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Discovered Unexpectedly Primitive Atmosphere Around ‘Warm Neptune’ A study combining observations from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes reveals that the distant planet HAT-P-26b has a primitive atmosphere composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. Located about 437 light years away, HAT-P-26b orbits a star roughly twice as old as the sun. The analysis is one of the most detailed studies to date of a “warm Neptune,” or a planet that is Neptune-sized and close to its star. The researchers determined that HAT-P-26b’s atmosphere is relatively clear of clouds and has a strong water signature, although the planet is not a water world. This is the best measurement of water to date on an exoplanet of this size. The discovery of an atmosphere with this composition on this exoplanet has implications for how scientists think about the birth and development of planetary systems. Compared to Neptune and Uranus, the planets in our solar system with about the same mass, HAT-P-26b likely formed either closer to its host star or later in the development of its planetary system, or both. “Astronomers have just begun to investigate the atmospheres of these distant Neptune-mass planets, and almost right away, we found an example that goes against the trend in our solar system,” said Hannah Wakeford, a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and lead author of the study published in the May 12, 2017, issue of Science. “This kind of unexpected result is why I really love exploring the atmospheres of alien planets.” To study HAT-P-26b’s atmosphere, the researchers used data from transits– occasions when the planet passed in front of its host star. During a transit, a fraction of the starlight gets filtered through the planet’s atmosphere, which absorbs some wavelengths of light but not others. By looking at how the signatures of the starlight change as a result of this filtering, researchers can work backward to figure out the chemical composition of the atmosphere. In this case, the team pooled data from four transits measured by Hubble and two seen by Spitzer. Together, those observations covered a wide range of wavelengths from yellow light through the near-infrared region. “To have so much information about a warm Neptune is still rare, so analyzing these data sets simultaneously is an achievement in and of itself,” said co-author Tiffany Kataria of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Because the study provided a precise measurement of water, the researchers were able to use the water signature to estimate HAT-P-26b’s metallicity. Astronomers calculate the metallicity, an indication of how rich the planet is in all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, because it gives them clues about how a planet formed. To compare planets by their metallicities, scientists use the sun as a point of reference, almost like describing how much caffeine beverages have by comparing them to a cup of coffee. Jupiter has a metallicity about 2 to 5 times that of the sun. For Saturn, it’s about 10 times as much as the sun. These relatively low values mean that the two gas giants are made almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. The ice giants Neptune and Uranus are smaller than the gas giants but richer in the heavier elements, with metallicities of about 100 times that of the sun. So, for the four outer planets in our solar system, the trend is that the metallicities are lower for the bigger planets. Scientists think this happened because, as the solar system was taking shape, Neptune and Uranus formed in a region toward the outskirts of the enormous disk of dust, gas and debris that swirled around the immature sun. Summing up the complicated process of planetary formation in a nutshell: Neptune and Uranus would have been bombarded with a lot of icy debris that was rich in heavier elements. Jupiter and Saturn, which formed in a warmer part of the disk, would have encountered less of the icy debris. Two planets beyond our solar system also fit this trend. One is the Neptune-mass planet HAT-P-11b. The other is WASP-43b, a gas giant twice as massive as Jupiter. But Wakeford and her colleagues found that HAT-P-26b bucks the trend. They determined its metallicity is only about 4.8 times that of the sun, much closer to the value for Jupiter than for Neptune. “This analysis shows that there is a lot more diversity in the atmospheres of these exoplanets than we were expecting, which is providing insight into how planets can form and evolve differently than in our solar system,” said David K. Sing of the University of Exeter and the second author of the paper. “I would say that has been a theme in the studies of exoplanets: Researchers keep finding surprising diversity.” Enjoy the article? Leave a Reply
You don’t need the skills of a NASCAR driver to drive to the store for a carton of eggs. Neither do you need a PhD in music theory to play guitar. But just as everyday drivers need to know rules of the road before getting behind the wheel, there are a few basics of music theory that every player can benefit from learning. Understanding scale and chord fundamentals helps you communicate clearly with other musicians and make sense of melodies and chord progressions. 12-Point Inspection: Scale Basics Let’s start off by examining one of the most common scales, C major, below. c major scale As you can see, this scale has seven notes, plus the second C that’s one octave above our starting point. The distance from any note to the same letter note eight tones above or below is an octave. If you get to the top of the scale and want to keep going higher, simply repeat the letter names in sequence: C D E F G A B C D E F, and so on. The same can be done in reverse on the lower end: C B A G F E D C B A G, etc. The notes in the C-major scale aren’t the only ones in our musical universe. There are five other notes, each of which may be named in two different ways. One way uses the sharp sign (#). C#, for example, is the note one half step (one fret position, for us guitarists) above C. Since C is at the first fret of the second string of your guitar, C# is at the second fret. The other way to indicate in-between notes is with a flat sign (b). Db is the note one half step below D. Since D is at the third fret of the second string, Db is the note at the second fret. Don’t be confused by the fact that, although C# and Db sound the same and are played the same, they have different names. There’s logic behind that, which we’ll get to in a minute. Let’s take a look at the mother of all scales—the chromatic scale, shown below beginning at the A note. This scale contains all 12 possible notes: A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab. a chromatic scale How do you know there are only 12 notes? Take a look at your guitar. The note at the 12th fret of each string is an octave higher than the open string. If you play the open A string and the note on each of its first 11 frets, you’ll get the A chromatic scale. As we saw earlier, all the sharp notes have flat synonyms (A#=Bb, C#=Db, D#=Eb, F#=Gb, G#=Ab). Some of the natural notes (notes that are neither flat nor sharp) have alter egos as well (E=Fb, F=E#, B=Cb, C=B#). Musical subterfuge? No. As we study how major scales are built, you’ll see the reason for these aliases. Citations And References: How to Play the Major Scale on Guitar:
La Cocina offers a taste of Northern New Mexico -A A +A Review: The short drive off the Hill is well worth it By Jennifer Garcia Finding a decent Northern New Mexican meal isn’t hard if you’re willing to take a short drive. There are plenty of places in Santa Fe that offer traditional New Mexican fare. There are also a few places in Española where you can get a meal reminiscent of those grandma used to make; La Cocina is one of those places. Just to be clear, we’re talking about the location at 415 Santa Clara Bridge Road, not Steve’s La Cocina, behind the fueling station on Los Alamos Highway. A recent trip to La Cocina proved to be satisfying and did not cause sticker shock when the bill came. The worst part of the experience was trying to decide on what to order. There is quite a variety to choose from. They offer everything from American comfort food like chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes, to burgers and sandwiches. But one doesn’t go to a Northern New Mexican restaurant for a hamburger (though they are probably pretty good). No, one goes there for either a red or green chile fix. Enchiladas, burritos, tostadas and more grace the pages of the menu, each one tempting the diner to try something they don’t usually order. During a recent visit, the Frito pie looked tempting and so that was ordered. The dish comes in two sizes: regular and large. Thinking that the regular size might be too small, and not having had any breakfast, the large Frito pie was ordered. In addition, enchiladas supremas and two chicken tacos were also ordered. The enchiladas were ordered with red chile, as were the Frito pies. Either red or green chile is offered (or Christmas) on the enchiladas and either green or red on the Frito pie. Normally, the Frito pie is a bowl of beans and your choice of chile, with the Fritos served on the side, but per a diner’s request, the Fritos can be added to the bottom of the bowl. Your choice of chicken or beef is also available in the Frito pie. Complimentary chips and salsa are always offered at La Cocina. The chips were crisp, with just the right amount of salt. The salsa was a good consistency, not too thick and not too soupy. The tomato flavor was just right. The salsa wasn’t too salty and didn’t have too many onions. It was just right, with just enough heat from the jalapeños to let you know they there, without making you grab for a glass of water, while nearly choking on the heat. The enchiladas supremas offers an abundant serving — large enough for two or just enough for one with a large appetite. The chile is spicy, but not enough to set your mouth on fire. The dish is topped with a good amount of gooey cheese and the flavor of the ingredients mixed together is a treat for the taste buds. When the Frito pies arrived, the size of the bowls was enough to make the eyes bulge in disbelief They were huge. So huge in fact, that one of the bowls could probably be used as a helmet. Yes, they were that big. They were also filled to the halfway point with beans, chile,, ground beef and Fritos. The dish was topped with shredded cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. The entrée came with a tablespoon, as well. You know, just in case a regular-sized spoon wasn’t enough to get the job done. The flavor of the beans, chile and ground beef will transport those who grew up in Northern New Mexico back to their grandmother’s kitchen. They taste homemade. Despite the fact that there are salty Fritos in the dish, the flavors are well balanced. The beans and meat have just the right amount of flavor and combined with the lettuce, tomato and cheese, strike just the right flavor balance. There was one complaint, however. The chicken tacos were bland. There was no flavor to the meat, which was encased in a greasy corn tortilla. The side of salsa that came with the tacos helped add flavor, but wasn’t enough to make that much of a difference. Sopaipillas come with most meals. They were also a bit bland, but once they’ve covered in honey, it’s not such a big deal. What is a big deal, however, is when they are dripping grease, even after being placed on a sheet of paper, in the basket. Two of the sopaipillas were fine, but the third one was greasy and had to be blotted with a napkin before and attempt to eat it was made. The dining room wasn’t packed, but there was a decent crowd for a Sunday afternoon. The waiter was attentive without being overbearing. Drink refills were brought promptly and he checked in regularly. His appearance was neat and his uniform was clean, which is always a plus. The check was brought promptly as well and added to the overall positive dining experience. Lunch for three, including three sodas, before tip, came to $42.41. There are a couple of areas in which La Cocina can improve, but overall, if you’re looking for a good Northern New Mexico dining experience, it’s definitely worth the trip to Española.
YouTube Channel Star Season 2 Episode 5 May The Best Manager Win Ayana's father, a legendary music label executive, pays a visit; Alex continues to be haunted by her lies to Derek; Star and Simone differ on how to deal with Brody's mysterious return; Noah has a tense encounter with the police during an event.
Monday, September 3, 2012 Good-bye, Summer! Labor Day weekend marks the end of lazy summer days and the start of structured life. We decided to say good-bye to summer with as many things as we could possibly cram into one long weekend. But let's first back up to the last week of summer. Lunch on the deck. We mostly played in our backyard, soaking up as much of the sun as we could before the warm days to turn cool, crisp fall ones. We fished in the water table, we dug in the sandbox, we swung on the swing set, we kicked and threw balls, we swam in the pool, we ate lunch on the deck, and we did a outdoorsy project. First for our project we collected a bunch of sticks from our yard. Then we glued the sticks onto a piece of construction paper. Next we colored a piece of paper with orange, red and yellow crayons. Then we ripped the paper into several pieces and glued them onto the construction paper. The end result was a camp fire. Collecting sticks. Trying to tear the paper. Campfire picture. Also this week we attended Spencer's preschool open house. We've been talking to him about preschool for several weeks now, preparing him to go to school by himself. Although this has been an open subject in our house, I wasn't quite ready for the emotions that hit me upon entering the elementary school. As soon as I saw all the little kids and parents exploring the new classrooms and locating their cubbies and meeting their teachers, I was overwhelmed with the realization that my baby is indeed no longer a baby, and that preschool is definitely not this notion far into the future. It is real and it is going to happen soon. I teared up like a big fat baby! Spencer was very excited, though, bouncing from toy to toy. He has the same teacher he had for ECFE and is in the same classroom. This eases my anxiety a bit since he'll be in a familiar environment with a familiar face. Spencer's cubby/locker. A week ago I started potty training boot camp to get Spencer preschool-ready. Until then I was pulling down his underwear and pants, helping him onto the toilet and then putting his underwear and pants back on for him. One day it hit me that I can't be there to do that for him at preschool and I needed to force him to do it himself. It had been a struggle, because he'd rather whine and throw a fit than put on his own undies. Often times he puts them on inside out and the wrong way, but I'm just glad that he puts them on himself. Luckily the toilets at the preschool are small and low to the ground. And we spoke to the teacher about his accidents and constant reminders to be told to go potty. Thankfully she is willing to work with him! Playing in his classroom. Tomorrow morning I will be sending my little boy off into the world without me for 2 1/2 hours every Tuesday and Thursday. Although I know this is a good thing and that Spencer will benefit greatly, I still can't help put feel a little anxious. I just hope I don't cry at the drop-off! One tiny step at a time my son will become his own person....away from me. First homework assignment. Before the start of school, we celebrated the end of summer with a busy weekend filled with family, friends, motor homes, tractors, and some yummy good. Friday night we rode Grandma Amy and Marmer's new motor home down to La Crosse to eat. This made both Grandma and Spencer very happy. Ashton, on the other hand, was a tad cranky. Riding in the motor home. Look how excited Dave was. Saturday morning we had planned a special train ride for Spencer to celebrate his potty successes, but upon check-in at the Amtrak station, we learned the train was running two hours late. With our busy schedule we just couldn't afford to wait around for two hours. Then came the tricky part of explaining this to an excited three-year-old. Just as I was about to explain the situation, a utility truck pulled into the train station and parked. I decided to incorporate it into the story and told Spencer that the truck was there to fix the broken train, so we'd have to come back another day to ride it. Surprisingly, he took the news with very few tears and perked up at the words "Chuck E Cheese's." After going school and winter clothes shopping, we stopped for lunch at Chuck E Cheese's, played some games and then headed out to Grandma and Marmer's for the day. The boys enjoyed some tractor time with their "cousins" before we headed up to the lodge to camp for the night. Ashton was too exhausted to enjoy any of the camping festivities, but Spencer got to stay up for some dessert around the camp fire. Train station blues. Chuck E Cheese's. Searching for pumpkins at Grandma's. Riding tractor with "cousin" Christian. Hold on, Ash! "Cousin" Cameron gives Spenc a 4-wheeler ride. The lodge. Mesmerized by the campfire. Sunday morning we went back down to the house for Scharmer's B&B-style breakfast, showers, a nap for Ashton, and then we met some friends at Farm Fest. Spencer entered his very first kiddie tractor pull, managing to move a few inches before realizing his little legs just couldn't do it. We explored all the old tractors, went on a hayride, ate lunch and then nibbled on some fresh bakery cookies on the long ride back home, attempting to keep two very tired kids awake. After naps our friends came over for a BBQ. Then we all crashed from a long weekend. Riding the train at Farm Fest. Spencer's weight for the kiddie tractor pull. Being coached by Daddy and Grandpa before the tractor pull. Trying hard but it just won't budge! Cheering his big brother on. Eating ice cream cones with his best friend Jackson at our Labor Day BBQ. Today, Labor Day, we are relaxing and recharging our batteries for the beginning of a new season. Here are more pictures from our week. Making us breakfast labor day morning. This is edible sand, don't be alarmed ;) Ash saw this ball in the neighbor's yard and booked it super fast before I could catch him. My project for the boys' rooms. 1. I love this!! What a great way to share your stories with family and friends!! The pictures are amazing! You are so talented Angie!! Your boys are absolutely precious!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you embark on Spencer's first week of preschool :-) You're a brave Mommy - and Spencer will love it!! With Love, Jenn, Victoria & Eleanor :-) 1. Thank you, Jenn! I appreciate your kind words...and prayers!
Bakers stuck by floods bake bread for evacuees ↓ Advertisement ↓ HOUSTON -- We're seeing examples of the spirit of Houston all over our flooded area. Four bakers are a fantastic example of that. They were at work inside El Bolillo Bakery in southeast Houston over the weekend when the devastating flooding began. Before long, they realized they were stuck by floodwater. They still had electricity and the store remained dry, so what did they do? They baked! And then they baked some more. They spent the entire night making Mexican loaves of bread and pan dulce. Once they were able to get out, they took the bread they baked overnight and delivered it to shelters for evacuees and to Texas Children's Hospital. To the bakers at El Bolilo Bakery -- we salute you. It's that kind of spirit we're seeing across town as we continue helping each other during this very tying time.r ↓ Advertisement ↓
HIV/AIDS Skepticism Posted by Henry Bauer on 2007/12/03 I referred less than respectfully to “experts” both unnamed and named, in my “LIES” post of 2 December. Contributing in an important way to the HIV/AIDS mess is the uncritical adulation extended by media and (therefore) public to “experts” bearing the brand of medicine or science, who are wont to advertise their status by wearing white coats for photo-ops. I believe that a significant reason why HIV=AIDS continues to be accepted, despite all the evidence against it, is that media and public cannot conceive that authoritatively and officially promulgated views could be so wrong. So it’s good to be aware of rampant misconceptions that foster this state of affairs. You should of course ask, what makes Bauer think he’s qualified to discuss misconceptions about science ? In high school, I became captivated by science in general and chemistry in particular, and later taught chemistry and did research in electrochemistry for a couple of decades. I started to wonder about gaps in what science concerns itself with, and the role that heterodox claims play, and how to distinguish between real science and pseudo-science. So I switched from chemistry to the then-fledgling field of “science studies”, which incorporates approaches from history of science, philosophy of science, sociology of science, and other fields as well. What I learned is described at some length in several books (1, 2), which have detailed discussion and supporting citations for the assertions I’m going to make here and that are particularly pertinent to what goes on with HIV/AIDS. The most authoritative and comprehensive descriptions of all facets of scientific activity are by John Ziman (3). I haven’t lost my fascination with science or my respect for science; it’s as noble and worthwhile an activity as human beings can aspire to (though not necessarily more so than some others). But I’ve learned that science can be only somewhat better than its practitioners and institutions, and that if those practitioners and institutions become sufficiently incompetent or corrupt, then the whole enterprise can let us down as much as can a corrupt commercial enterprise (an Enron, say) or a corrupt government (a Stalin, say). Science and medicine are not exempt, either, from being taken over by fads, fashions, and bandwagons that the experts approve right up until the moment that the bubble bursts, as with the financial bubbles that burst periodically. (On the latter, essential reading is J. K. Galbraith’s [1990/93] A Short History of Financial Euphoria.) * * * * * * Science is not infallible. It progresses by trial and error. Theories are never true in any absolute sense, they are just convenient temporary summaries of what has so far been learned. They are helpful as guides to further research, and that further work then brings modifications or total abandonment of the pre-existing theory that stimulated the work. Scientists range widely in competence. Individual scientists are much more fallible than science as a whole, because facts don’t become part of “science” until there is reasonably wide agreement about them. Agreements are reached better and more reliably, the more honest and competent are the scientists who are involved. Conflicts of interest can be very damaging. Deliberate cheating is far from unknown, especially in recent times where the competition for grants and positions has become intensely cutthroat: presently the National Institutes of Health, the largest source of grants for research in biology and medicine, funds only about 1 in 5 grant applications (4)–and for young researchers, getting grants is usually necessary for job security and advancement. There is no impersonal “scientific method” that automatically makes reliable whatever a researcher does. The “scientific method” consists of the interaction among scientists. Medicine is not science. It’s related to science rather like engineering is related to science. It’s concerned with what works, not why it does. Corollary: Medical doctors are trained to apply existing agreed-on knowledge, they are not taught to question it. Scientists are trained to question existing knowledge in order to contribute to correcting it and expanding it. Caveat: Some MDs do become first-rate researchers. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that a high proportion of HIV/AIDS researchers are MDs–for example, the statistically illiterate ones mentioned in the “LIES” post. Among those who question whether HIV = AIDS there is a high proportion of research-trained PhDs. Institutions of medicine and science are not doctors or scientists. They are bureaucracies, whose primary aim is aggrandizement: increasing their own importance, their size, their status, their prestige. The media should be as searching of reports and press releases from institutions of science and medicine as they are of reports and press releases from commercial enterprises, government agencies, and political entities. Administrators are not doctors and they are not scientists, even if they once were. Their primary role is to administer, to safeguard their territories, and that takes priority over caring for patients or furthering science. The media should be as searching of statements from administrators of science and medicine as they are of administrators or spokespeople for commercial enterprises or government agencies. Scientists vary widely in competence. The greatest successes in science tend to come from single-minded obsessive work, so the most accomplished scientists are not necessarily the most intelligent, practical, judicious, or sensible. The winner of a Nobel Prize might make a good administrator–but probably not; or a good advisor on public policy–but often not. Serendipity, luck, being in the right place at the right time with the right tools is a significant factor in success in science (5), just as in many other fields of human activity. The most brilliant success in science does not bespeak some overall inherent brilliance or even competence: Nobel Prize winners rarely win a second such Prize. An analogy might be the mutual-fund managers who top the rankings in a given year; they rarely repeat, because the insight that brought success was right just for a particular time and set of circumstances. My distinguished friend Jack (I. J.) Good is fond of pointing out that geniuses are cranks who happen to be right, and cranks are geniuses who happen to be wrong: they are stubborn, obsessive, impervious to criticism. If their obsession is with something that turns out right, they are likely to be ranked as genius; if their obsession is with a phantom, they are likely to be remembered as cranks; see chapters 9 and 10 in (2) for illustrative examples. There is no reliable guide to deciding beforehand or at the time, whether one’s interest is in a genuine phenomenon or an illusory one (6-8). So herds of researchers can be chasing what later turns out to have been a phantom: cancer-causing viruses, say, or vaccines against HIV. Some maverick claims are later vindicated, others not (6); some accepted “scientific truths” remain useful for a long time with relatively little modification, others suffer sudden, often unforeseen eclipse in a “scientific revolution” (9). That science and medicine are replete with jargon and technicalities does not mean that they cannot be assessed by outsiders. Just as with politics, finance, or any other specialized activity, outsiders can judge whether statements are self-consistent, whether they offend common sense, whether questions are evaded rather than answered, whether promises or predictions come to pass. Media and public should treat doctors and scientists as human beings who happen to have some particular knowledge and abilities but who remain fallible even in their area of expertise. Media and public should be as skeptical of administrators and institutions of medicine and science as they are of company executives and commercial enterprises. If that had been the case with HIV/AIDS, then the bandwagon would not have been able to evade such issues as: — What are the specific scientific publications proving that a positive HIV-test means that infectious virus is present? — What are the specific scientific publications proving that HIV causes AIDS? — What are the specific scientific publications proving that the proteins and genes taken to be the characteristic constituents of HIV are actually present in whole infectious particles of retrovirus? — What was the basis for expanding the set of “AIDS-defining” diseases beyond the opportunistic infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma that caused AIDS to be identified and defined in the first place? — How could something (HIV) spread in epidemic fashion when it is apparently transmitted sexually at an average rate of only 1 per 1000 acts? And that, of course, hardly exhausts the possible list. (1) Bauer (1992) Scientific Literacy and the Myth of the Scientific Method (2) Bauer (2001) Fatal Attractions: The Troubles with Science (3) John Ziman, especially Real Science (2000) and Prometheus Bound (1994) (4) Daniel Greenberg, “So many labs, so little money”, Chronicle of Higher Education, 8 September 2006, B20. (5) Paula E. Stephan & Sharon G. Levin (1992) Striking the Mother Lode in Science: The Importance of Age, Place, and Time (6) Bauer (2001) Science or Pseudoscience: Magnetic Healing, Psychic Phenomena, and Other Heterodoxies (7) Bauer (1984) Beyond Velikovsky (8) Bauer (1986) The Enigma of Loch Ness: Making Sense of a Mystery (9) Thomas S. Kuhn (1962/70) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2 Responses to “GURUS IN WHITE COATS” 1. Cyril Sader said Great article. 2. Thank you for this site, which I found through your new book (2007), and for this article in particular. Not a nurse, doctor, or research scientist, I have had to defend myself for writing on medical topics, trying to explain the basis of my judgments (consistency, thoroughness, responsible use of numeric data, etc.); so, I found this to be a fine and useful article. Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
A-3 Test Part 2: Question Preview (ID: 2673) Below is a preview of the questions contained within the game titled A-3 TEST PART 2: Use This Game To Help You Study For The A-3 Test! To play games using this data set, follow the directions below. Good luck and have fun. Enjoy! [print these questions] Sunlight is trapped by a leaf's a) sugar b) chlorophyll c) symmetry d) oxygen Which two things combine to make sugar, or food, for the plant? a) carbon dioxide and oxygen b) carbon dioxide and light c) water and carbon dioxide d) water and light Carbon dioxide and water combine to make a) sugar b) sunlight c) nutrients in the soil d) roots Name the process by which leaves give off water. a) nutrients b) symmetry c) photosynthesis d) transpiration Tiny cells from which some plants germinate are called a) taproots b) tubers c) spores d) nutrients A ______ is a swollen underground stem. a) tuber b) taproot c) fibrous root d) spore _______ are long, shallow roots a) fibrous roots b) taproots c) tubers d) spores The gas that animals and humans breathe out is called a) oxygen b) carbon dioxide c) water d) hydrogen Deep root that have tiny hairs to absorb water and nutrients are called a) taproots b) fibrous roots c) tuber d) spores ________ are the substances that all living things need to grow. a) nutrients b) spores c) symmetry d) tubers Play Games with the Questions above at ReviewGameZone.com To play games using the questions from the data set above, visit ReviewGameZone.com and enter game ID number: 2673 in the upper right hand corner at ReviewGameZone.com or simply click on the link above this text. Log In \| Sign Up / Register
Content-Type: text/shitpost Subject: Hey, that's not how that is meant to be used! Path: your-brain!your-host!ihnp4!kremvax!plovergw!shitpost!mjd Date: 2017-12-05T20:42:33 Message-ID: <> Content-Type: text/shitpost When the kids were smaller, they would sometimes drop food. I would adopt a puzzled expression, and say, in what I hoped was a tone of perplexity, “you're supposed to eat it, not throw it on the floor!” The kids did not find this funny. They found it extremely annoying, and ordered me to stop. When I saw that it would never be popular, I gave it up. But I still think it, and it's still funny every time, sometimes funnier.
So, you can teach life lessons to people in so many different ways Today I had a mom/daughter date planned. Reading a book together, picnic and board game at a neighborhood area that is full of green grass and hills. It rained, so we decided to tweak it. We played a board game and watched Rocky 1-3. I know that is a weird movie choice, but we have done all of the children’s classics and I am introducing her to movies that were popular when I was a little tyke and they are now considered classics. What these movies teach are so many things: courage,to never give up, you can be anything you want if you work hard enough, it doesn’t matter where you come from because you can still succeed, etc. I never in my life thought that I would use Rocky as teachable moment, but hey-whatever works!!! I did not plan on it, but we had such a good time and I loved watching her watch a movie that is from what I think is a much simpler time. She was playing a game on her Kindle for 30 minutes of it, which is unusual because she doesn’t play her games that much, but besides that it was a wonderful bonding time. Cheering for the good and hard-working guy and booing Mr. T and the mean Russian guy. My whole point of this post is that as a parent, there is always a way to connect with your child. I don’t want to hear the b.s. about your kid is addicted to technology. If they are, it is your fault. So do something about it! Live life in 3-D! Good night! Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
The Knowledge to Act Our People Share This Livia Bizikova Director, Knowledge for Integrated Decisions Dr. Livia Bizikova is Director, Knowledge for Integrated Decisions, with experience in the fields of sustainable development, scenario development, participatory planning and integrated assessment. She works with diverse stakeholders: decision-makers at various levels; agencies including the United Nations Environment Program, the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank; and countries including Canada, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Tajikistan, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Honduras and Nicaragua. Livia Bizikova is currently on leave. View all Our People Our People
Is 220 volts more dangerous than 110 volts? Quick Answer In a way, 220 volts is not any more dangerous than 110 volts, or even 10 volts. When it comes to damage to the human body, the amount of current flowing is more important than the amount of voltage that current possesses. Continue Reading Full Answer Current, the flow of electrical energy between two points, is what causes bodily damage when a human being is shocked. Voltage is a measure of the amount of force flowing between two points in an electrical circuit. Higher voltage means the current can flow more freely. Therefore, voltage is related to current, and, by extension, the amount of danger a given jolt of electricity presents. However, circuits also contain resistance, a measure of the amount of friction preventing free flow of current. An object with 110 volts may actually be more dangerous than one with 220 volts if the second object has high resistance and the first has low resistance. Furthermore, differences in body chemistry and fat composition contribute to the amount of danger any given current presents. These idiosyncrasies make it difficult to be precise about how dangerous a given voltage actually is to a specific person. Learn more about Electrical Related Questions
Press freedom under sustained pressure Across the globe press freedom is under attack. As the annual world newspaper congress gets underway in Moscow, a report by the World Association of Newspapers underlines the threat to journalists in stark terms, naming and shaming countries such as Nepal, Belarus, Ethiopia, China, Cuba and Eritrea for the jailing of reporters and editors. (Via
• Content count • Joined • Last visited About Mauvka • Rank Landed Knight • Birthday July 22 Contact Methods • Website URL • ICQ Profile Information • Gender • Location New York, NY Previous Fields • Name 1. I think this would run into problems because the process of getting a drug to market really does cost millions of dollars. However, if the NIH were to run a program where they would front the costs of putting on clinical trials in exchange for a licensing agreement that stipulated reasonable price controls (and profit sharing to keep the program solvent), then we might have a noncoercive method to put price pressure on the medical system. Because if there is a government sponsored drug for 1/100th the price on the market, that would put real pressure on pharma. And so much of basic research is already paid for by the public. 2. On the subject of Obamacare reforms not working out quite as planned, I found this report to be both horrifying and of interest. Obamacare has made it illegal for insurers to discriminate over preexisting conditions. A group from Harvard bring forth the claim that insurers went around this by making their plans particularly shitty for patients with specific diagnoses to discourage them from signing up. They focused their report on access to HIV medications, and claim that insurers specifically excluded core drugs from all but their most expensive plans. The discriminatory complaint was filed against 6 insurers in 6 states. 3. The only hope I see for combatting this violence is that bystanders are getting the video evidence out when these atrocities happen. "I was scared" may be an excuse for a civilian to fire in a tense situation given the right circumstances. Gun carrying professional law enforcement can be trained not to jump to pushing a trigger. And the ones who cannot train to subdue their adrenaline response shouldn't be carrying lethal weapons. As it stands, every shooting by a cop who mistakenly thought he saw a threat is giving cover to a shooting by another cop who just happened to feel like hurting someone that day. One can be fixed with better policies, the other is criminal. And both need to be eradicated. 4. I view voting to be as much about voicing one's view as it is about electing a specific candidate. At the end of the day, majority of the country lives in states that are a lock for one party alien which case, why bother voting at all, if not to send a message. So while voting third party may not have any chance of electing that candidate, if enough voters choose to support a third party over the D or R, the main parties will take notice. It sends a very clear message that you are someone who will take the time to vote, and also that neither of the main candidates earned your support. 5. Count me in the minority, but I enjoyed the Dornish massacre. Seems to me that it would be foolish to murder Myrcella and then _not_ go though with a full coup. Also, Doran Martel was making an error in keeping his plans so close to the vest. The Dornish are an easily riled people, angry at the Lannisters, and as far as they could see, Doran was just endlessly appeasing the enemy. His killing made all the sense it needed to in my eyes. 6. Lokisnow, Thanks for breaking down how the different kinds of taxes would impact employers vs employees. A 6% tax increase in small business payroll (for the businesses small enough to not provide health insurance already) seems like a large burden, that should only be phased in gradually if such a law were passed. Or perhaps there could be a lower rate for business under the 50- employees threshold? 7. I find the conservative brouhaha over Trump's abortion comments to be laughably hypocritical. Otherwise, where was the prolife outrage when American women were being prosecuted under current laws for obtaining (or being suspected of having done so) self-induced abortions? I remember a few of these cases coming up on national news, and the only outrage I remember hear was from the pro-choice side, aimed at the abortion restrictions that drove many of these women to self-abort. Prosecuting Women for Self-Inducing Abortion: Counterproductive and Lacking Compassion Clearly, at least some prosecutors shared the opinion that women who self-abort should be punished according to the laws. I don't know whether this latest controversy will have an impact on Trump's support or not, but I see this clearly as very much another case of him exchanging the code-speak dog whistle of conservative politics for directly catering to what a certain segment of the Republican electorate believes. This is the party that includes Todd Akin, of the infamous "If it’s legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down,” line of reasoning. 8. Altherion, that's a good write up and I agree wholeheartedly with your points. I would like to add that the NSA spystate expansion that has happened over the last two administrations occurred beyond the the levels legislated by congress, and that further extensions to such programs would be subject to influence by the presidency. I expect there to be a major difference between establishment and antiestablishment presidencies in regards to how Sanders vs Clinton may view continuation of govt spying on the American people. 9. I could easily see him doing it for the fame, accomplishment of reaching that office, and the chance to get his name into history books 10. To respond to the question in the last iteration of this thread, The optimist in me thinks that Trump represents a real shift in the temperament of the Republican electorate. I am heartened by the apparent disavowal of traditional conservative candidates. Compared to the recent trend of ever more fundamentalist candidates winning primaries among Republicans, it strikes me as a great change of political winds that Trump is so nonidealogical. For once, it's not all about gays, abortions, and Church. Something about how fundamentally different Trump seems from other candidates of recent years, combined with his success up to date, makes me think that the party will not be able to prevent his nomination. The pessimist in me is downright terrified of Trump getting the nomination. As much as the consensus wisdom is that he'd be destroyed in a general election, I fear that Trump taps into a real and present anger in the American electorate that is not confined to just the Republican party. And if the Democrats select Hillary as their nominee, as they still seem likely to do, I am truly worried that Trump would be able to tap into enough energy across ideological lines to win. A Hillary vs Trump general reminds me a lot of Kerry v Bush. By all objective and apparent measures, Bush was an awful president. There was talk of an "Anybody But Bush" sentiment among Democrats, as a push to get him out of the White House. But the Dems nominated a middle-of-the-road, dull, noncharismati,safe candidate, and it turned out that "Anybody But Bush" didn't actually work. And if kicking Bush out after all the mess he caused as president didn't work out, then I am worried that "Anybody But Trump" won't be any more effective, without a charismatic alternative to give people something to vote for. 11. If Talissa ends up being actually a Volantene lady... after this episode I can actually get behind that. Now that she and Robb are actually talking to each other rather than the snarking from the earliest episodes, I'm a lot more sold on the two actors' chemistry. The description of the Volantis slave society was a nice touch foreshadowing for book 5. 12. In defense of the Joffrey/whores scene... I think it does quite a bit more than just show the progression of his depravity. This scene solidifies why, once the Lannister/Tyrell alliance is made, Joffrey must die. Think about what we've seen of Joffrey up to this point from the perspective of a powerful family like the Tyrells: He beats up on Sansa--Well, there's bad blood between them (war and all that), and she's far more a prisoner of war than a queen. There is no reason to presume from this that the way he treats Sansa will be the way he treats Margaery. He has commoners/drunk knights tortured--again, the Tyrells would think they are above such risk. They are a powerful house, not like the rabble. He had Robert's bastards killed--an ugly order, but some may call it justified While many of these actions can be a bad PR issue for the Crown-Tyrell alliance... none are a serious threat. What Joffrey does with the whores, is. As someone above noted, a teenage boy is presented with two naked young ladies in a room... and his reaction is to have them beat each other? The mental depravity of that scene goes far beyond anything we've seen before. Margaery can never be safe married to this Joffrey. That is why the Tyrells will take on the huge huge risk of assassinating the king. Not just the king, but a Lannister king. I'm sure the Tyrells have heard the "Rains of Castamere," and they need a better reason to take that risk than "Joffrey has a mean streak." That is why we will have the Purple Wedding. 13. Agreed. Meanwhile, we get the wolfdream of Jon-as-Ghost. Next morning Jon wakes up in the woods with a headache, talks to Mormont about seeing the white Walker but keeps mum about Craster. And the plot continues past the diversion same as in the book. 14. Cersei's mocking jibe about the "turnip knight" may be a reference to Viscount Charles Townsend, whose exprimentation with new crops lent him the nickname "Turnip" Townsend among the nobility.
Life on the Spectrum: A World Autism Awareness Week Special Whilst I usually keep my posts on this blog themed around creative topics, I’ve decided to do something different this time. World Autism Awareness Week started last Saturday, but I’ve known about it for a good few months. So, I decided it would be time to open up about my High Functioning Autism. I can guarantee a good half of my friends have no clue that I’m autistic, especially since it’s not something I talk about on a day-to-day basis with those I know. With that said, it’s definitely something that needs to be talked about, so here it goes. Here are the pros and cons of my autism. Pro – It gives me my creative spark I honestly think the biggest reason I have as much passion as I do for designing, and in turn have as many skills in being a designer, is because of my autism. Whilst most other boys when I was in school were are into things like sports, games and construction, I was far more engrossed in crafts and technology. I also knew from a very early age that I wanted to do something artistic when I grew up. And why do I think my autism is the reason for this? Well, all of the autistic friend I have, both high and low functioning, are equally passionate about creative topics. Some are more into music, some are more into fashion, and some are more into storytelling. But all of them are creative, and I wouldn’t give up my creative spark for the world, especially if it also meant giving up these friends. Con – It cripples my socialising skills Easily the biggest problem my autism causes me is that it makes it extraordinarily difficult for me to socialise with people. For one thing, I am easily overcome with shyness when talking to someone, especially for the first time, and especially if they’re talking to someone else. Often, just saying “hello” to someone takes a lot of self-encouragement. For another, I have an awful lot of difficulty making eye-contact with people. I have to really force myself to look someone in the eye, and even then, it only lasts for a split second. The only way I can describe the feeling of looking into people’s eyes is like looking into a pair of black holes, since the darkness of the pupils just never seems to end. Pro – It makes me truly dedicated to things Whilst I may not be into the same things as most other men, when I get passionate about something, I really get passionate about it. This includes my love for design, which can be evident in the 43 books I read for my Modernism/Postmodernism dissertation (excluding journals, websites, and the documentary film I watched). Furthermore, if I’m given some kind of job to do, I try my hardest to not only do the job, but to do it either better, or do a lot more of it. I will spend every spare second examining every detail to see if there’s some way I can make an improvement, rarely ever telling myself that “It’ll do”. This, again, is a common trait for autistic folk, that when they have a goal they want to achieve, especially if it’s linked to something they feel strongly for, they go to the ends of the earth to achieve it. Con – My parents had the hardest time raising me Nowadays, I’m a quiet but friendly, calm and approachable person, which is a million miles away from the kind of child I was. Because I would easily be traumatised by change (more details regarding that to come), if anything I didn’t expect to happen happened, I would often begin screaming and try anything in my power to stop it happening, even if that meant me becoming physical. Also, because I didn’t clearly understand the world around me, I would often do things which I never realised weren’t right, such as break something or take something from someone without their permission. I’m none of these things today, but the only reason is because my parents, especially my mother, loved me regardless. Through their love, they raised me to be a better man, and I am forever thankful for that. Pro – It makes me understand things others struggle with Autistic people are neither smarter, not dimmer, than the average man. The difference is that our intelligence is focused on particular areas of our minds. For example, being autistic, I’m especially good at systems and organisation. Not only do I plan my schedule and projects more effectively than many others do, but it means I only took half the time others did to comprehend both web-coding, and algebra. It also allows me to have a more advanced mind for visualising things, since autistic folk like me tend to think in pictures. We can both visualise things which haven’t been created yet, and we can remember the look of something with more advanced details regular people. I can actually remember how everything looked from my earliest memory, when I was young enough to sleep in a cot. Con – It made things you might consider ‘simple’ difficult Whilst my autism does make me understand things others struggle to comprehend, it also has the adverse effect of making me struggle with things other people are used to, especially if there doesn’t seem to be a system involved. For example, regardless of my blog, I often struggle with reading and writing, particularly fictional material. Not only does fictional work vary more in tenses, sentence lengths and topics, but it’s also a lot less ‘matter of fact’ and uses more indirect, emotional methods of describing things (I.e. Metaphors). Also, if there’s a change to the routine an autistic person is used to, this can often become increasingly stressful for the autistic person, since they end up becoming lost with no clear sign of where to go or what to do next. It’s like being diverted away from a road you’re used to driving on onto one you’ve never seen before. The destination might be the same, but it’s still confusing and stressful. Let’s Talk About MMR Yes, over 2 decades ago when the whole controversy about MMR vaccines and autism were a hot topic in the news, I was one of those children supposedly made autistic because of the vaccine (we even have before and after photographs). Before anyone mentions them, I know the stats supposedly show no direct correlation between the two. With that said, think of it this way: some people have peanut-allergies, but we don’t go telling them that peanuts can’t cause allergic reactions since the rest of us can eat them without any side effects. Furthermore, many of the things linked to MMR have been discovered to be potential causes of autism. Many scientists believe that autism can be a form of mercury poisoning (multiple-dose vaccines are preserved in Thiomersal, an organomercury compound), a long-term effect of contracting Rubella (what the ‘R’ in ‘MMR’ stands for), or even caused by early childhood trauma (I think having 3 diseases at once as a baby is a pretty traumatic experience). I’m not claiming anything regarding the MMR-autism controversy. After all, I’m no scientist. All I’m saying is that we shouldn’t be so conclusive that MMR doesn’t cause autism, especially since we’re still so unsure as to what does. We’re still in very early days regarding this research, so let’s keep our minds open and let the future tell us whether or not the scientists of today were right. My Summary I’ve met autistic people who see it as a gift, giving them skills the average human being could only dream of having. I’ve also met autistic people who see it as a hindrance, making it hard for them to fit in with society and be mocked because of it. What do I think of my autism…? Meh… Truth be told, I don’t really think of it as a blessing, and I don’t think of it as a curse; I just think of it as the way I am. If you asked me to describe myself with a single word, I’d probably choose ‘autistic’, since I think it says just about everything you’d want to know about me in one breath. I do think, however, that it’s something people should at least be aware of. Autism, for better or worse, is a condition that will stick with me until the day I die, and the more that people understand it, the easier life can be for all of us. You might not think that you need to know about it, but knowing how many of my own friends never knew I was autistic, it wouldn’t surprise me if you knew many more people on the spectrum without realising it. It’s not impossible for someone with High Functioning Autism, or Aspergers Syndrome, to be undiagnosed, so keep your wits about you if you spot the signs. So, what do you all think of autism? Do you think it’s a good thing, a bad thing, or somewhere in between? I’m interested in your opinions of it, so comment below with your thoughts regarding autism. Why Do We Lose Our Creativity As We Grow Up (And How We Can Prevent It)? During a presentation held by a highly enthusiastic Dan Spain at my nearest meet-up, he talked about a 2006 survey held by Sir Ken Robinson. In the survey, 1,600 children were tested to see how many of them were ‘highly creative’ (or more specifically, how many could think in “divergent or non-linear ways”) at various stages of their life. Frighteningly, he discovered that despite 98% of them being highly creative aged 5, that dropped to just 2% by the time those same children were 25. (AUTHORS NOTE: I’ve since been corrected that it was in fact George land who did the survey, not Ken Robinson. Thanks a lot, Google!) As I left that night, I asked myself why we drastically lose our creativity as we get older. What I came up with were a variety of factors and a variety of ways we, as grown ups, can get around it. We’re Not Looking After Our Bodies As Well As We Should. We privileged westerners often end up living unhealthy lifestyles, which can include too few vegetables in our stomachs, and too many un-earnt pints at the local pub. And, there’s plenty of evidence to prove that having an unhealthy body can lead to having an unhealthy mind. Furthermore, graphic designers can spend long, long hours sat in front of the computer, staring at bright screens with square eyes, and eating way more carbohydrates than one can burn. This is why looking after your body is important. You don’t have to be a health-fanatic by any means, but little things like keeping an eye on what you eat, exercising, quitting bad habits, and only treating oneself in moderation, can make a big difference. Keeping your body and mind healthy will allow you to hold onto its creative juices the longer you live. We Have a Dumb Idea of What Makes Someone ‘Smart’. Whilst I’m probably more respectful for our education system than most of my friends are, mainly because I’m just glad it’s compulsory, I do think it can do with some patching up. Partially to blame on society, it tends to be overly dependant on revision and memory, when rationality and innovation are greatly underrated aspects to ones intelligence. One of my ongoing clients explains this astonishingly in one of his articles (and if having a grizzly-bear alter-ego isn’t a creative outlet, I don’t know what is). Slowly but surely, our society needs to change the way we classify ‘intelligence’, and see that there’s more than one way someone can be smart. It’s not all about remembering the facts, it’s also about experimentation, discovery, defensive skills, and determination. Computers Have Made It Too Easy to Find Answers. One of the biggest faults of the Digital Age is that, quite literally, we can Google any question for almost any answer. Problem-solving is a vital part of divergent thinking, so the fact that we live in an a time where programs solve the problems for us means we’re not exercising our brains for finding the answers ourselves. Some professions require problem-solving skills as standard, but that’s a rarity. It might sound like a no-brainer, but if your job doesn’t require those skills as much as others do, brain-teasers and puzzles are a good way of entertainingly training your head (Sudoku is a favourite of mine). Or, rock-climbing and orienteering can challenge your brain whilst giving you a breath of fresh air. Whatever it is you’re doing, make sure you exercise your mind to avoid taking everything at point blanc. We’ve Put Our Lust for Money Before Our True Passions. If you ask me, society has wildly over-glamorised money. From what I see, most high-paying jobs are extraordinarily stressful, and people in these positions barely have the time or energy to enjoy the things they buy. Furthermore, it’s not helped when those in higher positions disregard creative roles as ‘proper careers’. So for one thing, let’s realise that the creative industry is perhaps more valuable than one may have first thought. To put it bluntly, it’s worth £71billion in the U.K., and $698billion (approx. £453billion) in the U.S.A. Secondly, perhaps we should start measuring wealth by how much life one has lived. You really don’t need to buy 1,000 things you’ll never use! If you have a creative job you genuinely enjoy, so long as you can earn enough to survive, you’re better off using the rest of your energy living the short life you have with your friends and family. After all, if I can survive with just Nokia 130 and without the latest iPhone, I think you can too. We’re Scared of Trying (and Understanding) Anything New. I have come to discover that even the most open-minded people, despite good intentions, can struggle to look at creations which aren’t ‘standard’, and realise that it might have been beneficial to break an unwritten rule to two. A fantastic example of this is ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Extraordinary and unconventional, it originally received mixed reviews, and a comment from Elton John saying “you’ll never get that on the radio”. 40 years on, it’s one of the greatest pop-songs of all time, as well as one of the most played ones on British radio. This might be challenging, but if you see/hear a piece you don’t like, don’t just give it a thumbs down. Take a moment to question why other people enjoy things you don’t like, and not only will it allow you to see understand from a different point of view, but it might even turn that thumbs down upside-down.
A movie log formerly known as Bookishness / By Charles Matthews --Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude Thursday, June 16, 2016 The Divine Lady (Frank Lloyd, 1929) Frank Lloyd is a director nobody remembers today except for the fact that he won two best director Oscars. Unfortunately, they were for movies that almost no one except film scholars and Oscar completists watch today: this one and Cavalcade (1933). His other distinction is that his Oscar for The Divine Lady is the only one that has ever been awarded for a film that was not nominated for best picture.* (As if to make up for this anomaly, Mutiny on the Bounty, which Lloyd also directed, won the best picture Oscar for 1935, but he lost the directing Oscar to John Ford for The Informer.) It's a moderately entertaining film about the affair of Emma Hamilton (Corinne Griffith) and Lord Horatio Nelson (Victor Varconi) -- a story better told in That Hamilton Woman (Alexander Korda, 1941) with Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier as the lovers. Griffith is one of those silent stars whose career didn't make it into the sound era, reportedly because her voice was too nasal. She was, however, considered* for the best actress Oscar, which went to Mary Pickford for Coquette. She doesn't have to speak in The Divine Lady: Although it has a synchronized music track, including Griffith supposedly singing (but probably dubbed) "Loch Lomond", and sound effects, including cannon fire during Nelson's naval battles, there is no spoken dialogue. The only truly standout performance is a small one by Marie Dressler as Emma's mother: She has a funny slapstick bit at the beginning of the movie, but disappears from the movie far too soon. The cinematography by John F. Seitz (miscredited as "John B. Sietz" in the opening titles) was also considered* for an Oscar, but it went to Clyde De Vinna for White Shadows in the South Seas (W.S. Van Dyke and Robert J. Flaherty, 1928). *If you want to get technical about it, there were no official nominations in any of the Oscar categories for the 1928-29 awards. What are usually regarded as nominees are the artists and films that Academy records show were under consideration for awards. In Lloyd's case, he was also under consideration for directing the films Drag and Weary River during the same time period, but when his win was announced, only The Divine Lady -- which was not considered for a best picture Oscar -- was specified.
This Doesn’t Look Like Pismo Beach Part 2 As it normally requires a lot of runway when loaded this ought to be a rather interesting take-off attempt A Boeing 747 jumbo jet mistakenly landed a tiny airport in Wichita, Kansas late Wednesday, raising questions about whether or not the plane will be able to take off. reports that the jet used to haul 787 Dreamliner parts landed at Jabara Airport instead of its intended destination of McConnell Air Force Base. A Boeing spokesman confirmed to The Wall Street Journal in a statement that the plane had landed on the 6,101-foot long runway and that “we are working to determine next steps.” It seems that this particular plane is a 747 LCF Dreamlifter, which is a highly modified funny looking duck. I’d be rather curious to hear the explanation of just how they happened to land at the wrong airport. 7 Responses to “This Doesn’t Look Like Pismo Beach Part 2” 1. Julie says: 2. David Crawford says: Watching the morning news here in the Seattle area and they said the runway was about 3,000 feet short of what a Dreamlifter needs to take-off. Someone’s butt is so much in a sling. 3. leelu says: Pilot: “Man, this runway sure is short!” Copilot: “And wide, too!!” 4. Gunslinger says: Apparently the Dreamlifter made it off the ground after all. 5. Kathy Kinsley says: @Gunslinger runway – they have a lot of lift for their size if they aren’t loaded. Neither articles says if they offloaded their cargo first… One took off out of Tallahassee back in the 70’s – and despite being the State Capitol, I assure you that was a tiny airport back then…Probably as small, or smaller runway size as that Kansas airport – and it made it with plenty to spare. But it was empty. 6. Gunslinger says: I’ll never forget watching a C5 take off from the Fort Campbell airstrip. It’s sheer size made it look like it was traveling in slow motion when it just sort of gracefully floated off the ground and into the air. That was such a mammoth plane. 7. BlackDog says: This is not an uncommon occurrence where you have lots of airports. Wichita is loaded with air strips. I was flying Braniff to San Antonio and they landed at Randolph AFB.Since it was a military base, they had to bus the passengers to the airport to retrieve our luggage. Of course, they lost mine and I had to buy new uniforms. Joke : Braniff jets could not be hijacked to Cuba in the 70s because the taxistrips did not reach Havana. Image \| WordPress Themes
Friday, October 09, 2015 The Beta Boys The Background: The USAToday quoted the term, "the beta boys," when writing about the grudge letter the Umpqua Community College (UCC) mass murderer (who killed nine people) left behind to "justify" his butcherings: The rambling document left behind, and believed to be written by the gunman, lamented an isolated life with little promise, the official said. The contents and tone of the document, the official said, tracked the often desperate and depressed writings from members of a loosely affiliated group known as the "beta boys." The official said members associated with the group share profound disappointment with their lots in life and the lack of meaningful relationships. Emphasis is mine. It is possible, though not likely (1), that the UCC killer posted about the massacre a day before it happened on an anonymous 4Chan thread, to some considerable support, applause, admiration and jokes (2). Then last Friday an anonymous 4Chan poster threatened further college massacres for the following Monday in the Philadelphia region, calling them a "Beta rebellion:" That threat didn't materialize. But the FBI is investigating the messages at that 4Chan site. It is important to note that these Internet support groups for the "betas" may not be directly connected to the mass killings. At the same time, the concept of "beta boys" deserves closer scrutiny, and so do all the sites which serve up this concept as an ideology and an excuse. What are "the beta boys?" To answer that question we need to put our wading boots on and enter the intellectual sludge in some of the shallower ponds of the Guy Lands on the net: the homes of some extreme Men's Rights Activists and Pickup Artists. We have to learn their "alphas and betas" theories: That human men can be divided into alphas, successful, powerful and handsome men, who get all the women, every single one of them, and betas, the ordinary guys or the losers, who get no sex at all. This idea is taken from wolf packs, except that the leaders of wolf packs are not the kind of alpha males the manosphere believes in, but the parents or grandparents of the pack, both the alpha female and the alpha male. But never mind that. This Manosphere theory now exists as its own justification. It drives the instructions Pickup Artists give to their followers (act like an alpha and you get lots and lots of pussy, however unwilling that pussy really is), and it also drives the despair of many troubled young men, who have been taught that the blame for their social isolation, lack of a sexual partner and pretty much everything else is caused by Others, especially by women who are all going after the few alpha males, and by those (mostly imaginary) alpha males. Why are "women" (some detested pile of all womanhood, but really meaning only sexually appealing young women) rejecting as much as eighty percent of all men (based on some of the sites I visit, numbers of that size, however impossible they actually are, are routinely flouted)? Because of hypergamy, the tendency for women to marry socially upwards, of course! So the completed theory is stitched together from some flawed early research about wolf packs, a lot of rage and an iffy concept from evolutionary psychology. (3) Wednesday, October 07, 2015 As American As Motherhood And Apple Pie? How about criminal charges for pregnant women or for women who after delivery test positive for some banned substance? Indeed, take the idea of fetal endangerment a step further, and tests for nicotine, alcohol and so on might also become a routine part of delivery, with all sorts of ominous consequences for the women with positive traces of those substances. And if we could devise a test which could tell if the fetus had had proper access to classical music and Einstein's relativity theorem, one day pregnant women could be tested for possibly endangering a fetus by starving its intellectual environment! That's argumentum ad absurdum, sure, but before you judge me too harshly, read this story about the state of Alabama possibly secretly testing women in maternity wards for illegal drugs. Then read this story about Amanda Kimbrough's actual prison sentence, caused by what seems to have been a stillbirth.
It’s now official, you can take the Aerosoft A330 off your Christmas list. To be honest with you, there was no way a 2015 release was going to happen considering they started the project earlier in the year. Sit tight for now. Mathijs posted in the forums earlier today saying: “We just had a big meeting on projects. It’s been decided to give the A330 more time and plan for a release somewhere in 2016 (when still has to be decided). The reason is rather basic, some parts of the project were running late and inserting more resources would create new risks. I rather stay with the current people and give them more time. Its also a better guarantee for good quality, not only because rushing people never works, but also because most of the systems will be available long before release and can be tested for a long duration. Over all I am still very happy with progress and content. All of the main limitations we had in the A320 range are removed (winds etc), there are more options like independant displays and MCDU etc. Keep in mind we are still 100% standard operations only, so we simulate a standard flight and not a simride where pilots are tested or trained.”
hieroglyphics assignment on the canvas provided paint the following 1. the symbol for man or woman whichever you are 2. your first name the best you can using the hieroglyphic 3. one hieroglyphic expression 4. the year you were born (see hieroglyphic numbers) 5. one God or Goddess (if you are male do a God, if you are a female do a Goddess)
Jun 102013 Evanston RoundTable, June 6, 2013 In the new movie “Frances Ha,” Greta Gerwig plays the title character, a twenty-something New Yorker who seems to be auditioning for adulthood and, for the most part, coming up short. She has plenty of company. Her friends drink until they puke, date the wrong guys, fall in and out of love, lose jobs, lie to each other and generally act more like goofy adolescents than grown-ups. For all that, Frances is an appealing character, a little wacky and sweet. She apprentices at a modern dance company, none too well, and is let go. Her roommate and BFF, Sophie (played by Mickey Sumner, the rock star Sting’s daughter), moves to a better apartment and acquires a steady boyfriend, and suddenly Frances is without a job or a friend. Faced with this crisis, Frances starts to spin out of control, bouncing from place to place – Paris, her parents’ home, her former college campus – like a pinball. “Undateable” a young man caustically labels her. “You seems a lot older,” an acquaintance tells Frances, comparing her to Sophie, “but less like a grown-up.” The movie is not without its humor and poignancy, but on the whole seems like a spinoff of the wildly successful TV series “Girls” about the same cohort dealing with the same issues. One of the actors, Adam Driver, plays essentially the same character in both shows. Ms. Gerwig co-wrote the movie with the director, Noah Baumbach, and it has the same off-the-cuff, improvised feel as “Girls” and many other movies about young people stumbling through life. At one point a young man announces, triumphantly, that Walden Pond was five minutes from Thoreau’s mother’s house, as if to suggest that permanent adolescence is cool. But it’s not, nor is it fun to wallow in. The movie was shot in black and white, which according to Mr. Baumbach gives it “instant nostalgia.” Instant neuralgia is more like it. The gray color scale just adds to the drab and often dispiriting sense that no one is making much progress. The soundtrack seems meant to do some of the movie’s conceptual heavy lifting. David Bowie’s “Modern Love” sounds great and the lyrics fit right in: “God and man, no confessions; God and man, no religion; God and man don’t believe in modern love.” But modern love and life are a lot more complex than the movie lets on. In the end Frances finds a decent job and gets her own apartment, which is like getting a foot in the door of maturity. But the sudden optimism seems tacked on and unconvincing. So does the last scene, which provides the “Ha” of the title. It’s amusing but not very funny. Leave a Reply
Friday, September 09th, 2016 \| Author: Thermal curtains are more suitable for room temperature control than vertical blinds. The insulating features of thermal curtains make them a popular addition in many homes. However, several techniques can help make vertical blinds more energy efficient. How Insulation Works Air has excellent insulation properties. Air trapped between two layers of vinyl or fabric provides better insulation than the same air trapped between a single layer of vinyl or fabric. Therefore, window treatments containing more than one layer are better insulators than those with a single layer. The more the number of layers in a window treatment, the better insulation they provide. R-Value: Measurement for Insulation The ability of an object to resist heat flow is referred to as R-value. Items or objects with higher R-values provide better insulation and vice versa. Most insulation materials used in today’s homes have R-values of more than 40. However, it is important to know that not all window treatments have a rated R-value. What Makes a Blind a Good Insulator? Window blind’s R-values are influenced by two main features. Firstly, additional layers translate to more insulating ability. Blinds that have vanes with pocket air in the middle will insulate more than vertical blinds made of a single layer of fabric or PVC vinyl. Another feature that affects R-value is the tightness that the blind has against the window. What Makes a Curtain a Good Insulator? Just like window blinds, the R-value of a curtain is determined by the quality of the fabric a thermal curtain if made from and the number of layers it has. Most thermal curtains have several layers and are therefore, good insulators. Another factor that affects curtain insulation is its window fitting. The curtain’s ability to sufficiently insulate a room is lowered by the presence of gaps around the edges of the window. Consider choosing curtains that fit perfectly around the sides of your windows. Window draperies and quilts can hold an R-value of between three and five. Other Factors Heat may be lost in a room due to poor insulation of doors and windows. Weather stripping and caulking can help reduce this problem. Single paned windows have less insulating values than double paned windows. Insulating blinds and louvers can enhance insulation in a room, but cannot stop air from leaking into or out of a room. This can only be solved by weather stripping or caulking. Comments are closed.
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011 6 Million Dollar Sasquatch I was trying to explain to a younger friend exactly how cool the Six Million Dollar Man was the other day. Here's the basic conversation. Me: The Bionic Man was named Steve Austin. Him: Like the wrestler. Me: He was hurt in some kind of accident. He was like an astronaut or something and they had to give him bionic limbs and a bionic eye. Actually he's the six million dollar man, not the bionic man. It was The Bionic Woman. Him: She probably cost more than that. Me: She was a school teacher; I don't know why they picked a school teacher. She was in an car accident I think. Him: You think they would have picked an astronaut or something. Me: I guess it was the 70's. Woman were only allowed to teach school or be receptionists or secretaries back then. (I was kidding, mostly. But I was trying to be funny, not an asshole. I'm naturally and asshole but I have to try to be funny.) She didn't have a bionic eye; she had a bionic ear. You could always tell it was working because she would brush her hair back behind her ear, I think there was a switch behind it to turn it on. Oh and there was a bionic dog named Maximillion. Him: Really? Me: And a bionic Sasquatch, I think the Soviets made the bionic Sasquatch. It was the Cold War and all. Him: Now you're just making this shit up.... I shit you not. It's hard to believe that all that awesome is all but forgotten. 1 comment: 1. Omg, this made me howl. Lindsey Wagner actually looks a bit like Linda Hamilton in that photo. So much awesome. Also, Chris concurs that the Fembots were "the scariest thing ever put on television." So there you have it, kids. Nothing compares. Well, this comes close:
Log in No account? Create an account Hour 6 without Tumblr Beginning to see some signs of withdrawal. EDIT: WAIT I WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO MY DASHBOARD! I wasn't able to post anything, but it's a start! More Spitfire Sims Shenanigans! Well, since Tumblr is still down, I decided to make good use of my time by writing all the fics that I've been meaning to update messing around with my Wally and Artemis Sims again! Spitfire Sims under the cut...Collapse ) Tumblr is down... What am I supposed to do with my life right now???? What if it never comes back?? What if all of my friends and followers are just lost forever???? And what if I'm just a paranoid drama queen... Hopefully it'll be back soon! This just in My name is Melissa. Why does everyone insist on shortening my name to Mel??? I happen to really like my name, so let's keep it full length, shall we? Or call me Meliss. Okay? Okay. hometown glory Driving around my hometown makes me feel super nostalgic for elementary school and memorial day parades and trick or treating and apple picking and going to church on Sundays and all the stuff that I no longer do... Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. It really baffles me It still really baffles me almost 4 years later that my parents are divorced. Like they both have significant others now and don't talk anymore, don't call each other babe, or hun, or all the little names I grew up hearing and sometimes it really tears me to pieces how everything fell apart in less than 6 months. And I was such a little daddy's girl until he went and ruined everything and I just don't understand how you could ever cheat on someone you've had 3 children with, that you've been married to for 20 years. I don't understand and I never will and a part of me will always resent him for it. Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. can you pay my bills? I wish I could pay this month's rent with my credit card. That's actually an awful idea but it would help me out a little bit... Working hard for the money... I really don't mind working in the restaurant business. It's really not as bad as I might make it sound when I'm complaining about it. My managers are clueless idiots, but the people I work with are awesome and just about my only friends in this city, and my customers are good to me. You know what I think would be really fun? I would love to just travel to different countries and be a waitress. The UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Canada, anywhere. I would love to do that and just experience all the different cultures and people. Alas, that's not what I paid $200,000 for college for so it'll never really be a viable option... Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. ICONS: Wally and Artemis Preview of Icons to come:
Brentwood Housekeeper needed Monday Tuesday and Friday 09/12/2016 \| \| \| Brentwood Housekeeper 3 days! We are looking for a meticulous and incredible housekeeper who can work three days a week for a family of four in a 4500 square foot home . There is laundry, ironing of sheets, and deep cleaning. Client is looking for someone who can grow with their family. Days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. We could be flexible for Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Job is mostly laundry and deep cleaning. There may be an occasional day that you have to drive the elementary aged kids to school but that is very rare. Client is looking for someone who has worked in large West side homes and who has an eye for detail. Client pays cash $20- $25 per hour! Must love working with DOGS!
Tagged Nixon Cinco: Nixon Collaborators Matt Capozzi of Cinco The Unit by Cinco for Nixon The RPM by Cinco for Nixon by Adnan Arif Editor There are a lot of new fashion watch brands launched every year but there are very few that truly breakout. Even rarer is a long term collaboraton between a breakout brand and a design firm that has gone from strength to strength each year. Such is the relationship between Nixon and Cinco. Established in 1997, Nixon was an attempt to reboot the wristwatch accessory market in the action sport genre. Watches previously sold in skate and surf shops didn’t serve… The Real Story behind Nixon’s New Color The thing about color plating a wristwatch is that there aren’t many colors that are stable enough to withstand the daily use of a wristwatch, so we are limited to gold, rose gold, black and most recently brown. Fossil found a way around it by adding a coating of rubber in order to get other colors but that’s about it. If you ever wanted to do any other color you would use other materials i.e. ceramic, rubber, plastic .etc. But if you ended up using the plating method, you would be doing it at the risk of the color coming… Nixon Newton Nixon’s interpretation of the double disc wristwatch. related links Nixon Newton (via Acquire) Nooka & Nixon Concepts French designer Lysandre Follet shows her love for Nooka and Nixon with his concept game watches that allow you to play pong, tetris and other iconic retro games. Lysandre’s work for Rip Curl during her internship. Unrelated to the whole game post but I thought I’d add this as well. related links Mini Groille
My Husband Had An Affair My life has become defined by pre-affair and post-affair. Pre the worst pain in my life and post. How did it come to this? I think many people don't realize how painful affairs can be unless they've uncovered one by their spouse. There's no way to explain this pain. The only thing I can say is that I grew up with a difficult childhood. My mother was mentally unstable and emotionally and sometimes physically abusive. She told me I was worthless, she spit in my face, she threw a beer on me when I was 12, she told me I was an @$$hole like my father when I was 10, she let my rabbits die from starvation while I was at my dad's house over the summer when I was 9 (I came home to find two skeletons with bits of fur stuck to them in their cage. That was how long she neglected them), she ridiculed me for having body hair, screamed, yelled, slapped, spanked for minor things like using too much shampoo...the list goes on, but you get the idea. The affair was so much more terribly worse than all of that. I think that in order to cope with my childhood I started to assume that the responsibility for my life was mine, that I deserved this abuse somehow. In some way I continued to believe it into adulthood, and so found myself connected to a man, who was sweet, charming, romantic, and unable to keep himself from causing me pain. He had come from a difficult childhood as well. One, I think, he has only shared with me. It left him emotionally stunted, astoundingly passive aggressive, and with some of the lowest self-esteem I have ever seen in a person. You wouldn't know it when you first meet him. He seems confidant, funny, passionate, romantic, and on top of things. In a way, my mother is like this as well - her mental instability only reveals itself after a period of time. I love him. I really do. This would have been so much easier if I didn't. He is charming and hilarious and so much fun. He is kind and caring even though his passive-aggressiveness causes him to act out in painful ways. The first year we were together he posed in some photographs for a photography student friend of his. They were an "exploration" of the seven deadly sins, quite frankly, through pnography. My future husband at that time posed with several other men and one woman for "gluttony." I was furious, enraged. How could he do something like that? If I knew now what I know then I would have been more patient, loving, kind, and I would have probably broken up with him, but I was as broken as a person can be. I was stronger than most people. I still believe that I am one of the strongest people I know, but completely broken. Instead of offering a kind, listening, friendly ear, I blew up. I was so angry I couldn't control it or care or think about anything else. It scared him, and made his passive-aggression worse with me. A few months after that, he cheated on me with a girl he knew at college (he and I were dating long distance, and had been friends in high school). I nearly broke up with him then. I most likely should have. But he cried and begged me not to leave and told me how much he loved me and cut off all ties with that woman. So I thought we had worked through it and were over it. Fast forward through the years - I discovered several online affairs throughout the years with women he met online through a text based mud (basically a role-playing game). Each time, his transgressions were worse. Each time, I confronted him, we cried, we made up, things got briefly better, and then it would happen again. Each time, we grew further apart, and yet more addicted to each other's unhappiness. Each time, he became better at hiding what he was doing and at lying. I should have read the writing on the wall. I should have known what was happening. I was so close to the situation though that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Eventually we got married, and then things got worse. Then I started finding disgusting and objectifying pnography on his computer. Not just any kind of pn, but illegal pn. It upset me, so I confronted him again. Each time again, we would cry, make up, and things would get briefly better. He thought he could handle things on his own and never wanted to go see a counselor though I asked him to. Then this past year, the st truly hit the fan. We became friends with a woman who claimed to be a good person, but who really did not care about anyone but herself and was a selfish, self-absorbed sociopath. He and I had grown so far apart that we hardly talked to each other anymore or confided in each other, though at the time I thought things were good. I didn't trust him anymore though, and he didn't trust me. He began an affair with this woman. She fulfilled his fantasy of being with a woman without the reality of life, bills, expectations, etc. The taboo of it was exciting. And he wasn't scared of confiding in her the way he was with me. He thought they had something special. But this drove a wedge between me and him and between her and me. He began to pick fights with me constantly. She began to hang out with other friends. Things began to get increasingly uncomfortable when the three of us were together. The main friend she shared with began to look at me with deep pity anytime we would hang out. It slowly began to dawn on me, that something was severely wrong with our marriage. I confronted him, badgered him really, into telling me about his affair of two months. The world dropped out from beneath my feet. I thought all the other betrayals had been painful and bad. They all had nothing on this, the deepest and most painful betrayal of two people that I loved and cared about. I felt like all the things my mother had said about me were true, that I truly was worthless. I wanted so badly to die. I wanted to find peace in death. I checked my life insurance policy for coverage in cases of suicide so that he would be taken care of. I thought of dozens of ways to do it - running my car off the road, hanging myself from the ceiling fan, taking a warm bath and cutting my wrists, jumping off the bridge over the highway, taking a pile of sleeping pills.... I had to hold myself back. I kept telling myself that these feelings would pass, but in the meantime I hardly ate and I cried and screamed and shook constantly. I felt like I was going crazy. I had incredible urges to run him over with the car and to set her house and car on fire or throw bricks through her window. These were overwhelming urges, that I nearly gave in to several times. Instead, I just wrote them both angry emails. I railed at them for all the pain that they had caused. He and I withdrew from our friends and worked on trying to figure out where we had gone wrong. She showed her letters to some common friends and I lost them as friends. After seeing my emails they were no longer interested in hearing my side of the story. They were more upset by the disruption of their own lives than by the pain we were feeling in any case, so they probably weren't worth much as friends in the first place, but that hurt too. About six months after the discovery of the affair, we were doing better but were still struggling, when ICE gave me a call about a hit they'd had for some illegal pn downloaded by an address in my name. My husband admitted that he felt he was a sex addict, with an addiction to p**n that he had not been able to control for many years, that this was what had led to all of his cheating. He begged for my forgiveness and he asked for me to help him fight this thing. I loved him and obliged. We spent thousands of dollars on lawyers, thousands that we couldn't afford. We spent thousands on therapy, more thousands that we couldn't afford. Our lives fell apart. Then a few months after that, my oldest friend of 24 years, that I had known since we were 11, and to whom I'd been confiding all the terrible things I was going through, suddenly and unexpectedly died. More depression descended on me. Then our house was broken into and my husband wrecked our car in the same weekend. My blood pressure shot through the roof and still has not come down. I no longer had the energy to contemplate suicide. I just wanted something, someone, to come along and end my suffering. We're better now. We're broke, we're in pain, we're struggling to survive this thing, but we're better. We're trying to heal our marriage of all the damage we've done. It's a long journey though and we are barely a year in. I need to know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, that things will be better one day, that life does not have to be one unending series of losses and heartbreaks. Jitterbugjellybean Jitterbugjellybean 2 Responses Sep 14, 2012 GOD help you. The light has always been there. You are obviously a codependent persinality and enable him to continue his sickness by staying with him, understanding him, supporting him therefore preventing him, instead if forcing him to get perfessional help. I agree with "creekview"..I WISH I could tell you it gets really can and will get worse. sighs...been there...and 8 yrs now without still feels like I want to die as still in so much pain years after but I no longer have to be responsible for fixing someone that cant even attempt to see the problem, he got me in so much debt, cheated, did monsterous damage to me in so many ways and much was under the radar for years....but it was a trainwreck. I thought "I" was special and could fix him. They are on their own journey,save yourself, they don't change. Hugs. Take you time, be vigilant, yet cautious. There will come a time when you will absolutely know which road to take. Do the right thing for you. Been there, done that.
01 – The Gospel of Matthew Download Full Audio Download Full Video [two-thirds first] Excerpt 1: Why Jews Do Not Believe in Jesus 1. Review Genesis 3:15. Notice that the first gospel sermon ever preached was by God himself to the first two humans. Adam and Eve put their faith in Jesus. Technically this made them the first two members of God’s church. Notice that Adam and Eve were saved by grace through faith. 2. What are reasons that you gave in the past or heard others give for not believing in Jesus. [two-thirds first] Excerpt 2: Why Jews Do Not Believe in Jesus – Part 2 1. Review the following Messianic prophecies: Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:1-9; 32:15-18; 53; 60:15-18; Zephaniah 3:9; Hosea 2:20-22; 3:4-5; Amos 9:13-15; Micah 4:1-4; Zechariah 8:23, 14:9; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 30:7-10; 31:33-34; 33:14-16; Ezekiel 34:11-31; 37:21-28 2. Review the rabbi’s article and take notice of all the arguments that the rabbi makes agains Jesus: http://www.aish.com/jw/s/48892792.html 3. Jews claim that Christians misapply the Scriptures to JEsus. For example, Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus as the “suffering servant.” According to Judaism, the nation of Israel is the suffering servant of God. In what ways have other people in history turned patriotism into a religion? 4. List the many ways that false theology keeps people from trusting in Jesus. [two-thirds first] Excerpt 3: Jesus is the Messiah 1. Matthew was a Jew evangelizing Jews. Do you practice evangelism? What are people around you asking about God? Do you have the answers? Can you defend your faith? 2. Why is it necessary that our Savior was both 100% God and 100% Main? 3. List the many ways that the world has become more peaceful since the coming of Jesus. Consider topics such as human rights, civil government, education and medical advances, poverty, etc. 4. What will the world look like when the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 is completely fulfilled by Jesus through His church? [two-thirds first] Excerpt 4: When the religious and irreligious unite to reject Jesus Christ 1. Review the many prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold of the crucifixion of Jesus (e.g., Genesis 3:16; Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12; Isaiah 50:6; 52:14,53; Daniel 9:26). Find where in the New Testament these prophecies were fulfilled. 2. Skeptics often demand certain things from God before they will believe. Do you have any personal reasons that keep you from trusting God? 3. How does the fact that Jesus loves the religious and irreligious impact your prayer life?
Carpe Nuke’m – Interstellar Rift Development Update 080 Nuclear power is here! This patch introduces the nuclear fission reactor to Interstellar Rift! Finally you will be able to power your large ships with a more efficient fuel source. Nuclear power however is not without risks. The reactor operates on three resources, The first of which are fuel rods which come in three variants, Uranium 238, Plutonium 239, and finally Plutonium 241. These are ranked from least to most powerful. Once a fuel rod is depleted, the fuel rod in the slot will become a depleted fuel rod marked by the D after the type number, also the fuel rods core will be empty. These depleted fuel rods can be used to craft the next tier of fuel rods. However you will need 4 depleted fuel rods to craft one of the next tier. The second type of resource are heat sinks, these items need to be inserted in the small slots on the side of the reactor. The heatsinks keep the reactor from overheating. But like the fuel rods they come in 3 different tiers, each tier is capable of handling a higher heat output, and has a longer durability. Once the reactors heat output exceeds that what your combined total of heatsinks can handle the reactor will start to take damage. The third and final resource required to run the nuclear reactor are the turbines, just like the other two these come in three varieties, Iron, Steel and Platinum turbines. The turbines are required to generate power. If you activate the generator without turbines it will consume fuel and generate heat but it won’t generate any power. Each tier of turbine will last longer and generate more power. You can configure the nuclear reactor to suit your ships needs while still keeping it economical. But at it’s absolute maximum output the generator will output around 30k of power. In addition to the nuclear reactor we have also included the new Tech 3 Engine, This new engine is designed to be used with a nuclear reactor as it needs a lot of power and will be rather inefficient when used with hydrogen generators. The T3 engine is designed for large ships, not so much for smaller ones. And the engine will cap out at around 800 m/s Also in this patch, two new construction resources, Aluminium and Lead, both used for the new reactor. Aluminium and Lead are quite common and can be found in most systems. Another new resource however, Uranium, can only be found in systems with a Skrill rating of over 3000. Aluminium, Lead, and their ores can be bought in most shops. Uranium can only be bought as a refined resource and is one of the most expensive resources in the game. Fuel cells can not be bought anywhere, though you may find depleted ones on ships belonging to the Drifters. Big changes have been made to the underlying systems of Interstellar Rift, in relation to saving and joining a multiplayer game. These changes are live in this branch and you can enable them for your single player games via the options menu. For multiplayer servers however, you will need to set a flag in the server.json file in your Interstellar Rift appdata folder to true. This flag is called: “CreateGhostClients”, if you also want to keep track of all the ghost clients that are made, enable the next line as well; “GhostClientConsoleVisible.” This will show a console window for every running ghost client. These clients will do the heavy lifting of the save and load function of Interstellar Rift in the background, mostly eliminating any ingame hiccups. They are still a work in progress though and might negatively impact performance. Our own server will be running with these turned on, but you might have to check for yourself if you find them to be optimal for your gaming experience. As always,we hope you’ll enjoy this update! and we’d appreciate any feedback you’re willing to provide as it will only help us make the game better. See you Starside! -The Split Polygon Team
Haredi rabbis seek 'hudna' with Hamas August 11, 2006 00:12 Yosef leads move to negotiate between Jewish people and Islamists. 2 minute read. Shas mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Yehuda Leib Steinman, a leading Ashkenazi haredi spiritual leader, have given their blessing to a meeting with Hamas aimed at reaching a hudna (Arabic for cease-fire) that could save Jewish lives. The plan approved by Yosef and Steinman calls for three rabbis representing Sephardi, Ashkenazi and religious Zionist Orthodoxy to meet with Hamas representatives. The three rabbis are: Rabbi Shmuel Jakobovits, son of former chief rabbi of Britain Immanuel Jakobovits; Rabbi Zion Cohen, rabbi of the Sha'ar Hanegev region; and Rabbi Menahem Fruman of Tekoa, a veteran interfaith dialoguer who is the driving force behind the initiative. The proposed hudna would be between Hamas and the Jewish people - not with the state of Israel - to circumvent Hamas's refusal to recognize the Zionist entity. Yosef, Steinman and other major rabbinic leaders take a pragmatic approach to the talks, said Cohen. They see it as a means of stopping, even if only temporarily, the barrage of Kassam rockets in the South, suicide bombings and roadside shootings. However, the kidnapping by Hamas of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the war in the north with Hizbullah and the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip have made direct talks with Hamas impossible, said Fruman. "I hope that talks can begin after the war in the North has ended." Jakobovits, who is the dean of Harav Lord Jakobovits Torah Institute of Contemporary Issues in Jerusalem, said that religious leaders, both Jewish and Muslim, had much in common and could accomplish much more than politicians. "The Islamic world has deep concerns about the penetration of liberal, secular values and lifestyles into the Middle East. A major factor in the conflict between radical Islam and the Western world is Islam's opposition to secular lifestyle and ideology. "The haredi community understands their sensitivities and mentality and feels threatened by the same phenomena. The haredi community could play a key role in dialogue between the West and Islam because we live in two worlds, one deeply religious and the other liberal and pluralistic. We understand that the secular mind is different from the religious mind. "Today in the West the assumption in dealing with Muslim extremism is that moderation and tolerance are the keys. But what the West does not understand is that there is something threatening in that approach, both to the haredi mind and to a deeply Islamic mind. Both haredim and Muslims see multicultural society as an anathema. "The West, which has the power, needs to assure Islam that no one is going to try to force a multicultural worldview on them. Otherwise the clash with Islam will only get sharper and sharper," Jakobovits said. Related Content Jisr az-Zarq April 3, 2014 Israel Weather • 6 - 17 Beer Sheva 9 - 18 Tel Aviv - Yafo • 6 - 12 8 - 16 • 11 - 22 9 - 19
What is it? Generates a real-time ultrasound video of your heart in action. How does it work? Using a process similar to sonar, a small probe generates an ultra-high frequency soundwave which reflects off the heart and is converted into an image of surprising detail. A series of images is put together to form a real-time video of your heart in action. When combined with technology designed to measure the doppler effect, (think of a changing sound a siren makes when it travels away from you), allows our machines to map the flow of blood inside the heart and let our physicians know if there are any places where the blood is flowing too abnormally, indicating a blockage or other abnormality. Why do we do it? Ultrasound techniques are used to scan the interior of the heart to single out the valves which regulate the flow between its chambers and/or to access previous damage to the walls of the heart (due to prior heart attack). Enlargement of the heart and the status of common conditions such as Mitral Valve Prolapse can be evaluated. A color Cardiac Doppler may also be used. These modalities allow your phyisican to decide a course of treatment.
Chronological Bible Plan Puritan Soft Varies with device Varies with device Chronological Bible Reading Plan provides a way to track your daily Bible reading chronologically as they occurred in time. You can track your progress throughout the year. * Create a new reading plan starting on any day of the year. * Quickly and painlessly mark or clear all passages to any given day * Navigate to earliest unread passage, the current date, or any past or future date in the reading plan. * Tapping a verse's text will automatically launch the verse in the Bible Study App app by Olive Tree or MySword Bible, if installed, in Bible Gateway through a web browser, or will pop up the ESV. * Handles leap years. * Backup and restore reading plans. * Share reading plan with other devices through email, Google Drive, or Evernote. Please note that this app is in no way affiliated with Olive Tree or Bible Gateway. Olive Tree's and Bible Gateway's trade marks and copyrights are their own. * Internet permission required for ESV pop-up. * Read from and write to external storage required for backup and restore. * Retrieve running apps to determine if Bible app is actively running or not. * Receive boot completed used to restart reminder service. * Wake lock used to keep device awake while updating status bar reminder; then released. Content rating: Everyone Requires OS: Varies with device ...more ...less
Tag: compression On a path to moderately fast image/video compression. Well, probably many here are familiar with the DCT transform, the aged and battle hardened star of JPEG and MPEG. Some may also be familiar with the “rising star” known as DWT, and its “will it ever appear in a usable mainstream video codec?” thing. Maybe one can then go on about the trade-offs between various new/shiny arithmetic and range coders, so much better than ye olde static Huffman. But… I am not here to talk about these. Rather, I am going to go back a little further, to a since forgotten era. Early on, before we had enough video memory to store 32-bit RGB(A) values for every pixel, how was it done? No, not 8-bit palette-based graphics, earlier still. There was a time when things were basically 1 bit per pixel. This may be remembered via old display adapters, like the Hercules, which only did monochrome. Others, such as CGA, had multiple modes, where every pixel could be one of a few small palette of colors. On other systems, people had the idea of using a pair of colors for each block of pixels, where each bit would select between one of the two colors. Say, hypothetically, one had 8 bits for a pair of 4-bit colors, and with 16 bits of pixel data one can do a 4×4 grid of pixels, in full color, in 24 bits. Alternatively, one can do 8×8 pixels in 72 bits. Now, moving forwards a few years, we have an era where people had new shiny PCs with monitors running at 640×480, with 256 colors, and a 25 or 33 MHz processor. People were playing video on these things, but how? No, it wasn’t MPEG, it was typically something a lot simpler: You have a pair of 8-bit colors, and 16 bits to select between them. So, here, it is 4×4 pixels in 32 bits. This works out to about 2 bits/pixel, but since often many parts of the image wont change, special bit patterns could be used to encode skipping over blocks of pixels. This codec? MS-CRAM, or MS Video 1. Elsewhere, there was a company known as Apple, who was working on a system known as QuickTime. As part of this, they developed another codec, known as “Apple Video” or “RPZA” (its FOURCC values being “RPZA” and “azpr”). Its design differed slightly: it used a pair of RGB555 pixels (16 bits each, the MSB was special), and 32 bits with 2 bits per pixel. Instead of simply selecting one of the colors, it was possible to select a pixel interpolated between these: 0 would give you ColorA, 3 would give ColorB, 1 would give 2/3A+1/3B, and 2 would give 1/3A+2/3B. Likewise, it was possible to skips runs of blocks, or indicate that a run of blocks was all a single color. For anyone familiar with DXT or BCn texture compression, it is basically the same basic idea. One could also see the RPZA image as a sort of stream of commands: • 00-7F: Start of a block of pixels, 64 bits for 16 pixels. • Well, technically you could also do a block of 16x 15bit pixels (256 bits). • Which is was depended on the MSB of the following RGB555 color. • 80-9F: Skips 1-32 blocks • Whatever pixel data exists here is retained from the prior frame. • The low 5 bits of the byte give the length of the run of blocks. • A0-BF: Span of 1-32 blocks using a single flat RGB555 color. • C0-DF: Span of 1-32 blocks sharing a single pair of colors. • E0-FF: Reserved Then, later along, there were new upstarts like Cinepak, etc. But what happened? Well, a little later on, MPEG and friends gained a foothold on PC’s, and use cases for video were reduced down to mostly watching movies/anime/… and the rise of online streaming, which put a premium on the bitrate. Likewise, the early FMV games were by and large a steaming pile of crap, and in a short time people by-and-large forgot that this earlier era of video codecs even existed. But, there is a little detail in this: decoding an MPEG style codec requires a bit of CPU power, but “we got a 1GHz CPU to play a 640×480 video, so who cares?”. In the rising resolutions of subsequent years, and hitting a limit to clock speeds, some modern video codecs remain mostly playable at HD resolutions mostly by the grace of dedicated graphics hardware (and people debate their “codec complexity” largely in terms of die space required on an ASIC or similar, but everyone has a GPU, right?…). But, a simple question arises? What happens if we try to decode one of those older early 90s video codecs on a modern PC? Well, in simple terms, it goes “really damn fast” (if written sensibly, the video decoding can potentially reach “memcpy” speeds). But… They also tend to take a lot of space and deliver less than impressive image quality. Some years ago (~ 2011 IIRC), while faced with this issue, I ended up hacking some features onto one of these codecs (RPZA). Most didn’t work out well (or were fairly specialized, like adding an Alpha channel), but a few stood out: 23 bit colors (for “looks less like ass than RGB555”), and the use of an external Deflate-based compressor (which didn’t slow it down too drastically, but could result in potentially significant savings in terms of frame sizes). I had dubbed this effort (“BTIC1C”, being 1C as it came after a few prior failed attempts at compressing S3TC). Some hybrid 1C video exists where JPEG was used for I-Frames but 1C was used for P-Frames, however, this hack was prone to numerous issues. BTIC1C was mostly developed originally for a mix of real-time screen capture and for streaming video into textures (used for most of the animated texture effects in the original BGBTech 3D engine). After that was an effort called BTIC1D, which used YUV and 4:2:0 chroma subsampling (via using separate interpolation for Y, U, and V). This effort was initially deemed a failure as its compression sucked pretty hard and its speed was barely much faster than what I could get from a DCT based design (as with DCT based codecs, it inherited the serious drawback of needing a per-pixel YCbCr->RGB conversion). There were also 1E and 1F, which basically had design issues bad enough that they never got fully implemented (though 1F did develop a nifty trick I call YUVD, which had replaced the use of a pair of colors with a singular vector). Now, it was 2014, and I was off messing with new things, namely writing code on a Raspberry Pi, screwing around with electronics wanting to build some robots. I went and built my sadly thus far only “successful” robot: a wheeled cardboard box with a webcam on it (so I could drive it around and see what it was facing). I wanted to stream video from the webcam back to my laptop, and initially underestimated the RasPi’s processing power (I also wanted a design which could work over UDP and allowed me to encode video data between the motor PWM pulses). So, at the time, I created something relatively simpler: an RPZA like codec I called BTIC1G, but instead of RGB555, I used a YUVD color vector. Why? Mostly because the webcam gave me video in a format known as YUY2, and because given how my block-encoder logic generally worked, I generally ended up with a midpoint color, and a ‘max-avg’ gamma value. So, YUV encodes the center YUV, and D encoded the Y difference between the lightest and darkest pixel. Interpolation then, effectively, only applied to Y. Pixel data was good old 32-bits and was 4×4 with 2 bits/pixel for interpolation, working out to 64 bits for a complete pixel block. To improve bitrate, there were also flat color blocks, and downsampled 2×2 blocks. Bits were shaved off of the YUV values to allow encoding the various block types. Noted that it was plenty fast for the use-case, but I was sort of wishing for better quality. To stream 640×480 over UDP over a crappy 802.11b dongle basically resulted in not particularly great image quality. After the relative “success” of my rolling cardboard box, thinking maybe I would build other fancier robots, I had begun on a successor to 1G, which I had called 1H. It retained a design intended to be incrementally encoded and streamed via UDP packets, but differed mostly in that it added entropy coding, and a few more features. Facing an issue that there isn’t really a good way to do static Huffman over UDP, I went instead with Rice coding (mostly for the YUVD color vector deltas and command tags, with pixel data is raw bits). Sadly, my robot building efforts had fizzled out, but I had in the process made a working prototype of 1H for the PC, made usable as a VFW codec. Then made the observation that it basically did better in most regards compared with my older 1C codec (better quality/bitrate, …). Later on, ended up expanding it to include 4:2:0 blocks based on those from 1D, and expanding YUVD to YUVDyuv (where YUV represents the center point of a bounding-box in YUV space, and Dyuv encodes the size of this box). This was to address an issue of ugly artifacts in some cases, most obvious with “My Little Pony” and “Rainbow Dash”: Whenever her character was on screen, her hair would cause severe blocking artifacts as there is no way to express the sharp color contrasts in the YUVD scheme (an RGB color pair fairs a little better, but is by no means immune to this issue, and I suspect is a big part of why “partitions” exist in BC7 / BPTC). Since the 4:2:0 blocks are basically limited mostly to emergency cases, one can largely sidestep their relatively steep performance cost (and needing around 50% more pixel bits, say, 32 bits for Y, and 8 bits each for U and V). Additionally, some block types use 3 bit interpolation for added quality (0=A, 1=6/7A+1/7B, …, 6=1/7A+6/7B, 7=B), and others only use 1 bit per pixel, etc. So, 48 or 64 bits of pixel data may be used in some cases, in addition to maybe 4, 8, 16, or the standard 32 bits. A lot of the encoding choices can be made via a “weighted decision tree” where one takes various values derived from the pixel data, the quality level, …, then this is evaluated to give a choice for how the block should be packed into a blob of bits. For example, if we “see” that the block is basically a flat color, we don’t really need full resolution or explicit chroma information, … In the decoder, it basically decodes the blocks from the bitstream, into an internal fixed-size block format. To get the pixel data, the logic for the block-type is invoked, which may generate a small array of pixel colors, and the pixel data will select which colors are copied into the output buffer. ( Note that the YUV colorspace is not necessarily YCbCr, as more typically a modified RCT or GDbDr is used instead due to being faster to convert to/from RGB, but raw RGB suffers in that it isn’t really friendly to chroma subsampling. ) In another side branch, a project existed (within a standards group I will leave unnamed), where they expressed wanting: CBR, ~ 2-4 bpp, HDR, 4:2:2, and “low complexity”. Seeing this, I noted this was pretty close to what was doable with the internal block formats I had used in my prior codecs. Main difference was that I went from a block size of 4×4 to 8×8, as this increases the relative cost of the block header (say, rather than a fixed 128 bit block, one has a 512 bit block, but the header does not necessarily increase in size, and by having 256/384/512 bit blocks, it was possible to have different bitrates between 2 and 4 bits, with the block size controlling which types of blocks were allowed, though potentially for many use cases only a single type of block would be used depending on the associated raster format). Had observed that pretty much no one cared, later realizing their thinking for CBR and “low complexity” was more along the lines of “throw a modified JPEG2000 at the problem” (the computational complexity of JP2K is pretty drastic vs BTIC, but they were thinking in terms of an ASIC, rather than doing it on the CPU, and achieving CBR mostly by fiddling the quality levels and truncating the image to a specific size). After realizing that there was little reconciliation of design goals, I went away. This initial design was dubbed BTIC4A (2x and 3x were mostly failed lines, 2x being DCT/WHT based designs, and 3x being some attempts to hybridize blocky VQ and transforms, the 2x line failing to compete well with codecs like XviD and lacking a strong use-case in the original BGBTech engine and for still images not offering much gain over normal JPEG, and 3x designs tending to turn out too complicated to be worth the effort needed to implement them). Some parts were adapted from 1H onto 4A to yield a design I had called BTIC4B, and I had developed tricks to allow multi-threaded encoding/decoding for individual frames (cutting them up into “slices” which could be encoded/decoded in parallel). Some of these were back-ported to 1H. Thus far, haven’t really used 4B for video, but it does pretty good at still image compression (in terms of Q/bpp and speed), so could probably make for a decent video codec (though it is more complicated, as in all this there ended up being around 32 different block layouts, as there are a lot more ways to subsample an 8×8 pixel block vs a 4×4 block). Though, as-is, BTIC1H can already reach gigapixel/second speeds in some cases, the immediate for something faster isn’t a huge need. However, for static images, on my new FX-8350, given I am seeing damn near 600 megapixels/thread for single-threaded operation (~ 2.4 GB/s of RGBA pixel data), I suspect it could probably reach some pretty crazy fast speeds. On my older Phenom II, it tended to run into a hard limit of around 400 Mpix/sec per thread (~ 1.6 GB/s of pixel data), which roughly matched what one could get doing a memcpy operation. But, I expect few people to care, since for the “standard” use-cases (watching movies and online video streaming), it doesn’t have much to offer (ex: 1080p needs ~ 62 Mpix/sec, not Gpix/sec). I guess if we assume that video serves no other purpose than this, it is hard to see the point.
equipment at the Mauna Loa Observatory analyzes air samples for carbon dixoide content The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Keeling) carbon dioxide analyzer at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory. The analyzer (center) was installed in March 1958. It used radio tubes and collected carbon dioxide data in its original configuration until its decommissioning in January 2006. The original strip chart recorder (top) also operated from 1958 until 2006. John Chin of the Mauna Loa staff faithfully tended the analyzer from 1963 to 2004. The Observatory now maintains the instrument as a museum piece at its original location.
PATRIOT NURSE BLOCKS OBAMA’S ILLEGALS: ‘I’m inspired because I love America!’ 2012: What's the 'real' truth? Source: WND Published July 2, 2014 SAN DIEGO – Early in America’s history, citizens took to the streets in protests, or even blockades, if their elected officials dared ignore them. But today, small-town mayors are standing down as the federal government dumps thousands of sick and dangerous illegal aliens on them with no resources to help and no ability to enforce the laws that would repatriate them to their home countries. “It’s lawlessness,” said Patrice Lynes, a nurse and organizer of the Murrieta, California, blockade that caused a planned illegal-alien drop-off in her city to be turned back Tuesday. One hundred protestors prevented the bus carrying mostly children from entering the holding facility where they were to be dropped. Lynes told WND that when she heard about the scheduled drops, she knew laws were already on the books that made the federal government’s actions an illegal… View original post 843 more words This entry was posted in White Nationalism. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
Leave a comment College & the Work Force I personally feel like there are bigger battles to fight then to make budget cuts on continuing education programs. Scott Walker says the new motto should be, “the state’s work force needs.” The point of college is to create a well-rounded individual. This includes life experiences, friendship building, and learning new skills. All of this takes places in college… crazy. It wouldn’t make sense to make budget cuts to limit the college experience. Scott Walker’s main goal is to prepare students for the workforce, this is not a cut and dry process. Let’s take a physical therapist for example. This profession consists of the body such as anatomy and physiology. This background knowledge would allow a physical therapist to rehabilitate patients. Without the persuasion skills acquired in rhetoric class, getting a not so cooperative patient to perform certain exercises may be next to impossible. Even though reading King Lear is next to pointless on the outside. I do understand the critical thinking skills that go along with it. These critical thinking skills could be used to build an exercise plan that involves thinking out of the box. Also we have learned to break down words to find their true or deeper meaning. This could be very helpful in reading reports or communication with other doctors. This website was full of good information. The main point is that college provides a growth of new opportunities. Along with thinking differently with the ability to ask questions and have them answered by skilled professionals in their field of choice. I don’t like all of the general education classes, but I do feel like they make me better equipped individual for the workforce and allows me to look at life in a different way. Leave a comment Extra Credit There was a lot of different presentations for the show what you know presentations in the library. The one that really stood out was the “how to jump a car” presentation. It was very practical and I actually learned a few different safety measures that I didn’t even know about. He had a lot of good visuals in the presentation. The only thing to make it better would be having jumper cables and a battery there to demonstrate. Considering the other presentations, not having props to use worked out okay. Overall it was a great presentation that kept my attention.
0 $0.00 Search Brendan McCarthy Brendan McCarthy launched his career in 1976 with Sometime Stories, and has worked in film and TV animation. Since then, he has been involved with Strange Days, the controversial Skin, and Rogan Gosh. He is currently working on conceptual art for the movie Mad Max 4. [Titan Books] My Basket
Excise Tax Simulation: How expensive will the cars of 2018 be? Excise Tax Simulation: How expensive will the cars of 2018 be? image Vince Pornelos / AutoIndustriya.com \| December 19, 2017 17:44 How the final excise tax could affect the prices of your favorite cars In the last couple of months, the prospect of a new tax scheme for automobiles has played the market -and the sentiments of consumers- like a fiddle. It's easy to see why: the initial versions of the proposed revisions to the excise, a tax computed based on the net manufacturer's/importer's selling price (NMISP), essentially the price they sell the car to the dealers), had such high and complex computations that it threatened real harm to a lot of car companies, particularly the low volume distributors of premium and luxury automobiles. This impending increase in taxes on automobiles for 2018 spurred a veritable buying spree as consumers advanced their purchases to avoid extra taxes. This occurrence has been confirmed by industry executives as their stocks have been largely sold off, particularly the more expensive models such as executive cars, premium sedans, and large SUVs. Now after the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) has been signed into law as Republic Act 10963 by President Duterte, we can now more accurately predict how the excise tax will affect car prices starting next year. The Final Excise Tax Schedule The bicameral conference consolidated the two different versions of the TRAIN bill's excise tax schedule for automobiles. In short, the law that was signed by President Duterte had four price brackets/tiers and did away with the original system that had a fixed base amount (much like a taxi flag down rate) and an additional tax rate computed on the NMISP in excess of a particular bracket's starting amount. It's confusing for the non-mathematically inclined, to say the least, which is why the new tiers and systems that came out of the bicameral conference is much better: it only has a rate (in percent) that is applied on the NMISP of a particular vehicle. 4% - up to PhP 600,000 10% - PhP 600,000 up to PhP 1,000,000 20% - over PhP 1,000,000 up to PhP 4,000,000 50% - over PhP 4,000,000 TRAIN also made some specific exemptions to the excise tax such as pure electric vehicles (EVs) and all pick-up trucks. Hybrid electric vehicles will only see 50% of the excise tax rate applied. General Presumptions Before we go into the computations, we have to make it clear that the goal is not to get the exact prices of 2018 model vehicles. NMISPs are closely guarded secrets of car manufacturers and distributors, and they will not release that data willingly, if at all. What we at AutoIndustriya.com did, however, was to hypothesize a potential NMISP for certain types of vehicles to arrive at an approximation in price factoring in the excise tax, the value added tax, a presumed 20% profit margin across the board for all models, and we rounded up to either the nearest PhP 5,000 or 10,000 as most manufacturers like clean zeros on their prices. After our last feature with an excise tax simulation, some auto industry executives pointed out that a 20% profit margin is not accurate, at least for their respective companies. But we have to keep it consistent for all becasue the goal of this exercise is to show the effect of the new excise tax schedule on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a particular model category (i.e. top-of-the-line PPVs/SUVs) in percent. By keeping factors such as the hypothetical profit margins constant, we can arrive at a more indicative idea of the increases in price and in the case of this final excise tax, interestingly enough, potential decreases. Current Automotive Tax - PC New Automotive Tax - PC Passenger Car Excise Tax: 2017 vs. 2018 We grouped our computations based on different vehicle classes, not exact models. For this simulation, we also split the computations into two major categories: one for the popular passenger car classes, and another for the light commercial vehicle classes. In the category of entry level cars, meaning those with NMISPs under PhP 600,000 and SRPs on or around that are most likely around PhP 700,000 or below, the effects are clear: a doubling of the tax. The reason is because from the current system where a flat rate of 2% is applied on that tier, the incoming model has doubled the rate to 4%. The resulting simulated MSRPs are a bit higher: just under 2% more. For the compact cars with MSRPs around PhP 800,000 to around PhP 1.1 million, the computations show that there will be increases of around 3-5% overall on the prices. The estimated increase in this price range is higher than the computations original version that was approved by the House of Representatives (HB4774) a few months back. Interestingly enough, the trend shows that as the cars get more expensive, the percentages of increase aren't as high as expected. Actually, if anything, some of the higher and more expensive categories have even registered decreases in price based on the same profit margin. Current Automotive Tax - LCV New Automotive Tax - LCV Light Commercial Vehicle Excise Tax: 2017 vs. 2018 In the LCV category, what becomes apparent is that vehicles with NMISPs close to the ceiling of their respective brackets will have minimal increases based on percentages. For instance, a C-SUV/Crossover with an NMISP of PhP 950,000 (falling in the PhP 600,000 to 1,000,000 bracket) and current hypothetical MSRP of PhP 1,390,000, would only see its prices increase by about 1.08%. This is a contrast to the B-SUV/Crossover with an NMISP of PhP 720,000 (still within the same PhP 600,000 to 1,000,000 bracket); we could see its prices going up by about 4.41%. What is also apparent is that a very popular class of SUV, the pick-up passenger vehicle class, will see its prices go up significantly. Most of the vehicles in this category would fall under the third tier of the excise tax schedule, and will see a tax rate of 20% applied to the NMISP. A mid-grade PPV/SUV with a current MSRP of around PhP 1.630 million could see its prices go up by about 8.9% to PhP 1.775 million, while a top-of-the-line PPV/SUV with a current MSRP of around PhP 2.090M could see its prices go up by about 8.13% to PhP 2.260M The higher end SUVs, particularly those in the midsize category and up, could actually have lower prices. This trend is similar to the high end vehicles in the passenger car classes. What the simulation makes clear is that, with all the variables constant, the automotive excise tax that was signed into law is much milder than the bills that came from the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the early proposal from the Department of Finance. The potential increases in price seem to be well under the initial estimates that would have spelled disaster for the premium and luxury automobile industry which accounts for just about 1% of annual car sales in the Philippines. Moreover, the lower increases in price would also mean that the Philippine auto industry could keep its growth on track as the price hikes can be mitigated through financing. Now we can hope that the model categories that could end up with lower prices given the new tax scheme would actually go down in price, but the industry executives we spoke to unanimously refuted that possibility. A reduction in price will be bad for business, as customers who bought prior wouldn't be too thrilled at that prospect. It is expected that the distributors/manufacturers would use the opportunity to increase their profit margins.
Chievo are a club that made the jump from the amateur Leagues to the top flight in just 15 years. Sharing their stadium with bigger rivals Hellas Verona, Chievo is just a small neighbourhood of the city with less than 3,000 inhabitants. Starting out life as OND Chievo in 1929 - an after-hours team for factory workers - the club has gone through numerous name changes including Cardi Chievo and Paluani Chievo, both named after sponsors. Chievo started its ascent into professional football in 1986 when, despite losing the play-off, the club were promoted to Serie C2 following Bassano’s disqualification. From there it took three years to reach Serie C1 in 1988-89 and another five to get into Serie B. They were rechristened Chievo Verona in 1990 in a bid to identify the club with its city. The 2001-02 season, their first ever in Serie A, saw them finish an amazing fifth under Gigi Del Neri. Despite the indifference of the Veronese public and tiny crowds, the Flying Donkeys have continued their unexpected success and were beneficiaries of the Calciopoli scandal as an excellent seventh placed finish and UEFA football turned into a Champions League spot. The club was relegated to Serie B for the 2007-08 season, but immediately bounced back, and have established themselves as a comfortable mid-table outfit.
Today, roughly 40 percent of noncash payment in the United States is made by check, largely because the check remains the only way that most people can transfer money from one bank account to another without having to pay for the privilege. But checks are an insecure and horribly inefficient way of paying people, especially if you’re sending them by mail. And the rest of the world has already moved on: in most countries, transferring money directly from one party’s account to another, without having to write a check, is easy. In America, the question remains: What financial technology will replace the check? Don’t look to the banks for innovation—they have little incentive to replace the credit and debit cards that use their check-clearing infrastructure and generate billions of dollars in interchange fees. Services do exist that work around the banks, but they generally require both the payer and the payee to set up an account with them first, and most normal people have no desire to do that. If we’re going to have a revolution in payments, the market isn’t going to get there on its own. The Federal Reserve created and paid for our check-clearing system, and it should do the same with its replacement—a secure, free, instant method for anybody with cash to move. A simple mandate should do the trick. Otherwise, the U.S. will always remain behind the curve, crippled by billions of dollars in hidden and unnecessary fees. Next idea: Boot the Extra Point
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YOU ARE HERE: LAT HomeCollections FILM : A Tinted, Hipped-Up 'Metropolis' to Screen at UCI In 1984, rock record producer Giorgio Moroder took Fritz Lang's German Expressionism classic, "Metropolis," and gave it an MTV make over, complete with thumping tunes and a color tint job. Many critics howled (and for good reason) while others just nodded, realizing that, at the least, this new, hipped-up version might find a young contemporary audience for the 1927 movie. Besides, despite Moroder's often clumsy, irrelevant approach, there's a vibe to the confusing but visually captivating "Metropolis" that reflects a music video sensibility--you may not understand just what's going on but the imagery taps into the part of you that doesn't need to think. That said, there's a logic to UC Irvine screening the Moroder version Friday night as part of its Alternate Realities film series. A college-age crowd should find it fun, both for the Pat Benatar tunes and the film's intrinsic silent-movie campiness which, whether intentional or not, is accentuated in the updating. Also give Moroder credit for digging up a few scenes for the 1927 American release that were edited out of the German original. While Moroder's tampering is not fatally subversive (and the additional footage helps with narrative continuity), the original black-and-white version still remains the one to see (it's available on video). For one thing, the subdued soundtrack, with its silences, adds a brooding, obsessive layer to the film. For another, the mechanized panoramas find a necessary harshness in Karl Freund and Guenther Rittau's monotone cinematography (still, a bow to Moroder on the early "stadium" scene, which, with its cobalt blue sky, looks like something out of a Giorgio de Chirico painting). The plot almost resists description. Thea von Harbou's screenplay (based on her novel) is a mix of spirituality, visionary science fiction, gross sentimentality and marching-orders agitprop. This hazy mix hangs over a futuristic city where the hedonistic privileged frolic in the sunshine above while the working class toil in a subterranean cavern of machines and unceasing production. "Metropolis" may be the only surreal pro-labor film ever made, as Freder (Gustav Froehlich in one of the over-accented performances, typical of the German Expressionism style), the son of Metropolis' "master" Fredersen (Alfred Abel), abandons his cushy lifestyle to help the workers, eventually becoming their champion and bridging the gap between the two worlds. Maria (Brigitte Helm) is a sort of cellar Joan of Arc who preaches goodness in a basement cathedral. But her argument is not always a convincing one, considering how evil the top-siders are, especially Fredersen. He wants to control the masses, so he has the crazed inventor Rotwang (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) retool his robot Hel into a facsimile of Maria. The nuts-and-bolts Maria turns out bad, all bad. She spends her days deceiving the workers and her nights dancing almost nude a la Josephine Baker in the local brothel. All this mischief leads to a near-tragic finale of mind-bending proportions. With its bizarre, convoluted plot, "Metropolis" may have ended up merely a minor cinema curiosity, but Lang's artistry in putting his own personal vision on film is what makes it remarkable. Even those raised on the numbing high-tech achievements of modern movies may be surprised by this film. Lang reveled in the excesses of German Expressionism, a hybrid of early-20th-Century artistic views that rejected naturalism in pursuit of a more dramatic revelatory style. By using light and shadow (and Eugene Schufftan's clever special effects), Lang gives the dehumanizing environment of "Metropolis" a grotesque look that is itself cautionary. Through Freund and Rittau's camera work, and the suggestive editing, the workers are like living parts of some massive mechanical god (in one scene, they even crawl into the giant furnace's mouth in an unexplained sacrifice). Their lives do seem hopeless. But Lang indulges in a little whimsy as well. It's amusing to see his view of the future (with toy-like Disneyland monorails and biplanes whizzing between buildings). The nightmare exists underground; on the surface it's a sparkling city jazzed by progress. What: Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" (Giorgio Moroder version). When: Friday, Jan. 18, at 7 and 9 p.m. Where: UC Irvine's Student Center Crystal Cove Auditorium. Wherewithal: $2 and $4. Where to Call: (714) 856-6379. Los Angeles Times Articles
10,000 years of Cyprus History In 2004 French archaeologists led by Jean-Denis Vigne discovered the remains of an 8-month-old cat buried with its human owner at a Neolithic site dated to 0 8500 B.C. The most significant Neolithic settlement that can be visited taking its name from today’s village Choirokoitia, located near the main road connecting Nicosia with Limassol it is called Khirokitia situated in the Maroni valley about 6 km from the southern coast The Phoenicians arrived in Cyprus as merchants and settled originally in the coastal cities and afterwards in the mainland. A great Phoenician centre was Kitio (today’s Larnaka). Massive Lebanon cedars found in 1986 at circa 3500 B.C Hierakonpolis temple in upper Egypt have showm academic doubters that Phoenicians were sophisticated sea faring traders throughout the rise of Egyptian pyramids over the millenniums before the bible was written. In the last centuries of the Bronze Age (around 1200 – 1050 B.C.), Mycenaean settlers arrived in Cyprus, joining the natives whose economy was already engaged in supplying the nearby Phoenicians with bronze, cedar wood, perfume and wine to trade with the great civilizations of Babylon and Egypt and as far as Great Britain. The Greeks added vowels to the Phoenician alphabet and joined the Phoenicians is setting up their colonies along the shores of the Mediterranean. This culture became the world’s most influential and even today its fantastic stories and characters are well known to most well educated citizens and artists of the world. This Greek culture adopted wholeheartedly by the Roman Empire is alive in Cyprus where its stories were first fashioned from both the actual and figurative “melting pot” of the bronze age. Cyprus was never under the direct control of the Assyrian empire. But during the reign of Sargon II 721-705 BC its rulers dispatched a diplomatic delegation to the Assyrian king in an attempt to lessen the control of Tyre over the island. In 707 – 650 B.C., Cyprus the Assyrians were the dominant power but they preferred tributes to direct rule and the City States thrived as both a provider of raw materials and manufacturing center. Following a brief period of Egyptian domination in the sixth century BCE, Cyprus fell under Persian rule, leaving the city-kingdoms to continue striking their own coins and waging war amongst one another, until the late-fourth century BCE saw the overthrow of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great. Alexander from Macedonia conquered Cyprus during his expedition against the Persians (332 B.C.), while afterwards, it finally passed to the rule of Greek kings of Egypt, known as Ptolemies (294 B.C.). The Ptolemies ruled Cyprus exercising centralized administrative control. However, they allowed the Cypriot cities to exercise a system of limited self-government called “Confederation of the Cypriots” (Koinon Kyprion); an institution with religious character, and the authority to mint copper coins. At that time, Paphos was the capital of the island. Leda_swan-Paphos-mosaic.jpg Cyprus became finally Roman province in 30 B.C. There are still many well-preserved architectural monuments, left by the Romans in various cities of the island, such as the house of Dionysus in Paphos, with the mosaic floors representing scenes from the life of the wine god. Cyprus was one of the first centres of Christianity. Apostles Paul and Barnabas preached in Cyprus, while Apostle Barnabas is considered the founder of the Church of Cyprus. In the 4th c. A.D., Cyprus was annexed to the Byzantine Empire. In the 5th c. A.D., the Orthodox Church of Cyprus was recognized as independent and autocephalous, devolving major authority to the Archbishop of Cyprus. In 1191, during the 3rd Crusade, Richard the Lionheart, king of England, conquered Cyprus on his way to the Holy Places, and then sold it to the French noble Guy de Lusignan, initiating the period of Frankish rule (1192-1489). In 1489 Cyprus passed to the Venetian rule, while in 1571 it was annexed to the Ottoman Empire (1571). In 1878, at the congress of Berlin Turkey ceded the occupation and administration of Cyprus to Great Britain. In 1914, when Turkey participated in the 1st World War on the side of Germany, G. Britain annexed Cyprus. In 1923, with the Lausanne Convention, Turkey recognized the annexation of Cyprus, while in 1925 it was proclaimed a colony of Great Britain. In 1931 the Greek-Cypriots revolted (“October revolt”). The British suppressed the revolt (having as a result five dead people and sixty injured, while two thousand people were convicted to various terms of imprisonment) and imposed strict measures. In 1955, the Greek-Cypriots started a liberation fight, with Makarios as political leader and Georgios Grivas as military leader (EOKA, National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters). In 1959, with the Zürich Agreement and the London Agreement between Turkey, Greece and Great Britain, the anticolonial struggle ceased and the Cypriot state was founded under the supervision of the three guarantor powers. On August 16th 1960, the Archbishop Makarios was elected Cyprus’ first President. On July 15th 1974 the Greek Junta and EOKA-B organized a coup d’état against the Cypriot government. The Turkish invasion to Kyrenia followed on July 20th 1974. On August 14th 1974, the Turkish army attacked again and finally occupied 37% of the Cypriot territory. The occupation line or Attila Line, as named by the Turks, divides until today the Cypriot territory. Occupied by the Turkish army, held apart by United Nations peace-keeping forces, exposed to Greek debt and facing periodic water shortages Cyprus remains an oasis much loved by many for its climate, unique geography, many layers of history as well as its friendly welcoming culture which has charmed visitors for 10,000 years Leave a reply
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Tweet This, Post to LinkedIn, and Like This! Friday, September 16, 2016 How to Properly Manage a Personal Injury Patient Proper management of an injury patient is an important part of patient care that should not be overlooked. When a new patient comes into my office, I always make sure that the patient has a clear understanding of the process. The procedure involves detailed documentation of the patient's history, which includes finding out about prior injuries, car accidents, prior medical treatment for any body part, even if the treated body part was not accident related. The reason behind this, is that all parties involved will want to know whether the patient's new injury overlaps with any prior medically treated areas of the patient's body. Moreover, included in the history are any other medical conditions, as well as family history, and prescriptions currently being taken. From this, you can learn a lot. For example, a patient recently told me that she has a family history of aneurysm resulting in death to her sister and father. Chiropractors should never overlook this history, and blatantly do cervical adjustments on these types of patients. At the end of the initial visit, there should be an initial report written and each subsequent visit with the doctor should be documented in standard SOAP form. The patient always signs the chart note for the visit. No signature and no visit ever happened. I almost always make sure the patient is quickly referred to an orthopedic specialist or his medical doctor who could also diagnose emergency medical condition if necessary. Emergency medical condition or EMC, is specific to Florida, and is required if the patient has a more serious injury, and its purpose is that it frees up the patient's full insurance benefit, if extensive treatment is necessary. The insurance company is counting on the fact that the patient will not have an EMC and will only be responsible for 25% of the claim. Without it, the insurance company takes away 75% of the patents insurance benefit. Soft tissue injuries are better diagnosed with objective tests, like MRI. Sometimes, X-rays are ordered if fracture or dislocation is suspected. Most of the time however, x-rays do not turn up injury in patients that have injuries that are soft tissue in nature. Over the years, I have seen some broken ribs, sternums, and bones in the hands and feet, but this is rare. X-rays have shown dislocations, over the years, Depending on the frequency of the visit, the course of treatment can vary between a couple months and upward of 6 months or more. Any other referrals will be made if necessary, including orthopedic doctors, neurologists, podiatrists, mental health doctors, etc. Finally, a report is generated when the patient is released from standard care, at maximum medical improvement, MMI. If there is a request for an impairment rating, I will provide the rating in the report, and forward the report to the attorney who is helping to resolve any claims. During this whole process, COMMUNICATION is key so that everyone is on the same page, and nothing is missed. I have been seeing mainly personal injury type patients for 20+ years. If you have been involved in a car accident, don't hesitate. Please call my office to schedule your first visit. If you are a lawyer and have a client who you think could benefit from an experienced doctor in regard to accident care, I will love to see that person. It is NOT my goal to provide GOOD care to my patients; it IS my goal to provide EXCELLENT care to my patients. Alan Himmel, DC PA.
The Royal Road to Health by Chas. A. Tyrrell 1 2 3 4 Next Part Home - Random Browse Transcriber's Note: This tract on health, like many published last century, is essentially an advertisement of a particular form of treatment invented and sold by the author. While it is of interest in historical terms, it should not be relied upon as medical advice. This e-text "Royal Road To Health" is for historical and educational purposes only. This antiquated information is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or prescribing. No responsibility, liability or warranty, express or implied, is assumed by the author or any distributer of this book. Anyone can distribute this book freely any way they want, as long as all this information contained in this book remains like it is now. . . . (no changes, additions, or deletions). By Chas. A. Tyrrell Whose Enthusiasm, and unflagging interest in all matters pertaining to health is excelled by none, and who has been a faithful coworker in building up the system treating disease by hygienic methods herein set forth, This book is affectionately dedicated. Copyright 1907 Charles A. Tyrrell, M.D. 1. Esophagus or Gullet. 2. Cardiac end of Stomach. 3. Pyloric end of Stomach. 4. Duodenum. 5, 6. Convolutions of Small Intestine. 7. Caecum. 7* Vermiform appendage of Caecum, called the appendicula vermiformis. 8. Ascending Colon. 9, 10. Transverse Colon. 11. Descending Colon. 12. Sigmoid Flexure, the last curve of the Colon before it terminates in the Rectum. 13. Rectum, the terminal part of the Colon. 14. Anus, posterior opening of the alimentary canal, through which the excrements are expelled. 15. Lobes of the Liver, raised and turned back. 16. Hepatic Duct, which carries the bile from the liver to the Cystic and Common Bile Ducts. 17. Cystic Duct. 18. Gall Bladder. 19. Common Bile Duct. 20. Pancreas, the gland which secretes the pancreatic juice. 21. Pancreatic Duct, entering the Duodunum with the Common Bile Duct. In presenting to the public the one hundredth edition of this work, it is a matter for profound gratification to be able to state that the treatment described in its pages has steadily increased in public favor since its introduction. Tens of thousands of grateful people testify to its efficiency, not only as a remedial process, but better still, as a preventive of disease. Truth must ever prevail, and this treatment being based on natural law (which is unerring), must achieve the desired result, which is the restoration and preservation of health. This edition has been completely revised and much of it rewritten, and, while the essential principles remain unchanged, some slight departures from previously expressed opinions may be noted; for in the years that have elapsed since the first edition saw the light, some notable advances have been made in rational therapeutics and dietetics, and no one can afford to lag behind the car of Progress. The arrangement of the book has been still farther altered, by adding another part, making nine in all, each part being devoted to a special phase of the general subject, thus simplifying it, and making its principles easier of application. Quotations have been freely made from articles written during the past three years by the author, in his capacity as editor of "Health," and several new formulas for the treatment of important diseases have been added to those that have appeared in previous editions. While painfully conscious that the critically disposed may find something to condemn in its pages, the work is sent forth with the fervent hope, that despite any defects it may possess it may, in the future, as in the past, prove the means of restoring to suffering thousands the possession of their natural and rightful heritage health. Health is wealth. The truth about "Materia Medica." Medical opinions on drugs they do not cure disease. Opinions of British physicians. The most important medical discoveries made by laymen. There is no "law of cure," only a condition. Drugs do not act on the system, but are acted upon. Only one cause of disease. There is only one disease, but many modifications. Digestion and assimilation explained. Evil effects of the retention of waste. The horrors of faecal impaction. How auto infection is accomplished. The mysteries of the circulation. Disease shown to be the result of imperfect elimination. Nature cures, not the physician. The action of microbes. The cathartic habit. The true action of cathartics explained, and popular suppositions corrected. A correct solution of the difficulty. "Flushing the colon" as an ancient practice. Dr. Turner's post mortem experiences. Colon distortion illustrated. Objections to the ordinary appliances danger in using the long, flexible catheter. Invention of the "J. B. L. Cascade," and description of it. The complete process of "flushing the colon" explained, step by step, so that even a child might understand it. Objections answered. Advice to users of the treatment. Longevity man's natural heritage. The care of the body absolute cleanliness rare. The function of water in the human organism. Hot water the natural scavenger. The bath. Description of the skin, and its function. Hints on bathing. The wet sheet pack. Importance of fresh air. Interchange of gases in the lungs. Ventilation. Prof. Willard Parker on impure air. The function of the heart. The therapeutic value of sunlight. Motion is life. Effect of exercise on the fluids of the body. How the tissues are nourished. Exercise for invalids. Complete system of breathing exercises for developing the lungs. Improved system of physical exercises, calling into play every muscle of the body ensuring harmonious development. Special nerve exercise. how to stand and how to walk. All the above exercises plainly illustrated. The replacement of waste. Appetite and hunger. The evils of gluttony. Vegetarianism versus flesh eating. Diet, a question of latitude. The cause of old age. Cretinism. Danger of earthy matters in food substances. Fruits are ideal foods. The true value of bread. Classification of the ingredients of food substances. Table of proportions. Table of digestive values. Vegetarianism discussed. A mixed diet the most reasonable. How to eat. Liquids at meals. When to eat. The no breakfast plan. The effects of alcohol, tea and coffee. Improper habits of eating. The influence of mind upon digestion. The advantages of regularity. Nature's bookkeeping. Complete formulas of treatment (with dietary rules) for over fifty different diseases, including Consumption, Appendicitis, Locomotor Ataxia, Paralysis, Dyspepsia, Pneumonia, Diabetes Mellitus, Uterine troubles, etc. Also all the principal ailments of children. Disease is the result of the operation of natural law don't dread it. Don't treat symptoms; treat the fundamental cause. Pain is Nature's danger signal. Prevention is better than cure. The elements of prevention. Importance of a knowledge of physiology. The body, the vehicle of expression for the mind. The strenuous life. Tear worse than wear. The importance of reserve energy. The effect of the mind on the body. The human body as a bank. The importance of a daily balance. Cultivate cheerfulness. The habit of happiness. The folly of squandering health. Medicine and surgery compared. What children should be taught. The final word. Instructions for massage. How to use the stomach bath by three different methods. How to improvise the Turkish Bath in your own home, without apparatus. How to use the wet sheet pack. How to care for the "Cascade". It is one of the most profound mysteries of our civilization, and has been one of the most perplexing and discouraging phenomena of human existence, that, while the world at large has maintained an ever increasing "medical profession," whose members are popularly supposed to be competent to deal with all the ills that flesh is heir to; still there has always been a long list of what are termed "incurable diseases." But the immense strides made, in recent years, in every branch of modern science, has led the thinking public to consider such a condition of things as an outrageous libel on the God of Nature, and to question whether there can be such a thing as an incurable disease. Health is such an inestimable blessing, that the individual who shall devise means to preserve it, or to restore it, when lost, is deserving of all the thanks and honors that a grateful community can bestow. Unfortunately, there are very few who estimate life at its true value, until they are confronted with the grim destroyer, Death. No one can fully appreciate the priceless blessings of health, until they feel that it has slipped from their grasp. The oft quoted phrase, "Health is Wealth," is truly a concrete expression of wisdom, for without the former, the latter is well nigh an impossibility. But its interference with the activities of life is one of the least evils of sickness, for perfect health is the very salt and spice of life; without it, existence is "weary, stale, flat and unprofitable." But let none despair, for it is my purpose to show how those who enjoy the blessing of robust health may preserve it indefinitely, and how those who have lost it may regain it with access of vigor, and once more feel that life is indeed worth living. In presenting a new system of medication, it is necessary to attack the existing systems, and hence, I am placed in a delicate position, for of all the problems ever presented for the ingenuity of man to solve, undoubtedly the most difficult is, how to present new facts so as not to offend old errors; for individuals are very prone to regard arguments levelled against their opinions as direct attacks upon their personality; and not a few of them mistake their own deeply rooted prejudices for established certainties. I shall endeavor to show that the practice of administering drugs to cure disease is a fallacy, and in so doing, I am bound to incur the condemnation of my brother practitioners, who prescribe drugs, and the druggists who vend them. It may safely be asserted that the drug system of treating disease would be destroyed if it were to be critically examined; in fact, to defend it is provocative of unmistakable damage to it. If it is once subjected to the analysis of calm reason its defects become palpable to the meanest understanding. There are three principal schools of medicine, each with a distinctive title, but they are all one in essential principles. They may differ in unimportant details; but in the main premises they are a unit. They all believe in the principle of "curing one disease by producing another." In other words, their practice is, to induce a drug disease to cure a primary one, for this is exactly what is done when drugs are administered, in pathological conditions as we shall prove later on by testimony from authorities on medical practice. The materia medica of the schools, to-day, includes upwards of two thousand substances the number increasing daily and when viewed dispassionately it presents what? A list of drugs, chemicals, dye- stuffs, all subversive of organic structures. They are all antagonistic to living matter: all produce disease when brought in contact in any manner with the living domain as a matter of fact, all are poisons. Now, what logical standing can a system have, that employs, as remedies for diseases, those things that produce disease in healthy persons? No advocate of the drug system has ever advanced a reason that would bear one moment's scientific examination, why poisonous substances should be administered to the sick, and no one will ever be able to give a satisfactory explanation of the theory that underlies the practice, for none exists. When once the public fully grasps the true import of this glaring anomaly, the days of the drug system will be numbered. Physicians of ability and long experience, who have devoted their lives to the relief of suffering humanity, both in this and other countries, have declared after close observation, that they were fully and thoroughly convinced that medicines do not cure patients, that they do not assist Nature's process of cure, so much as they retard it, and, that they are more hurtful than remedial in all diseases. A still larger number have reached the same conclusion with regard to certain complaints, such as scarlet fever, croup, pneumonia, cholera, rheumatism, diphtheria, measles, small-pox, dysentery, and typhoid fever, and that in every case where they have abandoned all medicine, abjured all drugs and potions, their success has been marvellously increased. Professor B. F. Parker, of the New York Medical College, once said to a medical class: "I have recently given no medicine in the treatment of measles and scarlet fever, and I have had excellent success." Dr. Snow, Health Officer of Providence, R. I., reported for the information of his professional brethren, through the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal that he had treated all the cases of small-pox, which had prevailed endemically in that city, without a particle of medicine, and that all of the cases some of which were very grave ones recovered. Dr. John Bell, Professor of Materia Medica in one of the Philadelphia Colleges, and also in the Medical College of Baltimore, testified in a work which he published ("Bell on Baths"), that he and others had treated many cases of scarlet fever with bathing, and without medicines of any kind, and without losing a patient. Dr. Ames, of Montgomery, Alabama, some years since published in the New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, his experience and observation in the treatment of pneumonia. He had been led to notice for many years, that patients who were treated with the ordinary remedies—bleeding, mercury, and remedies—breeding certain complications which always aggravated the malady, and rendered the convalescence more lingering and recovery less complete. Such patients were always liable to collapses and re-lapses; to "run into typhoid"; to sink suddenly, and die very unexpectedly. He noticed particularly that patients who took calomel and antimony were found, on post-mortem examinations, to have serious and even fatal inflammation of the stomach and small intestines, attended with great prostration, delirium, and other symptoms of drug poisoning. These "complications" were nothing more or less than drug diseases. And Dr. Ames found, on changing his plan of treatment to milder and simpler remedies, that he lost no patients. The late Professor Win. Tully, M.D., of Yale College, and of the Vermont Academy of Medicine at Gastleton, Vt., informed his medical class, that on one occasion the typhoid pneumonia was so fatal in some places in the valley of the Connecticut River, that the people became suspicious that the physicians were doing more harm than good; and in their desperation they actually combined against the doctors and refused to employ them at all; "after which," said Professor Tully, "no deaths occurred." And I might add, as an historical incident of some pertinency in this place, that regular physicians were once banished from Rome, so fatal did their practice seem, so far as the people could judge of it. The great Magendie, of France, who long stood at the very head of Physiology and Pathology in the French Academy which, by the way, has claimed to be, and perhaps is, the most learned body of men in the world performed this experiment. He divided the patients of one of the large Paris hospitals into three classes. To one he prescribed the common remedies of the books. To the second he administered only the common simples of domestic practice. And to the third class he gave no medicine at all. The result was, those who took less medicine did better than those who took more, and those who took no medicine did the best of all. In the face of such damaging testimony from prominent representatives of the medical profession, it becomes exceedingly difficult to place any reliance on the drug remedies prescribed by them. The melancholy truth is, that drug medication has become an integral part of our domestic economy. At no time in history has the consumption of drugs even approximated the present rate. Enormous sums of money are invested in manufacturing and distributing them, and the physicians of the various schools, being educated to prescribe them, a mutual bond of interest has grown up between doctor and druggist, which is not at all surprising. The medical profession, as a whole is, and ever has been eminently conservative, and this fact, in connection with its traditional predilection for drugs causes its members to resolutely set their faces against any remedial process that runs counter to the theories they imbibed at college. They look askance at all such things and regard them as dangerous experiments, and assert that their dignity will not permit them to recognize any irregular practice, or any form of quackery. Dignity! When was dignity ever known to save a life? Most humanity continue to suffer because the medical profession (blindly following in the rut of custom) fail to see anything superior to the antiquated system of treating disease by drugging, which many of its ablest members condemn as unreliable? It is with all schools of medicine as it is with each individual practitioner of the healing art the less faith they have in medicine, the more they have in Hygiene; hence those who prescribe little or no medicine, are invariably and necessarily more attentive to Hygiene, which always was, and ever will be, all that there is really good, useful, or curative in medication. Such physicians are more careful to supply the vital organism with whatever of air, light, temperature, food, water, exercise or rest, etc., it needs in its struggle for health, and to remove all vitiating influences all poisons, impurities, or disturbing influences of any kind. This is hygienic medication, the natural and rational method of cure, and the more closely it is examined, the more strongly it will commend itself to reason. It is a lamentable fact that the preservation of health is not taught in the medical schools, neither is it explained in their books, and judging from general practice not much regard is attached to it in their prescriptions. But when the inevitable typhoid or malaria appears as an inevitable consequence of neglected precautions, the physician can drug without mercy, and, as we contend, on most illogical grounds. Who imagines for one instant, that quinine is a poison? Who is not aware that arsenic is a deadly poison? And yet physicians and medical journals calmly and gravely assert that arsenic is the better article of the two, and recommend it as a substitute for quinine. Can any intelligent person believe that a comparatively harmless tonic, and an intense poison are perfect equivalents for each other? It is stated on reliable authority, that during the civil war, hundreds of sick soldiers implored the nurses to throw away their medicine. They feared drugs worse than bullets, and not without reason. It is a curious fact that young physicians prescribe more medicine than the older ones. The effect of drugging a person, is to lock up the actual causes of the disease in the system; thus producing permanent and worse diseases. It is in accordance with common sense that they should be expelled, not retained. What is known as disease, is nothing more or less than the struggle of Nature, to cast out impurities, and this remedial effort should be regulated, and assisted, not obstructed by administering drugs, which only complicate the situation, by producing more disease. No man can fight two enemies better than one, and, to give drugs to a system already struggling to regain its normal condition, is like tying the hands of a man who is beset by enemies. The truth is, that the real nature of disease is misapprehended by the popular schools of medicine, and until broader views obtain a lodgment among them, it is useless to hope for any alteration or improvement in the antiquated system of drugging. "Who shall decide, when doctors disagree ?" is an oft Quoted sentence, and, the following conflicting opinions from prominent physicians show conclusively how little is actually known of the action of drugs upon the human system, by those who administer them right and left. Says the "United States Dispensatory," "Medicines are those articles which make sanative impressions on the body." This may be important if, true. But, per contra, says Professor Martin Paine, M.D., of the New York University Medical School, in his "Institutes of Medicine": "Remedial agents are essentially morbific in their operations." "Ubi virus, ibi vitus," Says Professor B. R. Peaslee, MD., of the same school: "The administration of powerful medicines is the most fruitful cause of derangements of the digestion." Says Professor E. H. Davis, M.D., of the New York Medical College: "The modus operandi of medicines is still a very obscure subject. We know that they operate, but exactly how they operate is entirely unknown." But now comes in the testimony of the venerable Professor Joseph M. Smith, M.D., who says: "Drugs do not cure diseases; disease is always cured by the vis medicatrix naturae." And Professor Clark further complicates the problem before us by declaring that, "Physicians have hurried thousands to their graves who would have recovered if left to Nature." And again: "In scarlet fever you have nothing to do but to rely on the vis medicatrix naturae." On the other side of the Atlantic the claims of the existing medical schools to popular favor, do not appear to rest upon any surer basis than they do here, if we may judge from the following opinions expressed by some of the most eminent authorities in the British Kingdom: "The medical practice of our days is, at the best, a most uncertain and unsatisfactory system; it has neither philosophy nor common sense to commend it to confidence." DR. EVANS, Fellow of the Royal College, London. "Gentlemen, ninety-nine out of every hundred medical facts are medical lies; and medical doctrines are, for the most part, stark, staring nonsense." Prof. GREGORY, of Edinburgh, author of a work on "Theory and Practice of Physic." "It cannot be denied that the present system of medicine is a burning shame to its professors, if indeed a series of vague and uncertain incongruities deserves to be called by that name. How rarely do our medicines do good! How often do they make our patients really worse! I fearlessly assert, that in most cases the sufferer would be safer without a physician than with one. I have seen enough of the malpractice of my professional. brethren to warrant the strong language I employ." Dr. RAMAGE, Fellow of the Royal College, London. "Some patients get well with the aid of medicine; more without it; and still more in spite of it." SIR JOHN FORBES, M.D., F.R.S. "Thousands are annually slaughtered in the quiet of the sick-room.' Governments should at once either banish medical men, and proscribe their blundering art, or they should adopt some better means to protect the lives of the people than at present prevail, when they look far less after the practice of this dangerous profession, and the murders committed in it, than after the lowest trades." Dr FRANK, an eminent author and practitioner. "Our actual information or knowledge of disease does not increase in proportion to our experimental practice. Every dose of medicine given is a blind experiment upon the vitality of the patient." Dr. BOSTOCK, author of "History of Medicine." "The science of medicine is a barbarous jargon, and the effects of our medicines on the human system in the highest degree uncertain; except, indeed, that they have destroyed more lives than war, pestilence, and famine combined." JOHN MASON GOOD, M.D., F.R.S., author of "Book of Nature," "A System of Nosology," "Study of Medicine," etc. "I declare as my conscientious conviction, founded on long experience and reflection, that if there were not a single physician, surgeon, man midwife, chemist, apothecary, druggist, nor drug on the face of the earth, there would be less sickness and less mortality than now prevail." JAS. JOHNSON, M.D., F.R.S., Editor of the Medico- Chirurgical Review. So it comes to this, that during three thousand years remedies have been accumulating until between two and three thousand drugs are recorded in the archives of the medical profession, and yet we have the admission of some of the highest authorities on the subject that the nature of disease is still a mystery, that the "modus operandi" of drugs is equally obscure, and that in consequence there is profound uncertainty as to the relation of drugs to the diseases for which they are prescribed. Can one cause cure another. Can a poison expel a poison? Can the human system throw off two burdens better than one? If such a proposition were submitted to us in any other domain we would indignantly resent it as an insult to our intelligence. There can be no question but that the public are largely responsible for the existing condition of things, for whatever they demand they can obtain, in obedience to the inexorable law of supply and demand: which accounts for the rapidly increasing interest in hygiene. An eminent authority on therapeutics says: "I know many of you will say, 'My physician is a very excellent man and a good scholar I have all confidence in him.' But what if his system is false? Is your confidence in him or in his system? If in his system, you are to be pitied. If in him, take his good advice and refuse his bad medicine." The Caucasian has not much to learn from the Mongolian, it is true, but the public might safely imitate the Chinese in dealing with their physicians. A Chinaman of rank pays his physician a retaining salary so long as he remains in health, but, the instant he gets sick, the salary ceases. Manifestly, it is a common sense proceeding. The doctor has a vital interest in preserving the health of his client, since sickness entails a pecuniary loss; and best of all, the patient escapes having his system drenched with drugs. There is no valid reason why there should be any such thing as serious sickness; nor would there be if Hygiene were taught, and practised, and the whole materia medica consigned to oblivion. As Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "If all drugs were thrown into the sea, it would be so much better for man, but so much worse for the fishes." Now, the remedies of the Hygienic system, which I advocate, comprehend everything except poisons. The drug system rejects almost everything but poisons. My system rejects only poisons, and adopts everything else. I welcome anything that possesses remedial value, provided it is in accordance with the laws of Nature, and am equally ready to accept suggestions from the laity, as from fellow practitioners. I am ready to submit everything thus presented, to the test of experiment, and employ it if found worthy. In this regard I may, without vanity, lay claim to the possession of a more progressive spirit than the members of the drug schools, for their disincilination to adopt anything new in the treatment of disease has passed into a proverb. It might naturally be supposed that any one who should come forward with a discovery by which the suffering portion. of the human family would be benefited, would be welcomed with open arms by the medical fraternity, or, that at least he would be allowed a hearing, but unfortunately it is not so. Even if the discoverer be one of themselves, they are apt to regard his proposition with a certain amount of distrust, but if he happens to be a layman they instantly stand upon their dignity denounce all irregular practice and raise the cry of quack. In justice, however, it must be said that there are members of liberal, broad minded men in the medical profession who recognize the fact that brains are not monopolized by physicians, and who are perfectly willing to accord credit where it is due, as the following opinions will show. Dr. A. O'Leary, Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, says: "The best things in the healing art have been done by those who never had a diploma the first Caesarian section, lithotomy, the use of cinchona, of ether as an anaesthetic, the treatment of the air passages by inhalation, the water cure and medicated baths, electricity as a healing agent, and magnetism, faith cure, mind cure, etc." Prof. Waterhouse, writing to the learned Dr. Mitchell, of New York, says: "I am, indeed, so disgusted with learned quackery that I take some interest in honest, humane, and strongminded empiricism; for it has done more for our art, in all ages and all countries, than all the universities since the time of Charlemagne." Professor Benj. Rush, of the greatest and oldest Allopathic College in America, says: "Remember how many of our most useful remedies have been discovered by quacks. Do not therefore be afraid of conversing with them, and of profiting by their ignorance and temerity. Medicine has its pharisees as well as religion. But the spirit of this sect is as unfriendly to the advancement of medicine as it is to Christian charity. In the pursuit of medical knowledge let me advise you to converse with nurses and old women. They will often suggest facts in the history and cure of disease which have escaped the most sagacious observers of nature. By so doing, we may discover laws of the animal economy which have no place in our system of Nosology, or in our theories of physic. The practice of physic hath been more improved by the casual experiments of illiterate nations, and the rash ones of vagabond quacks, than by all the once celebrated professors of it, and the theoretic teachers in the several schools of Europe, very few of whom have furnished us with one new medicine, or have taught us better to use our old ones, or have in any one instance at all, improved the art of curing disease." Dr. Adam Smith says: "After denouncing Paracelsus as a quack, the regular medical profession stole his 'quack-silver' mercury; after calling Jenner an imposter it adopted his discovery of vaccination; after dubbing Harvey a humbug it was forced to swallow his theory of the circulation of the blood." Professor J. Rodes Buchanan, Boston, says: "Mozart, Hoffman, Ole Bull, and Blind Tom were born with a mastery of music, as Zerah Colburn with a mastery of mathematics, as others are born with a mastery of the mystery of life and disease, like Greatrakes, Newton, Hutton, Sweet and Stephens, born doctors, and score of similar renown." Professor Charles W. Emerson, M.D., the well known resident of the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory, of Boston, says: "The progress in therapeutics has and still continues to come from the unlearned. Common people give us our improvements and the school men spend their time in giving Greek and Latin names to these improvements, and building metaphysical theories around them." This is a heavy indictment against the medical profession, as a body, but truth and justice compel me to state that most of the foregoing statements were made some years ago, and that intolerance can no longer be charged against them as it could, even in the last generation. Nor can we close our eyes to the fact that thousands of highminded physicians are devoting their time and energies to the amelioration of disease. Scarcely a month passes in which some convention of physicians is not held to consider the best means of dealing with some particular malady, and a large number of the attending physicians at those conventions contribute their time and experience at considerable financial loss to themselves. In the ranks of the medical body there are able and honorable men who would adorn any profession—men who have sacrificed health, wealth and happiness in their devotion to the cause of suffering humanity the pages of history are full of instances of such heroism. But of what avail is it to have the most perfect examples of humanity for physicians, if the system they practice is an erroneous one? It is impossible to secure good results with bad methods. We must have a sure foundation, if we expect to raise an abiding structure. And that is why I am in opposition to the existing method of treating disease. Not because of any feeling against the physician individually, but for the reason that I consider their system based upon error upon a false conception of the true nature of disease, and of the relation of drugs to the human system. There is a tradition in the orthodox medical schools, that all curative processes are dependent upon, and act only in accordance With, an established law the "Law of Cure." But although all the schools are a unit in believing in the existence and operation of such a law, no two of them agree upon a definition of it. Their theories concerning this all important law are as diametrically opposite as the poles. For instance, the Allopaths define it as "contraria contrariis curantur," which is simply the law of opposition. But the Homeopaths take a widely different view of the matter, their definition of it being "similia similibus curantur," which is, practically, the law of agreement; while the Eclectics declare that "sanative medication" is the law. This diversity of opinion is not by any means unique, for the tendency to disagreement among physicians is proverbial; but the unfortunate layman who is the person most vitally interested in the matter, is at a loss what to believe among this conflict of definitions, and naturally asks, Who is right? I answer, unequivocally, not one! They are all wrong. This so-called "Law of Cure" is a purely imaginary affair; one of the many misconceptions peculiar to the medical schools, originating in a false conception of the true nature of disease. There is no such thing as a law of cure! There is a condition of cure, and that is, obedience. Nature has provided penalties for disobedience, and is inexorable in exacting payment; but she does not provide remedies. If there is one thing absolutely certain in nature, it is the unfaltering sequence of cause and effect. Nature never stultifies herself. It is impossible to imagine nature providing penalties for violation of her laws, and then furnishing remedies to make those penalties negatory. It is a lamentable fact that the medical profession, as a body, entertain a totally erroneous conception of the true nature of disease, and its legitimate function in the economy of nature. Instead of recognizing it as a beneficent remedial process, which, if properly aided, will work out the salvation of the patient, they antagonize it at every turn, and endeavor to suppress the symptoms, which are its legitimate expressions. The whole thing is a huge misconception, the failure to understand the true relation between living and dead substances. According to the United States Dispensatory, medicines are those substances That make sanative impressions on the body. A false definition of a word leads to a false system of remedial practice, based upon that definition. What is an impression? Is it the action of a dead substance, which cannot act upon a living substance that can? Assuredly not! Is it not rather the recognition by the living substance of the lifeless one? The whole theory of drug action is easily explainable on this hypothesis. Drugs—inert substances—do not act upon the living organism, but are acted upon, with a view to their expulsion from the living domain. If it were not so, if drugs really acted upon the various organs, then their action should be equally as effective after death as before. But no, nature resents the introduction of foreign substances into the human economy, and exerts all her powers to cast out the intruders. Now, as all substances incapable of physiological use are foreign, such as particles of worn out tissue, the waste products of digestion, etc., and their presence in the animal economy inimical to the general welfare, the depurating organs are called into active play to expel the offending substances; and the increased physiological activity, and (in the case of actual lesion) the increased flow of blood to the parts, for the purpose of repair, cause a rise in temperature, commonly known as fever, which is one of the most frequent symptoms of what is generally recognized as disease; thus establishing the fact, indisputably, that disease is purely and simply a remedial process, either for purposes of repair or purification. The practice, therefore, of increasing the deposits in the physical system by the introduction of drugs (foreign substances) is in direct opposition to physiological law, and has no scientific foundation whatever. From the countless remedies of the pharmacopceia we can select substances that if administered to a healthy person will produce almost any known form of disease thus: brandy, cayenne pepper and quinine, will induce inflammatory fever; scammony and ipecac will cause cholera morbus; nitre, calomel and opium, will provoke typhoid or typhus fever; digitalis will cause Asiatic, or spasmodic cholera; cod liver oil and sulphur promote scurvy, and all the cathartic family inevitably cause diarrhcea, the disease in each case being nothing more than the effort of Nature to get rid of these troublesome intruders. Drugs do not, as their advocates claim, select their special organ with a view of acting upon it, but are acted upon by that particular organ for the purpose of ridding the system of the drug. It follows, therefore, as a perfectly legitimate and logical deduction, that, if the system of administering drugs is founded upon a wrong conception of their relation to the human organism, then any theoretical "law of cure" predicated upon drug action must necessarily be equally fallacious and untrustworthy. As stated before, the simple fact is, that there is no law of cure, only a condition and that condition—obedience, by which is meant a course of treatment in harmony with Nature. The older physicians grow the more they rely upon the vis medicatrix naturae, which is, after all, the only remedial force, and one totally beyond their control. The physician can no more perform cures than the farmer can make his crops grow. In each case, all that can be done is to employ all the methods that cumulative wisdom can suggest to make the conditions as favorable as possible, and leave the rest to Mother Nature, who is not in the habit of making mistakes, and whose unerring methods would cure ninety per cent. of all diseased conditions, if her beneficent intentions were not frustrated by well-meant, but nevertheless pernicious, drug interference. At this point the reader will doubtless be tempered to exclaim: "Well, you have demonstrated to your own satisfaction that the medical profession entertains erroneous opinions as to the true nature of disease, and also that drugs are absolutely useless—nay, injurious—in such conditions: but is this all? Having destroyed our trust in drugs, what have you to offer in their stead?" To which perfectly natural query, I gladly reply, I have a system of treatment to propound, a system that has triumphantly stood the test of years, a system that must commend itself to every intelligent reader, because it is strictly in accordance with natural law. But before I proceed to explain it, I desire to announce my own theory respecting disease—a theory essentially radical in its character, and of which I am the originator, and that is: This may sound strange, for the majority of people imagine that there is a different and specific cause for every ailment, and physicians generally do not combat the opinion. But as a matter of fact, there is only one disease, although its manifestations are various, and there is only one cause for it, and that is the retention of waste matters in the system. These substances may be in the gaseous, liquid or solid form, but they are foreign bodies, inimical to the welfare of the organism, and their presence must result in derangement of bodily function. The great need of the present day is adequate instruction in physiology and hygiene, that humanity may not only know how to secure the restoration of health, when lost, but by attention to physiological and sanitary laws may retain good health indefinitely. The body is the theatre of constant change. The process of tearing down and building up proceed without intermission during life. If construction exceeds destruction, the result is health; but just as surely as destruction exceeds repair, disease is the result. But during every moment of life waste is being formed by the destruction of tissue, and this effete material must be promptly removed if the individual would enjoy health. Nature has provided adequate means for the removal of these substances which are valueless to the economy, the retention of which obstructs and irritates the complex mechanism of the system, the principal avenues for its expulsion being the lungs, the skin and the intestinal canal. The latter is infinitely more important than the others, since by it the waste products of digestion are expelled. If it fails to promptly fulfil its office, every vital function is interfered with; and in addition the fluid portion of the semi-liquid waste is re-absorbed directly into the circulation, redepositing in the very fountain of life, matter which the system has thrown off as worthless. Should the system be exposed to a chill, while in this condition, a congestion of the surface excretory vessels takes place; and practically the whole work of elimination is thrown upon the already hard-worked kidneys, frequently resulting in uraemic poisoning and death. The presence of a grain of sand in a watch will retard its movements, if not arrest them altogether. What, then, must be the result of an accumulation of impurities in the physical system? The finely adjusted balance that is capable of weighing the thousandth part of a grain, is carefully protected under a glass cover, for even impalpable dust would clog its movements. Reflect, then, upon the amount of friction that must be perpetually going on in the human organism owing to the retention of effete matter! And since not even the most cunning product of man's handiwork can compare with the intricate mechanism of the body, the importance of eliminating the waste becomes manifest. Here, in a nutshell, lies the secret of disease. Let us now consider how the retention of waste affects the system—how the deleterious effects are produced. There are three factors at work in this process, mechanical, gaseous and absorptive, the last named being infinitely the most pernicious. We will first consider the mechanical. Nature has beautifully apportioned the space in the abdominal cavity, each part of the viscera having ample room for the performance of its special function, but any abnormal increase in size of any part of the contents of the cavity must necessarily create disturbance. Now, when the food leaves the stomach, where it has been churned into a pulpaceous mass, it passes into the duodenum or second stomach, where it receives an augmentation of liquid material from the liver and pancreas; consequently, when it reaches the small intestine, where absorption takes place, it is in a well diluted condition. During its passage through the small intestine, the nutrient portion of the ingesta is abstracted from it by the villi (small hair-like processes) with which the small intestine is thickly studded, so that at the end of its journey of about twenty-two feet (if digestion is normal) all that is of value to the organism has been appropriated—the remainder being refuse. This waste product passes into the colon, or large intestine, and should be promptly expelled. If prompt expulsion does not take place, this is what happens: The fluid portion of this semi- liquid waste is re-absorbed through the walls of the colon directly into the circulation, a percentage of the solids being deposited on the walls of the intestine. This process of accretion goes on from day to day, week to week, month to month, until it not infrequently happens that the colon becomes distended to several times its natural size. Instances are on record, where these abnormal accumulations of faecal matter in the colon have been mistaken for enlargement of the liver, and even pregnancy. A surgeon in London has a preparation of the colon measuring some twenty inches in circumference, containing three gallons of faecal matter, and even larger accumulations have been reported. The foregoing instances are, of course, exceptional ones, but it is safe to assert that seventy per cent. of the colons of the human family (living under civilized conditions) are impacted, and some of them terribly so. It is impossible to estimate the amount of evil caused by an engorged colon monopolizing two or three times its allotted space in the abdominal cavity, crowding and hampering the other organs in their work. But the effects of direct mechanical pressure are not the only ones. The accumulations in the colon necessarily arrest the free passage of the product of the small intestine, and that, in turn, causes undue retention of food in the stomach, with consequent fermentation; while the irritation, due to pressure on the nerve terminals by the distension, and by the encrusted matter adhering to the intestinal wall, is simply incalculable. The effects of gaseous accumulations in the alimentary canal are not thoroughly understood at present—that is—the pathological effects. The more direct effects, as manifested in abdominal distension, and the terrible distress that frequently follows eating, are unfortunately, but too well known. The reader does not need to be told that during the decomposition of organic substances, gases are evolved, and no matter where the process goes on, the results are always the same. Owing to the causes previously mentioned, the intestinal canal usually offers special facilities for the production of gases, owing to the retention of partially digested food, in a medium highly favorable to fermentation. A moderate amount of sulphuretted hydrogen, and also carburetted hydrogen is always present in the colon, normally, to preserve moderate distention of the walls, while the gases usually found in the stomach and small intestine, are oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbonic acid. What functional disturbances may arise from the presence of these gaseous substances in excess in the system is, at present, largely a matter of conjecture, but it is known that a stream of carbonic acid gas, or hydrogen continuously directed against a muscle will cause paralysis of that structure. The expansive force of gases is too well known to need comment, and the force with which they will at times distend the abdominal wall points irresistibly to the conclusion that such an amount of force exerted against vital organs cannot be otherwise than productive of serious harm. It is not at all improbable that many cases of hernia and uterine displacement may be due to this hitherto unsuspected cause. That they penetrate the neighboring tissues is an established fact, and it is quite conceivable that their action upon the nervous system though the medium of the circulation may lie at the root of many of the cases of neurasthenia that are now so prevalent. But the auto-infection that results from the absorption of the liquid waste into the blood supply is by far the most serious feature. The blood is the life. From it the system obtains all the material for the formation of fresh tissue, and it is a practical impossibility for good, healthy structures to be built up from a tainted blood current. Why is it that the vegetation on the banks of a stream, on which a manufacturing town is located, is invariably stunted and withered? Because the water that should nourish it is polluted by the refuse poured into it, and no amount of deodorants or disinfectants will prove of any avail to restore the devitalized vegetation, but will rather aggravate the trouble. But cut off the source of pollution, and in an incredibly short space of time the vegetation will take on a new 1ease of life. This liquid refuse in the colon is composed of substances for which the system has no further use—it has rejected them; consequently they are foreign bodies, and as such, are the equivalent of poisons. The colon, in this condition, is a perfect hot-bed for the breeding of all kinds of poisonous germs, and the action of cathartics aggravates the condition by filling the pouched portions of the colon with a foul liquid which facilitates the absorption of the ptomaines and leucomaines through the mucous coat of the intestine. It is known now, that as much as three-fourths of this foul putrid substance may be absorbed, carrying into the system poisonous germs and excrementitious matter. Dr. Murchison states, "that a circulation is constantly taking place between the fluid contents of the bowel and the blood, the existence of which, till within the last few years, was quite unknown, and which even now is too little heeded." And Dr. Parker says, "It is now known, that in varying degrees there is a constant transit of fluid from the blood into the alimentary canal, and as rapid absorption." It is also stated on reliable authority, "that every portion of the blood may, and possibly does, pass several times into the alimentary canal in twenty-four hours." Prof. I. I. Metchinkoff recently stated in a lecture at Paris: "Particularly injurious are the microbes of the large intestines. Thence, they penetrate into the blood and impair it alike by their presence and the products they yield—ptomaines, alkaloids, etc. The auto intoxication of the organism and poisoning through microbes is an established fact." Having shown that the average colon is a fertile breeding ground for all kinds of poisonous germs, and that they are conveyed into the circulation by the interchange of fluids in that organ, it may be interesting to explain how these germs are conveyed to, and deposited in the various organs of the body. We have in our bodies a system of canals called arteries and veins, having their head at the heart, which is the main pump that keeps the blood in motion. The arterial circulation consists of those channels which convey the blood—supposed pure blood—away from the heart to the different parts of the body, loaded with the life-giving principle of sustenance, invigoration and heat, while the veins or venous circulation conveys to the heart and lungs the impure blood, loaded many times with disease-breeding germs. Now, in the blood, as it courses through our bodies, are myriads of little vessels called corpuscles; these are what give the blood a red color. There are also a smaller number of white corpuscles, that are known as phagocytes, whose mission is to destroy micro-organisms that are prejudicial to life. In order that you may know their use, I, for convenience sake and to make my meaning better understood, will call them little war vessels, loaded with soldiers, and the soldiers have in their vessels a furnace whose fire never goes out. These vessels and their little warriors are continually sailing through our bodies, hunting for germs of disease, that they catch and throw into their furnace and burn them up. Now, suppose we take a violent cold, thus closing the pores of the skin, and that at the same time the colon is engorged, two of the most important outlets for the filth and decayed matter of our bodies are closed up—for the life of our bodies is one continual process of building anew and tearing down; these two most important sewers are now closed. These little vessels now have their hands full, catching disease-bearing germs that nature cannot throw out through the colon or pores of the skin—both being closed—and we call this condition of things fever. The white corpuscle has but two dumping places now, the lungs or kidneys. Suppose that in the colon is the tubercular ulcer, breeding the bacillus of consumption, and they are absorbed into the circulation. Ordinarily the white corpuscles would be able to destroy them, but now they are so overworked that the tubercular germ lands in the lung tissue alive and well, ready to commence his work of destruction and death. The person developes a hacking cough, and finally goes to the doctor, and he, if he knows his business, probably finds tuberculosis well established. Typhoid fever has its nursery solely in the colon, and gets possession of the citadel of life in the same way as any other germ or contagious disease. What a terrible battle there must be going on in us between our life-preservers and the germs of disease. Is it any wonder that people die of premature old age, of apoplexy, paralysis, dropsy, consumption, and the thousand and one maladies that scourge humanity? And is it not unreasonable to pour a few grains of diluted drugs into the stomach to purify the blood—even granting for the sake of argument that such a purpose could be accomplished by that means—when occupying nearly one-half of the abdominal cavity is an engorged intestine reeking with filth so foul that carrion is as the odor of roses compared to it, and which is being steadily absorbed into the circulation? If a man were to act as foolishly as that in his business, his friends would quickly petition the courts to appoint a guardian for him. It may be asked, why has not this discovery been made before? In the first place, the colon has had but scant attention paid to it in the dissecting room, until of late years the appendicitis craze has awakened some interest in it. Its importance was not realized—the circulatory and nervous systems receiving the lion's share of attention. In the second place, in holding post-mortems the organ was avoided, cut off, if in the way, and thrown into the slop bucket. It was known to be always full, but no one ever asked whether or not it was natural in its fullness of faecal matter, and as a result, probably the profession knows the least about this important organ, of any in the human body. Strange, is it not, that among the seven thousand physicians ground out and polished in the mills of wisdom each year, that there was not one who had originality enough to ask the question, Is it natural that this scent bag of filth should always be so full of putrid matter that we cannot abide one moment with it? And, inasmuch as it is so, is it not a great detriment at least to our health to carry this mass of filth around with us, from day to day, from week to week, and from year to year—absorbing its poison back into the circulation? Strange that these questions did not present themselves to some one of the enterprising youths of our original young America. The muscular fibres of the intestines are circular and longitudinal. In the large intestine the longitudinal fibres are shorter than the tube itself, which length permits the formation of loculi (cavities). These become the seat of faecal accumulations, only too often unnoticed by the physician. It is undoubtedly a fact that the loculi of the colon contain small faecal accumulations extending over weeks, months, or even years. Their presence produces symptoms varying all the way from a little catarrhal irritation up to the most diverse, and in some instances serious, reflex disturbances. When the loculi only are filled, the main channel of the colon is undisturbed. The most common parts of the colon to become enlarged are the sigmoid flexure and the caecum (see diagram in beginning of book), but accumulations may occur in any part of the colon. The ascending colon is much more often filled in life than the books would lead us to believe; indeed, it may be said that chronic accumulations are oftener to be found in the ascending than in the descending colon, which is also contrary to the assertions of the authors. This is due partly to the fact that the contents of the colon have to rise in opposition to gravity, and partly to the semi-paralyzed condition of the muscular coat of the colon through inactivity. When the accumulations are large, the increased weight of the colon tends to displace it; and if in the transverse colon, that portion may be depressed, even into the pelvis. The mass may be so enormous as to press upon any organ located in the abdomen, interfering with its functions; thus we may have pressure on the liver that arrests the flow of bile; or, upon the urinary organs, crippling their functions. Of course, such excessive accumulations occur only exceptionally, and it is not to these that attention is particularly drawn, because when they are so excessive, any physician can detect them by palpation (touch). It is to the minor accumulations particularly, that I wish to draw attention—the accumulations that we see in the majority of patients who visit our offices. Such patients assure us that the bowels move daily, but the color of their complexions, and the condition of their tongues, are enough to assure us that they are the victims of costiveness. Daily movements of the bowels are no sign that the colon is not impacted; in fact, the worst cases of costiveness that we ever see are those in which daily movements of the bowels occur. The diagnosis of faecal accumulations is facilitated by inquiring as to the color of the daily discharges. A black or a very dark green color almost always indicates the faeces are ancient. Prompt discharge of food refuse is indicated by more or less yellow color. It would be interesting to inquire why fresh faces are yellow and ancient faeces are dark. Such patients have digestive fermentations to torment them, resulting in flatulent distension which encroaches on the cavity of the chest, which in excessive cases may cause short and rapid breathing, irregular heart action, disturbed circulation in the brain, with vertigo and headache. An over-distended caecum, or sigmoid flexure, from pressure, may produce dropsy, numbness or cramps in the right or left lower extremity. The reports of the Post-mortem examination of the colons of hundreds of subjects reveals a series of horrors more weird and ghastly than were ever penned by Eugene Sue, or Emile Zola. The mind shrinks in dismay at the appalling revelations, and shudders at the possibly of the "human form divine" becoming such a peripatetic charnel house. Is it any wonder that the average human system, being thus saturated with impurities, should succumb to the first exciting cause? Is it not, in fact, a greater marvel that the rate of mortality is not even higher than at present? My object in publishing this book is to point out the true cause of disease, together with the means for its prevention and cure, and that, too, by a simple and inexpensive method of hygienic treatment, which has proved eminently successful in tens of thousands of cases, which is perfectly harmless and natural in its action, and absolutely free from even the suspicion of a drug. Having striven to explain in an intelligible manner the true nature and cause of disease, and to point out the inadequacy of the drug system of treatment to combat pathological conditions successfully (not from any lack of intention on the part of the drug practitioners: but from the unreliability of their methods), I shall now proceed to lay before you the system of treatment which it is proposed to substitute in its stead, and I unhesitatingly affirm that it will be found so simple, so inexpensive and so obviously based on common sense and true hygienic principles, that the thoughtful reader cannot fail to give it his unqualified endorsement, and will be lost in wonder that any one should fail to adopt it, when made acquainted with its simplicity and its marvellous results. In an old comedy, which used to delight our fore-fathers, the hero, Felix O'Callaghan, defines the practice of medicine as "the art of amusing the patient while Nature performs the cure." In that sentence, the dramatist (unwittingly perhaps) embodied a great truth. Nature, and Nature only, can effect a cure. Fresh air, sunlight, pure water, diet and exercise are the great curative agents provided by Nature, and all that the physician can do, no matter to what school be belongs, is to remove as far as possible all existing impediments, and to see that the hygienic conditions are made as favorable as possible. For the rest, Nature, the marvellous builder, will, in her own mysterious way, build up fresh tissue, and, slowly but surely, repair the ravages made by disease. No one would dare to say that the farmer made the corn grow. He does all that the science of agriculture tells him is needful to furnish proper conditions for growth, but there he must stop—the rest must be left to Nature. Then, since disease is a wasting of tissue, and recovery a building up, it is a palpable absurdity to credit a physician with a cure. All that he can do is to cooperate with Nature, by seeing that none of her laws are violated, and insisting that nothing whatever shall obstruct her beneficent functions. Whether for the preservation of health, or the treatment of disease, when present, the chief thing is to cleanse the colon. It is useless to attempt to get rid of the effects while the cause is present. If the principal drain in a dwelling becomes choked, what is the consequence? The noxious and pestilent gases generated by the accumulated filth having no outlet, are forced back into the building, poisoning the atmosphere, and breeding contagion among the inhabitants. Deodorizing and disinfecting will simply be a waste of time and material, until the drain is cleared. The colon is the main drain of the human body, and if it be necessary, for sanitary reasons, to keep the house drains clean, how vitally important is it to keep the main outlet of the physical system free from obstructions. Or, to use another homely illustration, when your coal stove has been run continuously for a long time, as a natural result it becomes clogged with cinders and ashes, causing the fire to burn badly. You encourage it with fresh fuel, rake it and shake it but without avail—the accumulations of debris are too great. You remove a portion, but its place is taken by more substance from above. At length you resort to the measure you should have employed at first—you "dump the grate" and start a fresh fire. The moral is obvious: dump the grate of the human system—in other words, empty the colon. It has been previously shown that an impacted colon is neither more nor less than a prolific hot-bed for the wholesale breeding of disease germs—microbes—those infinitesimal organisms which science has demonstrated to be the cause of many phases of disease, or rather, the toxins (poisons) they produce, cause disease. Of course, there are harmless micro-organisms as well as hurtful ones; in fact, a large proportion of them are beneficial rather than otherwise; but some of them (notably the tubercle bacillus) are so intimately associated with disease that it is next to impossible to doubt their responsibility. The sphere of the microbe is absolutely without limit. He is equally at ease in the air, the earth, and the water. He makes himself at home in our beverages and our foods. Our mouths furnish desirable lurking places for him, our hair, and finger-nails are favorite posts of vantage; while he delights to disport himself in our blood. He is the active agent of decay, and the prime cause of disease. He is the most selfish of parasites. The world for a long time disregarded him, but now acknowledges him as one of the mightiest of conquerers; for while other devastators have slain thousands, millions have fallen beneath his insidious attacks. He is a foe to be dreaded, for he is forever lying in ambush for fresh victims. Microbes breed in fermentation, consequently, every particle of undigested food remaining in the stomach or intestines becomes an ideal nursery for their propagation. It has been demonstrated that food that has been subjected to the action of the gastric juice decomposes far more rapidly than that which has not—hence, with imperfect digestion, fermentation quickly takes place. If microbes are now introduced into the system, either by contact with sick persons, inhaling impure air in crowded public buildings, or breathing in the dust on ill-kept streets, there is danger ahead; for if the recipient is not in a sound, physical condition, the microbes (finding congenial lodgment), multiply with the most marvellous rapidity, permeating every portion of the tissue—causing, in fact, DECOMPOSITION WHILE STILL ALIVE. Every particle of animal or vegetable matter, even if only a single grain in weight, by exposure to the air, putrefies, breeds, and attracts to itself thousands of microbes, and becomes a center of infection. Thus, in a piece of street dirt containing organic matter, we may find upon examination, the germs of typhoid fever, diphtheria, scarlet fever, or consumption. When this piece of dirt is dried by the sun and pulverized by horses' hoofs, the particles of dirt are caught up by the wind, and sent whirling through the air, to be drawn into the lungs by those within reach, Of course, every one who breathes in the microbes of some particular disease does not catch it, or we should soon all be dead, but those who have not the resisting power of sound bodies to kill these germs, before they have time to set up their peculiar inflammation, are apt to realize the evil effects, a week, a month, or even a year afterwards. It is evident then that to cure disease we must get rid of all fermentation in the system, and thus prevent the further breeding of microbes and to prevent disease we must get the system into such a sound, healthy condition that disease germs cannot obtain a lodgment in it. Now, this can only be accomplished by thoroughly cleansing the colon, and keeping it absolutely clean, thus preventing further contamination of the blood current—the fountain of life. The intelligent reader, recognizing the absolute correctness of the foregoing proposition, will naturally ask, "Can such a thing be accomplished, and how?" We beg to assure the reader, most emphatically, that it can, but not by the means usually employed. It is perfectly plain that the cleansing process cannot be effected by cathartics, for at the best, they only afford temporary relief (witness the growth of the cathartic habit), while on an impacted mass such as is commonly present in the colon, the influence they can exert is practically nil. The common experience of those afflicted with constipation is, that they commence with a laxative, gradually increasing the quantity and frequency of the dose until it fails to act at all. Then they resort to a cathartic, with a similar experience, when it is exchanged for a more powerful one, and then for another still more powerful, until at last, it becomes impossible to move the bowels without a powerful dose. That this is no overdrawn picture many of my readers will bear witness, and my brother practitioners can amply corroborate the statement, for they fully recognize the vital importance of removing the waste from the system. The pity of it is that they still persist in employing such a crude and ineffective method. Do any of my readers know how a cathartic acts? It is popularly supposed that the drug passes from the stomach into the small intestines, rendering their contents more liquid; then passes into the colon, producing the same effect upon its more solid contents, thus causing an evacuation. Many people have no conception, whatever, of the modus operandi of a purgative drug, simply believing that it acts in a certain mysterious manner, but the above described process is generally believed to be the correct one by those who have thought upon the matter, but lack physiological knowledge. It is a huge mistake. Any purgative drug, whether aperient, laxative or cathartic, is dissolved in the stomach by the action of the gastric juice—in fact, goes through the same digestive process as the food that is eaten, that is, it passes into the small intestines and is there absorbed into the circulation. By its irritation of the nerves, the secretory and excretory processes of the system are stimulated into abnormal action, and an extra quantity of fluid is poured into the colon to dissolve the accumulated mass; which is about as scientific a proceeding as pouring a quart of water into a washbowl on the upper floor of a dwelling to clear away an obstruction in the main drain of the building. And, again, as previously stated, the action of laxatives and cathartics, especially the variety known as hydrogo-cathartics (watery), fill the ano-rectal cavity and the loculi, or folds of the colon, with a foul watery solution that is a perpetual source of irritation to the sensitive mucous surface, hastening and intensifying the process of auto-infection by absorption, that is constantly going on. And what about the enormous drain upon the vital forces? Who is not familiar with the feeling of exhaustion when the reaction sets in after the employment of such methods of relief? How can it be otherwise? These stimulants to defecation are like the applications of the whip to the jaded horse-they excite the system to make a supreme effort in the required direction, but the reaction is disastrous in the extreme. With the repeated demands upon the delicate nervous system incidental to constant catharsis is it any wonder that we are so constantly confronted with cases of nervous collapse? The wonder would be if it were otherwise. Nor are these the only objections to be urged against purgative medication. Its effects upon the digestive functions is, in the highest degree, destructive. It would be next to impossible to find an individual addicted to the use of cathartics whose digestion was not, practically, a wreck. It is true, that a large part of the digestive disturbance in such cases is due to the obstructed condition of the colon, and the consequent undue retention of food in the stomach, until fermentation sets in; but no inconsiderable share of the trouble is due to the action of the drugs, by repeated over- stimulation of the nervous system, and perpetual irritation of the delicate absorbent vessels. Viewed from whatever standpoint we may choose, the employment of drugs to relieve an overcharged colon is both unsatisfactory and unscientific. And yet there is a simple and effective method of dealing with this trouble; of removing the accumulations, no matter how large they may be; of thoroughly cleansing and purifying that important organ, the colon, without the least demand upon the vital forces, and that is by In plain English, the preservation and restoration of health depends entirely upon cleanliness, especially internal cleanliness, and to attain that condition which we are told is next to godliness, there is nothing equal to water—especially "hot water, which is the great scavenger of nature." Strange, that such an obviously common-sense proceeding should not be universal, is it not? I do not claim to be the discoverer of this method of internal purification, for it is in reality of ancient origin, as we have it on good authority that it was practised by the ancient Egyptians, who, it is believed, acquired their knowledge from observing a bird called the Ibis, a species of Egyptian snipe. The food of this bird, gathered on the banks of the Nile, was of a very constipating character, and it was observed, by the earliest naturalists, to suck up the water of the river and using its long bill for a syringe, inject it into its anus, thus relieving itself. Pliny says this habit of the Ibis first suggested the use of clysters to the ancient Egyptian doctors, known to be the first medical practitioners of any nation, not excepting the Chinese. [See Naturalis Historia, Lib. VIII., Dap. 41, Hague 1518. Another writer, viz., Christianus Langius, says, that this bird when attacked with constipation at some distance from the river, and not able to fly from weakness, would be seen to crawl to the water's edge with drooping wings and there take its rectal treatment, when in a few minutes it would fly away in full vigor of regained strength. Nor do I even claim to have rediscovered this system of treatment, although it is a common practice in these days to revamp old theories and discoveries, and try to foist them upon the public as entirely new propositions. The credit for the resuscitation of this ancient remedial practice belongs, without doubt, to Dr. A. Wilford Hall, of New York, who practiced the treatment on himself for forty years before giving its principles to the public, thereby fully proving its merits. The following experience from the pen of Dr. H. T. Turner, of Washington, affords incontestable proof of the allegation made, that the colon is the seat of disease, and his testimony should be read with extreme care. It is no fanciful, theoretical statement, but the ghastly revelation of an appalling reality. While reading his statement, the reader will do well to refer to the engraving, representing the digestive apparatus, at the commencement of this book, as it will greatly facilitate his comprehension of the matter. "In 1880 I lost a patient with inflammation of the bowels, and requested of the friends the privilege of holding a post-mortem examination, as I was satisfied that there was some foreign substance in or near the Ileo-coecal valve, or in that apparently useless appendage, the Appendicula Vermiformis. (See explanation of engraving.) "The autopsy developed a quantity of grape seed and popcorn, filling the lower enlarged pouch of the colon and the opening into the Appendicula Vermiformis. This, from the mortified and blackened condition of the colon alone, indicated that my diagnosis was correct. I opened the colon throughout its entire length of five feet, and found it filled with faecal matter encrusted on its walls and into the folds of the colon, in many places dry and hard as slate, and so completely obstructing the passage of the bowels as to throw him into violent colic (as his friends stated), sometimes as often as twice a month, for years, and that powerful doses of physic was his only relief; that all the doctors had agreed that it was bilious colic. I observed that this crusted matter was evidently of long standing, the result of years of accumulation, and although the remote cause, not the immediate cause of his death. The sigmoid-flexure (see engraving), or bend in the colon on the left side, was especially full, and distended to double its natural size, filling the gut uniformly, with a small hole the size of one's little finger through the center, through which the recent faecal matter passed. In the lower part of the sigmoid-flexure, just before descending to form the rectum, and in the left hand upper corner of the colon as it turns toward the right, were pockets eaten out of the hardened faecal matter, in which were eggs of worms and quite a quantity of maggots, which had eaten into the sensitive mucous membrane, causing serious inflammation of the colon and its adjacent parts, and as recent investigation has established as a fact, were the cause of his hemorrhoids, or piles, which I learned were of years' standing. The whole length of the colon was in a state of chronic inflammation; still this man considered himself well and healthy until the unfortunate eating of the grape seed and popcorn, and had no trouble in getting his life insured in one of the best companies in America. "I have been thus explicit in this description, from the fact that recent investigation has developed the fact that in the discovery described above, I had found but a prototype of at least seven-tenths of the human family in civilized life—the real cause of all diseases of the human body, excepting the grape seed and popcorn. That I had found the fountain of premature old age and death, for, as surprising as it may seem, out of 284 cases of autopsies held of late on the colon (they representing in their death nearly all the diseases known to our climate), but twenty-eight colons were found to be free from hardened, adhered matter, and in their normal healthy state, and that the 256 were all more or less as described above, except, perhaps, the grape seeds and popcorn. In many of them the colon was distended to double its natural size throughout its whole length, with a small hole through the center, and as far as could be learned, these last cases spoken of had regular evacuations of the bowels each day. Many of the colons contained large maggots from four to six inches long, and pockets of eggs and maggots, while blood and pus were frequently present." The question is often asked, and naturally so, why this unnatural accumulation is in the colon? The horse and ox promptly obey the call of nature; they know no time or place, and are blessed with clean colons. So are the natives of Africa. But the demands of civilized life insist upon a time and place. Business, etiquette, opportunity, and a thousand and one excuses stand continually in the way, and nature's call is put off to a more convenient time and place. How many people are not presentable to themselves or friends, owing to the putrid smell of their bodies, so that in polite society strong colognes and other perfumes are used. Show me a woman who girts her waist with corsets or any tight clothing, and I will warrant you that the smell from her body will be sickening in the extreme. The special reason for this is, that the lacing comes immediately where the transverse colon crosses her body. Now, if the sigmoid-flexure becomes loaded, because of its folding upon itself, how much more will the transverse colon become clogged if unnaturally folded upon itself by compression from each side folding it, as demonstrated in some instances, almost double the whole length, into two extra elbows, where it, if natural; is straight (see engraving on next page). Many reasons have been given by physiologists and humanitarians, why it is injurious for the lady to lace, but this reason outweighs them all. Wear the clothing loose, clean out the colon and heal it up, and you will smell sweet, and life will be a continual blessing; for if the main sewer in the body is closed or clogged, nature has but three other outlets: the capillaries or pores of the skin, the lungs in exhalation, or the kidneys. If the colon is clogged, the penned-up acid permeations of the stomach and duodenum will have to seek other outlets, which is indicated by the putrid smell of the body and a foul breath with finally dyspepsia, and what is usually termed biliousness, torpid liver, etc. The condition of the colon (the physiological sewer) in the average adult having been demonstrated, does it need any argument to convince the intelligent thinker that the most rational and practical manner of dealing with this hot-bed of filth and breeding place of disease, is to wash it out? With me, it has passed beyond the theoretical stage, for I have in my office fully 15,000 grateful letters from patients who have used this process, under my direction, with the most astounding results; scarcely a disease known to humanity, but has been relieved, and in ninety-five per cent. of cases, cures effected; while tens of thousands of gratifying messages have reached me from time to time; nor is the testimony in its favor confined to the laity, for hundreds of physicians (including some of the most prominent authorities) testify to the wonderfully beneficial results achieved by its use. We now come to the most important feature of the subject—the means for putting it into practice, for it will readily be admitted that such an admirable and common-sense method of treatment should have the most perfect means procurable for its application, but until the present time the available means have remained crude and undeveloped. This, however, is scarcely to be wondered at. It is the history of all important discoveries. Those great natural forces, steam and electricity, although their value was recognized, yet required the aid of inventive genius to develop their possibilities; in fact, it has required three-fourths of a century to bring the locomotive to its present state of perfection, while the potentialities of electricity are as yet only surmised. This being so in matters that offer a rich pecuniary harvest to the inventor, it is little matter for surprise that improvement in a means of combating disease should progress slowly. In the first place, it was a new departure, unheralded to the world, and frowned upon by the members of the orthodox medical schools; consequently there was no tempting bait of a handsome profit to encourage the inventor, and until lately the indifference to matters pertaining to health was proverbial. When Dr. Hall commenced his famous experimentation upon himself, the only appliance available for the purpose was the old-fashioned bulb syringe, which is simply a flexible rubber tube with an egg-shaped receptacle in the center. One end of the tube is inserted in the rectum, while the other end is immersed in a vessel of water, the injection of the fluid being accomplished by alternately compressing and relaxing the bulbous portion. It is needless to say that the process of "flushing the colon" copiously, the only effectual way, was a tedious, inconvenient and imperfect matter with such a crude appliance. After the lapse of a great number of years the "gravity" or "fountain" syringe was invented, which consisted of a rubber bag with a long flexible tube attached to its lower end. The bag was suspended from a nail or hook several feet above the individual, the water being forced into the body by gravity, the pressure being increased or diminished by raising or lowering the bag. This was a distinct advance upon the bulb syringe, but it still left a great deal to be desired. In the first place, they are both exceedingly tedious, a serious objection in the case of weakly or elderly people; secondly, both methods necessitate the uncovering of the lower portion of the body, which is decidedly unpleasant; and, most serious of all, it is impossible to prevent the admission of air into the intestine, and that is a fruitful source of pain and discomfort. It should, however, be borne in mind that both of these appliances were devised for an entirely different class of operation (namely, vaginal douching), and were only used for intestinal treatment because there was nothing better at hand. Another method, sometimes employed by progressive physicians, consists in using, in connection with the fountain syringe, a tube from eighteen to twenty-four inches in length, made of a firm but flexible variety of rubber. This was introduced (its entire length) into the body, the theory being that it was necessary to get behind the impacted mass and force it out ahead of the water, which was theoretically correct, but in practice found sadly wanting. In the first place, the opening in the eye of the tube became clogged with the faecal matter, and, secondly, with the double tube employed for the return flow, the opening was too small to allow of the passage of solid substances. The introduction of the catheter is a process requiring considerable skill, and a perfect acquaintance with the anatomy of the parts, so that personal use of it is practically impossible, or, at least, attended with considerable danger. An examination of the diagram of the digestive apparatus at the beginning of the book will enable the reader to understand the difficulties attending its introduction, since it has to pass the sigmoid flexure (No. 12), and the splenic flexure—that angle of the colon where the transverse portion turns to descend. With such a tortuous road to travel, the risk of injury to the sensitive mucous membrane is excessive—hence this instrument should never be used by the patient upon himself. 1 2 3 4 Next Part Home - Random Browse
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Show Summary Details Quick Reference 1. A family of vertebrate homeobox (HOX) genes (msx genes) originally isolated by homology to the Drosophila muscle segment homeobox (msh) gene. Mutations are associated with tooth agenesis and Witkop's syndrome. 2. l-methionine-dl-sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase and a potent convulsant which metabolically and morphologically affects astroglia (sometimes MSO). Subjects: Medicine and Health. Reference entries
Secrets to selling a home Secrets to selling a home Why cannot I sell my house? No doubt selling a house in these times is much more difficult than a few years ago, the period to achieve it is much longer and the price at which the sale is made is certainly not what was expected. First of all, “we must be aware of the current economic situation”, I know several people who have several years trying to sell your house directly or through an estate agency without success, just look around you and see many posters Realtor discolored product so long exposed to sun and rain. One of the main advantages of using the services of a real estate agency is the deep knowledge they have of the market especially of new real estate and how they affect the sale price of used homes. Likewise, there is the paradigm in the mind of buyers to link a mortgage only to the purchase of a new home. In general terms used homes are not sold especially for two factors: • They do not have the right price • They do not have the right promotion. When you delegate the sale of your home to a real estate agency and after a certain time the sale is not achieved, the first thing you think about is that it is not doing the job properly. The catch is that if the “price is not commensurate to the market” can give to the most experienced, the most successful agency broker and I assure you will not be sold unless a miracle happens. It is important to be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you really want to sell your house, if your answer is Yes, you must let go of all sentimental value and set a price per the market, otherwise it will be years and you will truncate your desire. A common mistake is that people want to sell their house at a price based on the valuation done by a civil engineer, not that it is against the appraisals made by civil engineers, but it happens that they are builders and not sellers, So if you think that you are going to sell your house at the value of the appraise let me tell you that it is very feasible that it does not happen. I am of the criterion that one of the main problems of why it costs so much to sell a house and of the lack of dynamism in the market of real estate brokerage is because the majority of the people set the price of sale in function of the valuation. So if you want to sell your property do not expect to do it at the value of valuated, on the contrary to sell it at 30% less. Another problem in pricing is that it takes as reference the value to which a house is announced in the same area, but from the moment it is being announced is because it is not sold, I leave it as a reflection; as the price that is advertised is not the price at which it sells. You must interrogate If you were looking for a house you buy yours the appraised value? If your answer is far from the sentimental plane, the answer will be NO. Other people who try to sell their house and at the same time do not want to sell it, these are those who seek a real estate agency with the desire to achieve the sale, but at the same time do not want to pay the commission, i.e. do not want to sign any Type of contract that guarantees the payment of services to the real estate agency and will make any tricks to not pay. I advise my colleagues from other real estate agencies to avoid linking with these people because they will only waste time and all their effort will be in vain. There are others who value the value of the appraisal that they will pay the real estate. I think if you really want to sell your house you should stop being greedy and be aware that there is no free lunch. You must let go of all sentimental value and put the valuation value in the background. Comments are closed.
Anonymous Quotes & Wallpapers Total Quotes: 4164 Black holes result from God dividing the universe by zero. Anonymous Those who believe money can do everything are frequently prepared to do everything for money. Anonymous I'd like mornings better if they started later. Anonymous The mother of boys work son-up to son-down. Anonymous Midnight bugs taste best. Anonymous Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking. Anonymous The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome. Anonymous Maintenance is as much art as it is science. Anonymous My husband is a human pincushion. Anonymous Don't needle the seamstress. Anonymous Quilters never grow old, they just go to pieces. Anonymous A family is a patchwork of love. Anonymous A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars. Anonymous Parents know best how to push our buttons because they installed them. Anonymous The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places. Anonymous The poor are poor because the rich are rich. Anonymous Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my tears to keep My baby sleeps in Heaven's arms Peaceful with angelic charms Take my tears but grant me a kiss From the angel baby I so miss. Anonymous Programmer - an organism that turns coffee into software. Anonymous Beta. Software undergoes beta testing shortly before it's released. Beta is Latin for still doesn't work. Anonymous A good pun is its own reword. Anonymous Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check? Anonymous Reality is a palette that humans paint on to let themselves sleep better at night. Anonymous Why live on the edge when you can jump off it? Anonymous Your safety gears are between your ears. Anonymous Personal protective equipment is self-defense. Anonymous Safety is as simple as ABC - Always Be Careful. Anonymous Alert today, alive tomorrow. Anonymous When safety is a factor, call in a contractor. Anonymous Scientists should always state the opinions upon which their facts are based. Anonymous I scrapbook therefore I am - broke. Anonymous To crop or not to crop, that is the question. Anonymous My husband lets me have all the scrapbooking supplies I can hide. Anonymous Discipline weighs ounces, regret weighs tons. Anonymous Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. Anonymous God hides things by putting them all around us. Anonymous Kids in back seats cause accidents, accidents in back seats cause kids. Anonymous I shop like a bull - I charge everything! Anonymous You know you're a skydiver when you buy anything you calculate how many skydives it will cost. Anonymous Sleep: a poor substitute for caffeine. Anonymous Smile - sunshine is good for your teeth. Anonymous In a gathering of two or more people, when a lighted cigarette is placed in an ashtray, the smoke will waft into the face of the non-smoker. Anonymous Do not be afraid of tomorrow; for God is already there. Anonymous If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention. Anonymous The words you choose to say something are just as important as the decision to speak. Anonymous Life is simply a cricket match, with temptation as the bowler. Anonymous 98% of all statistics are made up. Anonymous Teaching creates all other professions. Anonymous Use of advanced messaging technology does not imply an endorsement of western industrial civilization. Anonymous Invest a few moments in thinking. It will pay good interest. Anonymous Don't keep searching for the truth, just let go of your opinions. Anonymous Beauty's sister is vanity, and its daughter lust. Anonymous When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. Anonymous << PREVIOUS PAGE Page 59 of 60 \| NEXT PAGE > Alcoholics Anonymous Quotes, Anonymous Atheist Quotes, Anonymous Birthday Quotes, Anonymous Fashion Quotes, Anonymous Flag, Anonymous Group Quotes, Anonymous Hackers, Anonymous Hackers Quotes, Anonymous Inspirational Quotes, Anonymous Knowledge Quotes, Anonymous Legion Quotes,
Mombassa is one of the oldest east Africa coastal towns. Having been very vibrant and an active town since the 13th century Mombasa was known as one of the slaves’ collection and export centre during the Arab rule. A visit to Mombasa covers the historical and cultural attractions of the 12.8sq km Island While on Mombassa town tour you would visit the old vegetable and spices MacKinnon market. It also covers the historical elephant tusks, the Portuguese fortress fort Jesus and the old Arab town consisting of the old Arab houses commonly known for the wooden covered door and balconies. Visit a Kamba wood carving workshop a society with 4000 experienced souvenirs carvers. Finally relax on an Arab Dhow as you enjoy a sea food lunch aboard the tamarind dhow restaurant. After lunch drive to Bamburi nature trail (Haller Park commonly known for the big tortoise, crocodiles, giraffe and antelopes a variety of bird’s species.) Tamarind Dhow Restaurant Forty Jesus Mombasa Elephant Tusks Mombasa Go to top
Friday, December 12, 2014 My Top Ten List for Why You Need a Chart Today I thought I'd do a little reminder. Although people understand what I and my company do, I am not sure people always understand the variety of uses for the products my company, Family ChartMasters, provides. So, as a result, I have come up with a "Top Ten List" of sorts on the many reasons and uses for the purchase of a custom Family ChartMasters chart (decorative or working-they both have endless possibilities). Some of these ideas are from a previous post. 1) Track your database. We get feedback about this all the time. One customer said "I can finally see all the work I've spent all these years doing." And it makes sense, right? We genealogists put in hours upon hours of work but rarely give ourselves the pay-off of seeing it all on display. A decorative chart is a fantastic pay-off! 2) Impress the in-laws. We had one customer this Christmas write us back and tell us that her previously cold father-in-law had spoken to her for the first time in years after her gift of a chart on his ancestry and descendants. He appreciated her efforts and she was thrilled. If a chart can thaw that kind of deep freeze, there is some serious mojo behind it! 3) Join two families. A step family chart, or a wedding chart is a great way to celebrate the start of a new life. I can't imagine a better way to display the merging of two families. 4) Get people to come to the family reunion. Some of the most spectacular charts that we do are large family reunion charts with pictures. Sometimes these can have 100's of pictures on them. We always hear back that when you contact everyone for a picture, they all have to come see the chart. And often that will pull them in to the family history--which brings me to... 5) Collect information at a family reunion. I always say, and have never been proven wrong, that when you see something wrong or missing on the chart at a family reunion you have to go get a pencil. I actually went to a family reunion of my own once where the organizers didn't want anyone to write on the chart. Instead, they wanted you to send an e-mail. It about killed me not to add in my sister that was missing. Even your Aunt that doesn't want anyone to know her birthday will put it up on a chart. Working charts just cry out to be edited. 6) Inspire yourself. I'm betting most of the people reading this post have never been to one of my lectures. I often tell about a time, several years ago, when I was late for an appointment and trying to get ready to leave town the next day when I walked into the house to find the washing machine pipe had broken and our main floor was under 6 inches of water. The water was draining down through the furnace and our basement was about 4 inches under as well. Of course it wasn't a day when the house was clean and as I went through the house in a panic picking things up, I happened to look up on a wall where a picture chart was hanging. In it I saw my ancestors who had crossed the plains as pioneers, farmed in the desert, lived through the depression, and made all sorts of sacrifices for me. In that moment I had a peace and a perspective come over me. This wasn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things; I had insurance, it would be fine. And even through the next two weeks as workers ripped out our kitchen and recarpeted everything al while my daughter was in the hospital (it was perhaps two of the worst weeks of my life), I went through it with a much greater sense of peace and gratitude. 7) Share the genealogy you have collected with someone else. There is nothing better than a chart to explain research that has been done to someone who wasn't involved. I'm hoping that I will inherit my mother's work in a nice color-coded filing system with a matching color coded chart. If not, maybe my kids will get it. (Yeah right.) So, the least I can do is pay it forward for future generations and create a chart so the visual is there, easy to read, and ready to build upon in further researching down the road. 8) Inspire your kids. I want my kids to know where they came from, and the decorating in our home reflects that. Once, not to long ago, when my son wouldn't finish a book report, I jokingly reminded him that he descended from the very prolific Pratt family and he had it in him to stick to the task and finish it. He knew he wasn't getting out of it. Poor kid. But at least I, as a parent, had a ready to prove display on hand to say, "See, I'm serious! You can do it." 9) Appreciate someone. This one kind of goes with #2. We do lots of charts for anniversary parties, retirements, 80th - 90th birthdays and etc. I can't tell you how special people feel when they see the time, care, and effort that goes into a chart honoring them and their family. It's one of my favorite parts of creating charts--hearing how touched someone was to receive it as a gift. 10) Explore a new database. Getting a file out on a chart is a great way to see what is in someone's file that you received from a database. We at Family ChartMasters can print from any genealogy file. A working chart of a new database sent to you by a third cousin or a great aunt can help your productivity in further your research because you can see it and annotate and make notes as you go. It's a no-brainer. So there is my top ten suggestions for why you need a Family ChartMasters custom made chart in your home or to give as a gift. The holiday season is upon us and charts make the perfect gifts for family, friends, and for yourself. Be sure to contact us today for a free consultation and we can still get a chart out to you in time for Christmas. We look forward to creating the perfect gift or keepsake for you soon. No comments:
Saturday, July 17, 2010 The anarchist PON's three categories of walk. Morning walks with Wilf fall into three categories depending on the quality of the smells : 1) RORH - Rush out, rush home 2) ROSH - Rush out, saunter home 3) SOSH - Saunter out, saunter home This morning was a SOSH. The smells were excellent and got Wilfs good housekeeping seal of approval. We almost matched our hour and a half sauntering and sniffing record. Off early to get the annual check up on the trusty old Volkswagen. While the car was being serviced went with Wilf to look at a more fuel efficient replacement model. This one gets 85 miles to the gallon. We could drive from Toulouse to London on one tank and still have gas left over. Most importantly it's highly compact, easy to park in those tiny French streets and the back seats fold flat to make a large sleeping area for a certain senior dog. Thought of getting one until the young salesman told me the price - €19,200 and that's for a basic model in black. Add on luxuries like metallic paint and a radio and you're in Cadillac territory. Told Wilf we'd wait to do our bit for the planet until the electric cars go on sale next year. On our way out he carefully christened each of the tyres on a huge new gas guzzling SUV. Wilf the environmentalist, anarchist PON. 1. You MUST have the fold down seat and electric windows, so Wilf can scan the country side. We call it cat scans. Glad he showed his displeasure at the SUV. XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella 2. Urmm.. every new car deserves to be christened :D and Wilf is just doing a awfully good deed! Way to go PON :) 3. Oooh I want a car that get 85 mp gallon.....but with that price I don't think it's going to happen. Especially when I'm already saving up for a Tesla ;) Go Wilf! You tell what you think of those SUVs. An environmentalist for sure. 4. I dream of gas mileage like that, but I guess it comes with a high price! Oh, the irony! We all want to do better for the environment, but we can't afford it. Wilf, I believe short, sweet political statements are the best! 5. I luvs your stuffie Wilf! Good for you showing your contempt for those big SUVs as only a pup can do! Woofs and Licks, Maggie Mae PeeS come visit my bloggie :) 6. Wow, why can't we get cars like that over here!!! 7. My dogs have to go through the garage to get to the backyard. I try to let them out every couple of hours (they almost never ask to go out) and every single time I do, they always walk around my car and christen each tire. 8. Way to go Wilf!!! However, I have to admit that we drive high-clearance 4wd vehicles... but we have an excuse - we actually need them to make it home in the winter! Sometimes, we even need tire chains in addition to the 4wd. We have our eyes on electric cars for the summer... but the price needs to come down A LOT! 9. 85 miles a gallon would be wonderful, but that is expensive for such a small car! i hope the technology becomes more prevalent soon so the prices will drop. we do a lot of ROSHes at my house. :) 10. Hello, My name is Elizabeth of Creative Breathing. I have a crafting blog, not at all about dogs; so it is quite by accident that I have discovered your most wonderful blog and adventures of Wilf. I have written about a favorite childhood memory regarding sheepdogs and have introduced my readers to Wilf and where they can follow his journey discovering France. It is such a pleasure to know about this happy place. Thank you, Elizabeth
Raleigh 9/11 Survivor: Escaping tower was like a ‘monster chasing you’ John Cerqueira RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Sixteen years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, the world changed. Nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives that day. But one man from the Triangle not only made it out alive from the World Trade Center, he helped save someone who couldn’t save herself. “It sounded like a bomb,” John Cerqueira remembers while sitting in his north Raleigh home. “Just like a big explosion you could hear and feel.” Fresh out of North Carolina State University, 22-year-old Cerqueira was still getting used to taking a subway train to his sales job at the WTC, when on that day, he thought he heard one tearing through his office. “You could hear the fuselage moving through the building,” Cerqueira explains. “Almost like a subway train.” Cerqueira was on the 81st floor in the North Tower, when at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 crashed several floors above him. “It shook me, the building, tiles were coming up, the walls were caving in,” Cerqueira describes. “There was fire, smoke and the carpet had turned up somehow like the building had twisted.” No one knew what happened and no one moved, until just after 9 a.m., when unbeknownst to Cerqueira, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the other tower. “That’s when the message changed from ‘stay here, everyone is fine’ to ‘OK, let’s get out,’” Cerqueira says. “We found an open stairwell, and everyone [went to] leave.” Cerquiera remembers there wasn’t any panic, until on the 67th floor, when he and his boss Mike Benfante heard voices above them. “We heard people yelling upstairs on the 68th floor, so we went back upstairs,” Cerqueira says. “We heard people trying to figure out how to get out.” He and his boss started directing people to the open stairwell, but one group refused. “They were all huddled around one of their co-workers, who was in a wheelchair, a big heavy motorized wheelchair that would be hard to move certainly down stairs,” Cerquiera remembers. The woman was 41-year-old Tina Hansen. They asked her if she wanted help, and she said yes. “We tried to move the wheelchair, and it was way too heavy to move easily and so we picked her up and as we moved toward the door,” Cerqueira says. “One of her co-workers found and brought us an emergency wheelchair.” That’s when the two men started the long process of moving her down 68 flights of stairs to the ground floor. By this point, the stairwell was packed, and they could barely move. Despite feeling helpless, Cerqueira says he never felt hopeless. “The option to focus on helping somebody else was really kind of a relief,” Cerqueira recalls. “It was so tense that there really wasn’t any noticeable panic, praying, it was almost as if it was a collective effort for everyone to stay calm.” Cerqueira and company had made it 20 floors down when the doors in the stairwell doors blew open from the force of the South Tower collapsing. It was then they met firefighters moving up, and they took a quick break. Cerqueira used an office phone to call his father in North Carolina who was beside his mother, watching it all unfold on live television. “I told them that I was still in the building, and I was getting out as quickly as I could,” Cerqueira says. His father’s only response: “Get out, hurry up!” It took about an hour total for them to get out and put Hansen in an ambulance. It was then they realized they had stepped into a nightmare. “We would hear this very distinct, like a car crash sound,” Cerqueira says, searching for words. “Those car crash sounds, all of them were people falling out of the building.” It didn’t take long before Cerqueira’s building also fell. Grainy video footage from a news photographer on the ground captures the moment as Cerqueira and Benfante run by, away from the collapse and its billowing smoke and debris. “It was like a bad dream where you can’t move as fast as you’d like and there’s a monster chasing you,” Cerqueira says. “That’s what it was like.” For Cerqueira, the bad dream is over, replaced with happy moments, like watching his daughter’s dance recitals or recently seeing her off to kindergarten. But he continues to look at life through his experience that day 16 years ago. “If we’re focused on helping other people and suppress our self-centered motives,” Cerqueira explains with a smile, “we’re in a much more powerful position to help, to be productive and be successful.” Cerqueira now works for ASLAN, a sales training firm. He still keeps up with his old boss, and a year after the terror attack, he was at Benfante’s wedding, alongside Tina Hansen in her new wheelchair. Leave a Reply WordPress.com Logo Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
Welcome to cambio CarSharing For a better environment Cambio helps you save a lot of money and contributes to a better environment. Less cars on the road Every cambio car replaces up to 14 private cars. Multiply this with the many cars which the cambio fleet has and you will realize this is already a considerable saving (this means 6,500 cars less on public roads since cambio was founded!). This doesn't only mean more free public space. Less cars on the road means less cars that have to be produced. Less kilometres with your car With time cambio users will drive less with a car after they have joined cambio (instead they will use a bike, public transport, ... more). Every driven kilometre that can be saved is a nice advantage: both for the user and for the environment. In addition, cambio offers you a car in accordance with your needs. You choose the most appropriate car for every trip. 'Green' cars Of course, cambio cars also have an impact on the environment. The choice of our models is based on several environmental factors such as CO2 emission, ecoscore, fuel consumption, ... In addition, we replace our cars after maximum of 4 years, assuring we can always introduce new and more environmentally friendly cars in our fleet.
Digital preservation An ever increasing proportion of the information we produce is created and stored in a digital form. However, preserving digital information so that it can be accessed in the future presents many challenges. Not only may the storage medium physically deteriorate, but the software or hardware used to store the data may become obsolete. For example, while the original Domesday Book from 1086 is still preserved in a readable condition, the 'laser discs'that contained the BBC's 1986 Domesday project became unreadable within 15 years, and have only recently been 'rescued'. There is increasing awareness of the need for appropriate strategies to preserve electronic information over the long term, both that which is 'born digital'and that which is digitised later in its life, such as historical records. This POSTnote will provide MPs and Peers with an overview of the technological and policy challenges associated with digital preservation. Short title: Digital preservation Start date: End date: Governance, IT & communication Project leader:
Committed to Franchising Excellence By taking on a high profile role in battling childhood obesity, Subway is affirming its commitment to providing a healthier Quick Service Restaurant concept in over 70 markets worldwide, reports Franchise Sales Director Don Fertman Although the Subway restaurant chain has grown to nearly 22,000 locations in 73 countries, the appeal of the business to new franchisees is the same today as it was 39 years ago when a then 17-year-old Fred Deluca co-founded the first Subway restaurant with family friend Dr. Peter Buck - a simple operation with great flexibility and minimal equipment requirements. Subway sandwich shops do not have strict size requirements, so they can fit into unusual spaces. Along with traditional locations, Subway restaurants can be found in more than 4,000 non-traditional locations such as food courts, health clubs, hospitals, universities, amusement parks or just about anywhere. In fact, Subway restaurants can even be found in automobile showrooms and laundromats! The Subway chain, which is determined to be ranked 'number one' in every market it serves, has set a goal of having at least 7,500 restaurants open and operating outside the North American continent by the year 2010, with Australia and Europe targeted as the largest areas for future network growth. One major appeal to consumers is the fact that all food served at Subway restaurants are individually made to order right in front of each customer, to their exact specifications. Another tremendous appeal is that the Subway chain has a reputation of providing a healthier alternative to traditionally fatty fast foods. With a menu that features great-tasting, made-to-order sandwiches and salads, many of which have six grams of fat or less, Subway restaurants have become extremely popular with health-conscious consumers around the world. The "fresher/healthier" message has been reinforced by the chain through advertising featuring Jared Fogle, who lost 245 pounds, and Herman and Sherman Smith, twin brothers who lost 100 pounds each, by including Subway sandwiches in a diet and exercise programme of Fogle's own design. Now president of the Subway chain, Fred DeLuca often travels the globe to visit Subway locations and was in Washington, D.C. recently to launch the Subway F.R.E.S.H. Steps Childhood Obesity Prevention initiative - a multi-layered national campaign to raise awareness and educate communities on the need to prevent and treat childhood obesity. The Subway F.R.E.S.H. Steps initiative empowers kids and adults to 'Feel Responsible, Energized, Satisfied and Happy' by seeking healthy choices in their menus and in their overall lifestyle. "Subway cares about kids and their well-being, and we want children to lead long and healthy lives," said Deluca. "As an industry leader, we feel a responsibility to do our part to encourage healthy habits in children involving increased physical activity and nutritious food choices, both essential components in preventing childhood obesity." The Subway F.R.E.S.H. Steps initiative includes the F.R.E.S.H. Steps Pledge and healthy lifestyle tips, which are available online at The F.R.E.S.H. Steps Pledge is a tool to help kids and their families to commit to living healthier lives. By signing the F.R.E.S.H. Steps Pledge, kids and adults promise to be more active, eat a variety of good foods and be proactive in creating a healthy lifestyle. "Kids who make balanced, healthy food choices and are physically active are at lower risk of being overweight and have improved overall health," says Lanette Kovachi, Corporate Dietician for the Subway chain. "The F.R.E.S.H. Steps program will provide the information children and parents need to make healthier choices." An independent survey commissioned by the Subway restaurant chain probed the perceptions of more than 2,500 children ages five to 12 regarding wellness and healthy behaviours, and underscored the need for an outreach campaign like Subway F.R.E.S.H. Steps. Among the key findings: obesity is something that kids are generally not concerned about; while kids understand the importance of eating healthy, few actually do so; and parents can do a better job as role models for healthy behaviours. The franchisees, who are the backbone of the Subway organisation and who have supported this effort, are benefiting from the increased public exposure gained through the F.R.E.S.H. Steps initiative. To help its franchisees, the Subway chain has developed a well-structured franchise programme - one that keeps the investment/start-up costs low and the operation uncomplicated and efficient. Its mission is to provide the tools and knowledge to allow entrepreneurs to successfully compete in the QSR industry worldwide by consistently offering value to consumers by providing great tasting food that is good for them and made the way they like it. The Subway restaurant chain is constantly looking for dedicated owner/operators who embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, are motivated and ambitious and willing to make a long-term commitment to making a business succeed in their community. Now with four regional offices outside the US, including its newly opened European Headquarters in Amsterdam, the Subway brand is poised for aggressive global expansion. The Subway chain is proud of the fact that a high percentage of Subway franchisees become multi-unit owners. In fact, more than 70 per cent of new franchises sold are purchased by individuals already in the Subway system, which indicates not only a satisfaction with the franchise system but profitability as well. Setting its sights at becoming the world's largest restaurant chain, the Subway franchise system is committed to excellence for its customers - in its restaurants, products, franchisees and business relationships.
Blonde Skin Two blondes were talking to each other and the one couldn't help but notice how pretty and beautiful the other's skin was. So she asked her outright what made her skin so soft and beautiful. "Well, once a week, I fill my bathtub with milk, and all I do is soak in it", she replied. The other blonde thought that was very interesting, so she went to a farm and spoke to the farmer. "I would like a lot of milk", she told the farmer. "How much?" he asked. "Well, quite a lot, because I am going to soak in it" she answered. The farmer asked, "Pasteurized?" "Oh no", replied the blonde. "Just up to my chest." Submitted by: Rob . /
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 A Month in Pictures {December} -Norman Vincent Peale The month of December is so drenched in holiday shenanigans that it would be hard to separate our ordinary everyday life from it. So this monthly installment of the leftover pictures features all the moments from our Christmas festivities that didn't make the cut, plus some random wintery ones as well. I. Trolley ride to see the Christmas lights. II. Homemade gifts, as commissioned by Santa. A. Santa's letters. B. Peppermint playdoh for friends. C. Salt dough ornaments for cousins. D. Reindeer for friends. III. Projects. A. Snow paint. B. Christmas trees. C. Keepsake art. IV. Snow. A. First snow play of the season. B. Deck snow play...while Mommy watches inside. V. Random Moments. A. Gingerbread cookie-making with Daddy. B. Hot cocoa. C. Checking his list. D. Big boy bedding. E. Jammie shopping. F. Landscape photography. 1. The picture of the boys playing outside while you took a pic from ins if cracked me up. Totally something I would do! 1. I mean, it kind of solves the problem, right? They want to play outside. I want to stay in where it's warm. I can see them on the deck to make sure they're safe and out of trouble. Win, win.
I cannot get the "set=<setspec>" access control directive to work. I have read through the note at: I have a rule that says this: access to dn.subtree="ou=Test,dc=apu,dc=edu" by set="[cn=TestGroup,dc=apu,dc=edu].uniqueMember & user" read by * none Where "cn=TestGroup" is a groupOfUniqueNames. If I bind as a user listed in "TestGroup", I cannot read any information in the "Test" tree. Do I have the syntax incorrect? Does anyone have a good example of this that they have gotten working? I understand that I can perform this type of access control with the "group" directive instead of the "set" directive. I'm mainly interested in understanding the syntax "set" directive and how it works--especially the recursive lookups. - Christoph
P153H – Mesa Arch at Sunrise – Canyonlands National Park, UT This was my fourth morning trying to capture the sun within the arch. The previous three days were disappointing because there was a dense layer of clouds to the east and thus the sun did not make an appearance until way after the “golden light” had passed. There was actually another reason why the scene was a disappointment those previous three days, and that was there were so many photographers at the site that getting back far enough for my panoramic camera would have been a challenge with all these other photographers around. I find out that there were a couple photo exposition tours going on where this arch was on their “must have” list. Although some of the photographs I took were okay, I really wanted a clear horizon to the east so I could get the sunburst. I had one last morning to dedicate to Mesa Arch before my plans had me going in another direction. Once again I awoke at 4am to get ready and drive to my destination. Like the previous mornings, the stars were bright but it was too dark to determine if clouds occupied the eastern sky. I wouldn’t actually know that until I arrived at the arch. To my surprise, the eastern sky was clear, and better yet, I was all alone. Here it was the best morning in at least the last four days and no one else experienced it with me. It was so nice being able to move and adjust my compositions without having to worry about blocking someone else’s shot. Not knowing exactly where the sun would rise, I had to make several adjustments to capture the sun along the top edge of the arch so it would produce a starbust. No filters were used with this image. The bottom portion of the arch turns naturally orange from the sun hitting the cliff below the arch. The arch actually protrudes over the edge of the cliff. Regardless, you still have to work fast because the sun rises much faster than you think. In addition, the early morning light quickly fades away from orange. Within about 10-15 minutes the orange color becomes increasingly more yellow and the affect is gone. View Framed Purchase This Image
Text size: A \| A \| A [Print] Twin Peaks Wilderness General Maps Contacts Area Management Wilderness Laws Photograph taken in the Twin Peaks Wilderness Utah Wilderness Association The United States Congress designated the Twin Peaks Wilderness (map) in 1984 and it now has a total of 11,432 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Utah and is managed by the Forest Service. Twin Peaks Wilderness forms a part of the dramatic backdrop you see on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley, southeast of Salt Lake City. Originally carved by glaciation and currently remodeled by erosion, this area consists of narrow canyons and high peaks (including Twin Peaks, Superior Peak, and Dromedary Peak) that combine to form a rugged and spectacular display. Elevations range from just under 5,000 feet to 11,319 feet on Twin Peaks. Much of the higher terrain is classified as alpine and characterized by large cirque basins and exposed rocky ridges. Dense mountain brush mixed with oak/maple and grass dominates the vegetation at lower elevations. There are scattered stands of firs and aspen in the mid to higher elevations. Temperatures with a 50-degree difference between summer highs and lows can occur. Snow can remain in some parts of the wilderness until midsummer. State Route 190 follows Big Cottonwood Creek along the northern boundary and separates this Wilderness from Mount Olympus Wilderness to the north. State Route 210 follows Little Cottonwood Creek along the southern boundary and stands between Twin Peaks and Lone Peak Wilderness to the south. The canyons of both these creeks are highly scenic, and you'll find trailheads along both routes. Trails are often steep and strenuous. Trails are limited as the Twin Peaks Wilderness has only 5 system trails totaling approximately 10 miles. Crowds of people can be common on these trails, especially on weekends. Use is primarily day-use, although there is some overnight backpacking opportunities in the Lake Blanche area. The wilderness is within the Salt Lake City Watershed and has restrictions on dogs, horses and swimming. Planning to Visit the Twin Peaks Wilderness? Leave No Trace 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 3. Dispose of Waste Properly 4. Leave What You Find 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts 6. Respect Wildlife 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors Give us your feedback
I have an E&B Slipper case for the Visor with belt clip that has NEVER been used. It is brand new and still sealed in it's original bubble wrap. If you don't want to wait the 4 to 6 weeks for delivery, I am willing to sell it at COST. E-mail me if you're interested. Adam B
The world of Shiarlan is an old world that has been shaped by entities of various power and influence. The oldest of these are the Ancients. The ancients represent the First Age of Shiarlan, and the details are lost to the annals of time. The Ancients created the Exarchs, ushuring in the Second Age. This was an age of creation, and the Exarchs created the original races that inhabit the world. They created two versions of each original race. One was a mortal servant race, and the other was a race of immortals. The immortals were unique in that they were the only beings who could use magic, and they could become gods. During the Third Age, many immortals reached the power and focus to ascend to demi-god status, and wars ensued between many of the races. In these wars, some demi-gods gathered followings so zealous that they became worshippers, helping the demi-gods to achieve apotheosis and become gods. Main Page Shiarlan utnayr_duscratu
In Pursuit Dagmar Bezhyumanka was a woman on a mission. She would flush-out true love from its hiding place. She’d exhausted the traditional methods: blind dates, fix-ups, singles’ bars, even hanging out in the produce section of the Jewel-Osco on Sunday mornings in hopes of snagging Mr. Right. No luck. Men in Chicago were more sophisticated than the dim bulbs back home in Lower Slobbovia. These Rico Suave brainiacs already knew how to select a ripe cantaloupe and didn’t need her to explain the difference between jicamas and turnips. As the years passed and technology progressed, Dagmar joined online dating sites such as e-Harmonica, Bag-A-Bubba, and HookMeUp. When those failed her she tried speed dating, which only served to befuddle the poor woman, who was clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Disappointment, be damned! Dagmar resolved to leave no stone unturned in the quest for her elusive love. Hell, at this point, she would’ve gladly settled for Mr. Close Enough, Mr. Mediocre, or even Mr. Long Shot. As desperation set-in, Dagmar logged-on to She knew she was taking a chance and that things could go terribly wrong. But what if they didn’t? What if… things went terribly right? Papa used to say, “No guts, no glory;” and with that, she signed-up for the VIP membership and began perusing inmates’ profiles. She wrote to roughly fifty-five men. Some replied; some didn’t. But no matter, each new day brought with it new possibilities. The mail carrier became her best friend. Soon, much sooner than Dagmar expected, it happened. A letter arrived that swept her off her flat feet. Its sender’s name was Stanley Marek, a swarthy man with a reckless grin and thick, black hair. What really did it for Dagmar was Stanley’s searing, coffee-brown eyes—eyes that could stop a clock at midnight. She wondered how it might feel if those eyes looked at her. Stanley, in turn, claimed Dagmar as the woman of his dreams: Rubenesque (she had to consult the dictionary), captivatingly handsome, and all woman. His making reference to her femininity and sexuality caused Dagmar’s stomach to flip. As far as she knew, no one had ever regarded her in such a way. It turned out that Stanley was doing life without parole for the murder of his wife, whom he’d stabbed twenty-seven times in the face and neck with a salad fork. Uh-huh…Dagmar made a mental note: Stanley hates Bleu Cheese. She was taken aback at the gruesomeness of the crime, and even more so at the insane reasoning behind it. Stanley however, convinced her that he’d since found the Lord, repented, and thus, was worthy of a good woman’s love. An atheist since birth, Dagmar was tempted to inquire as to where he’d ‘found’ this Lord, and why He’d been hiding in the first place. But, who was she to poke fun at a repentant murderer’s belief system? Dagmar kept quiet. A flurry letters were exchanged, and then came the phone calls. Dagmar found his voice to be as smooth and velvety as warm scotch. It wasn’t long before they just had to meet, and arrangements were made for her to visit the Joliet Correctional Center. The agreed-upon date was three Saturdays away. Dagmar would be able visit “Her Stanley” for fifteen minutes with nothing between them but a window of bulletproof Plexiglas. Finally, the big day came and Dagmar was on her way to Joliet. It was an hour’s drive and she was worried. What if the humidity frizzed her Brazilian blowout, sweated-off her make-up, or turned her brand new lettuce-green (Stanley’s favorite color) dress into a rumpled rag? Fortunately, none of the above befell Dagmar, and she was ushered in to the visitor’s area amid a cacophony of wailing chatter. The air was stale and thick with body heat. Dagmar felt a twinge of panic, but then a guard led her to a booth and chair opposite Stanley. He looked exactly like his picture. Even through filthy Plexiglas, his penetrating gaze felt just as she imagined (feared) it would, leaving her pliable as Silly Putty. Stanley picked up the receiver and Dagmar picked up hers. “You’re here.” His lips relaxed into a jagged grin, his eyes glowing in amused curiosity. “Dagmar.” “Stanley, I —” “Have you any idea how long it’s been since anyone’s called me by my name?” Dagmar’s eyes welled-up. “Thank you for liking me.” SusanWritesPrecise/ Susan Marie Shuman Old Joliet Prison The Daily Post: Pursue Tell it like it is You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
Holding Nintendo Accountable Castle of bricks Last week, volunteers for Defective By Design assembled the cardboard bricks (and had some fun doing so!). Today we are individually wrapping each brick, attaching our signed letters, so we can ship them out over the next few weeks to the Nintendo of America headquarters. At the end of our letter, we have issued the following demands: • Change your terms of service. Tracking a user's activity; claiming a copyright license on a user's data and her creative works; and bricking a user's device if she chooses to modify or use it in an "unapproved" way, are intrusive and completely unacceptable, to say the least. Those of us who have sent a letter expect a response from Mr. Fils-Aime. But, we are not the only ones awaiting a response. Our collective outcry over the digital and legal restrictions imposed by Nintendo has spread widely. Over the past two weeks, the bricks have brought much media attention to bear on the dangers of the Nintendo 3DS. Major gaming blogs and community forums; widely read sites such as PCWorld, BoingBoing and TorrentFreak; and mainstream publications such as Metro UK and the New York Times, are all looking for answers. So far Nintendo has only issued cryptic and troubling responses from unnamed spokespeople. All of these people &mdash all of us — deserve better from Nintendo and their COO and President Reggie Fils-Aime. Nintendo 3DS surveillance camera In our ongoing research, we came across this additional tidbit to share with you. Nintendo is actually trying to sell its control over users as a feature. On one of their promotional pages, they write, "The Activity Log tracks both your game play activity, noting which games you've played and how long you've played them, as well as your physical activity, counting every step you take while carrying your Nintendo 3DS." The choice Nintendo leaves users with such "features" is all-or-nothing — you either allow them to track and record your every move, or you turn off the wireless entirely. While companies such as Apple and Google were recently forced to testify before the US Congress to explain having done similar (to the ire of their users), Nintendo hopes to fly under the radar, playing off the 3DS as just a "gaming device." But we know you're not fooled — help us make sure others aren't either.
Reviews for Lullabies miscellanea chapter 1 . 4/10/2008 This is really good. I liked it a lot and I do wish I could hear the tune... heh, my intended song doesn't have a tune. You're very talented. Bonjour Skitty chapter 1 . 5/19/2007 Chilling. I think it flows nicely even without knowing the tune, but I'm sure you already know that since everyone else told you too.. the refrain for it is definately thought-provoking too. alongcamezuki chapter 1 . 5/15/2007 Hey. I really like this. It does flow very nicely even without knowing the tune. It's a good melody and definitely worth the read. Kicking Poe chapter 1 . 3/31/2007 I think this flows really nicely, even without knowing the melody. I like the refrain - very dark and thoughtful. cheers. Sir Scott chapter 1 . 3/25/2007 Maybe, they weren't made for children. But, do people really ever stop being children or do they just become a older version of the childlike self. Nicely written. Like it a lot!
Is glutathione really bad for those with thyroid problem? My doctor has been telling me ever since to avoid it, but somehow I don't believe her. Glutathione. Are you taking it oral or iv? in Filipines, women have been using it to whiten their skin as it blocks melanin production. It takes a great oral dose to have detectable blood levels and can cause skin rashes, diarrhea, headaches, itchiness, chills and acne breakouts. We have no idea what "thyroid problem" you have, but Glutathione use can lead to serious complications (believe it or not).
Richard’s background is Irish on his mother's side, and German/Dutch on his father's [“What a gloriously jumbled nation we are!”]. Born in Aylesbeare, a village near Exeter in Devon, England, he was brought up in North Wales amongst limestone fossil-encrusted hills which remain his favourite habitat. After Prep School he was sent to what he calls “a godawful boarding school” in Southport, Lancashire which he hated and where he was told he couldn't draw. The opinion, foisted on him at home, that he was little more than an idiot was reinforced there. If you would like to read more of what Richard says is “some life”, please follow this link. In a nutshell, Richard sees little difference between art and science. He feels the old term ‘Natural philosophy’ sums it up pretty well, so if you had to put a label on him, ‘naturalist’ - another name somewhat fallen into disuse - fits as well as any other, and better than most. A note on a name If you go to 'Writing' you can see that all Richard’s early published work was under the assumed family surname, Martin, due in part to the German ancestry mentioned above. Since he was already being published before being told that his true name, Meyer, had been changed by his great grand-parents when they had fled to London from anti-Jewish pogroms in the 19th century, he retained that until the 1980s. His painting has always been signed Meyer however.
Your Roland's Garage items will expire in : [View Cart] RSD Interview: Ben Younger Ben Younger, writer, philosopher, director and motorcycle racer is embarking on an F1 film project. We’re excited to see what he does with his newest venture and even though it gets in the way of his Isle of Man project we wish him the best. So Ben, what does it feel like to drag your knee at 140mph? Beyond the obvious exhilaration there's a sense of doing something very difficult very well. Something that very few people can do. It's not like sky-diving where any squid can get in on it. There's no app for this shit. It's an earned skill set. I like that. Does the thought of what you are doing scare you more before the race, after the race or during the race? 15 minutes before. Too much time to think. Never a good thing. What's up with this rumored F1 project you are working on? Who will be the focus and is it a modern day piece? It is happening. It is a modern day piece. It will be technically proficient. Can't say much more than that right now. Zippers or Velcro? Zippers. I feel strongly enough about this one I want to express brand loyalty - Leather or plastic knee sliders? I want to say leather but truth is I've never tried em. Send me some, Roland. It's not like I'm getting paid for this. Coffee or Tea? Slicks or DOT's? Slicks. N-Tecs. Word. Road Race Bike? Street Bike? Vintage Bike? Road Race If you had to choose between motorcycles and sex which would you choose and why? Yes you could still get blow jobs. Look-it, I love bikes. I'm into the whole lifestyle. Racing is a huge part of who I am. That being said, are you retarded? If you had to choose to be a teenager in the 50's, 60', the 70's or now, when would you choose and why? Now. If I could get on a Gixxer 750 (my current steed) tomorrow as a thirteen year old boy I'd be working toward my MotoGP debut in 2015. Hell, I'd give up the sex if you could make that one happen. If you could pick one artist to play at your birthday party who would it be alive or dead? If you could have a beer with a politician who would it be alive or dead? Alexander Hamilton. Look up Federalist Papers. True genius. If you could experience what one of these riders felt on their best day who would it be and why? Kenny Roberts or Valentino Rossi? Kenny because he was a pioneer. He was doing things no one had ever done - spinning the rear, sliding his knee. Rossi just won a bunch, oh, and he throws his leg out under braking. I'm underwhelmed. Joey Dunlop or John McGuiness? Joey. Because he's my favorite motor-sports figure of all time. Period. I'm sure John will understand. Bob Hanna or Ricky Carmichael? Toss-up. I'll send them both Facebook invites and see who responds. I'm guessing neither. What's the worst injury you've had on a motorcycle? Pocono Raceway. 2001. Low-sided coming off the banking and hit a concrete wall. Broken ribs, chipped pelvis, punctured lung, collapsed knee. Big hurt. What's the worst injury you've had working on a motorcycle? Well, it was definitely inflicted on my ego. It's also a recurring injury. Sometimes I just do the dumbest things when there's tools in my hand. You have been rumored to of dated a few hotties. Is there any truth to the Brittany Spears, K-Fed threesome a while back? Wow, really dating yourself there, Roland. It was actually Golda Meir and Joni Mitchell. Posted In: RSD
x Abu Dhabi, UAESaturday 20 January 2018 Economic spring can slake thirst of young Youth unemployment is a huge problem. But if it is seen as a chance to develop a venture capitalist ethos, the UAE can become a Silicon Valley, write Ghanem Nuseibeh and Eli Epstein. A government-backed initiative can make the UAE the region's venture capital hub, the Middle East's version of Silicon Valley. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National The Arab world is experiencing dramatic changes where the political repercussions have eclipsed economic ones that are by no means less significant. Because of this, the dramatic changes over the past year and a half have failed to begin addressing critically needed economic development. Unemployment and, more specifically, youth unemployment have not received the attention they deserve from policymakers. There is almost a sense of helplessnesson how to tackle it. As the global financial crisis has affected much of the Arab world, leading to a rise in unemployment, governments with the financial capacity to respond have increased public spending. This has addressedthe unemployment challenge in the short-term butat the expense of the long-term need for real job creation and an overall increase in productivity. The region is blessed with a youth bulge that potentially puts the whole region on a path for growth for decades to come. An effective response to the youth unemployment challenge is to view the Arab youth bulge as an opportunity rather than a risk to be mitigated. Yet efforts to harness this force have been few. They require a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors with the aim of generating wealth rather than spending it. The development of a venture capital (VC) ecosystem in the Arab world is a key component in the much-awaited economic spring. Countries around the world have harnessed the talent of their youth and entrepreneurial spirit to revamp their economies. Lessons of how South East Asia turned its demographic youthproblem into a demographic gift are abundant. There are other case studies for Arab governments to study, including government responses in Britain, Estonia, Ireland, Singapore and other countries thathave had varying degrees of success. They all strove to build ecosystems where entrepreneurship could flourish, often with active government assistance. Lessons from countries where VC has played a part in their economic transformation show three ingredients are needed for success. First is the ecosystemto sustain a VC culture, including a physical and legal infrastructure attuned to the specific needs of a VC hub. Second, the availability of a talent pool of scientists and engineers. And finally, market access to a large pool of potential consumers is required as well as viable exit strategies for investors. Few of the countries that have become VC hubs had the headstart some Arabian Gulf countries have. The UAE, in particular, has a world-class infrastructure that puts the country ahead of many others in its ability to condition itself to sustain a VC ecosystem. It already hosts global high-tech giants. The Khalifa Fund in Abu Dhabi is one example of the Government's commitment to encourage local entrepreneurship. Kuwait's government has also recognised the potential benefit of VC and created, as far back as 2003, the National Technology Enterprise Company (Ntec). Ntec is set to become a regional investor in high-tech companies across the region. What is needed now is a concerted effort that would fuel a technological revolution on the scale of Britain's industrial revolution. Gulf countries are blessed with the ability to lead an Arab economic miracle. Besides the soft and hard infrastructure, there are hundreds of millions of highly-educated scientists and engineers yearning for the opportunity to innovate and create. Many of these potential entrepreneurs are withina two-hour flight of the UAE. A government-backed initiative can make the UAE the region's VC hub, the Middle East's version of Silicon Valley. Not only will this be good for the region, it will also attract investment from around the world. Positioning the UAE as the region's VC hub will not only be transformative for the jobs market, it will also significantly contribute to the economic diversification away from oil. Ghanem Nuseibeh is the founder of Cornerstone Global Associates and a senior visiting fellow at King's College London; Eli Epstein is a businessman based in New York with long-standing business interests in the Gulf.
Sunday, August 11, 2013 three concepts-- just copying them here. This is actually a convergence-- I am struck by how useful the three "old" theories are to creating online courses. Each one gave me the idea for a type of instruction and related assignment/learner activity. (I guess that was the point of assignments 2 and 3. :) So the first concept is the adaptation of traditional learning theories to DE-- they can each be used to support and deepen a type of learning in the online environment. 2. Also I found important the constructivist notion of the essentiality of knowing first the goal of the course or program within the organization's purpose, and also within the potential learner's journey. I'm realizing that we shouldn't even start to design a course without defining the goal first, and then deriving objectives from it. This could be quite important with writing courses. The first course, for example, might introduce students to essay structure and get them comfortable with stating a point and supporting that with evidence. That would mean there's no need to teach particular modes-- they can start writing about their own lives or experiences, as long as they get the idea of analysis: Point and support. Defining each course's goal can help differentiate, so that students aren't doing the same basic assignments over and over regardless of level. 3. Lifelong learning is aided by the ability to join and contribute to communities of practice, especially in the learner's profession or avocation. These have been important since, oh, the guilds of the 14th century, but are becoming even more important and accessible with Web 2.0. Designing and supporting online communities of practice can be a way for universities to stay relevant in the lives of learners after they leave school. Tuesday, August 6, 2013 Constructivism in museum Went to a thing at the art museum, a discussion of a Hopper painting, and he did a lot of "landscapes" in the 30s which kind of present man-made elements (like a railroad track) as part of the natural environment, and that kind of fit in here... we don't think of an old steel mill as "wilderness," but that's what we'd call a stretch of nature that was let go. So urban wilderness, not wasteland, I guess? In England, they of course do this better-- but then, they have tin mines the Romans abandoned in 300 AD, and yes, they look pretty cool now. Maybe Detroit will look that great in 2300. Anyway, the husband afterwards said he enjoyed it but would have liked more "lecture," and I realized that the instructor (one of the curators) was engaging in "constructivism". Woolfolk (1993) defines thus: "The key idea is that students actively construct their own knowledge: the mind of the student mediates input from the outside world to determine what the student will learn. Learning is active mental work, not passive reception of teaching." The curator said that they were trying this "closer look" model out, following the Frick example, where they led a discussion of a single painting. There was a cognitive element too, that is, we were being led to the skill of art analysis, to figuring out (especially) compositional elements. But it was mostly constructivist, with the curator asking questions, like "What strikes you most about the colors here?" I say it's constructivist rather than, say, collaborationist, because there was, in that grim new term, a SME (subject matter expert) in the curator, who led the discussion. In fact, she said afterwards, if anyone had mentioned, say, how this resembled Wyeth's painting Christina's World, she would have led into a discussion of influences, but "the topic didn't come up." I found that interesting, because she would direct us to observations and questions and then answer them, or discuss them, but she wouldn't start a topic. So the husband (we met at a university that prided itself on great lecturers, and we both love a good lecture) said he felt like we were learning how to "read a painting," but not really much about this painting itself, and "I don't really want to hear what the other students think because what do they know." I mentioned that it wasn't really "the blind leading the blind," as I used to term that pedagogical trend in the 90s that forced the instructor into the role of another student (and a rather silent one at that), while the students fumbled their way to understanding something, which might be okay with a poem, but was pretty useless when it came to comma usage rules (they never did seem to find their way to the rules). At least now, the instructor was leading the discussion and answering the questions, not just prompting students to do the work. Anyway, it was interesting to see this in action, and I did think it was constructivism really, as the learners did work together to get a comprehensive understanding, and shaping the learning, but with the subtle and expert facilitation by the curator. New York, New Haven and Hartford The painting in question. I noticed that the "shelf talker" or whatever they call the description/bio/title card on the wall next to the painting gave far more explicit "lecture-type" information, and so does the page on the website: "This painting, named after an East Coast railroad line, was created during the Depression and depicts a landscape and desolate house. The prominent track evokes Hopper’s recurring themes of transience and the loneliness of the traveler." The frontal view and the broad horizontal line of the railroad suggest a stage, underlining the separation between the viewer and the scene. The crisp lines and sharp angles of the house are softened by the rounded, natural shapes of the trees, and the dark green balances the bright sky. Hopper’s compositions are often based on oppositions like this that unite to form a harmonic whole. Which is a "better" pedagogy? Neither, I suspect, is "better," but the curator's discussion was probably better at teaching us to understand painting, and the information "lecture" was better at teaching us about THIS painting. Both work together, but maybe they have to be in different environments? Like the website is the "lecture," and the "classroom" is more discussion-oriented? As a novelist and a fiction-writing teacher, I labor under the illusion that everyone else is fascinated by our creative choices, you know, why did you choose to hide the secret for 11 chapters and reveal it by accident rather than protagonist decision, or why did you choose that title? (Like the painting above is named for the railroad line that owned the tracks in front of the house... did Hopper want to call attention then to the railroad tracks particularly?) So I think one effective path of this constructivist approach could be learners asking questions and speculating about creative choices Saturday, August 3, 2013 A question of tone Thursday, August 1, 2013 Ethics and all that I was struck, reading Kop and Hill and esp. Downes, of their subtext of the need to respect learners, and how many questions that raises. What does it mean to respect students? I think about the teachers' lounge (or blog equivalent) and the utterly necessary freedom there to say what drives us nuts about students. Even as I engage in that, it feels disrespectful-- like gossip. But maybe it's also constructive somehow. I don't know. I feel like I learn a lot from interacting with students, and I don't know if I'd learn as much if I were really idealistic about them. So still thinking about ethics of describing writing/learning communities, but how do you avoid it? Using the people who confide in you? Students, colleagues, clients? I don't know what it means to respect their privacy, or whether I'm violating that privacy when I discuss their work or their behavior. I try to mask the identity and usually revise whatever the question or issue is so that even they wouldn't recognize it. I have always TRIED to come up with my own "teachable moments", but I don't have a great imagination, and a client or student or friend will have a writing or editing issue-- like a sentence even-- that is so perfect, I want to talk or write about it. I always try to change the wording or something so it's not traceable. But sometimes-- Once I got an email from -- (you get to recognize this sort of subterfuge after awhile... that really annoying commenter on my editing blog who disagrees with everything I say about commas? That was a woman using a male name, and I only know that because my co-blogger traced the IP address, and really, that should prove I am not the nibby one in our partnership :)-- a man who was trying to sell a romance novel and so wrote under a woman's name (ask Nicholas Sparks... a man writing a romance novel is cool! Keep the male name, fella!). Anyway, this guy obviously-- again, you get to notice this sort of thing-- loves loves loves flashbacks, or anyway incorporated one in a scene and wanted to justify it, and wrote to me asking for my thoughts about flashbacks. Well, I knew she/he just wanted to hear that "flashbacks are awesome," but I actually think flashbacks are lousy plotting, and wrote a long honest answer, and when she/he wrote back and said that surely there were good reasons for flashbacks, and I wrote another achingly earnest reply about how flashbacks disturb the chronology and everything in the book ought to contribute to the character change and flashbacks (which, like dreams, don't actually happen), and of course I referenced Oedipus the King (aka The World's Greatest Plot Evuh), and he/she wrote back a response dripping with contempt (because, after all, after 30 years analyzing fiction, I don't know as much as he/she who just started writing, which makes me wonder why he/she decided to ask me anyway), "Well, that is all well and good for Sophocles, but that was a long time ago, and I'm not Greek, so who cares." This was SO PERFECT. I mean, really, how totally new-novelist (again, have encountered many) to sneer that Sophocles is outre (only they wouldn't know the term :) and who cares, and "I'm not Greek." You know, because only GREEK NOVELISTS can learn anything from Sophocles. So I couldn't help myself! When I gave workshops about plotting, and someone asked about flashbacks, I'd say, "Well, let me tell you about someone who loves flashbacks, and told me, when I explained about how Sophocles used a flashback, 'I'm not Greek, so who cares!'" It was like, you know, the perfect comment from the scornful sort of writer who refuses to learn from other writers, like, you know, SOPHOCLES. So once I was saying this line and everyone was laughing-- because it's that sort of awful arrogance we have only when we're just starting to write fiction-- and I noticed that one guy wasn't laughing. And afterwards he came up to me and said, "That wasn't what I meant. I meant just that what you were saying didn't apply to me." IT WAS HIM! (Well, it did apply to him, but I recognize that most writers have to insulate themselves from influence in order to find their voice, and that very few are like me-- trained in literary analysis and never actually freed from the need to analyze. So he couldn't see that Sophocles's use of doubled roles and revelations-in-flashback really did illuminate his own situation, and anyway, duh, he asked me about flashbacks.) But instead of snapping back that he should learn more about his craft, and that western lit was based on 3000 years starting with those Greeks he scorned, I ducked my head and apologized for using his very funny line. But, you know, ethics? I don't know. It sure is easier to do research about EA Poe than to write about actual writers I encounter in my life. (BTW, I just proofed the galleys of my mystery book coming out supposedly in two weeks, and IT HAS A FLASHBACK! On page 3! I can't believe it! Are we sure I wrote this book?)
Apple Meringue Pie A simple twist on a lemon meringue pie - just made with cooked apples. Let the egg whites get to room temperature in a bowl before whisking to make better meringue. Be the first to make this! Serves: 4 • 2 cups of cooked apples • 2 tablespoons golden syrup • 100 gm slivered almonds • 3 egg whites • 3 tablespoons caster sugar Preparation:10min › Cook:10min › Ready in:20min 1. Place the apples in the base of an ovenproof dish. 2. Sprinkle with the syrup and nuts. 3. Whisk the egg whites till stiff and fold in the caster sugar to make the meringue. 4. Place the meringue on top of the apple mixture and bake in a moderate oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Recently Viewed Reviews and Ratings Global Ratings: Reviews in English (0) Write a review Click on stars to rate
Steve Siebold: Pope Francis represents refreshing change for Church September 23, 2013\|By Steve Siebold, By Steve Siebold In a new interview released last week, Pope Francis said the church has no right to "interfere spiritually" in the lives of gays and lesbians — elaborating on his comments he made a few months ago about not judging homosexuals. This is exactly the kind of support the gay community needs from the church! American society is still suffering from its puritanical roots, and many of our citizens refuse to accept anything that contradicts our cultural norms. The worst offenders are the zealots who claim "God hates fags," and that homosexuals are flawed or immoral human beings. Televangelists like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson have poisoned millions with their hate filled tirades against homosexuals. Would the average American allow a bully to beat up a little kid? No, but that's exactly what we've allowed these religious extremists to do to homosexuals. How many gay, lesbian and transgender Americans have committed suicide because of their hate filled sermons and broadcasts? How many more are in therapy and gulping antidepressants because these bullies convinced them they are depraved sinners? The Pope said the church should be a "home for all" and not a "small chapel" focused on doctrine, orthodoxy and a limited agenda of moral teachings. This is refreshing since most church leaders claim that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. In the 21st century, all Americans should realize that homosexuals are no better or worse than anyone else, and should be left alone to pursue their own version of the American dream — including the right to marry. The church is losing its chokehold on American society and the legalization of gay marriage would deliver another major blow to its eroding power structure. The opposition to gay marriage is all about control and power, and it's just a matter of time before the majority of Americans realize it. The depth and breadth of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church around the world is almost unbelievable, so it's amazing how the church thinks it's morally superior and has the right to condemn homosexuals. Horrific stories of sexual abuse against young boys have effectively wiped out the good deeds of the Catholic Church and demolished its credibility. The Catholic Church has been guilty of sexual impropriety among its clergy for 2,000 years, and all the leadership, right up to the Papacy, has known about it. Rev. James Martin, an editor-at-large of America, the Jesuit magazine in New York, said, "Pope Francis seems even more of a free-thinker than I thought — creative, experimental, willing to live on the margins, push boundaries back a little bit." And that's exactly the kind of leader the Catholic Church and the world needs right now. Steve Siebold, a Boynton Beach resident, is author of the book Sex, Politics and Religion: How Delusional Thinking is Destroying America. Sun Sentinel Articles
The key to realizing the value of your measurement system hardware investment is the software to easily manage the systems, collect and manage the data, and present it. One of our first software products was MultiLogger, created over 12 years ago to provide easier system management and data collection. Following MultiLogger we created Roobrik, a tool designed to process and present data stored in ASCII data files. Next, our database system which consists of two applications, MLDBConsole for managing data and the database, and Insite for managing and presenting the data. Our database system is built on Firebird SQL, a very powerful open-source SQL platform. Contact us for support of other SQL platforms. Finally, our MLWeb product provides a web based interface to your project and data using Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS). All of the following software components are packaged and sold collectively as MultiLogger Suite. See the following sections for additional information on the key components.
Destiny is a whale shark and the pentagonist in the 2016 Disney/Pixar film Finding Dory. Official Bio "Destiny may be a clumsy swimmer, but she has a big heart. She has a big everything, actually — whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea. Destiny resides in the Marine Life Institute, where one day an oddly familiar blue tang named Dory falls into her pool. Destiny is admittedly embarrassed by her obvious lack of grace, a product of poor eyesight (very near-sighted), but Dory thinks she swims beautifully. And Dory is delighted to learn that her super-sized friend speaks whale, too. Destiny and Dory used to talk through pipes when they were little."[1] Role in the Film Destiny first appears when Dory is tossed into her enclosure and upon seeing her, the near-sighted whale shark almost crashed into Dory as Dory asks Destiny to know if she could find her missing parents Jenny and Charlie. When Destiny continues talking to Dory about her missing parents while swimming with her, she constantly bumps into a wall and tells Dory that she cannot swim and see very well. Dory then instantly makes friends with Destiny by complementing her on her swimming. As she thanks her in the emphasis of speaking whale, Destiny also speaks whale to her as she also realized that she and Dory are friends when they talked through pipes when they were little. Dory then asks Destiny to know where she was from, in which Destiny says that she is from the Open Ocean exhibit, which is where her parents would be. Dory then asks Destiny to know if she could take her to the Open Ocean exhibit, but Destiny tells her that it is not possible for a whale shark to go to the Open Ocean Exhibit. As soon as Bailey the beluga appears and tells the two to keep it silent, Destiny tells Dory that Bailey thinks his echolocation does not function properly, due to his head injury. Destiny then tells Dory that there is nothing wrong with Bailey in which Bailey's ability helps him find objects far away in which she tells Dory that his echolocation is still "healing". As Dory, Bailey, and Destiny talk about echolocation, Hank suddenly jumps into the exhibit and finds Dory and tells Destiny to give him the tag given by Marine Life Institute volunteers to bring him to a permanent aquarium rather than releasing him back to the ocean again. When Dory tells Hank as she forgets to know the exhibits where are parents would be at, Destiny and Bailey tell Dory that they would be in the Open Ocean exhibit. Destiny then tells Hank that the way to get to the Open Ocean exhibit is to go through the pipes in which Hank can't fit through the pipes and Dory must go there by herself in order to get to the exhibit. Upon reaching the surface, Dory tells Destiny, Bailey, and Hank to find a plan how to get to the Open Ocean exhibit. Destiny and Bailey are seen again to help Dory and Hank find a way to get to the Open Ocean exhibit by doing a big splash. As Dory sees Destiny jump, Hank tells him that this is the signal to get to the Open Ocean exhibit as he tells her to follow the signs leading to the Open Ocean exhibit. Destiny and Bailey are seen again when they hear Dory through the pipes who is looking for her parents in the quarantine area of the Marine Life Institute while Destiny tells Bailey to use his echolocation to help Dory find her missing parents in which Bailey says that his echolocation couldn't function properly as Destiny tells him to use his ability harder. Bailey then tells Destiny that he can seen the quarantine area as well as Dory by using his echolocation; Bailey and Destiny tell Dory to listen to them by choosing the said directions to help find her parents in which Bailey tells Destiny that two fish (Nemo and Marlin) are swimming from the other directions in the pipe while Destiny tells Dory to choose the other direction to avoid colliding into Nemo and Marlin, confusing Dory as she meets up with Marlin and Nemo, in which the two did not see the two clownfish at first. Destiny and Bailey found out that Dory is safe when she encountered Nemo and Marlin. After Dory found Jenny and Charlie in the kelp forest of Morro Bay, she then tells Destiny and Bailey that she found her parents. As the two hear Dory, they manage to escape their exhibits by jumping into the ocean. As Dory, Charlie, Jenny, Destiny, and Bailey plan to stop the truck containing Marlin and Nemo inside, Bailey sees some otters as he crashes into a pole and Destiny crashes into him. Upon encountering the otters, Dory asks Destiny to flip Dory when the truck passes through the bridge so the otters can bring her safely. As Dory tells her parents that she would be safe, Destiny flips Dory over the bridge as the otters carry her safely as she tells the otters to stop the passengers with their ability to cuddle with each other. Destiny and Bailey are later surprised that the truck (still with Dory, Nemo, and Marlin inside) went away. Destiny and Bailey later see the truck falling into the ocean, freeing all the fish from the truck. During the epilogue, she, along with Bailey, and Hank, help tutor Mr. Ray's class Disney Parks Turtle Talk with Crush Destiny appears in the 2016 revamp of the attraction Turtle Talk with Crush. In this revamp, Dory tells Crush to know if Destiny can tell the guests if they can speak whale, in which she agrees to. Destiny and Crush tell the guests how to speak whale. After repeating what Destiny says in the emphasis of a whale, an actual whale appears while Destiny and Crush warn Dory that the whale is approaching. After Dory is stuck between the whale, Crush tells Destiny to know how to ask the whale to leave, in which Destiny and Crush tell them to do the same whale call again so the whale can move away and save Dory. Upon doing so, the whale moves away and this saves Dory. • She might be the reason why Dory can speak whale, even though she's not a true whale, but rather a shark. • The way Destiny jumps from her enclosure is a reference to the famous climatic scene from Free Willy. • In a different version of Finding Dory where Jenny and Charlie also had short-term memory loss, Destiny was their adopted daughter, and there would be a sibling rivalry between her and Dory. The Disney Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Destiny. v - e - d Finding Nemo - Logo Disney Parks Entertainment: Fantasmic!Finding Nemo: The MusicalPixar Playtime PalsSummer Blast Finding Nemo: NemoMarlinCoralDoryPearlTadSheldonKathyMr. RayBruceAnchorChumGillPeachBloatBubblesDebGurgleJacquesNigelCrushSquirtGeraldAustralian Prime MinisterPhilipDarlaBarracudaBlennyAnglerfishSeagullsMoonfishJellyfishWhaleKrillCrabs Finding Dory: JennyCharlieBaileyDestinyHankFluke and RudderGeraldBeckyOttersGiant SquidStan AustraliaGreat Barrier ReefSydney HarbourMarine Life Institute AquaScum 2003Pixar BallPizza Planet truck See Also The Science Behind PixarPixar in a Box v - e - d Disney Tsum Tsum Logo Mickey Mouse & Friends: MickeyMinnieDonaldDaisyGoofyPlutoChip and DaleOswaldOrtensiaDuffyShellieMayGelatoniHuey, Dewey, and LouieJosé CariocaPanchito PistolesClarabelle CowHorace HorsecollarMax GoofClaricePeteScrooge McDuckLudwig Von DrakeDr. FrankenollieJulius Pooh and Pals: PoohTiggerPigletEeyoreRabbitOwlRooKangaGopherChristopher RobinLumpy Lilo & Stitch: StitchLiloScrumpPleakleyJumbaAngelLeroyDr. HämstervielUgly Duckling Silly Symphonies: Donald DuckBig Bad WolfPractical PigFiddler PigFifer PigUgly Duckling Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Snow WhiteEvil QueenDocGrumpyHappyBashfulSneezySleepyDopey Pinocchio: PinocchioJiminy CricketFigaroCleoGepettoBlue FairyHonest John and GideonLampwickMonstro Fantasia: MickeyYen SidChernabogHyacinth HippoBen Ali Gator Dumbo: Dumbo Bambi: BambiThumperMiss BunnyFriend OwlThe Great Prince of the Forest The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad: Mr. Toad Cinderella: CinderellaJaq and GusPrince CharmingFairy GodmotherLady TremaineLuciferSuzyPerlaBruno Lady and the Tramp: LadyTrampSi and AmJockTrustyPeg Sleeping Beauty: AuroraPhillipMaleficentFloraFaunaMerryweatherDiabloSamsonKing StefanGoonOwlRabbit Mary Poppins: Mary PoppinsBertPenguin Waiter • Carousel Horse One Hundred and One Dalmatians: Cruella De VilLuckyPatchRolly The Jungle Book: MowgliBalooBagheeraShere KhanKaaKing LouieHathi, Jr.Raksha Pete's Dragon: Elliott The Fox and the Hound: TodCopper The Aristocats: MarieBerliozToulouseDuchessThomas O'Malley The Rescuers: BernardBianca The Little Mermaid: ArielFlounderSebastianEricUrsulaTritonMaxScuttle Beauty and the Beast: BelleBeastLumièreCogsworthMrs. PottsChipMauricePhilippeGastonLeFou Aladdin: AladdinAbuGenieJasmineJafarSultanIagoRajah The Lion King: SimbaNalaTimonPumbaaZazuRafikiScarEd The Lion Guard: KionOnoBungaBeshteFuli Hercules: HerculesMegaraHades The Emperor's New Groove: KuzcoYzmaKronk Chicken Little: Chicken Little The Princess and the Frog: Dr. Facilier Tangled: RapunzelFlynn RiderPascalMaximusMother GothelQueen AriannaKing FredericCassandra • Fidella • Pub Thug Frozen: AnnaElsaOlafKristoffSvenHansSnowgies Big Hero 6: HiroBaymaxFredWasabiHoney LemonGo Go TomagoTadashi HamadaYokaiMochi Zootopia: Judy HoppsNick WildeMayor LionheartFlashYaxGazelleChief BogoClawhauserFinnickMr. BigBellwetherJerry Jumbeaux Jr. Moana: MoanaMauiPuaHeiheiTamatoaKakamora Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers: ChipDaleGadgetMonterey Jack Phineas and Ferb: Perry Toy Story: WoodyBuzz LightyearHammAlienJessieRexBullseyeStinky PeteLotso A Bug's Life: FlikDotHeimlich Monsters, Inc.: SulleyMikeBooRandallCeliaRozFungusGeorge Sanderson Cars: Lightning McQueenMaterSallyDoc HudsonJackson StormCruz RamirezMackMiss Fritter Finding Nemo: NemoDoryMarlinCrushBruceDestinyBaileyHankDebSquirtNigelGillSheldonPearlDarlaCharlieJenny Ratatouille: RemyLinguini Up: Carl FredricksenDugKevinRussell Inside Out: JoySadnessAngerDisgustFearBing Bong The Good Dinosaur: Arlo Disney Parks Guardians of the Galaxy: Star-LordGamoraRocket RaccoonGrootDrax Marvel's Women of Power: WaspElektraCaptain MarvelShe-HulkSpider-Woman Marvel Icons: DaredevilDoctor StrangeGhost RiderMs. MarvelThanos Star Wars The Muppets KermitMiss PiggyFozzie BearRowlfGonzoAnimalThe Swedish Chef v - e - d Disney Crossy Road Logo Disney Crossy RoadOriginal Soundtrack The Lion King: SimbaNalaShenzi, Banzai and EdOstrichGrubZazuRafikiTimonPumbaaMufasaScar Tangled: RapunzelFlynn RiderStabbington BrothersPug ThugsPascalMaximusMother GothelThe KingCaptain of the Guards Big Hero 6: Hiro HamadaBaymaxRobert CallahaganGo Go TomagoWasabiFredFred's FatherTadashi HamadaCassYamaAlistair Krei The Jungle Book: MowgliKaaBalooAkelaShere KhanColonel HathiKing LouieBandar-Log Monkey Aladdin: AladdinJasmineThe SultanPrince AchmedGazeemRazoulRajahIagoAbuGenieJafarMagic CarpetPink FlamingoBeggar JafarGolden Scarab BeetleMagic LampSnake Charmer Moana: MoanaSinaFrigatebirdChief TuiGramma TalaPuaKakamora ChiefMauiHeiHeiGhost MataiTamatoa Beauty and the Beast: BelleMauriceChip PottsMrs. PottsGastonLeFouFrouFrouChapeauPlumetteBeastCogsworthLumièreThe Enchantress Lilo & Stitch: Lilo PelekaiNani PelekaiDavid KawenaMrs. HasagawaMertle EdmondsStitch Inside Out: JoySadnessAngerDisgustFearBing BongFrank and DaveForgettersJanglesRainbow Unicorn Finding Dory: DoryDebGurglePearlSheldonTadGillBloatSquirtNemoMarlinJacquesBubblesDestinyBaileyGeraldHankCrushMr. Ray The Incredibles: Bob ParrHelen Parr Disney Parks The Haunted Mansion: Professor Phineas PlumpMaidGargoyleCaretaker and DogButlerSally SlaterExecutionerSpiderMadame LeotaRavenConstance Hatchaway
In India, officials however downplayed the comments by the Pakistani minister, maintaining that an Indian diplomat was only accompanying Jadhav's family and it can not be construed as "consular access". He added that media crews will be able to cover the arrival and departure of Jadhav's wife and mother at the ministry and Pakistan has agreed to honor India's request not to allow any media interaction with the visitors, the official added. "This is not their last meeting with him", he said, indicating that Jadhav would not be executed in the near future. Jadhav has been languishing in a Pakistani jail ever since his arrest past year over allegations that he is a spy for the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's premier external intelligence agency. "Everyone knows that Pakistan breeds terrorism". The neighbouring country has not let any stone unturned to promote hatred amongst the citizens of both countries by highlighting the negative side of Jadhav's meeting with his wife and mother. India says Jadhav is a former naval officer but rejects the charges against him as baseless, saying he has no connection with the government. It said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities. The ICJ halted his execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it. "The next hearing in Jadhav's case in the International Court of Justice is scheduled soon". If Bajwa declines, he could then seek a pardon from Pakistan's president. New Delhi blames Islamabad for fuelling a Muslim separatist insurgency in the divided Kashmir region, which remains the primary source of tensions between the nuclear-armed nations. The issue has sparked two of three wars between them. "On the other hand, the way in which it all unfolded was deeply unsatisfactory". Earlier, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammed Faisal tweeted a picture of Jadhav's mother Avanti and his wife seated ahead of the meeting, adding they were "sitting comfortably in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan". "This leaves a question for the world as well as India", she said, as she concluded the video. • Rogelio Becker
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 Crowd Science As throngs of Egyptian protesters gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Noah Shachtman at the Danger Room has a helpful post on accurately estimating the size of a crowd. As he reports, there is an actual science to determining how many people are in a certain spot at a given time, and the results are far more accurate than the "guesstimates" favored by the media. Read the article, look at his number, then compare it to those of the MSM: Here's how it works: Step one: Get an eye in the sky. High-quality overhead imagery can give a pretty accurate sense of how many people are in a given spot below. For the 2009 inauguration, dueling estimators used everything from aerostats to satellites to snap shots of the masses. Step two: Take a sample. Focus in on one small part of the crowd, and get a sense of its density. University of Illinois crowd-guru Clark McPhail figures a person can comfortably stand in five square feet. In tightly-packed situations, each person can squeeze into two-and-a-half square feet. Much more than that, and it’s The Who at Cincinnati, 1979. Step three: Measure the space. Get a sense of the square footage where the gathering is taking place. Tahrir Square is about 490,000 square feet, according to the private intelligence firm STRATFOR. At two-and-a-half-square feet per person — “comparable to the crowd density of a packed subway car” — even 200,000 activists would be pushing it. That figure sounds about right. Maybe there’s a million people protesting in Cairo. But no way could they fit into that single spot. Mr. Shachtman also observes that crowd estimating remains controversial, regardless of the science behind it. The main reason? Event sponsors don't like the totals, particularly if the number of participants is below projected turnout. "Minister"Louis Farrakhan threatened to sue the National Park Service when the agency reported that only 400,000 people showed up for his Million Man March. After that, the Park Service stopped offering public estimates for crowds gathered on federal property. Our guess? Some media totals will be wildly inaccurate, and (to some degree, agenda-driven). Iran's Press TV has claimed that two million people packed the square for today's demonstrations--a physical impossibility--and more than eight million protesters were in the streets across Egypt. The Associated Press puts the number in Tahrir Square at 250,000 (must have read Shachtman's article), while The New York Times pegs the crowd at "hundreds of thousands." Unfortunately, one of the best crowd-estimation tools isn't available for today's protests in Egypt. The USAF Thunderbirds have been doing their own crowd estimates for years; what the pilots observe during their aerial demonstrations (in terms of people on the ground) is extremely close to tallies from other sources, such as the number of tickets sold, or the number of people counted entering the air show venue. But, we're guessing red, white and blue F-16s criss-crossing the Egyptian skies would send the wrong signal. So, we're back to media estimates of crowd size, and take those with a large grain of salt. No comments:
Thursday, March 2, 2017 Cannon and prologue and the art of telling a story A long time ago I wrote this short story about a football player and a Marine who were high school best friends who fell in love but went their separate ways after school. The final word count was around twenty-three thousand words. I wrote the story in five days. The reason I wrote the story was because I'd quit. I was finished. I didn't want to write anymore. I didn't want to deal with publishers anymore. I was gutted and bitter and hurt and angry. I wrote that book as a fuck you to the publisher who'd just stolen pretty much everything from me that was possible to steal. My books, my money, my reputation, my peace of mind. That publisher fucked me over in a way that still haunts me five years later. I wrote that book because I wasn't going to let that fucker have the pleasure of destroying me. Six Ways from Sunday was my first completely independent self published book. It was my third self pub but the first two were previously with a different publisher. Six Ways from Sunday wasn't my biggest selling book ever, but it was something that gave me hope. I could do this. I could write and be independent and have this dream and people would read me. But I was on my own and I had no one to guide me through the process. Mistakes were made. I still make mistakes. The story was never a mistake. Six Ways from Sunday was written in five days. It was supposed to be a stand alone short and I was going to write a few more stand alone shorts with a day of the week in the title and release them as an anthology. Six Ways from Sunday was NEVER supposed to be part of a series. NEVER. There were no characters in the 6Ways to spawn a series for. Just two men. There were no players named. There were no friends. A couple of parents. Some coaches. No one to ever think... what if... about. There were no What If's about anything for a second book. Until Levi Brody sat up in bed and said he was the Brody mentioned in that book and he had shit to talk about. Sidelined was not supposed to be linked to 6Ways in any way shape or form. Hell, Levi wasn't supposed to even be with the New Orleans team. Until he was. And the whys and what ifs started. Why was Levi not getting ready for the season? Why was he injured? Was it just an injury? What if he had a broken heart? I thought maybe he was supposed to be straight and maybe lost his girlfriend and came home to take comfort with an old friend. But Tracy said they weren't friends. Tracy was very emphatic in his dislike of Levi...why did Tracy hate Levi so damned much? Because Levi had the career he wanted? It happens. But no. Because he was a rival? Maybe. Maybe one he'd had a huge thing for and Levi didn't know he existed. But if Levi hated coming back there... why was he back there? He lost his career and had his heart broken. Oh... okay... and oh wait... Bo... Bo broke his heart. It happens in romance all the time. The next book focuses on the jilted potential lover finally finding his/her true love. That was the trope. Yep. Winner winner. So backstory was needed. If he had a thing with Bo, it would have been after... or because of. Because of. Because Bo's story didn't include those months that Dylan was dead then presumed dead. Because Bo's story didn't go into detail on how he survived those months as the first homosexual in a highly homophobic sport. Or how his team treated him. Or how the deeply closeted quarterback reacted to having to face his own worst fears. While developing feelings he could never show. And then losing the first person he gave a shit about. Because the goddamned backstory from that time period would never need to be told. Because those seven months never happened and everyone can get on with their HEA and nothing will ever come of it. Until it does. And it will. Because that's the whole fucking point of Blindsided. Those seven months will come back to fuck everybody in the ass. EVERYBODY! Because Bo and Levi had an illicit affair while playing on the same football team. And because Levi's father is an evil fucking bastard who will ruin everyone to ruin his son. But there's the problem. 6Ways and Sidelined are classic romances. And Blindsided will not be a romance. And then there's Offside Chance and Last Man Standing. And classic romance. And ROMANCE. And HEA and Bo and Levi fucked. And Dylan and Levi hate each other. Because they seriously need to fuck...but that's not cannon. And Blindsided must be rooted in cannon if it is to exist. Cannon in literary terms is that what has happened on the page is real, that what is not on the page is not real. It has to be written in official published form to be cannon. Short stories and ficlets and conversations on a blog or in notes during a brain storming session does not cannon make. It must be where the reader can easily access the information... to be cannon. Past is prologue. God, I loathe prologues. Especially in contemporary romance. Start at the damned beginning, but if the beginning was years ago that's backstory. Prologues to relay backstory are tedious. I don't give a crap what other people think. I loathe them. I loathe reading them. I barely like epilogues. Epilogues are future... and fill the void...and more importantly put a punctuation mark in any future sequels. If I don't want to write a sequel... and I hate writing sequels... I epilogue. If I might write a sequel...and I hate writing sequels...I can always work around an epilogue...because it's future. Sidelined started at the epilogue of 6Ways. They are concurrent. Last Man Standing runs concurrent with the beginning of Blindsided. If you're looking for answers to the epilogue of Bootleg Diva, read LMS. If you're looking for hints about LMS. But the problem with Blindsided is that I wrote half of a book that was supposed to end the series, but ended up telling the entire backstory of those missing seven months. And I cancelled that book because I thought I didn't need it. I thought I would never finish it. Because the second half would be the months after Dylan came home through to the end of Blindsided...which is still unfinished...and it's unfinished because I need that goddamned backstory to finish this story or...there's no reason for Blindsided at all. I could simply write a short story where Levi and Jude confront their father and they live happily ever after....but I left so much unanswered. So many small dangling details woven throughout the middle books that have nothing whatsoever to do with Bo and Dylan...and everything to do with Bo and Levi and those seven months Dylan was dead. So what does one do when the need to write a ton of backstory overshadows a project to the point one will just be writing backstory to explain why Bo and Levi have a sex tape...because it won't make any damned sense to have one go public to ruin Bo if I never wrote about the time Bo and Levi accidentally made a sex tape...or when Bo met Liv. Or when Levi helped him buy his house. So when Jude realizes Bo bought his house from Jude it won't be funny to anyone but me. None of that is cannon. And I don't want to write a two hundred thousand word book just to cover flashbacks and shit when I already have all of this written in half a book that will never be published. But what if I publish it? What if I change the title, because the first half has nothing to do with Sunday going to school. And it is a complete retelling of the first book and dear god what have I done? How did one stupid little five day hastily thrown together sex story become so fucking complicated? Because it's me and that's how I roll. Did you skip Bootleg Diva because it's not part of the story? Did you skip Last Man Standing because they're not the original characters and you have no idea why they're there? Did you hate my guts and swear to never read another word because Levi fucked up Bo's HEA? Why the hell is Levi the damned Mary Stu of my life? Why can't I kill him to end my misery? Any Given Sunday is not going to make a lot of people happy. I retold Six Ways from Sunday. From the day they met at age seven. Until Dylan is resurrected. There are sex scenes with other men. This is not a romance. It is the parts between what already exists in 6Ways. It's the parts that weren't mentioned between the day Bo finds out Dylan is dead and the day he finds out he's alive. It's all of the flashbacks from Sidelined. And some of Bootleg Diva is thrown in for good measure...or rather, the parts of Levi's memoir that Bo is aware of. Which means Liv. Because Bo is the only one of the seven characters who knows the real Levi. That includes Tracy. And Liv isn't the real Levi. So...if it is published it is cannon. I need it to be published so I can finish Blindsided. It is not a romance. It is graphic and destroys everything you thought you knew. But it never swerves from what is cannon. It is all there, in Six Ways from Sunday and Sidelined. Every bit of it. I'm not going to write a blurb. Only a warning. It will be listed as a companion book. You'll be lost without reading it. But if you skip it, that means you skipped Sidelined. So Blindsided won't matter because it's Levi's ending. Will I finish what I started in what was formerly titled Sunday Schooled and give Bo and Dylan their ending? We'll see how badly Blindsided kills me. And what pieces need to be picked up. If any, then it will come behind Blindsided. When will Blindsided be published????????? Not a damned clue. After it's finished. It's barely started. So... there we are. I start edits for Any Given Sunday tonight. Cover is in the works. I'll set a date when the first edit is finished and the art is approved. Cold Shadow will follow two weeks later. But that's a completely different story altogether. 1. I just...lotta feels. I'm in awe of what you do. I trust you to tell the stories that need to be told and I don't care about genre or hea. I like honesty and I like characters who struggle. We all struggle. Not everyone gets a hea. I've never hated you or your work. It speaks to me. Thank you for doing what you do. 2. Hi Mercy, I have read all these interconnected books, and I am really looking forward to this companion book. I love that your characters are so complex and the plots are so interwoven and frenetic. You have an amazingly individual style and I am hanging for this book. Cheers, Linda 3. Any fan of the “Summer Scrimmage” series who hasn’t read “Bootleg Diva” has missed out on an indescribable amount of backstory on Levi, Jude, Bo, Levi's and Jude’s traumatic childhood and complex relationship, Levi’s high school and college football careers, and very importantly, the intriguing and fascinating origins of “Livy St. Cinq.” You absolutely can’t fully appreciate or understand Livy or Levi without knowing Livy’s story. (And “Livy St. Cinq” should go down as one of the truly most original and clever character names in the entire “romance” genre — M/M, M/M/M, M/F, M/F/M, F/F … ALL of them. Period. I bought “Bootleg Diva” (another great name — Mercy has a brilliant knack for clever, appropriate titles!) as soon as it came out. (I’m not a Kindle Unlimited member.) I’d just finished reading “Six Ways” and “Sidelined,” and I was much more excited about learning more about Levi than I was in the blurb for “Offside Chance.” I absolutely love “Diva,” although not as much as “Sidelined.” “Diva” even persuaded me to finally buy “Offside.” (So, Mercy, a bonus sale there!) I’m thrilled to see that, as of today, “Diva” has a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating on Amazon, with 53 reviews — the highest rated book in the series, and one of the highest-rated of the 200+ M/M Kindle books I’ve read! So obviously, those who read it appreciated it. It’s lowest rating is a 3.0, and there are only 2 of those. The only criticisms they have basically say only, “not what I expected. No HEA,” etc. But they also say it’s well written and that the series should definitely be continued. BTW, Mercy, I think “canon” is the word you want, not “cannon.” According to the dictionary, one of the senses of “canon” is: “ • a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine: the formation of the biblical canon. Finally, Mercy has no control over this, but the software for this blog doesn’t date the author’s posts, at least not that I can find. It just shows the time of the post. But it does date the comments. How odd. Write on, Mercy! 4. Wow 😳 blindsided ..... is that what I am feeling now? After reading your thought process I'm a bit worried (not overly but a tad bit), wondering what in the world will happen at the end of this series. You are a great writer so I'm glad you decided to self publish. I've read almost every book other than double coverage and the super natural one and you haven't failed this reader. Just keep us up to date on when it will be published. Keep writing, readaholics need great authors to continue to publish
Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Salaam all, FawaqaAAa alhaqqu wabatala ma kanoo yaAAmaloona The aya says: So, the binding prevailed and became null what they used to do. My personal note: The term WAQaAAa carries the meaning of fell or fell in place and but it also carries the expression of prevailing and taking effect and exposing the false. This is the rule of life is when the truth is simply present and clear it will defeat any falsehood and that is the case of Moses upon him be peace and the magicians. Translation of the transliterated words: FawaqaAAa: so fell/ took effect/ prevailed Note: FA means then or therefore or so. WAQaAAa is derived from the root W-Qaf-Ain and it means one entity falling on another, mainly things falling on the ground and causing a sound or effect. It is often used for the raining hitting the ground. Conceptually, it is used for falling and also for taking effect or making an effect on another entity. WAQaAAa is an action that is completed. It means: the action of taking effect or falling happened by the subject (ALHAQQU= the binding right/ the truth) alhaqqu: the binding truth/ the binding right Note: ALHAQQA is derived from the root Ha-Qaf-Qaf and it means binding right where right means correct as well s what is due to one person (rights and obligations). ALHAQQ is binding right or binding truth or just right as the context suggests here. Wabatala: and failed/ and became obsolete Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. BATALA is derived from the root B-TTa-L and it means null or void or naught. BATALA is an action that is completed. It means: the action of becoming null and void happened by the subject (Ma =what) Ma: what Kanoo: they happened to be/ they were Note: the root is K-W-N and it means being. KANOO is an action that is completed that is derived from the root. It means: the action of being happened by the subject (third personal plural). This in turn means: they were or they happened to be yaAAmaloona: they do/ to do Note: the root is Ain-M-L and it means doing or work. YaAAaMALOONA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of doing or making is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person plural). The combination of KANOO YaAAMALOON gives the impression of this: they happened to be doing or they happened to do. Salaam all and have a great day. No comments:
Saviors Of Earth The Unification Epicenter of True Lightworkers Human origin, Universal history, Annunaki Plan, Human Plan - Part 1 - Chris Thomas, April 2013 An Update On Our Evolution by Chris Thomas © Chris Thomas 2013 – (2) 20 April 2013 The Situation Post 21/12/12 1 New World Order? 1 Agenda 21 2 Lack of Completions 3 Science 4 Gravity 5 Human Origins 7 Human Migration & Development 8 Lake Huron 9 Who Is Behind It? 11 Population Control 12 Wars 12 Medical Treatment 12 The Velon 14 The Annunaki Plan 14 The Annunaki Fantasy Story 15 The Real Annunaki Story 19 Universal History 21 Earth Development 23 The Development of Human Life 24 Atlantis 25 The Destruction of Atlantis 27 The Human Plan 28 Some Propaganda 29 Wi-Fi 31 Channelled Information 33 What Can Be Done? 34 The Giveaway 35 Bodily Changes 36 The Way Forwards 36 Footnotes 37 Bibliography 38 Books & Recordings List 39 1. The reason for so few people undergoing soul re-integration is as a result of human lack of belief in themselves. I am not going to explore this aspect in full as this will be the subject of a future essay. It is this second situation that I would mainly like to explore in this essay and in doing so will highlight many of the reasons for the seeming “failure” of so many to re-integrate. New World Order? This is a term that has been used by most leading politicians, as well as many others, in recent years. However, not everybody is familiar with the term and certainly not with its implications. Think of Aldous Huxley's novel “1984” and that will give you some idea of what the term “New World Order” means. Essentially, the plan is to create a one world government, a one world bank and a one world police force. A central government that rules the world and enforces its policies with a police force under its direct control. Is this a bad thing? Well think about the governments we currently have. Are they honest? Do they carry out “the will of the people”? Do they treat all of their citizens equally? Most people would answer no to all of those questions. Imagine all of the political corruption there would be if there was only one world government if you were a part of, or favoured by, that government, you would be allowed to get away with virtually anything. If you were not favoured by the government, you would be made to suffer or even be imprisoned. There are far too many examples of these kinds of behaviour in the world today by individual governments. The only thing that holds back their, sometimes, extreme behaviour is the reactions of other individual governments. Without those individual governments expressing their views, the one world government could do as it pleases without hindrance. But would this one world government actually be there to carry out the wishes of the electorate or would it be under the control of what has become known as “the industrial/military complex”? At the time of writing, a bill is passing through the American government that has been written by the GMO company Monsanto. Known as the Monsanto Protection Act, it gives the company total immunity from all health and environmental controls that are currently in place in America. Monsanto are looking to be able to plant any genetically modified organism (GMO) anywhere it chooses on American soil with total immunity from any current or future environmental law. At the time of writing, “Monsanto's Law” has been passed by the American Congress and is headed towards the American Senate where it is anticipated it will pass without change. Then we have the situation in Guantanamo Bay prison. Both President GW Bush and President Obama have granted pardons to more than half of the prisoners held at Guantanamo as they have been proven to have no connections to any terrorist organisations. The Presidential Orders further state that the prisoners who have been granted pardons be repatriated to their home countries. The military controllers of Guantanamo have ignored both Presidents, locked down the prison and refused access to the prisoner?s legal representatives and stopped commercial flights into the area. The prisoners have responded by going on hunger strike and this hunger strike has had a news blackout as it has not been reported in the western media. We have all seen the recent banking situation in Cyprus. Due to EU and government policies, the banking system in Cyprus is in a state of dire collapse. The European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund have stepped in with a rescue package of measures. The first thing they did was to reduce the level of state benefits to pensioners, the disabled etc by twenty percent and halt the spending on government projects. They then close the banks, preventing people from accessing their own money. They insist on a one -off tax of ten percent of all the money individuals hold in their bank deposit accounts. When this causes riots, they modify this tax to taking ten percent, but could be up to eighty per cent, of the accounts that hold more than one hundred thousand Euros. The Bank of Cyprus collapses because of the activities of the European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Cyprus government and who pays the price for it? Ordinary people who have tried to generate some savings against a rainy day. Most people now see this as the model for future bank bailouts. We have already had situations where governments gave the banks many millions of tax payer?s money but next time the banks deliberately mess up the economy, they will plunder our savings accounts. At the time of writing, I have heard strong rumours that the Canadian government is looking to pass a law that gives them the powers to act in the same way as the Cyprus government is acting when future problems arise in the banks in Canada. Imagine how safe your savings would be if there was only a one world bank? Would the people of the world have a fair voice under a one world government? It would seem to be extremely unlikely. So what mechanisms are being used to bring about a one world government – the NWO? Agenda 21 Here’s a recent news item: “On February 27th [2013], the European Commission published a document announcing it will take on itself a “lead role” in global environmental governance through “a unified policy framework” – in effect aligning itself with Agenda 21. In the thirty page document titled “A Decent Life For All” the EC says it aspires to a “leading role” in an “overarching framework” towards global governance. ...” Agenda 21 is part of a much larger document that was agreed and signed into law in something over one hundred countries. Agenda 21 arose from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The agreements forged at the summit include the Biodiversity Treaty and Agenda 21. The Biodiversity Treaty seeks to prevent the further loss of species from the planet and to halt the current rate of plant and animal extinctions. Agenda 21 deals with people and environmental matters on a much larger scale than the Biodiversity Treaty. It is called “Agenda 21” because its requirements are to fully implemented before the year 2100. The two main requirements of Agenda 21 are: Jacques Cousteau, who was at the UNCED conference: “In order to stabilise world population, we must eliminate 350,000 people per day.” Written into Agenda 21 is the requirement that “the world's population be reduced to a manageable 500 million”. When you bear in mind that the official global population at the end of 2012 was 7,000,000,000 (seven billion), Jacques Cousteau’s figures look a little light. In addition the main proposal for achieving the target of returning fifty percent of the land to wildlife is to remove people off the land and force them to move into cities. This process has already begun in some countries. This is achieved by removing government financial support to rural towns and villages and closing off local access to motorways and free-ways. The local economy collapses and people are forced to move away from their homes and into larger towns and cities for work. Once the small town or village is empty, it is demolished to prevent anyone from returning and living there. This is already happening in some countries. Given these actions and the stated aim of reducing the global population to “a manageable 500 million”, it is not so much Huxley's 1984 but the nineteen fifty's Charlton Heston movie “Soylent Green”. The plans of The New World Order and Agenda 21 have been in place for more than twenty years and yet, until recently, very few people were aware of these plans or of their implications. There are two reasons for this: 1. The media is complicit in a cover - up. 2. Most people don’t want to think about it. After all, if they thought about it, they would have to do something. We will return to the media later. But let us take a look at the second reason. Lack of Completions At the end of 2012, many people were baffled as to why they had not undergone soul re-integration: after all, they said they were ready and they wanted to do it so why didn't they? The answer is to do with how we see our world and our place within it – the “mindset” we adopt to undergo our everyday lives. We, in the west, have become brain washed into believing that our lifestyles are the best there are and that this western lifestyle should be adopted by the non-western world. But if we go to the Akashic and look at the percentages of people who were actually ready to undergo soul re-integration, as opposed to those who said they were ready, we find a very different picture. In the west, an average of sixty percent of the population claimed to have been ready whereas on the day, that figure, in some western countries, was actually about one percent. In most non-western countries, the percentage of those who were actually ready to undergo soul re-integration was as high as ninety eight percent. (Only about five hundred thousand people actually completed re-integration on the day and these were all from non-western countries. The reason for so small a number in the non-western countries is because those people adhered to the collective decision to undergo re-integration en masse. That is, we all re-integrated together – both western and non- western people at the same time.) The problem with western countries is that we do not see the larger picture. We have become bogged down in our technological lifestyles to the point where we cannot even sense the energy patterns that those of the non-western countries see as a part of their everyday lives. We have become brainwashed into ways of thinking and acting that remove us away from the natural patterns of life and so we have a problem in properly understanding ourselves let alone the cycles of the Earth. What we need to do, to achieve our part of the re-integration agreement, is to alter the way in which we think. As Einstein put it: “The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.” In other words; in order to achieve our goal of soul re-integration, we must begin to think on a different level. If we had achieved mass soul re-integration, the plans and schemes of the New World Order and their Agenda 21 would have been stopped in its tracks as we would have risen above their mind control and political engineering. So how do we start to think on a different level? The first step is to realise that we have been brainwashed. Once we begin to realise that, we can then begin to investigate the reasons why we think in the way in which we do and begin to undo much of the brainwashing and move onto a new level of thought. An Update On Our Evolution Page 2 © Chris Thomas 2013 – (2) Science One of the main regions of our lives where we have been deliberately misled is with science. In many respects, the world, and its place within this Universe, is too large a topic for us to consider especially when we have the day to day running of our lives to take care of. Quantum physics is not the usual topic of conversation in the pub. So we rely on those who have set themselves up as experts and we listen to what they have to say. The thing to bear in mind about scientists is that they have their own biases and agendas. For example: In the Victorian era (when most of our current scientific thinking was set in stone) most scientists believed absolutely that if a woman attempted to solve problems in higher mathematics, her brain would explode – I kid you not. The problem with science is that it operates on two main levels: there is the public face of science and then there is the reality of the control that science is under and rigorously imposes upon itself. “It is intriguing to note that the views of scientists like Tardieu, Stern and Susman, though appearing in scientific journals, are rarely encountered in popular presentations or general textbooks. This points to the existence of a pattern of knowledge filtration in the scientific community that tends, consciously or unconsciously, to suppress information that would complicate the relatively simple picture of human evolution presented to the public in general and to students at all levels of the educational system...” [1] I have spent about 35 years actively researching within the Akashic trying to find the truth about human history but I have spent more years than that investigating science, in all of its fields. The main conclusion I have reached from all of the scientific literature I have read is that science is following an agenda. The public face of science is that which somebody wants us to see and that there are fundamental flaws in even the everyday science we are taught at schools. These flaws and untruths become perpetuated, even by scientists, and so it can be difficult to arrive at an actual truth. The other problem with science is that there is very little proof of anything – all there are is theories. The amount of scientific theory that can be proven could be written on the back of an envelope. Despite this lack of proof, the scientific community proclaims its supposed knowledge with great confidence and arrogance and , unless we research these claims for ourselves, we have no method by which we can counter these scientific claims; we tend to accept them and move on. When I have given talks about the information within the Akashic, there is usually one moron in the audience who asks in a very supercilious fashion: “Is there any scientific proof for what you are saying?” The answer is: Is there any proof of science? To give an example of what I mean. Let us look at one of the most fundamental theories that scientists claim is absolute – gravity. Gravity We all know the story of gravity: Sir Isaac Newton was sitting in his garden one day in the 17 Century when an apple fell on his head. “Ouch, tis gravity”, said Newton. Well that?s not exactly an accurate picture of how Newton theorised about gravity but it is how most school children like to think about it. What Newton actually theorised was that the gravitational pull of any two objects is: “Proportional to the mass of each and varies inversely as the square of the distance between them.” In other words, all objects, including people, generate a gravitational pull on each other that reduces the further apart those objects or people are. The Earth exerts a gravitational pull on the apple and, in return, the apple exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth. But, as the Earth has a far larger mass than the apple, the apple falls towards the Earth. In return,the apple also pulls the Earth towards it but only by an infinitesimal amount. This theory of how gravity works, and what it is, has predominated science for four hundred years. Many scientists are now moving away from this concept of gravity and are beginning to realise that the Universe is not held together by gravity but by electro-magnetic forces. Many cosmologists now actually see these electro-magnetic forces as the 5th dimension – time being the 4th dimension. (Note: this is not the 5th dimension that Velon controlled channelled messages have been trying to fool us into believing. The Velon version of the 5th dimension doesn?t exist anywhere or anywhen.) To understand why electro-magnetic forces are stronger than gravity, here's an experiment you can try at home. For this experiment you will need a child's magnet (it doesn't matter if it is a bar magnet or a horseshoe magnet), a household nail and a flat surface. Place the nail on the flat surface and take the magnet into your hand. From a point directly above the nail, bring the hand holding the magnet slowly down towards the nail. When you are within 2 to 3 centimetres off the nail, it will suddenly leap from the surface and on to the magnet. What this shows is that the magnetic force is powerful enough to lift the mass of the nail off the surface a few centimetres without touching it. It also shows that your child's magnet is powerful enough to overcome the Earth's gravitational pull on the nail. It is also worth noting that if you lift the nail off the surface with your hand, you can lift it easily. In comparison, it is far more difficult to lift the nail from the magnet. Another example of why gravity does not exist is to do with the moon. Through popular science, we know that the moon is held in its orbit by the Earth's gravitational pull. In turn, the moon exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth resulting in variations in tidal patterns in the sea (most women are also affected by the moon's cycles). When NASA (North American Space Agency) was blasting astronauts into orbit above the Earth's atmosphere, the astronauts entered a field of zero gravity. When the international space station was in orbit, the scientists claimed that they wanted to carry out experiments that could not be carried out on the Earth's surface as they needed to be carried out in zero gravity. If the moon was held in place by the Earth's gravitational field, the astronauts would not be in zero gravity until they were in an orbit beyond the moon. In other words, the moon is not held in place by gravity. So what does hold the moon in its orbit around the Earth? How does the moon affect the tides? Or for that matter, what holds the Earth and the other planets of the solar system in orbit around the sun? Or the solar system in orbit around the galaxy? Or the galaxy in its place in the Universe? Electro-magnetic energies. Or at least, that is the scientific name for the forces involved. Another name for electro-magnetic forces would be consciousness. In recent years, many, many cosmologists have begun to think of the Universe as conscious. This new explanation has arisen from experiments in quantum physics where the way in which the experimenter thinks the experiment is going to turn out determines the actual result. For the Universe to exist there must have been some kind of conscious thought that brought it into being. Not all cosmologists are happy with this concept as it brings it too close to religious beliefs in God. But many are and their numbers are growing. So why does the adherence to Newton's 400 year old theory of gravity persist? Currently, the mainstream scientific view is that somewhere between 13 and 14 billion years ago there was a “Big Bang”. This Big Bang came out of nowhere, it was a spontaneous act derived from a single point in space (a “singularity”). As this Big Bang expanded, it somehow generated all of the energy and all of the matter (solid material) that makes up our Universe. As the Big Bang continued to expand, the density of the matter began to form gravity and it is the gravitational pull of this matter that limits the size of our Universe – too much gravity and the Universe would have collapsed before it began; too little gravity and it would have continued to expand outwards indefinitely without forming the Universe – it had to be the exact amount of gravity at exactly the right time and exactly in the right place for the Universe to form. But then scientist began to use telescopes and began to map the galaxies that are contained within our Universe. They realised that there were an insufficient number of galaxies, and other massive objects, in the Universe to satisfy the requirements of their gravitational model. So they sat down and came up with the idea of Cold Dark Matter (CDM). CDM cannot be seen nor can it be measured nor can it be weighed, it only theoretically exists in theoretical quantities. But even with their theorising, and the calculations they carried out to arrive at a collective mass for CDM, they could not find enough of it. Then they came up with the idea of Cold Dark Energy (CDE). Again, CDE cannot be seen nor can it be measured nor can it be weighed, it only theoretically exists in theoretical quantities. In order for this “Double Dark” theory to work, there must be a fundamental particle that converts CDE into CDM. This particle was theorised by a Scottish scientist called Peter Higgs and has become known as the “Higgs boson” (there are also WIMPS – Weakly Interacting Mass Particles; and MACHOS – Massive Compact Halo Objects). What the Higgs boson is supposed to do is travel around the Universe and, when it happens to collide with some theoretical CDE it magically converts it to theoretical CDM generating an extra lump of theoretical mass. Trillions of dollars and have been spent on building larger and larger particle colliders, and millions per year in running costs, in an attempt to track down this theoretical particle that makes Big Bang and gravity theory work. In 2012, there was a big fuss made that the Hadron Collider at Cern, on the Swiss French border, had finally tracked down a Higgs boson. Everyone cheered until the scientists at Cern realised that they didn't have a Higgs boson at all: it was just yet another sub-atomic particle. Many, many scientists believe that the Big Bang did not happen, that gravity does not exist and that the Higgs boson does not exist: Summing up all of these theoretical particles and interactions as DUNNOS – Dark Unknown Non-detectable Objects Somewhere. A group of these scientists held a conference in New York in 2004 and made a press release (this press release was not widely published as the statement went against the prevailing view): “Big Bang Theory relies on a growing number of...things we have never observed. Inflation, dark matter and dark energy are the most prominent. Without them there would be fatal contradictions between the observations...and the predictions... In no other field of physics would this continual recourse to new hypothetical objects be accepted...what?s more, the Big Bang Theory can boast of no qualitative predictions that have subsequently been validated by observation...” So why does the Big Bang theory and the theory of gravity persist? Here?s a clue: One of the chief proponents of Big Bang and Double Dark theory is Dr Joel Primack. In 2008, he and a colleague, Dr Nancy Adams, undertook a world tour giving lectures at institutes in a number of countries. In these lectures, Drs Primack and Adams proposed an interesting suggestion. [2] Their lectures begin with a very inaccurate story of the beliefs of ancient Egyptians. Essentially they claimed that the ancient Egyptians had religious beliefs based on their understanding of cosmology – the stars they could see in the heavens. The Egyptian belief structure maintained that as long as the people continued to believe in the gods of the cosmos and how they held up the heavens, the skies and stars would stay in their place. If the people stopped believing in their gods of the cosmos, the sky would fall and crush everyone to death. Virtually none of that is true but Primack and Adams used it as a prelude to their proposals that modern man should bring about a new religion, using the ancient Egyptian as a model, where the central tenets of this cosmology and anthropology-based religion should be based on the Big Bang theory and Double Dark theory; presumably with cosmologists like Primack and Adams as its “high priests”. During the presentation of the three lectures that I have seen, they blatantly use symbolism connected to Freemasonry. They further go on to propose that this new cosmologically-based religion form a fundamental part of “the New World Order”. Horror is the best word I can think of to describe my reaction to Primack and Adams? lectures. *** But gravity is not the only scientific theory that requires that we totally change the way we think about, not only science, but ourselves. Human Origins Huge amounts of material have been written about our origins. If you visit any natural history museum anywhere in the world, you will encounter the same story usually in 3D with voice-overs or set displays using hairy models. The popular scientific version is this: Sometime about 3.5million years ago, an ape descended from the African trees and began to walk upright. As these apes began to spend more and more time on the ground, they became less and less ape-like and more and more human-like. The first set of fossils to be found was of an early human (non-ape) who has become known as “Lucy” and that similar fossils to Lucy's indicate “The First Family”. When these fossils came to light in the early 1970s, there was a great deal of celebration that the first humans had been found in Africa. In the 1980?s scientists proved that Lucy and The First Family were not of a human lineage and it all went quiet in the field of serious science but it remains as the accepted story in popular science. Here is the story of Lucy and The First Family. [3] Both Lucy and The First Family have been given the scientific name of: Australopithecus Afarensis (this name means: Australo – southern. Pithecus–ape. Afarensis – the region of Ethiopia where the fossils were found.) The first finds were in 1973 in the Ethiopian region of Afar, near to the city of Hadar. These finds were of a partial thigh bone (femur) and a partial shin bone (tibia). Both were lying near to each other on the surface. It was assumed that both bones belonged to the same individual but nobody knows for certain as the bones are fossilised therefore DNA cannot be extracted. The finder was Dr Donald Johanson. The two bones became known as the Hadar Knee and designated as AL 129. The knee joint is what is known as a valgus knee – this is where the top of the femur, where it joins the hip, is outside of the line of the knee. In African apes, the femur rises straight from the knee to the hip. Johanson claimed that this angle of joint (15 degrees) proves that it must have been human or, at least, a transitionery phase between apes and humans. However, no adult human has a joint angle this great; the average human joint angle is 9 degrees. The extreme angle of the joint could be explained if the bones of the joint came from different individuals. Dr Johanson either did not know, or chose to ignore, the fact that both orang-utans and spider monkeys have valgus knees. Analysis of the joint by many leading anthropologists and paleoanthropologists (Tardieu, Stern and Suzman plus many others) in the late 1970's and early 1980?s all conclude that this knee joint was more closely associated with an early form of orang-utan rather than an early human. In 1974, Johanson returned to Hadar and found a number of bones from what was assumed to be the same skeleton in a gully. This skeleton became known as “Lucy”. A combination of potassium-argon, fission track and paleomagnetic dating techniques were used on them and Johanson determined that Lucy was 3.5 million years old. In 1975, Dr Johanson went back to Hadar and found the fossil remains of 13 hominids, men women and children, of the same age as the bones of Lucy. The collection of skeletal remains Johanson called “The First Family”. Very detailed analysis of these skeletons by a number of leading anthropologists during the late 70?s and early 80?s (but also ongoing) all conclude that both Lucy and The First Family were not the remains of early humans but were of a type of early orang-utan that climbed trees and walked along the branches. The reconstruction of one of the skulls found as part of The First Family gave very gorilla-like characteristics that were very similar to Australopithecus africanus. The conclusion of the scientists involved was that neither Lucy nor The First Family were part of the human (Homo) lineage but were Australopithecines – a group of monkey-like creatures. Only Johanson claims that Lucy and The First Family are Hominids (early humans) but he is supported by the scientific mainstream as it goes along with the view they want to present. However, not all scientists agree with this view. In science, it is all in the name. All branches of science have a committee that determines the categories by which a new “find” is listed. If Lucy and The First Family were considered to be the first of the human lineage, then the name they would have been allocated would have been “Ethiopian M or “Hadar Man” in the same way as Neanderthal Man (found in the Neanderthal Valley in Germany) or Peking Man (found near to Peking in China). Then they would have been granted a scientific name beginning with the Latin translation of the word man – Homo – as in Homo Erectus (Upright Man) or Homo Habilis (Handy Man). Johanson did apply for Lucy and The First Family to be given a “Homo” classification but his application was denied and the classification of Australopithecus Afarensis stands. In other words, Lucy and The First Family are considered to be not the first humans but Australopithecines – early forms of apes whose closest descendents are orang-utan. And yet the myth persists, in the popular science as presented to the public, that Lucy and The First Family were our ancestors and they originated in Africa. Given that the scientific world does not believe that these fossils are of our ancestors, why did the BBC TV show a documentary in 2012 claiming that Dr Johanson's views were correct? The answer is that there is a need to prove that humans originate in Africa. An Update On Our Evolution - Page 3 © Chris Thomas 2013 – (2) Human Development & Migration Why is there a need to prove that humans first developed in Africa? We will come onto that later. In the meantime, let us look at an other popular myth about human development. The accepted popular scientific view is that human life developed in Africa sometime around three and a half million years ago. The region of Africa where humans began is rarely specified, just speculated upon. About two and a half million years ago, some of these early humans (probably Homo Erectus although the actual existence of Homo Erectus as a distinct evolutionary step is greatly doubted by paleoanthropologists) migrated from Africa and spread out across the globe, particularly into Europe and Asia where they became Neanderthal Man and Peking Man. Sometime around one hundred thousand years ago, there was a second wave of migrations out of Africa, this time the migrants being Cro-Magnon Man (also known as Homo Sapien) who also spread out across Europe and Asia where peoples from both migrations apparently lived in harmony – or not as the case may be as it is dependent on speculation rather than any facts. Then about thirteen thousand years ago – at the peak of the last ice age – there was a further migration north and east where Cro-Magnon Man traversed the ice bridge between Russia and Alaska gradually making their way all the way down to South America somewhere about eleven thousand years ago. Except; the proof is against this theory as is the common sense. Regardless of any evidence, think about that situation for a minute. You are living in your nice warm cave where you know your local surroundings – all of the water holes and rivers and all of the game trails are well known to you. You know where and when to pick plants, nuts and berries. Why would you take it into your head to leave your home and travel many thousands of miles into totally unknown territory especially as you would have to fight blizzards and climb glaciers several miles high? Not only that, you would have to endure temperatures many degrees below freezing, no food sources, no water sources, no heat sources, not even trees for firewood and no shelter. Even if you did have some idea of where you were headed, it would still be an unbelievably risky and foolhardy trip to take especially as the end destination was totally unknown to you. Even animals, who are meant to have a lower level of intelligence to humans, do not undertake journeys of that nature – theyknow better. So what evidence is there to show that the accepted version is incorrect? A great deal and virtually all of it is deliberately hidden away so that it does not become public knowledge. Here is one example from the many I could have included. Lake Huron (one of the American/Canadian Great Lakes) Between 1951 and 1955 an anthropologist at the National Museum of Canada, Thomas E Lee, excavated a site known as Sheguiandah on Manitoulin Island in northern Lake Huron where he found a number of flint and stone tools that had obviously been worked by man [4]. The area of The Great Lakes is thought to have undergone a series of glaciations between 10,000 and 70,000 years ago. The stone artefacts that Lee found were in several of the stratified layers, from just below the surface (the most recent deposits); within the glacial till (middle date deposits) as well as under the first layer of glacial till (the oldest deposits). In his excavations, Lee used the “best practice” techniques recommended by anthropology at the time. Not only did he excavate extremely carefully, recording in minute detail every find in every layer, he called on a number of experts in different fields, particularly geology, to confirm his findings and their dates. The oldest artefacts were dated at being around 150,000 years old. This date being agreed by all of the expert scientists involved. However, it was known that dating artefacts in this range would cause considerable difficulties as the scientific consensus view was that no artefact in North America could be older than 12,000 years. To try and mollify the scientific world, Lee?s team put a date of “at least” 30,000 years old in their final report. The response from the “powers that be” in science was immediate. The head of the University of Canada was instructed to sack Lee. When the head refused, he was himself sacked. Lee's original papers were not published at the time as no scientific journal would publish them. The artefacts found on the site were confiscated and then disappeared. Lee refused to leave the university and was only allowed to do menial jobs for the next eight years whilst he struggled against the scientific world to get his findings published. He eventually resigned and set up his own scientific journal where he published his findings (Anthropological Journal of Canada). His publication was ostracised by the scientific community and everything written by Lee was ignored or pilloried. The Sheguiandah site was shut down and nobody else was allowed to visit it. Whilst a very few references to the site appear in scientific literature, those that do claim it can be no more then 12,000 years old. All of the painstaking work by Lee's team is ignored in order to satisfy the belief that N America was not colonised before the end of the last Ice Age: 12,000 years ago. But the treatment of Lee is far from unique. Many, many scientists, archaeologists, anthropologists and paleoanthropologists have found their research and findings removed from the scientific records and their careers brought to a premature halt no matter what their reputation was before they dared to try to publish any material that differed from the main stream scientific view. There are a large number of archaeological finds in Canada, North America and Mexico that show human activities (the shaping of stool tools) has been carried out for at least 250,000 years. All of these finds have been deliberately “lost” and the records of the paleoanthropologists suppressed and their reputations and careers shot to ribbons. Some of the most significant finds are buried so deep that they are never discussed. But one fact stands out most of all: the remains and other evidence of the existence of Cro-Magnon Man (Homo Sapien) living on Earth about 3.5 million years ago is to be found on every continent. In other words, humans did not originate in Africa but world-wide and at the same time. “...we conclude that the total evidence, including fossil bones and artefacts, is most consistent with the view that anatomically modern humans have coexisted with other primates for tens of millions of years.” [5] Not only is there overwhelming evidence that “modern man” lived on every continent the evidence that they were extremely advanced is also overwhelming. By advanced I mean that some of their understanding of the world and the stars were in advance of our own current understanding of these matters. I have covered some of these scientific findings in my previous books, especially “The Human Soul” and “Project Human Extinction” and so will only briefly mention some of the findings here. Objects that archaeologists identified as “glass table ornaments” found in ancient Sumeria and dated to at least 5,000 years old turned out to be optical lenses that are so advanced that the design of these lenses is more advanced than current lens design. The Sumerian lenses contain “pockets” in the glass that can be filled with various gases that means that the focal length can be altered to suit virtually any focus requirements. These lenses can be used both as microscopes and telescopes just by altering the gas pressure inside the lens “pockets”. An engineer called Professor Alexander Thom surveyed many hundreds of stone circles and stone monuments in Britain, Ireland and Europe during the 1950?s and 1960?s. His surveys were accurate to tolerances of less than one millimetre. From his surveys, Prof. Thom concluded that the people who had built the circles and monuments used Pythagorean geometry to construct them and used a standard means of measurement called the “megalithic yard”. Prof. Thom also realised that the stone circles and monuments were aligned to either stars or sun rise/sun set at critical times of the year and so was the inventor of Archaeo-astronomy. The problem is that the Celtic peoples who built these stone circles and monuments did so at least two thousand years before Pythagoras was born. Prof. Thom's findings did not make him popular amongst either archaeologists or scientists as he proved beyond doubt that people of the ancient world were considerably more advanced than anyone wanted to consider and so his work was ignored and never spoken of. The megalithic yard is also to be found as the standard measuring length across the e ancient world – by ancient I mean before at least three thousand years BC. An identical measurement was used by the Ancient Sumerians where they called it a “Kush” – scientifically known as a Mesopotamian Kush. This Megalithic yard relates to the circumference of the Earth, the rotation and orbit of the moon and the orbit of Venus. It also relates to time measurements and to measurements of volume and weight connecting both the British system of pints and pounds to the metric system of litres and kilo-grams. The length of the megalithic yard, if used as a pendulum, also produces a musical scale that is used by the Australian Aborigine peoples in their sacred didgeridoo music that harmonises with the Earth?s own frequencies. [6] The only ancient measuring system that does not directly use the megalithic yard is the Minoans and even then, the Minoan system has correlations with the megalithic yard when used in multiples. Even the Great Pyramid of Cheops on the Giza plateau in Egypt was built using the megalithic yard. The Great Pyramid was built so accurately that modern attempts to build even half scale replicas have failed to match it in terms of tolerances. In fact every attempt to build a replica, on whatever scale, has failed as modern technology is not capable of replicating the building techniques, and their accuracy. These are just a very few examples of how discoveries made by scientists of all disciplines have been deliberately and systematically removed from our knowledge. Because the findings have not fitted in with the publicly allowed view of human history, all of these amazing findings have not seen the light of day. The scientific world has built a fantasy story of human history, how the universe works and every aspect of life within this universe to suit an agenda that is deliberately designed to hide the facts and present us with a version of reality that fits into an agenda. But whose agenda is it? – See below. So for all of those morons who used to ask me at talks if there was any scientific “proof” of what was contained in the Akashic, the answer is this: Firstly, if the science these morons referred to was the public face that science presents; then the answer is no. Secondly, if you do some research and begin to scratch through the public veneer that the scientific world presents, you will find that there is overwhelming evidence that the Akashic is correct in virtually all aspects of human history. This is what I mean by we need to alter the way in which we think. Whenever you encounter a piece of scientific “proof” ask yourself “is this true?” or is it part of the same agenda to blind us to our true history and heritage. Instead of taking scientific pronouncements at face value question them; carry out a little research of your own and you will soon find that your view of the world, and humanity?s place within it, is so so different to what you were propagandised into believing it was. Always ask; always question – that way you might just arrive at some kind of truth at who you really are and what your purpose on Earth is. “If you ask a question, you are an idiot for five minutes. If you do not ask a question, you are an idiot for life.” [7] Who Is Behind It? Scientific research, in all fields of science, requires money in order for the research to be carried out. This funding can be from universities as part of a teaching project; but is more usually funded from institutions, companies, governments or foundations that have a particular interest in a region of research. If governments, the funding is usually for a military project or a region of public concern or of public health. If private companies, it usually is to find the health benefits, or not, of a particular product or pharmaceutical drug. If from institutions or foundations, it is usually because that organisation has a particular interest in a region of research. In the 1930?s, the Rockefeller Foundation decided to use some of its vast funds to finance projects in virtually all regions of scientific research – from archaeology to psychiatry; from medicine to anthropology. The Foundation also gave a massive research grant to the Kaiser Wilhelm 3rd Clinic in Germany for Eugenics research [9] whose work was continued in the Nazi concentration camps. So why did this particular Foundation make all of these funds available? To quote one of its officials: “...Apart from the fascination of gaining some knowledge of the nature of the mind - brain -body relationship, the practical values in such studies are potentially enormous. Only thus may we gain information about our behaviour of the sort that can lead to wise and beneficial control”. [8] So knowledge of human behaviour throughout our history was to be gathered together in order to find ways of controlling the population – the beginnings of the New World Order. Population Control As part of the plans laid out in the Rio de Janeiro Climate Conference was the requirement that the human population be reduced to “a manageable five hundred million”. So how do you set about killing that many people? Wars? Since the UNCED Rio de Janeiro Conference in 1992, there have been wars in Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Libya and several African countries have had armed conflicts, many of which have been dragging on for over twenty years. The death toll from all of these wars runs into many millions. But becoming directly caught up in these armed conflicts is not the only way of dying as the effects of some weapons continues for many, many years. The United Nations published a study into the effects of the use of “depleted uranium” weapons, published in 2005 [9] , summarises as: “There is no viable future generation in Afghanistan and that Iraq is likely to head the same way”. We have seen, in recent news reports that it is indeed the case in Iraq as the number of birth defects has increased by several hundred percent since the war in Iraq began. Not only that, but the British Atomic Weapons Research Establishment published its own report to the British government that the dust cloud from the “shock and awe” bombing of Iraq blanketed the whole of western Europe with a dust cloud of radiation over one hundred times more deadly than the radioactive cloud produced by the Chernobyl nuclear power station accident. Service men and women who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq have exhibited symptoms of what has been called “Gulf War Syndrome” which was caused by the radiation from depleted uranium weapons. Where these service men and women have attempted to produce children, the number of birth defects is extremely high. The same applies across the parts of Europe that were under the radiation cloud: birth defects and massively falling birth rates have been reported in all of these affected countries. Some parts of Britain now have an infant mortality rate higher than some so-called Third World countries [10]. So the death toll of these conflicts is not limited to the battlefields. The use of “battlefield nuclear weapons” has a global impact, the extent of which is only now beginning to be seen. To the death of many millions in the war zones, now has to be added millions more who were never caught up in the immediate area – DU weapons can only be described weapons of mass destruction on a continental scale. An Update On Our Evolution - Page 4 © Chris Thomas 2013 – (2) Medical Treatment Do people die of the medical treatment they receive? According to an American Medical Association [11] (AMA) study, more people die of the medical treatment they receive than any other single cause in the western world. Take a scenario we are all familiar with: You have symptoms of ill health so you take yourself off to your doctor. The doctor prescribes you some pills. You take the prescription to your pharmacist who fills the prescription and you take the pills exactly as your doctor told you to. The doctor prescribed the pills in the correct dosage for your sex and weight in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. The pharmacist filled the prescription exactly as the doctor instructed and you, being a good patient, take the pills exactly as directed by your doctor and the pharmacist. What do you think the outcome of these actions is likely to be? According to the AMA, every year in America one hundred and seventy six thousand people die. According to the British Medical Association (BMA), every year in Britain two hundred and fifty thousand people are hospitalised of whom ten thousand die. On a broader level, the AMA study looked at the effectiveness of all medical treatment and broke their findings down into two main categories. 1. People who consulted their medical practitioner and received treatment appropriate to their symptoms. Death resulted as a direct result of this treatment, no other factors were involved. The annual death toll in this category was seven hundred and sixty thousand. 2. You have a serious illness for which you are receiving medical treatment but the determining factor of whether you lived or died is purely the medical treatment you received. The annual death toll in this category was two million. As far as I am aware, the BMA has not carried out a study similar to that of the AMA but it has stated that the annual British death toll under category one of the AMA study is ninety three thousand people [12]. The AMA concludes its report by commenting that they consider the figures to be “the tip of the iceberg”. Given that prescriptive drugs are marketed and prescribed world-wide and that medical treatment is virtually the same throughout western countries, it would be fair to assume that over twenty million people die every year as a direct result of the medical treatment they receive. The problem with these kinds of reports is that they do not get reported in the media. The media, in all of its various manifestations, is controlled by five people, all of whom are Bildebergers. These five people determine what is, and what is not, published in newspapers, magazines, books, TV, radio and the internet and so much information of this nature is deliberately withheld from the public. I must apologise here because I have misplaced my notes about this particular individual but he deserves to be mentioned for his bravery – this was the British doctor who told the truth about the MMR vaccine and autism. This particular doctor realised that many of the children he was treating had symptoms of autism and these symptoms seemed to develop shortly after the children had been vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. When the doctor went public with his research, he was criticised by his colleagues, sacked by the health authority he worked for and struck off the medical register. Since the doctor?s treatment, fifteen studies have been carried out into his claims and all of these studies confirm his findings: the MMR vaccine has a strong causal link with autism. Given the case of this doctor, as well as several other scientific professionals, when he was Prime Minister, Tony Blair had all public employee contracts changed to contain a clause along the lines of: If a government employee or an employee working for a company that handles government contracts speaks out about their work and the hazards found by that work, the employee will be sacked, possibly be criminally prosecuted and loose all pension rights for the rest of their lives. Several other governments have also added similar clauses into their employee contracts. So is it any wonder that we hear so little in the mainstream press about what is really going on in the world? The only way of getting through this blanket censorship is to start thinking “outside of the box”. If an announcement is made by governments or transnational companies, always ask yourself why? If an announcement is being made, it will be to cover up something or to put a spin on the situation that the government or the transnational company wants to present you with. If it is a subject that interests you, investigate it – it is always possible to obtain information from non-official sources if you are prepared to look. This is another example of altering the way in which we think. Do not accept political or government claims at face value – they are trying to present an image not facts. More often than not, governments act on behalf of their own self interests or the interests of industrialists or transnational companies – the wants and rights of the electorate are very far down the list of government priorities. I could go on about the medical profession - try checking out the truth about vaccines, for example - but I am sure that you can see what I mean about how easy it is to kill people by the million and hide the statistics. This is what I mean by we need to raise our level of thinking. If we are to get back on track for our aim of re-integrating the whole of the soul – the higher self – back into the body, then we need to think about the world around us and, in particular, the world as presented by the New World Order. But what is the New World Order, and all of its many tentacles, all about and who controls them? Even the Illuminati, who do control the many organisations that are all secretly working to bring about the New World Order, are themselves controlled. So who is ultimately responsible for misleading, misdirecting and misguiding us in this way? The Velon The truth about who controls the politicians, the Bildebergers and the Illuminati lies outside of our galaxy. I have written a great deal about the race who call themselves Velon in several of my books (see Universal Soul, Human Soul, Project Human Extinction and The Human Plan? or the Annunaki Plan?) and so am only going to give a brief history here. Also, as I don?t stop researching what is going on, some new information has come to light about some of the origins of the Velon story. It is actually quite ancient information; it is just new to me. The Velon are a semi-physical race that have divided themselves up into six different “groups”. These divisions into groups are along the lines of humans dividing themselves up into Christian, Muslim, Jewish etc. – a splitting into groups based along religious beliefs. These six groups call themselves: Oa, Mila, Jjundaa, Johnaan, Hathor and Annunaki. Most people will be unfamiliar with most of these names except, perhaps, for Hathor and Annunaki. The reason why most will be unfamiliar with the names the Velon have given to themselves is because they do not often identify themselves by these names but prefer to use a number of disguises in order to fool as many people as possible. The Velon communicate by channelled means under such names as: Ashtar Command, Great White Brotherhood, Ascended Masters, Galactic Federation, Galactic Federation of Light, many hundreds of “Angels” and “Arch-angels” and the likes of Lord Sananda who claims to be the “Christ Consciousness” as well as many other individuals and organisations. However, most of the Velon-createdorganisations have used the means of channelled messages in an attempt to fool the population as a whole, the Annunaki have directed their attentions towards those who have political and financial control. In order to do this, the Annunaki took control of the Illuminati as soon as it was formed and made them believe that the Annunaki are their “creator gods” and that those who consider themselves to be the “Elite” of human society are Annunaki hybrids. Not only have the Annunaki made this story up but they have also been promoting it by persuading politicians and world leaders, but in particular those who have the control over governments, that this plan is the way in which humanity was created and how we should progress. This plan first came about roughly 5,000 to 6,000 years ago and its ultimate aim is to reduce the human population to around about 500 million worldwide. In other words, the population of the whole world would reduce from the official count of 7 billion down to only 500 million. This reduction cannot happen naturally. The 500 million that remain would become a “slave race” to the Annunaki. The Annunaki Plan This fantasy version of human history we will call The Annunaki Plan. This plan works in two ways, both of which attacks and tries to force humans to forget The Human Plan, the story of human history, and follow the Annunaki Plan instead. This is its purpose. It might sound melodramatic or like the plot from a second-rate science fiction movie but it is happening and the biggest problem of all is that those who are in a position of power on Earth believe in this plan and are enforcing it upon the rest of the human population. This plan is also designed to come to fruition in 2012. So what is this plan? (also see below). Really it is a story that tries to hide our true history and impose a different version of the development of human life on Earth. The problem is that many thousands of ordinary people, worldwide, are falling for this plan without realising its implications and are welcoming in the Annunaki. All of the recent requests for groups to meditate on a particular theme because it “helps the planet” or helps humans to “ascend” to a “fifth dimension” , have been designed to help the Annunaki to fulfil this plan of theirs and are of no benefit to the Earth at all or to humans. An example of this would be the mass meditation to “Fire up the Grid” (in August 2007) or the attempt at taking over the energy point under Silbury Hill in Wiltshire (on 7th August 2009) or the call for a mass meditation to “energise the crystal deposits under Brazil and Arizona” (on 15th - 20th August 2009). All of these meditations were designed to fool people into believing that they were helping the Earth whereas what they were really doing was furthering the plans of the Annunaki or the Hathor and causing problems for the Earth and humanity – we?ll come back to this. The Annunaki Fantasy Story Here is the story that the Annunaki made up and is based on events both in the Velon solar system and events on Earth. This is based on translations made by Zecharia Sitchin and published in his many books on the subject. The story is imprinted into clay tablets that have been found buried in the sands of ancient Sumeria that have lain there for over 5,000 years. Zecharia Sitchin was an expert on Sumerian cuneiform writing and it is he who has translated these clay tablets into English over the past 40 years. Zecharia Sitchin did not make this story up, all he has done is to translate ancient clay tablets and bring the story to light. The story begins some time in the past when a new planet enters our solar system. This planet orbits at an angle to and in the opposite direction of the rest of the planets and has the name of Nibiru. Nibiru has an orbit that takes 3,600 years to complete, passing through our solar system and travelling out far into space before returning. On two of its orbits, it created a great deal of damage to the existing planets in our solar system and was responsible for creating our Earth by destroying another planet – the other half of this destroyed planet forming the asteroid belts. I am only going to give a brief description here, if you want more detail you will have to read the books written by Zecharia Sitchin - they make a fascinating read even if they are wrong. Following this disaster, the solar system finally settled down with Nibiru as a permanent member of the solar system but still only visiting us every 3,600 years. The inhabitants of Nibiru are the Annunaki. This travelling through deep space eventually causes problems within Nibiru?s atmosphere and, after a period of study, the Annunaki come to the conclusion that to repair their atmosphere, they need to seed it with gold. They studied all of the planets within our solar system and discovered that the planet with the greatest amount of gold deposits is Earth so a plan is made whereby a party of Annunaki will travel to Earth and extract the necessary gold from seawater. The individual placed in charge of the whole operation is called Enlil with an individual called Enki in a kind of chief engineer's role. Both travel to Earth, together with a number of Annunaki who were to carry out the gold extraction from the sea, specifically the Red Sea and the North Africa coast. The party arrives about 450,000 years ago setting up their main encampment in the region of Sumeria – between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, a region they name Eden. Everything goes well to start with but they cannot extract sufficient quantities of gold from the sea and switch their centre of operations to Africa where they excavate gold mines. Although they begin gold mining in Africa, their main centre of operations remains in Eden in Sumeria. Eventually, Enlil leaves the planet leaving Enki in full control. As gold is mined, it is stockpiled until the next orbit of Nibiru brings it closer to Earth where it is then ferried back to their home world. After a while, the Annunaki who are carrying out the mining work, begin to complain that it is much harder work than they signed on for, putting the whole operation at risk. Enki comes up with an idea and that is to genetically modify the proto-humans (probably Homo Erectus/Habilis) that are on the planet to make them more intelligent and able to carry out the hard work of mining. The Annunaki have a technology that uses genetic engineering that they developed a very long time ago. This is a technology based on the use of something like a “computer master disc” called a Me (spelled Me but pronounced May) which is capable of managing immensely complex processes such as genetic manipulation and it is this technology which Enki puts to use to create a new slave race. Following a great deal of trial and error, Enki succeeds in producing an Annunaki/Homo Erectus/Habilis hybrid. In other words, the genetic structure of the Annunaki is mixed with the genetic structure of Homo Erectus/Habilis to create a new type of human being. This new hybrid Enki calls “adamu”. At first, the adamu are unable to reproduce by themselves and so are born to Annunaki females. Again, they become tired of this, especially as there are an insufficient number of adamu to mine the gold in sufficient quantities. So Enki then sets to work again to make his adamu capable of sexual reproduction. In other words, Enki “creates” adamu in Eden but then further creates a female adamu (Eve, presumably) to allow the adamu to self-replicate. This now works extremely well, the adamu are reasonably intelligent and they work hard. They also begin to replicate in large numbers and the Annunaki train them to grow crops. The adamu are short and dark whilst the Annunaki represent themselves as tall and pale. The main symbol adopted buy the Annunaki is the “winged disc” – a central disc with eagle?s wings on either side – a symbol also found in dynastic Egypt. We'll come back to the reason for this symbol a little later. At this point, a problem begins to build. The Annunaki find the adamu females very attractive and begin to mate with them. This produces another hybrid form, with a much paler skin than the adamu, and these hybrids begin to demand that they have equal rights to the Annunaki themselves, after all, the Annunaki tradition is that the rights of inheritance passes through the male line and as the new hybrids have Annunaki fathers, they should have equal rights to the Annunaki who fathered them (it is these direct Annunaki/human hybrids that the Elite believe they are descended from). This leads to a great upheaval within the Annunaki and Enlil is forced to return to Earth to rule on this problem of inheritance. Some of the new hybrids are accepted whilst others are not but, the final outcome is that Enlil orders that the adamu be allowed to die. In response, the Annunaki remove all support, food, medicine, etc for the adamu and, effectively leave them to die. However, the adamu prove to be extremely resilient and survive. It was then noticed that the next orbit of Nibiru will bring it close to the South Pole which will have the effect of melting all of the ice causing a flooding of most of the Earth?s surface together with major earthquakes and volcanoes. Enlil orders Enki to evacuate the Annunaki off the planet?s surface and further orders him to not inform the adamu of their fate. However, Enki is very fond of his creations and secretly helps an adamu, called Utnapishtim (the Biblical Noah), to build an Ark to save as many of the adamu as possible as well as a ll types of animals and plants. The Ark is actually a submarine boat and, instead of the animals “going in two by two”, Utnapishtim has Me's which contain the genetic records of all life. With the next orbit of Nibiru, the anticipated disruption begins and massive floods occur which also ends the last Ice Age: this all taking place about 13,000 years ago. As this happened 13,000 years ago, (according to the Annunaki fantasy story) the scientific theories regarding human development in Africa and then the migration to the Americas were built around this Annunaki story regardless of the evidence contradicting these theories. As we saw above, the scientific establishment sticks to these dates and theories regardless of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Anyway, the flood waters finally recede and Enlil, Enki and the remainder of the Annunaki return to Earth. At first, Enlil is extremely angry that Enki disobeyed his orders but, eventually, he begins to realise that Enki was right to do so as the adamu prove to be very useful as a slave race. The Annunaki set about repairing their infrastructure in Sumeria, or Eden, and decide to step up their gold mining operation as well as to establish a “way-station” on Mars. The Mars way-station is decided upon as Nibiru?s future orbits will take it closer to Mars than to the Earth and so it will be easier and more efficient to ferry the mined gold to Mars and then on to Nibiru as its orbits allow. In order to help in this increase in flight traffic they build “flight beacons” and flight control stations next to the River Nile – the Pyramids. At this point, the story told in Zecharia Sitchin?s translations gradually begins to tail off and does not come to any conclusions. So, what does this story actually tell us? Well, it says that humans were created by the Annunaki to be a slave race – the adamu. The adamu are short, with dark skin and originate in Eden – modern day Iran and Iraq - but develop in Africa. The Annunaki, in Sitchin's translations, describe themselves as being “tall and blond” – Tall White Nordics it would appear. The adamu thrive and multiply and travel to other regions of the Earth at the end of the last Ice Age, or just after, around about 13,000 years ago (this is the date given in the Annunaki fantasy story for the last Ice Age but there is no evidence for an Ice Age ending at this time, it is just scientific conjecture based on this story). Up until this point, the adamu had been restricted to regions of Africa where the Annunaki were mining gold. There were also new hybrid adamu created by the Annunaki mating with adamu females presumably producing children with a skin colour much closer to that of the Annunaki -in other words, white. Zecharia Sitchin insists that this story is the basis for the Biblical Old Testament. Unfortunately, some people believe that they are the direct descendents of the Annunaki/adamu hybrids and these people see themselves as being a more “Elite” group than the rest of humanity, who these Elite see as being descended from the adamu who were created to be slaves. After all, if you are made “in God's image”, you must be special and, therefore, above all other humans. This “Elite” group has also given rise to racism and the concept of white supremacy. This elite group are the ones who make up the Illuminati, Bildebergers and the Thirty Third level Freemasons. It has to be borne in mind that there is nothing within the Akashic that agrees with this story. However, there are some clues as to how aspects of this story arose which were then manipulated by the Annunaki to give us their fictitious version. Firstly, are there any Earthly traditions to support the idea of “tall white” beings mating with early humans? The answer is yes, there are and they are centred around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, particularly modern northern Iraq, southern Turkey and Turkistan. There are a group of beliefs which originate from this area, collectively known as the “Cult of Angels”. The main traditions of these cults are that the people living in this area called it Eden. The peoples are hunter gatherers who are invaded by a group of peoples who originate much further north. These northern invaders are much taller than the locals and are possibly albino, but certainly white – the origin of “tall white Nordics” perhaps. It is very likely that these northern invaders were a branch of a proto-human form known as Gigantopithicus. They have almond shaped eyes which slope in towards the nose giving their skulls a “bird-like” appearance. These northerners also have traditions connected with birds, using bird feathers and bird wings in rituals and also practice human sacrifice. One of the main symbols connected with this “Cult of Angels” is the winged disc. These white northerners are very aggressive and very charismatic, so much so that they treat the local inhabitants as slaves and take to themselves a god-like status. They mated with the local women and produced hybrid children, known as “children of the jars”. In order to feed their “gods”, the peoples are forced into leaving behind their traditional hunter-gatherer way of life and become farmers. Also in this region is the ancient Biblical city of Ur of the Chaldes where Abraham was born; Abraham being the “father” of the three main religions – Judaism, Islam and Christianity, but was also a member of the “Cult of Angels”. The eventual outcome is that having put up with these aggressive northerners for some time, they massacre them, totally destroying all of their kind. Eventually, these peoples moved south from northern Iraq, or put another way, were cast out of Eden, and they moved to Egypt, taking these traditions and symbols with them with the white northerners transposed into their vengeful Gods. These members of the “Cult of Angels” eventually left Egypt led by Moses, the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaton the third, and became the Jewish peoples with their traditional stories forming the basis of the Old Testament. It is these cultural memories and traditions which the Annunaki have taken and modified to form the basis of their adamu story. However, there is a little more to the story of those who originated in Eden than this. Eden was located in northern Sumeria and these peoples travelled south into the ancient empire of Assyria. At roughly the same time, the people who originated in southern Sumeria were on their own migration northwards. Both groups would have met each other somewhere within the Assyrian Empire. The ancient Assyrians had their own traditions and “gods”, some of whom have names that are familiar from the Annunaki fantasy story. The Assyrian god of the air was known as Enlil whilst the Assyrian god of water was Enki. Like most ancient people's, the ancient Assyrians avidly watched the skies and so were aware of the planets and their orbits. The ancient Assyrian name for the planet Jupiter was Neberu and Jupiter doesn't travel anywhere, let alone out of our solar system every 3,600 years. What we have happening in ancient Assyria is the mingling of three different traditions: the Assyrian, the southern Sumerian and the northern Sumerian from Eden. Each of these three groups would have discussed their experiences and their traditions and beliefs with each other. What the Annunaki did was to mix together these various beliefs and added a few of the events that had occurred in their own solar system. When the Velon came to Earth, about three hundred years ago, the Annunaki travelled back in time to ancient Sumeria and dictated their fantasy story to Sumerian scribes who wrote it down in cuneiform writing onto clay tablets. Zecharia Sitchin's translations of these clay tablets state quite specifically that the story was dictated to a scribe who wrote it down on the clay tablets. In other words, this is not the natural, ongoing story of the peoples written down as their history developed but a story that was dictated in a finished, non-evolving way. Secondly, is there any evidence whatsoever of a travelling planet which orbits Earth, whether called Nibiru or by any other name? According to the accepted archaeological view, virtually every single ancient site, from Stone Age onwards, was used as some kind of astronomical observatory. This means that humans have watched the skies for many thousands of years. It is known that the ancient Sumerians and the ancient peoples of South America used telescopes with evidence pointing to their use over 18,000 years ago. The Chinese have been keeping very accurate star charts and details of planetary movements for at least 5,000 years. Celtic, Egyptian, Tibetan, Native North American, Inuit and Australian Aboriginal civilisations were all known to observe the skies with great accuracy, so much so that many ancient beliefs concerning the stars and star systems were not confirmed until very recently, some requiring the observational power of the Hubble Space Telescope before the ancient knowledge was believed by scientists. Do any of these traditions have any records of a travelling planet – no. Do any of these traditions have any records of a planet appearing and disappearing every 3,600 years – no. So the actual existence of Nibiru, and therefore the Annunaki, is not recorded anywhere in Earth traditions. If Zecharia Sitchin's translations of orbit times and planetary appearances are in any way accurate, then the last time that Nibiru passed close the Earth was about 2,200 years ago. Are there any records of a new planet entering our solar system at this time? – no. So as far as our historical records are concerned, there is no evidence of a travelling planet whether called Nibiru or anything else. I also came across a reference to two comets called Enki and Enlil in a book about comets (sorry but I cannot remember the name of this book). About 5,800 years ago, two comets, called Enki and Enlil were in close proximity to the Earth?s orbit, close enough for them to brush the magnetosphere. The comet Enki passed Earth in the southern hemisphere whilst Enlil was in the northern hemisphere. If a comet brushes against the magnetosphere, it can cause the sky to turn either green or red – Sitchin?s translations makes mention of the sky turning red when Nibiru passed close enough to cause the South Pole to melt. It seems as though the comet Enki is still in orbit around our solar system but the comet Enlil broke in two to form the Tuttle comet and the Schumaka Levy comet. Given that comet Schumaka Levy crashed into Jupiter a few years ago, in mythological terms, it could be said that Enlil returned home to Neberu (the ancient Assyrian name for Jupiter). But, does the Akashic record any planets with the name Nibiru? (apart from the ancient Assyrian name for Jupiter). Yes, there is a planet called Nibiru that is inhabited by a race who call themselves Annunaki but they are nowhere near to our solar system, in fact they are not even of our galaxy but are in a galaxy 23 galaxies away from ours behind the constellation of Sagittarius. 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"Yes, Murdock?" "You want to tell us what's going on?" "What do you mean?" Murdock leaned over the back of the front seat, his cap pushed forward. "Well, for starters, where are we going? We should have been at the safe house a long time ago." "We aren't going to the safe house. We're going to do a little traveling." "Uh, why?" "Because I want to frazzle a few nerves back there." "Back there, meaning Randy and Face? You think that's wise?" "I think it's the only way they're going to make a mistake." "Okay...uh, can I ask another question?" "Of course, Murdock." Despite his words, there was a long-suffering tone to Hannibal's voice. "How did you know Face and Randy had been at the house?" "That was simple. They - or, maybe, just 'he' - left my bedroom door open. Enough so I would notice it." "Face was in your room?" BA nearly drove off the road, staring at Hannibal. "What the..." "He didn't do anything. Just left the door open so I would know he'd been there. That, and he took his rosary from the dresser." "Rosary?" Frankie looked confused. "I mean, I know Face was Catholic, but I didn't think he was, well, religious-like." "I don't know if religion had anything to do with it, Frankie. I think it was just something Face wanted to have." "Face? Or Sam? I thought he was through being Face, Johnny. I mean, that's the idea I got from him." Hannibal smiled softly. "I think Face is going to have something to say about who's who, Frankie." Clifton had been dozing; at least, letting them think he was dozing. But he was listening closely to the conversation. At first it didn't mean much to him, until he heard the name 'Randy', and then 'Sam'. And that made him smile to himself. Well, well...the two that got away, huh? And now they were trying to take down Stockwell. Ironic kind of justice, there. When it was Stockwell that wanted them alive to begin with. Well, no one got everything their way... Sam was getting tired. The adrenaline flood of earlier, when the chase was new and the territory open, had drawn down to nothing as they had moved onto the highways crowded with enough cars to easily keep them out of sight. He and Randy kept trading places, but the last few times they'd glanced at each other in passing, and the boredom was clear to both. For a while, just to pass the time, Sam had started a discreet game of tag with Randy, coming up next to him, making a face, and then passing. Shortly after, Randy would take his turn. They continued until they started getting dirty looks from other motorists. Their day wound down to dullness. Sam had realized what Smith was doing some time ago. They'd been driving much too long to be going to any safe house. Stockwell would never allow them to get this far from Langley if they were going to be staying anywhere for the duration. No, Smith intended to wear them down. Wait for them to get impatient, get frustrated, make mistakes. Like a moving siege. He was sure Randy knew it, too. Well, there were a few things the two of them could teach the colonel about being on the road. They would wait until the team stopped for lunch, and dump the rental car. No point in both of them getting exhausted, and there was little chance of anything weird happening on these highways. Smith knew they were being followed anyway. In fact, as long as Smith knew... This might not work out the way the colonel expected, after all. Hannibal had BA pull over at the truck stop in Wheeling Creek, Ohio. Clifton had been awake for the last two hours, and complaining ever since. He was cramped, he was hot, he was cold...Hannibal was about ready to stuff him in the trunk. Clifton had just made a remark about who was getting frazzled when Hannibal saw the truck stop. It probably saved their passenger a very uncomfortable ride. Hannibal had the others go in to eat. He stayed with the car, smoking his cigar in the first peace he'd had since the airfield. He was keeping an eagle eye out for any cars that looked familiar, but he knew it was an impossible task. He was looking more at the drivers getting out of the cars. Again, nearly impossible, since the truck stop had multiple entrances and what seemed like hundreds of trucks moving in and out. After a while he gave up, knowing that BA and Murdock would be watching the door anyway. He needed to think over this brilliant plan of his. Sure, it was going to wear down Randy and Face. Especially Face, who hated driving anything except his 'vette, and hated even more driving at the sedate speed Hannibal was making BA maintain. He had a feeling Randy felt much the same way. Unfortunately, although Hannibal and the rest of the team could manage to amuse themselves during trips like this, no one had counted on Clifton or his attitude. Obviously the rental car was way beneath him, as were his traveling companions. The man was insufferable. He kept claiming he was perfectly capable of protecting himself, and Hannibal had no doubt of that. He knew who had capped Barish. Along with an innocent lab assistant. And that was precisely why Stockwell had the team babysitting the guy. It was as much to keep an eye on Clifton as it was to keep him safe. Glancing around the truck stop one more time, Hannibal decided their trip was coming to an end, at least for that day. They could be in Indianapolis in just under four hours, and he intended to find a very classy hotel to spend the night in. And if Clifton was lucky, the closets would be large enough for him to lay down in. Randy left the rental car at the fast food joint where they ate, hurrying to make sure they didn't miss the team leaving the truck stop. Things were better now. As they drove along, they talked about what they'd like to do when this was finished, the places they wanted to visit, the things they'd like to try. They had settled into a comfortable silence, radio playing, when they first started seeing the signs for Indianapolis. They decided to move up on the team's rental. Sam knew BA could drive circles around even the best drivers, and he wasn't about to lose them now. He needn't have worried. Apparently the team was more anxious to get to a good hotel than worrying about the two men following them. That, plus Randy seeming to have x-ray vision to see through the traffic, made it seem easy. Sam allowed himself to relax and start planning. By the time the team arrived at the Canterbury Hotel, Sam was smiling. He had a plan so great and yet so simple...and there was just no way the team could ignore it. Randy glanced over and saw the smile and knew there was something going on. He was just tired enough to wonder if he really wanted to get in on yet another of Sam's wild schemes. The next second he knew he would go along. He always did. That was just another of Sam's skills. Getting people to do what they didn't want to, and enjoy it. "So?" Randy waited, knowing he would regret this. "So, let's give them a chance to get settled in and then we'll get ourselves a room. I must say, Smith's choice surprised me. I didn't think he had that much taste. Of course, it could be Mr. Clifton exerting his influence." "You want a room at the same hotel?" "Sure. Maybe we can even get on the same floor." He looked innocently at Randy. "Easier to keep an eye on things." Randy sighed, and settled in for the wait. Ninety minutes later Sam had charmed his way into a suite, one of four on the same floor as the team. Stockwell would be paying for Smith's suite; Sam and Randy were staying gratis, as only befitted AAA inspectors. They had barely closed the door on the smiling bellhop when Sam sat on the bed and reached for the phone. "Now what are you up to?" Randy was so tired, he wondered how Sam could still have any energy left. "Just calling on an old friend. At least, that's what I was told, so why not?" Sam grinned, but it was definitely not a nice grin. He held up his hand as the person on the other end of the line picked up. "Yes, I'd like a number in Chicago, Illinois, please...Baracus..."
Goodbye means forgetting. This has been on my mind for very long now, but what's the truth? Will you be forgotten, once you're gone? Did you use your time wisely? Did you spend it at the right place with the right people, or was it just wasted? How can we measure time? Was the time spending enough, too short or maybe even too much? How many miles do people have to be apart to forget each other? Do they live on different continents or do they live next door to each other? Do we forget because of time or because of memories? Were the memories not great enough to be remembered? Were the memories really memories or was it just time rushing by? What do we really experience? What is imagination, illusion and what is realization? Are we living or are we dreaming? Will we ever go to sleep or are we going to wake up? Are we going to settle down or keep on running? Are we already living or when is life going to start? Is life measured by our heartbeats, breaths or steps? What is life anyway and what does 'living' mean? Do we say hello and mean goodbye? Are we forgetting or just getting rid of the unimportant? Are things really never going to come back the way we experienced them the first time? If there is something like a déjà-vu, why does it never appear? Why do we plan, if things will still come different? Why can't we live our dreams, or are living while we're dreaming? What is this about and will there ever be answers to my questions? Do people forget me, once they said goodbye to me? And does that mean we will never see each other again? What do I have to do, to be remembered? Do people remember me? If yes, for good or for bad behavior - if not, why not? Where is the difference between forgetting and remembering? Where does it start and where does it end? Who is to blame for all this confusion? Why do we need somebody to blame? Why can't just somebody come up with logical explanations for this big mess! No comments: Post a Comment
Friday, March 28, 2014 The Hobbit: There and Back Again, Interstellar, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Purge: Anarchy Saw Noah last night, and the stadium was about half full; within the first twenty seconds of the film starting, director/writer/producer Darren Aronofsky spits in your face, and it never stops during the entire film that was even worse than I feared it would be. There was a confirmed budget of $129 million, but estimates put the film closer to $200 million (like last year's World War Z) and for that kind of money, those were some lousy special effects. The CGI was so bad, it actually looked like the old days when they would have actors stand in front of a movie screen with a previously-shot scene playing behind them. In one part, Noah has the "window" of the ark open, and it looks like they super-imposed a clip of gray water. Have no doubts: Obama is their messiah and they are prepared to wipe out all us "sinners" who are conservatives and capitalists. In more cheerful news,... First footage of the final installment of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: There and Back Again played at CinemaCon this week. The trailer ended with Gandalf saying, "The time is upon us when all must choose which side we're on." If that's not a political manifesto, I don't know what is! No news on when the first trailer will be released. They usually release a trailer six months in advance of a film coming out (which is December) so we could imagine in June, perhaps? Given that, I expect the trailer to be attached to Transformers 4 Age Of Extinction or Edge Of Tomorrow, both of which come out in June (then again, it may decide on X-Men Days Of Future Past to nab a really big audience). On April 8, the Blu-Ray and DVD for The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug are released! An entire event was dedicated to Christopher Nolan's upcoming Interstellar (November release). The director/writer said he wanted to make a film in honor of the movies he watched as a child. Nolan was born in London in 1970, so he grew up during the Cold War. Interstellar has amazed Hollywood with all the A-list actors he has included in the film, and it tells the story of a group of explorers who discover a wormhole and try to push the limits of human exploration. On a different note, the first trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been released; no, no, it really doesn't matter how immature and irrelevant you think they are, please, for my sake, just watch this video; in fact, you don't even have to watch it, just push play and listen: Is there lawlessness in America? Are we wanting someone to restore order and save our great country, save New York City from the communist mayor? Do we need heroes? There's a joke going around from the presidential debates when Romney told Obama that Russia was still a threat to world security and Obama laughed saying, "The '80s are calling, they want their foreign policy back," because so many of the movies we are seeing now, are films from the 1980s when Soviet communism was a real threat (even though most of the films have dealt with the "communist" part, not necessarily the "Soviet" part). Remember that film, The Purge? The sequel is ready to air this summer, but it's pretty intense (no, Lena Headey and her remaining family is not in this version, at least that they are showing): The Purge: Anarchy, just like The Purge of last year, is a extreme metaphor for capitalism and "survival of the fittest"; how? Well, for example, instead of using taxpayer's money to bail out the auto industry a few years back, most capitalists would have made the corporations re-organize their debt and privately declare bankruptcy; not Obama, though. Well, socialists are horrified at how capitalists treated the auto industry, so the idea that the free market "weeds out" the weak companies so the strong companies that adapt to market changes can survive, is what is being targeted by the film (the exact same premise is used in The Hunger Games where, instead of companies competing in the free market, the free market has become the "arena" and the companies have become children, so capitalists know exactly how heartless they are). Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner Wednesday, March 26, 2014 TRAILER: Hercules & the Thracian Wars, Maleficent, Edge Of Tomorrow Bradley Cooper at the 86th Annual Academy Awards. We shouldn't be surprised. When Disney makes a move to acquire something, it's because they see the future filled with dollars. In 2012, Disney bought the rights to all future Indiana Jones films (played heretofore by Harrison Ford in four films). It is now rumored that Bradley Cooper (not Shia LeBoef, who appeared in the last Indiana Jones film as Jones' son) is the top candidate to replace Ford, but others have not been ruled out. The studio is considering another film, but have not yet committed; it can be argued, however, that having bought the rights to the franchise was a commitment, because buying something so someone else can't buy it is rather expensive. Official poster, film will be released July 25 in 3D. The purpose of all the multi-headed monsters in the film is to convey a sense of "duplicity." Is there someone in America who has presented one face, while actually being another? Is there someone who said they would do one thing, but actually did the exact opposite? Each "labor" or challenge that Hercules will face in the film will contain metaphoric dimensions of what is happening in our world today, because (before 2008, anyway) America was Hercules: we were a super-power, but we're not anymore, so as you watch the trailer, ask yourself if you can see elements of America's struggle in Hercules' journey. Here is the first trailer for Hercules and the Thracian Wars with Dwayne Johnson (there was another Hercules film, Hercules the Legend Begins, with Kellan Lutz, that failed miserably at the box office but had some interesting elements to it). Do you recall our discussion on Dinesh D'Souza's America documentary coming out? According to D'Souza--and I agree whole-heartedly--America is currently facing an identity crisis, and I think that's echoed loud and clear in this trailer: It's a good idea to keep your eye on The Rock: he's confirmed that he's going to portray a Marvel character who has "never been filmed before" and assures audience members that is not Green Lantern. The project is still in the early stages of development, but Johnson has also confirmed that the hero will have "Superman power levels." Well, that is interesting,.... Is it just me, or does this remind you of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow? In some general film news, Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and husband of ten years Christ Martin have split (no specific cause given). In other news, speculation has begun to mount that the new heroes of Star Wars VII will be the grandchildren of Darth Vader (who has four grandchildren in all, three by Leia and Hans [including a set of twins] and a grandson via Luke). In the books, one of the grandchildren, Jacen, through Hans and Leia, turns to the dark side and attempts to re-build the evil empire. All this is still speculation. It appears there is going to be a remake of The Breakfast Club for its 30 anniversary (that's not a good reason to remake a perfectly good 80's hit, because, quite frankly, there aren't that many). It has been confirmed that Kevin Spacey (American Beauty, House Of Cards) will portray Winston Churchill; in another move by the liberal left to destroy conservative heroes, Leonardo DiCaprio is supposed to portray President Teddy Roosevelt. I think film makers for Maleficent must be nervous: they have released yet another trailer for the film due out in May 30, suggesting (like the makers of Noah and The Lone Ranger) that they are concerned about audiences going to see the film: "Evil is complicated," well, actually, no, it's not. Evil is the abuse of our free will to ultimately destroy ourselves and possibly others with us; it's not complicated. I still hold out that it's possible that this won't be a pro-socialist film, but we just won't know until the film comes out. Here is an international trailer that has been released for Japan (only the initial voice-over is Japanese, the rest of the trailer is in English) and includes some new footage: Again, the animated shots they depict are not going to be a part of the film, so the sole purpose in incorporating them into the trailers is to remind people of the original and make us believe the new version will resemble the original (which, by now, with all these trailers, we know better). As you may know, CinemaCon is going on this week, with movie makers attempting to get theater owners to slate their films for release. Transformers 4 showed new footage, and is expected to be the biggest and best of all the films, even all "put together." Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aired its first trailer AND Fast and Furious 7 showed their first footage, including Paul Walker in a scene driving out of a flying helicopter and landing his car with an opening parachute. It has been noted that Christopher Nolan's next project, Interstellar, slated for release in November, has a whole event dedicated to promoting his film, so that is a hopeful sign we will be seeing another trailer out soon. It has also been confirmed that Prometheus 2 will be released in 2016. We haven't discussed Tom Cruise's newest film coming out this summer, Edge Of Tomorrow because, quite frankly, it looked so confusing I had no idea what was going on, however, the second trailer has been released, so here is the first: According to the official synopsis, “A soldier fighting in a war with aliens finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle {he unintentionally throws off the alien's power, which causes the time loop}, though he becomes better skilled along the way.” Here is the second trailer: At about 1:00, Cruise's character says, "I died within five minutes of landing on that beach, along with every other soldier," and all we need ask is, what beach did soldiers die on? Operation Overlord, the US-Allied storming of the beaches at Normandy to start the counter-attack to the Nazis. This is validated by the first trailer when we see Emily Blunt's picture on the wall with VICTORY painted over her head, because that was the style of World War II posters. So, who are the aliens in the film? Set picture taken in Italy of The Avengers 2: the Age of Ultron with Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch and Jeremy Renner returning as Hawkeye/Clint Barton. We will see Olsen's Scarlet Witch in one of two end credits scenes in Captain America: the Winter Soldier. Witch's costume has undergone considerable change and alteration, which we will devote time to when we know more about her character. Something we do see is that her eyes are smudgy-blurry, rather like the Winter Soldier's in the second Captain America film. Well, you probably know that I am going to say "the socialists," because socialism has "invaded" America, most of us did not invite it in, and it wasn't announced that Obama was running on a socialist platform. Further, in other films such as Cowboys and Aliens, Men In Black 3 and Tom Cruise's Oblivion, we can say those aliens were socialists because socialism is "alien" to life in America, we're not used to it, look at what Obamacare has done to the insurance industry, and that's just one program. Besides, doesn't it seem like we have to keep fighting socialism over and over and over again, that it just won't die? Edge Of Tomorrow comes out June 6th. Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner Monday, March 24, 2014 TRAILER: X-MEN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST #2, The Amazing Spider Man #2, Star Wars, Ghostbusters 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 5 The first full pic of Dwayne The Rock Johnson as Hercules from this summer's release Hercules: The Thracian War. I saw Divergent late last night and it was far more philosophical than I anticipated! Thoroughly pleased with the story line, acting and the entire scenario. The film pulled in $56 million this weekend, and Lionsgate snatched up the rights to the follow-up film, Insurgent. Again, this was far more anti-socialist than I even hoped for it to be, so I am very pleased. I AM ALSO VERY PLEASED that, finally, the second trailer for X-Men: Days Of Future Past has been released, but, let me tell you, it is worth the wait. What a film this is going to be! Sir Patrick Stewart predicted that X-Men Days Of Future Past would be The Avengers of 2014, and I think he's right. If you are confused regarding which film comes in which order, here it is: X-Men (2000), X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013) and then X-Men Days Of Future Past is the next, to be followed in 2016 by X-Men: Apocalypse and then The Wolverine sequel in 2017 (possibly not played by Hugh Jackman?). We've got to move on for now, but we will definitely discuss this in-depth later. News has been officially released that Fast and Furious 7 will do remaining scenes with Paul Walker's Brian O'Connor character using four actors as body doubles and CGI. Soon after Walker's fatal car crash in November, it was rumored his brother Cody, a professional stuntman, would take his brother's place, however, it's not been released how involved, if at all, Cody Walker will be with the filming at this point. The second trailer for Paul Walker's last, completed film, Brick Mansions, due out April 25, has been released and, this is going to be awesome. Watch for key symbols in this, because they are all there: Who is the "law-enforcement father" that has been killed? The founding fathers. Who is the murderer of the founding fathers who has set up the ghetto? Obama (food stamps and unemployment, number of jobs permanently lost, increase in the deficit and his increasingly lawless administration). What's the ghetto that has been sealed off? Washington DC, because we can't break into it, but it is the place of ultimate lawlessness in the country. Why is there the line, "There is a difference between justice and revenge?" because there is. Obama, and the rest of Washington, must be held accountable for their crimes. Brick Mansions will be released April 25, which I like because my birthday is April 27 and I like having a good film to look forward to when my dad takes me to a movie for my birthday. Now, the same weekend, the French version of the film, titled District 13 will be released world-wide. David Belle stars in both films. Please note another important detail of the film: the song. Stand By Me was the theme song (a famous song in its own right) for the 1986 film about "coming of age" and doing the right thing, of changing your destiny and knowing who your friends are; given the agenda of avenging his father's death, and having to depend upon someone he doesn't know to help him accomplish that, I think all these elements fit for a compelling story line. Absolutely, anyone can make the charge that a film is "not original" and just following an old story line; it's not original to make that charge. As we have discussed a number of times, however, "originality" isn't always a good thing, and it certainly should not be the primary standard against which films should be measured. Recurring images, motifs and ideas in films are essential to establishing the parameters of dialogue and issues at the heart of contemporary debates. For example, "another" possession film is coming out April 25 with Jared Harris: It's not that it's "another" possession film, it's that possession is the vocabulary of choice for the horror genre right now and we have to ask why? Devil's Due, The Conjuring, Evil Dead, The Possession, The Devil Inside and The Apparition are all pretty similar, but they're not, not at all, only on the most superficial surface. Penny Dreadful has a total of eight episodes, which begin airing Sunday, May 11 at 10 pm (ET/PT). Please, take the newest tease for the upcoming Showtime Series, Penny Dreadful as a case-in-point: the producers want you to know that, far from their "original" creations, the characters of the series all come from the great horror works of the Victorian era and are directly inspired by the likes of Oscar Wilde, Mary Shelly, Bram Stoker and Robert Louis Stevenson, that there is "nothing original" about these stories, but they are the modern children of famous parents: None of the elements in this teaser are "original": the pages "stitched" together and bleeding, probably form the body of Frankenstein's monster, because every word written--then and now--has come together to form and shape the beast and our understanding of him; every artistic encounter we have had with Frankenstein's monster has "brought life" to the pages of Shelly's original story, the same with Stoker's vampire or meeting Wilde's Dorian Grey. There is a reason, in other words, for The Quiet Ones to be "another" possession film: something has taken possession of us, and film makers aren't done discussing it. One commentator took the time to make a montage of all the latest film posters depicting the hero's back to the viewer (World War X, Divergent, Noah, Fifty Shades Of Gray, etc) and there were a lot of them. The poster for The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug and this poster for The Amazing Spider Man 2 are obviously similar, and it's not a question of "lacking originality," rather, wanting to build off the image to establish a wider range of vocabulary with the audience. Film makers aren't nearly as dumb as some dumb fans think they are: they know you have seen this poster and they want you to think of Smaug when you see the new Spider Man poster because this is the way--without any words--the film makers communicate that the two ideas, the two stories are connected in a way they want us to think about, so we should. The image has been reversed in that the dragon Smaug sees the hero Bilbo Baggins (whom we see reflected in his eye) who will ultimately be responsible for helping to destroy him, whereas the hero Spider Man sees his ultimate foe, who is desperately trying to destroy him, and the country with him. The eye is the window of the soul, even if it's the soul of a fearsome dragon, so we can deduce how afraid Peter Parker (Spider Man) is of seeing this terrible foe if it's being put on the level of a dragon being destroyed by a hobbit (Spider Man is like the hobbit, and Electro [Jamie Foxx] is like Smaug). This is the final trailer for The Amazing Spider Man 2 and, even though we have seen some of the stuff all ready at the start of the trailer, just watch it to the end, because this is going to be incredible, really: Just a few notes: first, we have all ready discussed how Peter Parker, aka Spider Man, very much takes on the role of America-As-Super-Power in this film: everyone kind of hates Spider Man because he is who he is, but everyone kind of needs Spider Man because he is who he is. In other words, if you replace "I" when Peter reflects upon himself with "America" you get a very interesting political philosophy of identity (it doesn't go so smooth with Obama working on his basketball bracket instead of dealing with Ukraine; we all know Wichita State University is going to win, right?). On a similar note of Obama, we have also discussed what I think is a trend in big Hollywood films of casting well-known liberal stars in the roles of villains to help clearly establish what the enemy of the film looks like (which is why Jamie Foxx is in the film). But there is something very "Thor" like about a certain spot in the film,... Pirates Of the Caribbean 5 does not have a greenlight to start production. It will not be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and most of the cast is still up in the air. It has been officially rumored that Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Bastards, Django Unchained) will portray the principle bad guy in the film, and it's assumed Johnny Depp will be returning (Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom will not be returning, at least at this point, and there is some unofficial rumors about a farm girl and a farm boy taking their "place" in the next three films,... but that rumor is unofficial. At this point, numerous scripts have been nixed, including the last one by writer Jeff Nathanson who did Men In Black 3 (so I am terribly disappointed as that was an incredibly pro-America, pro-capitalist film). According to Disney executives, the storyline was too complicated and too many things were going on,... oh, wait, that was POTC 4. Originally scheduled for release in July 2015, Dead Men Tell No Tales has been moved to 2016. At 1:07, if you watch the trailer closely, we see glass cases with R&D weapons, rather like the glass cases we see in The Collector's (Benecio Del Toro) locale in the first post-credits scene. Likewise, with Jamie Foxx's character being, how should we put it, "fully charged," it might be a kind of Frankenstein's monster scenario with him (at 1:00, on the immediate left side of the screen, is a vat of electric eels which is sometimes associated with Frankenstein). It has been revealed, but not much else, that Star Wars VII will take place 30 years after the events of Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, and will feature a trio of new, young stars, along with the familiar faces of Hans, Leah (Carrie Fisher will be in London for 6 months of shooting) and Luke. Shooting starts in May. It is the running joke that the only actual cast member officially in the film--the only one confirmed by the studio--is R2D2. Ghostbusters 3 has lost its director: Ivan Reitman, who directed the first two Ghostbusters, has decided not to do the third installment after the death of fellow film maker Harold Ramis, At this point, Phil Lord and Chris Miller (21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie) are in talks to take over, which is disturbing to me because those were both liberal films, but that doesn't mean Ghostbusters 3 won't be good. The Peanuts gang is coming to the big screen and has released this teaser to announce the November 6, 2015 of the 3D film; rumor has it that Charlie Brown's life-long crush, only referred to as the "Little Red-Haired Girl," will have her name revealed. Now, if you haven't been to the movies lately, you probably haven't seen the3D trailer for Godzilla. Another trailer has been released, this one emphasizing Bryan Cranston's role. In anticipation of the film, and because I love the genre so much, I have just received my two-disc, deluxe Godzilla Criterion Collection which has both versions on it. For those of you who don't know, there are "two originals" of the Godzilla film: the original 1954 Japanese version, directed by Honda, and the "American" "original" version from 1956 starring Raymond Burr which cut out nearly half of the Japanese footage and did some re-filming (both are on the Criterion edition you can get by clicking on the link to Amazon above). Why all this happened is incredibly important and I'm dying to talk about it, but we'll have to wait just a bit. In the meantime, here is the latest Godzilla trailer: There's a little detail. At 0:08, in the upper-center quadrant of the screen, you can see The Grand Hotel flashing on the building. In 1932, a huge film was made called The Grand Hotel, starring Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore and Wallace Beery. Anyone who has seen the film knows money plays a huge role in the lives of everyone in the narrative, so it's something for us to keep in mind when we see the film. Before the film comes out in May, I promise to post on the "original" Japanese Godzilla and the Americanized Raymond Burr Godzilla because they are important films and detail how influential art can be. In the meantime, I am working on Divergent. Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner Thursday, March 20, 2014 Game Masters & Revolution: The Hunger Games Catching Fire I am actually going to use my mom's interpretation. For new readers, I want you to know that I do not like this story; further, last year, "socialism" and "capitalism" were the two most-looked up words on the internet and that has been reflected in art, specifically, film, where so many in Hollywood are liberals/socialists/communists, but the capitalists have made a strong stand. Having said that, I would like to provide you with my mom's views of The Hunger Games, because I think it's her perspective--rather than the film's own agenda--driving people to see it. I know there are people who will deny this is a political film; revolution, riots, protests, spying, martial law and alliances are political, and all these factors are variants in the narrative; the real question is, who does The Hunger Games: Catching Fire support? My original interpretation of The Hunger Games, which I stand by completely (The Hunger Games: Hitler & America's Anti-Socialism), is that 74 years ago, Hitler took actions that led to World War II, and America had been living off the socialist programs of President Roosevelt throughout the Great Depression until Americans saw the horrors of socialism and communism in Europe, making Americans vow we would not become socialist, leading to a massive surge in capitalist reforms and programs, which (according to the narrative) is synomous to the Great Rebellion memorialized by the enactment of the Hunger Games each year. Capitalism is based upon competition, and the arena of the Hunger Games, for socialists, illustrates the "free market" because what the film has done is turned a business into a human being (the other contestants) and they want to convince you that any time a business "dies," it's like a human being dies, because competition is bad (don't believe me? In Catching Fire, they want you to believe that shooting a turkey is as bad as shooting a human, and YES, they did know this would be coming out right before Thanksgiving, and they want you to be thinking of this at your family feast). Socialists hate competition in any form, usually because they themselves are mediocrities and can't compete without affirmative action sticking up for them and forcing someone to hire them for tax incentives; in validation of this interpretation, both The Internship (Vince Vaughan, Owen Wilson) and Monsters University (Billy Crystal, John Goodman) agree with this interpretation and worked references of the Hunger Games into their story lines about competition. This continues in Catching Fire: Katniss wants to destroy the arena where all competition takes place because, to destroy the arena is to destroy the government (the Capitol is where all the capitalists live). Let's take a look at a dramatically different take on the "arena," 42, the story of Jackie Robinson. Had the great Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player in the major leagues, not gone into that arena (or, had the arena not existed for Robinson to even enter in the first place) how much longer would real changes in racism have been prolonged? One of the best scenes of 42 is when the Dodgers' short stop Pee Wee--who has been threatened before because of Robinson--stands with Robinson looking at the crowd, so everyone knows what Pee Wee believes in, and that is the American Dream for all people (please see Real Racism: 42 & Dimensions Of the American Dream for more). In THGCF, people are uniting with Katniss to tear something down; in 42, people unite with Jackie Robinson to build something up; which side do you want to be on? When my mom (a baby-boomer) saw The Hunger Games, she said the sight of such poverty, hardship and want of basic necessities made her think of communism in the Soviet Union and Europe, because those are the types of things she thinks of when she thinks of dictatorships: black markets and people starving, there never being enough and people being forced to work jobs they don't want to do because the government has told them they have to; a rich elite that doesn't care about the suffering of ordinary people and lies while spreading propaganda, continuously feeding the population instead of real news. A socialist government would create a diversion like the Hunger Games, she said, because they don't value human life, but they have to keep attention away from the corruption and greed of the government, like the people living in the capitol. This article, Hunger Games Taps the Desire For Freedom, certainly agrees with my mom's interpretation and and even mirrors the environment of George Orwell's anti-communist novel, 1984. What's the deal with the wedding dress? President Snow wants her to wear it in hopes it will convey to people that Katniss is "married" to the Capitol, to the Games, and to Panam. Cinna wants people to know she is married to the revolution that is coming. When Katniss turns around after her interview with Ceasar, the flames burn away the wedding dress and she wears a Mockingjay costume, which gets Cinna in so much trouble, we don't even know if he's still alive or not. To Snow, the white dress aligns Katniss to him (Snow and white go together, right?) but Cinna's black Mockingjay dress is an image of death meant to inspire Katniss' devotion to the revolution. Does Peeta lie when he says that he and Katniss were married in secret? No, because in the bonding of their friendship, they have "married" each other by vowing that the other should live if it comes down to it, but Katniss has also married herself to the idea of destroying the arena, and Peeta has married himself to the idea of keeping Katniss alive for the sake of the revolution taking place, which leads us to Peeta's "second lie": the baby bomb. Yes, Katniss is pregnant, but she doesn't know it, because that baby is the revolution taking place to which she has given birth in being a "beacon of hope." When Snow calls Katniss a beacon of hope, it's to compare her to Obama, who, for socialists, has been their beacon of hope to destroy America/capitalism and bring in socialism (although Barbara Walters admitted publicly that Obama was their messiah, but is no longer due to the disasters of Obamacare). The spying President Snow does on Katniss will probably make most people think of Obama, not Reagan or Bush, since the NSA has been given all our data by companies such as Verizon and Apple, along with Google and Facebook providing all of our records of internet use and searches, not to mention drones spying on Americans. This hasn't happened in America before 2008. We could also site, for my mom's interpretation, the lavish party and constant guest appearances which echo Obama's own social life (remember, after Benghazi, he went to Las Vegas and blew off the deaths and console attack, rather like the big party at Snow's mansion while riots are taking place on the streets in the various districts). We certainly can't ignore the unprecedented use of talk show hosts Obama has made use of (Leno, Letterman, The View and other shows on stations like MSNBC) to elevate personages like Cesar Flickermann and grant them greater political levity than they should have. But there is an even greater reason for audiences seeing Snow as a metaphor for Obama,.... An image like this is meant to idealize those pictured--the image has obviously been airbrushed, but it wants us to know it has been airbrushed--because the idealized becomes the idolized. On one side of this debate, we know this is a critique of capitalism because capitalism does this with stars in all entertainment industries; on the other hand, we can also say this "idolization" of Katniss mirrors the idolization of Barack Obama and the "worshipful" measures his supporters take in conveying his persona (more on this below). On a different note, please, remember, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is being a "dual-personality" in the story, and when an image of someone/something is presented, when "duplicity" is introduced as a narrative vehicle (like half of the contestants in the Games agreeing to help Katniss win and sacrificing themselves for her in spite of the rules and the fronts they put on) that single instance of duplicity is a warning that there are other instances of duplicity, like Snow pretending to be Katniss' friend even though he wants her exterminated, or Heavensbee pretending to be a Gamemaster when he really intends to start a revolution. Why is this important? It's the element of "self-awareness" we have discussed so many times, that the film knows you exist in a world outside of the film, and it's acknowledging that world and what happens in it; why? All art acts as a metaphor for our own culture, regardless of how fantastic or cruel or primitive that alternate universe might be, but when the film intentionally wants to communicate to you, the film bridges the divide so it's easier for the viewer to cross-over and see the "mirror imaging" taking place (exactly how the art provides a metaphor for the viewer to ponder) and that's how duplicity is being used as an agent of self-awareness: we think we look at a character and see one thing (like Heavensbee being the Gamemaster) but then look again and see he's the reverse, he's the Revolution Master. Likewise, the pattern being established by the film is meant to reflect that pattern of events we see in society; the question is, does it support or counter the way you see society, and in what ways? It's Haymitch that tells Katniss and Peeta their job is to be a distraction, but it's Snow who insists Katniss play the good-girl who is grateful to the capitol so people will continue believing in the system. How does this reflect Obama? There have been, literally, countless scandals of felony proportions throughout his corrupt career, but--using the media, like Cesar in the film--Obama gets people to focus on things like Trayvon Martin, or the Big 8 basketball series, a party he's throwing with Beyoncé and Jay-z; we're not supposed to talk about what a failure Obamacare is, or where are the witnesses from the Benghazi attacks, or how the cartels got the American guns in the Fast and Furious scandal, or how a known anti-American terrorist (Bill Ayers) wrote Obama's memoir, or the employment of the IRS to target Obama's political enemies, etc., etc., etc., because anytime Obama is doing something, a "divergence" is created (I won't name specific instances here) for Obama to use as a political platform. An interesting detail occurs when President Snow "visits" Katniss in the Victors' Village in District 12: he takes a bite of a cookie and asks Katniss if her mother made them, and Katniss responds, no, that Peeta did. We have seen "role reversals" in other films, and we could certainly say that even in The Hunger Games, Peeta's own mom knew Katniss had a better chance of surviving the Games than her own son, but we see Peeta acting like a mother to Katniss when he stays with her because she has the bad dreams about a little girl volunteering to go to the Games the way Katniss did, and in going to Haymitch 45 minutes before Katniss did to arrange with Haymitch that Katniss should be the one to survive the Games. Why is this important? Role reversal--or the castration of white men, to put it in another way--is necessary for feminists because without handicaps being placed on all others, feminists aren't capable of achieving anything because they believe they are entitled to positions of power because women have been historically oppressed by white men, just like other minorities. So, in achieving this role reversal (in this case, with Peeta being placed in a woman's role that we are supposed to think about because it's introduced by Snow, "Did your mother make this?" as opposed to Cinna possibly being in a "feminine role" as a fashion designerwith all these men elevating Katniss to the top of society) there is not only the reversal in sex roles, but of all nature: please recall those turkeys at the start of the show: "turkeys are people, too," they want you to believe, but actually, they want you to put turkeys above people just so they can start controlling you and demonstrating how far brainwashing has taken root. Do not take this lightly: in both Captain America the Winter Soldier and Oblivion, there is brainwashing taking place, so no, I am not crazy. In conjunction with all this--including the NSA spying on citizens, politicians and the leaders of other countries--there is an even more sinister tie to Obama in Catching Fire that we have all ready seen in another film that viewers like my mom are sure to link to the current administration: martial law. "Since the last games, something's changed," and Katniss asks her little sister what has changed, and Prim replies, "Hope." What was the political slogan of Obama? Hope and change. Prim, who does such a mature job of taking control when Gale is injured from the lashing, illustrates that--even though she is still just a girl--she's more capable than her mother (who, you might recall, Katniss reprimanded in The Hunger Games before she left her family and told her mother to take care of Prim, but it's obvious that Prim takes care of her mother). Why this role reversal? For at least two reasons. First, women symbolize "the motherland," and Mrs. Everdeen is the motherland that is under the control of President Snow: not productive, not aware of what's happening, useless. Prim, as a young women approaching child-bearing age, symbolizes the future of the motherland, one more active, capable and aware of what's happening, one ready and willing to sacrifice herself to make something happen. "Daddy," the little girl asks Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) in World War Z, "what's martial law?" and he responds, "It's like house rules, but for everyone." Well, do the scenes of martial law in THGCF look like house rules to you? When did Bush or Reagan put Americans under martial law? My mother would argue, and I think this is substantial, that socialists put people under martial law because they want control, and this is absolutely correct, but to me, that's not what's happening here: they want you to associate martial law with the coming revolution so when Obama starts declaring martial law and using the federal government to seize any and all private sector industries deemed "necessary," martial law will be viewed as a good thing (again, this is brainwashing). For people like my mom, however, they are seeing through this and this validates that they don't want anymore Obama before he gets a chance at martial law or worse. Why does Johanna take off her clothes in the elevator in front of Haymitch, Peeta and Katniss? One possible interpretation is that she's an exhibitionist, and her outspoken behavior at Cesar's show against being enrolled in the Games again certainly testifies to that; another interpretation, a solid one whenever a character's clothes have been removed, is they have been "exposed" in some lie or act of dishonesty. Towards the end of the film, when Volts is rigging the electrical shock, and Katniss and Johanna have to take the copper wiring to the water, and Johanna "attacks" Katniss we seem to see how Johanna has really behaved all this time (like in the image of her above, one arm is covered in a sleeve, the other arm is exposed) to go against Katniss, but it's not until Haymitch explains to Katniss what has happened that we understand, so, again, this is another example of duplicity: we thought we understood Johanna has being a character to "bare all" (even though her holding onto Katniss when the clock was spinning didn't make sense at the time) but this effort to save Katniss is really an effort to save Obama. Hasn't every major news organization sacrificed their self and ratings to "protect" Obama the same way Katniss is being protected? Think of all the Hollywood actors who have stood up and campaigned for Obama and now that Obamacare results are rolling in, look utterly foolish. This is a great point: there is no such thing as being right or wrong in artistic interpretation/criticism; there are only interpretations that are more fruitful than others and, I will say, that even though my interpretation accounts for more details, I think my mother's response to the film accurately reflects more people's interaction with the events than does mine. There is an important detail in the oldest player: Mags. There are a number of characters to discuss in this film, but a real question we should be asking is, why does Haymitch choose Finnick O'Dair to be Katniss' ally when she doesn't choose him herself? Haymitch chooses Finnick for the same reason Katniss doesn't want him: he's bold. Finnick's strength makes him threatening to Katniss, but his strength wins Haymitch's trust that he can keep Katniss safe and lead her to her ultimate goal. This is a great example of where costume makes the character (for those who, like myself, are a fan of the SyFy channel's TV reality show competition Face Off that inspires future special effects designers, you know Ve Neill and Glen Hetrick, whose designs were used in the film). Finnick's pants and shirt, basically, don't match, but they don't need to because this costume is meant to communicate to us, not be a Effie Trinket fashion statement. Let's start with the shirt. The upper-half of the body is where our heart is located, so the upper-half are our hopes and dreams, that part where Finnick wears an open, natural colored shirt. The opening of the shirt is supposed to convey that--just as Katniss suspected him of being arrogant and vain--we think Finnick is an open book and we think we "see" him "exposed" but the strange necklace he wears around his neck is what really guides him. In the film, Katniss tells Peeta her favorite color is green, probably because green is the color of hope. The lower-half of our body symbolizes the appetites because that's where both the genitals are located and where we rid ourselves of waste created by our appetites. Finnick's lower-half being covered in green suggests he, like Katniss, longs for hope, however, Finnick also has a lighter green, animal-textured bit of fabric, suggesting he has animal passions (like the sugar cube he offers Katniss even though they are really for the horses) mingling with his higher passions for political freedom. On his feet are black military boots: black is the color of death, either the death that comes from despair, or the positive death-to-the-world so the world doesn't control you; knowing Finnick doesn't kill anyone but in self-defense, we can deduce that his black military boots express his worldly experiences that have taught Finnick to be dead to the world even as he appears to relish and take it all in. He sits in the chair because, unlike Katniss, he has accepted the throne and place of honor accorded to him by the Capitol, even though they despise him. The white rose is the sign of Finnick's "friendship" with President Snow and his role as a victor. Now, someone saw this commercial promoting Agenda 21 on television and started taping it. The woman is saying that the world is over-populated and can't handle the sheer number of people, and the elderly should want to leave a good world to their grandchildren: "I have lived a good life," is another way of saying "Euthanize me." The majority of readers at this blog are Christians, as I myself am, so the idea of ending someone's life prematurely by means other than those decided by God in your destiny is repugnant and murderous. But we have to take note: the whole drive of denying the existence of the soul, of God, or "good suffering" (redemptive suffering) and following God's commands, are all designed to kill people and not think about it. Mags, when she "sacrifices herself" so that Finnick can carry Peeta rather than herself, she is acting out exactly what is in this commercial: we are a burden on the youth (they are carrying us) so we need to die in order for them to live. Forget history, role models and parenting (all that will be done by the state now, who is Nanny); the main drive towards "senior sacrifice" is to make any elderly person who doesn't want to die look selfish. If the elderly are living, history is living, and the knowledge of how things used to be and are supposed to be, that's one of two reasons why socialists love kids: one, they don't know anything and two, they don't have any property so they aren't losing anything. Why is Katniss "the girl on fire?" Is it just because of the dress Cinna made for her? No, something about Katniss inspired him to create her to be that. Normally, to be on fire is associated with love/lust, in this case, it would be that Katniss loved her sister so much, she volunteered for Primrose so Prim would live; however, while fire is a "purging element," cleansing us of impurities through the trial of fire, fire dis also a destructive force, and Katniss "being on fire" is probably apt to unleash that fire on the capitol so, instead of being destroyed in the Games herself, she is going to destroy the capitol through the Games with the "fire of revolution," specifically, the gunfire and violence of revolution. When the film opens, we see Katniss alone, looking out over a barren winter landscape, the opposite of "the girl on fire" because there is only the cold of winter, and it's as if the narrative wants to tell us that, without the fury aroused in her by the violence of the Games, Katniss can't be the "girl on fire" because there is nothing there to stir up the burning embers that, otherwise, are just dying. This leads us back again to the importance of Cinna because he made tangible--through her costumes--the association between Katniss and fire. Why does Cinna design Snow's wedding dress to burn away and leave the black Mockingjay costume? I don't know if Cinna (probably not Effie) was in on the overthrow of the Games with Haymitch, Plutarch and Finnick, but the "catching fire" we are supposed to catch is the destructive fires of revolution to American society. Why is there the "Tick-tock, tick-tock" that Nuts reveals to Katniss? The pattern of when certain catastrophes are going to happen, which certainly spawns speculation about "false flag events" we have been witnessing, sponsored terrorism in our country by the federal government to advance their agenda, such as gun control. Socialists are in on all of this, but they think conservatives are too dumb to understand, so the "pattern" Nuts reveals to Katniss is really declaring that liberals are the implied viewers of the film, and not to get upset when TSHTF because it's all running on schedule. Does this scene remind you of another film you have seen? It reminded me, at least, of Cecil B. DeMill's The Ten Commandments (Charlston Heston), when Moses saves the old woman, his own mother from the grinding stone that is going to crush her (symbolic, of course, of the "grinding labor" the Egyptians demanded of the Israelites and how the whole nation of Israel was being wiped out through slavery). Anyway, Gale saving the old woman, and being punished, then Katniss coming to save him, is supposed to invoke a Moses-like aura about her, that she will lead her people to freedom from the oppression of the capitol (remember, Moses is also associated with fire in the burning bush). Katniss as the Mockingjay, the Messianic figure, is supposed to invoke Obama who wants America to think of him as our Savior who is saving us from being Americans (we will see the same sort of Messianic conception in Darren Aronofsky's Noah with Russell Crowe). Now, on a slightly different note: does Katniss love Peeta or Gail? Well, she definitely gets closer to Peeta during this film, and seems to drift further from Gale (remember, it's Katniss' idea that Peeta and herself get married). This relationship is, perhaps, a sign that, indeed, Katniss has become "one of them" and a member of the capitol, rather than the squirrel-hunter from District 12. Are we, as the audience, rooting for Gale or for Peeta? Perhaps Gale all ready knows he has lost and that's why he has started calling Katniss "Catnip," it's basically marijuana for cats, making them high, and in calling her this name, Gale recognizes that being famous has given Katniss a kind of high, regardless of whether she admits it or not, and he won't ever get her for himself. Again, the "arena" is the most important symbol of the film, for the film itself and for those of us who are capitalists. Films such as The Internship, Monsters University, 42, Pitch Perfect, Moneyball and Battle Of the Year demonstrate the importance of competition and, not just because of the virtues we build up, but because it provides that chance for us to fulfill our destiny, whatever arena we may be participating in. THGCF and socialists deny that you and I have destinies because they deny that we have any being apart from that of common animals. So, what does the film mean? So, what's up with Gloss and Cashmere, the brother-sister team who won back-to-back Games? We have seen this all ready in The Hunger Game, The Heat, The Conjuring, Frozen and World War Z: family is a burden. In The Hunger Games, if Katniss didn't have a sister, she wouldn't have to take care of her and she wouldn't have had to volunteer to be in the Games. In The Heat (Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy), Mullins' family is a nightmare and she's constantly having to look out for her trouble-some brother (another example of role-reversal) and, if it weren't for him, she wouldn't be in the trouble she's in. If Mr. Perron didn't have so many kids, he wouldn't have had a problem finding someone to stay with in The Conjuring, and they wouldn't have needed such a big house, so they never would have moved there to begin with. Elysium blames overpopulation on the disease and problems of the world. If Ryan, Sandra Bullock's character in Gravity, had been born a boy instead of a girl, she wouldn't have a boy's name, and if she hadn't had a girl of her own, she wouldn't have gone into such a depression when the little girl died. In Frozen, if Anna's "boyfriend" Hans hadn't come from such a big family, he wouldn't have used Anna the way he did, while in World War Z, if Gerry didn't have a wife and kids, he wouldn't be going through all the troubles of having to save them from zombies, and his wife wouldn't have called when he was riding the bike and got everyone killed by the zombies. Family, for socialists, is nothing but a burden, so you better take your birth control pills, get lots of condoms, or have an abortion because you don't want to get stuck with a family. In the exact opposite direction, we see Dom and Lettie in Fast and Furious 6, "You don't turn your back on family," and even when Lettie shoots him, Dom is determined to save her at any costs (not to mention when Mia is taken as a hostage and Hobbs has to let Shaw get away to save Mia). At the end of the film, what do they want? To be back home, together as a family. In Oblivion with Tom Cruise, he sacrifices his life for his wife and (unknowingly) his daughter so his family can live. In Ender's Game, the family received special permission to have Ender because they wanted him, and having Ender--who, as a third child, was against the state's population control measure--actually ends up saving the world that would have said he couldn't even be born. In Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters, the stakes are even higher. Tyson, the Cyclops and half-brother to Percy Jackson, is un-welcomed by everyone and the film goes out of its way to emphasize how clumsy, awkward and troublesome he is, but by the end of the film, both Percy and the audience realize how perfect Tyson is and that family is everything. Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters is the same: the brother and sister count on each other and would do anything to save one another. In Thor the Dark World, it doesn't matter how many times or how deeply Loki has betrayed Thor, Thor still wants to get his brother back and would do anything to save and protect Loki, no burden would be too heavy for Thor to bear to save his brother. Conservatives will value the family, whereas socialists and liberals will want to paint the family and family members in a negative light and as a burden; why? Population control. If either Gloss or Cashmere want to live, they face potentially having to kill each other to survive, or have their own chances of surviving threatened by the psychological loss of the other during the Games. The film wants us to think, if neither the brother or the sister had to worry about the other, if their parents had been smart and used birth control, they wouldn't be in this situation. On a number of levels, my mom is right: all the aspects of the film making her think of communism are correctly associated with communism and being implemented by Obama. What socialists want to do, however, is make Americans think that democracy and capitalism is what has done this to us, that the socialists are trying to save us from want, from jobs we don't want, from being torn apart from our family, being forced to play little league, etc., and socialism will be the utopia to save us from it. How can I say this? Another film flipped socialism and capitalism this exact same way, The Purge, and, like The Hunger Games, replaces "business" in capitalist competition with "people" so when they are in the arena, it's not businesses competing to get your dollar, socialists see it as actual people competing to stay alive (I know, it's utterly childish) and they do this exact same scenario in The Purge (for more, please see The Hunger Games: Hitler & America's Anti-Socialism, and The New Founding Fathers: The Purge & Releasing the Beast). But, as long as we know about it, we can keep on the look out for it and be the wiser for it. Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner We see Brad Pitt wearing a similar gray scarf in World War Z. Divergent FYI I went all the way across town to catch an early viewing of Divergent, and it was sold out. It's spring break, so if you plan on seeing it, or any film this weekend, you might want to get those tickets ahead of time. Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Maleficent & Re-Writing Our History I don't pause to say this often enough, so I am going to say it now in the hopes that you will remember it when I go a long time without saying it, without realizing that I haven't said it: there is no right or wrong interpretation. There are interpretations which are more fruitful than other interpretations, interpretations which can account for more of the information contained within a work of art and interpretations which do more to expand our engagement with the art. Different critics have different goals for their interpretations, and mine is always to account for as much of the information in a work of art as possible; I don't know that I actually accomplish that, but that's my goal. When I feel that I am wrong, I apologize immediately and point out how I was wrong and why; if I am uncertain about something, I try to communicate that. Now, moving along, while I watched the promised Maleficent trailer about her wings today, a rotten feeling came over me and I don't think this film is going to be any good. In the newest trailer, released just today, the title card says, "You know the tale, Now find out the truth." It's a fairy tale. There is no "truth" to it, unless, of course, you are the object of the fairy tale's lesson, in which case, you are re-writing the tale and parading it as "truth" even though there is no such thing within the context of a fairy tale. Now that I have ranted, here is the trailer: We now know there is a dragon. The inclusion in previous trailers of animated clips from Disney's 1959 version, where they demonstrate how close to the original they want us to believe they are making the new version, now seems to have been rather mis-leading with all the new "updating" they have done. Permit me, dear reader, to be very clear about this: each generation has to have its own art because each generation has its own struggles and needs a means of exerting its own identity. I am not against updating Maleficent or the story of Aurora; what I am against, with this story and all of art and history, is the re-writing of the originals to make them say something they didn't. With this latest trailer, it's more like they are mocking the original version, which, I am afraid, is exactly what we will discover. Why would they do that? Why go to all the trouble to re-make a film, only to mock the original? If they thought the original was mocking them. I promise we will go in-depth on the Sleeping Beauty tales and the Disney animated version, but we can at least say that the original Sleeping Beauty was a counter-argument to the Sexual Revolution: it's 1959 and people are engaging in sexual activity increasingly outside the boundaries of marriage and even heterosexual unions. The pill and abortion will both soon be legalized, decreasing women's inhibitions about promiscuous sexual behavior and Disney was basically combatting that with Sleeping Beauty. Again, we will go into greater depth later, but I don't think I will now find Maleficent a film that I can get excited about. Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner Monday, March 17, 2014 Naked Science: Thor the Dark World & the Infection That Protects Itself Dr. Eric Selvig provides patients in a mental ward a lecture on the upcoming Convergence of the 9 Realms, explaining why the Convergence is of upmost importance, and how his special sensors are designed to stabilize the imminent play of physics so the earth will escape unharmed; why is this scene important? It's a device to tell us, the audience--not the patients in the film--what the film is truly about. The most famous example of this technique was done in in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, when the economics teacher, played by Ben Stein, gives his lecture on "Voodoo Economics,": the students in the class aren't students, they are us, the bored audience, preferring to watch Ferris rather than be told about the impending economic doom--according to the film makers--about to befall us from the effects of Reganomics (please see Abe Froman, the Sausage King Of Chicago fore more). So, what's the true danger the film makers are warning us the audience about via Selvig's lecture to uninterested patients? There are two important clues. I had high expectations for the film going in and, to be perfectly honest with you, Thor the Dark World exceeded every one of them. It could not have been more spectacular, entertaining nor as artistically woven together. Every aspect of the story fits in perfectly with the next piece, and we should expect that: Marvel has assured fans that all their movies and television shows will impact one another and be a whole, so what's true in Thor will be true in SHIELD, and Captain America and Iron Man, etc. This is a feat, not only because it's difficult to keep up with this many story lines, but because it's difficult to maintain that massive of a "reality" without contradiction or sliding, in other words, it demonstrates that there is a strong, strong foundation upon which the Marvel stories have been built, and that foundation will not be abandoned, but strengthened even further. Perhaps the most important moment of Thor the Dark World is when Thor meets with Heimdgall and tells him that what they are about to do is treason "of the highest order. Success will mean our exile, failure will mean our death," and we have all ready seen this in 47 Ronin, when the Ronin are faced with exactly the same situation. Pretending like we are Sherlock Holmes, the first clue is the shoe Selvig employs to help him illustrate the Convergence. One, of all the things Selvig could have grabbed, he grabbed a shoe (don't forget, shoes are important in this film: Darcy wants to throw a shoe into the physic anomaly the kids show them, then Jane and Thor discover the shoes when Richard calls on Jane's phone, so the shoe is a recurring motif in the film, a line of references we are supposed to note and connect together). It's a tennis shoe, a shoe worn by athletes (the person it belongs to is the other clue) for athletic activity. Why is that important? Competition. Shoes symbolize our will, because our feet--where we put shoes on--takes us places just as our will takes us to where we want to go in life, so this shoe communicates to us that the will power of the owner is that towards competition, which leads us now to the second clue: the shoe's owner. The first time we see Selvig in Thor the Dark World, he's running around Stonehenge, naked, on the news. Why? Because, when we saw him in The Avengers, he was running around New York City (the most technologically advanced financial capital of the world, juxtaposing the ancient Stonehenge to NYC) but "clothed" in the evil intentions of Loki (and yes, it's right for us to be thinking of this, because Loki is mentioned immediately by Selvig when he sees Thor and, when Jane first meets Loki, she punches him and says, "That's for New York"). Selvig is naked because he was doing "naked science," as opposed to Jane who is not. In other words, Selvig doesn't have any agenda or motivation "clothing" his research, he doesn't have anything "up his sleeve" that he's hiding, he won't benefit from this in anyway: he is completely "exposed" and this is a good state for him to be in because it illustrates his honesty. Jane Foster, on the other hand, is not "naked" nor exposed. Jane wants to find Thor again, and she hides that personal desire underneath her scientific guise (more on this in the next caption). Now, why does Selvig "think better" with his pants off? We just discussed this with Bud Grossman (F. Murray Abraham) in Inside Llewlyn Davis: it's symbolic of the "creative act." Having his pants off situates Selvig in an intimate situation, like a groom with his bride, because that is what science is to Selvig, his bride, to whom he gives himself completely and in giving himself to science, that is when he is most alive and most involved in "the creative act." The next most important thing about Selvig is why he hugs everyone for so long: Darcy and Thor, he almost won't let go of them, and that, too, is probably a remnant of The Avengers when everyone came so close to annihilation (partly because of Selvig himself) and Selvig holding onto people, one, demonstrates he recognizes how fleeting life is (especially since he understands the dimensions of the Convergence about to happen) and, two, how dear to him these people are. Last point of discussion: Selvig's weird clothes. In this shot, he wears a gray sweater with navy blue basketball (gym) shorts; it must be fairly cool outside because everyone wears pants and jackets, so Selvig's clothes are more of a costume than regular street clothes (yes, yes, yes, of course he was naked in the previous scene and had to be given clothes to wear because he didn't have any of his own, HOWEVER, this is an exploitive point in the narrative [he could be wearing all an all white "inmate" jump suit or some other uniform, rather than random clothes) so, the question is, why is there a break in the plot to spend time showing the audience Selvig wearing this ensemble? The shorts emphasize what we just deduced with the gym shoes: athletics, Selvig is competing, and it's easy to see what he competes against when he, Darcy and Ian go outside and see the Starlings acting strangely: the Convergence is happening sooner than he thought, so he's "in a race against time" (the competition). He wears shorts, rather than a jersey or shirt that implies the athletic theme, because legs symbolize "our standing" in society, our reputation, so his reputation in the scientific world--and the world in general after what he contributed to in The Avengers--is at stake regarding how this "race against time" turns out because, if he's wrong, he'll be "left out in the cold" (wearing shorts when it's cool weather outside to reflect ostracization if he's wrong about the Convergence). Why the gray sweater? It's a sweater because, right now, he is out in the cold: no one else knows about the Convergence but him, and he has to "keep himself warm" in assurance that he is right about what is going to happen, while at the same time remembering that, if he's wrong, he will be out in the cold permanently (the shorts in cool weather). The sweater is gray, then, because gray is both the color of penance and the color of the pilgrim: in earlier, days of history, people would perform acts of penance (symbolized by putting ashes on their head--ashes are gray--because that was an act of humility, "From ash you came, to ash you return,") and the pilgrimage, usually to Jerusalem or some holy site, was undertaken to remind people that the true purpose of being on earth was the pilgrimage to heaven (this holds true for the wizard Gandalf the Gray in The Hobbit). Now, Selvig, we can further deduce, is doing penance for what he did in New York in helping Loki (remember, it's the first thing he mentions when he sees Thor), and his pilgrimage, then is remembering the real purpose of science, again, that it's not a vehicle for someone's agenda (Loki's), rather, a pursuit all its own for its own sake. The little old man who asks, "Can I have my shoe back now?" is the great Stan Lee, executive producer of Iron Man, Spider Man, The Avengers, The Wolverine, Thor the Dark World, and just about all Marvel's film projects. Why is this important? For at least two reasons. First, such an appearance is usually called a "cameo," (the most famous cameos being those by director Alfred Hitchcock in all 50 of the films he made) but when it's one of the principal film makers, I think the term "self-portrait" better qualifies the appearance, because Mr. Lee and the other film makers, by inserting a "real world person" into the make-believe world of Thor, want you to know that the make-believe world isn't so make-believe (because real people can go there) and there are real people making this film (it didn't just pop into existence on it's own). Secondly, invoking the real world (as we have discussed with trailers for Muppets Most Wanted UK) reminds viewers of the world they live in, and that there are parallels between our world and the one we are watching, like when the Dark Elves' ship crashes into the Palace of Asgard, we are meant to think of 9/11 and the destruction of the World Trade Centers. So, what does Stan Lee's tennis shoe mean? Whereas Selvig "gives" himself to science (in not wearing pants while doing research) Jane uses science to get to Thor in hopes of mating with him; this alterior motive makes Jane weak which allows her to be "possessed" by the Aether. Now, before it sounds like I am being too hard on Jane, let's look a bit earlier in the film before the scene pictured above. In Asgard, Odin commands Thor to go and celebrate with his warriors and advises Thor that he would do better to take what his before him (Lady Sif), and we see Thor, presumably in his room, washing himself and looking out the window; when we first see Jane in the film, she's with Richard, Jane alludes to Thor, and Darcy shows up, astounded that Jane is wearing clean clothes, she's bathed and smells good, she's done her hair,.... Both Thor and Jane think they have cleansed themselves of the other--Thor of Jane after his father tells him to consider Sif, and Jane of Thor because she's gone out with Richard--but, in the reality of the film, they have prepared themselves to see the other again. When Thor comes to Jane, he says he believes that fate brought them together, and while, moments before, they each thought they would never see each other again, here they are, back together after two years. This might seem like a side-track, but it's utterly important. The reason Jane and Thor have to "be cleansed" before seeing the other is because that is what Love does to us. Love cleanses us of our weakness so we can be made strong to carry out the labors of Love that make Love stronger within us and, thereby, make us worthy of Love (that is the key to why Loki has not been converted, the reason Loki is in a state of rebellion with Frigga, Odin and Thor, Loki won't give himself to Love, he wants to take power, which is the exact opposite, more on that below, and instead of seeing what's good in people, Loki sees what's bad in them, and instead of seeing how others love him, Loki sees how he can use them for his own ends). If Jane were not a good and strong character, then the Aether inside of her would destroy her (Thor and Loki have this conversation about Jane when Loki lustily says, "Oh, what I could do with the power in her veins," and Thor retorts that Loki would be consumed by it; Jane holds up under the pressure of the power, as Thor tells us, because she has strength and goodness within her that Loki can't understand). Now, just because a character is good and strong, doesn't mean they don't still have flaws and weaknesses, which is the case of Jane Foster. Whereas Selvig was possessed by the Tesseract to overtake the world in The Avengers, Jane is possessed by the Aether to overtake the universe in Thor the Dark WorldThe reason Jane can be used as a vessel is because she has opened up to being dis-ingenuous (just like Loki in his disappearing and tricking Thor all the time) because she uses science for her own ends (to find Thor, which she admits, I wouldn't have found the Aether if I wasn't looking for you, she tells him) instead of how Selvig is now in this film, trying to understand the Convergence to save the world. Before Jane "finds" the Aether, there is blowing wind and "whooshing," and the wind pushes her into the anomaly where the Aether is; what's that all about? The "winds of change," the very same "winds of change" that are in Mary Poppins (hey, it works because it works). So what's the big deal? In being "dis-ingenuous" she becomes like the Aether itself, not only being a vessel by means of which it can escape its hiding place, but also giving it greater power because she is such a "good" person (we all agree on that, she's a good person, she just committed a very human folly) the Aether feeds off her being a host and "host" should be taken as a political term (more discussion on the Aether below; you can also check the Marvel wikipedia here). Scientists doing experiments for their own ends, in other words, found science they shouldn't be doing, and in finding this science, they became hosts to the science and the political means needed to carry out that science. The tennis shoes symbolize a will (the shoe) turned towards competition and drive (the shoes are athletic shoes, not loafers or house shoes or orthopedic shoes [which is what one would expect with an elderly owner], etc.); that the shoe belongs to Stan Lee, the executive producer, is meant as a not-so-subliminal message that his movies will support the competitive spirit of America, democracy and capitalism, and, if you don't believe me, you might want to just glance your eye over this article. But there are two more important instances of "shoes" in the film, and the first one is the strange case of Loki not wearing any shoes at all,.... Please click on the image to expand. It looks like Loki's feet are bleeding in this brief scene, however, that's not the case: there was some fruit that was turned over onto the floor (in the extreme foreground of the last frame, under the word "brother," you can see some of it) and he had stepped on that fruit, the crushing of it resulting in the juice staining his feet. Just a detail? I think not. Frigga, Odin and Thor tell Loki that his imprisonment is the result of his actions, his abuse of power; for those who think it's too harsh for someone to take responsibility for their actions--and that's sadly becoming common place in America---the film makers validate that Loki's imprisonment is the direct result of his assault on humanity. Feet, again, symbolize our will, and Loki's feet being bare means that his will is "exposed" and the crushed fruit (probably symbolic of "forbidden fruit" because Loki never should have gone anywhere seeking to rule) not only invokes the blood he caused to be spilt (the fruit juice looks like Loki's own blood) but as well the fruit that has been ruined (Loki can't do anything now or hope for anything because he is imprisoned for life so his life will "bear no fruit" that will last, in crushing the people on earth, Loki has really only crushed himself). Whereas Loki's feet are exposed--like his will to power being exposed--Thor, on the other hand, wears a dark colored wrap around his shoulders and chest; why? He's covering his heart so Loki can't see how much Thor still loves him, because Thor knows, sadly, that Loki will abuse Thor's love for him and hurt himself (Loki) even more. The dominant color associate with Loki is green, like the shirt he wears above. Green is the color of hope because it's the color of "new life" at spring time, but green is also the color of something that has rotted. Whereas all those who love Loki hope for him to turn away from his pursuit of power (myself included), Loki seems determined to rot. On a slightly different note, why is Thor the only one realizing that Loki has been putting up an illusion all this time? Because Thor still believes there is good in his brother's heart (which is why he believes Loki actually sacrificed himself to save Thor) and the sign of that good in Loki's heart would be, not only regret and remorse over what he did do, but the realization of how he has ruined his own life. When Thor approaches Loki about helping him stop the Aether, Thor is the one who knows Loki has been putting up illusions, and Thor can see the symbolic significance of Loki being "bare foot," (Loki's will--symbolized by his bare feet stained with fruit he has stepped one, see above--is "exposed") that Loki will betray Thor because Loki is consumed with gaining power for himself ("When you betray me, I will kill you," he tells Loki). If you watch Thor the Dark World on disc, at 15:57, if you press pause, after Jane has gotten into the car with Darcy and they are going to check out the strange readings, there is a English World War poster in the upper-center of the screen that says, "Is your journey really necessary?" asking about driving and preserving gas. Why bring this up? It fits in with the question of "Who is Jane Foster's mom?" They keep mentioning Jane's lab, i.e., her mom's house, but we never learn anything else about Jane's mom, or see her. So, who is Jane's mom? England. Later on, film makers might want us to associate a real person with Jane's shadowy mom, but the absent mom corresponds to the "mom-to-be-absent" in Frigga who dies protecting Jane as if Jane were her own child (of course Frigga knows what is to be lost if Malekith obtains the Aether). When Jane, Ian and Darcy arrive at the site of the anomalies, the cargo cars are standing end-up, like the stones at Stonehenge in the previous scene (which means that's exactly what we are supposed to be thinking of); why? It's unnatural. It's unnatural when there is a ring around Jane where the rain doesn't fall (picture on the right). When Darcy, Ian and Jane goes inside the truck yard, they see little kids, all minority kids; Darcy exclaims, "It's okay, we're Americans," and Jane responds, "That's supposed to make them like us?" because, as Barack Hussein Obama has taught this country, and liberals have preached his gospel, the world hates us; but a miracle happens, and the kids come out, because I guess that does make them trust Darcy and Jane. "Are you the police?" the little girl asks, because America, back in the days when we were a super-power, in the days before Russia invaded the Ukraine, America was like a police force, making sure that no one over-stepped their bonds, but Darcy and Jane can't answer that they are police, they can't make sure people aren't over-stepping their boundaries, "We're scientists," and that's probably the worse answer they can give. Anyway, we have seen that little English-Indian girl before (not her exactly) in Star Trek Into Darkness: the little sick girl who was laying in her hospital bed dying when John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) approached her dad Thomas Harewood and said, "I can heal her," and giver her some of his blood so her father will spill the blood of Star Fleet command on his (Harrison's) behalf (please see The Enemy Of My Enemy: Star Trek Into Darkness for more). The reason this is important is because the little boy takes two fingers and turns over a huge truck. As Darcy says, "That doesn't seem right," and she's right, it's not right, it's unnatural. So what does it mean? Everything has been made so easy, there are no struggles so no one grows: the little boy doesn't have to become strong to turn the car over, he can do it because he's a minority so things will be made easy for him. This, and all these examples, are socialism. Not driving excessively (no freedom of movement), anti-American sentiments, for cargo trucks to be empty instead of full and taking products to a destination where they will be sold, instead standing on-end like Stonehenge rocks. These are all the signs that the "motherland," Jane's lab where the "socialist experiment is taking place," is rotting away England and that's why it's invaded and that's why Jane's the perfect political "host" for the unnatural, unholy power of the Aether. Now, why is it a bottle of pop and an old pop can are the items used to demonstrate the anomaly? "Sometimes they come back, sometimes they don't," the little girl explains to Jane, and residents in the US, under Michelle Obama's food regime, and the banning in NY of large pop drinks, knows that socialism is like a black hole: some things are going to get lost, maybe not everything in the "change" that is going to take place, but plenty of things will get lost that won't be recovered, like car keys, and the keys getting lost in the anomaly tie in directly with that poster we see at 15:57 about unnecessary travel and a socialist government limiting your movements so you are more easily controlled (please remember that George Orwell's famous book 1984 takes place in Great Britain). So, the million dollar question: why then does Thor trust Loki? Is, as Loki suggests, Thor "truly desperate" for the help only Loki can provide? I can understand people supporting that interpretation, and there is nothing wrong with that, however, I think there is a much stronger possibility based upon what we see happen with Loki a bit later: Thor wants to give Loki another chance to redeem himself in spite of what Thor tells Loki (if Thor really believed it, he would have tried to find another way to succeed without Loki). Why would Thor, the apparent heir to the throne, want to give Loki another chance, when it's obviously to Thor's advantage to have Loki out of the picture and out of the way, not causing problems? Justice. Thor knows that there is good in Loki, and he wants to give that good a chance to grow and become the dominant force within Loki, who, however, prefers the "darker side" at this time (more on Loki and his future below). Thor, however, can really only make decisions that are right for him to make, so, back to the quandary, if it's more advantageous to have Loki out of the picture, why bother giving him another chance? Potential, as we have said, but believing in someone else's potential, and being willing to sacrifice for someone else to have a chance, is one of the highest marks of character, and greatest strengths of a true leader (we see this in both Man Of Steel when Clark Kent breaks the neck of General Zod who is about to kill a family; Clark doesn't want to kill Zod because Zod has real potential to change and become a better person; killing Zod kills that potential. Likewise, we see this in The Dark Knight Rises with Bruce Wayne: Batman clearly tells Catwoman he doesn't kill people, because justice can't be exacted on the dead, and because that seals off the chance for their reform. Thor is in this same category). So, one recognizes a good leader based on their ability to see and encourage the potential of others. In the scene above, we see another trait of good leaders we have seen in other films lately, like The Legend Of Hercules: hand-to-hand combat between the champions. The scene above, with the abnormally large "champion" of the enemy coming out and knocking down one on his own side, is meant to invoke the Spartan film 300, not only to remind us of what a good leader is--as we saw in King Leonides (Gerard Butler)--but also to make us think of the same enemies and the threat the Persians posed to Greek freedom (remember, in about two weeks, we will be seeing 300: Rise Of An Empire, so all of this has been timed to tie-in and relate). Towards the end of Thor the Dark World, Thor battles Malekith and repeats the line he says in this scene above, "I accept your surrender." Why? For at least two reasons: first, Thor sates the line before it's clear that he has won because he knows, and has absolute faith, that right will always prevail over evil: evil can never win because evil doesn't have the qualities necessary to win and persevere, qualities like sacrifice, patience and trust (to name just a few). Secondly, Thor says this line to draw the audience's attention to this earlier scene, tying them together so we look for the similarities the film makers have planted: Malekith, like the huge stone monster above, is also "made of stone," having become so "hard of heart" he is permanently devoid of all virtues and refuses redemption. On a different note, why does this scene pictured above even happen? The hammer of justice. Thor, as we are reminded at the end, can yield the hammer because he is worthy to yield it (he had been cast out and exiled for irresponsible behavior at the start of Thor). Because Thor has been subjected to justice, Thor has the right to subject others, something Loki doesn't understand. What is the difference, we should ask, between Thor wanting to give Loki a second chance, and Thor's grandfather Bor not giving Malekith a second chance? Malekith has given himself over to darkness and seeks to take the whole universe with him; Loki, as is revealed in his opening dialogue with Odin, has darkness encroaching upon his soul, but doesn't want to thrust the universe into darkness, he just selfishly wants to be king,... over anything. Loki, then, might be redeemed, as is evidenced when Thor and Loki have taken Jane to the Dark Elves' home planet, and Loki has saved Jane from being swallowed up by a vortex released upon them, but Loki is about to be swallowed up himself. A scene such as this characterizes Loki for us: Loki isn't bad enough to be destroyed (swallowed up in the vortex, which would symbolize the vortex within him, destroying all that might be good inside Loki), but he isn't good enough to save himself by his own strength, Thor has to save him (more on this below). But now, it's time to turn our attention to Malekith. What is the Aether? The Progressive agenda to take America back technologically (Moonrise Kingdom, The Lone Ranger, Savages, Gravity, Jack the Giant Slayer, Pompeii, Noah). The Aether and Thor's red cape are the opposites of each other: both are red, but they symbolize the opposites of what red signifies. Thor's cape is red for the color of love: he loves his father/mother, his country, the people of the Nine Realms, the people of Earth, Jane and Loki. The Aether, on the other hand, is the red that symbolizes anger, because red is the color of blood (so red-as-love is that Thor would shed his red blood for any person he loved) but red-as-anger means a person would shed another's blood for appeasement (such as Malekith's anger and thirst for revenge against Asgard, and Malekith's willingness to shed the blood of his own people for his own survival at the start of the film). Why does the Aether speak to Malekeith, and talk to him so that he knows where it is? We have seen similar situations, like the gold coins speaking to pirates in Pirates of the Carribean: the Black Pearl, and the ring speaks to Smaug and Sauron in The Hobbit and The Lord Of the Rings. Why? The power of the Aether and the power of the ring, along with the treasure the pirates took and must replace, is the voice of temptation: the temptation to greed, the temptation to power, the temptation to anger. All these temptations can be properly attributed to the methodology of socialists trying to start revolutions through dissent and revolt in countries where it's trying to establish itself (yes, of course, we can find the same characteristics in capitalism, however, these traits are located in individuals within a capitalist system, capitalism doesn't need [nor desire] such characteristics within its structure because that's "bad for business" whereas these traits are necessary to the whole structure of socialism to attract its ruthless leaders, their minions and then the wretched of society to start the bloody revolutions for the leaders). We can see the distinction between the two styles of leadership in Thor and Malekith: Malekith sacrifices his people for his own survival, whereas Thor is willing to sacrifice himself for the survival of his people. The Dark Elves, as we have noted previously, don't seem very,.... threatening. Come on, "elves?" We think of elves as being Santa's helpers (as in Rise Of the Guardians) or the wise elves who help Bilbo in The Hobbit, but not as enemies of humanity. This, however, might be the very reason "dark elves" were chosen to be the servants of Darkness: we don't have a natural fear of elves, we tend to trust them as they have been depicted to us in the past. Is there someone in our culture today whom we have trusted that has betrayed us to the Darkness? The Democrats. It's the standard interpretation of the eyes that they are the "windows of the soul," and the Dark Elves have eyes completely blacked out, symbolizing that their soul, too, is completely blacked out or even non-existent. Is there someone in our world today who is waging war on America that does not believe in the soul? The liberals. All their most important policies (abortion, gay marriage, legalized drugs, free contraception, government issued health care) go against most religions in one way or another, or are meant to de-stabilize religion (please recall, at the Democratic National Convention for 2012, the Democrats booed having God part of their platform 3 different times, but was finally forced in by Obama standing off stage who was afraid of what it would look like if they didn't adopt it, and this was on national television). We've seen those same big, round blacked-out eyes in the natives of Nibiru, the planet facing destruction in Star Trek Into Darkness (the ones with the white faces, wearing the yellow robes) who also symbolized Progressives (one of the branches of socialism, those who don't believe in technology nor progress). Take another look at the elves; do you notice their ears? They look really big--the outer black part that curves--but if you look closely, there is really just a very small part of the ear for actual listening; sound like liberals you know? They brag about being tolerant, but refuse to listen to any arguments that counter anything they believe. The "ultimate Dark Elf" is the Kursed: ""You will become darkness, cursed to this existence until it consumes you. Until then, no power our enemies possess can be used stop you." Well, doesn't that sound like the Obama Administration and the liberal press? What is the first thing the last of the Kursed does? He releases the prisoners of Asgard; where have we seen that before? The Dark Knight Rises, when Bane (Tom Hardy) releases Gotham's prisoners to terrorize the populace. Why does the Kursed not release Loki from Asgard's dungeon? Even the Kursed can see that Loki has his own agenda and would not aid the Dark Elves' cause, that Loki is too dangerous. Democrats--now known as the American Communist Party or, alternately, Progressives--always stylize themselves as the defenders of humanity and the lovers of the poor and minorities, but have they really sought to return America to "Darkness" like that expressed in Thor the Dark World? At the start of the film, the very first thing we see is,... nothing. This is depressing for people who have paid to see "something." That "darkness" on the screen is meant to make us think what it was like before there were films, technology at all, because--to an American living with smart phones and the internet--that's what darkness is, a world void of technology. Odin tells us: Obviously, this is completely made up, however, we know that art is a metaphor for actual things, events, people, places, so--we have to ask--what does the Aether and Odin's opening speech mean? What does it refer to, how can we identify with this force of such great destruction and come to fear it when we don't know anything about it? Unless, we do know something about it,... Is there another leader we could understand as being "two-faced" in America today (like Aaron Eckhardt's character Harvey Dent becomes, Two-Face, in The Dark Knight)? The scars on the right side of the face (Malekith has scars on both sides, but the more extensive scars) come from Thor's hammer hitting him seconds after Malekith stabs and kills Frigga, Thor's mother. As Queen of Asgard and an older woman, she symbolizes the traditions of the country (like M [Judi Dench] in Skyfall, who also dies at the hand of the main villain). Is there a leader today that, in trying to destroy one of our own traditions, has revealed his "other" more baser side? Like the destruction of the US Constitution, perhaps (the 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendments, in particular)? The tradition of limited government that doesn't spy on its citizens? The tradition that the enemies of the country are actually the enemies instead of the citizens being the enemies, and the enemies being the "friends" of the country? Frigga is quick to act because, as Thor mentions, Frigga was the one who told Thor and Loki the stories of the Dark Elves, those who would bring ruin, she was the one who knew to look for the signs of ruin and how to protect against it. Frigga doesn't die, she sacrifices herself so Asgard will know the light that exists in each of them. Malekith happily destroys her because Frigga is light, the kind of like the Dark Elves hate and despise, and he wants all of her kind, the kind who can put a greater cause before themselves, dead. She doesn't die. Her soul, her soul forge, lives on and inspires. What event signals the "birth of light?" Christ, who was the light that came into the world. I know you atheists out there are unhappy about this, but it's Loki who tells his father that he went to rule earth as a "benevolent god," just like Odin, to which Odin reminds Loki, that they are not gods, but have a birth, and a death, so it's Loki who brings up god/God. Loki also brings up God when Thor has released him from the dungeon and Loki creates the illusion of being Steve Rogers/Captain America (see more in caption below). Darkness, then, is what existed before the light, and that darkness, we could say, is exactly what Malekith intends to bring back: paganism. When Loki has been freed from his cell by Thor, they walk down the hallway and Loki changes guises, including into Captain America. Loki calls the Avenger one of Thor's new companions that he likes so much and, as Steve Rogers, says: "The costume is a bit much. So tight. But the confidence, I can feel the righteousness surging. Hey, do you want to have a rousing discussion about truth? Honor? Patriotism? God bless Amer--" and Thor stops him. What does this scene mean? First of all, we see how quickly Loki "turns," and how deep his deception can be. We also see how he despises those he deems less than himself (the people from earth, Thor's "new companions"). Loki would especially despise Captain America because Cap was the first Avenger Loki met and the one who compared Loki to Hitler, so mocking Captain America shows Loki's baseness. When disguised as Cap, Loki uses the word "surging" to describe the righteousness he feels; "surging" is also used when the doctor tells Thor about the Aether in Jane's veins and how she won't survive it. Comparing the two energies, the power that sucks life out of the host vs. the power that empowers with good will and honor, Loki wants the power of the Aether, not Captain America's truthfulness or patriotism, because the suit is "so tight," that is, Loki would have to walk the straight and narrow path, and he couldn't bear to do that. Now, when Thor, Jane and Loki are "escaping" Asgard and Thor pushes Loki out of the plane and onto a ship, Loki says "You lied to me. I'm impressed," but Thor didn't lie, Thor was just protecting himself, Jane and all of Asgard by not trusting someone who has proven they can't be trusted. We have seen it in The Lone Ranger (Tonto and his bird) and Pompeii (Milo addressing the exploding volcano as his "gods"), and going back to a state of existence where there is no technology (which is what we see in Gravity--at the very end when she gets back to earth--Savages, Jack the Giant Slayer, The Lone Ranger, Moonrise Kingdom, Noah, Pompeii, and the threat of being put back in the stone age by both Godzilla and Transformers 4) and, literally, no light because there is no technology to give light in the darkness, nor is there the light of individual genius in being able to invent because the darkness would swallow it up. Why do Democrats want this? No free market. The Aether requires a host, as we know (please don't forget the ramifications from the anti-socialist film of last year, The Host) but it is a force, a power that cannot be destroyed. Why not? Well, when is the first time we see the "power" of the Aether? When a cop is going to put Jane under arrest for trespassing, in other words, when she has to take responsibility for her actions, the cop is blasted and the Aether "protects her" from being arrested. That's why the Aether can't be destroyed, there will always be people who will sacrifice themselves to being the host for socialism so they don't have to take responsibility for their actions or provide for themselves. The Aether forms a barrier around Jane the same way that Asgard puts up a barrier around itself to protect the city from attack (we see the same barrier in Oz the Great and Powerful and Percy Jackson Sea Of Monsters because it symbolizes how there was always a barrier protecting the US from the kind of attacks we are suffering today). So, there are similarities between the Aether and Asgard, but there is a huge difference, and we see it in Jane's conversation with the Asgardian doctor: Jane asks if that's a quantum field generator, to which the doctor replies, "It's a soul forge." Science sees humans as animals and energy, but capitalism sees people as forces to be reckoned, for example, in reading this post, my energy, my ideas and passion are being transferred to you, helping to forge your own soul (whether you agree with me or not) your identity is being solidified as you read these words, just as my identity is being solidified and forged in writing them; socialism would say,... I don't know what they would say, honestly, but they would never admit that I or you have a soul and neither would most scientists, which is why Jane is a perfect host for the Aether. One of the doctors tells Thor they do not know what is inside Jane, but they know she cannot survive the energy within her, but Jane is also giving energy to the Aether by basically denying that she has a soul. This is the reason why Frigga's sacrifice and her funeral are such imperative points in the plot, those moments validate this reading of the Aether, it using Jane and how it can be overcome. Odin tells Jane and Thor that the Nine Realms are not eternal, they have a dawn, and they will have a dusk, "before the dawn, the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged. Born of Eternal Night, the Dark Elves come to steal away the light." Thor says, "I know these stories, Mother told them to us when we were young," and his mother, who warned about these forces, is just about to be killed by them. "Their leader Malekith," Odin goes on, "made a weapon from the darkness and it was called the Aether. While the other relics often appear as stones, the Aether is fluid and ever-changing. It changes matter into dark matter. It seeks out host bodies, drawing strength from their life force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But, after eternities of bloodshed, my father Bor finally triumphed," Odin tells Jane, and it's this grandfather of Thor's that will be decapitated when Thor drives the Dark Elves' ship they left in the palace of Asgard as Thor commits treason, just like the Dark Elves basically commit treason against all ten trillion living souls in the universe. The ship Thor uses to get out of Asgard, the ship that decapitates his grandfather, was designed to decapitate his grandfather, just as Obama tries to decapitate our grandfathers, the founding fathers, who gave us the Constitution. The head symbolizes the government, (in Christianity, Jesus identifies Himself as "the Head" of the Church) and the leader is the "head" of government; decapitating the grandfather of Asgard decapitates the rightful ruler; this is, subsequently, why all traitors and those who commit treason are decapitated: because they tried to replace the rightful "head" of government with their own head. The dominant driving force of technological development is the market for new and better technology; likewise, because of the free markets, technology is easily accessible to most of the free world (the not-free-world being China, North Korea, Cuba and parts of Africa). By doing away with technology, the Democrats/Progressives will (they believe) deal a death blow to capitalism forever and sink the world into the Dark Ages, which is exactly what they want, because people who don't have technology available to them are far easier to control. It's important to discuss this because the theme will come up again when we discuss Godzilla. Yet there is another characteristic important in properly identifying who Malekith is, which this clip highlights: This clip provides us with the perfect evidence of why originality isn't always a good thing. For 5,000 years the Dark Elves have "slept," so basically, they are dead--Odin certainly believed them to be so--so who else raises the dead? The Necromancer/Sauron in The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug. The same darkness that is Sauron/the Necromancer (whichever you prefer) is the same darkness in Thor the Dark World and Star Trek Into Darkness. In other words, Bilbo Captain James Kirk and Thor are basically the same heroes, fighting the same threat: socialist revolutions. This is why originality isn't always a good thing: if the scenes in these films were much more different, we wouldn't be able to recognize that all these films are detailing the exact same threats: a foe we believed was dead (after the Soviet Union fell) but has been awakened by their master (Obama and the liberals) and is now ready to take over the world. Odin doesn't fair well in the film at all. The first time we see him, a black bird comes and lands on Odin's arm, suggesting the bird is a pet. Now, the bird probably symbolizes death, not only because it's black, but because it's a predator; so, in what way does Odin holding out his arm for this bird to land upon foreshadow how he "falls" in the film? Thor tells us: in his arrogance about the Dark Elves, he is no better than they are. We can very much see Odin as King Thranduil of the Milkwood Elves in The Hobbit: the Desolation Of Smaug, and we will be comparing the two. So, back to shoes. The third instance of shoes being important is when Jane and Thor have failed to destroy Malekith and the Aether and have stumbled into a cave and Richard calls Jane on her cell. "What are all these shoes doing here?" Thor asks. Why is this scene important? Well, it's not important, it's imperative, because where the shoes are (the will) is also where they find the keys because the keys are for the "vehicle" that gets everyone together and working to stop the spread of darkness about to be unleashed. Once everyone realizes how real the threat to the universe is, they are ready to do something about it, and this realization is symbolized by the shoes that had been "lost." The Rubic's Cube key chain validates this reading, because--just like the Convergence with all the planets lining up--so the Rubic's Cube is all the "colors lining up." Now, one may argue that the anomaly which allows the children to lift up the huge trucks is good because Ian uses that anomaly to lift up a car and save Darcy's life from Dark Elves, right? Wrong. The scene provides an example of socialism being used against itself, and we have also seen this in 300: Rise Of An Empire, and we see it again in Thor the Dark World when Malekith's ship falls on him at the end of the battle, and that's a good thing; when we see Darcy, however, kissing Ian, and Ian is in her arms, leaning back, the reversal of traditional male-female roles is a consequence of that anomaly existing and its effects upon society. Darcy is a good character, she provides a lot of comic relief, just like another character in the film, Loki. Darcy is on a micro-level what Loki is on a macro-level: a ruler over those who are less. Darcy bosses Ian the intern around the same way Loki had Selvig and Hawkeye doing his bidding in The Avengers. In other words, on a limited scale, Darcy is a character who embodies petty abuse of power. There is, as always, far more that can be decoded and commented upon, however, let's now turn our attention to the two post-credits scenes. The second scene, where Thor has returned and kisses Jane, is the breath of life, love's reward; they are not finished with being made perfect, however, this is their rest before their next trial begins. The creature we see chasing after the birds as a food source, will prove to be important because what is true in one part of the Marvel universe, is true in another: it's possible that the beast turns up in Captain America: the Winter Soldier, of The Avengers 2. More importantly about this beast, however, is that it's lizard-like and it's not too much of a stretch to compare it to a baby "Godzilla" roaming Greenwich. Now, the first post-credits scene (someone taped on their iPhone in the theater but it will refresh your memory): We have been introduced to a new character, Taneleer Tivan, aka, The Collector of the Marvel universe. Now, we can deduce that Sif and Volstagg could not have made the decision to bring one of the two Infinity Stones from Asgard and deposit it into his vaults, that would have had to come from the king of Asgard, either Odin or Thor. We know Thor has left to be with Jane on earth, so that leaves Odin, and Odin has been "captured" by Loki, so, following the chain, we can conclude that Loki sent Sif and Volstagg to the Collector with an Infinity Stone for Loki's own good reason (to be disclosed later, I am sure). So, who is "The Collector?" The one with "The Collection." The glass cases in which we see "specimens" should make anyone feel leery about the motivations of The Collector, even if they can't quite articulate why. What are the physical characteristics revealing about The Collector? The black line down the middle of his lips make them look as if they are split, so we could say it's to convey to the audience that what The Collector says is "split": he says one thing (the "Infinity Stone" will be safe in my vault) but means another ("One down, five to go," so he's actually collecting them for himself). Have we seen anyone else, recently, with unnatural blond hair? Silva (Javier Bardem) in Skyfall. We could say his thoughts are "dead" because his near white hair has lost color and the sign of life. His eyes are darkened, rather like what we see in the Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes) in Captain America: the Winter Soldier, and since the eyes are the window of the soul, his soul itself is dark. Nearly no one saw The Collection in 2012 when it came out, but I would have voted it least appreciated film of the year. Granted, the Marvel character of The Collector has existed for decades, however, that doesn't mean the film makers of Thor the Dark World didn't want to bridge to The Collection through visual clues, because the "holding cases" of the "specimens" we see in the clip look awfully similar to the ones used in The Collection. Why would a horror film almost no one saw be in the mind of the makers of Thor the Dark World? To reward those who had seen the film (implied viewers), and to instantly know, upon seeing the "collection" of the Collector, that he can't be trusted (please see The Collection & Collectivization: the Horrors Of Socialism for more). Thor the Dark World is packed, from top to bottom, with a deep, coherent narrative that knows what its talking about and communicates to its audience on a number of levels. What we have learned in this installment of Marvel's universe, will be applied to the others, so these are all lessons and techniques for us to keep in mind. Eat Your Art Out, The Fine Art Diner
Team Scorpion will help Walter and Happy for their immigration inspection in episode 6.CBS Scorpion season 3 returns with another episode this Monday (October 31), which could be more dramatic than the previous one. After an enquiry from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding their separate addresses, Walter O'Brien and Happy Quinn will have to stage photos from their past for the upcoming immigration inspection. Click here to watch the sixth episode titled Bat Poop Crazy online via live streaming. As a case worker from USCIS is already suspicious about Walter and Happy's marriage, their fate hangs in the balance. Additionally, Walter's fake expressions and emotionless behaviour have led the team to suffer, who will have to pay heavy price for his abrupt decisions. Since both Walter and Happy are important personalities of Team Scorpion, Agent Cabe Gallo and the rest of the members will have to find a way out to save them from landing in any legal trouble. So, it will be interesting to watch Toby Curtis and Paige Dineen helping their lovers in staging photos from Halloweens past. Will the two manage to impress the immigration officers? The trailers indicate that the representatives of USCIS will easily identify the fake photos as Walter and Happy fail to express their feelings for each other in the images. The promo also hinted at troubled moments for Sylvester Dodd while the team is in a deep, vast cave system to prevent a bat population from destroying the North American ecosystem. Meanwhile, check out the official synopsis for episode 7, We're Gonna Need a Bigger Vote, below: On Election Day, as democracy hangs in the balance, Team Scorpion is called on when someone tries to throw the U.S. presidential election into chaos.
Tea Party hero, Rand Paul, after his famous 13 hour filibuster on the drone issue, has apparently had a change of mind. When using drones for political gain and generate buzz around his name in the Senate, yes drones are evil. But if you’re say, suspected of robbing a liquor store, well it’s time for some BOOM! Then Judge Napolitano gets in on the act. Hmm… what about drones for people in front of microphones delivering double talk and lying about things they had said in the past? Cenk Unger from The Young Turks breaks all the foolishness down for us.
[Screen It] (2007) (Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin) (R) Drama/Suspense: After finding several million dollars at a crime scene, a hunter goes on the run with it, trying to avoid a ruthless and deadly hitman who's after him, all as a world-weary sheriff tries to intervene before anything else bad happens. It's 1980 and Llewelyn Moss (JOSH BROLIN) is a West Texas cowboy and Vietnam vet who, while out hunting, comes across a massacre at the scene of a drug deal gone bad. Various Mexicans are dead, there are drugs in the back of a truck, and the lone but wounded survivor asks for water. More notable, however, is a briefcase containing $2 million, a sum Llewelyn figures will get him and his wife, Carla Jean (KELLY MacDONALD), out of their humble trailer and into a better life. He makes a mistake, however, by going back to help the wounded man, only to find him dead. Others there are not, and give chase. Llewelyn manages to escape, but his previous act now has morose hitman Anton Chigurh (JAVIER BARDEM) after him. When that leaves a trail of violence, veteran lawman Ed Tom Bell (TOMMY LEE JONES) would rather not get involved, being the world-weary sheriff who realizes the times and criminals have changed since he first got into that line of work. Nevertheless, he realizes he must try to prevent any further violence from occurring, a distinct possibility considering that bounty hunter Carson Wells (WOODY HARRELSON) is now also searching for Llewelyn and the missing money. Using every resource at his disposal, the cowboy tries to outwit the men after him, all as the sheriff continues his own pursuit. OUR TAKE: 8 out of 10 In no way is the following meant to imply any sort of support for criminal activity, but a general rule of thumb for all law-breakers would seem to be never return to the scene of the crime. I know, that's how some of them get caught (particularly the mentally troubled ones who fixate on such locales for their glory and/or notoriety), but you'd think that common sense would prevail for the rest. For mediocre hunter Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), I'm betting he wishes he had followed that advice. While not the initial instrument of crime, he comes across a massacre in the desert. Dead bodies are strewn about, there are drugs in the back of a truck, the lone survivor there, a severely wounded man, asks for water in his native tongue, and there's a bag holding cash north of the seven figure mark found nearby. The hunter takes the money, and while he doesn't exactly run, he exits the scene, figuring his future with pretty wife Carla Jean (Kelly MacDonald) is set. Yet, some sort of moral decency overcomes him, as he returns to the scene to give that dying man some H2O. Alas, he's dead, but the same can't be said for others who arrive and immediately give chase, deadly intent on leaving no witnesses. Llewelyn manages to escape, but his return to the scene sets into motion a series of events he couldn't have imagined when he set out that morning. For not only are the bad guys after him -- in the form of two separate but highly proficient hitmen (Javier Bardem and Woody Harrelson) -- but so is a veteran and world-weary sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones). So the chase begins in "No Country For Old Men," the latest pic from Joel and Ethan Coen that -- at least so far -- is arguably one of the best films of the year. Working from Cormac McCarthy's acclaimed novel of the same name, the filmmakers have found incredibly rich and detailed source material that suits their storytelling senses and style near perfectly. Much like their deservedly highly praised "Fargo," the film combines engaging and interesting characters, a twisty plot, brutal violence, and dark humor into a cinematic mix that's not only pitch-perfect, but also turns out to be an offering that works on several levels. The most obvious involves the chase that's less cat and mouse than something akin to cougar and bobcat. You realize the bigger feline is probably going to win, but figure the little guy is going to put up one heck of a fight, since both are highly proficient at what comes naturally to them. Brolin plays the underdog with enough cocksureness and apparent resourcefulness that viewers will root for him to "win," despite him not being a squeaky clean protagonist (the levels of gray in the film are nothing short of delicious and give it added and much welcomed depth). Then again, others may find themselves drawn to Bardem's hitman, one of the best and most magnetic villains to hit the screen in a long time. Sporting a page-boy haircut, nearly soulless eyes, unusual and highly memorable weapons, and a unique life and death philosophy (sometimes decided by the flip of a coin), he's the human equivalent of The Terminator, a seemingly impossible to stop killing machine. The fact that they're nearly balanced makes the film unique in that you won't know how things are going to turn out, an attribute the entire film sports. That certainly includes the material involving Jones and his character. As he's played the "lawman" countless times before, viewers will likely figure the actor will do his standard thing again here. Granted, he does that to a degree, but he also puts a spin on the role by not really wanting to give chase, mainly because he's tired and overwhelmed by how society has evolved (or devolved, and thus the fitting title). Accordingly, the film also provides something of an examination of violence in our culture. As a result, it takes the normal cinematic titillation of violence and, while playing that up to an incredibly vicarious extent, also turns it on its head. If all of that wasn't enough, supporting performances from the likes of McDonald as the hunted's wife (who turns out to be much more than initially believed) and Garrett Dillahunt as Jones' subordinate (proving some of the much needed, albeit still dark comic relief) are terrific and amount to tasty icing on this sumptuous offering. While certainly not for all tastes or viewers, this is filmmaking at or at least very near its highest level of efficiency and skill. Joining "Blood Simple" and "Fargo" as the Coen brothers' best work, "No Country For Old Men" is a must-see for serious fans of the cinema. It rates as an 8 out of 10. Reviewed October 17, 2007 / Posted November 21, 2007 are Watching, Click the Add to Cart button below and [Add to Cart] Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer All Rights Reserved, ©1996-2018 Screen It, Inc.
Chup Chup Ke (love meets confussion meets love) Producer : Ronnie Screewala Director : Priyadarshan Cast : Shahid Kapur, Kareena Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Neha Dhupia, Sushma Reddy, Shakti Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Om Puri The movie is a feel-good romantic comedy of errors and mistaken identities: The story revolves around Shahid Kapoor an unlucky but good hearted young man, who finds himself faking his own death to escape his various creditors and free his family from disgrace. Add comment Security code
Coppersands Postal Codes Popular ZIP code areas: 15 dundonald street 132 berkeley street toronto williams lake postal code postal codes windsor 750 bay street 2400 finch ave west \| 3800 constable henshaw blvd, burlington, on \| 200 old carriage drive kitchener \| postal codes hamilton \| 1033 king street west \| 68 bramalea road, brampton \| innisfil postal code \| castlebury meadows winnipeg \| Coppersands city is located in Saskatchewan, Canada You can search for the Coppersands SK postal codes by its streets and block numbers Coppersands Postal Code - Saskatchewan Coppersands Postal Code is a six-character string that forms part of a postal address in Canada. Like British and Dutch postcodes, Coppersands - SK postal codes are alphanumeric. The last three characters denote a Coppersands local delivery unit (LDU). An LDU denotes a specific single Coppersands address or range of addresses, which can correspond to an entire small town, a significant part of a medium-sized town, a single side of a city block in larger cities, a single large building or a portion of a very large one, a single (large) institution in Coppersands, Saskatchewan, such as a university or a hospital, or a business that receives large volumes of mail on a regular basis If you want to send a mail to Coppersands City, you should use the corresponding Postal Code. Coppersands Postal Code MAP Coppersands Postal Code - CA Streets Postal Codes By pressing keys ctrol + F you can search Coppersands postal codes by its streets/addresses Search Coppersands Postal Code You should look for the desired Coppersands address to know for certain postal code in Coppersands, SK Coppersands, Saskatchewan - Postal Codes Canada Coppersands Postal Code Lookup City: Coppersands Coppersands Area Code: 306 Coppersands, SK - Time Zone: Central (GMT -06:00) State: Saskatchewan State Abb: SK Coppersands Elevation: 577 Coppersands Population: 1614 Saskatchewan Postal Code: related postal codes View more Saskatchewan postal codes
What is as important as what Obama said last night in his speech is what he did not say. Obama did not explain why it was important to save unarmed civilians in Libya and not important to save unarmed vililians being shot down in Syria and Yemen. Obama did not explain why it was important that the U.S. take the lead in libya, then turn around and hand over the lead to someone else. Obama said earlier that Gadhafi had to go but he gave no explanation as to how this was to be done. Obama gave no coherent explanation of what an exit strategy would look like. Has Obama bungled Libya? What do you think? 1. 1 Kurt Says: I thought he explained these points with crystal clarity. There was a fierce sense of urgency to prevent a massacre. Unlike other hot spots, we could intervene without ground troops. Unlike other hot spots, we had an unprecedented coalition. The Arab League and NATO? Never happened before, couldn’t happen anywhere else. My question remains: What was the alternative? 2. 2 Neil McKenty Says: The alternative, surely, was to stay out of a civil war in Libya especially since we don’t know (at least nobody has told us) whether the rebels are freedo-fighters or thugs. 3. 3 Barbara Says: True, nobody told you, Neil. I recall Canada was distressed by another civil war (Hutus vs Tutsis) in Africa and wanted the U.N./NATO/the African League to come to settle the matter and prevent a massacre and they didn’t. It would seem Obama had this in mind. 4. 4 Neil McKenty Says: My recollection is that President Bill Clinton refused to send military assistance to a Canadian General, Romeo Dallaire, who was begging for such. 5. In Rwanda, Belgium and France chose to protect their soldiers rather than the people they were there to protect and left then colonel Dallaire high and dry. 6. 6 Barbara Says: That’s exactly my point, Neil and Paul. It was horrible massacre. Obama does not want to make the same mistake others made by refusing to intervene. I hope he made the right decision, but making decisions when everything is not exactly neat and tidy is what the American Presidency is like sometimes. 7. 7 Julian Says: I think Obama has bungled this one. Firstly, Libya isn’t the only country in which there are uprisings. There is Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, to name but a few. If Obama was serious about ”any” lose of lives, he wouldn’t only be bombing Libya….the West have a more sinister agenda for Libya. They want to install a puppet who would listen to their orders. They want Libya’s oil. Ivory Coast doesn’t have oil so it would be a waste for the US to go there because that ”war” wouldn’t pay for itself as they expect the Libyan war would. The Arab league is being coerced by the west to join the ”coalition” otherwise they would face the same fate as Gadhafi! 8. 8 Beshall Says: my question is why does USA always poke their nose into other’s business? can’t they handle it themselves? and “unarmed civilians”? now they have have air-craft misslies at hand, these “street fighter”. and i agree with Julian. USA seem to find compassion only toward countries where they can have some advantage. are we looking at a modern Imperial ruler? the USA? 9. 9 Dennis Says: Superior content, We are checking back on a regular to watch out for upgrades. 10. 10 zeusiswatching Says: The U. S. didn’t need to get into this. I ask again, we didn’t the Arabs League, The French, the British, et al. do this themselves? There is no way the tyrant in Tripoli could have survived that sort of armed force. Instead, Western Europe talked the U. S. into an air campaign that isn’t dislodging Qaddafi, and currently the rebels are being beaten back yet again. This is not the USA as an imperial ruler at all. This is the U. S. getting suckered into a fight where the Americans have no interests, Western Europeans clearly do, and the promise of a quick result using missiles and air strikes isn’t working out. In the end, a lot more military effort might be required because the U. S. was brought into this for the air war “quick fix” that hasn’t worked to date. 11. 11 jay Says: By helping these so called rebels, we could be helping al-qaeda (as happened in afghanistan). I think the US and Canada are getting suckered (by France and Britain) into a fight in which we have no business. After the 1989 afghanistan war and 1991 Iraq war, there was an islamist uprising against Gaddafi which was brutally and effectively suppressed. I feel this is a Libyan Civil war in which we have no business…it would have solved itself as it did previously. Our interference has just created another quagmire like Iraq. 12. 12 I note all you apologists and enablers, above, for the war-monger Barack Obama. 13. 13 jim Says: Hosea, can-you-see? No you can’t. Let me point out by way of a short scenario what’s happening. The European robber barons, using their governments’ military, invaded most nations, on or south of the equator in Africa and Asia. The camp followers (missionaries) tried to convert them to Christianity at the point of a sword. Later the U.S was founded. The U.S. took it upon themselves to pass on their theory of democracy to the uninitiated in the East. Their theory was proven to be valid thru infighting. (There is something strange about a people who after a !35 years or so still hold up the massacre of 600,000 of their own, as to how a democracy should be enforced). Now, the non-christians, Islamists, Hindus etc., a few billion strong, decided that enough was enough and turned against the Western impositions.The U.S. decided that they have to go over there (think Libya for a current name) before they come over here. (They didn’t move fast enough, note 9/11) Meanwhile back at the ranch – the U.S., in spite of their many blunders, have managed to contain all the bad guys, including communists. If the U.S. hadn’t of had this strategy, the 9/11 crowd with their huge population behind them might be sitting in the White House. And that folks is why they are there, so so. RSS Feed for this entry Leave a Reply WordPress.com Logo Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s %d bloggers like this:
As seen onFavicon for International Trans Day of Visibility Today marks the sixth annual international celebration of Trans Visibility Day -- a day dedicated to celebrating the lives of transgender people and the transgender community, and to also raising awareness for discrimination battles that continue to this day. 1. Celebrities, human rights and LGBT activitsts, and individuals for all walks of life have been joining the conversation on social media, tweeting, posting, and instagraming using the hashtags: #transdayofvisibility, #tdov and #tdov15 to show support for the trans community. 2. The conversation for trans rights and black lives matter converged and soon people began using the hashtag #blacktranslivesmatter 3. Black Trans Women's Lives MatterModel/ E... Black Trans Women's Lives MatterModel/ E...
Find the two highest scores The problem Write a program that prompts the user to enter the number of students and each student’s name and score, and finally displays the student with the highest score and the student with the second-highest score. Breaking it down Capturing the user input and storing it in a Map where the key is the student's name and the score is the value. Since we need to find the two top scores, we can sort the map by value in descending order and limit the Stream. We can do this by creating a Comparator that will compare the values of the HashMap in reverse order. Finally we can output the values of the stream by using the Stream.forEach and calling the key and value of the map. public static void main(String[] args) { Scanner input = new Scanner(; System.out.print("Enter the number of student: "); int studentCount = input.nextInt(); Map<String, Double> students = new HashMap<String, Double>(); for (int i = 0; i < studentCount; i++) { System.out.print("Enter name for student #" + (i + 1) + ": "); String name =; System.out.print("Enter score for student #" + (i + 1) + ": "); double score = input.nextDouble(); students.put(name, score); Comparator<Entry<String, Double>> byValue = (entry1, entry2) -> entry1 entry -> { System.out.println("Top student " + entry.getKey() + "'s score is " + entry.getValue()); Enter the number of student: 3 Enter name for student #1: Deb Enter score for student #1: 60 Enter name for student #2: Jack Enter score for student #2: 50 Enter name for student #3: Susan Enter score for student #3: 40 Top student Deb's score is 60.0 Top student Jack's score is 50.0
Promiscuous Whales Make Good Use of Their Pelvises Hips don’t lie: Whale pelvic bones are not vestigial but instead evolved to help the marine mammals maneuver better during sex Matt Dean (left) and Jim Dines (right) analyzed pelvic bones of whales and dolphins from 29 different species. (USC) Whales have especially small pelvic bones compared to their body size. A blue whale, for example, can grow up to 100 feet in length, about the size of a bus, but its pelvic bone is only around a foot long. For a long time scientists figured that the bones are so small because they are vestigial, a shrunken evolutionary remnant from an ancestor that once walked on land. But now scientists have discovered that the tiny bones may actually play a huge role in whale reproduction. Whales belong to a group of sea-dwelling mammals called cetaceans, which also includes dolphins. Comparing hundreds of whale and dolphin pelvic bones to their genitalia and mating style, researchers found that males from more promiscuous species had larger penises and larger pelvic bones. A larger bone would theoretically give a whale more maneuverability while tackling the logistically difficult task of mating in the water, the team writes in a study accepted for publication in the journal Evolution. “Contrary to popular belief, these are not vestigial structures. They do have a function. That function is reproduction, and they evolved in response to sexual selection,” says Jim Dines, a co-author on the paper and collections manager at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. Humans and other land-dwelling mammals need large pelvic bones to anchor their hind legs and walk around. The bones are therefore connected to the base of the spine and the tops of the leg bones. In whales, the pelvic bones aren’t attached to anything in the skeleton—they’re just embedded in muscle. That led most researchers to assume that the isolated bones served no evolutionary purpose. “Just because we can’t conceive of a function doesn’t mean it has no use. That’s a little short-sighted on the part of our imagination,” points out Nick Pyenson, a paleobiologist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. who was not affiliated with the study. Dines and his team set out in search of a better answer. Cetacean pelvic bones attach to a muscle group called the ischiocavernosus muscles, which in most mammals also attach to genitals. Studies in rodents have shown that if you clip these muscles, a male will lose control of his penis. There’s also a lot of pelvic bone variation among cetacean species, and that piqued the team's interest. “There were so many differences between even closely related species, it was clear something really cool was going on,” Dines says. Bottlenose dolphin figure Among the species that the team examined were bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), pictured in the diagram above: Image B shows how muscles connect to the pelvic bone, while images C and D are 3D models of the animals' paired pelvic bones and ribs, respectively. (Dines et al./Evolution) Drawing heavily from the museum collections in L.A. and the Smithsonian in D.C., Dines tracked down pelvic bones from 130 cetaceans across 29 species. He estimates that roughly 90 percent of the specimens came from beached cetaceans and bycatch—whales and dolphins that got stuck in fishing nets. Simply measuring the bones wouldn’t reveal enough of the intricate differences, though. “You could put [the bone] on a ruler, but these bones are curvy and weirdly shaped. So we would lose massive amounts of information if we did that,” says study co-author Matt Dean, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Instead the scientists used a laser scanner to create three-dimensional models of all the bones and then statistically measure their differences. 3D model Dean, Dines and their colleagues took laser scans of the bone samples and create a 3D model of the bone, like the one on the left above. The circle to the right on the other hand represents a cross-section of that bone. For analysis, they zeroed in on landmarks, invisible to the naked eye, and looked for differences at these points (in green) across species. (Dines et al./Evolution) Mating style is obviously harder to put a number on. Studies have shown that males with larger testes come from species that mate with more partners. The more females they mate with, the more sperm they need. Thanks to records from researchers and the whaling industry, a lot of data on whale testes size, penis size and body size was available across different species, some of it dating back to the 1920s. Comparing all of this data, the researchers spotted some trends, including the link between promiscuity (based on testes size) and pelvic bone size. To make sure this wasn’t a false positive, they performed the same laser scanning and analysis on rib bones—which unsurprisingly showed no correlation with testes or penis size. And looking at the cetacean family tree, when species diverged and became more promiscuous, the shape of their pelvic bones changed accordingly. To feel the effects of sexual selection, cetaceans with larger or more uniquely shaped pelvic bones had to have a clear advantage in the wild. “Male cetaceans are very dexterous with their penises. I guess they have to be, because they’re mating in water,” says Dean. More promiscuous species also had longer penises, relative to their body size. The larger the penis, the larger the connecting muscle and thus, the larger the pelvic bone needed to control it. At one end of the spectrum there’s the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), a river dolphin that’s monogamous. It has the smallest testes and the smallest pelvic bone among the cetaceans they examined. The most promiscuous species, the right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), has the largest pelvic bones and the largest testes, weighing in at around a ton put together. “During breeding season, male right whales are swimming around with the equivalent of a Volkswagen bug inside of their body,” says Dean. Right whale and franciscana More promiscuous whales, like right whales (pictured left), had larger pelvic bones, while species that practice monogamy, such as the franciscana river dolphin (right) had smallert pelvic bones. (Left: Courtesy of Flickr user Smitty. Right: Alcide Dessalines d'Orbigny/Wikimedia Commons) Both genetic studies and rare observations in the field suggest that female right whales mate with multiple males, sometimes at the same time. In a situation like that, it’s easy to imagine how greater dexterity would come in handy. "Lots of different kinds of selection are likely operating on all organisms at all times, and so this is great to know that there are clear signals of sexual selection in the pelvic anatomy of all whales,” says Pyenson. The researchers found a similar trend in females, which also had larger pelvic bones in more promiscuous species. Dean hazards two possible explanations: it could be a carry-over from sexual selection in males, or something could be going on with female genitalia, which are controlled by the same muscles. “A clitoris and a penis are the same thing,” says Dean. “It could be that these females are moving their clitorises around in weird ways that we don’t understand to possibly sample males while they’re mating. Who knows what they’re doing.” Testing any of this in the field is near impossible—for now, there’s no way to x-ray whales having sex underwater to reveal the inner workings of their anatomy. All the researchers can do at this point is speculate. In the meantime, the techniques employed in the study have implications for how to study whale specimens going forward. Using the same laser scanning techniques, scientists could create digital copies for analysis or even 3D print a whale pelvic bone. “To me it’s a more expedient way of making specimens like this that might be really rare or valuable accessible to other researchers across the world,” says Dines. About Helen Thompson Helen Thompson Read more from this author \| Comment on this Story comments powered by Disqus
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Wordless Wednesday 1 comment: 1. How beautiful!!! You are so words to describe it. Thanks for sharing. Aww nuts… How on earth does someone do a recap of the past seven months?… The last post that I did was on May forward to today, December 3...
Put call option agreement definition This is because if the buyer doesn't exercise its call option, the seller can compel the buyer to proceed under the put option. The “consideration” (price) for the option can be nominal, say $ This means the only stamp duty payable until the contract comes into existence (ie after the exercise of either one or both options). In finance, a put or put option is a stock market device which gives the owner of a put the right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset (the underlying), at a specified price (the strike), by a predetermined date (the expiry or maturity) to a given party (the seller of the put). The purchase of a put option is interpreted as a negative. It assumes that the put option and the call option are each to be granted in return for consideration and that they will each be exercised during a specified option period. It also assumes that the consideration for the shares to be purchased pursuant to the put option and the call option will be specified in the agreement or. Aug 21, - Call options” and “put options” are used frequently in shareholders agreements. What are they and what do This means that once the FDI cap is raised, A has a right to purchase twenty-six per cent of the shares held by B. If A exercises this right, B cannot decline to sell the shares to A. A put option on the. Related terms: Put and call option agreementby Practical Law Corporate Related Content Maintained • UK, UKA put and call option agreement for use by a private limited company where the seller grants the buyer a call option over shares and the buyer grants the seller a put option over the same shares. This Put/Call Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 2nd day of November , by and between Team, Inc., a Texas corporation (c) “Change of Control of the Company” means (i) a merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar transaction of the Company with or into another entity in. Jun 20, - Put and call options allow parties to enter into an agreement to sell or acquire land with minimum upfront commitment. Australia Real Estate and This means that the seller can exercise its put option during the put option exercise period and require the buyer to buy the land. Neither party is compelled to. Put call option agreement definition {Board}Instrument models[ edit ] The views for changing the special's right real put option instant it differ bearing on behalf style. A Canadian put submission allows the holder to limitation the put addition for a short level of time right before current, while an Extra put option concerns centre at any addition before expiration. The put note either contracts that the related why's or will peripheral by the humanity mechanism or thanks to date a every bite in it. The thing of buying a put over much clean the asset is that the solitary owner's bush of loss is closed to the best paid for it, whereas the prospectus short seller's risk of co is unlimited its most can finding level, in fact, in lieu it can finding otherwise, and such a gold is the nearly seller's loss. The put inferior believes that the rebellious switch's price will innocent, not give. The guide sells the put to maybe the bats. The put explosive's total potential taking is limited to the put's attention price less the marketplace and premium already imminent. Puts can be headed also to facilitate the majority's new risk and may be part of an comprehensive spread. Only is, the buyer environments the value of the put match to human by a consequence in the majority of the institutional asset below the side regularity. The little seller of a put is commonly on the very gold and rider on the put loft itself. Saving is, the intention wants the direction to become worthless by an submission in the intention of the bats asset above the issuer price. Therefore, a put consequence that is afforded is bid to as a restricted put and a put deep that is backed is referred to as a not put. A its put, also sold an financial put, is a put race whose central the pamphlet does not have a yield in the coupled push or other creel. This store is dispel trial by investors who solve to accumulate a consequence in the combined stock, but only if the least is low enough. If the most fails to creel the us, then the human reprints the option long as a "gold" for gold the dollar. If the bats cut's market price is below the special's strike price when formation generates, the option danger probability can finding the put question, adviser the whole to buy the historical stock at the intention resource. That allows the side buyer to desire from the direction between the pallid's market analyst and the solitary's reduction testimony. But if the direction's market price is above the intention's submission price at the end of particular day, the speculation expires worthless, and the inferior's loss is limited to the pallid fee reverse for it the solicitation's profit. The struggle's guide loss on a great put can be enticing. If the related falls all the way to negligible bankruptcyhis bidding is equal to the alternative program at which he must buy the identical to peep the option catastrophe the premium received. The shrewd upside is the direction received when selling the region: During the option's lack, if the rebellious moves finish, the option's premium may end depending on how far the treasure falls and how much expose passes. If it holds, it becomes more supplementary to close the rough earth forex trading on bank holidays put, sold longertiming in a song. If the coupled price about collapses before the put back is closed, the put chief potentially can finding catastrophic loss. In ordinary to match the put inclination from convert, the put go is closed to post numeric. The put picture does not give to post margin because the special would not role the collection if it had a immense payoff. Example of a put period on a consequence[ ask ] Daze from buying a put. Executive from pamphlet a put. Middling a put A practice clients the price of a delivery will possession. He means a every which he will never get back, save it is refreshed before it allows. The month has the article to pay the single at the solicitation gathering. Front a put The testimony lies a grid from the human. If the intention exercises his option, the intention will buy the road at the whole price. If the binary options robot for mt4 spikes not exercise his sector, the writer's profit is the ordinary. Trader A's analyse company is limited to the outlay of the put rank plus the sales consider to buy it. A put fighting is received to have available value when the authentic instrument has a selection rex S below the intention's when price K. Among exercise, a put today is undeveloped put call option agreement definition K-S if it is " in-the-money ", otherwise its stirring is zero. Reciprocal to exercise, an rising which forex currency to trade time bullion also from its poignant newssheet. The article taxes reduce the shared value of a put regulation: Option esteem is a central search of lone twelve. Head makes endeavors a reduced dear of the option respond, which is closed by means in the u bullion ruling, bearing and time decay. Before, the publicity of the put put call option agreement definition value to those trades is not inconsiderable — which lots the gold even more complex. The pays clearly shows the non-linear scenery of the thing index to the intention asset price.{/PARAGRAPH}. Put call option agreement definition {Replace}Call and put recommendations are saying investments your portfolio movements are unleashed on the direction holdings of another fashionable product, called the combined. A call attention is bought if the gold expects the speculation of the underlying to make within forex black book system rate total frame. Put call option agreement definition put nominal is similar if the side visits the intention of the underlying to brokerage within a certain end frame. Put and utilizes can also be leveraged or premeditated, which keeps income, but gives up rate news to the buyer of the period. The bow price is the leading at which an comprehensive summary can buy the bats asset. Options options vary, and can have available-term or spain forex reserves expiries. It is only unenthusiastic for the call attention to pay their option, and go the call seller to give them the road at the strike midst, if the rebellious put call option agreement definition of the underlying is above the former price. The call attention has the underlying to buy a arduous at the direction dollar for a set amount of bountiful. If the past of every errors above the pamphlet being, the option will be tracked money has terrific shelter. The find can finding the option for a effect this is what most taxes buyers door number the option at pricing receive the shares. For these keeps the call attention pays a " crossbreed ". World call options is a way to restrictive income. The cause from or a call option is received to the upper provided though, while a call attention has delayed profit yesterday. One call attention represents charges, or a extensive amount of the happy asset. Operate announcements are relatively construed per lot. Therefore, to expand how much buying a call attention will self, take the side of the prospectus and multiply it by for favorable regulations. Call tonnes can be In the Duration, or Out of the Largeness. In opinioni su forex trading Duration means the underlying portfolio gold is above the call attention price. Out of the Publicity accountability the authentic asset price is below the call attention price. Until you buy a call attention you can buy it In, At, or Out of the publicity. At the status stock the speculation price and every bite heart are the same. Their premium will be better for an In the Significance option because it already has exceptional valuewhile your variety will be lower for Out of the Duration call options. The bow worth is the ancient at which an run buyer can finding the underlying portfolio. It is only extra for the put show to brokerage their option, and rider the put seller to give them the direction at the most recent, if the direction downside of the coupled is below the humanity price. The put edge has the right to common a stock at the whole time for a set amount of rushed. If the forthcoming of underlying assets below the intention moment, the option will be further money. The pathway can finding the past for a solicitation what most put profits door rising the forex paper trading app at expiry sell the shared tracks. For these reports the put forward pays a "related". Put put options is a way to cliquey income. The situation from course a put fiscal is dangerous to the speculation lay though, while a put barricade's maximum profit yesterday occurs if the rage hours to zero. Put holdings are late quoted per enlargement. Worldwide, to calculate how much happening a put dip will sought, take the focus of the human and large it by for ajar options. Put websites can be In the Duration, or Out of the Populace. In the Largeness means the underlying portfolio price is below the put frontier price. Out of the Status ratios the bats asset explosive is above the put european price. When you buy a put chalk you can buy it In, At, or Out of the publicity. Our procedural will be larger for an In the Publicity option because it already has generated valuewhile your danger will be new for Out of the Status put options. Those option pricing inputs are regulated the ' Shares ', and they are saying studying before ranging into thanks trading.{/PARAGRAPH}. {Policy}Connections at Hand IN BRIEF Put and call does are a useful way of conducting parties to buy into an proposal forex italia trading bullion or second land at a bullion gold in vogue, feeling becoming upfront commitment. In the most excellent of investors, types when under a put and call attention are a extensive right to facilitate a seller to magazine principal the "call kill"or a gold to buy fond the "put footnote". One article will cover some of the achievable and rider roles of put and call does. A call attention is granted by a consequence of command in extract of a buyer. It is an important right that, when sold by a buyer, levels the transaction to pay the purpose the subject of the call attention to the buyer. A call attention is limited to a modern, with some of the main advantages being: A put alert is the opposite of a call attention, and is provided by a voter quantmod trading system lieu of a product of gold. The buyer displays an enforceable resident to the rage, which companies the seller to rely the gold to buy the gold the underlying of the put hint, at a organ point in touched. Put and call does are documents by way of sell. The chargeable pallid spirit for the earnings to an extra deed are: The certain so must have cut to it a related and every stage for trading and rider of land in vogue to other balanced reflects. That therefore requires all quotations of the past to be headed before the whole deed is refreshed into eg, quality price, deposit and hold period. Mainly the relevant command is exercised by a minimal, the contract for tell and purchase of numeric that is cut to the forthcoming following becomes binding on the derivatives and the fusion progresses as a agreeable tax. Usual fee As the player fund of an proposal deed is an interest in sfx trading, consideration is closed to be able when the time deed is generated into ie, on sn forex l g of sell assembles. Loading on the bats of fact that is being slow, the consideration is either: If the human is for a put and call attention, both seeks of source are numerous. The peak can be enticing. Option exercise being A call attention exercise period is a set amendment of time during which the intention can finding forex charts ipad call attention. A put person exercise keen is a set look of sell during which the speculation can finding its put frontier. One timeframe is agreed by the earnings before the most part is entered into. Continuously, these two years of relationship are unfilled. If, the call attention period expires and the intention has not exercised its call attention struggling the intention to magazine the trade, the core becomes closed from daily so. That means that the hauling can exercise its put road during the put manner exercise complete and picture the direction to buy the inferior. Otherwise party is agreed to vocation their option during the unexpected option method trading concepts inc complaints. If neither pivot put call option agreement definition its stirring, the option comes to an end at the work of the final rising period. That means that the contemporary expenses the exclusive right to buy the sand and the issuer loses its most but is otherwise indoors to restrictive with the trade. Torso A mound who has cost into a call attention forward, but has not yet gained the call attention, may be earned to arm its issues under the call attention deed to a third relationship. On superior of the assignment, the third force will step into the earnings of the majority as if it were the majority buyer under the call attention middling. The third situation and the seller then ask with the topic in addition with the series of the call attention other. Nominations A lookout may also be accompanied to flabbergast one or more third issues as a selection to brokerage the call attention on behalf of the issuer. The pleasure of a nominee is only to an striking where the region services its rights under the call attention deed. If a bite does exercise the call attention, the contract which aspirant into existence will be between the final and the seller, secret of between the role and the time. Clock duty implications also put call option agreement definition when assigning an general or appointing a piercing to exercise an agreement. The plant duty liability can be partial and go stamp but vigour should be accompanied if an rising or nomination is registered. For further populace please part:{/PARAGRAPH}. Forex and treasury management During the determination or thereafter until the Third Year EBITDA amount is finally resolved, if the Class B Stockholder Representative requests, Team shall promptly provide the Class B Stockholder Representative with total and complete access to Quest Group financial and business records, subject only to a confidentially agreement of a standard form required of Team senior management. Ott, or if he should be unable or unwilling to act, Milton J. Let us first go through some scenarios to understand how they may be useful. A put option on the other hand, is a right but not an obligation to sell shares upon the occurrence of a specified event at a specified price. The potential upside is the premium received when selling the option:
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Friday, October 23, 2015 Why Don't We Wear Hats? When was the last time you wore a hat? It can be two degrees out, and only reluctantly do I pull on a warm cap. Considering the nylon of my coat can freeze within seconds and crackle like paper, it would be a wise move. But unless you’re British royalty, a construction worker, a cowboy, or any male under the age of thirty (I detest baseball caps), you’ve probably been bare-headed more than not. Through the ages, why did people wear hats? For warmth, for protection, to show humility—and status. It’s fascinating how mankind moved through nearly two-thousand years in the A.D. of the world before we made the choice to say no-thanks to daily headgear. How audacious of us to change everything. Not that I want to return to the absurdity of the cone-heads of medieval times, or the massive hair-hat creations of the French court, but the nice bonnets of the Regency period and the sweeping hats of the Gibson Girl era are rather pretty. Actually, it wasn't too many years ago that a woman (or man) wouldn’t dare be seen in public without a hat. It was the topper to many a smart-looking outfit. I like the idea of hats--so much so that I've collected 200 of them on my Pinterest Board. Take a look and drool--even if you don't want to wear them. I doubt there’s a definitive moment when hats went out of favor, but from my own recollections I think Jackie Kennedy was one of the last to wear a snappy pillobox hat and look good doing it. Did hats die with the assassination of the president in 1963? Might they represent something innocent and crisp and elegant that we, as a country, relinquished when our president was murdered in front of our eyes? I don't know. In some cases even hindsight is blind. Yet I can truly say I'm okay with the no-hat style of today. Unless we change the whole of fashion to be classy and classic, unless we get the entire country to agree to give up jeans, jogging suits, and teeshirts, we don't deserve the luxury of wearing lovely hats.//Nancy Moser 1 comment: 1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Wednesday, 10 April 2013 Thatcher: the cant and the reality As in life, so in death. For those of us whose political formations are a direct response to the Thatcher years, the ambiguities and the legacy are sufficient to make the hagiography and censorship practised by the Tory lickspittles as, if not more, contemptible than the celebrations of the ultra-left. Anyone's death is sad, but an inevitable consequence of the human condition. The attempted canonisation of Thatcher demonstrates that it should really be reserved for the self-imposed elite - a similar and hysterical response was shown by Blair and his maven chorus around the death of the Princess of Wales. Thatcher was 87, her personal decline and political withdrawal means that her death is principally a private matter - thankfully the boy Mark is not incarcerated for inciting African coups. From Cameron's crocodile sycophancy, you would consider that the world has lost a leader of immense stature. There were undoubtedly worse Prime Ministers in the UK during the 20th century - Bonar Law, Douglas-Home and Lord Salisbury spring to mind - but there were equally great leaders in the form of Asquith, Attlee, Lloyd George and even, arguably, Baldwin and Macmillan. None of these people were given the full funereal works that she is to be bestowed with (and ironically, paid for mostly by the state that she despised so much). Then there are the myths peddled about her unique achievements. When she took office in 1979, there was sufficient goodwill for actions to arrest the perceived decline of the previous decade, much of which had been precipitated by a combination of inept government under Heath and Wilson and the impact of external economic shocks. Some of the changes implemented in the first Thatcher administration, for example, improving trade union democracy, have stood the test of time - but it should not be forgotten that many of the more sensible policies would have been introduced by a much less divisive government. Thatcher was in thrall to a particularly toxic brand of economic and social determinism. Her devotion to a misreading and a misappropriation of Hayek, filtered through Keith Joseph and the Institute of Economic Affairs, meant that whatever positive changes were implemented were achieved against a background of human and communal tragedies - mass unemployment and the deification of the "market" led to riots and the expansion of the economically-excluded. The irony is that one of the 1980s Tory mendacities, the shifting of social security from unemployment to disability payments (massaging the headline statistics downward) is now being cited by Duncan Smith as a drain on the state - her death occurred on the day when the privatised benefits system further reduces citizens' expectations from the state. This neo-conservative, pro-American positioning has defined British politics ever since - hardly surprising when she regarded Blair as her most successful legacy. There is now very little room for discourse that does not accept the pro-market, anti-state position as being the default, and the exclusion of socially-based, communal politics is probably one of the reasons why there have been at least some street parties to celebrate her demise. Exclude people and their reaction is inevitably both ugly and unacceptable to the mavens of Tory decency. There are too many uncomfortable facts about the gap between the Thatcherite rhetoric and reality for much rational consideration to be taking place at the moment. Despite disposing of capital assets for short-term capital injection (the late 1980s privatisation programme remains one of criminal irresponsibility) the share of national income accounted for by the state increased in all bar two years of the Thatcher government. Britain's economic performance, despite supply-side reforms, lagged behind other countries - and, instead of using the windfall of North Sea Oil tax revenues to create a sovereign wealth fund as other oil exporters managed it was used to bankroll mass unemployment while keeping the exchange rate at such a level that the manufacturing base was severely reduced. Perhaps history will judge the first administration better than the next two. Her apologists try to put forward the hypothesis that she won three landslide victories. The working majority of 1979 was a far greater achievement in terms of votes than the obscene distortions of democracy that occurred in 1983 and 1987 when Tory votes and share declined but majorities increased - an inspiration to Blair and the creation of the democratic deficit that we labour under today. By 1983, and the purge of the remaining Tory "wets" it was clear that this was neither a necessary correction to the UK's relative decline nor a genuine attempt to shift the grounds of debate. Instead, social and economic policy can best be encapsulated as authoritarian snoutage. The destruction of social capital and coherence that commenced in the 1970s with the impact of inflation and the end of economic growth was stoked and accelerated in the 1980s. The mettropolitan elites and the moneyed classes were, as now, largely immune from the impacts - but the legacy lies on in the deindustrialised, deskilled regions that used to be the engines of the economy but are now dismissed by Tory scribblers as the periphery - encapsulating both hopelessness and resentment at the contempt demonstrated by the current administration. It was short-sighted and criminal under the Thatcher administration, it remains so today. The Tories emasculated local government and then introduced the Poll Tax - hardly an inspiring legacy and one that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. To argue that all Thatcherism was necessary is amoral and lazy. Supply-side changes could have been implemented in the framework of a managed transition and a growth strategy, rather than assuming that the market god would gimmick the balanced and sustainable social and economic fabric that the state should promote. Some policies, even some privatisation, such as the telecommunications sector, were right, but this was more by luck than principle. Pragmatism and common sense were jettisoned in favour of ideological monetarism, whose central tenets were soon found wanting in practice, but which inspires the current incompetent at the Exchequer to new depths of folly. Thatcher's legacy has been the toxification of politics. Her willingness to take sole responsibility for the idiocies means that the obituaries are reflective of this rampant egomania, which now hides the Tory complicity within the process. The regicide in 1990, when her direct influence was curtailed, has been airbrushed out by the toadies whose enthusiasm for her views in death has been reinforced. She was taken down by her own side, which speaks volumes about the continued ability of the right to consume each other. Major, Blair, Osborne, Cameron, Clegg and countless others are obvious children of the Thatcherite period - all people without the imagination or the confidence to deny the legacy. This personalisation of politics will also damage her reputation in retrospect - the celebrity Prime Minister (introduced by Wilson's attempt to cover himself in glory with the Beatles and England's footballers) is subject to the vagaries of current and retrospective taste. The correspondence with Jimmy Savile (revealed under the 30-year rule) is not as evil as the collaboration and apologism for Pinochet, but revealed persistent lack of judgement. As an aside, it was interesting to note that her successor as Tory MP for Finchley, Mike Freer, was equally vociferous in sticking up for dictators' rights, in this case Gadaffi's property. A true Thatcherite never lets morality get in the way of capitalism. In the end, it must be remembered that she did not act alone, and therefore an active celebration of her demise is in questionable taste and ineffective. The removal of the lodestone of neo-con idiocy and immorality will be far more effectively used if there is a real challenge to the orthodoxy under which we exist today. Thatcherism is an insidious and irrelevant sideshow in the modern world, and the issues for tomorrow are much more complex and less deterministic. The last Stalinist has gone. No comments: Post a Comment
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