is, God brought us up out of our sin and death and despair. Then He set our feet upon a rock, the Rock Christ Jesus. He established our goings in the way of His truth. We rejoice much and have hope and praise the Lord for this wonderful blessing.
But this salvation and this hope and this blessing bring forth another, even greater blessing. Once more God is going to take us out of the mire and clay; that is, out of the sin of this world, the temptations and evil, and also out of our bodies of clay. He is going to take us out and take us home where we will live with Him for ever - away up in glory, eternity's day.
Philippians 3:20,21 declare, "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." According to Strongs, this word "vile" indicates something that is humble, of low estate, depressed in rank or feeling. Romans 8:23 tells us, "ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." It is OK to groan when we have pain or when our bodies are experiencing discomfort. That is a natural response. But those of us who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour will one day be delivered from these painful, uncomfortable bodies that cause us to groan.
The thrilling thing is that, whether we live or die here on this earth, we will be going to glory to spend eternity with Jesus. We are going to glory to see our Heavenly Father. No man hath seen God at any time. But one day when we are all in glory, we will see our Father face to face. What will it be like to look on His face? Once can only imagine. We will look on His face, and we will feel no shame or fear because He is our Father and because Jesus has taken away from us every spot and every blemish. We will stand before our Father in perfection. Oh, may that day come soon!
"13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Yes, one day I am going to meet my Saviour in the air. He will catch me up to be with Him and with all the saints who have gone on before. Every day Jesus leads me closer to that moment. Not all the paths He leads me through are comfortable and easy. But all of them lead me to glory because they all lead me through the paths cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Jesus is coming, and He is coming soon. It may be today. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Looking forward to meeting you in the air.


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It is so rainy today. I'm wearing gumboots out of the house, so that there is no need to avoid the puddles, I'm going to stomp on through them. This time of year in Melbourne I become almost paralysed with fear with each warm Autumn day, wondering if it will be our last warm day before winter finally falls. The last beach day, the last drive to the country and frolic in creeks day, the last bare arm, drinking outside evening. And maybe this is it, winter is here? In Victoria Easter is usually beautiful weather (in the north it pours rain without fail), but even if it's not beautiful this year these pretty, little chocolate covered coconut squares will taste of hot days. They're so deliciously tropical.
Sarah and I were obsessed with coco con leche in Mexico – coconut ice-creams that were so good, when Sarah wouldn't share hers, (a stressful, late night, roadside moment) it threatened to ruin our friendship. Now, these coconut squares aren't ice-cream but they definitely satisfy our coconut cravings, they taste like Bounties. Surrounded by bitter dark chocolate, the coconut center is soft, creamy, with a little bit of chew. They're not too sweet and the taste is evocative of swaying palm fronds and beachside heat haze. Perfect for a not so perfect Easter Sunday. Package them for friends as a pretty Easter treat.
chocolate coconut squares
250ml coconut cream, or 250ml cream
50g unsalted butter
1tsp vanilla extract
250g moist shredded coconut flakes (or you can use dessicated coconut, but as it is drier, use much less, 100g or so)
2 tbsp demerara sugar
200g bitter dark chocolate
In a saucepan heat the coconut cream, butter and sugar, until the sugar has dissolved. Make sure not to boil the coconut cream. Stir in the vanilla. Take of the heat. Stir in the coconut. There should be no liquid, and it should have a dough like consistency. Add more coconut if it's still too wet.
Pour into a greased and lined tin. Press with the back of a spoon so that the mixture is compact in the tin. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least a couple of hours. When quite firm cut into cubes and place back into the fridge.
Now, temper your chocolate:
You could skip this tempering process and just melt the chocolate but the tempering gives your chocolate crack and shine and helps it set. In a saucepan put 3cm of water onto the boil. When boiled turn off the heat. Place a metal bowl over the now hot water and put the chocolate into this bowl. Stir with a metal spoon until it melts. Make sure it doesn't burn. When melted take it off the heat and put the bottom of the bowl into another bowl of ice water. (We don't want any water to get together with the actual chocolate!) When the chocolate has cooled turn the hot water saucepan back on, and with the heat on this time, place the chocolate bowl over the saucepan. When the chocolate is hot again, (but before it burns!) turn off the heat. A candy thermometer really helps here, but we don't have one, we just did it by feel. It is now ready to use.
Dip your coconut squares into the chocolate. This is a little messy. Shake a little of the chocolate off and place on a piece of baking paper until set. They should be beautiful and shiny.
Tags: candy, chocolate, coconut, homemade bounty
Category: dessert, recipes, snack
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now that is a treat! 🙂
chocolate and coconut is an unbeatable combination! thanks for a delicious recipe 🙂
I know what I'm making this weekend. Thanks ladies!
Homemade Bounty! I'm there. Thank you!
[…] Make these delicious Chocolate Coconut Squares. […]
I'll take a few…
Gotta make these for the annual Easterapolooza at my son's in law's house…
[…] list, but now, now I can make them myself til dessicated coconut comes out of my eyes thanks to this recipe from the girls of T&A. { Note. even if dessicated coconut came out of my eyes I would still […]


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Community meetings planned to discuss recreational/commercial cannabis
Inyo County will be holding several community meetings throughout the month of March into April to discuss what can and can't be done to regulate commercial/recreational cannabis use and related businesses. The county will use this feedback to fashion ordinances regarding cannabis use in the unincorporated areas of Inyo County. For more on these meetings and more related information, see today's (Feb. 16) edition of The Inyo Register.
Here is a current list of planned community meetings:
March 6, Big Pine Town Hall, 150 Dewey St., Big Pine
March 8, Olancha Fire House, 689 Shop St., Olancha
March 13, Round Valley School, 300 N. Round Valley Road, Bishop -District 1
March 15, Legion Hall Independence, 201 S. Edwards St., Independence
March 16, Northern Inyo Hospital District Board Room, 2957 Birch St.
March 20, Jill Kinmont Boothe School, the Great Room, 166 Grandview Drive, Bishop
March 22, Statham Hall, 138 Jackson St., Lone Pine
March 23, Laws Museum, 395 Silver Canyon Road., Bishop
March 27, Bishop Golf Course, 1200 U.S. Highway 395, Bishop
March 30, Trena Golf Course and Country Club, 82700 Trena Road, Trena
April 3, Keeler Fire Station, 165 Old State Highway, Keeler
April 5, Tecopa Community Center, 405 Tecopa Hot Springs Road, Tecopa
All meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m.


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Superintendent's Compendium
Title 36, Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations compiles laws related to National Park Service, and applies to Springfield Armory National Historic Site. The Superintendent's Compendium documents park-specific regulations as they relate to 36 CFR, and details hours of operation, prohibitied activities, activities that require a permit, among other items. Park visitors should be familiar with the Superintendent's Compendium and 36 CFR Chapter 1.
To view the Superintendent's Compendium for Springfield Armory National Historic Site, click here.
To view Chapter 1 of 36 CFR, click here
Firearms in National Parks
The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. For more information about Massachusetts gun laws please visit their website.
Please remember that federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances.
Last updated: December 19, 2019


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Product Description
These frames are made up of high qaulity wood which is termite and pest free.. This wood material will keep these frames durable and long lasting for many years without any maintenance! This Package contains one Natural Vine Carved Vintage Square Frame 7"x7" - No color By Get Inspired. Delivery Time : 3-4 business days.


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When Wonder Woman premiered this summer, it was well received by critics and fans alike. Patty Jenkins directed a gem of a film and Gal Gadot brought the iconic hero to life in a bold and powerful way. When Justice League opens this weekend, many fans are going to see more of Wonder Woman. But where it is possibly the best DCEU movie so far, Wonder Woman is not without its flaws — and Cinema Sins lays out all of them.
The folks at Cinema Sins have released their take on Everything Wrong with Wonder Woman in 14 Minutes or Less, and they point out a lot of things that are dead on. Some things are obvious audience ease choices like choosing to not use German with subtitles when doing certain scenes. Others are weaknesses in the plot that many either ignored or felt the rest of the film made up for. But I think this demonstrated something important: movies aren't meant to be perfect, they're meant to be entertaining — especially a movie like this. I think we've gotten to a point where you can nitpick any movie to death, find flaws in every plot… but the important question is: did you enjoy the movie?
So where it can be fun to watch a video that points out things we might have missed or things we caught too, in the end it doesn't really take away from the fact that Wonder Woman is a good movie.


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I have a particular soft-spot for stories that tip over into the realm of fantasy. The ones that on the surface appear to be fantastical, but could equally be explained by some unusual combination of circumstances. The best ones, in my opinion, are the ones which have a great logical explanation, but still leave you wondering.
One of the best examples I've come across in this vein is The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey.
Based on a Russian folk-tale, this is the story of an older, childless couple, who bury their emotional pain trying to carve out an existence in pioneering Alaska. One night, in a rare moment of levity they build a child out of snow. The next day the snow child is gone, and the retreating footprints of a 'real' child remain. The result is a journey into the hopes and dreams of both husband and wife as they try to reconcile what they've discovered.
The setting, the harsh and unforgiving Alaskan frontier, has a wild, untamed, beauty that adds to the magic and reflects both the struggle for survival and the fragile nature of hope the snow child brings.
Is it fantasy or not?
I won't be giving away the ending, except to say perhaps it depends on the reader?
Other popular examples play up the magical qualities of food, including Joanne Harris's works, Chocolat and Blackberry Wine; Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate; and Pomegranate Soup, by Marsha Mehran.
Carol Goodman also draws together fairytale or legendary themes in her books: Arcadia Falls touches on changeling folklore; The Seduction of Water, on selkies. She has since crossed over the full-fantasy line writing the Black Swan Rising series with her husband under the name Lee Carroll.
On the faith based front, one of my all time favourites, The Miracles of Santa Fico by D.L Smith, deals with the nature of miracles. The story is based around a group of men attempting to create their own miracles in order to restore the faith of their local priest. (The priest lost his faith due to the actions of these men). The manufactured miracles go awry quite spectacularly, and yet as they do circumstances seem to line up in a way that could be seen as truly miraculous. And like the other stories you're left wondering if the rational explanations truly tell the whole story.
I'm not sure if any of these novels quite cross over into realm of fantasy? At the very least they all have that not-quite-of-this-world element about them.
Do you think these novels should be considered fantasy novels? Why? And do you have a favourite mainstream novel that brushes shoulders with fantasy?
– by Raewyn Hewitt


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In math, we are currently working on how to measure angles with a protractor. This is a fun skill that the students are enjoying. If you would like some additional practice with this skill, you can use one of the websites below. I have included a few fun websites that the students will find entertaining and educational
Happy Practicing!


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Ian McNabb / Cold Shoulder - No Hero To Me:
A superb anti-war song from Ian McNabb (formerly of The Icicle Works) with his band Cold Shoulder. This is bang-on-time and magnificent ...
The above music video can be watched in full screen mode by going to this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA_jdl6KA60
Mr. McNabb's essential links:
Ian McNabb / Cold Shoulder - No Hero To Me ...
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debiman wrote:i'll never understand why people use one of the most secure operating systems there is, only to then hand all their usage stats over to the big G...
This thread on @misc will get you reaching for the tin-foil:
Note Theo's reaction
debiman wrote:chrome isn't even open source!
No but www/chromium is. Chrome doesn't even work on OpenBSD.
OpenBSD users favour Chromium because of it's tight integration with both pledge(2) and unveil(2) and also because Theo says it's better than FF:


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As I'm from the USA, we are used to having great Mexican food for cheap and in large quantities. And in Madrid it's normally shitty Mexican food that's extremely overpriced and given in small portions….until my flatmate Alex told me about La Herradura.
All I can say is……FINALLY!!!!!! POR FIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are a lover of Mexican food and are in Madrid and need your Mexican tortilla instead of the typical Spanish one, then this is your place.
La Herradura (Cantina Restaurante)
Calle de Montserrat, 32 28015 Madrid
915 42 39 36
It's been getting great reviews all over the place….to read some in Spanish check these links:
My friends and I have been there for a friend's going away party and also my boyfriend and I have given it a go as well. It's also dangerously close to my casa soooooooo I have to pretend that it's on the other side of the city so I don't go there everyday!!!! Hahaha!!!! 😉
I highly recommend the Nachos with Guacamole added on top…and the Cochinito Pibil Tacos are TO-DIE-FOR!!!!!! Wow….I'm drooling just thinking of them now!!!!!
This is a great date night option, or a night out with the friends….and also for the loner who just wants to have a beer and nacho and watch some soccer/football can hang out at the bar and converse with the barman over their Corona or Negro Modelo.
Check out some more of my pics below!!! Enjoy!
(And I hope you can go there soon….and if you go CALL ME!!!!!! I'm ALWAYS down for some Mejicano!!!!)


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This is a hearty veggie burger with some southwest flair. Quinoa and black beans are full of delicious non-meat protein, and cayenne pepper lends some heat. Because the burgers are filled with so much good stuff, they're best baked, not grilled.
Wear plastic gloves when removing the skin from beets to avoid staining your hands. You can use red beets if you don't mind having bright pink burgers!
These burger freeze well, too. Freeze the burgers on a sheet pan. When frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag. If cooking from frozen, add an extra 20 minutes to the baking time.
- 3 large golden beets, washed and stems trimmed
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 15.5-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ Teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 8 hamburger buns
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drizzle the beets with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and wrap in foil. Roast in the oven until fork-tender, about 1 hour.
While the beets are cooking, combine the quinoa with 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Cool the cooked quinoa in the refrigerator until ready to use.
In a medium pan, heat the remaining tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent but not browning, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes.
When the beets are cool enough to handle, rub the skin off with paper towels. Grate the beets on the largest hole of a box grater. Using a clean dish towel, squeeze out the beets to remove excess moisture.
Add the beans to a food processor and pulse to chop, but not completely mash.
In a large bowl, mix the cooled quinoa, shredded beets, chopped black beans, sautéed onions and garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and some salt and pepper. Taste the mixture and add more salt and pepper if needed. Mix in the egg and form 8 patties.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Place the burger in the oven and cook until hot through and golden brown, flipping halfway through, about 20 minutes total.
Serve the veggie burgers on hamburger buns with sliced avocado, tomatoes, and onions.


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All human beings live under the illusion they are the ones who are in control of their lives. Especially Americans see themselves as "rugged individualists" who have a "I can do it by myself and don't need anyone else to help me"attitude. This even shows up in our attitude toward church in the feeling that "I don't need the church. I can have my own personal relationship with God without s bunch of sinners around me who are more messed up than me. " These people say "I am not religious, I'm spiritual'.
This illusion is exposed when we face end of life. I am seeing how illusory the attitude is as I grow more and more dependent on hospice and on those I love There are many things I can't do and my wife and son Greg are always there to help me. Without them I would be in a nursing home already—-but with them with me and with hospice I am able to be home in surroundings I love. I am loved and cared for by others and am very blessed with a church family who visits, sends cards a . I am seeing how false the illusion of "individualism"is as I get telephone calls and cards from friends and loved ones both in the church and outside the church.
We are born to live in relationship with others. We started as babies completely dependent on our parents for a long period of time., and many of us end our lives in the same way—dependent on those who love us. All of our lives we need relationships. We are created in the image of God who wants relationship with us—- Love is a relationship word and cannot be limited anymore than God can be limited . Love is shown only through action in relationship to others;
We need others in our lives if we love God. God is not completely loved by us until we love our neighbors., because they are all God's children. It is the role of the church to provide those relationships and to encourage us to develop relationships with God and our fellow human beings. To those who who say "I have a personal relationship with God and that's all I need" I would say "stop fooling yourself." You cannot fully love God if you don't fully love your neighbors., God's children, made in God's image.
God works with these neighbors to provide his love and care to you. They actually are the deliverers of God's grace. You cannot receive God's love and care on a bank with a fishing pole in your hand. You receive God's love through others who love God and are recipients of God's love and grace.


text:
View the trailer for The Oslo Diaries here.
In 1992, with Israeli-Palestinian relations at an all-time low and any communication punishable with jail time, a small group of Israelis and Palestinians gathered in Oslo – secretly and against the law. Although the meetings that came to be known as The Oslo Accords changed the Middle East forever, they were never officially sanctioned and were chronicled only by the negotiators' diaries.
In The Oslo Diaries, directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan (Censored Voices, Sundance 2015) bring us a riveting account of 1100 days of secret talks as told by the people who were there at the table. The participants' detailed and often emotional entries recount the political intrigue, fiery rhetoric, unlikely friendships, and overwhelming desire for peace that were the heart of the negotiations.
Featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with key players – including the last on-camera conversation with former Israeli president Shimon Peres – the film recounts a geopolitical story, with a narrative voice that is personal and philosophical. Although politics ultimately doomed The Oslo Accords, the story's end for the people of Israel and Palestine remains unwritten.
Mor Loushy is an award-winning Israeli director. Her debut film, Israel Ltd (2009), premiered at IDFA and was broadcast worldwide. Her latest documentary, Censored Voices (2015), won an Ophir Award for best documentary. Censored Voices premiered at Sundance Film Festival and screened at BFI London and IDFA and released theatrically worldwide.
Daniel Sivan is an award-winning Israeli director/producer known for his critical social-political documentaries. His works include Censored Voices (Sundance, Berlinale, BFI), Offside (Tribeca, IDFA), and The Patriot. He recently edited Death in the Terminal (executive produced by Mark Boal and Megan Ellison)—winner of an Ophir Award and a Hot Docs best mid-length documentary award.
Image Copyright: Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan. Used with permission.
For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.
With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound.
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text:
<----------- I'm sure we all know someone like this. They complain & whine. Ugh. Now there is a difference if people think out loud but are not expecting anyone to hear them or get solutions/advice from others but plain ole saying what you may feel about things. I do this. I beat myself up about things. I say, "man, I shouldn't have spent that or did this". I am not complaining only stating my thoughts out loud. What I mean is pessimistic, never satisfied, helpless and usually not too happy about anything people. We all "vent" and that's okay but constant on & on what you don't like, don't know what to do, can't do & so on. Yes, those people. There are so many more ways to nag, whine & complain. I see complaining as a manipulation tool. You are not happy & you are manipulating others to seeing, doing things your way by complaining. Maybe you want help but instead of asking you complain. That's manipulating. You don't want to do something and a good one, you want it given to you or done for you. So you complain. And complain hoping someone will bend, come to the rescue to save you or finally give in just so you would shut the hell up. I see this often when people are requesting some type of assistance & the person is being told they can't have what the want or not as much help as they wanted. They bitch in an aggressive way. They say it loudly and forceful with intent to demand the person to give them what they want. That IS PURE MANIPULATION. Some people get scared & just give in. I have worked in customer service, restaurants & the like. People did this to me. It never worked. I would tell them, you know what I think you might wanna talk to my manager. Outside of professionalism, well, I let them have it. It is also a form of being a bully. If you think your loud complaining is gonna make me do ANYTHING you are sorely wrong! I have some words of truth for you & great suggestions that you can not argue with. Eventually I will kindly make you look & feel dumb. I understand why people complain but as I say don't waste your thoughts, words & energy complaining. It won't change a thing. Instead replace it with what you do want, make great strides & efforts for those things. Remember what we don't get is because the universe has something better or knows what is good for us (not always what we want). Anytime you get ready to complain, stop, pause, take a breath & replace it with what you Do want. Then make the changes needed to obtain it. If its something you can not change immediately learn to cope better & accept things, for the faster we do this the faster the obstacle is removed from our lives because we accepted it. The mind no longer sees is as a negative. I will say more on this subject in the future but for now. Stay positive, accept things for what they are as they are & continue to attract positive by thinking, speaking & being positive. Try it & you will see the magic as I have. Love & Kisses xoxo Dee ------> P.S.See Image Below
Leave a Reply.
Crazy, Sexy, Cool :)
July 2015


text:
Group Booking Terms and Conditions
Because you are making a Group Booking, there are additional Terms and Conditions that apply. Please read them and click 'I Accept' below to continue with your booking
General Group Booking Terms
By making a group reservation through Hostelworld.com you agree to the following terms and conditions as set by Hostelworld.com and as set by the hostel in question.
- In order to make a group reservation on Hostelworld.com it is necessary to pay a deposit. The balance is due directly to the hostel according to their payment conditions.
- The booking deposit is non-refundable.
- Please note that any cancellations must be notified directly to the hostel at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled arrival date, unless otherwise stated in the hostel's conditions.
- Hostelworld.com are not responsible for changes or amendments to your reservation once it has been processed. All correspondence with regard to changes to your booking need to be dealt with directly with the hostel.
- Cancellations for reservations must be made directly with the hostel and must conform with the individual hostels cancellation policy (see below)
- It is your responsibility to pay the balance of your accommodation cost to the hostel in accordance with their payment conditions (see below). Failure to do so may result in your reservation being cancelled by the hostel.
- Individual hostels may have special booking conditions relating to group stays, please read the hostel booking conditions carefully before making your reservation.
Hostel Specific Terms & Conditions
The remainder of the amount due will be charged to your credit card on arrival. Should numbers or room selection change, the per person deposit times the number of people who actually travelled will be deducted from the total accommodation charge levvied by the hostel.
The following group types are not accepted by this hostel: Junior / Primary School, High / Secondary School, Stag/Hen/Bachelor Party If you have misrepresented the type of group you are booking for, your booking may be cancelled by the hostel."
Any cancellations resulting from agreement to these terms and conditions under false pretences will result in loss of deposit.
Du måste godkänna våra villkor för att bekräfta din bokning.
Gratis WiFi
gratis frukost
Arusha Crown Hotel
Beskrivningen av objektet
Most rooms as well as public common areas such as lobby, restaurant and conference room have Internet access points. For the convenience of guests, few laptops are also available in the lobby area for common use.
All rooms are tastefully furnished and luxuriously appointed with modern amenities designed to provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Each room has been elegantly designed to meet the requirements of the traveling executives and leisure tourists. Most rooms offer stunning view of the main stadium in Arusha and of Mount Meru (the fifth highest mountain in Africa). All rooms and common areas are covered by Wi-Fi internet access. Internet access is free.
All rooms secured by card lock and furnished with quality linen and bedding. Rooms have Flat screen TVs, DD telephone, built-in wardrobes, writing desk, versatile luggage rack, Electronic Safes.
Giving you all the comfort and convenience of being centrally located with easy access to Arusha's main business centres. Stadium, Central Bus Stand, Fruits Market, Bank / Bureau De Change, Pharmacies, Taxi Stand, and Internet Café's are all within walking distance.
Getting around is easy. Taxi service is available and plenty as you step out of the hotel.
Arusha Crown Hotel Policies & Conditions:
Cancellation policy: 24 hours before arrival.
Check in from 08:00 to 23:00 .
Check out before 13:00 .
Payment upon arrival by cash, credit cards (Visa /Mastercard). 5% Bank Surcharge extra for Credit card Payment upon arrival.
This property may pre-authorise your card before arrival.
Taxes included.
Breakfast included.
24 hour Reception.
No curfew.
Child friendly.
Non smoking, but with few smoking rooms.
No pets allowed. Visa regler för boendet
Kolla tillgänglighet
- gratis frukost
- Gratis internetadgang
- Gratis WiFi
- Handdukar ingår
- Adaptrar
- Bankfack
- Elevator
- Kabel TV
- Läslampa
- Mötesrum
- Parkering
- Tillgängliga barnsängar
- Tillträde med nyckelkort
- Varma duschar
- Affärscenter
- Bagageförvaring
- Dygnetruntöppen reception
- Fax
- Flygplatstransport
- Internetadgang
- Rundresa/Kundtjänst
- Städning
- Telefonväckning
- Övervakning dygnet runt
- Café
- måltider finns
- Restaurang
Sessionen löpte
Sessionen löpte
Skriv in lösenordet för kontot <% email %>


text:
Fixed and mobile operator Telefonica O2 Czech Republic, now majority owned by the billionaire Petr Kellner, reported net income of CZK558 million (USD28 million) for the first three months of the year, down sharply from the CZK1.05 billion it booked in the year-earlier period. The company blamed the slump in profits on competition and 'regulatory pressures', which it says drove down sales at its mobile division. Consolidated group revenue fell 10% to CZK10.8 billion, while operating income before depreciation and amortisation (OIBDA) fell 16% year-on-year to CZK3.45 billion. In a conference call with analysts, Telefonica chief executive officer Luis Malvido said that the company may fail to meet its target to decelerate a decline in revenue for FY2014, noting that whilst it expects an 'improvement in the trend' in the remaining three quarters of this year, it will struggle to offset the impact of its results in Q1.
Petr Kellner's PPF Group agreed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Telefonica O2 CR for about USD3.4 billion from Spain's Telefonica in November 2013, returning it to Czech ownership after eight years. The Czech entrepreneur is looking to revive the telecoms operator, which has been damaged recently by intensifying competition in the local market and falling prices for mobile phone calls. On 19 May, shareholders at Telefonica O2 CR will vote on a plan to change the name of the company to O2 Czech Republic. The operator will hold another meeting in June to vote on 2013 profit distribution, Malvido said.


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Bank of Baroda: Salary & Allowances
Various Staff Loans
Refer to Master circular No BCC/BR/97/103 dated 20.04.2005 for all Staff Loans excluding Staff Housing Loan and Clean Overdraft facility for staff.
a) Take over of educational loan availed by Campus Recruitees :
Bank of Baroda has decided to offer to take over educational loan of officers recruited from campus on or after 01.01.2009.(Refer Circular No.BCC:BR:101/285 dated 16.09.2009. and subsequent circular No BCC:BR:102/310 dated 8.11.2010 with revised guidelines.
b) Revision of scheme of Conveyance loan to officers :
For -4- wheelers :
All confirmed officers with continuous service of 3 years and drawing basic pay of not less than Rs19400/-
Circular No.BCC/BR/102/38 dated 04.02.2010
80% of control price of car or Rs.7.00 lacs which ever is less.
8.50% simple interest
120 installments (Principle 90 and interest 30) in the ratio of 3:1
New Vehicle Loan Scheme for Officers-"Baroda Vehicle Loan For Young Officers"
All confirmed Officers whose basic pay is less than Rs 19,400/-per month-Age min-21 Years
Circular No
BCC:BR:105:149 dated 10/04/2013
Rs 3.50 lacs
Base Rate
60 months
For -2- Wheelers :
Eligibility The officer should be confirmed in Bank's service
Limit 90% of the control price or Rs.90000/- whichever is less.
ROI 8.50% (Simple)
Repayment 84 equated installments (70 towards principal
and 14 towards Interest)
Clean Overdraft facility for Staff Members
Refer to Master circular No BCC:BR:96:48 dated 28.01.2004 and BCC:BR:98:61 dated 07.03.2006 for Clean Overdraft facility available to Confirmed Staff Members with minimum service of 3 years.
Length of Service
Eligibility Amount (Rs in Lacs)
3 to 5 Years
5 to 10 Years
10 years & Above
Rate of Interest w.e..f. 01.07.2010(Circular No.BCC:BR102/167 dated 22.06.2010
9% p.a. on compounding basis with monthly rests.
Staff Housing Loan
(a) Regular Housing Loan : (:(circular No.BCC:BR:102/135 dated14.05.2010.)
Confirmed in Bank of Baroda's service
Loan limit
90% of total cost or Rs.20 lacs which is lower.
Rate of Interest
8% p.a(Simple) or 4% less than BPLR whichever is lower
10% of the cost
240 monthly installment. 180 installment towards principal and 60 installment towards interest.
Those officers who have availed regular housing loan before 01.02.2010 as per earlier scheme, but construction/purchase of house is incomplete and/or repayment of loan has not begun, are also eligible to opt the housing loan under the revised scheme subject to the original estimated cost.
Retail Asset Product " Baroda Additional assured Advance (AAA)-Modified Guidelines-All Existing Home Loan Borrowers including Staff & Ex-staff Members
(availed home loan under public scheme as well as Staff Housing Loans)whose asset classification is standard are eligible for availing further housing loan to the tune of 90% of the amount already repaid. Please refer to BCC:BR:104:289 dated 14/08/2012
(b) Additional Housing Loan :
Confirmed in Bank of Baroda's Service
Loan limit
Rs.4 lacs
Rate of interest
8% p.a.(Simple) or 4% less than BPLR. Whichever is lower
120 monthly installments – 90 equal installment towards principal and 30 equal installments towards interest.
25% of the estimated cost.
Those officers who have availed additional housing loan before 01.02.2010 as per earlier scheme, but repair/renovation/enlargement of house is incomplete and/or repayment of loan has not begun, are also eligible to opt the additional housing loan under the revised scheme.
© with this increase the facility of Supplementary housing loan
stands withdrawn.
(d ) the existing housing loan account of an officer under old scheme
can be transferred to new scheme for interest benefit, if he so desires.
Housing Loan to Staff under Public Scheme
Refer to Master circular No BCC:BR:93:50 dated 17.03.2001 & BCC:BR:99/278 Dated 20.09.2007 for Housing Loan to Staff under Public Scheme.
47. Scheme for Encouraging Employees to Pursue Professional and Computer Education, through Correspondence, Part-time & Distance Learning:
Refer to Master Circular No BCC:BR:96:208 dated 01.06.2004 for above scheme.
48.Preferential Interest Rates on Deposits:
The Bank may allow one per cent additional rate of interest over its ruling rate of interest on fixed deposits, saving deposits and recurring deposits in the name of an officer, individually or jointly with any member of his family.


text:
Mobile Banking
Manage your money wherever you go
Manage your money wherever you go. Use your mobile device to deposit checks, pay bills, look up real-time balance information, quickly and easily transfer funds between your Brentwood accounts, and find an ATM near you. Simply visit your app store, and download the latest Brentwood Bank app.
Benefits of Mobile Banking
- Deposit checks from anywhere
- Check your balances anytime
- Look up branch and ATM locations
- Transfer funds between accounts
- Bill pay—pay on time, every time
Get ultimate account access when and where you need it, at the tip of your fingers.
Get started now:
Mobile Phone Setup
Mobile App Usage
Quickly check your balances – transfer funds – view transactions – with just a simple Text message.
Get started now:
Sign up
Get the key features of your online account but optimized for your cellphone's browser.
www.brentwoodbank.com on your mobile device
For assistance contact 412-409-2265.
Text Message Banking
It's Just Like Texting a Friend!
Don't have a smartphone? No problem. You can still use your mobile phone to manage accounts and receive alerts by text message. Enroll here to take advantage of the benefits of text message banking.
Text any of the commands to 66808
- B or Bal = Balance
- H or Help = Instructions/Help
- Hst = View transactions
- Trf = Transfer funds
(Your mobile carrier's text messaging and web access charges may apply for text message alerts.)
Mobile Banking FAQ
Mobile banking makes it easy to securely access your financial accounts on the go. Find the answers to common questions about mobile banking below. If you have additional questions, please call us at
412-409-2265 Monday – Friday from 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM
General Questions
Is it Secure?
Yes, Brentwood Bank supports the most current security to ensure complete privacy and protection of your account information and transactions. In addition, no account data is ever stored on your phone. In the event your phone is lost or stolen, the service can be immediately disabled by logging in to online banking and clicking the "Mobile" tab. What is Brentwood Mobile?
Brentwood Bank Mobile gives you access to your accounts from our downloadable mobile banking app, Brentwood Mobile, on your apple or Android smart phone or tablet. You can view account balances, pay bills to existing payees, search recent account activity, transfer funds, and find ATM or branch locations.
How do I sign up for Brentwood Mobile?
Download our Brentwood Mobile app and follow the instructions, or sign in to online banking on your computer and choose "Add Number" from the Mobile tab section. Enter your phone number and mobile carrier. Agree to the terms and condition. After that you will create a Mobile Security Key. The mobile security key is used to identify messages sent to you by Brentwood Bank.
Is Brentwood Bank Mobile supported on my phone or tablet?
The app is supported on Apple and Android smart phones and on Apple iPad devices.
How do I install the Brentwood mobile app?
- You will need to enroll in online banking first.
- Simply go to the Apple or Android app store, search "Brentwood Bank," and download the Brentwood Mobile app.
- Once the icon appears on your mobile device, click the icon.
- Click on the blue "Select" button
- Enter your Online Username. This is the same Username you sue to sign into online banking. Then click on the green "Next" button.
- You will have to answer a challenge questions. This question was originally setup with your online banking credentials.
- Enter the answer to your challenge question and select the green "Next button.
You will be prompted to read and accept the terms of services, and disclosure information. Select "Accept"
- Enter your "password". This is the same password as your online banking password.
At this time, your mobile device is registered. Click on the "OK" button after reading the security notice.
What is text banking?
Text banking gives you access to your accounts via text (SMS) messages on your phone. It's a fast, easy way to look up account balances or recent account history by sending a text command to a short code.
What is the Brentwood Bank short code?
All text messages should be sent to 66808.
Will I receive unsolicited text messages?
No. You will only receive messages when you specifically request them with one of the text banking commands.
What are the text banking commands?
- B – Summary of available balances for all accounts
- Tfr – Transfer funds
- Hst – Summary of recent transactions per account (default days is 5)
- H or HELP – Help content for text banking
- News – For Brentwood Bank News
- Rates – for rates
I enrolled my phone number but did not receive a text message. What should I do?
Typically you should receive a text message within a few minutes after enrolling. However, sometimes mobile carriers experience delays that slow down text message delivery. While waiting, make sure your phone has a wireless signal. In addition, be sure you entered the correct phone number on the enrollment site. If you still do not receive the message, contact your wireless carrier to be sure text messaging is enabled on your phone.
What happens if I get a new phone or change phone numbers?
If you get a new phone or change phone numbers, be sure to return to the online banking website and add a new phone profile in the "Mobile" tab section. We recommend removing your old phone and re-enrolling your new phone.
Can I use mobile banking or text banking on more than one phone?
Yes, please access the "Mobile" tab in online banking to activate another phone number.
What if my device is lost or stolen?
In the event your phone is lost or stolen, the service can be immediately disabled by logging into online banking and clicking the "Mobile" tab in online banking. We recommend you delete your phone number from this section to deactivate the phone.
If you are concerned about misuse of your phone, contact your mobile service provider immediately to stop all wireless service.