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People of Ethiopia |This article or section possibly contains previously unpublished synthesis of published material that conveys ideas not attributable to the original sources. (July 2013)| ||It has been suggested that this article be merged with Ethnic groups in Ethiopia. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2013.| |Regions with significant populations| |Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Tigrinya, Wolaytta, Gurage, Sidamo| |Christian 62.8% (Ethiopian Orthodox 43.5%, Protestant 19.3% (e.g. P'ent'ay), Catholic 0.9%), Muslim 33.9%, Traditional 2.6%.| Ethiopia's population is highly diverse. Most of its people speak a Semitic or Cushitic language. The Oromo, Amhara and Tigreans make up more than three-quarters (¾) of the population, but there are more than 80 different ethnic groups within Ethiopia. Some of these have as few as 10,000 members. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is taught in all secondary schools. Amharic was the language of primary school instruction but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya. According to the 2007 Ethiopian census, the largest first languages are: Oromo 24,929,567 speakers or 33.8% of the total population; Amharic 21,631,370 or 29.33% (official language); Somali 4,609,274 or 6.25%; Tigrinya 4,324,476 or 5.86%; Sidamo 4,981,471 or 5.84%; Wolaytta 1,627,784 or 2.21%; Gurage 1,481,783 or 2.01%; and Afar 1,281,278 or 1.74%. Widely spoken foreign languages include Arabic (official), English (official; major foreign language taught in schools), and Italian (spoken by European minorities). According to the CIA Factbook the religious demography of Ethiopia is as follows; Ethiopian Orthodox 43.5%, Muslim 33.9%, Protestant 18.6%, traditional 2.6%, Catholic 0.7% other 0.7% (2007 Census). The largest diaspora community is found in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 137,012 Ethiopian immigrants lived in the United States as of 2008. An additional 30,000 U.S.-born citizens reported Ethiopian ancestry. According to Aaron Matteo Terrazas, "if the descendants of Ethiopian-born migrants (the second generation and up) are included, the estimates range upwards of 460,000 in the United States (of which approximately 350,000 are in Washington, DC; 96,000 in Los Angeles; and 10,000 in New York)." A large Ethiopian community is also found in Israel, where Ethiopians make up almost 2% of the population; almost the entire community are members of the Beta Israel community. There are also large number of Ethiopian emigrants in Saudi Arabia, Italy, Lebanon, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden and Australia. Tishkoff et al. (2009) identified fourteen ancestral population clusters which correlate with self-described ethnicity and shared cultural and/or linguistic properties in Africa in what was the largest autosomal study of the continent to date. The Burji, Konso and Beta Israel were sampled from Ethiopia. The Afroasiatic speaking Ethiopians sampled were cumulatively (Fig.5B) found to belong to: 71% in the "Cushitic" cluster, 6% in the "Saharan/Dogon" cluster, 5% in the "Niger Kordofanian" cluster, 3% each in the "Nilo-Saharan" and "Chadic Saharan" cluster, while the balance (12%) of their assignment was distributed among the remnant (9) Associated Ancestral Clusters (AAC's) found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The "Cushitic" cluster was also deemed "closest to the non-African AACs, consistent with an East African migration of modern humans out of Africa or a back-migration of non-Africans into Saharan and Eastern Africa." Wilson et al. (2001), an autosomal DNA study based on cluster analysis that looked at a combined sample of Amhara and Oromo examining a single enzyme variants: drug metabolizing enzyme (DME) loci, found that 62% of Ethiopeans fall into the same cluster of Ashkenazi Jews, Norwegians and Armenians based on that gene. Only 24% of Ethiopians cluster with Bantus and Afro-Caribbeans, 8% with Papua New Guineans, and 6% with Chinese. A composite look at most YDNA studies done so far reveals that,out of a total of 459 males sampled from Ethiopia, approximately 58% of Y-chromosome haplotypes were found to belong to Haplogroup E, of which 71% (41% of total) were characterized by one of its further downstream sub lineage known as E1b1b, while the remainder were mostly characterized by Haplogroup E1b1(x E1b1b,E1b1a), and to a lesser extent Haplogroup E2. With respect to E1b1b, some studies have found that it exists at its highest level among the Oromo, where it represented 62.8% of the haplotypes, while it was found at 35.4% among the Amhara, other studies however have found an almost equal representation of Haplogroup E1b1b at approximately 57% in both the Oromo and the Amhara. The haplogroup (as its predecessor E1b1) is thought to have originated in Ethiopia or elsewhere in the Horn of Africa. About one half of E1b1b found in Ethiopia is further characterized by E1b1b1a (M78), which arose later in north-eastern Africa and then back-migrated to eastern Africa. Haplogroup J has been found at a frequency of approximately 18% in Ethiopians, with a higher prevalence among the Amhara, where it has been found to exist at levels as high as 35%, of which about 94% (17% of total) is of the type J1, while 6% (1% of total) is of J2 type. On the other hand, 26% of the individuals sampled in the Arsi control portion of Moran et al. (2004) were found to belong to Haplogroup J. Another fairly prevalent lineage in Ethiopia belongs to Haplogroup A, occurring at a frequency of about 17% within Ethiopia, it is almost all characterized by its downstream sub lineage of A3b2 (M13). Restricted to Africa, and mostly found along the Rift Valley from Ethiopia to Cape Town, Haplogroup A represents the deepest branch in the Human Y- Chromosome phylogeny. The maternal ancestry of Ethiopians is similarly diverse. About half (52.2%) of Ethiopians belongs to mtdna Haplogroups L0, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, or L6. These haplogroups are generally confined to the African continent. They also originated either in Ethiopia or very near. The other portion of the population belong to Haplogroup N (31%) and Haplogroup M1 (17%). There is controversy surrounding their origins as either native or a possible ancient back migration into Ethiopia from Asia. Passarino et al. (1998) suggested that: Caucasoid gene flow into the Ethiopian gene pool occurred predominantly through males. Conversely, the Niger–Congo contribution to the Ethiopian population occurred mainly through females. Indeed, Ethiopians do not seem to result only from a simple combination of proto-Niger–Congo and Middle Eastern genes. Their African component cannot be completely explained by that of present-day Niger–Congo speakers, and it is quite different from that of the Khoisan. Thus, a portion of the current Ethiopian gene pool may be the product of in situ differentiation from an ancestral gene pool." Scott et al. (2005) similarly observed that the Ethiopian population is almost equally divided between individuals that carry Eurasian maternal lineages, and those that belong to African clades. They describe the presence of Eurasian clades in the country as sequences that "are thought to be found in high numbers in Ethiopia either as a result of substantial gene flow into Ethiopia from Eurasia (Chen et al., 2000; Richards et al., 2003), or as a result of having undergone several branching events in demic diffusion, acting as founder lineages for non-African populations". The researchers further found no association between regional origin of subjects or language family (Semitic/Cushitic) and their mitochondrial type: The haplogroup distribution amongst all subjects (athletes and controls) from different geographical regions of Ethiopia is displayed in Table 3. As can be seen graphically in Fig. 3, the mtDNA haplogroup distribution of each region is similar, with all regions displaying similar proportions of African 'L' haplogroups (Addis Ababa: 59%, Arsi: 50%, Shewa: 44%, Other: 57%). No association was found between regional origin of subjects and their mitochondrial type (v2=8.5, 15 df, P=0.9). Similarly, the mtDNA haplogroup distribution of subjects (athletes and controls) speaking languages from each family is shown in Table 3. Again there was no association between language family and mitochondrial type (v2=5.4, 5 df, P=0.37). As can be seen in Fig. 4, the haplogroup distributions of each language family are again very similar. In addition, Musilová et al. (2011) observed significant maternal ties between its Ethiopian and other Horn African samples with its Western Asian samples; particularly in terms of the HV1b mtDNA haplogroup. The authors noted: "Detailed phylogeography of HV1 sequences shows that more recent demographic upheavals likely contributed to their spread from West Arabia to East Africa, a finding concordant with archaeological records suggesting intensive maritime trade in the Red Sea from the sixth millennium BC onwards." According to Černý et al. (2008), many Ethiopians also share specific maternal lineages with areas in Yemen and other parts of Northeast Africa. The authors indicate that: "The most frequent haplotype in west coastal Yemen is 16126–16362, which is found not only in the Ethiopian highlands but also in Somalia, lower Egypt and at especially high frequency in the Nubians. The Tihama share some West Eurasian haplotypes with Africans, eg J and K with Ethiopians, Somali and Egyptians." ||This section may stray from the topic of the article. (May 2012)| |This article or section possibly contains previously unpublished synthesis of published material that conveys ideas not attributable to the original sources. (September 2009)| Ethiopia and Sudan are largely agreed upon by most linguists as the Afro-Asiatic Urheimat. More recent linguistic studies as to the origin of the Ethiosemitic languages seem to supportthe DNA findings of immigration from the Arabian Peninsula with a recent study using Bayesian computational phylogenetic techniques finding that "contemporary Ethiosemitic languages of Africa reflect a single introduction of early Ethiosemitic from southern Arabia approximately 2,800 years ago", and that this single introduction of Ethiosemitic underwent "Rapid Diversification" within Ethiopia and Eritrea. The study also went further to state, "Thus, we propose that the current distribution of Ethiosemitic reflects a process of language diffusion through existing African populations with little gene flow from the Arabian Peninsula (i.e. a language shift)." There are many theories regarding the beginning of the Ethiopian civilisation. One theory, which is more widely accepted today locates its origins in Africa, while acknowledging the influence of the Sabeans on the opposite side of the Red Sea. At a later period, Ethiopian civilisation was exposed to Judaic influence, of which the best-known examples are the Qemant and Ethiopian Jews (or Beta Israel) ethnic groups, but Judaic customs, terminology, and beliefs can be found amongst the dominant culture of the Amhara and Tigrinya. Indian alphabets have been claimed as the example used to create the vowel system of the Ge'ez abugida. ||This section may stray from the topic of the article. (May 2012)| Around the 8th century BC, a kingdom known as D'mt was established in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, with its capital at Yeha in northern Ethiopia. After the fall of D`mt in the 5th century BC, the plateau came to be dominated by smaller successor kingdoms, until the rise of one of these kingdoms, the Aksumite Kingdom, ancestor of medieval and modern Ethiopia, during the first century BC, which was able to reunite the area. They established bases on the northern highlands of the Ethiopian Plateau and from there expanded southward. The Persian religious figure Mani listed Axum with Rome, Persia, and China as one of the four great powers of his time. It was in the early 4th century AD that a Syro-Greek castaway, Frumentius, was taken to the court and eventually converted King Ezana to Christianity, thereby making it the official state religion. For this accomplishment, he received the title "Abba Selama" ("Father of peace"). At various times, including a period in the 6th century, Axum controlled most of modern-day Yemen and some of southern Saudi Arabia just across the Red Sea, as well as controlling northern Sudan, northern Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti. The line of rulers descended from the Axumite kings was broken several times: first by the Jewish or pagan Queen Gudit around 950 or 850. It was then interrupted by the Zagwe dynasty; it was during this dynasty that the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were carved under King Lalibela, allowed by a long period of peace and stability. Around 1270, the Solomonic dynasty came to control Ethiopia, claiming descent from the kings of Axum. They called themselves Neguse Negest ("King of Kings," or Emperor), basing their claims on their direct descent from Solomon and the queen of Sheba. During the reign of Emperor Yeshaq, Ethiopia made its first successful diplomatic contact with a European country since Aksumite times, sending two emissaries to Alfons V of Aragon, who sent return emissaries that failed to complete the trip to Ethiopia. The first continuous relations with a European country began in 1508 with Portugal under Emperor Lebna Dengel, who had just inherited the throne from his father. This proved to be an important development, for when the Empire was subjected to the attacks of the Adal General and Imam, Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi (called "Grañ", or "the Left-handed"), Portugal responded to Lebna Dengel's plea for help with an army of 400 men, who helped his son Gelawdewos defeat Ahmad and re-establish his rule. However, when Emperor Susenyos converted to Roman Catholicism in 1624, years of revolt and civil unrest followed resulting in thousands of deaths. The Jesuit missionaries had offended the Orthodox faith of the local Ethiopians, and on 25 June 1632 Susenyos' son, Emperor Fasilides, declared the state religion to again be Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and expelled the Jesuit missionaries and other Europeans. All of this contributed to Ethiopia's isolation from 1755 to 1855, called the Zemene Mesafint or "Age of Princes." The Emperors became figureheads, controlled by warlords like Ras Mikael Sehul of Tigray, and later by the Oromo Yejju dynasty. Ethiopian isolationism ended following a British mission that concluded an alliance between the two nations; however, it was not until the reign of Emperor Tewodros II, who began modernizing Ethiopia and recentralising power in the Emperor, that Ethiopia began to take part in world affairs once again. The 1880s were marked by the Scramble for Africa and modernisation in Ethiopia, when the Italians began to vie with the British for influence in bordering regions. Asseb, a port near the southern entrance of the Red Sea, was bought from the local Afar sultan, vassal to the Ethiopian Emperor, in March 1870 by an Italian company, which by 1890 led to the Italian colony of Eritrea. Conflicts between the two countries resulted in the Battle of Adowa in 1896, whereupon the Ethiopians defeated the Italian forces and remained independent, under the rule of Menelik II. Italy and Ethiopia signed a provisional treaty of peace on 26 October 1896. The early 20th century was marked by the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I, who undertook the rapid modernisation of Ethiopia — interrupted only by the brief Italian occupation (1936–1941). British and patriot Ethiopian troops liberated the Ethiopian homeland in 1941, which was followed by sovereignty on 31 January 1941 and British recognition of full sovereignty (i.e. without any special British privileges) with the signing of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement in December 1944. - "Ethiopia – People Groups". Joshua Project. U.S. Center for World Mission. Retrieved 9 February 2013. - Terrazas, Aaron Matteo (June 2007). "Beyond Regional Circularity: The Emergence of an Ethiopian Diaspora". Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved 2011-11-25. - Israel Central Bureau of Statistics: The Ethiopian Community in Israel - "Ethiopian London". BBC. Retrieved 2008-12-06. - Berhanu Abegaz, "Ethiopia: A Model Nation of Minorities" (accessed 6 April 2006) - Ethiopia entry at The World Factbook - "Statistical Tables for the 2007 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia: Country Level". Central Statistical Agency. 2007. pp. 91–92. Retrieved 2011-08-12. - Giorgis, Tedla W. "Potential into Practice: The Ethiopian Diaspora Volunteer Program". Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved 25 November 2011. - Out of Africa: Penn Geneticist Publishes Largest-Ever Study on African Genetics Revealing Origins, Migration. - Tishkoff, SA; Reed, FA; Friedlaender, FR; Ehret, C; Ranciaro, A; Froment, A; Hirbo, JB; Awomoyi, AA; Bodo, JM (May 2009). "The Genetic Structure and History of Africans and African Americans". Science 324 (5930): 1035–1044. doi:10.1126/science.1172257. PMC 2947357. PMID 19407144. - Tishkoff, SA; Reed, FA; Friedlaender, FR; Ehret, C; Ranciaro, A; Froment, A; Hirbo, JB; Awomoyi, AA; Bodo, JM (May 2009). "The Genetic Structure and History of Africans and African Americans". Science 324 (5930): 1035–1044. doi:10.1126/science.1172257. PMC 2947357. PMID 19407144.; Supplementary Material - Wilson, James F.; Weale, Michael E.; Smith, Alice C.; Gratrix, Fiona; Fletcher, Benjamin; Thomas, Mark G.; Bradman, Neil; Goldstein, David B. (2001). "Population genetic structure of variable drug response". Nature Genetics 29 (3): 265–9. doi:10.1038/ng761. PMID 11685208. - Underhill PA; Shen P; Lin AA et al. (November 2000). "Y chromosome sequence variation and the history of human populations". Nature Genetics 26 (3): 358–61. doi:10.1038/81685. PMID 11062480. - Cruciani F; Santolamazza P; Shen P et al. (May 2002). "A Back Migration from Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa Is Supported by High-Resolution Analysis of Human Y-Chromosome Haplotypes". American Journal of Human Genetics 70 (5): 1197–214. doi:10.1086/340257. PMC 447595. PMID 11910562. - Semino O, Santachiara-Benerecetti AS, Falaschi F, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Underhill PA (January 2002). "Ethiopians and Khoisan Share the Deepest Clades of the Human Y-Chromosome Phylogeny". American Journal of Human Genetics 70 (1): 265–8. doi:10.1086/338306. PMC 384897. PMID 11719903. - Moran et al. (2004) Y chromosome haplogroups of elite Ethiopian endurance - Shenn et al. (2004) Reconstruction of Patrilineages and Matrilineages of Samaritans and Other Israeli Populations From Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variation - Cruciani et al. (2004) Phylogeographic Analysis of Haplogroup E3b (E-M215) Y Chromosomes Reveals Multiple Migratory Events Within and Out Of Africa - Cruciani F; La Fratta R; Trombetta B et al. (June 2007). "Tracing past human male movements in northern/eastern Africa and western Eurasia: new clues from Y-chromosomal haplogroups E-M78 and J-M12". Molecular Biology and Evolution 24 (6): 1300–11. doi:10.1093/molbev/msm049. PMID 17351267. - Semino O; Magri C; Benuzzi G et al. (May 2004). "Origin, Diffusion, and Differentiation of Y-Chromosome Haplogroups E and J: Inferences on the Neolithization of Europe and Later Migratory Events in the Mediterranean Area". American Journal of Human Genetics 74 (5): 1023–34. doi:10.1086/386295. PMC 1181965. PMID 15069642. - Chiaroni J, Underhill PA, Cavalli-Sforza LL (December 2009). "Y chromosome diversity, human expansion, drift and cultural evolution". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 106 (48): 20174–9. doi:10.1073/pnas.0910803106. PMC 2787129. PMID 19920170. - Kivisild T; Reidla M; Metspalu E et al. (November 2004). "Ethiopian Mitochondrial DNA Heritage: Tracking Gene Flow Across and Around the Gate of Tears". American Journal of Human Genetics 75 (5): 752–70. doi:10.1086/425161. PMC 1182106. PMID 15457403. - Passarino, G; Semino, O; Quintanamurci, L; Excoffier, L; Hammer, M; Santachiarabenerecetti, A (1998). "Different genetic components in the Ethiopian population, identified by mtDNA and Y-chromosome polymorphisms". The American Journal of Human Genetics 62 (2): 420–34. doi:10.1086/301702. PMC 1376879. PMID 9463310. - Hunley, Keith L.; Healy, Meghan E.; Long, Jeffrey C. (2009). "The global pattern of gene identity variation reveals a history of long-range migrations, bottlenecks, and local mate exchange: Implications for biological race". American Journal of Physical Anthropology 139 (1): 35–46. doi:10.1002/ajpa.20932. PMID 19226641. - Relethford, John H. (2009). "Race and global patterns of phenotypic variation". American Journal of Physical Anthropology 139 (1): 16–22. doi:10.1002/ajpa.20900. PMID 19226639. - ScottRA, Mitochondrial DNA lineages of elite Ethiopian athletes, Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Mar;140(3):497-503. - Musilová et al. (2011), Population history of the Red Sea—genetic exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa signaled in the mitochondrial DNA HV1 haplogroup, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 145: n/a. doi:10.1002/ajpa.21522 - Černý et al. (2008), Regional differences in the distribution of the sub-Saharan, West Eurasian and South Asian mtDNA lineages in Yemen, Volume 136, Issue 2, pages 128–137, June 2008. - Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of Semitic languages identifies an Early Bronze Age origin of Semitic in the Near East. - Stuart Munro-Hay, Aksum: An African Civilisation of Late Antiquity. Edinburgh: University Press, 1991, pp. 57f. - For an overview of this influence see Ullendorff, Ethiopia and the Bible, pp. 73ff. - Henze, Paul B. (2000). Layers of Time, A History of Ethiopia. New York: Palgrave. pp. p. 37. ISBN 0-312-22719-1. - Pankhurst, Richard K. P. Addis Tribune, "Let's Look Across the Red Sea I", January 17, 2003. - Stuart Munro-Hay, Aksum: a Civilization of Late Antiquity (Edinburgh: University Press, 1991), p. 13. - Taddesse Tamrat, Church and State in Ethiopia: 1270-1527 (London: Oxford University Press, 1972), pp. 22-3. - Munro-Hay, Aksum, p. 36 - Taddesse, Church and State, pp. 38-41. - Tekeste Negash, PDF (51.4 KiB) - Tekeste, "Zagwe period-reinterpreted." - Taddesse, Church and State, pp. 64-8. - Girma Beshah and Merid Wolde Aregay, The Question of the Union of the Churches in Luso-Ethiopian Relations (1500-1632) (Lisbon:Junta de Investigações do Ultramar and Centro de Estudos Históricos Ultramarinos, 1964), pp. 13f. - Girma and Merid, Question of the Union of the Churches, p. 25. - Girma and Merid, Question of the Union of the Churches, pps.45-52 - Girma and Merid, Question of the Union of the Churches, pps.91;97-104. - Girma and Merid, Question of the Union of the Churches, pp.105. - van Donzel, Emeri, "Fasilädäs" in Siegbert Uhlig, ed., Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: D-Ha (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2005), p. 500. - Pankhurst, Richard, The Ethiopian Royal Chronicles, (London:Oxford University Press, 1967), pp. 139-143. - Clapham, Christopher, "Ḫaylä Śəllase I" in Siegbert von Uhlig, ed., Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: D-Ha (Wiesbaden:Harrassowitz Verlag, 2005), pp. 1062-3. - Clapham,"Ḫaylä Śəllase I", Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, p. 1063. - E. Sylvia Pankhurst, The Ethiopian People. Their Rights and Progress. Woodford Green, Essex: New Times & Ethiopia News 1946. - Edward Ullendorff, The Ethiopians: an introduction to country and people. London: Oxford University Press 1960, ²1965, ³1973 (ISBN 0-19-285061-X), ⁴1990 (Wiesbaden: F. Steiner; ISBN 3-515-05693-9).

The day of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), we pray profusely to Hashem to make Him our King. On the other hand, we must remember that Rosh Hashanah is also the first of the ten days of teshuva (repentance) that end with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement.) So, not only do we want - with all our strength - G-d to be our King, but we must also begin seriously the process of repentance to present ourselves as white as snow - if possible – on the Day of Atonement. An essential element of repentance is where we cancel ourselves completely. This means that we get rid of our unhealthy desires, our bad habits, negative traits of character ... Let's be honest: the more difficult thing when we want to repent is to leave the notion of greatness we have about ourselves. If we really want to do teshuva, we must lower the level at which we think we are and reach a low level, the one we would like to be very far from. The essence of repentance If we find true humility and sincerity, we will be able to decrease the idea we have of ourselves; should we do that, we would have done most of our teshuva. What a wonderful thing to declare that Hashem is our King and at the same time to begin the ten days of repentance, from Yom Kippur to Rosh Hashanah! Think about it: all our faults and mistakes are because of the importance we give ourselves. "I want this …"; "I can not miss that …"; "Don't I deserve this? ..." Etc. It is this exact attitude that feeds our lusts and the forces of evil. Because we give them that extra energy, they are able to make us sin and fall, G-d forbid. We learn from this that to serve G-d, we must begin to put ourselves on the side and to simply forget what we want, what we don't want, what we like, what we don't like... This is the first condition for us to appear before Hashem - on Rosh Hashanah - with a minimum of peace of mind. This is also the condition to make our willingness to declare G-d our King accepted in Heaven. The beginning of everything creates an impression that often leaves its mark for a very long time. If we can start the year ahead with a true sense of caution, modesty, and smallness, we will have great opportunities to keep these great feelings rooted in our heart and mind throughout the year. This year is coming to its end. May we recognize our remoteness from the Divine and our many bad ideas, deeds, words... May we want to fill ourselves with more Holiness and lofty feelings. The material world is a separation between us and Hashem. Let's live accordingly and lift our eyes to Heaven by crying: "Master of the world, come to my rescue! I am overwhelmed by my pride and spiritual blindness. I can even live away from You without feeling any shame. Poor me! Come quickly to my aid, I can not go on like this! " Happy New Year to everyone!

Latest update: May 3rd, 2013 Dear Rebbetzin Jungreis: I am not a native New Yorker. I was born and raised in a small out-of-town community. We were the only shomer Shabbos family in the neighborhood, and I never had friends. My parents struggled to give us a Torah education – it wasn’t easy. When it came time to attend high school, we were sent away, and that was tough. I always envied my classmates who were able to return home from school every night to be with their families.. How lucky they are, I would think, since I was able to go home only on Yom Tov and other special occasions. I would tell myself that one day, with G-d’s help, when I married, I would make certain that my husband and I would live in a community that provided a good choice of yeshivot so that our children would not be deprived of living at home and the pleasure of having friends with whom to socialize. Things did not work out as I had hoped. I guess they seldom do. As the Yiddish proverb goes, “Der Mentsh tracht un Gott lacht.”… “Man makes plans and G-d laughs,” meaning that G-d has other things in store for us. As it happened, my wonderful husband, whom I love dearly, is also an out-of-towner, and his family’s business demanded that we live in a community that does not have a strong observant Jewish population. We do have one Day School, but its level of education leaves much to be desired. A few years ago, you spoke in our community, and awakened the hearts of many people. I know that you will be gratified to learn that, as a result of your speech, many changes were made to upgrade the level of Torah study and observance, but with all those changes, things were still a far cry from what I wanted for our children – so I pressured my husband and prevailed upon him to relocate even though it meant a financial loss and emotional hurt. It is not a simple matter to give up the security of a family business and live far from people you love. My in-laws are, baruch HaShem, wonderful people who are as close to me as my own parents, so you can appreciate Rebbetzin, that this was a very difficult move for the both of us. After extensive research and visiting different neighborhoods and spending Shabbos there, we settled on a thriving Torah community in New York. We had a choice of the finest yeshivas and were confident that our children would benefit and grow, but I am very sad to tell you that we encountered many frustrations and it is for that reason that I am writing to you now to seek your advice. The main problem is with our fourteen year old son. The yeshiva in which we enrolled him enjoys a very fine reputation and we felt fortunate that he was accepted. We were also told that the boys were of a very high caliber, excelling in their learning and character traits, but overnight, we were beset by a new set of problems that we had never anticipated. Our 14 year old son is a good student, but he’s not excellent. He is a sweet, well adjusted child who is very giving and caring. He was placed in an accelerated class where the studies are very competitive and intense, and frankly, he has difficulty keeping up with the demands of this program, so we engaged tutors for him, which, needless to say, is very costly and which we can barely afford. But no matter, the education of our children is our priority and we are prepared to sacrifice for it. Please do not think that I am complaining about the financial burden, although we do feel strapped. What does concern me is that our sweet darling boy, who was always so calm and even tempered, has become very nervous and anxious. He returns home late at night overwhelmed with homework, and then, of course, there are the tutors, and he literally doesn’t have a second to himself. There are some geniuses – exceptionally bright boys, in the class who find the pace easy, but for our son, it is a struggle. As I said, he’s a good student, but he’s not one of those “geniuses”. Yet he is forced to try to keep up with them. Please don’t think Rebbetzin, that I am a pushy mother. My husband and I have both told our son that there is no reason why he has to stay in that accelerated class when he could go to a less demanding class, but when we bring up the subject, his eyes fill with tears because he doesn’t want to be demoted. As much as we would like to remove the pressure, he doesn’t want to hear about it. He has told me that he just doesn’t want to be considered a failure. He likes the group of boys in his class and he doesn’t want to lose their friendship. I do not know why the school has to create such competitiveness among the children. I feel that it’s very destructive and represents a threat to their emotional and physical well being. I have become friendly with some of the mothers and they feel the same way. One mother told me that her son went into depression because he couldn’t keep up with the work and had to join the Beis group. I would not, G-d forbid, want something like that to happen to our son, so as you can see, Rebbetzin, we are between a rock and a hard place. I appreciate that there is a lot of pressure placed on yeshivas nowadays to excel, to be the “best” school where the learning is better – but at what price? This problem with my fourteen year old is placing my husband and me under a tremendous amount a stress. Should we change yeshivas? But then again, what guarantees do we have that things will be better in another school? And is quitting the lesson that we want to impart to our son? We have spoken to his rebbe and he feels that he can do it with a little more effort, but in our estimation, that little more effort could be just too much. I would appreciate your response, and should you publish this letter, please omit my name.Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis About the Author: If you don't see your comment after publishing it, refresh the page. Our comments section is intended for meaningful responses and debates in a civilized manner. We ask that you respect the fact that we are a religious Jewish website and avoid inappropriate language at all cost. If you promote any foreign religions, gods or messiahs, lies about Israel, anti-Semitism, or advocate violence (except against terrorists), your permission to comment may be revoked.

Contrary teachings are prevalent regarding the kingdom of heaven. At one end we find the contention that God’s sovereignty manifested by the miraculous with signs and wonders such as divine healings ended with death of the apostles. So-called dispensational teachers live on an earth which is still flat spiritually-speaking with their refusal to accept evidence world-wide of the work of Jesus continuing through destroying the evil deeds of the devil (1 John 3:8). Those in the body of Christ through whom the Father manifests spiritual gifts are empowered by what Jesus calls “baptism in the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5-8). Miracles and divine healings, the casting out of devils, and raising the dead continue to take place. Such is a fact that can’t be denied by any sane person who is objectively honest. At the other end of the spectrum is a movement that risks being unscriptural referred to as dominion or kingdom theology. It embraces a falsehood that the Church is meant to bring the world under the dominion of Christ and ruled by believers prior to the return of Jesus. Such persons believe the curse resulting from the Fall is reversed so completely by Calvary that all enemies of Christ can be defeated in the church age including Satan. They ignore Jesus telling that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and that governments, the media, world economies, entertainment, and other secular agencies are controlled in the last days by Christians. They ignore warnings by Jesus and apostles that the last days are characterized by falling away from faith (great apostasy). Even the prophet Zechariah tells that upon Jesus’ return, evil will reign in great part over the earth. There have been repeat movements throughout church history with a goal of restoring the offices of apostle and prophet. At times the goal has been biblical in a sense of contributing the giftings of these Christ-ordained ministries (Ephesians 4:11,12) to edify and strengthen the church. But even with the original apostles, human failings were evident as when Paul found it necessary to correct Peter for hypocrisy when separating himself from the Gentile believers after Jewish believers came on the scene (Galatians 2:11-14). And these were men sent out by Christ Himself as apostles. Yet over time, self-appointed apostles and prophets have claimed to receive divine revelation to rule over churches. The most recent of such is rebirth of what was known as Latter Days Rain in the late 1940’s and now given a name of Dominion or Kingdom Now theology, or most recently as New Apostolic Reformation. A system of leadership is claimed by self-appointed apostles to exercise authority over the Church. Believers are to submit to leadership of these men rather than biblical submission to Christ and leading of the Holy Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). In these movements, the kingdom building is apostle-directed rather than Spirit-led, new revelations designed to create “peace” by setting aside doctrinal differences and melding various sects under leadership of apostles. The so-called apostles say Jesus will not return until the world’s sociopolitical systems known as Seven Mountains are under rule of the Church. There to be signs and wonders so discernment is critical as scripture warns such manifestations can have demonic origin in the last days.. It is strongly suggested every true believer in Jesus google the subject of Seven Mountains to gain familiarity with this spreading heresy and avoid being snared. One must be diligent to discern truth versus error in the last days when we are warned of deception apart from what can be confirmed as truth in the Word of God. Teachings of an emerging church claiming new divine revelations are not new. They surface intermittently and tend to be quite short-lived. Traditional Pentecostalism never debates the continuing ministry gifts of apostles and prophets given the church by Christ. But nothing in scripture supports claim of new revelations apart from illuminating what has already been revealed. It defies logic Jesus would impart gifts like those of apostle or prophet to edify the church and prepare people for godly works, yet intend the offices to function for a restricted time. Yet Jesus warns fourteen times to beware of false prophets. Satan transforms himself to appear as an angel of light and his workers present as ministers of righteousness, and only spiritual discernment will expose their true nature (1 Corinthians 11:14). There have always been miraculous powers manifested in signs and wonders. My recently published book Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble gives personal examples of the miraculous. But the latter were not a result of being appointed apostle or prophet. They reflect submission to the lordship of Christ so man is ruled by the Spirit of God, not by other men. One cannot focus on outward manifestations of the kingdom of God without first giving priority to inner manifestations of the kingdom which are righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Care is always to be taken in accepting revelations that are not simply illuminations of that already revealed in scripture for our edification, teaching, correction and sanctification (2 Timothy 3:16). For further information on false kingdom teaching, the reader is referred to an article on The Emerging Church under the heading of Lessons.

Nowruz Celebration in the historical Village of Palangan, Kurdistan Province, Iran. Kurdish People in traditional Costumes during the Nowruz Ceremony in the Kurdistan. Before the Islamization of the Iranic peoples in Asia, the Zoroastrian religion was believed in by the ancestors of the modern Kurds. In Zoroastrian doctrine, fire is a symbol of sight, goodness and purification. Angra Mainyu, the demonic anti-thesis of Zoroastrianism, was defied by Zoroastrians through creating a big fire every year, to symbolize their defiance and hatred for evil and the arch-demon. In Iran Palangan village whitch It may not be as well known as Shiraz and Isfahan, but has plenty to offer for explorers willing to get off the well worn track including its unique architecture, scenic nature, tasty food, authentic village life, and mysterious history. Palangan (which means ‘leopards’) is located about 50 kilometers Northwest of the city of Kamyaran in the Kurdistan province. According to the latest census, about 1000 people live here, mostly employed in the local fishing industry. The village is spread over both sides of a steep valley. In the middle flows the Tangi Var River, which eventually pours into the Sirwan River and flows into Eastern Iraq. Connecting both sides of the village are several narrow bridges. Like most of Kurdistan, the surrounding nature is filled with endless scenic spots to explore, have a picnic, or just relax. Palangan is most famous for the distinct terraced structure of the stone houses. The roof of each house is the yard of the one above it. This ecofriendly design makes the entire village look like a steep staircase carved into the rocky chasm. Palangan is not the only village in Iran with this design (Masooleh, on the banks of the Caspian Sea, is also similar), but differs from the others because of the villager’s unique Kurdish cultural heritage. Palangan offers visitors a glimpse into a lifestyle that has all but disappeared from the modern world. Far away from the endless distractions of big cities, the villager’s simple lives are filled with calm and tranquility. Watching livestock cross the bridges, listening to the soothing sound of the river, and simply resting under the shade of the mulberry trees allow one to reconnect with mother nature and reach a deep sense of inner peace. On Fridays (the day of rest in Iran) the villagers dress in traditional Kurdish attire, and after Friday prayers, go home to relax. Some common leisure activities include horse riding competitions, tug-of-war, and folk dance. Without a doubt the best time to visit Palangan is during the annual Nowruz (Iranian New Year) celebration, usually held in the middle of March (the exact day is declared by the village council a few weeks before and varies year by year, but is always held a few days before the actual New Year). At this time, the entire village assembles next to the river. A large torch is lit (and kept on for several days), important villagers make speeches, and then traditional Kurdish singing and dancing begins. No one knows the exact date Palangan was founded, but it has been inhabited since the pre-Islamic period. The city itself has been completely destroyed and rebuilt stone by stone several times. The current location was built 500 years ago, with ruins of the previous village located about 2 kilometers away. Pieces of history are scattered all around Palangan. A piece of an ancient gate was uncovered by archaeologists near the village, with an ancient inscription that has not been translated until today. There are several ruined bridges in the river, the best preserved one being from the Safavid Era (about 500 years old), but the oldest ones being estimated as being at least 1000 years older. Furthermore, the village contains a very old graveyard that has graves written in Kufic script (meaning they are from around the 8th century). Less than a kilometer away, on top of the mountains, lie the ruins of an old castle. Just like the village, no one really knows who first built it or when that was. It is filled with rooms and surrounded by ruins of bridges, mosques, and gardens. Many different rulers and nobles took advantage of its unique location, both strategically and as a place of leisure. The castle was held under siege for three months by invading Arab forces in the 7th century (though after it surrendered the people were given amnesty). Centuries later, the castle was used as a palace for the chiefs of the Kalhor tribe. In the year 1215 the Ardalan tribe kicked out the Kalhours and occupied the castle, establishing their vassaldom. They continued to live there until the mid-1600s, when the Persian ruler Shah Safi decided to have it destroyed. Near the castle, there are remains of even more ancient graves which local legend claims were those of a group of Jewish refugees from a forgotten time fleeing an ancient enemy. EXPLORE ALL THE POSSIBILITIES AVAILABLE IN OUR LIST Tagged → featured

Join us for an extraordinary dinner & retreat with a world-renown meditation teacher. The Path Dinner Party & Retreat with Sharon Salzberg To celebrate the launch of her new book Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection Learn from a master teacher. Meet amazing people. Lift your joy & happiness. Dinner & Retreat with Sharon April 14th & 15th **Dinner with Sharon is now SOLD OUT - we have a few spots left for the retreat Saturday** Join us for an EXTRAORDINARY chance to have dinner with Sharon Salzberg, one of the top meditation teachers in the country. Then enjoy an urban retreat with Sharon and the INCREDIBLE opportunity to learn from her years of collected wisdom about how to live with more love — in every area of your life — RIGHT before her new book Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection is released. This is a unique opportunity to spend time with Sharon, a New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, just before the book launch takes her on a speaking tour around the world. On this retreat you'll learn how to strip away negative habits. Let go of obstacles. And change your relationships at work and in your personal life. What's the upshot? After this time with Sharon you'll feel free. Unblocked. More productive and efficient — so you have more time to ENJOY life. The wisdom Sharon will share is not obvious. She's spent the past few YEARS researching and writing this book. It's not just about romantic love. It's about love for friends and family. Love for life. And for ourselves. The book comes out in June. She'll be touring then. But WE get something special. A first look. At the wisdom she's bursting to share. And so we are THRILLED to invite you to join us for dinner and a retreat with Sharon in celebration of the launch of her new book Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection. On Friday April 14th join us for a fun, social dinner party with wisdom, too. Sharon will lead us in a Jewish Buddhist non-denominational vegan seder (yes really)! Whether you’ve attended seder your whole life or have no idea what it is, (it's a traditional Passover meal), you’ll enjoy our spin on this special meal. Our friends at Primary are hosting us, so we'll be in a beautiful, lush environment perfect for building good energy. Drinks are also included, but we ask that you buy an advance copy of Sharon's book to join us. In this way we support Sharon and the launch of her book! On Saturday April 15th join us for a "Day of Love" retreat with Sharon at cozy beautiful Neuehouse. We'll learn from Sharon, enjoy sitting and walking meditations, Q&As, and socialize, too. If attending, we again ask that you buy an advance copy of Sharon's book so we can support her launch and the mission behind this new work. We also invite you to join us for BOTH, at a special "early bird" discount rate just this week. At the Dinner and Retreat you will: - Enjoy time with one of the top meditation teachers in the country. - Deepen your meditation practice. - Learn how to let go of obstacles and bad habits. - Enjoy a toolkit of exercises and meditations to help you develop a better relationship with yourself, your partner, your friends and family :: and life itself! - Be surrounded by like-minded people who have chosen to spend this weekend in community. - Gain an infusion of positive energy and inspiration. - A Weekend Retreat Pass to attend the dinner and retreat. (Highly recommended) - A Dinner Pass to attend the dinner (including drinks). - A Saturday Retreat Pass to attend the retreat. **Note: These are early bird prices for this week only** The Testimonials (from our last Sharon retreat) “Such a deep, life-changing experience.” "It really was an immersion into something beautiful." "At least four people have said they can see a different energy in me since the retreat :)." “This experience taught me how to be loving and compassionate with myself.” "This is an extraordinary opportunity to go deep in your practice and to emerge feeling refreshed, centered and prepared to make key decisions in all areas of your life." "I am so filled with love and gratitude for you – and kindness too! That was an amazing experience .. and just what I needed at a very difficult time in my life. There was so much to be learned from Sharon…and all the lovely people I met." Environment is key. Escape your daily pace and immerse yourself in beauty and inspiration at Primary for dinner Friday, then Neuehouse for our Saturday retreat. The Journey + Community At The Path, we build community. This retreat will build lovingkindness, support and love in you and amongst everyone who joins us. The impact will be powerful, uplifting and nurturing. People on our retreats come in looking stressed and leave looking radiant — people comment on this all the time! Because this retreat is about Real Love, we’ll infuse everything we do with this energy. You’ll come out of the retreat feeling relaxed and energized by the support and kindness of the group. See how this changes your feelings about yourself, your relationships with others and your energy for the rest of the year. You’ll also gain tools, from one of the world’s experts, to continue bringing positive energy into your body, your mind and your life forever. We can't wait to have you join us. Because you are worthy of love. Put your daily decisions aside. And move into a nurturing routine to bring out your best self. Learn wisdom to make you more productive and effective at work. And life. Take time to go within, so you emerge a better version of yourself, ready to move forward in all areas of your life unblocked. Notice decisions becoming easier and crisper. During our dinner you'll immerse yourself in good energy and delicious food. On Saturday we'll step into wisdom, kindness, inspiration and love. We'll learn to have better relationships with everyone in our lives. And emerge moving differently in the world. Friday is a guided seder dinner. Saturday, together, we'll enjoy instruction, sittings, breaks, discourse and discussion. - 10:00am - 12:30pm: Session - 12:30pm - 2:00pm: Lunch - 2:00pm - 5:15pm: Session + Q&A - 6:30pm Social time pre-dinner - 7pm Guided seder dinner - 9pm Social time post-dinner Sharon is a world-renown teacher and New York Times bestselling author. She's played a key role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and the author of several books including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, her seminal work, Loving kindness, and Real Happiness At Work. Renowned for her down-to-earth teaching style and funny, poignant stories, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. On this retreat we'll be celebrating with Sharon the launch of her new book Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection, which comes out June 7th. The Praise of Real Love "Salzberg shows us how to experience love not as an emotion, not as the byproduct of a particular romantic or familial relationship, but as an ability, that all of us can cultivate. This book has the power to set your heart at peace.” ―Susan Cain, author of Quiet "Sharon Salzberg is an amazing teacher, and her words and inspiration in Real Love illuminate the way to love wisely, a treasure for your heart." ―Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart "In a most lively and inspiring way Sharon Salzberg shows that unconditional love―for ourselves, for our dear ones, for all sentient beings―is naturally present within our hearts." ―Matthieu Ricard, author of Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World "Sharon Salzberg is the superstar of lovingkindness meditation. No one has done more to spread this powerful method for kindling universal love in our hearts." ―Daniel Goleman Full refunds available by request 10 days before the retreat. We'll process 50% refunds the Tuesday before the retreat but cannot refund requests made within three days of the start of the retreat. Thank you to our sponsors Bear's Fruit Kombucha and Harmless Harvest

The Abolitionists, American Experience, PBS Premiering Jan. 8 Anyone left with the bitter aftertaste of all the fiscal cliff bickering will appreciate this journey back to a time when the heroic actions of ordinary individuals — people from thoroughly different walks of life, North and South, men and women, blacks and whites — forever changed the fate of our nation. Intertwining the stories of Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Angelina Grimké, Harriet Beecher Stowe and John Brown, The Abolitionists brings to life one of the most inspiring chapters in American history. Another Insane Devotion: On the Love of Cats and Persons, Peter Trachtenberg In the fall of 2008, Peter Trachtenberg set off on an obsessive odyssey to find his disappeared pet. But it doesn't take a cat person to relate to the pilgrimage at the heart of this memoir. The loss of Biscuit is a metaphor for everything about love and life that haunts and evades the author. As The New York Times writes: "He seems to fear moving through the world unseen, to fret about living and dying without witness." Or, as Trachtenberg puts it, “The facts of my life seem less certain to me when I am alone.” The Guilt Trip Rest assured, Seth Rogen leaves behind his gross-out tendencies in this Jewish mom-com that pairs him with Barbara Streisand as a frustrated son and overbearing mother on a cross-country journey. Critics contend the film doesn't break new ground, but familiarity is part of its old-fashioned charm — "cinematic comfort food," as one reviewer noted. Anyone who's ever survived a dysfunctional family road trip with sense of humor intact will relate to this refreshing respite from CGI spectacles and Tarantino blood baths. The Silver Violin, Nicola Benedetti Just when it seems every young artist is better known for her look (rainbow hair extensions, anyone?) than her music, along comes Nicola Benedetti and her violin. With The Silver Violin, the 25-year-old prodigy offers a classical record that’s lush, romantic and utterly accessible. It features gripping and gorgeous violin music written for Hollywood soundtracks, like the unforgettable theme from Schindler's List. WORTH THE TRIP See the Northern Lights in Juneau, Alaska Our media-saturated culture tends to binge on natural disasters and entirely bypass natural wonders. But underhyped doesn't mean underwhelming. Now is the ideal time to take in nature's greatest light show: the Northern Lights, vivid curtains of red, green, blue and violet light in the upper atmosphere caused by magnetic disturbances from the sun colliding with atoms there. Visitors usually are forced to trek farther north, but now, with Aurora Borealis at the peak of an 11-year cycle, Juneau is a prime viewing location — and the northern lights are more dramatic than ever. Pamela Miller is a freelance writer who lives in Los Angeles. Next Avenue Editors Also Recommend: Next Avenue is bringing you stories that are not only motivating and inspiring but are also changing lives. We know that because we hear it from our readers every single day. One reader says, "Every time I read a post, I feel like I'm able to take a single, clear lesson away from it, which is why I think it's so great." Your generous donation will help us continue to bring you the information you care about. What story will you help make possible?

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalm 51 Today we enter into a new church season which is considered the springtime of the church. As gardeners return to their plot to work the soil, so we turn to our souls and bodies and work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Gardeners have to dig into the soil. With sweat and toil they turn over the winter cover, the fallen leaves, the compost, and they bare the earth as generations have done spring after spring. This preparation and the sowing of seed is necessary, of course, for the fruitful outcome during summer and fall. So too have Christians concerned themselves with tending to their lives during this season. Each Lent we get another chance to tend to our baptismal vows and bring them to fruition. At baptism we are infused with the virtues of faith, hope, and love, and throughout our lives, by God’s grace, these virtues grow as we work out our vows. We strip away the pride that has overtaken our will, turn over old habits, and water those virtues with humility and repentance. Our work as Christians is to tend to our bodies and souls as a gardener would tend to his garden, and a good primer on that work is Psalm 51. David wisely starts the work on his body and soul with the acknowledgment of his state of being. We must acknowledge our transgressions and the state of our frail nature. He is opening up his soul to God, laying bare the soil so that God’s work might be accomplished. David first asks of God to purge his soul, and then to create a clean heart within him. David knows that it is only through God’s work that this can be done. Finally, David asks for a restoration of joy in the 12 verse, and this is the true joy of knowing our salvation. Next David gets to the heart of the matter: what is the true sacrifice that God demands. Think just for a moment of the expansive use of sacrifices at the tabernacle and later the temple. Imagine David though declares that God does not truly delight in a burnt offering. Instead, God demands a broken and contrite heart. It is through humility and repentance that God will work . . But here we need to be careful, for often the conversation regarding Psalm 51 stops there. What results is a dualistic version of our Christian life. God does not like physical sacrifice, he only cares about our spiritual growth, what is inside. But this is not what David ever intended, nor does it accurately represent Jewish thought about the human person. Look at the last two verses of the Psalm. David says: Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. (Psa 51:18-19 KJV) God does desire the physical sacrifice, but it must be done with humility, it must be done with a converted heart. It is good to understand what we mean by sacrifice, because it does not mean the annihilation or destruction of the animal. It means the offering of a life. And so, a burnt offering was also considered a sacrifice of life. This is, in part, what the ashes represent to us today. The end result of a total sacrifice, burnt on the altar is ash. And today we mark our foreheads with ash because it is our end as well. It is a reminder of our mortality, but also fo our role as a sacrifice, not just animals, but us.God still expects sacrifice of us as well. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul means in his letter to the Romans. He writes: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2 KJV) Our service to God, our work within this life, is to present our own bodies to be a living sacrifice to God. In no way does this mean the destruction of our body, but the presentation of its very life. Paul does not make a dualistic mistake, either. You see, he knows that while the body is a beautiful creation, it is also not a good master of the person. He then advises that we be completely transformed (that means body and soul) by the renewing of our minds. It is the complete person, body and soul, all his actions and motivations and intentions, being offered to God. It is opening up of your entire being to God. This is our living sacrifice. On our own, this opening up of our entire being is impossible, but it is possible through participation. It is not a coincidence, that they Church is called the Body of Christ. When we are baptized into the Church, we are baptized into the Body of Christ. We then participate in his Body, which was offered to God. The author of Hebrews writes: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Heb 10:12-14 KJV) We can offer our bodies now as a sacrifice to God the Father through His son. Our lives are raised into his life. Now our thoughts, intentions, actions, choices, fears, sufferings, hopes, and even our very fleshly bodies are lifted up into the One body of Christ. We truly can offer ourselves up as a holy and living sacrifice because now our own flesh has been united to the flesh of Jesus Christ. We, however, prevent ourselves from such an offering because of many reasons, and we all know from experience the havoc that sin can cause in our own lives. Instead of choosing to live for God we choose to not live fully, to waste the gifts given to us, and to settle for a deficient life. Lent, then, is your time to rend your heart, take up the fast, and ask God to make your life a living sacrifice. As the days lengthen, and the light comes, as we prepare for the brightness of Easter, tend to your soul and let God work.

Welcome to The Five Mrs. Buchanans guide at TV Tome. The Five Mrs. Buchanans was the story of four sisters-in-law who had nothing in common except for the dislike of their loathsome, gravel-voiced mother-in-law. "Mother" Emma Buchanan was a divorcee and the matriarch of the Buchanan clan in suburban Mercy, Indiana. Tough and opinionated, she loved her sons, but barely tolerated the women they chose the spend their lives with - often insulting her daughters-in-law right to their faces. Alexandria ("Alex"), who married eldest Buchanan son Roy, was a Jewish New-Yorker, and was a protester when she was young. When she settled down with Roy, she became busy running the local thrift store. Crass, loudmouthed, and class-conscious Vivian married her 32-year-old high school sweetheart, Ed, when she became pregnant with his twin sons. Dim-witted and somewhat trashy Delilah, married Charles, whom she met while he was on a trip to Texas. Delilah now spent her time working at t Retrouvez toutes les informations sur The Five Mrs. Buchanans lancée en 1994 : synopsys, casting complet, acteurs, scénariste, réalisateur. Découvrez des séries similaires à regarder également. Faites vous une idée de la série grâce à la note des membres et aux critiques des internautes. Hashtag : #TheFiveMrs.Buchanans Network : CBS

"Ten measures of beauty descended to the world, nine were taken by Jerusalem" - the Talmud. On this tour you will experience what can't be really put in words, you will feel the unique vibe of one of the oldest cities in the world - the City of David shows first signs of settlement in the 4th millennium BCE. Travel back in time through the Jaffa Gate and start your day at the top of the Tower of David to enjoy the exquisite panoramic views of the Old and the New City. On this journey visit historical marvels and spiritual landmarks such as King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Via Dolorosa, the recently restored Roman Cardo and, of course, the sacred Western Wall. You will find yourself wandering through the charming Armenian and Jewish quarters, the historic Christian quarter and the bustling Arab Market. From Jerusalem: Start at 09:30 AM - Finish around 05:00 PM | From Tel Aviv: Departure at 08:30 AM - Back at the hotel around 06:30 PM

Ummm...yeah. Remember when I swore that, after having my baby, I'd totally be here on the blog every day reading and commenting, and that I'd post pics a.s.a.p.? Not only did that NOT happen, I've kind of, uh, let myself go. I haven't gone and gotten a soccer-mom haircut yet--but after the arrival of Mia Madalena (7 lbs 14 oz, 20 inches long) in July, my reflection in the mirror was the last thing on my mind. And forget keeping up with cute nail polishes or celebs' questionable hair choices; for weeks, I was just focused on making it through each day without passing out from exhaustion (but man, is she worth it). The shameful truth: I've stopped applying a speck of makeup except for special occasions (Mia's baby-naming ceremony, the Jewish holidays, girls'-night viewings of "Bachelor Pad"). Forget my high-tech potions and peels--I no longer even wash my face regularly. I shower and shave only often enough to avoid having Marc file for divorce on hygiene-related grounds. And I have gotten one--just one--mani/pedi since becoming a mom, on a day when I was having such an exhausted/emotional breakdown that Marc practically pushed me out the door with his AmEx and told me to go pamper myself and relax, or else (the man deserves a trophy, he's been so supportive). Point being, I am barely qualified to read a beauty blog at this point, let alone write one. Plus, in addition to my beloved co-blogette Beth, you guys have had the awesome Andrea and Christa in the house making me look all kinds of old (thanks abercrombie ho! What can I say, I agree--but I'm touched that so many of you missed me despite my ancientness). I have a bunch of catching up to do, and I seriously need to get re-motivated when it comes to my own beauty routine. Will you help me? Pretty pls? How about this: Everybody share one beauty-related thing that you're super-inspired by right now, whether it's an awesome product, a model or celeb who always looks amazing, a magazine or blog you're obsessed with, or a new beauty trick that has changed your life. Knowing you guys, this post-off will give me TONS of new stuff to get inspired by, plus it'll help me catch up on all that I've missed while laying around in my tangled ponytail and breast-milk-covered mom jeans. Ready, set, post: What's your biggest source of beauty inspiration right this second? I'll round up the best answers in a post later this week! Beauty inspiration from posts past: More Ways to Get Glamour: Got a fashion Q? Glamour stylists answer your fashion questions at WhatToWear.com Show your love: Get our very own "xox" ring set, $12 at shopglamour.com Like freebies? Enter the latest Glamour sweepstakes! Sign up for our beauty newsletter and get the best of our beauty blog, delivered straight to your inbox!

Nehemiah is our man of focus today. When the book opens, Nehemiah is serving under the Persian King. He is a cupbearer to the King. This allows his access to, at the time, one of the most powerful men in the world. Things are going well for him until one day he gets a knock on his door. It’s one of his brothers who has made a 1287km trip to see him from Jerusalem. That's from Cape Reinga to Christchurch or Sydney to Adelaide. Nehamiah asked, “How is our city? How is God's city?” See this was a Holy place for the People of God. The precious Persian King had let the people go back to their home land. This was 100 years ago. A temple without walls Nehamiah’s brother told him how the Temple has been rebuilt but there is no wall to protect the city. Nehamiah was distraught by the news. But why? In that time, not having a wall around a city was like having a city without any police, or a house without any doors or windows in a bad neighborhood. So what does Nehamiah do after hearing this news? He weeps and then he prays for God to do something. Long story short, Nehemiah’s prayers were answered. One day when he was serving the King and the King asked him why he was so sad. So he explained to the King what was troubling him back home. Nehemiah asked the King to let him go and rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The King granted his request and even provided resources and safe passage for Nehemiah. This alone is fascinating as this was a King that didn’t follow God. Rebuilding the city I encourage you to read Nehemiah chapters 1-2. I would explain in more detail but I really want to talk through chapter 3. WhenWhen you first read chapter 3, it’s one of those books you want to just want to skip over and get onto the next chapter. This is because it’s full of names that are hard to pronounce. Nehemiah starts by describing the rebuilding of the city. He starts at the most northern part of the city and makes his way around in an anti-clockwise direction. The sheep gate was built first because it was the closest gate to the temple and the temple was of extreme importance. WhenWhen it came to Jewish celebrations, when they offered sheep and lambs and sacrifices as a way of making themselves clean, hundreds and hundreds of sheep would be herded through the sheep gates. Eliashib was the High Priest he was one of the first people to start working on the wall. He was one of the most powerful and respected men in Jerusalem. It was God and then him. He was like The Pope to the Cathelic Church. He rolls up his sleeves and says ‘right we know what God wants us to do. Let's do this.’ This is not something a High Priest would normally do. He gets stuck in because he knows that no one is exempt from doing the hard work to build God’s Kingdom. Then next to them were people from the town of Jericho. If you know your Bible stories, you would remember that these people had plenty of wall building to do elsewhere but they came to be part of what God was doing. As you continue reading you see that there is a dude named Shallum whose daughters helped prepare the wall. This is cool to see because at the time women were hardly mentioned in the Bible. Who is the most important person in this story? It’s a trick question. There are men and women, young and old locals, foreigners, nobles and peasants. They were employees of the Temple. They were merchants and jewellers, Goldsmiths and perfume makers. None of them were skilled wall builders or carpenters. They were just a bunch of people that were unqualified to build a wall. They were willing. It isn’t about your skill but it’s about your obedience and your willingness to partner with God to see his plan fulfilled on this earth. TheThe Old Testament is full of people like Abraham and Moses who God spoke to and used them to build the nation. Nehemiah is such a fascinating book because it's the first time we get a glimpse of the body of Christ.Nehamiah gives us this picture of people standing shoulder to shoulder, side by side with each other working together for God's Kingdom. This is what Jesus came to establish on Earth. That his people would stand shoulder to shoulder. Let me ask you this? How are you doing with this? Do you have anyone asking you the harder questions such as - What is God doing in your life? What are the breakdowns and breakthroughs? What are your highs and lows? And what's God saying about your school, work, family, hopes and dreams? God designed us to walk together in community. I encourage you this week to find one person that you can have these conversations with. We weren’t designed to walk through life alone. Barry Kirby is a disciple of Jesus Christ, living in relationship with Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Barry works and worships with the Salvation Army based in Wellington, New Zealand.

By all accounts, the Holocaust was one of the worst tragedies in human history. The fact that similar things have happened since and, indeed, still happen, should not and does not lessen its tragedy. It makes a person wonder if mankind will ever learn from our mistakes. In Berlin, this monument covers nearly a city block. While uniformly level at the top, some of the blocks are probably 8ft high. It is possible to walk down the corridors between them. It is an unusual monument and if it were not for Natalie, my friend and Euro-travel buddy, telling me it what it was, I likely would not have known. There are no inscriptions on the blocks, as far as I could see. Just large blocks of concrete. Yet it is a memorial to the Holocaust. Perhaps in memory of the thousands of nameless people who were killed. One of the things I wanted to do in Europe was visit a concentration camp. It is something, given the opportunity, that everyone should do at some point in their life. Perhaps if we experience it, the reality becomes more impressed upon our souls and conscience and we are more likely to speak out in the future? One can only hope. I visited Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp , just a short train ride north of Berlin. It was the model upon which other camps were based. Sachsenhausen was a model of killing perfection. It was set up so one guard in the tower with a machine gun could scan all rows between barracks and mow down everyone he saw. The inscription on the gate says “Work will set you free.” Literally, I suppose that meant that by death in the camp, you were free of the horrors of being there. After the Germans left the camp, the Soviets actually took over operation and continued using it for similar purposes with their own prisoners. This monument was a Soviet era piece. The wall around the camp had a “Neutrale Zone” where you were killed upon entering (hence the skull and crossbones). If that didn’t happen in time, the electric fence would probably stop you. The Jewish prisoners had their own separate barracks. A few years before I was there, some neo-nazis set fire to the Jewish section. I guess they thought it sent a message of some kind. Instead, there were a lot of people who funded the restoration of it. These bunks remind me of Schindler’s List. While I usually don’t go in for crazy stories of the supernatural etc., I did find it interesting that throughout my time in the camp, I had a headache that kept on getting worse and worse… until I stepped out of the gate to leave. It totally disappeared.

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser The Palestinian Authority’s annual budget lists hundreds of millions of dollars to fund terrorists in prison, so-called martyrs’ families. The Jerusalem Center’s Yossi Kuperwasser challenges the international donors to end this illegal and immoral practice. Fore more information see “Incentivizing Terrorism: Palestinian Authority Allocations to Terrorists and their Families” by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser – http://jcpa.org/paying-salaries-terro… Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser is Director of the Project on Regional Middle East Developments at the Jerusalem Center. He was formerly Director General of the Israel Ministry of Strategic Affairs and head of the Research Division of IDF Military Intelligence. The Palestinian Authority’s legislation and allocations of monthly salaries and benefits rewarding imprisoned and released terrorists, and the families of “Martyrs,” amount to $300 million annually. This financial reward clearly demonstrates the PA’s institutional commitment to sponsoring terror against Israel. by Sander Gerber The PA maintains longstanding legislation and payments to subsidize terrorists and their families. This amounts to an officially sanctioned PA government incentive system to kill Israelis. When I learned of this in November 2015, I was quite shocked. I proceeded to raise the issue with organized American Jewish community leaders and Israeli policymakers, and was told “everybody knows.” Disconcerted by my own lack of knowledge, I canvassed numerous American political leaders who, without exception, were unaware of the PA legislation/budget. The few leaders who were aware that the PA directly pays terrorists thought that the funding was only $5-6 million; they were shocked to learn that according to the official PA budget online, it was $300 million for 2016. During the past year, the prevailing opinion was that the wave of knifers against Israelis consisted of young and disaffected “lone wolves.” As I examined the issue more closely, I realized that the “incitement” is much more than just an errant cleric or wayward school board, but rather is an institutional campaign of violence against Israel, coordinated and funded by the PA itself. This “struggle” or war is endorsed by the Palestinian leadership, as evidenced by their 2004 legislation specifying, “The prisoners and released prisoners are a fighting sector and integral part of the fabric of Arab Palestinian society.” PA budget line items are earmarked for funding prisoners, released prisoners, and families of “martyrs.” Brig.-Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser, my friend, led a distinguished career as an IDF intelligence officer at the most senior level, as well as a brilliant strategist, most recently serving as Director General of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs. In this study, he accurately presents the history and current state of the PA legislation/budget for terror, as well as policy recommendations. - The payments of salaries by the PA and the PLO to terrorists and to the families of dead terrorists reflect the core identity of the general Palestinian public as they see it. According to Palestinian leaders, achieving their national goal of establishing their state over all of Palestine commits them to struggling against Zionism in a wide variety of ways, including terrorism. Therefore, terrorists, even more than those who struggle through other means, are heroes fighting for the national and religious cause, and this is why they should be glorified and rewarded without any hesitation. - The salary payments to terrorists from all Palestinian terror organizations, including Hamas as well as those who carried out terror attacks after the Oslo agreements came into effect, are made according to Palestinian Authority legislation that refers to the terrorists specifically as “fighters.” It makes clear that the Oslo accords are not considered by the Palestinian leadership and by most of the Palestinian people as a deviation from or an end to the battle against Zionism. - The reaction of the donor community and Israel reflects the success of the Palestinians in portraying themselves as victims. The donors are uncomfortable making official Palestinian support of terror an issue of dispute with the PA. - The donors and some in Israel are also concerned that steps against the Palestinian Authority opposing this practice may lead to further radicalization of the Palestinians that may cause a deterioration of the fragile situation. The Palestinians perceive this readiness to willfully turn a blind eye towards the payments of the salaries as a green light to continue the solicitation of terror through the payments as well as other kinds of incitement, hate indoctrination, and delegitimization of Israel and the dissemination of this ideology in the West and in Israel itself. - Legally, the payments of salaries to terrorists stand in sharp contrast to the Oslo agreements, according to which the PLO directly and the PA through the PLO have committed themselves to stop terror and to refrain from encouraging terror. It is also in stark contradiction to international conventions on counterterrorism and to the laws of most donor countries since this is direct support to terrorists affiliated with organizations designated as terrorist organizations by both the United States and the EU. By supporting the PA financially and enabling it to allocate funds to salaries for terrorists, Israel and the donors act in a way that is not only illogical and immoral but also illegal according to their own laws. - The way to handle this problem is primarily by becoming aware of Palestinian ideology and its institutionalization through the payments for salaries for “fighters,” and then clarifying to the Palestinians through legal, economic and political means that this ideology and the policy of paying salaries to terrorists is unacceptable and must change. This should be a condition for assisting the Palestinians, and it is the only way to promote a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Sticking to the policy of ignoring the salaries would just allow the Palestinian to increase their support for terror and lead to the eternalization of the conflict, with all the harsh consequences that follow.

Another Tuesday, another bunch of news bites. Welcome again to 411MAX! Some of you may not know, but I’ve recently secured the Friday spot in news recapping in addition to the Tuesday slot. The good news? I get two slots a week! The bad news? I might get burned out a bit quicker. Either way, if I can’t fulfill my duties for Friday in a given week, I’ll hand off the column to someone else. Lets just hope that it doesn’t happen soon. Plus, I’m sorry, but there’s no real commentary this week. I got lots of school crud I need to catch up on, and, well, my awesome pieces have to go on hold until next Tuesday. Eggplant Wizard already called me in for a meeting later on today, so I’m going to have a LOT of explaining to do… In any case, that’s enough of an introduction. ON WITH THE NEWS! TOP STORY: Nokia’s Capable of Comedy! So, is Nokia delusional? According to this story, yes! Yes they are! Nokia has officially gone on record to state that they have sold 400,000 units worldwide. So, 400,000 units sold, huh? Hmmm…lets see here. 5,000 US units + 500 units = 5,500 units, right? Where are the rest of the 394,500 N-Gages right now? Oh, that’s right! Sitting on the shelf! Note to Nokia: shipping them to stores does NOT mean you sold them to consumers. You still have a user-base of less than 10,000 people! Then Nokia rep Nada Usina decided to take shots at the US market. To quote her directly: “It’s not a surprise to us that the U.S. market needs a lot more work. [We’ve] still got a lot of work to do from an educational standpoint,” “The games press is a pretty cynical audience. It is interesting to see the things that are difficult to get over, things like the removal of the battery.” Boy, this gal is full of it, ain’t she? She criticizes US about the whole battery issue? No offense lady, but opening the back of the system and removing the POWER SOURCE of the dang unit just to change a game really isn’t that smart of an idea. I mean, what happens if you lose the battery? What happens if someone spills his or her drink all over it? What then? That’s another $50 to get the dang thing replaced! And I love this attitude she cops. Things that are difficult to “get over”. Like they’re the only handheld in town. This really doesn’t want me to buy an N-Gage, people! I bet people purposely bought a Game Boy or NGPC in DROVES just to piss them off after that. (Credit goes to Gamespot) The Quickest Price Drop In History! If you’ve been keeping up with our news reports weekly (And you SHOULD!), you’ve probably realized that the N-Gage is the biggest flop in the history of flops. Hell, its ALREADY been dropped to $199.99 by both Electronics Boutique and Gamestop! Well, at least though November 2nd. And this is only AFTER a $100 rebate. That means you STILL have to shell out 300 bones for the unit in the store. Oy. We don’t know who dropped the price in this case. Did Nokia, or did the game stores? Anyway, we’re going to assume the game stores since they need to move the thousands of N-Gage units off the shelves. That, and no other locations seem to be doing the $100 rebate thing. To be honest with you guys, I’m surprised that this is newsworthy now. EB has had this $100 rebate deal going as a pre-order bonus since mid-September. And it was continued since the launch began. Proving that even EB knew this thing was going to flop before the release. Gamestop’s just following suit here. Man. I just LOVE producing proof that the N-Gage is better served as a doorstop than a gaming system. (Credit goes to Gamespot) A Real THUG is a THUG That’s “Hush”! The song list to Tony Hawk Underground (or THUG) was released recently. And holy cow, it’s HUGE! There’s going to be over 75 freakin’ tracks on this thing, with stuff ranging from Hop-Hop, to Rock, to Punk. For the curious, here’s the list as lifted from Gamespot as lifted from THUG’s official website: 1. Authority Zero / Every Day 2. Blind Iris / Drive 3. Camarosmith / It’s Alright 4. Crash and Burn / Crazy and Stupid 5. Electric Frankenstein 6. Entombed / To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth 7. Five Horse Johnson / Mississippi King 8. Fu Manchu / California Crossing 9. High on Fire / Hung, Drawn, and Quartered. 10. Hookers / The Legend of Black Thunder 11. Hot Water Music / Remedy 12. In Flames / Embody the Invisible 13. KISS / Lick It Up 14. KISS / Rock and Roll All Night 15. KISS / God of Thunder 16. Mastodon / Crusher Destroyer 17. Nine Pound Hammer / Run Fat Boy Run 18. Orange Goblin / Your World Will Hate This 19. Queens of the Stone Age / Millionaire 20. S.O.D. / Milk 21. Smoke Blow / Circle of Fear 22. Solace / Indolence 23. Superjoint Ritual / It Takes No Buts 24. The Explosion / No Revolution 25. The Hellacopters / (Gotta Get Some Action) Now! 26. The Midnight Evils / Loaded and Lonely 27. Unida(Top Priority) / Black Woman 28. Jane’s Addiction / Suffer Some 1. Aceyalone / Rapps on Deck 2. Anacron / A Prototype 3. Busdrive / Imaginary Places 4. Cannibal Ox / Iron Galaxy 5. Dan the Automator featuring Kool Keith / Better Tomorrow 6. Deltron 3030 / Positive Contact 7. DJ Q-Bert / Cosmic Assassins 8. Frog One / Blah Blah 9. J-Live / Braggin’ Writes Revisited 10. Juggaknots / The Circle (Pt. 1) 11. Jurassic 5 / A Day at the Races 12. L.A. Symphony / King Kong 13. Living Legends / War Games 14. Mr. Complex / Underground Up 15. Mr. Dibbs / Skin Therapy 16. Mr. Lif / Phantom 17. Murs / Transitions as a Rider 18. Nas / The World is Yours 19. People Under The Stairs / The Next Step II 20. Quasimoto / Low Class Conspiracy 21. R.A. The Rugged Man / King of the Underground 22. Supernaturccal / Internationally Know 23. The Herbaliser feat. M.F. Doom / It Ain’t Nuttin’ 1. The Angry Amputees / She Said 2. Assorted Jelly Beans / Rebel Yell 3. Bad Religion / Big Bang 4. Blue Collar Special / Don’t Wait 5. Bracket / 2 Rak 005 6. Dropkick Murphys / Time to Go 7. Flamethrower / I Want It All 8. G.B.H. / Crushem 9. Mike V and the Rats / The Days 10. NOFX / The Separation of Church and Skate 11. Paint It Black / Womb Envy 12. Refused / New Noise 13. Rise Against / Like the Angels 14. Rubber City Rebels / Pierce My Brain 15. Social Distortion / Mommy’s Little Monster 16. Stiff Little Fingers / Suspect Device 17. Strike Anywhere / Refusal 18. Sublime / Seed 19. The Browns American / Werewolf in Calgary 20. The Clash / White Riot 21. The Transplants / California Babylon Of course, I’ll be using the custom soundtrack I’ve been using for the past few Hawks, but hey, to each their own! I Guess Thats Why They Called It “International”, Huh? Reports are coming in that the American version of Final Fantasy X-2 will have brand new features that are also appearing on Final Fantasy X-2 International in Japan. The main new feature will be a “creature create” thing, where you capture monsters, give them equipment, and have them fight alongside you. Man, I HATE these rerelease concepts Japan has going right now. First they release the game in Japan, right? Then for the American release, they come up with a few new features to put in the game. Then, they take the American game, RETRANSLATE it, and release it back in Japan under a different name! I swear, who in their right minds would buy the same games all over again just to take advantage of a few minor upgrades? Huh? I ask you! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have unfinished games of MGS2: Substance and Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution to play… (Credit goes to Games Are Fun) It’s A Mirra-cle! Yee Gods, that title was lame. I apologize. Anyway, Dave Mirra and Acclaim have officially settled an ongoing lawsuit that stemmed from BMX XXX. The game was originally titled “Dave Mirra BMX XXX”, and Mirra sued, claiming that this was done without his consent. In any case, the lawsuit has been dropped, and everything is back to normal. Now Acclaim can use the Mirra name to make crappy BMX games until 2011. (I wish I was making that up… (Credit goes to Gamespy) Time for list a few Easter Eggs for a popular game! This week, its… VIEWTIFUL JOE (Nintendo GameCube) The #1 game in our feature gets its secrets revealed! Beating the game on various difficulty levels will get you some excellent bonuses. And here they are! –Beat Kid’s Mode to get the “Viewtiful World” video. –Beat Adult Mode to access V-Rated Mode, and to play as Joe’s girlfriend. –Beat V-Rated Mode to access Ultra V-Rated Mode, and to play as Alastar –Beat Ultra V-Rated Mode to play as Captain Blue. Plus, if you beat the game with a Rainbow V ranking in each level, you’ll be able to have unlimited VFX if you press Z when selecting your character. (Credit goes to GameFAQs) A Small Conversation With Eggplant Wizard (We are taken back to Eggplant Wizard’s office, as seen in Monday’s news report. This time, it is Alex W who is walks into the door.) AW: You wanted to see me, oh Lord upon Lords of Gaming? EW: Yes, yes. Come in. Seems like I’m calling a lot of you people in this week. AW: Really. How so? EW: First Laflin makes a Jewish joke at your expense. AW: Hey, I LET him! It’s all good! EW: Okay, fine. As for YOU, you don’t have a commentary for this weeks report! AW: Aw, come on! I’m busy this week! AW: Of course! I got school work and projects out the wazoo! EW: Of course you do. AW: I do! EW: Are you talking back to me? AW: Uh…no! Of course not! I’d never… (EW takes out his famed Eggplant Staff, which begins to emit a strange, purple glow. EW: Because I don’t have to remind you what happens when people talk back to me, correct? AW: R-r-r-right, sir. (EW puts his staff away.) EW: Right then. Now, since you don’t have a commentary this week, you’re going to make it up to me on Friday. AW: Another news report? EW: You see, Friday is Halloween. It will be YOUR job to inform the other members of the Games staff that there is a costume party that day. AW: A costume party? Cool! EW: AND you’ll have to cover the event for Friday’s column. EW: Do I sense disappointment in your voice? AW: Hey, no! None here! EW: Because I don’t have to remind you… AW: I KNOW! FOR THE LOVE OF EGGPLANTS, I KNOW! EW: Good. Than we “understand” each other. AW: Of course. EW: Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have important business to attend to. AW: Thank you for sparring my life, oh great one…thank you… (AW leaves the office, while EW pulls out the latest Farm & Gardening magazine. He opens it to an Eggplant centerfold. EW: Oh yeah, baby, that’s what I”M talkin’ about… Plugs and Shills That Pay The Bills This is gonna look slightly smaller this week, considering I plugged a LOT of stuff on Friday. Our Features Section — The 411 All Stars We’ve done plenty of special stuff here at 411. And now, we’ve piled it all into one section! To kick it off, we’ve relaunched our interviews with Adam Ryland, XSN Sports, and Danny Tyrrell, as well as our GameCube feature. Also included is Lucard’s “History of Shining force”, all in one place! And keep a look out for some new stuff in the coming weeks. I’ll guarantee that you’ll enjoy it. News You Can Use Encore Extra Stage News Report— Me, Myself, and I I get to cover the Friday spot for the time being! A nice, short read, this one is. Includes eggplant madness, and recaps in haiku. Lets see how long it takes for me to get burned out! Gamer’s Hangover News Report — Cory Laflin Seems like Eggplant-O-Mania is spreading throughout 411Games! And Cory is no exception as he writes an entire skit, and the “Eggplant Wizard Song”. He also gives me a Pimp Coat! Hey, all I need is the Pimp Stick, and I’ve collected the whole set! Reviews You Can Use Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Brothers 3 — Me, Myself, and I This is officially the hardest thing I’ve ever done for this site: give a Mario platformer a 6.5. I mean, its a great game, just not that great a port. Given that you have to pay extra to use 90% of the extras is a pretty big let down. Viewtiful Joe — Chuck Platt The man that was honest and gave SCII a mediocre score comes back with giving an excellent game a great score! Chuck likes this one, and lets you know it. Hell, this was #1 in our GameCube feature for a reason! A Column You Can…Uh…Use The Gamer’s Conscience — Fredrick Badlissi Freddie questions whether or not he’s a real gamer simply because he doesn’t invest as much time in them as the rest of us do. My opinion is if you play games and enjoy them on a regular basis, even if its only for 30 minutes a week, than you’re a gamer. Playing them nonstop 7 days a week means you have no life and probably brain-dead. (Sigh) Probably not my best news report ever, but still serviceable. Tune in on Friday where I’ll have all the Lo-Down (A lawsuit from Bebito is imminent) on the 411 Staff Costume Party. It’ll be a pretty entertaining read. Also tune in Friday for more news, plugs, maybe a cheat, and perhaps, a return of the Haiku recaps. Those were fun to do. Until next time, sacrifice a few heroes with wings to PRAISE EGGPLANT WIZARD!

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A conservative commentator is being investigated for allegedly stirring up racial hatred by publishing a controversial interview with historian David Starkey. The Metropolitan Police are questioning Darren Grimes over a video posted on June 30 in which his guest said: ‘Slavery was not genocide, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many damn blacks in Africa or in Britain would there?’ In the interview, published on Reasoned UK’s YouTube channel, Dr Starkey added: ‘An awful lot of them survived and again there’s no point in arguing against globalisation or Western civilisation. They are all products of it, we are all products of it. ‘The honest teaching of the British Empire is to say, quite simply, it is the first key stage of our globalisation. It is probably the most important moment in human history and it is still with us.’ Mr Grimes told the Telegraph that the police investigation had ‘serious repercussions for freedom of expression’. The Brexit campaigner added: ‘At a time when many in our country are facing uncertainty and financial hardship, I cannot imagine a more contemptible way for the Metropolitan Police to abuse taxpayers’ money and the trust of citizens (than) by investigating this vexatious claim.’ The maximum penalty for the public order offence Mr Grimes is accused of is seven years in prison. General Secretary of the Free Speech Union Toby Young said the accusation was as ‘absurd’ as journalists being arrested for Wiley’s anti-Semetic comments. Mr Starkey, 75, has faced significant backlash since the interview, published on Mr Grimes’ podcast on July 2. He resigned from his honorary fellowship at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge and had his role as visiting professor revoked by Canterbury Christ Church University, who called his comments ‘completely unacceptable’. On July 6, Dr Starkey issued a long apology in which he said his ‘principal regret’ was that his ‘blundering use of language’ could endanger people’s right to freedom of speech. What is the definition of genocide? Jewish-Polish lawyer Raphäel Lemkin coined the word ‘genocide’ in 1944 putting together the Greek prefix ‘genos’, meaning race or tribe, and the Latin suffix ‘cide’, meaning killing. Lemkin came up with the word to describe Nazi policies towards Jewish people and later campaigned for genocide to be recognised as an international crime. According to the legislation genocide was made illegal, the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, ‘genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: - Killing members of the group; - Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; - Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; - Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; - Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.’ Speaking about his use of the phrase ‘so many damn blacks’ he said: ‘It was intended to emphasise, in hindsight with awful clumsiness, the numbers who survived the horrors of the slave trade. ‘Instead, it came across as a term of racial abuse. This, in the present atmosphere, where passions are high and feelings raw, was deplorably inflammatory. ‘It was a bad mistake. I am very sorry for it and I apologise unreservedly for the offence it caused.’ Among those to speak out against Dr Starkey’s comments was former Chancellor Sajid Javid who said his remarks were a ‘reminder of the appalling views that still exist’. The trans-Atlantic slave trade lasted four hundred years, longer than any other in human history, and resulted in 17 million men, women and children being robbed of their freedom, according to the UN. Many slaves died on ships due to poor conditions or were outright killed by their owners. It is estimated that about 60 million African people died as a result of the cruel trade. The legacy of the British Empire, the slave trade and colonialism in general has been a topic of debate for some time, but even more so after Black Lives Matter protests were held in cities across the country this summer. Few dispute the atrocities carried out on behalf of Britain, but many argue the ‘globalisation’ and ‘development’ that followed its conquests shaped the world how we see it today. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. For more stories like this, check our news page. Sign Up for News Updates Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more Not convinced? Find out more »

As the Somali government announced it would set up a coastguard to combat piracy in this Horn of African nation, insecurity is emerging as the biggest challenge that the government faces – and it is only getting worse. Two teams struggle to find an olive under one of the 11 cups displayed on a tray. The traditional game sin-u-serf (tray and cup in Kurdish) is only played during the Muslim fasting month. In one of Iraq’s most violent cities, it is nothing less than a challenge to death. Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi has survived a bomb attack that targeted his convoy in central Damascus, Syrian state media report. Civil liberties and human rights groups are applauding the White House’s announcement Monday that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the lone surviving suspect in last week’s bombing in Boston, will not be charged as an enemy combatant, as some conservative politicians here had been urging. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents have said the Boston Marathon bombing was carried out with kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and other lethal shrapnel, but said they still didn't know who did it and why. Despite the government's insistence that the purpose of the agreement struck with Iran is merely to investigate the 1994 bombing of the Jewish institution AMIA, as the Argentine parliament voted its ratification, discussions focused on geopolitics and the country's position in the changing international scenario. When European Union foreign ministers discuss a proposal to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov will present his government’s case for linking two suspects in the Jul. 18, 2012 bombing of an Israeli tourist bus to Hezbollah. Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov’s dramatic announcement Tuesday on the Bulgarian investigation of the July 2012 terror bombing of an Israeli tourist bus was initially reported by Western news media as suggesting clear evidence of Hezbollah’s responsibility for the killings. The assassination of Lebanon’s top security official on Friday not only ravaged a quiet Beirut neighbourhood but also shattered the precarious sense of security many Lebanese have been desperately clinging to in recent months.

- Beyond the Pale: Sir Oswald Mosley 1933-1980 by Nicholas Mosley Secker, 323 pp, £8.95, October 1983, ISBN 0 436 28852 4 - Rules of the Game: Sir Oswald and Lady Cynthia Mosley 1896-1933 by Nicholas Mosley Fontana, 274 pp, £2.50, October 1983, ISBN 0 00 636644 9 ‘The human craving to believe in something is pathetic, when not tragic; and always, at the same time, comic.’ The life of Sir Oswald Mosley was pathetic, tragic and comic, and his son’s humane deliberated biography is itself a notable contribution to ‘The Literature of Fascism’ which T.S. Eliot was judging with that sentence in 1928. In 1928 Oswald Mosley was still an up-and-coming Labour MP. It was the year after Eliot had made manifest that the something which satisfied his own craving to believe was Christianity. Mosley as Fascist soon came to crave this craving in others; he could always tap it, but he could never satisfy it for long, since the drugging or hypnoidal power would necessarily wear off and then the faithfully addicted would need a new fix of their idées fixes. What Mosley gives (to apply Eliot’s fearful evocation of history, in the immediate aftermath of the great mowing-down in 1914-1918) he gives with such supple confusions that the giving famishes the craving. To famish a craving is to incite a cycle of short-lived satisfaction and life-long insatiability. Fortunately for English public life and for his salvation, Eliot believed, saw indeed, that Fascism and Christianity were irreconcilable. Writing a letter about the Blackshirts in the Church Times in 1934, he of course observed every propriety, and – while quoting four immitigable statements by Mussolini – affected only to be asking about Fascist compatibility with Christianity. ‘I am not answering this question, but putting it.’ But to put it so was to permit of only one responsible answer. ‘The point is not whether a large number of people, with or without the inspiration and example of Sir Oswald Mosley and Lord Rothermere, are both zealous Fascists and devout Christians.’ But in 1934 ‘the inspiration and example’ of Mosley would have been words drily to call up rot dry and wet. The caddish effrontery of Mosley’s private life (Eliot made the relevance of this explicit though not for publication) had culminated in 1933 in the death of his long-suffering wife and in the ensconcing of a short-suffering Mosley with his other help-meet Diana Guinness née Mitford. Mosley’s biographer Robert Skidelsky avers that ‘Mosley always tried to maintain the old English distinction between private life and public life.’ But Mosley came up against that other, even more powerful, old English tradition or law which has recently snuffed out Parkinson’s individual talent, the tradition of countenancing no such distinction. It was fortunate, though not merely lucky, for English anti-Fascism that Mosley was a bounder. He was a veteran liar both in public and in private life, a master of the untrue categorical denial: why should one think it a mere confusion of categories to infer a deep untrustworthiness seeping both ways? There are those who will never be able to bring themselves, even under the threat of Reagan, to want Edward Kennedy as President. Mosley did appreciate the existence, though not the nature, of the human craving to believe something. What he really offered to meet, though, was different: the human craving to believe in someone. (Not the satisfaction which looks smaller but is larger – believing someone.) His son will always be, as every son is but momentously more so, the victim-beneficiary of being his father’s son. Nicholas Mosley wanted when young to believe in his father; he moved on to wanting to believe his father; he moved on again to wanting to believe that his father – well, many things, but mostly that his father was not a monster and that his survival into an old age which had much love and happiness in it was in the end less unjust than just. Nicholas Mosley’s own survival is remarkable, not least as being so much more than survival. Without priggishness, with undull decency, he makes it clear how and how much he has learnt, and the deepest personal sadness in the book (personal as against the pity of war and of peace) is the inescapable admission that his father learnt nothing. We reviewers ought to acknowledge that we are not likely to be doing justice to this book, because Sir Oswald will not have it so – Sir Oswald, still peremptory, oppressive, charming, and brutal, is determined to claim more than his share of Limehouse and limelight. The book itself is alive with counterpointings, comic and touching; the account of the author’s courage, his winning the Military Cross fighting in a war in which he did not then believe and which his father fought against, is un-ingratiating, piteous and finely paced. The same is true of the visits to, and correspondence with, Mosley in prison during the war, with all the sad and weird affinities to the son’s boarding-school. But Sir Oswald’s power to impel and repel – compounded as it is by the recent Government decision to release much of the hitherto secret material about Mosley and British Fascism – will necessarily and not unreasonably loom larger in discussion of the book than it does in the book’s own art. One of Mosley’s books was called The Alternative; Nicholas Mosley’s is constituted as An Alternative. In sum: you might think from the extensive praising reviews of this book that you needn’t actually read it, because it would seem to be the kind of book that reviews can sufficiently gut and précis and anthologise for you, but you would be wrong, since much of what gives the book its patient power – its balance and sustenance of alternate tones and of alternating currents – will not be figuring in reviews. A tribute to Nicholas Mosley needs to acknowledge not only the difficulty but the impossibility of his enterprise. Both are endemic in the simplest, most recurring, matter of all: how to refer to the man. Rules of the Game spoke of him well nigh throughout by the name by which his friends knew him: Tom. Chapter One was called ‘Tom’; its first words were ‘My father Oswald Mosley’, whereupon the naming by relationship and by the name Oswald Mosley fell away. It had a disconcerting effect, this use throughout of Tom. It made the reader feel as if he too were a friend of Mosley’s, of Tom’s indeed; it made all the personal and intimate parts of the record feel illuminatingly continuous with the daily life that Mosley actually led while all the public parts felt darkly discontinuous and even peripheral. Since the person who was doing and saying all these public things, even while spoken of as Tom, wasn’t Tom to all those people out there, it somehow can’t really have been Tom who was that person. Then again the name Tom was disconcerting because Mosley didn’t seem to be one of nature’s Toms. One may speak of the demonology of Mosley without implying that there was not indeed a great deal, hideously much, that was demonic about him: that said, it can be admitted that ‘Sir Oswald’ was and is a powerful contributor to the demonology. It is not only that Oswald is an insufferable name (Who was Oswald Fish? asks the initialled onomast A.N. Wilson), awash with the sub-Shakespearean sinister and histrionic, and darkly seconded by Mosley’s middle name (‘Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley’). For Tom is such a relief of a contrast to Oswald. It would have been difficult, however well-justified, to animate the demonology of Sir Tom Mosley: why, he sounds like a thoroughly homespun trade-union leader or vice-chancellor. There is a post-war anecdote about the father of Nicholas Mosley’s girlfriend, exclaiming: ‘But I would rather shake hands with Oscar Wilde than with Oswald Mosley!’ Mosley was not amused but bemused: ‘Does her father think I’m a bugger?’ ‘No, Dad, it’s not that he thinks you’re a bugger.’ But one of the good things about the anecdote must be its onomastic antics: for Oscar was always a difficult name which Wilde made impossible, and the same goes for Mosley’s Oswald. This second volume, Beyond the Pale, eschews Tom almost entirely. (The name occurs once in a quotation, is decoded, and then escapes into the neighbouring text before being promptly apprehended and liquidated.) Instead it mostly says ‘my father’ even when family or familiar matters are not in question; sometimes it says Mosley; sometimes, wary and ceremonious and on edge, it dilates to ‘Oswald Mosley’. There is nothing dishonest or disingenuous about these decisions and variations: what there is, though, is unignorable testimony to the unsatisfactoriness of all the ways of referring to the most important and (pace John Vincent, who has been wonderfully at it again) the most interesting person pondered in the book. There is no one way that is neutral, or natural, or complete, of referring to Sir Oswald Mosley in this book, nor could there be. And if the difficulties of tact and the problems of principle arise with so immediate, so small and so omnipresent a matter as how to refer to the man, what then must the full complexities and delicacies be? To find for any father, and then for such a father, words at once true and kind, or not untrue and not unkind: this is to seek to combine Larkin’s domestic truth-telling with Lowell’s visionary acumen about those soldiers (Napoleon’s, Mosley’s) who have ‘Grand opera fixed like morphine in their veins’. To a follower, Mosley was the Leader (agreeable how much the English language falls short of the thrill of Führer): to his son, he is mostly ‘my father’. The son himself, in a small-scale way which brings home what the large scale is, presents a difficulty to his reviewer. Must I keep saying Nicholas Mosley? To say Mosley would be confusing; to say Mr Mosley would sound circumspect, and not the usual practice in these pages, and moreover our author is really Lord Ravensdale (or Nicholas Mosley the author, but not ‘Mr Mosley’). ‘British Union stands for peace’ – and for no nonsense from those who question the claim, or who believe that peace with Hitler is impossible. Mosley came, or came on, as a man of peace. But then, in the opening words of a song from Bob Dylan’s new album Infidels: Look out your window, baby. There’s a scene you’d like to catch. The band is playing ‘Dixie’. A man got his hand outstretched. Could be the Führer, could be the local priest. You know sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. The Führer or the local priest? Does the Church collide with or collude with Fascism? But as Skidelsky acknowledges, Mosley’s ‘peace campaign’ was notable for ‘its absolute refusal to criticise any German actions’. Mosley’s ability to deceive himself was even more remarkable than his ability to deceive others, and it looks as if he, or some part of him, did genuinely and self-deceivingly believe that he was mustering, in Nicholas Mosley’s words, ‘a fascist movement dedicated to peace’ and ‘an army that would march to prevent future wars’. He even managed to persuade himself that had it not been for this (needless) war, Hitler would never have murdered the Jews. His refusal to contemplate how early Hitler was insane is scarcely sane. Even when Mosley came to repudiate Hitler, he managed to make it sound as if he were only scorning and deprecating him. ‘My father never, it seemed, much liked Hitler: in old age he used to refer to him as a “terrible little man”.’ Those three words are cited again later in the book. Their reduction of opprobrium to social condescension, especially in that ‘little’, is evidence of Mosley’s insensibility and worldly fortification. It is characteristic of him that he should warp to his own brutal polemic purposes the bone-deep fatigue of Macbeth at what mankind had come to seem; Macbeth’s corrupted vision of man, ‘that struts and frets his hour upon the stage’, becomes in 1946 Mosley’s derision of corrupt (other) men: ‘What a chance for every mediocrity and dunce on the fringe of politics; for every little “Tadpole” and “Taper” to strut his little hour!’ ‘I withdraw not a word I have ever uttered, nor ever will.’ He never repented or recanted, so there are no words of contrition to assess stringently, but even when he came to dissociate himself he yet cultivated guilt by dissociation. In 1933 he said that ‘Hitler has made his greatest mistake in his attitude to the Jews’: but this did not stop him from taking a leaf out of Hitler’s black book. ‘His greatest mistake’: this rang a cracked bell for me. Less than twenty pages later, we bump into Ezra Pound at Mosley’s Black House, along with his pamphlet for the British Union of Fascists, ‘What is Money for’. Pound, who eventually came to contrition’s lockjaw, spoke too of a mistake – his own, which is at least some advance on Mosley’s disembarrassment. Donald Davie has spoken for Pound: ‘To take only the most blatant and damaging of the charges, his anti-Semitism, should we not respect him for admitting, however belatedly, “the worst mistake I made was that stupid, suburban prejudice of anti-Semitism”? It appears not. On the contrary one gets the clear impression that for Pound to confess his faults is almost worse than having committed them.’ This is tinged with forgiveness as inattention. For Pound’s confession is marred by the insufficient gravity of the word ‘mistake’ (it is Davie who speaks here of faults), and it is vitiated by the prejudicial vehemence of ‘suburban’ (‘terrible little man’). In the very moment which we are urged to respect for its rising above prejudice, Pound sinks back into it: ‘that stupid, suburban prejudice of anti-Semitism’. The word ‘suburban’ can be so counted upon to do its prejudicial work as not even to be visible, it seems, as prejudice. That the remark is inaccurate (one might wish that it was only or mainly suburbs which had housed anti-semitism) is important, but less important than the incorrigible habit of mind which found it useful. Anti-semitism, which is more than a mistake, is unmistakably the nub of the Mosley question. A man is not his sister-in-law’s keeper, though Unity Mitford stood in need of one, but her demented forthrightness is always a dark undercurrent in the Leader’s followers: ‘Today he’ – Hitler – ‘was so kind and so divine I suddenly thought I would not only like to kill all who say and do things against him, but also torture them. It is wonderful to think that someone like him can ever have been thought of.’ On the next page of this book there follow her words: ‘I want everyone to know that I am a Jew hater.’ To the end Mosley claimed that he was not against Jews as such, only against their dragging England into a war that was not Britain’s business (‘Mind Britain’s Business,’ and ‘Britain Fights for Britain Only’). Jews could be forgiven for not deducing this from Mosley’s cry that ‘stronger than even the stink of oil is the stink of the Jew,’ or from the congratulatory telegram from Streicher about ‘the forces of Jewish corruption’. All of this was riven with contradiction and worse: Mosley so little succeeded in disciplining and controlling rabid anti-semitism in his henchmen, his followers and his publications as to make it impossible to believe that he could have controlled an empowered Fascism even if he had wanted to. Among his turbulent wishes was this one, to ride and reap this whirlwind. ‘A revolutionary idea,’ wrote Eliot in 1929, ‘is one which requires a reorganisation of the mind; fascism or communism is now the natural idea for the thoughtless person.’ A political movement as thoughtless and even mindless as Fascism needed scapegoats, needed to find its energy in negation, not in the positive positing of anything. As early as 1929, and à propos of Italian Fascism, Eliot had thrown in a syntactically comic throwing-up of the hands: ‘The really interesting thing about fascism is its syndicalism, its organisation of workers, and its financial policy, if it has any.’ Odd to say that the really interesting thing includes a policy which may not even exist. But in the 1930s, as again in the 1980s, no one except a historian or philosopher of Fascism could mount even a five-minute lecturette on Fascist syndicalism and the workers: that was not the hiding place of its power. Mosley’s Fascism was not only null, it was dedicated – devoted, in the old double sense of pledged and doomed – to nullity. When Nicholas Mosley says that ‘there was nothing in the philosophy of fascism necessarily to do with racialism or the desire for conquest which were the drives which pushed Hitler to destruction and eventually to self-destruction,’ he does, honest as he is, have immediately to add: ‘On the other hand some archetypal drives (even excesses?) seem to be necessary if groups are to be welded dynamically into a single force.’ Or dynamitically. For his words could be interrupted: ‘there was nothing in the philosophy of fascism’ – exactly. There was nothing in it, and there was nothing in it. The human craving to believe in nothing is pathetic, when not tragic; and always, at the same time, comic. ‘One of the points of these books – biography or autobiography – has been the attempt to create an attitude by which the darkness in people (there is always darkness) might be made to seem not so much evil as somewhat ridiculous.’ The difficulties of the enterprise can be seen in the slight wobble of ‘might be made to seem’: might be seen to be? Mosley made promises lightly; he also promised light. But it was darkness, black-shirted, which was alluring. In a superb poem about the tragic compromises with tyranny which democracy may be moved to make, ‘Eisenhower’s Visit to Franco, 1959’, James Wright flashlit the dark disingenuousness of Fascism: Franco stands in a shining circle of police. His arms open in welcome. He promises all dark things Will be hunted down. The Fascist leader proceeds with a travesty of ordered enlightened equability; he promises all dark things will be hunted down. No, he really promises what was fleetingly intimated, a discreet amputation of that, an apocalyptic line-ending. He promises all dark things. There was nothing in the philosophy of Fascism. The anti-Fascist is not immune to the convenience of the scapegoat. It cannot exactly be said that this book inculpates William Joyce since William Joyce, sick in the head and foul in the mouth, is sheerly culpable: but the book is sometimes tempted to suppose that Joyce’s direct guilt for Fascism’s anti-semitism somehow lessens Mosley’s devious guilt. The book wrestles with the fallen angel, and in the end it wins. An unforgettable page describes Mosley rebuking an inordinate subordinate: There was an incident from the early days of Union Movement just after the war that stuck in my memory. My father had summoned to him one of his lieutenants who had disobeyed orders that members should not become involved in the breaking-up of opponents’ meetings: my father reprimanded the man in a room next door to where Rosemary and Diana and I were having dinner. My father shouted at him for a time; the man was saying, ‘Yes sir, sorry sir’; then my father said quietly, ‘Well don’t do it again.’ And as he showed the man out into the passage some sort of wink seemed to pass between the man and my father – some touch on the arm perhaps – a recognition of comradeship or complicity beyond the demands of discipline. And it was as if we all knew that the man of course would do whatever he had done again; my father knew this; the man knew that my father knew this – it was as if the reprimand was just some ritual by which my father might effectively not quite let his left hand know what his right hand was doing. And it must have been something like this, I supposed, that had happened in the Thirties – both with my father, and with other national socialist leaders. No one can write seriously and at length about anti-semitism without giving offence, and Nicholas Mosley will be held to have palliated or extenuated his father’s evil. One might go further: not only must it needs be that offences will come, but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh. It is unimaginable that anyone could ever judge these matters exactly right, alive fully to justice and to mercy. There are, of course, offences and offensivenesses; the smart thing to do in the New Right of Cambridge lately was to quote (oh of course to quote, not to take the rap for coining) the remark that the real charge against Hitler was that he had made an intelligent anti-semitism impossible. Nicholas Mosley’s honourable words sometimes carry an intimation that is not quite what he meant to say but which is a wrung admission. He himself draws our attention to the ‘perhaps tellingly ambiguous phrasing’ of the Jewish World when it urged Mosley to repudiate William Joyce and said of Mosley: ‘either his or Mr Joyce’s scurrilous claptrap is the authentic revelation.’ So when Nicholas Mosley writes that ‘during 1933 Oswald Mosley went out of his way to try to disassociate himself from Hitler’s anti-semitism,’ we might want to think about certain implications of ‘went out of his way’; and when, three pages from the very end, he says of Mosley, ‘He did come more to accept the horror of things that had been done under the Nazis,’ we might notice the perhaps tellingly ambiguous phrasing that gathers around ‘accept’ there. The first page of the first chapter says of Mosley’s fore-marchers, the British Fascisti, that they were ‘not particularly anti-semitic’ Those words rang another warning bell. A greater writer than Nicholas Mosley – one whose poems fortified him during the war, and moved him to imitation, and one who was loathed by the British Fascists (‘It is time that Mr Eliot was told that mankind has plenty of use for courage and sense of direction, none at all for defeatism and disease’) – once delivered himself of, and up with, such words. Eliot in 1944 replied to a review by Lionel Trilling of his selection of Kipling’s verse. Trilling had said: ‘Mr Eliot, it is true, would not descend to the snippy, persecuted anti-Semitism of ironic good manners which, in “The Waster”, leads Kipling to write “etc” when the rhyme requires “Jew”.’ Within his letter of reply, Eliot remarked: ‘I would observe that in one stanza, at least, the rhyme required is not to do but to done: and the obvious rhyme for done is not Jew but Hun. Kipling made several opportunities for expressing his dislike of Germans; I am not aware that he cherished any particularly anti-Semitic feelings.’ With a felicitous infusion of Eliot’s dryness of manner, Trilling turned upon that phrase: ‘As anti-Semitism goes these days, I suppose Kipling is not – to use Mr Eliot’s phrase – particularly anti-Semitic.’ It is all a minefield, and being innocent, or not particularly guilty, will not save anyone from being blown up. Even the demolition people sow their own bombs; it was thought reasonable for a philosopher in Scrutiny in the very month of September 1939 to say as mere say-so that ‘the German people are as a people politically young; their political philosophy is philosophically immature,’ and then to proceed: ‘Those of us who have not the misfortune to be Germans ...’

While the days off are pretty cool, we spent a huge chunk of time in class today discussing the fact that the book of Joshua is basically a big metaphor for sex. With a harlot. Named Rahab. Which means wide open. *snicker* Strangely enough, my Bible didn't have any of these comments in the notes. Apparently the Catholics aren't as into the imaginary sex references (that I have yet to be convinced exist, and I have a filthy mind) as those crazy Protestants/Whomever Publishes the Jewish Study Bible. Mine just had clarifications about the original Hebrew. Boo. Boring New American. Anyhoodles, this is why I'm focusing New Testament. Sex there is pretty much ignored save for Not-Mary-Magdalene and the "divorce her quietly" and what is talked about is OMG SO BAD. This is an attitude my little repressed self is way more comfortable with. I didn't say I was normal. But at least I know myself. And not in the Biblical sense.

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 500 753 Random Fact Of The Day If you do not recycle an aluminum can it take the equivalent of half of that can ful of gas to remanufacture the aluminum to create that can --> throwing away 21 cans is the same as throwing a gallon of gas down the sink. It's A Boy!!!! It's a boy Richard Anthony Wolanin III born at 9:30am on the 18th of December 7lb 7oz Hello To one and all on cherry tap I'm new to this web site so feel free to drop me a line if you wish until next time Merry Christmas and happy new year The Lonely Brain Cell Once upon a time there was a female brain cell which, by mistake, happened to end up in a man's head. She looked around nervously because it was all empty and quiet. "Hello?" she cried, but no answer. "Is there anyone here?" she cried a little louder, but still no answer. Now the female brain cell started to feel alone and scared and yelled at the top of her voice, "HELLO, IS THERE ANYONE HERE?" Then she heard a faint voice from far, far away. "We're down here ..." I Have The Proof Ok I have found the proof about my woodchuck conspiracy!!!! Now we have to stop the arming of these evil animals!!!! You scored as A Slave To BDSM. Admit it, you like being tied up and being told you've been very naughty. You like teasing your partner and making them squirm, and not letting them be able to do anything about it. Some people think what you do is sick and disgusting, but you know it's all in good fun.A Slave To BDSM100%Sex God90%A Romantic40%Virgin5%How are you in bedcreated with QuizFarm.com What Type Of Girl Am I? You scored as Slut. Slut100%Athletic Tomboy75%Hippy63%Popular Bitch63%Goth38%Preppy Girl38%Loser25%Nerdy Girl0%What type of girl are you?!!created with QuizFarm.com So, I've been sick with this garbage since Thanksgiving, but thankfully, I'm on the mend. My doctors are happy with the results thus far, which is good. The bad news? I let my exercise slide during this time. Last week or so, I became so motivated that I slipped my gym shorts on! Oh, yeah! I was proud of myself. The day after that, I was so motivated by the fact that I'd slipped into my gym shorts the day before that I slipped on my gym shorts and actually exercised. I did a spot of cardio and a wee bit of strength training. Don't worry. I didn't go all out. I did a piddlin' ten miles at a very leisurely pace and some rowing and the like. Something like thirty miles per hour, so you can see I didn't jump into it. I feel it's important to gradually ease yourself into something of that nature after time off and especially if you're brand new! Anyway, on to my strength training. I like to use body weight exercises, but I really and truly hate push-ups. Don't ask me why. I What Is My Sexual Style? You scored as Exciting. You are exciting, people want to fuck your brains out and you know it. Whether it's in an airplane or on the back of the bus, sex with you is always exciting.Exciting100%Hot100%Violent100%Wet88%Soft75%Sweet56%Awkward13%Shy0%What is your sexual style?created with QuizFarm.com Click here to go to: Loves Labours Lost, its very good I need some ideas and suggestions as far as what to add to this page. http://www.geocities.com/bricemacartney/ThinkingRock.html Please let me know what you think and what would be good to add to it.Its kinda bare :| A Note I Received From A Friend In The Uk Two Proposals Worth Considering... New Gas Plan....Blair wants us to cut the amount of fuel we use. The best way to stop using so much fuel is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants! That would be 11 million less people using our fuel. The price of fuel would have to come down as a result. New Immigration Plan... Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the border. When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq. Tell him if he wants to come to Britain, then he must serve a tour in the military. Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it. After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country. He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot. This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq, and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves. refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq a I'm sorry if I haven't responded to something that you wrote or if I'm not on here as much...I haven't really been in a lost cherry mood... so, an update, California was a lot of fun...I'm really happy that I sucked it up and went out to see Justin, he's always a good friend, a pro at cheering me up, getting my mind of things and reminding me that I rock and people are stupid. I got some not so great news when I got of the plane coming home though. My great grandpa died...there was a viewing last wednesday...which sucked because I didn't know if was a viewing until I got there. For those you that don't know what a viewing is, it's when they lay the body out so that you can see it one last time before they are cremated. I'm not a big fan of viewings. It makes me really upset to see someone that I had great memories of alive, dead. It becomes the last thing I remember, and I hate that. And I got sucked into going to one. The worst part it, I haven't got all my crying out. Hats off to the men and women who serve our country, as a former Navy Seal myself, I salute you all, God Bless and God's Speed my friends, WooooYaaaa . (United States Navy seal) 1990 - 1995 How do these people survive? ONE Recently, when I went to McDonald's I saw on the menu that you could have an order of 6, 9 or 12 Chicken McNuggets. I asked for a half dozen nuggets. "We don't have half dozen nuggets," said the teenager at the counter. "You don't?" I replied. "We only have six, nine, or twelve," was the reply. "So I can't order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order six?" "That's right." So I shook my head and ordered six McNuggets TWO I was checking out at the local Wal-Mart with just a few items and the lady behind me put her things on the belt close to mine. I picked up one of those "dividers" that they keep by the cash register and placed it between our things so they wouldn't get mixed. After the girl had scanned all of my items, she picked up the "divider", looking it all over for the bar code so she could scan it. Not finding the bar code she said to me, "Do you know how much this is?" I said to her "I've changed my mind, I Have More Proof I have just found a picture of the woodchuck leader Osam Ben Woodchuck Keep an eye out for this fat bastard so we can stop his rein of terror These Past Two Days... this week has been pretty interesting... i woke up yesterday and found out that i had to go to the damn dentist! they pulled my wisdom teeth..... and now im in paiN! today was good b/c my best friend Jorge, and my friend Oscar came over.... played some xbox.... it was a chill-axe day! I have never hadd so much crap thrown at me . Normally its one thing here annd there but lately its more then one thing at a time... I am just lucky that I can handle all this shyt. Welcome to the holiday system, The closer the holidays come the more shyt keep coming up .. Well happy holidays Imma shut up now A BEST FRIEND IS THIS:-) > A best friend.... > (A)ccepts you as you are > (B)elieves in you > (C)alls just to say "HI" > (D)oesn't give up on you > (E)nvisions the whole of you > (F)orgives your mistakes > (G)ives unconditionally > (H)elps you > (I)nvites you over > (J)ust "be" with you > (K)eeps you close at heart > (L)oves you for who you are > (M)akes a difference in your life > (N)ever Judges > (O)ffers support > (P)icks you up > (Q)uiets your fears > (R)aises your spirits > (S)ays nice things about you > (T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it > (U)nderstands you > (V)alues you > (W)alks beside you > (X)-plains things you don't understand > (Y)ells when you won't listen and > (Z)aps you back to reality > PASS IT ON TO EVERYONE YOU CONSIDER A FRIEND Now they are tempting thier soldiers in the woodchuck army with loose women!!! When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch. Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart. It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me. When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch. The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid. It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be. I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that! So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed. And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. And Another Update Now they are training these same cats in self defense. NINJA CATS So yeah...i'm trying to study for finals and I can't stand this shit... General Ed courses are useless and i feel like i've wasted two years of my life! I have astack of papers i gotta write and turn in... and about 150 pages of reading for a test i have to take tonight... yay me! well that's enough bitchin' from me ... nice talkin to y'all haha later Why is it some people act like they are 5 years old and in school. Fucking grow up and get a life. And It Continues Now the bastards from the Woodchuck army are using those squirel sex slaves to treat thier soldiers. Not Quite Here Anymore.. As anyone who knows/cares/noticed I've not exactly been online much recently. I've had a few things happen which, well, basically boil down to shit, meet fan. Thanks to a certain person in my life, I've ended up re-developing a stutter I thought I'd managed to keep under control and hidden. Until I was pushed to the edge of reasonable thought. Also, allow me to go on the record as saying Fuck You Christmas! I've grown to HATE this time of year, thanks to the way things have been for me. The rest of you, by all means, enjoy this shit. Hell, at least your going to be able to spend it with someone. Now, I need to get a lot of my head back together, as being pushed to the point of stuttering and fragile mind kind of means you don't end up caring too much about things you know you should, which is one of the reasons I've stayed offline. So I don't accidently say the wrong thing to the wrong person, and really hurt them. I'm still visiting this place randomly to check messages and shit last night you came to me in a dream arms open wide softly kissing my lips i feel your warm embrace as i breathe you in lightly touch my face eyes showing the love u lay me down kiss me gently explore my neck biting lightly along my skin making slow love to me your warm hands exploring my body i tremble beneith you my hairs standing on end anticipating your next move the world has stopped only the two of us now thank god i am a woman u make me want you you make me beg going so slow fullfiling my every desire the world crashes as u finaly penitrate me looking into my eyes telling me u love me kissing my lips feeling ur masculine body atop of mine sending me into extasy i never want to awaken from last night A Seasonal Reminder I went to a party, And remembered what you said. You told me not to drink, Mum So I had a sprite instead I felt proud of myself, The way you said I would, That I didn't drink and drive, Though some friends said I should. I made a healthy choice, And your advice to me was right, The party finally ended, And the kids drove out of sight. I got into my car, Sure to get home in one piece, I never knew what was coming, Mum Something I expected least. Now I'm lying on the pavement, And I hear the policeman say, The kid that caused this wreck was drunk, Mum, his voice seems far away. My own blood's all around me, As I try hard not to cry. I can hear the paramedic say, This girl is going to die. I'm sure the guy had no idea, While he was flying high, Because he chose to drink and drive, Now I would have to die. So why do people do it, Mum Knowing that it ruins lives? And now the pain i If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will Swim by, you might live in Michigan . If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights Each year because Pellston is the coldest spot in the nation, you Might live in Michigan. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, You might live in Michigan If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of The year, you might live in Michigan. If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work There, you might live in Michigan. If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of His forehead, you might live in Michigan. If you have worn shorts and a coat at the same time, you might Live in Michigan. If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might Live in Michigan . If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation w Dark Pink Setlist 12/18 Funeral Procession - The Electric Hellfire Club Love Never Dies (Part 1) - Apoptygma Berzerk Pink Noise - Neotek Spiritual Cramp (Mission UK Mix) - Christian Death See You In Hell - Suicide Commando I Ran - Sunshine Blind How Soon Is Now - Snake River Conspiracy Xcess (Remixed By Schneider Of Rammstein) - Slick Idiot This Shit Will Fuck You Up - Combichrist Mother - Android Lust Mercy Kill - Apoptygma Berzerk Dominion, Mother Russia - Sisters Of Mercy Sin (Dub) - Nine Inch Nails Night to Day - Moodorgan House on Fire - Assemblage 23 Funeral Night - Bella Morte Even Angels Fall - Cruxshadows Black Celebration - Depeche Mode Black Sun - Dead Can Dance Lecher Bitch - Genitorturers You Know What You Are - Nine Inch Nails Dark Lover Rising - Lords Of Acid Lover Boy/Lover Girl - Lords Of Acid Blood Music - Zeromancer Sympathy For The Devil - Electric Hellfire Club Chemicals - Diary Of Dreams Hemoglobin - Beborn Beton Peek A Boo - Siouxsie and the Banshees Like A P Forged in the fires of battle, my body is strengthened by every hero that has been or ever was. Their lives and experiences have gathered threw time and space to become a hero that the world so desires, and in their honor, I shall use my strengths and abilities to vanquish all that is evil, for evil has something to fear and that fear is me………………………..The Reaper Walking threw a forest at night I’m looking for my other half who shall complete me, and shall make me whole. But I’ll I see is the snow quietly falling from the sky and the full moons light peaking threw the holes of the tree tops. I seem to walk forever. The endless forest seems to taunt me, as I look for the one. I suddenly walk into a clearing, the moon light reflecting off the freshly fallen snow, theirs not a cloud in the sky, yet it continues to snow quietly. A soft howl of a wolf can be heard in the distance. I walk to the middle of the clearing, I stand slowly taking in this miraculous sight I’m seeing. A woman down on the ground taking care of a wounded wolf, from where I stand it looks as if the wolf was injured by a hunter’s bullet. I run to help the young woman, as I near her I slow in astonishment of how beautiful she looks. She asks me for help to take the animal back to her cabin, I agree and pick the wolf up and carry him for her. Her blond hair seems t A Christmas Story 'Twas the night before Christmas--Old Santa was pissed. He cussed out the elves and threw down his list. Miserable little brats, ungrateful little jerks. I have a good mind to scrap the whole works! I've busted my ass for damn near a year, Instead of "Thanks Santa"--what do I hear? The old lady bitches cause I work late at night. The elves want more money--The reindeer all fight. Rudolph got drunk and goosed all the maids. Donner is pregnant and Vixen has AIDS. And just when I thought that things would get better Those assholes from the IRS sent me a letter, They say I owe taxes--if that ain't damn funny Who the hell ever sent Santa Claus any money? And the kids these days--they all are the pits They want the impossible--Those mean little shits I spent a whole year making wagons and sleds Assembling dolls...Their arms, legs and heads I made a ton of yo yo's--No request for them, They want computers and robots...they think - I'm IBM! Talk To Me Okay...this is my very first blog..ever. Not sure what the purpose fo this is, so I'll just throw down a bunch of stuff and hopefully it'll all make sense and mean something...lol. I have this nifty lil thing on my profile for visitors to leave voice comments, but imma thinkin not too many ppl are seeing it. So, if ya goes to my profile I would greatly appurciate it if you would call the number and leave a voice comment, so I can hear ya. I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO HEAR YOUR VOICES! Later on I'll be adding a webcam feature too, so ppl can leave video comments...hehehe. We'll so how that one goes...lol. Okay..that's it for my first blog. Hmmmmm.....I hope it made some sense. I know that there are a lot of contests on here... and mostly for popularity... but the ones that give me the creeps are the one's for the "cutest kids"... I know proud parents like to show off their kids... as I do too... but why post pictures of you kids on the internet? There are far too many sicko's out there doing God knows what looking at these pictures... and that disturbes me to no end. That's just my opinion... Just wanted say Merry Christmas to everyone!!!! I won't be on for awhile going to NY tomorrow!! Whoo---Woo!! Everyone be safe MWAH!!! Another Update And This Is Serious Ok one of my operatives has gotten me pics of the latest atrocity going on in the Woodchuck conspiracy. They are now surfing the internet for women!!!! Here It Is Now they are preparing for an all out asault!!! thier general has just had a press confrence confering the attack and this is just too much a gerbil driven killing machine Breaking The News Is Worth A Beer Steve, Bob, and Jeff were working on a very high scaffolding. Suddenly, Steve falls 50 feet to the ground below and he is killed instantly. After the coroner leaves with Steve''s body, Bob volunteers to inform Steve''s wife of the terrible news. Some two hours later, Bob returns to the work site with a six-pack of beer under his arms. "Say, Bob, where did you get the six-pack?" "Steve''s wife gave it to me!" "What! You just told her that Steve died and she gave you a six-pack?" "Well, before I broke the news to her, I asked her if she was Steve''s widow. And, she said she wasn''t, so I said I''d bet her a six-pack she was!" WHAT A KISS MEANS +Kiss on the stomach = "I'm ready" +Kiss on the Forehead ="I hope we're together forever" +Kiss on the Ear = "Your my everything" +Kiss on the Cheek = "We're friends" +Kiss on the Hand = "I adore you" +Kiss on the Neck = "We belong together" +Kiss on the Shoulder = "I want you" +Kiss on the Lips = "I love you" What the gesture means... +Holding Hands = "we definitely love each other" +Slap on the Butt = "That's mine" +Holding on tight = "i don't want to let go" +Looking into each other's Eyes = "i just plain love you" +Playing with Hair = "Tell me you love me" +Arms around the Waist = "I love you too much to let go" +Laughing while Kissing = "I am completely comfortable with you" + Dont ask for a kiss, take one. +If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you're definitely in Love. What... A... Night!!! God damn that is a lot of booze. Was? a lot of booze? lol. So yeah, turned 21 yesterday. Had a party last night. Craaaaazy. Lots of people, lots of drinkin', no cake all over the place this time, have a big ol thing of turtle cheesecake in there (my favorite... yum!), and just had an all around good time. =) Plus, I woke up, and there's snow everywhere! It's so awesome!! Makes me wanna curl up in a blanket with someone, drink cocoa and peppermint schnapps and just relax and be all snuggly. haha. I think I'll go procure some food... and maybe hit the bank. They should make a drive thru bank/food joint, that'd be cool... Well This Is Odd Do you ever have one of those days when you are just in a good mood for no apparent reason? I've got that going on today. My brain chemistry must be in a good place. I wish I could pass this around on the internet like some sort of email attachment. Ha! Only 50% Promiscuous, Despite What You May Have Heard. =p~ I am 50% Promiscuous.I like sex and have a healthy sex life. I get just enough and know how to use my sexuality. Some people might have a problem, but that is their problem not mine. They just need to get more.Take thePromiscuous Test@ FualiDotCom Remember It Forever Floating through a party, Your eyes flattered me all night. Thinking of a dick inside me, Muscles in me pulled tight. Outside for a smoke, Silently you offered me one. I put yours out on a car, My passions set to stun. My finger on your lip, I pushed you on top of the car. Climbing onto your crotch, You were not going far. Riding you up and down, feeling friction from your jeans, Beneath my skirt was underwear, I wanted to rip at the seams. I begged for harder penetration, My wetness teased me so, I rubbed up and down Guided your erect penis to and fro. Between sucking my lips, you whispered in my ear, "Let's find a nice "spot" Do you want to get out of here?" You led me to a deck chair, hidden and out of sight. Moving like a dance, Togetherness felt wrong and right. Placing me down gently, After I tore of my dress, Then urging your jeans half down, You were free enough to caress. The restrictions of your clothing, made you my prisoner. Preparing for another storm that is supposed to come in on Sunday. This one is not suppose to be as bad, only 35mph winds, but ontop of the mess this last one left, I don't see this one not leaving even more damage. It may well be our first Christmas by candlelight. BBQ'd turkey? No matter the circumstances, we will always make the best. We watched Pulse last night. The movie itself seemed like a twisted mutation of the Matrix regurgitated but if you think about how our society has become so dependant on mass communication infostructures, you should pause to contemplate the possibilities of something going horribly wrong. How much is too much communication? Losing the human touch is one thing, but what would happen if something other than humanity took control of our very lives? Identity theft is just a surface scratch I believe. I think it is only human nature to ponder where it will all end. If I can read, shop, talk in virtual, do everything accept You come home from work, Kiss me on the cheek, sit down and relax, and tell me about your day. As I listen to your words, I smile at what I feel, Looking at you, so loving and trusting, Fills me with hot, sweet desire. I try not to let it show, as I continue listening, but my thoughts are slowly drifting, to what I want to do to you. You notice the change in me, You know me far too well, Always, you see what I try to hide, There are no secrets for me. You stand up and wrap me in your warm imbrace, I lean into you strong arms, Feel the swelling of our eager cock against my ass, And bite my lip to stifle the building moan. Your hands come around, carressing my erect nipples, Pinching and massaging my tender breasts, As I roll my head on your chest. You kiss my neck with a slow swirl of the tongue, Smiling as I gasp your name, and let your hands wander to my heated desire, softly touching, testing my arousal. I man and push against your han You Don't Have To Own A Cat To Appreciate This One! You just have to have We were dressed and ready to go out for the New Years Eve Party. We turned on a night light, turned the answering machine on, covered our pet parakeet and put the cat in the backyard We phoned the local cab company and requested a taxi. The taxi arrived and we opened the front door to leave the house. The cat we put out in the yard, scoots back into the house. We didn't want the cat shut in the house because she always tries to eat My wife goes out to the taxi, while I went inside to get the cat. The cat runs upstairs, with me in hot pursuit. Waiting in the cab, my wife doesn't want the driver to know that the house will be empty for the night. So, she explains to the taxi driver that I will be out soon, "He's just going upstairs to say goodbye to my mother." A few minutes later, I get into the cab. "Sorry I took so long," I said, as I Think Santa Claus Is A Women I think Santa Claus is a woman I think Santa Claus is a woman. I hate to be the one to defy sacred myth, but I believe he's a she. Think about it. Christmas is a big,organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing, social deal, and I have a tough time believing a guy could possibly pull it all off! For starters, the vast majority of men don't even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve. Once at the mall, they always seem surprised to find only Ronco products, socket wrench sets, and mood rings left on the shelves. On this count alone, I'm convinced Santa is a woman. Surely, if he were a man, everyone in the universe would wake up Christmas morning to find a rotating musical Chia Pet under the tree, still in the bag. Another problem for a he-Santa would be getting there. First of all, there would be no reindeer, because they would all be dead, gutted, and strapped on to the rear bumper of the sleigh amid wide-eyed, desperate claims that buck season had been extended. Blitze Just Another Funny Thing Merry Christmas vs Bah Humbug... A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist. Just to see what would happen, on the twins' birthday their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist's room he loaded with horse manure. That night the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly. "Why are you crying?" the father asked. "Because my friends will be jealous, I'll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I'll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken." answered the pessimist twin. Passing the optimist twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pil During the time I was not well, my good friend came round to see me, and as normal when we get talking, we cover many a topic some weird some not. I dont know how we got onto this subject but we did, and both of us agreed that it would be good to be regressed.I then related to him a recurring dream I have when I fall into a deep sleep. I dont know if this is some form of self regressing or not, and to be honest I dont know why this one reoccurs, but Ive had the same dream on numerous occasions and it never changes it stays the same. So here it goes, i will be interested in anybodies views on regression and what they think of it. Its a cold dark evening and Im standing in a drench looking across what I would call no mans land. By the way Im dressed and the uniform im wearing its World War one. I look along the trench at the other men sitting some sleeping some resting. An officer comes along the trench whispering to each guy, when he gets to me he tells me in 5 mins there is going today is my b-day so be nice and show me some LOVE!!! I Am Off To Party!!! IN A BIG BAD THEATRE WHERE I CAN PRETEND TO BE A ROCKSTAR! i am gonna get extreme wasted tonight..anyone care to join?? Sexual Calorie Counter Sexual Calorie Counter It has been known for many years that sex is good exercise, but until recently nobody had made a scientific study of the caloric expenditure of different sexual activities. Now after original and proprietary research they are proud to present the results. REMOVING HER CLOTHES: With her consent....................... 12 Calories Without her consent.................... 187 Calories OPENING HER BRA: With both hands........................ 8 Calories With one hand.......................... 12 Calories With your teeth........................ 85 Calories PUTTING ON A CONDOM: With an erection....................... 6 Calories Without an erection.................... 315 Calories Trying to find the clitoris............ 8 Calories Trying to find the! G-Spot.............. 92 Calories Missionary............................. 12 Calories 69 lying down.......................... 78 Calories 69 standing up................... My Person Of The Year Acceptance Speech Getting fired can certainly take a drain on one emotionally, especially at the holidays. However, I have tried to keep myself positive and trust that something bigger is around the corner. Little did I know it would come this soon. I got online this morning and saw some amazing news on msn.com. It seems that in a tie vote, I was one of 10 million Time Magazine readers to be picked as "Person of The Year". Naturally, I feel humbled by this news. I would like to thank the editors at Time for recognizing my many accomplishments this year. I must also confess, that after several years as the bridesmaid, I am relieved to finally get my shot as the bride. My 7th place finish to President Jimmy Carter in 1979 was somewhat understandable for the simple reason that I was only born in October of that year. Perhaps if my mother could have been knocked up a few months sooner, I would have popped out in March and had more time Advocacies By The Few.... can become the advocacies of the many. Nickelback sings this song, but watch the video. It certainly strengthens the point that a few can make a changes to the world. Music Video:IF EVERYONE CARED (by Nickelback)Music Video Code provided by Video Code Zone As such, I continue to do what I can...inch by inch, letter by letter, email by email, stories by stories.... maybe some day.... we'll see the effect of the changes that are pushed by each and every advocate in us all!! :D I'd like to talk about T.V. Something that I can't enjoy much cause I work nights. I would start a show then lose track of when there on or what day there on. We have the DVR thing but I'm still not used to it so I forget to record the shows. It's a crap shoot anyway. Sometimes it records the whole show sometimes it doesn't. So I've given up. What ever happened to showing a shows full season at once. I'm beginning to see a trend of showing a couple of months of new shows then the go on break until the new year. What's that crap all about. When I finally do get to get caught up on a show they show some new crap game show hosted by some washed up celeb. Those game shows are pretty impossible to win. It's like Black Jack the house always wins. Most shows now are on more then one station. Shown at least two to three times a week. So there is no excuse to miss a show, but if told me to click on the Bravo network, I'd first give you a blank stare. Then have to go to the guide and spend 20 According to experts, I am : 80% SexyTake the Sexy Quiz at JokesUnlimited.comAccording to experts, I am : 76% KinkyTake the Kinky Quiz at JokesUnlimited.comAccording to experts, I am : 58% NaughtyTake the Naughty Quiz at JokesUnlimited.com Two Little Words............. Two little words That mean so much That lift the heart When it’s bruised and crushed.. Two little words I sigh at night In the darkness of my grief They tease and taunt me in the dark As my soul seeks some relief Two little words torment my soul That I know I should have said; They make my nights so bleak And rise unbidden in my head.. Two little words you quietly whispered As you turned and walked away And I will always regret The day I heard you say What Tarrot Card Are You? You are The Magician Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity. Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing, you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive. The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil. What Tarot Card are You?Take the Test to Find Out. Your Nickname Is! Tim's sexual nickname: "Heat-Seeking Moisture Missile" Take this quiz at QuizUniverse.com Unicorn Imagery In Magical Practice The unicorn is one of the most famous and endearing of mystical creatures associated with fantasy, mythology, and magic. Images of the unicorn have fascinated people all over the world for centuries. Such a powerful and easily recognized symbol can have an important place in magical practice. Symbols are integral to our lives, especially for magic and visualization. Often the success of a spell relies heavily on the symbolism that is chosen and how deeply it affects the user. Many people are drawn to magical creatures and have an affinity for certain ones, collecting various images of that particular creature. Since unicorns are among the most popular, here are some ways you can incorporate unicorn symbolism into magical practice. Even if you have never been particularly fascinated with magical creatures, getting to know them by investigating their characteristics can add a new dimension to your personal power. First, consider what the creature symbolizes to you. Unicorns have ma Winter Solstice Wishing Candle There is a tradition of making a wish at the Winter Solstice, of burning pieces of paper with wishes or affirmations written on them. When creating a Winter Solstice candle, you will infuse the molten wax with your wish or intent and release it with the burning of the candle. This is a very basic recipe for creating candles at home using scraps of old wax or wax purchased from a craft store. It is designed for simplicity and to use items found in most kitchens. * large metal pot – an old stew pot works well * old glass carafe (such as a coffee pot) or soup/coffee can(s) * candy thermometer * blocks of purchased wax or used candles (your choice of color) * small paper cups (Dixie Brand), or other molds * wicks (available at craft stores) * wooden spoon, oven mitt, towels, and waxed paper or newspaper to cover work area * ground frankincense resin (optional) The purpose of making recycled candles is to use all those scraps of wax left-over from o Just One More Sweetheart My Little Angel I felt your presence there inside of me, nestled soft and warm; Sweet scent of baby's breath, precious words left unadorned. I saw your tiny heartbeat, then I knew that you were fine; A perfect baby we created, one that would be mine. Then that tragic day it came there was nothing I could do, Only wait and hope for the precious life of you. Yes in the beginning your daddy was afraid; Only he would love you unconditional and never run away. He loved you more this I do know, as he cried for you that day, When the doctor said that you were gone, daddy wanted you to stay. He would have held you close to him, and see your perfect form, A gift of daddy's love, would have kept you safe and warm. Only now you are an angel over me beautiful and bare, My heart would hurt if you cried for me and mommy was not there. Still we are together in my heart and memories, You are still a part of my memory. Rest gentle now 'sweet baby' there Ran Out Of Comment Ability I ran out of comment ability and My kids are in third place right now.. and only 250 points behind being second place.. plz stop by and leave a few comments :) Seven Steps To Self-devotion Seven Steps to Self-Devotion 1. Your Body is a Temple Remember, your body is a sacred space. Your body is the vehicle through which you experience this earthly existence, and it is more than that. Your body is an everyday miracle. It’s a library, a place of worship, and a home all in one. It is a system within systems, and a system containing systems. Recognizing your body as the sacred space that it is, perfect in its “imperfection,” in all ways magnificent in its ways of being, is a radical act of self-devotion. 2. Redefine Your Self/Culture Interface! Loving yourself is a radical, magickal act. And I’m not talking about carnal love here, though that aspect is also a delicious way for each of us to find our way home to our own bodies. Here I’m talking about arriving at a point of gratitude for our bodies, and learning how to define the self/culture interface. What is the “self/culture interface,” you might ask. Well, it’s the point where what’s “out there” in the wo I Saw This On Sexy Vixens Page And Loved It Damn, I Could Have Been A Doctor Body: One day a young man and woman were in their bedroom making love. All of a sudden a bumble bee entered the bedroom window. As the young lady parted her legs the bee entered her vagina. The woman started screaming "Oh my god, help me, there's a bee in my vagina!" The husband immediately took her to the local doctor and explained the The doctor thought for a moment and said "Hmm, tricky situation. But I have a solution to the problem if young sir would permit." The husband being very concerned agreed that the doctor could use whatever method to get the bee out of his wife's vagina. The doctor said "OK, what I'm gonna do is rub some honey over the top of my penis and insert it into your wife's vagina. When I feel the bee getting closer to the tip of my penis I shall withdraw it and the bee should hopefully follow my penis out of your wife's vagina. The husband nodded and gave his approval. The young lady said "Yes, Yes Okay... what really happened was... 2 black dudes from liberty stole a red truck.. kicked in the door and demanded the money Mike owed them for dope... I guess Mike said no.. so they shot Mike then the other people tried to interfere in which getting themselves shot as well.. Patrick got shot 3 times.. and Tina I think twice.. but the bullet that actually hit her went through her cheek bone through the other side... her ear was half gone.. they had to cut the rest of it off... and some of her brain out.. and they pulled the plug on her yesterday.. patrick was the first that died though Mike is still alive from what I hear the bullet that hit him went through his cheek k thats from an archive of what i was told exactly happend... Angela, Patrick , Tina A Potential New Direction For Neo-paganism Precis: While there are many Neo-Pagan traditions, one path has been infrequently explored, although many of its concepts have been used in other traditions. This is the path of Tantra, which is not just about sex as many Westerners think. This article explores the nature of Traditional Tantra and explains why the misconceptions occurred. A POTENTIAL NEW DIRECTION FOR NEO-PAGANISM A DESIRE FOR MORE One of the things which I have noticed over the past decade is that many people who follow a Pagan path are not completely satisfied with what they have found. While it is true that many, if not most Pagans are completely happy with their spiritual direction, I have found that many are seeking something...more. This “more” falls into one of two main categories: 1) Something that is genuinely old. Few people today believe that most modern Pagan traditions are an exact duplication or direct descendant of ancient traditions. Rather, they are attempted reconstructions. These reconst I decided to delay the start of the contest from tomorrow to Friday. If you or anyone you know has a Christmas pic you think it's hot, gimme a buzz and lemme know you want in the contest. (and yes, I am giving the winners something.) i just thought i would say hi to everyone and say that i'm new to this site and i would like to make new friends and meet new people Follow Your Heart And People Get Mad have you ever wonderred if the phrase follow you heart means anything any more? well i do i have always stuck by that and here within the past ... oh i dont know say month or so i have followed what my heart says ans it jsut stirs up a bunmch of bullshit.. ya being talked about behind your back, being told things that when ya think about it you r thinking yeah right . well things for me are really hectic right now got alot on my mind and shit i just fell like i should be by myself. ever wondered if that is the right thing to do? well i have i got someone in my life right now who really does care this person really means alot to me and then i got a FEW who tell me to do what i have stuck behind and that is follow my heart but yet when i do that i can see that there is frustration i can feel the disappointment so tell me to follow my heart?...YEAH RIGHT.... the only way i am gonna do that anymore is if I feel it is right. only I know what my heart wants .....and that is to be happy In my past I have made mistakes by jumping into a relationship to quick, but I have learned just to take things slow, be simple Incense For Meditation Meditation helps train the mind to focus and achieve clarity, while promoting relaxation and fostering a spiritual connection. There are many ways to practice meditation, including guided exercises and special breathing techniques, but part of the experience often includes the burning of incense. We know it’s a common practice to burn incense for ceremonies, rituals and meditation – but which ingredients are the best to use to promote this meditative state? Some practitioners don’t recommend burning incense during meditation but instead beforehand in order to prepare the room. Sometimes the smoke can be distracting and interfere with breathing. If you do decide to burn it while meditating, be sure the room is well-ventilated or that the smoke isn’t drifting directly into your face. Burning certain herbs, woods, and resins purifies the air and many of these ingredients contain medicinal properties as well. But most of all, scent can induce a calming state of mind, sought by more than Incense For Headaches The world of aromatherapy suggests many types of essential oils that are useful for healing. But incense can also be utilized as a remedy for certain conditions. Headaches are a common ailment many people face, but with the calming effects produced by certain aromas, symptoms can be relieved. Incense and aromatherapy work because our sense of smell is a direct path to the brain. This process activates our Limbic System and is the reason why certain odors trigger an immediate response. Particular aromas are known to stimulate the brain to produce essential chemicals. We’re familiar with some of these such as serotonin and dopamine, which cause feelings of happiness, relaxation and contentment. In addition, many of the ingredients used in incense contain phytochemicals, which are chemicals found in plants that have protective, disease-preventing properties. First, it’s necessary to pinpoint the reason for the headache. Is it stress, hormones, sinusitis? In this way you can target a How To Buy And Use Gemstones And Crystals To Activate Ancient Wisdom Before buying crystals and gemstones, it’s a good idea to plan how you are going to use them. Over time, you may want to build up a collection with sets of stones for different purposes because the particular energies that are intended for one use may not be relevant in another use. Write up a "shopping list" for your stone collecting before heading out the door. If you are like me, you’ll find that it is easy to get sidetracked like a kid in a candy stone when confronted with an array of beautiful crystals and gemstones. People have been attracted to gemstones since prehistoric times. While beauty plays a part in their appeal, it is their energy that has a powerful impact on us. If you like to wear crystals or place gemstones around your house, you are aware of their power. The practice of gemstone feng shui combines the wisdom of gemstones and crystals with the ancient art of feng shui to invite positive change into your life. At its core, feng shui is a method to balance the d Two Great Ideas Two Great Ideas First Great Idea Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use. The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants! That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down. Second Great Idea: Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the Border. When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq . Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military. Give him a soldier's pay while he's There and tax him on it. After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country. He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot. This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying t make a better life for themselves. If they refu For Sweet Poison He sits and he types on endlessly It's all about life, his don't you see the moving fingers type and having typed move on so the writing will continue until his life is done he writes of what he feels and lets everyone know that all that happens in his, becomes art for the show nothing he holds sacred and shares it with the world it's a weight off of his back that for great distances is hurled he dumps it in his writing and he lets us all get a peek it frees his mind and gives voice to his soul, we listen to it speak for some who have no ear to hear and do not care to read there is no way to touch their pain within their time of need can one heal wounds and free the world of pain for the sublime? the spoken word may touch the heart, the written touches time ! By R. Thomas Dinsmore wow ok so like im realy bored and im tired of stupid peoples bullshit JUST CLICK BELOW AND LEAVE TONS OF GIFTS AND THEY ARE FREE TO GIVE :) LEAVE LOT'S OF PRESENTS | MERRY X~MAS FROM ~CLR~ Saying What I'm Feeling You're the one that is suppose to be strong; You take care of everyone, they all depend on you. What do you do when you have to hide the way you feel? Hide the fact that every day, you hope God will not let you wake. How do you tell anyone, when they can't hear you? You can scream but only on the inside, not being able to show anyone how you truly feel. You feel invisible to everyone, numb to everything, like nothing matters. You pretend to care about most things, only to make others happy, so they don't know your secret. How do you tell them that you think you're crazy...if you do they'll lock you up for sure! The voices won't ever win, they can't, as much you hate life, you have to live for that one, only her. So live your life, go on, tell no one, keep your secret. I won't tell. If you listened to the voices in your head you'd have been dead a long time ago. You push on, if for nothing else, but, the one person that keeps you going, she has alwa She is in the kitchen preparing to boil eggs for breakfast. He walks in. She turns and says, "You've got to make love to me this very moment." His eyes light up and he thinks, "This is my lucky day." Not wanting to lose the moment, he embraces her and then gives It his all on the kitchen table. Afterwards she says, "Thanks," and returns to the stove. More than a little puzzled, he asks, "What was that all about?" She explains, "The egg timer's broken." Ok I Guess I Was Wrong Cherry tap is awesome for meeting new people. I I know a few people on here from IRL, but I have met more new people on here in a week than I have in the previous year. Some really cool people at that. Ok Time For Me To Be On My Soap Box!! I have seen too many of these stupid shows...." I had sex with 47 guys, which one is my baby's daddy?"!! It just makes me sick!! Women of the world, what the hell is wrong with you? Why would you get on national television and embarrass and degrade yourself like that? If your having sex with that many men you don't need a paternity test, you need to go to the VET and get yourself fixed!! Hasn't anyone ever heard of SAFE SEX!!!??!! Why in God's name would you want to risk your life, not just once, but several times unprotected. With all the diseases that are out there, I am not only terrified for myself, but, for my child as well, who has just became an adult. I would never want to see her going through that kind of drama and pain. Not only are you possibly bringing a child into this world, because of your own stupidity, but your risking your life and the life of everyone you will have sex in the futrue! Please if you have any self-respect at all for yourself and your life, keep th Necessary Kitchen Accesories I really can't decide what I like better... My Slow Cooker, or my Cast-Iron Skillet. For practicality I would have to say the slow-cooker, but I really enjoy using the Skillet. Either way, now that I have both, I can't see how I got along without either! To All My Friends _________, .-'Y _^-, ______, .-'^H E , -^_^-, .. _, .-'^ R S , .-^_______..| _.. H E , .-^____________k ~*~*~YOUVE JUST BEEN KISSED~*~*~ PASS THIS KISS AROUND TO SHOW YOUR FRIENDS YOU CARE ABOUT THEM!!!!! IF YOU GET A KISS BACK YOUR FRIEND CARES FOR YOU damn now my roommate is moving out sooner that i want him too. I havent even had any luck on those roommate sites. Damn that blows. If anyone knows of someone that need a place to live just let me know. Ok so today was my brothers payday,I usually go with him cause ihave nothing better to do.We picked some food up went to Subway then xmas shopping this took forever.We were walmart.My parents to.My brother was getting them gifts so it took a while for them to make there minds up.My mom gave my brother money cause he couldn't find what he wanted.She already bought me that computer tower that was on sale on black friday.Its working great.She gave me some more money today.I am so spoiled.i am gonna bu books with my money.My brother is giving me money so i want books with it to.I have turned into a damn BookWarm.I could be worse.@mrow we are going to kingwood hes got to pay his insurance.We are getting pizzahut pizza cause he got a gift certifcate.Thats about it.Oh wait.Last night me & mom7 aunt made hard tack candy.It's so yummy.I will post pics.Also rented some movies tonight.I didn't get to rent the ones i wanted they hadn't came in.That's about it. Last Night And Today So last night, Adam and I started out on a date of just him and I for once. We went to the mall, shopped a bit, and talked about going to a movie or play some pool, and then after one of the 2 go out to dinner. So in the mist of things after the mall, we decided to go to his brothers' house to go pick up some of his things and 3 bar stools for his mom, and then decide what to do after that. So we got what we needed, and went to his mom's house to drop off her bar stools, and as I was helping Adam get one of the stools out, I lost my balance, glabbed the tailgate, my left ankle gave out, but I fucked my left knee up badly. So now it's all swollen, and there is fliud all around my knee cap and joints. I refused to go to the ER last night because I wasn't sure if I was ok'd for Medicaid, but today, I found out today that my medical was active. I decided that it would be approiate for me to go to the ER, especially since my knee is fucked up, and I lost sleep because of it. Now that The Smiths had no children and decided to use a proxy father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr.Smith kissed his wife and said, "I'm off. The man should be here soon." Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer rang the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. "Good morning madam. You don't know me but I've come to...." "Oh, no need to explain. I've been expecting you," Mrs. Smith cut in. "Really?" the photographer asked. "Well, good! I've made a specialty of babies." "That's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat. Just where do we start?" asked Mrs. Smith, blushing. "Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch and perhaps a couple on the bed. Sometimes the living room floor is fun too; you can really spread out." "Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work for Harry and me." "Well, madam, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But i Moments shatter expectations b/c I never expected loved to be replaced by the Lord's Kiss. In your eyes I`ve found my connection to my creator. God made you not just for me. He made you for me to cherish as his greatest gift. Every sunrise sheds new light on our love and every sunset tucks in yesterdays emotion. I want the feelings you bring me to be a sign that not only is love real but it is a kiss blown from God. I want to honor his plan by overachieving his plan for our loves destiny. Marry me and let my expressed love for you be a craved situation and a prayed for miracle...E.D.M.L. My sony NWHD3 20gb mp3 player is giving up on me. I've had it for a little over a year...wow i just realized that, that really fucking sucks, stay away from sony mp3 players they last long enough to exceed the warranty. The reason why I bought the sony instead of and ipod is because I don't want to be that person who has and ipod because everyone has one, it's fucking annoying! Also the battery last 2 weeks! on one charge...but as time goes on that two weeks dwindled to 5 - 7 days. So I'm going to use the one (ipod nano) my sister gave me for christmas last year. If it last longer than the sony then I'll lose my grudge against apple. Hey everyone one thank u for lookin at my page... I hope u like it! To All Of U That Use Project Playlist For The Music On Your Page.... IMPORTANT: We are aware that some people are getting error messages on their myspace players. We moved all players to a new server and these messages will come and go throughout tonight (Tuesday). Please be patient. Your playlist is NOT broken and will work fine shortly. Check the news section for updates. Krokus - Our LoveMusic Code provided by Song2Play.Com Just lettin yall know i jut hit up the site and did soe loading of shots of me, shots of my car to come soon. Im hittin it up for that 253 area and hope to be out there soon with my sponsored integra, i already have some peices bought but the whole ride is stock so im working from the ground up, hit up my site and even send and invite for friend if you wanna keep posted about what i do. Show me some love iite? What Color Of Rose Are You You Are a White Rose You represent youthfulness and purity. Your vibe: Sweet and heavenly Falling in love with you: is like falling in love for the first time What Color Rose Are You? I took my cue from my friend Ghosthunter.. and I put up a Christmas tree on my page. So, stop by , show some love, leave a gift if you'd like (I'll return the gesture) and enjoy your Holidays!! Peace and Love to all my CT friends!! The Story Behind The Candy Cane The Candy Cane has long been a Christmas tradition. It's sweet peppermint taste has been enjoyed by young and old for years. But did you know what it symbolizes? It is a hard candy because the church is built on solid rock and God's promises are a firm foundation. (Matt 16:18) (1Thess 5:24) The large red stripe is for the blood Jesus shed for our sins on the cross. (John 19:34-35) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.) The smaller stripes are for the stripes upon his back when he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (Isaiah 53:5) The white is for Jesus innocence ( Heb 4:15) For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - - yet was without sin.) and our innocence we have in Him (Rev 7:9) After this I looked and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people Accentuated by the thought I lie here in my bed Deciphering this plot I'm argued by this The Reason why This is my Enemy Cradled like a rock This is my Enemy The reason why I don't This is my fetal position Try to rid these thoughts This is my fetal position Don't you try to comfort With your Gentle Touch Dont put your hands Flooding me with Don't you try to comfort with your Gentle Touch Dont put your hands Can you hear me now? This is my fetal position Try to rid these thoughts This is my fetal postion (chorus x3) Can you comfort ME? Christ In The Old Testament - Prophecies Regarding Christ Christ In The Old Testament - Prophecies Regarding Christ One of the great marvels of the Old Testament scriptures is the rich sprinkling of prophesies concerning the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Some are very plain in nature, others are a veiled allusion to Christ in an allegorical sense. You may have read some of these Old Testament bible stories once or a hundred times without having seen how they point to the life and salvation provided by our Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that some these bible stories have an allegorical meaning does not take away from their historical accuracy. In fact, In the book of Luke (24:27), we are told how Jesus himself revealed these things to his disciples: "Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." What a joy that must have been! While we the readers of the synoptic gospels are not made privy to what the disciples learned, we can pour over the text ourselves and pray that the "apologies To Amends" "Apologies to Amends" I've preached to others, Wtih my good intentions in mind Struggling to adhere myself From this moment I lay my troubles aside To lend my mirrored ear Yet I still seem To be soooo blind A friend in manifested quarrel With thier never resting mind I've trailed off this unbeaten path Losing the sound of the voice Which sounds so kind Playing this stranger I feel detached From the world From my tempered realm Of flagrant honesty Of sheer compassion That it confuses even myself I'm sorry for my ignorance I'm sorry for my distance Wandering for my belonging in life Is my excuse But never should have I had wandered this far Away from this place Leaving importance astray Leaving a friendship in this disaray Kneeling before this judgement The voice calls upon my faith Of this correction To ressurrect my subconscience Whats Been Going On In My Life Recently Well to start out, i left my bitch of a girlfriend, and was talking to this sweet girl, named charity. She was there for me when i needed someone to make me laugh n smile. Then we kept talking, everynight, and we would do voice calls, and one night, she was a lil drunk, i left her a sweet comment, and then she said i have to tell u how i feel abt you james, and her friend, duran was there and i could hear them argueing back and forth, she thought it was too strong what she was saying, and i was worried that she was gonna say something like i llike u as a good friend, we are close to each other, but i dont see u as a bf, just friends, then duran said do it damnit it comes from the heart and u mean it.... so when she finally listened to him n her heart....I got the sweetest comment...it basically said...i have really strong feelings for you james, you make me so happy, i am falling for you when i thought i never would....i called her that night, she always wanted to hear mmy voice...she Listening To Christmas Have you ever heard snow? Not the howling wind of a blizzard, not the crackling of snow underfoot, but the actual falling of snow? We heard it one night in Wisconsin while walking up a hill toward our cabin in the woods, a soft whisper between footsteps. We stopped, switched off our flashlights, and just listened. All around us in the darkness we heard the gentle fall of snow on snow. No wind, no sound but the snow. Have you ever heard Christmas? Not the traffic noises in the city, not the bells and hymns and carols, beautiful as they are, not even the laughter of your children as they open their presents-- but Christmas itself? Have you been by yourself and just sat and listened to the silence within, patiently, without letting the mind race to the next Christmas chore? Perhaps if you have, you felt the pulse of all humanity beating in your own heart. Perhaps you noticed an outflowing of love for all your brothers and sister i am a person that has issuse about the way i look and the things that make me feel good well when it comes to people on here they show u there are still real people out there that look for the beauty mainly on the inside, most people on here never say anything bad about one another and everyone always cheers someone else up i love how this place is so homie and luvin i love it Thank You Everyone For Your Honesty i posted my first mumm about an hour ago. the response has been fantastic. for those that didnt see it, it was about my search for my knight in shinning armor, or my devilish demon in darkness. i want to thank all those that commented and voted, and i invite everyone to add me as a fan, maybe also as a friend. im on here because i am lonely, and i am looking for companionship and friendship. Last month, National University of Lesotho scientists released the results of a recent analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer. And suggested that men should take a concerned look at their beer consumption. The theory is that beer contains female hormones (hops contain phytoestrogens) and that by drinking enough beer, men turn into women. To test the theory, 100 men drank 8 pints of beer each, within a 1 hour period. It was then observed that 100% of the test subjects: 1) Argued over nothing. 2) Refused to apologize when obviously wrong. 3) Gained weight. 4) Talked excessively without making sense. 5) Became overly emotional. 6) Couldn't drive. 7) Failed to think rationally 8) Had to sit down while urinating. No further testing was considered necessary. Was just wandering if some of my friends could help me out a little. I only need like 240 points to move on along. Also if ya have time could ya help another friend out? She is stuck with the same points I am. I will return the favor. Most of you know I will. Ok...I am still getting to know the site, but I thought I would try this out since I am a "professional blogger". LOL I will try my best to keep up on here. I am on MySpace, so it will be a challenge to keep up with both sites. I will be posting thoughts and such, as well as funny stuff here, so keep an eye out. I try to post something everyday, but no promises. Feel free to leave comments or whatever. to all my friends,happy holidays,hope every body stays safe,sorry that i have not gotten to everybody on my friends list,my work has been keeping me busy,but my friends are always in my thoughts and prayers,also please stop and think what have you done this year,did you make a difference in somebodys life. please be safe and DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok here it is, the truth about me. For the past five months I have been dating a tran-girl. We've done so much together in that short time and i laugh a bit because without her I would have never known what it is to truely have fun and be happy. Many people do not believe we should be together because of the fact that she is different. But to be completely honest, I really love her! To me she is so beautiful inside as well as out. So to those of you that can not understand that.....that's your problem. No matter what others may think or say about us, I don't care. It's my life, let me live it. Tanya, Theresa, and Dreamer......MUCH LUV...Hey !!! Kimmy !!!!! Thanks to you also for helping Dreamer. Hugs to all you guys. as though no one is watching you as though no one can hear you as though heaven is on earth as though you have never been hurt before Give Me Gift.... Okay i put the christmas tree on my profile so either leave me a gift there or here... i know i am rude...begging for gift..LOL Get Your Own! | More Flash Toys Yah So Today Sucked. Tomorrow Is Going To Be Better :) Cuz I Say So. A Walk To Remember Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish It does not take offense and is never resentful Love takes no pleasure in other peoples sins But delight in the truth it is always ready to excuse To trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes Please stop asking me if i want your dick. I have a man and if you took the time to read my profile you would see that. I happen to be very much in love with and am not going to lose him over some comment. why would i want yours when i can have his anytime that i want? So please you can talk to me like a human being, but dont' shout at me asking me if I want your dick...cuz the answer will always be "NO" Ok this is my last blog of the night.. I have sooo much on my mind and i dont know where to start. I HATE arguing with my friends and i hate it even more when they are upset or annoyed with me. I try to be the best person i can be..But it still always goes to shit in the end. I had a rotten day..I just wish i had someone there to listen.. I cant always be happy Ashley. You're never alone, I'm always near, When your troubled, down or blue. All you have to do is call me, I'm always here for you. It doesn't matter where I'm at, It doesn't matter when. When you need someone to talk to, I'm here to be your friend. If you need someone to hold your hand, or a hug to say I care. If you need a shoulder to cry on, for you I will be there. So never think you are a burden, when the weight gets to be to much. You might find if look hard enough, a good friend could be the right touch. You're never alone, I'm always here, through the good times and the bad. I'm always here to be your friend, I don't like to see you sad. High Tech Redneck... For the past couple of weeks my friend, Mr. Chuggler, and I have been installing a home theater in my first house. It is an experience to say the least but it is well worth it as you will see. Now I admit to being a major novice when it comes to sheetrock and it is showing in the closet where all the equipment is setup. LOL I was gonna have to fix it all anyway :-) Here is a rundown of the setup: Kenwood 5.1 surround sound out to Polk Audio M1 front channels, a DCM center channel, and KLIPSCH H-700 Heresy rear speakers.... the speakers I had readily available. I am using the klipsch on the rear because the newer Polk Audio have a cleaner sound than the 20 year old Klipsh speakers This sound system is Fed by X-box, DVD Player, Digital Cable, ReplayTV, Windows XP Laptop, and Windows Media Center PC (almost ready) with Svideo out to a Epson Projector about 15' from the wall. This is shining onto a giant screen which honestly is a king sized bed sheet folded in half and stap A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom. "You know what?" says the 6 year old. "I think it's about time we started cussing." The 4 year old nods his head in approval. The 6 year old continues, "When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with 'hell' and you say something with 'ass'. The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm. When their mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, "Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios." WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step. His mom locks him in his room and shouts, "You can just stay there until I let you out! " She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, "And what do YOU want for breakfast, young man?" "I don't know," he blubbers, "but you can bet you you tell me my problem is that ive changed i dont see it as a problem people and things both change things are getting worse between us we fight and scream as if we never cared everyone knows thats not the truth they watch us fall appart and wonder whats changed do they really think the problem is change or that nothing has at all years have gone by ad yes ive changed growing up happens but i guess not for you so here we go another change i have to say were through I wear this mask It smiles at you I laugh the same As I always have Nobody bothers to look beyond the mask I wear it to hide the tears constantly flowing I wonder how well you really know me if you can't see past it I've always been the strong one But now I need someone I need help But I can't show you What will you think? If I show weakness Will my whole life be a lie? I need a friend But you have your own issues So I made this mask But all the glitter in the world can't convince me Time For Me My heart is heavy I long for something new all my pain and suffering is because of you i dont know if this is your intention but the pain its still the same i need to be free and for once in my life simply be me me i cant hardly remember who that is ive been under your spell for so long tonight you wont find me cause there comes a time when even the most giving person has to draw the line lol i used to be such a whiny lil girl Well What Can I Say after spending 5 months every waking second, and 2 months living with him, loving him holding him, taking care of him, being his best friend, and lover, he finally dumped me, 6 days before christmas, for no other reason than he doesnt want to be with me, probably ever, and worse over he wants to see other woman, so my heart is broke and i feel like i have been kicked in the stomach, havent felt this way in years, so all those ppl who hate XTC, you finally have a real good reason to laugh at me to , but remember one thing, Amanda hurts all the same as you. later, Amanda Puzzle, Not Puzzled When I look at a puzzle and all those crooked pieces. i feel you see a picture, but i see holes and creases. surely not a gift for me cause you can see the spaces. and I'm not the best a shootin straight or explinations. but i guess i see myself as a piece of work in pieces. first gonna make that border, then fill in the rest take your time, use them eyes then grab yourself the best choosed piece. one by one until it's done then proud of it's completion. those fucking creases got me thinking and thinking that the puzzle looked better in the box where it's needed. Dance Is Her Passion She rushes to the stage throws her heels down hard Turning each turn And down on all fours She pours her emotions into each move Her body thrashing so her mind can choose like never seen before Catching wondering eyes this attention is never lost She's not giving up her love the life without isn't worth the cost She's up in the air then down on the floor She settles this night Who knew that because of him she found herself Her hearts racing she takes her final bow She bends herself up and seen just one face Their looks are shocked starring in a daze Didn't think she could pull through it but that's just it She's got potential and she doesn't quit When she dances she's got nothing to prove She knows she can do anything and they know it too What Way R U Attractive? You scored as Beautiful/Handsome. You're...well, pretty/handsome! What more is there to say? People are attracted to you by your looks. You know your hot, though you try not to admit it. So don't ruin your natural glow by overdoing that eyeliner!Beautiful/Handsome67%Sexual67%Funny50%Different47%Smart10%In What Way Are You Attractive?created with QuizFarm.com Just Some Cheezy Poem I love cheeze what could be better than a huge chunk of gimme a pizza all smothered in mozza Greek salad greens with a sprinkle of feta succulent swiss holy and true but don't give me cheeze that is blue brie would be fine with a glass of white wine a shaker of parmesan pasta to sprinkle on processed is nice by the slice all melty and gooey creamy and chewy bring me some food a taste of fine gouda will do me for now thank you waiter but bring me the cow for later Size Boobs Ur Supposed To Have? You scored as C cup. No problem thereC cup80%D cup60%DD cup55%A cup45%F cup45%B cup10%What size boobs are you supposed to have?created with QuizFarm.com What Crime Would U Most Likely Committ? You scored as Murder. You would most likely kill someone, so watch out mr.anger management.Murder67%Theft58%Being Drunk in Public50%Fraud50%Public Nudity17%What crime would you most likely commit?created with QuizFarm.com You scored as Soccer/Football Jocks. The jocks...yum!Soccer/Football Jocks60%Gothic Boys45%Skater Boys40%Preppy Fellows35%Your Ideal Boyfriendcreated with QuizFarm.com Men don't cry, should I laugh now or later. I'm the court jester of life, no one knows what I truely feel cause my eyes are hard to read. The smile on my face say that I should be happy but my eyes say that I am going to kill someone. Here is the funny thing I'm neither mad nor sad, I'm not happy or glad. I'm just here trying to live life, so what should I am mad about what happened in my life, fuck that I am happy about it cause it makes me into the man that I will end up being. I have many regrets and everyday I think about them, they almost consume every thought I have. It doesn't make me miserable though I leave that for people who like to be stuck in a hole. I digged my grave and even made my tombstone, so you can say that I am ready to die. It's a life to that I have to live on to make everyday better then the rest. I can't put into words what my emotions truely are, let people if I say I love don't doubt that shit. I'm going to myself through the hardest test of my life this yea Apparently This Is The Song I Should Strip To (if I Was Strippin Lmao) Your Stripper Song Is Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard "Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on Livin' like a lover with a radar phone Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp Demolition woman, can I be your man?" Break out the baby oil, you rock it old school.What Song Should You Strip To? Sorting memories is one the best ways to get lost. The forest is so crowded that most people get lost but it is the only time I see clearly. So why is this would make more sense that now that I'm trying to figure out my life, it would be easier. I don't think anyone is listening to me anyway. So I will scream in silence more. Fire and Ice two things that live without each other like love and hate, peace and war or life and death. Everything completes each other, my second has yet to found. I have evil but hardly any good, I have war with myself but no peace, there is always mad hate with me but harly any love. My thoughts always make me seem to be very depressed and sad but i guess is to be true. I like the facts I'm around people that care about now. But I wish I knew what people really thought of me. Sometimes I think people are walking on eggshells around me trying not to start a fight with me. I wish could prove to myself that I could be a man of good and be sane. I can feel unstablness inside me. To worships the gods is not enough, to live through will never make anyone happy. To sit like a rock will just make you a rock so it is time for me not to be a rock but the wind instead. Ever changing and expanding see the world and put an impact there. Licitus at numquam concedere vita. Can I Get Some Love This is my first one im still figureing it out ,I turned ,38 tody just asking for some b day love thank you Gotta Have Fun You are 74% Bisexual You are bisexual. For you, sex is about having fun and the sex of your partner is of no consequence to you. You probably have a little bit of a preference either way, but you don’t let that slow you down. Take this quiz at QuizUniverse.com Ill Be Yours Album- Sleeping with ghosts Song- Ill be yours I'll be your water bathing you clean The liquid piece I'll be your ether you'll breathe me in You won't release Well I've seen you suffer, I've seen you cry the whole night So I'll be your water bathing you clean I'll be your father, I'll be your mother, I'll be your lover, I'll be yours [x2] I'll be your liqour bathing your soul Juice that's pure And I'll be your anchor you'll never leave Shores that cure Well I've seen you suffer, I've seen you cry for days and So I'll be your liqour demons will drown And float away I'll be your father, I'll be your mother, I'll be your lover, I'll be yours [x3] 12-20-2006 4:37 Am Wow An Early Night Ha Ha They say it takes a minute to find a special person,an hour to appreciate them,a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them. I read this quote earlier in the evening... could it be true... I am not one to fall in love often, in fact I can only think of one time my entire life that I have been in love... but it seems that when I do I fall hard and fast... is this wrong of me... Is it wrong of me to fall so fast...I must work this out so bare with me... I have met someone pretty damn incredible... wow... I spoke with him on the phone for three hours tonight and I was sad to say goodnight... we agreed, that we are on the same level... we have the same types of thoughts, we think about the same things, and the funny thing is they arent normal thoughts... they are the type of thoughts that really do make sense, but most people just dont understand... the things that keep me awake at night are on his mind also... and we can pretty much complete each others sentences... its What Are The Keys To Your Heart? The Keys to Your Heart You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now. What Are The Keys To Your Heart? Me and my family want to wish all here on Cherry tap a safe and Happy Holiday Season and Taper's please remember that this is the season for giving and giving of yourself is the best thing you can give and remember the guy's and gal's of our armed force's and keep them in your heart's because they have gave up there holiday's to protect this land we call home. merry christmas and a happy new year. It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them.- Mark Twain The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy. - Alfred North Whitehead The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself. - James Thurber This is a good friend of mine. His name is Tim. He joined here in august and only has 19 friends! He wasn't welcomed to the site at all. Could you alllllllllll please add and show Timmerz some love? Show him what CT is cuz he is gonna leave if we can't convince him this place rocks. Last Bulletin ....with Player;) Get your own glitter and more at BlingyBlob.com Get my banner code or create your own banner Get your own glitter and more at BlingyBlob.com (repost of original by '~DJ_Sassy¢¾LF¢¾SSR FAMILY VINNYS WIFE~' on '2006-12-20 02:43:22') Some Things Are Better Left Done With Out Me some times i feel that am better off not being rembered but thats me anyways i got thing to do and a world to walk throught by my self i guess thats my curse something i tryed to out run and yet i cant out live it is just their Good Morning Everyone! Well, the stomach flu is running through the house! I have been up all night with sick kiddo's and a sick hubby! I hope that it is gone and cleared out before Christmas, but with 7 children, that is probably wishing WAY too much! I hope you all have a great Day! More On Kissing... You're an Passionate Kisser For you, kissing is about all about following your urges If someone's hot, you'll go in for the kiss - end of story You can keep any relationship hot with your steamy kisses A total spark plug - your kisses are bound to get you in troubleWhat Kind of Kisser Are You? Work, Work, Work..... I hate that I havent been able ta talk 2 u all, so dont think I dont love u all, cuz I do I'll try my dammdest ta talk soon,my fam,friends, and fans know why. So much LOVE & have a Great Day!Oh & GOOD MORIN!!! Up Coming Bithday !! Well you know that your getting old when no one makes a fuss over you birhtday any more..... My birthday is comeing up in 4 day and to my family its christmas eve!!!!!!!!!Not my birthday .....It will ok i guess. So i will live.. well anyway HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME .. If for some reason.. they change the mind i will let you al know have a great christmas all What Is Hot In You (your Body, Brain Or Soul) ? THIS ONE IS SO TRUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE What is hot in you (your body, brain or soul) ? (girls only) BRAIN.girl you are smart. you know what you want and how to get it.you are cautious when it comes to love cuz you don't want to get hurt, just relax and enjoy being yourself cuz you are really a UNIQUE person.Take this quiz! | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code New Years Day Cleaning House I've mentioned this a while ago to give everyone plenty of time to get a salute pic up....and it sucks that it has to come to this but it has.... so sometime NewYears Day...I'm shooting for morning, but might not be until afternoon....all depends on how rough the night is LOL....I'm going to delete anyone that doesn't have a salute picture... If you are new to the sight and have no idea what I'm talking about just ask me and I'll explain... If you don't have one by then but will, no problem...just ask me to be friends again once you do. There will be no exceptions... Sorry its come to this, (1)if CT doesn't accept your salute picture, as "verified", you can still put one on your page anyway as a regular picture... (2)if i have seen you on webcam (3)you send me a salute picture privately if you don't wanna post one Bush Screws The Usa This seemed fitting for Humpday!!!!! Bush Screws Our Country | Send To Friends | Animated Movies at JibJab I wanted to be Donnies homegirl sooooooooooo bad:( For My Husband baby Thank you for being so loveing and so kind to me when we met i was this scared little girl .On the outside i was so tuff and you see threw it . and i am so thankful for that . Ihave never met someone like you that is so loveing and careing for me .When i am sad you are there to pick me up .and when you are sad i have a shoulder for you to cry on or i am listening for you to call my name .Baby the day we get married will be the most precious day of my life . Even though we are not i still consider you as my husband you are my soul mate you know me better than i know my self and for that I LOVE YOU so much for you being you and not being fake LOVE YOU your baby girl My Passion Color Your Passion is Yellow You're a total sexual shape shifter. You possess a complex sex drive and are very adaptable. Of all the colors, you are the most likely to be bisexual. While you the most passionate, you are very open minded.What Color Is Your Passion? And This One! Baby youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu got what I neeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddd! LoL My daily bible verse: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7 (King James Version) Well to begin with im utterly confused! hehe how do i get more of these cherry point things eh? well im just plodding along picking it up as i go, but i cant like upload a new skin cos i dunno where to put the code! haha yes im thick ok? well thats about all for now i'll carry on plodding! I Just Found Out That my friggen ex just got an albino snake and I am afraid that the snake might do something to my son. What should I do New Here And Looking For More Texans Hi all, I am trying this blog thing for the first time and thought I would see who here lives in North Texas. I am a transplant to Dallas and trying to find my way. I Just Found Out Part 2 I found out that these type of snakes are dangerous if they don't get defanged. This makes me worry for my son's sake. I don't want anything bad to happen to my son. If anything happens all hell is gonna break loose The Face Of An Unjust Gov't First it's National ID cards, RFID technology, and checkpoints in the name of "terrorism" that the government actually carried out anyway... Next it will be forceable microchipping of the entire population to track their every move and sending impulses into their bodies to change their emotions (make them patriotic and loyal, control their sex drive, depression/happiness, etc). If we don't act now, we will all be mind-controlled slaves for the rest of the 21st century. Makes Farenheit 9-11 Look Like Bambi! order this on DVD and screen it everywhere! the world needs to wake up fast! click below to order a copy: Damn sore throat. Feels and sounds like I'm talking in a barrel or underwater. God bless the hot french vanilla cappucino from Mapco this morning. *cradles large paper cup* This is the MOST confused sign on the planet. This sign is pretty realistic: No Frills. They love to fuck in showers not because it's kinky...but because of hygenic reasons...they are big into sanitary issues. Every Virgo I have ever met has issues...always going back to hygiene. They have to arrange time in their busy scheduals to have sex...But when a reservation is made...You had better be there on time, if not a little early. With flowers. And Clean. Virgos want to make their partner happy. That's it. USUALLY. You will always get a freaky Virgo. Even so, they will TRY to get YOU to cum. And if they can't make you cum, they will buy someone or something that will.they love to make their partner happy. Yes you read that right. They LIVE to masturbate...whether its you rubbing them, them rubbing you...them rubbing against your fox fur coat...whatever! they are very sexual people. usually always horny.!!!Some Virgos WANT to be punished. They will d 12 Days Of Christmas Bdsm Style 12 Days of Christmas BDSM Style On the 1st day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... A Small Feather Pillow for my knees. On the 2nd day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... 2 Nipple Clamps and a Small Feather Pillow for my knees. On the 3rd day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... 3 Blindfolds, 2 Nipple Clamps and a Small Feather Pillow for my knees. On the 4th day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... 4 Ball Gags, 3 Blindfolds, 2 Nipple Clamps and a Small Feather Pillow for my knees. On the 5th day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... FIVE ANAL BEADS, 4 Ball Gags, 3 Blindfolds, 2 Nipple Clamps and a Small Feather Pillow for my knees. On the 6th day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... 6 Tubes of KY, FIVE ANAL BEADS,.4 Ball Gags, 3 Blindfolds, 2 Nipple Clamps and a Small Feather Pillow for my knees. On the 7th day of Christmas, my Mistress gave to me... 7 Crops a Swinging, 6 Tubes of KY, FIVE ANAL BEADS, 4 Ball Gags, 3 Blindfo Last 2 Days Haven't Been Too Good WELL THE DRAMA HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE SATURDAY NIGHT. LOT OF STUFF GOING ON THERE. BUT I WAS WRONG ON ONE PART OF IT. I APOLOGIZED PUBLICALLY AND TRIED TO DO IT PERSONALLY. IT WASN'T ACCEPTED. AND EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE PART WHERE I WAS WRONG, I STILL STAND BY MY GUNS ON THE REST. THEN YESTERDAY, I WORKED A FUNERAL. WAS BRINGING THE COACH (HEARST) BACK TO THE FUNERAL HOME AND SOME GIRL MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM THE LEFT LANE, SHE WAS ONLY HALF WAY IN FRONT OF ME. SAID SHE WAS ON HER CEL PHONE AND HER CONTACT SLIPPED. GOOD THING I WASN'T UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT YET AND DIDN'T HAVE A CASKET IN THE COACH. THAT BIG OLD CADILAC COACH WOULD HAVE RIPPED HER MUSTANG IN HALF. ANYWAY THE COACH IS REALLY MESSED UP TOO. AT LEAST THE GIRL ADMITTED IT WAS HER FAULT EVEN THOUGH HER MOM TRIED TO GET HER TO CHANGE HER MIND. (SHE ADMITTED IT TO A COP IN THE OFFICAL REPORT) AND THE OWNER OF THE FUNERAL HOME IS OKAY WITH ALL OF IT. THEN TODAY. I FIND THAT SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS HAVE UNFRIENDED ME, AND BLOCKED The History Of The 12 Days Of Christmas There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtle doves were the Old and NewTestaments. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood I Want To Say Merry Christmas To You I want to say Merry Christmas to you all Friends or not, to rich, or poor, for small and tall Yet I don’t know if my words will reach so far I’m only a poor artist and not a star But an Angel told me that I had to try Certainly for them who wants to fight and die And for all those parentless children’s who cry In loneliness father, mother tell me why I want to wish only a Happy New year If all people may live free and without fear By no cold, no hunger when I taste my beer Sitting peaceful by my children and my dear Please let me hope it was not only a dream As an bitter repeat of a helpless scream Let us make the world as an lovingly team Because live is more than a smelting ice-cream At this time of year is it always difficult to pick out just the presents for friends and family. It is tempting to go the gift card route but they are people who you care about. Thought should go into the gift to try and make it personal practical and useful for them since they care for you all year long and are there for you in good times and in bad times. And for those friends with kids who annoy you remember that toys without an off switch are subtle ways to get back at them ;-) Texas Here I Come!! Just wanted to let eveyone know that I will be moving to Texas VERY soon. If my profile says I'm on, but I don't respond, I'm probably busy. Just give me awhile, and I'll get back to you ASAP. If you know my screen names feel free to contact me anytime. If I have an away message up, still IM me if you want. I'm probably just putting somthing in the washer or dryer, looking for something or packing it up. I'll get back to you as soon as I see your message. :D Hope to hear from you all soon!! Sexy & Romantic glitter graphics from www.sexiluv.com So i have some recently added pics in my Mrs.Flyhead Album, Me And Jennie Album And Things Made For Me Album..If You Haven't Already Plz Stop By My Page And Rate/Comment...Thanks :) PS. My boyfriend is a idiot.He made me a sandwich with the crust part of the bread :( HAPPY BUDDIES DAY!!! Forward to all your friends, including me. And don't tell me you're too busy for this. Don't you know the phrase "stop and smell the flowers"? See how many "bouquets" you end up with! Happiness Keeps You Sweet, Trials Keep You Strong, Sorrows Keep You Human, Failures Keep You Humble, Success Keeps You Glowing, But Only God Keeps You Going! You are so special! Today is "Online Buddy Day". Send this to your online friends - even me, if I'm one of them - and see how many you get today! Still Obsessed / Hollowpoint Linked Ok, this is to Jeff and my friends. Many of you know the whole "reginna" story, how she was busted being a fake using a girl named Carlee pic's. Well, IT has a male account as well claiming to have met "reginna" in person. Well funny thing is that all of "hollowpoint's" images on IT's profile are all linked to "reginna's" photobucket account. Hollowpoints Image Addy's: One More Day One more day One more night I tell myself, til I feel the warmth of your tender embrace One more day One more night I tell myself, til I can taste of your sweet lips Time goes by Oh how time goes by Yet, this love for thee has never died Seeming to never change, waiver, or tarnish by the cruelty of time Every single night I hear your voice See your face and feel your warm embrace Not a night goes by That I dont cry out your name Only to get no reply Again I cry Still with no reply One more day One more night I tell myself, til I feel the warmth of you tender embrace One more day One more night I tell myself, til I can taste of your sweet lips One more day One more night I tell myself, One more day One more night One more day Ok I just got back from the Orthopedic doc. He took more xrays of my foot. He said that its not fractured. However, he is completely confused about the staple thats in my ankle and said it needs to come out. So I am going to have surgery on Jan 30th to have it removed. He also commented on how extremely tense my ankle was when he tried to move it. I told him I never recieved physical therapy after my first anklw surgery, so hopefully he will put me in PT and my ankle problems will be a thing of the past... Anyway, wow the month of January is gonna be tough... Nose surgery on the 19th and ankle surgery on the 30th. I am really gonna be loopy. LOL! I will probably stay with my aunt while I am recovering from the surgeries. Oh and the doc also told me I can stop using the walker whenever I feel comfortable walking without it. So I will keep everyone posted on whats going on. Velvet Love AKA Loopy Twin # 2 Missing That Christmas Spirit Ok gotta tell ya, I wasn't feeling into the Christmas spirit this year mainly due to there being no snow. Which being in Ohio you'd think cold weather n freak'n snow.. if you feel like I do maybe this will help cheer you up a tad. (I know it helped me) Merry Christmas Peeps and if I don't get to tell you in person Thanks for being my friend or family. Twisted Sister Oh Come All Ye Faithful Love To All My Friends&fans Did Anyone Ever Tell You, Just How Special You Are The Light that You Emit Might even Light a Star Did Anyone Ever Tell You How Important You Make Did Anyone Ever Tell You Many Times, When They were Sad Your Comment made Them Smile a bit In Fact It made Them Glad For the Time You Spend Sending Things And Sharing whatever You Find There are No Words to Thank You But Somebody, Thinks You're Fine . Did Anyone Ever Tell You Just How Much They Like You Well, My Dearest Friend Today I am Telling You I HOPE I GET THIS BACK I believe that without a friend you are missing out on a lot!!! Don't be confused by friends and acquaintances, there is a difference! Because I care about you, It's national care week. and you get to send messages to all your friends telling them that you care about them and make them feel good about themselves and if they write back .. (just once) then that means that they care about you too. I could not get to sleep last night no matter what i tried. I hate when that happens. But anyway...through all the girls gone wild commercials at like 1 am there was this show on and it was about this guy who had THREE wives. Only one of the marriages was legal since youre not allowed to be married to more than one person at a time but yeah. Thats just crazy! He married the first one and had some kids and then went and met this other woman and got her knocked up and he basically came home to his first wife and was like I met someone and I want to be with both of you. He basically said Im not a monogamy(sp) kinda guy so you can either go with it or leave. Well she stayed with him and his new lady came and lived with them and they have kids together and they were both fine with the fact that he's sleeping with them both and is married to them and says he loves them. What the hell is going on with this world. Then he finds another woman and brings her home and the first two dont like her Night Before Christmas (old Folks Verison) Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest, And all of us seniors were looking our best. Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry; Our punch bowl held prune juice plus three drops of A bedsock was taped to each walker in hope, That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap. We surely were lucky to be there with friends, Secure in this residence and in our Depends. Our grandkids had sent us some Christmasy crafts, Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts. The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth, And from them she'd crafted a holiday wreath. The bed pans, so shiny, all stood in a row, Reflecting our candle's magnificent glow. Our supper, so festive (the joy wouldn't stop), Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top. Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great; Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each pla To Everyone Who Supposily Cares And Understands I am gonna buy a few gifts for people who have been the sweetest to me on here. I have 11,000 cherry bucks. Once I have bought everyone a gift, unfortunatley I will be deleting my profile off Cherry Tap. I love Cherry Tap, but too much drama and heart break has happend on here for me. And there for I am gonna remove myself from it. So if your a good friend and think u deserve a gift from Cry Baby, hit me up before friday and I will give u a gift for christmas. Then I will dissapear. If you all need to get a hold of me for some odd reason, u can reach me @ http://www.myspace.com/xdevils_playmatex. My myspace will soon be gone as well, but only good friends and family may see it or visit that page or contact me. Any questions let me know! What has happened to world today that simple courtesy is no longer applied? A simple thank you or pardon me has now turned into a screw you cause I can mentality. Driving down the interstate has become a combat zone because of narrow mind self-centered people. They think they can change lanes with a turn signal. When you get upset, they flip you off as if YOU did the wrong thing. Now I drive over the speed limit on the interstates and I am aware that I may get a ticket if I becuase I do drive fast, but who authorized that person to drive in the fast lane at 5 miles below the limit? I thought the slower traffic should be on the far right, am I wrong. I may drive fast, but I am also the person that drives in the fast lane and that will move out of the lane once I have passed the slow people. What about the people that sit at the traffic signals with the radio so loud it cause my windows to shake. Hint, if your music causes me to miss part of my AC-DC song, then yours ma What We're Getting 4 X-mas! THIS IS FOR MY TWO LITTLE ONES EDDIE AN SUMMER. VTech V.Smile System with Accessories Value Bundle. THIS IS FOR MY BOY EDDIE. Disney Pixar Cars Megahouse. AN THIS IS FOR SUMMER. BRATZ Photo Fun Kit, Blue. V.Smile Smartridge: Cinderella. Disney Princess Megahouse. The Warriors PS2; Will your gang survive the mean streets of the city? Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge PS2 Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks PS2 Mortal Kombat: Deception PS2 Lucky Ducks Matching Game V.Smile Smartridge: Scooby-Doo Funland Frenzy. AN DON'T LAUGH HOWEVER THIS ONE IS FOR MY BOY EDDIE THAT KID LOVES TO CLEAN, AN THERE AINT NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. Playskool Dusty the Talkin' Vacuum. Telestory Console: Dora the Explorer. Telestory Console: SpongeBob SquarePants. IC Power 17" LCD Monitor, 450:1 contrast ratio. PS2 Customer's Choice: Choose 3 Games. Lost somebody you didnt even know you cared for Loved somebody who constantly walked out the door Every night is filled with fights Every day she still has nothing to say Always has the options of ending her pain She has feelings that she just cant explain Doesnt want to go back to where her troubles are Everyone saying that she is never going to get far She knows what she wants to do But her hate just grew She still loves the person that could care less Its something that she should confess No matter how hard she tries All of her love and happines dies Scars that she cant hide Every night she cried She wants to get out of this nightmare Nothing in her life has ever been fair Wants to get away from what she knows Family,friends and all of those She cant trust anyone Its alright now because her life is done As the last drip of blood runs down her cheek As her whole entire body starts to get weak She dies with no friends and no one that loves So, I'm a Colorado girl, I'm used to snow, but we're expecting 16-24 inches in the Metro area. That's sick and wrong. So I'm at work right now, and I'm betting I get snowed into work. Just about everything is closing (except King Supers because they wouldn't close if we were getting 12 feet much less 12 inches). There's one across the street and I'll probably walk over there to see David if we get snowed in. So yeah. SUCK ASS! Hi, everyone on cherrytap my name is Donna I'm 42 years old.I have three kids, my son Eddie is 23 my daughter Diane is 20,& Ember is 16.I have a son-in-law Dave & I have a boyfriend Mike to whom I love very much and would not trade him in for nothing. I have two grandbabies, my son's daughter Alyssa witch is two & my daughter Dine & dave's new little man whom was born on halloween morning of 2006 , was born 1/2 hour after my birthday how cool is that .So bye for now till next time. i dunno realy what im doin but hey i gotta learn sumtime!! wanna meet loasd of u sexy ppl out there n it wud be really nice to get me ratin a lil better as im a lil newbie compared o u lot lol!!!! i also have msn but if u wanna chat n av my addy jus pm me or leave me a message!! Hoe all is well wiv every1!!! if you actually care I KNOW YOU will look here to see why im not around,CT has turned into a giant headache im going to take a break for awhile and come back maybe it will be better:)love you all but if ya really want to get ahold of me you know how...ta ta for now:)keep pervin! In the moment that I saw your face, Somehow my heart just knew; That I would spend a lifetime, Filled with loving you. In the moment that you touched me, As you pulled me to your side; Your arm slipped 'round my shoulder, My heart no place to hide. In the moment that I touched you, Felt your heart beat 'neath my hand; The look I saw there in your eyes, Spoke a language I understand. The moment that you held me, Is somehow frozen there in time; A place of sweet contentment, Engraved in this heart of mine. In that moment when I felt your heart, Gently dancing with my soul; I knew in that one moment, That you had made me whole. Each tiny sparkling moment, Sweet memories of you; Fill my heart with contentment, For somehow my heart just knew. Show Some Respect For Our Fallen Heros Let us pray... Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it! Please send this on after a short prayer. Prayer for our soldiers. Don't break it! "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world. There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one. GOD BLESS YOU FOR PASSING IT ON! ok so i sent in my pic to be approved for a damn salute ppic..they sent it back and said that it was rejected! and why? they said that i didnt follow the guidelines for it..but then i see people with alot less on their pics and they have a damn salute pic!!!! im a lil pissed off! and do u think they would write me back and tell me why? i highly doubt it! sorry just had to rant a lil about it Cock ... Well Duh ~ Cuz It Tastes Like Chicken! This what me and friends think about...Curious minds want to know....lol WE HAVE SUCH FUNNY NAMES FOR THE PENIS ... (GO AHEAD, LET IT ROLL AROUND ON YOUR TONGUE FOR A MINUTE ... PPPEEEEENNNNIIIISSSS) ... EVER WONDER "WHY" WE USE WORDS LIKE COCK OR SHAFT TO DESCRIBE THIS THROBBINGLY DELIGHTFUL APPENDAGE? WELL HERE ARE MY BUBBLE GUM BLOWING, HAIR TWISTINGLY STUPID, NORTHEASTERN GIRL EXPLANATIONS .... 1. DICK ~ THIS TERM WAS DEVELOPED BECAUSE THE FIRST WOMAN WHO EVER LICKED ONE SAID "DDDD... ICK ... ICKY ISH!" AND THE NAME STUCK. 2. COCK ... WELL DUH ~ CUZ IT TASTES LIKE CHICKEN! 3. WOODY ... ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A LITTLE WOODEN DOLL NAMED WOODY. EVERYTIME HE TOLD A LIE, HIS TINY WOODEN COCK WOULD GROW ... (IT'S CALLED TOY STORY OR PINNOCHIO .. ..) 4. PECKER ... THE PENIS, VERY MUCH LIKE THE EAGER WOODPECKER, ENJOYS SPENDING THE DAY PECKERING AWAY UNTIL HE PENETRATES A NEW HOLE. 5. SHAFT ...THIS TERM PROBABLY CAME ABOUT AFTER A QUICK CUMMER LEF What The Fucc?!!! Why the hell does everyone seem to want me dead kiCC my ass or have a problem with me....all those who want at me lets fuCCin have it im through playin games! line up! do as you will come at me at once i dont give a fuCC! An Original by Silverywitch Creations How to sell men's underware | Send To Friends | Funny Pictures at JibJab Gotta Ove It !!! The Dildo Song | Send To Friends | Funny Animation Movies at JibJab Send My Friend Some Luv! PLEASE SHOW THIS MEMBER SOME LUV! SHE IS A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF MINE THAT JUST JOINED CHERRYTAP! I KNOW WHAT GREAT PEOPLE YOU ARE, SO I KNOW YOU WILL GIVE HER A WARM WELCOME HERE ON CHERRYTAP! Courtesy of MsTags.com Why Can't He Stay Home??? I have a close friend who is the Army Reserves here in Indiana. He was called to active duty and was told they were shipping out. He left the beginning of October. He went to Kuwait...then right for Iraq. They let him come home for 2 weeks and he leaves again this Saturday. I think it has to be hard to come knowing you have to go back in such a short time. I don't think it's fair or right. I understand why he is doing it and all but why send him home then make him go back 2 days before Christmas? Maybe I am just being selfish and I don't want to see him go back. I am going to go see him tonight and hopefully help him celebrate a little before he heads back. So far he is the closest person I have that has had to leave. My little brother is a Marine and hasn't yet had to leave. I think myself and my mom would lose it if he did. My thoughts and prayers are with all the soldiers and their families especially this time of year! One Of My Poems..... To My Children (In poetic form) It was you who gave me the reason to quit I drank all the time without giving a shit Until the day I heard you cry "Daddy's drunk again" with tears in your eyes You were only 4 years old When you said those words You've given me strength not to drink anymore I've been sober now for 12 and a half years You all were so young then when I drank rum and beers I drank every day from morning till night Of course it did cause me and mom to fight She stood beside me though I did her wrong By being a mean drunk and not getting along I've grown up since then in a sober way I have you to thank for those words from that day You're growing into such a fine young man And very smart I must say Your ability to write stories from imagination Will make you well known someday I have no doubts you will become A man known to the world Through writings that flow from your mind Through books for boys and girls Our sweet lit What is Your Magick Path? NIGHT MAGICK - Night Magick is a complete curriculum of magical development based on the Yin primal force, as opposed to the major religions of the world, which are predominantly Yang. You emphasize the use and balanced developement of the Physical/Etheric Body, the Astral/Emotional Body, the Mental Body, and the Causal Body. Through regular and consistent practice, you, the Night Magician will develop psychic abilities, increased vitality, stronger focus, and union with your Oversoul.Take this quiz! | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code Can we say "system overload"??? I have no idea of what Im doing on here. Wish me luck! Friends Vs. Italian Friends Oh my god...So true!!! FRIENDS VS. ITALIAN FRIENDS FRIENDS: Never ask for food. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Are the reason you have food. FRIENDS: Will say "hello." ITALIAN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Call your parents mom and dad. FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Cry with you. FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together. FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours. FRIENDS: Know a few things about you. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' ass that left you. FRIENDS: Would knock on your door. ITALIAN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!" FRIENDS: Are fo Talking To You. Talking to you means so much to me you'll never know you'll never see. Just to hear you puts a smile on my face like you have made my day. I'm glad to have known a friend like you you are so caring and so true you always find time for me whatever, however it may be. When i found out that you danced i was over the moon. It made me want to learn it so soon for you to hold me and to dance the night away. So much pleasure talking to you down the other end such a lovely South African accent. So pleasent to hear If only i was nearer... (C) Copyright. Angel Hope is something you would wish. Hope is something you can try. Hope is something that can come true. A hope is sometjing that will never end. Hope is something that will make a person think. Hope is something you would imagine. Hope is like a game, a challenge, a competitor against you. A Hope is something that will never end. (C) Copyright. Angel This is about someone who did me wrong and deserves a heartache… You said that you loved me, That I was perfect in your eye, That I was your only, But that was a lie. You spill the same lines to her The ones you told me You’re playing the both of us It’s easy to see I see your crooked plan Just as plain as day I hate the way you’re treating me So I’m not going to stay I'll pack my bags and leave you Leave the abuse and all your lies Look at me for one last time And we'll say our goodbye's My Curse And Pain!!! For me Chrismas it the worst. I think I am stuck with the Cristmas curse!!! Every time it is the same every year. I spend thousands of dollars for holladay cheer. The person i am with eather engaged want too be with or married too runs away with fear. I dont know why and i may not understand, Maybe being alone is apart of God's big plan. I hope you'll remeber the good times. Cuz every time that i do it makes me feel bad. i wish that i could just lay down and die. but all i end up doing was to sit down and cry. My life is over I hope that you soon see, on how much you realy ment ot me!! I bend over backwords for everything that you say. Now all you do is push me away!! you took my heart and ripped it in two. Now in my life i dont know what to do. I loved you with all of my heart, but not i feel all torn apart. you will have to prove it to me to even Knock at my door, cuz i dont think i can trust you anymore! I will still talk if you give me a call, but I dont think that Till Death Do We Part A newly married couple, let's just call them Billy and Mable, had bought a house in Maine. They disregarded the stories told to them about the house by the realtor about the house being haunted by an insane serial killer and moved in. Mable frequently complained about the feeling that someone was touching her in the night, and Billy resolved to stay up the whole night and see who was doing it. True to his word, Billy stayed up the whole night. He just didn't stay in the room. Around midnight, he was gripped by the feeling of an overwhelming thirst. He went downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Before he could get a glass, he heard the most horrible screaming from Mable's room. Billy rushed upstairs and screamed himself. Mable's mutilated corpse was strewn in various places around the bed. Billy rushed downstairs and called the police. Several nights later, Billy was sleeping peacefully. Until around midnight. Again feeling very thirsty, he went downstairs and got a gla My Feelings For You I sometimes lay in bed at night and think of you and i cant believe how fast your making my dreams come true. it's unbelievable how i've fallin in love with you so fast and all i do is hope and pray it will last. so many questions are floating in my head things that i think about when i lie in bed. how did i get the chance to find some one so great was this just my luck or is this actually fate? but all that really matters is that we're together and it wont be just a fling it'll be forever. everything i've said i meant from the bottom of my heart i love you baby, and nothing will tear us apart. I HAVE FINNALY QUIT SMOKING. I WENT TO BED LAST NIGHT AND WOKE UP AND ALL DAY EVEN RIGHT NOW AT LETS SEE 6:08 MY CHEST IS HURTING AND MY LUNGS HURT. I AM ONLY 19 YRS OLD A SOLDIER AND I DO A LOT OF OTHER THINGS ON THE SIDE FOR A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY AND I DO PHYSICAL AND MASSAGE THERAPY. WELL NOW I HAVE FINNALY QUIT SMOKING AFTER 4 YRS OF SMOKING ATLEAST ALMOST 5 PACKS A DAY. WETHER ITS MARLBORO 100'S OR FILTERLESS CAMELS FULL FLAVOR OR WHATEVER EVEN NASTY ASS MENTHOLS. ARGHARGHARGHARGH MENTHOL NASTIEST CIGGS YOU CAN FUCKING HAVE MAN I MEAN GOD DAMN THEIR NASTY. WELL IM DONT SMOKING. I JUST HOPE I DONT PICK UP MY BIOLOGICAL FATHERS ALCOHOLISM. Lord Of The Dance Lord of the Dance She danced on the water and the wind was her horn The Lady laughed, and everything was born And when she lit the sun, the light gave him birth The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the earth. Dance, dance, wherever you may be "I am the Lord of the Dance," said he. "I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me And I’ll lead you all in the Dance," said he. I dance in the circle when the flames leap up high I dance in the fire and I never, ever die I dance in the waves of the bright summer sea For I am the Lord of the wave’s mystery. I sleep in the kernel and I dance in the rain I dance in the wind and through the waving grain And if you cut me down I care nothing for the pain In the spring, I’m the Lord of the Dance once again. The Lord and the Lady cast a sound `cross the plain The birds took the notes, and gave them back again `Til the sound of her music was a song in the sky And to that song there is on Need Some Help From My Friends I still need votes in the Christmas Contest.....multiple comments are welcomed! Please go show me some love.... I will return the favor for you if and when you are in a contest. Thanks. Click my picture to vote! Another Day In The Shit well i just got in from shoping for x-mas presents.what a freaking mad house makes you whant to go postal the people in the mall are getting so rude you just whant to slap them in the head and the traffic is so unreal id like to find a great womman and run off to the beach till its all over.but i cant got to do the dad thing spend time with them while i can they are getting to big and got there own things going on there the only reason im here.got to hit the road again on the 26 th.head to cal.by for now got to go to walmart what the hell... I Needed Ur Grandma Cuz I'm Cool Like That. ( Doh!) Body: Pick the month you were born in 1 - I ran over 2 - I killed 3 - I needed 4 - I raped 5 - I killed 6 - I cuddled with 7 - I ran naked with 8 - I slept with 9 - I stabbed 10 - I licked 11 - I banged 12- I smoked Pick the day (number) you were born on 01 - ur grandma 02 - the kool-aid man 03 - a horse 04 - a pornstar 05 - your mom 06 - you 07 - a bag of weed 08 - a prostitute 09 - a toothbrush 10 - a jew 11 - a homo 12 - the trojan man 13 - Paris Hilton 14 - a whore 15 - a cat 16 - a pickle 17 - a mexican 18 - a bisexual 19 - a dog 20 - an orange 21 - a crackhead 22 - a bowl of cereal 23 - a easter egg 24 - my ex 25 - a condom 26 - a jar of honey 27 - a lesbian 28 - a homeless guy 29 - a french fry 30 - your dealer 31 - a stripper Pick the color of shirt you are wearing White - Because thats how i roll Black - because im sexy Pink - Because the lil people told me to Red - because I have AMAZING boobs Blue - because I'm cool l A Marines Christmas "THE SOLDIERS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS" “Merry Christmas, My Friend” by LCpl James M Schmidt, USMC, 1986 Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land. With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine. I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home. He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, Not how I pictured a Oh, the snowflakes fell in silence over Belleau Wood that night For a Christmas truce had been declared By both sides of the fight As we lay there in our trenches The silence broke in two By a German soldier singing A song that we all knew Though I did not know the language The song was "Silent Night" Then I heard my buddy whisper, "All is calm and all is bright" Then the fear and doubt surrounded me "Cause I'd die if I was wrong But I stood up in my trench And I began to sing along Then across the frozen battlefield Anothers voice joined in Until one by one each man became A singer of the hymn Then I thought that I was dreaming For right there in my sight Stood the German soldier 'Neath the falling flakes of white And he raised his hand and smiled at me As if he seemed to say Here's hoping we both live To see us find a better way Then the devil's clock struck midnight And the skies lit up again And the battlefield where heave To Everyone On Lost Cherry Hello everyone new at this so I'm learning and wanted to wish everyone and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and that all your New year resolutions for the new year come true. Can anyone tell me how do i get the top photos posted over th last hour on my home page????? Ok Yall I Fucked Up and im really really really sorry, i would never purposely try to lie about someone it turns out that they were doing maintinence on his site at the time. he didnt have anyone blocked and i feel super bad so just know that i was wrong adoniss contest is not rigged i just jumped the gun Sexy & Romantic glitter graphics from www.sexiluv.com Sexy & Romantic glitter graphics from www.sexiluv.comSexy & Romantic glitter graphics from www.sexiluv.com Shopping Done. Shit, Now I Have To Wrap. Got the kids done with one stop at Toys "R" Us. Ordered obscure movies for hubby online. Got gag gifts for my brother at www.stockroom.com. ("Woof" and the wiggly rubber dog tail are the best gag gifts to date.) Also picked out a Christmas surprise for hubby there. Now I get to clean. *Notice this is me stalling.* Guess I could make some cookies. ~~ Sexy Man On Cherrytap Contest States Tommorrow At Noon ~~ ~~ Sexy Man Of CherryTap ~~ Contest Opens 12/21 thur 12/27 at 12pm noon! Man with the most comments wins! Rates will be used for tie breakers. Comment bombing allowed You can comment on your own pic. Still got openings if you want to join and win big prizes. And here they are....... Good Luck Guys! well today has been a pritty good day..it is 5:45pm jeni is sitting on the couch watching csi, which i am peaking over my sholder and watching as well...Sean has gotten into candy and has his toys taken away..the only problem with this solution is that he keeps coming out into the living room when he is not supposed to. Well anyways enough about them..now me...For the last six months i have been without my baby david..I miss him soo Much (my boyfriend) he is in iowa with his family and he doesn't wanna be down there anymore and all i wanna do is go down there and bring him back home...but i can't afforde the gas right now...I have been a nanny for three months now and i am honestly surrpised i have not gone insane yet...but oh well i don't wanna go to the nut house...lol i had an interview today with buckle(clothing store) in the rochester mall i honestly think i didn't get the job but that is ok i really want to work at Rochester Medical center. Make more money and be able to get I wud like a kool toy space ranjur fer Xmas. I'v ben a gud boy all yeer. Yer Friend, Billy Nice spelling. You're on your way to a career in lawncare. How about I send you a book so you can learn to read and spell? I'm giving your older brother the space ranger. At least HE can spell. I have been a good girl all year, and the only thing I ask for is peace and joy in the world for everybody! Your parents smoked pot when they had you, didn't A young girl had decided to sneak out of the house to go to a party her protective parents wouldn't allow her to go to. While she was there she hooked up with a guy she liked and they went to a local make-out spot. The guy was drinking heavily and when he got too demanding she insisted on him taking her back to the party. On the way back they crashed into another vehicle. When the girl awoke in the hospital she knew she was dying, she was told that they guy she'd been with had died in the accident and so had the couple in the other car. She begged a nurse to tell her parents that she was very sorry she'd disobeyed them, the nurse just looked at her. After the girl died another nurse asked why she hadn't said anything with the teen had asked her to give the message to her parents. The nurse said, "I didn't know what to say, the people in the other car were her parents." I don't know if you can do this, but for Christmas, I'd like for my mommy and daddy to get back together. Please see what you can do. Look, your dad's banging the babysitter like a screen door in a hurricane. Do you think he's gonna give that up to come back to your frigid mom, who rides his ass constantly? It's time to give up that dream. Let me send you some Legos instead. Yes, Another Rant What is it when people call that thry don't leave messages? Am I the only one that finds that odd? It's not only friends either, sales folk, random telemarketing calls, work folk. If you're going to call you should leave a message. If it's not important enough for a message.....why call??!! I guess I'm offcially getting old. The little things seem to bug more now than ever. Like useless, hollow conversation....I can't stand small talk. People that seem to think throwing pity parties for themselves qualifies as a career, People that are content to sit and drift. Yep....getting old, where's my damm remote...lol I want a new bike, a Playstation 3, a train, some G.I. Joes, a dog, a drum kit, a pony and a tuba. Who names their kid "Francis" nowadays. I bet you're gay. I'll set you up with a Barbie. I left milk and cookies for you under the tree, and I left carrots for your reindeer outside the back door. Milk gives me the shits and carrots make the deer fart in my face when riding in the sleigh. You want to do me a favor? Leave me a bottle of Scotch. What do you do the other 364 days of the year? Are you busy making toys? Your friend, Thomas All the toys are made in China. I have a condo in Vegas where I spend most of my time making low-budget porno films. I unwind by drinking myself silly and squeezing the asses of cocktail waitresses while losing money at the craps table. Hey, you wanted to know. Do you see us when we're sleeping, do you really know when we're awake, like in the song? Are you really that gullible? Good luck in whatever you do. I'm skipping your house. I really want a puppy this year. Please, please, please, PLEASE, PLEASE could I have one? That whiney begging shit may work with your folks, but that crap doesn't work with me. You're getting a sweater again. We don't have a chimney in our house. How do you get into our home? First stop calling yourself "Marky", that's why you're getting your ass whipped at school. Second, you don't live in a house, you live in a low-rent apartment complex. Third, I get inside your pad just like the boogeyman does, through your bedroom window. A angel thats lost her sight. A angel thats lost her flight. A angel thats lost her wings. A angel that longs to sing. In the sky where she belongs. Blessing the world with her heavenly songs. The world around her is already dead. The halo starts to vanish from her head. She sacrifices imortality only for them. Then feels what it"s like to be born with sin. She sheds tears of sorrow for the human race. Then kneels before god to take her in there place. She knows of his blessings from above. Cause in her lifetime she was shown true love. Five Variable Love Profile Your Five Variable Love Profile Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is medium. In general, you prefer to have only one love interest. But it's hard for you to stay devoted for too long! There's too much eye candy to keep you from wandering. Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Your dominance is low. This doesn't mean you're a doormat, just balanced. You know a relationship is not about getting your way. And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom. Your cynicism is low. You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance. No matter how many times you've been hurt - you're never bitter. You believe in one true love, your perfect soulmate. And if you haven't found true love yet, you know you will soon. Your independence is mediu Santa Is A Woman Santa Is A Woman I think Santa Claus is a woman.... I hate to be the one to defy sacred myth, but I believe he's a she. Think about it. Christmas is a big, organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal, and I have a tough time believing a guy could possibly pull it all off! For starters, the vast majority of men don't even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve. It's as if they are all frozen in some kind of Ebenezerian Time Warp until 3 p.m. on Dec. 24th, when they - with amazing calm - call other errant men and plan for a last-minute shopping Once at the mall, they always seem surprised to find only Ronco products, socket wrench sets, and mood rings left on the shelves. (You might think this would send them into a fit of panic and guilt, but my husband tells me it's an enormous relief because it lessens the 11th hour decision-making burden.) On this count alone, I'm convinced Santa is a woman. Surely, if he were a man, every Lies and deception floating in the air Can anyone save me? Does anyone care? Fighting for freedom in a cold stale world Nothing to comfort me, no one to hold It's a childhood memory that never really existed. A happy time in my life where I actually felt loved and accepted. But then the bitter reality set in and I was alone again. It is a childhood memory that never really existed. And now the dream world is trying to take over. It is trying to make me give into the fake happiness I see around me. It is trying to make me submit to hiding my feelings all for one chance to be accepted. It is trying to make believe that this childhood memory is real, and it is trying to make me seem like I'm truly happy. It is a childhood memory that never really existed, but I truly wish it did. I can’t breath. I can’t speak. I can’t live anymore. What have you done to me? What did you make me? I’m a shadow of what I once was. I’m dead inside. I wish I could die. I wish I could end this pain. Who am I? I don’t even know anymore. i guess im gonna have to have a root canal done on my mouth were the tooth used to be What have I done to my mind, body, and soul? I have scared myself from the inside out and hurt the ones who truly love me. I have once again proved what a worthless piece of shit I am and I should die for what I put the world around me through, I have lied and lied again to keep a horrible secret to myself. I have refused help and advice when it was given to me and wrecked the trust of my family and my best friend. I have stepped on a path of no return, a path of self-hatred and self-mutilation. I have killed the innocent child inside me all on one attempt to make myself happy. I have proved to the world that I am nothing but scum. I have tried to stop, I have tried to fight the urge, but every time I try I end up with fresh new reasons to hate myself even more. Fresh new reasons to be scared both inside and out, fresh new reasons for my loved ones not to trust me, and fresh new reasons to ask myself what have I done to my mind, body, and soul Got The Job got the call this morning. went to the place and filled out all my papers. had to take my shot record and get a new TB test just for good measure. lol. then spent another two hours doing self-study orientatation. have to do a general orientation in january, but they want me to start before then. also go to set up the direct deposit. fun fun. so exciting.. i now have a 2nd job. =) The Lady And Lord Of The Vampires coming and going she sits and stares upon twilights face her name is skye a creature of the night her kind are feared her race slaughtered upon her sill she sits wondering of there is another like her, she sees the sky darken it is almost time it is almost safe to walk upon the earth which is full of beauty yet also deadly corridors she walks hoping to find him for he is also wandering through those same corridors in which she walks she finds a door he a ladder, both lead to the same place their feeding ground their haven from the woes of mortals for mortals they are not born of ash raised to believe that they are mortal they find it diffucult to shed their mortal lives, she finds herself drawn to the place she was found as a child he finds himslef drawn to where he lost it all all held dear and sacred can it be that they are controlled by fate, forced to lead sorrowful lives unhindered they draw closer each a different path Torn between two worlds Torn between descisions Torn between love and hate Torn between two lives Suddenly he is in the middle Of nowhere with no options Two people can be seen in the Two people with whom he is Suddenly they both vanish to be replaced with nothingess Now he has no clue as to who he is Now he has no one to turn to Life seems meaningless No love to look for The Long Road the road goes on twisting and winding through mountains, towns, and valleys life follows, and falls as if tripped by an who cannot be hurt or slayed in any way for at the end of the road awaits Death who comes swiftly or slowly it means naught to him yet the road goes on pushing everyone away, he wonders why no one likes him little does he realize that it is his fault he loved her, but he pushed her she wasn't ready to be in a relationship he became angry and blamed her slowly he pushed her away all he wants at this point is for her to be happy yet still he causes more pain. he suddenly realizes what he has done yet it cannot be undone Two Foolish Lovers both feel the same happy near each other yet sad at the same two lovers dreams shattered by two years time, if they could only realize two years is no great distance, they could be ok, im sorry to have to do this in a blog, but i just want it to be very very clear to everyone that i do not condone racism and i will not tolerate it from my friends either, so if you are a racist please delete me from your list, thank you. just let me add that it is ok to be proud of who and where you come from, but you do not have to hate others to do that, so please stop the racism! Behind The Wall In 1960 a family moved into a farm house. It had alot of land and included a five bedroom house. Joseph Mann & his family bought the place and moved in. This was a family of four. Each child had their own room. Sixteen year old Donna loved her room. It was roomy. Yet some nights she felt frightend, yet did not know why. Months passed and the family adjusted. All except Donna. Sometimes at night she would hear a whisper of a female child cry out "help me". Donna would turn on the lights and not see or hear anything. And would try to go back to sleep. She told her mother of the voice she was hearing. Her mother just told her she must have been dreaming. One night Donna was drifting off to sleep when the voice yelled I am behind the wall. Please get me out. But this time Donna took action. She ran downstairs and got an ax and ran back to her room and started to tear the wall apart. Her parents heard all the noise and came up to see what was going on. Donna was white and frozen fr No one,At all has their priorities straight. Not even close. I'm glad to finally realize this and now I see that all my attempts at maintaining a good life have been futile. My mom came home today and yelled at me, explaining to me how much of a bad daugther I am, How much of a fucked up drug addict I am, How much she regretted having me, The bitch even told me how I'm not going to amount to anything in life, How in a few years I'm going to in up like my father, In jail or dead. And everyone wonders why I have so much hatred for everyone. A place called home, Is a place called hell. Kiss me in the rain as it beats hard against my face Kiss me like you care so no one can take your place Kiss me when I'm sad and I'm about to cry Kiss me when I'm mad and I just wanna die Kiss me when we argue, and kiss me when we fight Kiss me in the day and in the moon light If we break up just kiss us back together Let me be the one that you kiss forever Kiss me if you love me, so i can know you care And kiss me in my dreams, cause you will be there I Hate This Time Of Year i'm so sick of people wish me a good x-mes i hate x-mes all i can think of from thanksgiving intell ater new years is how alone i am i hate this time of year i have no tree i have no light ya sere i got poeple gifts and some poeple got me some but i stil feel alone in the world so please stop wish me a good x-mes or asking what i'm doing 4 x-mes because what i'm doing is stay at home not turning on the tv and trying not to think about it. So, this Christmas isn't looking like it's going to be a happy one. My aunt is in ICU in Arkansas because her doctors are a bunch of idiots (she has kidney disease and they injected her with a dye to check for blood clots that is KNOWN to shut the kidneys down...then they gave her pain medication to help which then caused her to overdose and have a heart attack...can we say lawsuit?), her son is stuck on an army base in georgia and they won't discharge him until Friday (but she keeps telling everyone that it will be too late by then...really reassuring isn't it) and we don't have the money because of the holiday for me to fly down there to see what is going on. My parents haven't spoken to her or her sister in almost 20 years, so I'm basically stuck in the middle. To make matters worse, my husband got a phone call today from his mother saying that his great grandfather in Vermont probably won't make it through the weekend. I understand that he's 93 years old and we've been expecting th The Poisoned Supper A tragic, unthinkable incident in the spring of 1847, frequently associated with the Regulator-Moderator War, remains after 157 years one of East Texas’ worst mass murders -- if it was murder. In the isolated settlement of East Hamilton in Shelby Country, many of those who ate a cake while attending a wedding supper came down with a sudden illness and over a period of days as many as forty individuals may have died. The wedding supper, a common event in small communities of the l840s, was to honor a young couple following their marriage ceremony. In May of 1847, the Texas Telegraph and Register of Houston, reported: “We learn from San Augustine...that seventy or eighty persons who attended a wedding...on the evening of the 22nd (of April), were taken ill immediately...and eight or ten died, evidently from the effects of poison.” On May 23, 1847, a letter written in Bayou Sara, Louisiana to a friend contained the particulars of the incident. The culprit was allegedly a man I Love You I can't understand why you care for me. I can't make you happy. I can't even make myself smile. You need someone who deserves you, someone better than me. How can you say I'm perfect, I'm no where near it. You're the one who’s perfect. I wish you could see that. You make me so happy, but I'm not worth your time. I'm afraid I'll hurt you. I'm afraid I'll make you cry. I've made too many mistakes to be with you. But some how you still love me, just like I love you Your Glowing Eyes.. My heart hurts. I feel so alone. there's noone to call my own I arrive to an empty house dark and quiet noone to say welcome no warmth to touch no pretty smiles no glowing eyes staring back at me but it is at this moment that I realize I am alive I will oneday find my true love made just for me to come and play from day to day I am a man of many talents Jack of all trades master of none If I was made for you and you want me come find me you know where I stay Life Of Sin Dark circles under my eyes from all the stress and worry. The nights I've cried are still alive in my mind. Ever lasting nightmares are ever returning. Emptiness and fear are two emotions I know so well. I will never relive emotions of pure joy, but of emptiness. I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to be "normal" again, free from problems, and free from pain. Free from worry and out of this life of sin. Why must you continue to stare at me? Is it because I'm slightly different from you and every one else around you? Is it because I dare to be more original then you and all your "picture perfect" friends? Well I'm sick and tired of all the stares and all your stupid comments. Don't you realize I know you make fun of me and laugh at me behind my back? And don't you realize I don't give a fuck. So you go back to staring and laughing at me because I am different and Ill go back to laughing because you’re all the same ok, i hardly ask for any help, but i am 308 points away from my next rank and would love to get there. so, please help me out... please!!!! will help anyone out if they need it. Is this how everything is supposed to feel? These emotions hurt far too much to be real. Are you not telling me something that you hide deep inside? Are all the words out of your mouth nothing but fucking lies? Is she really the one you want? Is she really the one you dream about at night? Am I just a substitute for her love until she ends this fucking plight? These thoughts, this pain are what now consume me. Tell me the truth, set me free from this agony I’m sick or writing the same thing. I’m sick of repeating myself. I’m sick of being like everyone else. I’m sick of trying to fit in. I’m sick of being myself. I’m sick of “I love you so much.” I’m sick of “I miss you to death.” I’m sick of rivers of tears and once upon times. I’m sick of death and pain and the same old rhymes. I’m sick of this life sucks and I wanna die. I’m sick of doing the same old things. I’m just so sick of being a cliché Consumed in the emptiness Lost in the fear No one to hold me No one to make me feel Numb to the pain Numb to your touch Nothing controls me But a slow painful rush The blood and the tears The hurt and the lies The betrayal that I see in other people’s eyes This is my destiny This is my path This is my confession Of a life of the past Question For Anyone Who Knows About Dogs I brought a dog home from work yesterday.... she is a 6 yr. old yorkshire terrier.....is pretty bad shape. She was VERY dirty and stinky, her ears were filthy, and she is missing hair on her sides and feet. My first thought was mange, but I have been looking for information on mange on the net, but the pictures I've seen do not look like this. Her feet look like they are elephantitus (sp?). they look like they are callused and are all dry and cracked. She has that on all 4 paws and there is no hair there. Her sides look like she has two tumors on them (not sure if it is just extra skin or what). She looks to be underfed. Her ears feel like sandpaper on the insides... she is a mess! I think she was very neglicted!! I'm going to try to get her to the vet, but they are swamped, so I might not be able to until after christmas. I went to the pet shop tonight and took her in and showed her to them and they suggested some banana, oatmeal shampoo and told me to put her in the bath a I never trusted anyone It’s because of people like you You broke down my barriers What was I to do You turned my emotions into a yo-yo Up and down, up and down I go When will this game stop? Does anybody know? I’m trapped in the fear I’m trapped in the fear This is what you made me This is who I am A lost and lonely untrusting little girl Don’t care what you think of me I don’t give a damn You don’t control me anymore I don’t know what is right and what is wrong I let you walk all over me You controlled me for so long My life is what you owe me I’m done with all this shit I won’t let you hurt me I’m too strong for it Please set me free Please set me free Who did you think you were messing with my fragile insecure mind? You let me think you were a god, making me worship you all the time I can’t believe I feel for it, I can’t believe how long it lasted When did I get so stupid, please just let me go I don’t understand the world around me I don’t think I ever will All the pain and suffering surrounds me And it’s all taking me in I’m still trying to give myself Just one more last chance To like the person that I see in the looking glass I’m my only enemy I’m lost inside my pain Just let me have my razor And I’ll be fine again Blood flows from my open wound As I pray for it to end Won’t someone just let me die And set me free again I’m cutting and crying trying To let myself free The razor is my enemy And my only security I’m my only enemy I’m lost inside my pain Just let me have my razor And I’ll be fine again I don’t really know what went wrong I used to be so happy I don’t think I can take this much longer I want to be happy I need to be happy I used to be so happy I’ll never under stand the world around me I don’t think I ever will Concealed within is truth,blinded by fear, beautifully painted in a mirage from memorable years, as I search for the questions that I've waited so long to ask, I struggle to receive the future and surrender to the past, with prayer and faith the path I travel will be with courage and strength, for in the fates I trust to give me a life that's great, so please take my hand and side by side come along into a journey filled with love, to a place we both belong, for every step forward will be one less look back, so soon our only vision will be of each other and things never lacked. Take me words and abuse me with them Control my world like you often did Don’t let me think for myself, I’m just a child Push me to the ground and slowly break me down This is an ever present reality Everything I do is wrong I’m a mistake My life is a fucking mess I want to be normal again No better than the rest I just want to be normal again Do you see the pain in my eyes? You never understood what was in my mind Don’t treat me like a person, I’m just a child The blood is all around, it’s dripping to the ground This is an ever present reality Everything I do is wrong I’m a mistake My life is a fucking mess I want to be normal again No better than the rest I just want to be normal again Why did you treat me like I never mattered? Why do still hurt me like you always did? I can’t take all the things that you’ve done to me I just can’t take it anymore I just can’t deal with it Take me words and abuse me with them One day I know where I stand with you the next I don’t.. I thought we were friends and that was the just of it.. I did not really think you had any other interest.. My wall is up high when it comes to you afraid to let you in completely. I’m afraid you might diminish me.. But you say so many sweet things that has me confused and delirious.. It might just be flattery or it might come from the heart.. I'm not sure beyond a reasonable doubt. Can you please make up your mind if you want me or not?? We still have yet to meet and when we do we shall see. If this was even meant to be.. Your like my sunshine after the rain.. then there are times where I want to scream and cry cause I’m not by your side.. Or I don’t know where I stand with you.. Why are all these emotions are all confused instead of clear as day.. Sometimes I think your playing games.. One day you let me in and show me your softer side.. That’s when I tend to sigh.. Why is this so hard to see do you even care fo Without Your Love Without your love i'm very sad My night is so grey It feels so badly Without your love my world is lonely My day is so heavy It feels so terribly Without your love my body is powerless My heart has pain It's hurt's that i can't explain Without your love my mind is so empty My head is insane It hit's me inside like the strong sound of plane Without your love everything is so calm My thought goes around Just keep seeing your face as the day go by make my heart melt Without your love i am lost Nothing is wonderful Nothing is colourful Nothing is worthful Nothing is meaningful Just your love can keep my heart gleeful Waiting On Me Waiting On me It’s been a long day at work… so hard out in the world But in the mist of it all…I am thinking of you every chance I get I get aroused at the slightest thought of you… My mind drifts off to what possibly could be waiting on me Waiting on me to get home… As I pull up in the driveway… my heart beats with excitement She is home… all alone Wasting no time I find myself… fumbling for my keys Finally I slide the key into the hole… as the door opens The scent of candles alerts my senses… the misty darkness throughout the house Candles ignite the mood of the evening soon to take place… I sit my briefcase down… as I loosen my tie with a undone button R. Kelly… singing… telling me to step in my room But when I do… I find you lying on the couch reading a book My eyes pierce your body… you are dressed loosely Robe hanging over the side of the couch… thighs showing with an invitation An invitation I sensed… you peek over the edge of the book… only to see your eyes Loving Deeper Than A Man Can Go Loving Deeper Than a Man Can Go Reaching down in the depths of my soul... a man loving to no end Admiring her beauty... understanding that it runs to the soul... the heart A work of art... poetry in its best form... without words Holding her hand... feeling the texture of her skin... the creases craved within them Admiring the color of her eyes... to the amount lashes that surrounds them Running your fingers through her hair... smelling the scent of her shampoo on your fingernails Rubbing your nose against her ear... breathing upon her neck... lips so close to her neck Closing my eyes to see her face and remembering her touch and the feel of her body Its pressed in my mind like a map fully detailed which marked every curve felt upon her body Loving her deeper than a man can go... is it possible? Listening to her every cry... wiping the tears of pain from her existence The words flow from her lips... like water in a river So refreshing on a hot summer day... like a breeze Romance On The Moon Romance on the Moon I want you to meet me on the moon… follow the trail rose petals floating on air Listen to the melody of our angel… Meet me on the moon, only you and I Huge satellite broadcasting our love afar… surrounded by heaven and controlled by destiny I greet you with a kiss of passion… a hug of complete comfort and hand of guidance Love illuminating through the heavens… reaching as far as the galaxy travels Stars surrounds us… praising a love so pure and real Pulling you close to me… Our bodies move together Moving to a melody… spinning to the tunes, distracted within each other A never ending moment in time… It was as if GOD held us within His hands Looking into your eyes… unable to blind, caught up in this romance on the moon You and I exist to each other and no one else… no Cinderella story Time standing still for you and me… as our hearts grows together We are flying without wings as our hearts take off like two stars… a tail that left a trail Carl Jung Matter Of Heart "An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child." "Where love rules, there is no will to power, and where power predominates, love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other." "We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. " "When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate. " "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. " Carl Jung Matter of Heart Documentary on the famous Swiss psychoanalyst, Carl Gustav Jung, featuring interviews with those who knew him and archive footage of Jung. ... all » Discuss Dec 22 2006 It hasn't been such a good day today. It started off on the wrong foot at work and didn't get much better by the time I went to bed. Some uptimes were very much the time I spent talking to Hank. He has a way of making me smile even when I'm feeling blue. Back to my day though, it started at work with Vicki my department manager yelling at me for all the stuff I was doing. I asked her first if she wanted me to put out the new items in the dept and she said no. So I put the new stuff back onto a pallet, she then came over and asked me what the stuff on the pallet were. I told her that it was new items and she informed me that what she said was to put them on the shelf. Which wasn't at all what she had said. Then to make sure I got it right this time I reasked about the new modular stuff. Again she said not to put it on the shelf, and again I put those on the pallet. Vicki came over once again and asked me what the stuff on the pallet was. You can probablly guess that I told Now I love that tale of the Grinch that Stole Christmas but I think my favorite in that cartoon was not the Grinch or the people of Whoville but that poor little cute Dog Max! Forced to wear antlers and pull a Sleigh that was 20 times his size! Well This year I'm The Grinch and this is my Max and we are gonna come down your Chimney and take your Presents. So keep an eye out for us! *insert wicked Laugh here* *smiles* Go Help My Friend Go help my friend out she is a real sweet cherry... so show her lots of luv she Deserves this :] thanks Cant Change The Blog Name.... Your Taste in Music: Classic Rock: Highest Influence 90's Alternative: High Influence 90's Pop: High Influence 90's Rock: High Influence Heavy Metal: High InfluenceHow's Your Taste in Music? ~~remember This At Christmas Time~~ REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost. there is a astounding number of ridiculously hot women on this site... dont really got nothing else witty to say about this...cept if it doesnt stop im going to start to chaff;-) ~~ Contest Updates ~~ ~~ Sexy Man Of CherryTap ~~ Contest Opens 12/21 thur 12/27 at 12pm noon! Man with the most comments wins! Rates will be used for tie breakers. Comment bombing allowed You can comment on your own pic. Still got openings if you want to join and win big prizes. And here they are....... Good Luck Guys! I Always Will You are always on my mind No matter what I am doing you are their Everytime I sleep I think of you Everytime I drive you areo n my mind If I am with the guys, I wonder what you are doing When I talk to you on the phone I wished I were their with you When we hang out at your house I wished we were cuddling When we are at the bar, all I want to do is leave with you and go somewhere else If it was just you and me, my life would be complete I am hoping that we will always be together You mean the world to me and I want you to know that The Love I have for you is always and forever and will never go away With every breath I take you are always on my mind. I never stopp thinking of you and I never want it to end Fake & Real Friends FAKE FRiENDS: Never ask for food. REAl FRiENDS: are the reason you have no food. FAKE FRiENDS: Call your parents Mr/Mrs REAl FRiENDS: Call your parents DAD/MOM FAKE FRiENDS: bail you out of jail and tell you what you did was wrong. REAl FRiENDS: Would sit next to you sayin "Dang we messed up ... but that stuff was fun!" FAKE FRiENDS: never seen you cry. REAl FRiENDS: cry with you FAKE FRiENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back. REAl FRiENDS: keep your stuff so long they forget its yours. FAKE FRiENDS: know a few things about you. REAl FRiENDS: Could write a book about you with direct quotes from you. FAKE FRiENDS: Will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is doing. REAl FRiENDS: Will kick the whole crowds butt that left you. Would knock on your front door. REAl FRiENDS: Walk right in and say "I'M HOME!" FAKE FRiENDS: Are for awhile. REAl FRiENDS: Are for life. FAKE FRIENDS: Would act like they like p Our It Guy >I was having trouble with my computer. So I called the computer guy, to >come over. He clicked a couple of buttons, solved the problem, and wrote >up a bill for a minimum service call. > As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?" > He replied, "It was an ID ten T error." > I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An ID ten T > error? What's that, in case I need to fix it again?" > The computer guy grinned.... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error > "No," I replied. > "Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out." > So I wrote out I D 1 0 T > I used to like that guy.... I've been really tired all day. I was falling asleep in my first class and then somehow made it through the next 2. I took a nap when I got home before work, which only made matters worse, and was tired all night at work and we were busy. All I want to do is sleep, but I have two tests to study for. They are back to back which sucks. Plus I have a small assignment due too. Well I think I am going to go get a shower first, hopefully that will wake me up a little bit. We are Friends I got your back You got mine, I'll help you out To see you hurt To see you cry Makes me weep And wanna die And if you agree To never fight It wouldn't matter Whos wrong or right If a broken heart Needs a mend I'll be right there Till the end If your cheeks are wet From drops of tears Let go of your fears Hand in hand Love is sent, We'll be friends Till the end!!!! A fire is within me, I struggle to keep it controlled, but it wants to consume you, take your breath away, take all of you, engulf you in its flames. Naughy Or Nice.. Have you been naughty or nice? If you would like to be placed in my new albums, one labled naughty and the other labled nice... Let me know which pic and which lable Naught or nice... I will take requests now..until tomorrow afternoon. Then the person who can prove in comments they are the nicest or very naughty will receive a gift from the CT shop. The one who is the Naughtiest by Friday will receive An official Cherry Tap Keg The one who is the Nicest by Friday will receive A Romantic Vacation This is all in fun so I hope you enjoy.. Remember let me know Which folder you want in and which pic you want to use. Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad ~Dark Princess RedMex~@ CherryTAP The Waking…….by Steve Crile Morning comes with light and love, My eyes open, and I feel every breath, She lies so peacefully there by my side, As beautiful now as when the night began. Once again I lose control, Senses realing, I must touch, I need to know that the beauty is real, I smile down as I raise for a better look. My hand snakes out and runs through her hair, Moving it back to see the beauty that hides beneath, A quiet moan escapes her lips, Bringing with it a smile that lights my soul. I touch her cheek with a feather light touch, And run my fingers lightly over the contours of her face, Letting my love flow from my finger tips, Wathching again as the smile crosses her face. I can wait no longer, I move in close and lightly kiss her lips, Then her eye lids as they begin to flutter, I hold her tight as my heart over flows, Then I whisper, good morning beautiful, With one last kiss……. You're The Reason You're the reason I'm livin'... You're the breath that I take You're the stars in my heaven You're the sun when I wake. You're the reason I'm livin'.. you carry me through All of life's little burdens I'd be lost without you. I was down you picked me up And showed me True love still could be found. You're the reason I do things You're the things that I do You're the reason I'm livin' I'd be lost without you. Come and tell me again... You're the reason I'm livin'... you carry me through All of life's little burdens I'd be lost without you. She holds me captive with a smile Now I search all the while Seeking the one who caught my eye Beauty such to make angels sigh Flaxen hair and the perfect face Sound of her laugh made this heart race Faint of heart and fair maiden charm Did this mans defense she disarm Now I seek just one more chance The fair maiden and her glance That holds me still to this day That keeps me looking in every way For the one whose beauty true Makes the days all feel so new I desire to hold you and kiss you deep To give you my passion yours to keep To love you as no one ever has tried So you know that I am always at your side Yours to be with in all that may be Yours forever till the end of eternity To make a vow to love you without end To be there for you as your best friend To never let any come in between you and I To make you smile and be joyous until we die Together forever in this world and in the next In my heart these words are a living text My Love For You You're the first thing I think of Each morning when I rise. You're the last thing I think of Each night when I close my eyes. You're in each thought I have And every breath I take. My feelings are growing stronger With every move I make. I want to prove I love you But that's the hardest part. So, I'm giving all I have to give To you... I give my heart. Rambling On And On Like An Odl Man WHAT YOU ARE A BOUT TO READ IS EITHER REAL OR NOT YOU DECIDE BUT PLEASE DONT PASS JUDGEMENT TILL YOU READ ALL THE INSTALLMENTS THIS IS JUST ...............DAY ONE: BUZZZZZZ THE SOUND OF MY DIME STORE ALARM CLOCK WAKES ME REMINDING ME ITS TIME TO GET MY FAT BUTT OUT OF BEDD WITH A JIGGLE TO THE LEFT I FIND MY FEET ON THE FLOOR HEARING MY WIFE WHO BY THE WAY THINKS I COULDN'T LOVE HER ANDY LESS( JOKES ON HER) ASKS ME WHAT I AM DOING I SNICKER IN DISSBELEIFE AND SAY IM OFF TO MAKE YOU YER MONEY SHE GIGGLES AND SAYS GET TO IT THEN WITH A SMOOCH I AM DOWN THE STAIRS TRIPPING ON THE KIDS LAYING ON THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR..NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW THEY GET THERE TILL I COME HOME AND SEE THEIR BEDS AINT BEEN SLEPT IN IN 3 YEARS.. AHH THE KIDS I AM A FATHER OF FOUR GOT 3 GIRLS AND ONE BOY THE OLDEST IS 12 YOUNGEST (BOSS) IS 6. HEARING FROM THE LOCAL METEOROLOGIST ITS GOING TO BE A BLUSTERY DAY WITH 75 MILE AND HOUR WINDS I PREPARE FOR MY DAY .. THE ONLY THING I LOVE A Lover's Tears The ache she felt was deep, with no way to appease it, she would hold her pillow at night, and cry into it, shaking away the tears, feeling the loss of him. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and months turned to years, and still she felt the anguish, never letting up, wondering if she was living in a hell hole of a time warp, her heart forever bound to his. He was her first, the ONLY one to collar her, the ONLY one to feast upon her, she was HIS. He made her this way for eternity. don't stop till you hit the floor." tonite will be funnn Just wanted you all to know Get more at COMMENTYOU.comGet more at COMMENTYOU.comGet more at COMMENTYOU.com you all are special to me. Jovichick Tricky question 2 A mother is in the kitchen making supper for her family when her young daughter walks in. "Mommy, where do babies come from?" After thinking about it for a moment, the mother explains, "Well, dear, a girl and a boy fall in love and get married. Then, one night they go into their room, hug and kiss, and have sex." The child looks puzzled. The Mother continues, "That means that daddy puts his penis in the mommy's vagina. That's how you get a baby, dear." The child replies, "But, the other night when I came into your bedroom, you had daddy's penis in your mouth. What do you get when you do that, Mommy?" You ever feel like nothing around you is real and that no one really cares. It makes me wonder why should I try. I am just like everyone eles and deserve to be treated the same. I have a heart and I have feelings when something hurts I cry. People make me feel so empty inside. Makes me think don't try and you wont cry. I wish the pain would just pass me by. I can give and give but what good does that do cause in the end my tears just fall like the rain till I am more empty inside. At the end of the day I just feel so dead inside. Shut The Fuck Up U Fucking Whiney Bithces!! I JUST WANNA KNOW WHY EVERYTIME I CLICK ON HERE `SOME GIRL IS BITCHING AND WHINNING ABOUT FAKE THIS, OR FAKE PROFILES WHOS ON THE TOP PICS, WHO GOT THIS GIFT!! SHIT GROW UP LADIES OR KICK IT ON MY SPACE. ITS REALLY HIGH SCHOOL ALL THE SHIT TALKING DRAMA.. . I'M ALSO SICK OF WHINEY GIRLS SAYING SHIT ABOUT BAD MOODS AND MEDS THERE ON. COME ON DO WE REALLY CARE. IT JUST SHOWS YOUR AGE ALL THE BANTERING GOING ON... OK SO GLAD I SPOKE MY LITTLE PIECE OF MIND.. GROW UP GIRLS!!!! It was so sweet that we met, A chance that not many get. When I heard the "Uh Oh", How was I to know! That you would turn out to be my special friend, Someone who could be there, Until the end. No matter how I feel or what I do, I know, in my heart, That I can count on you. I've never seen you, Heard you, or touched you. Those kind of chances are very few. To meet someone from far away, Never knowing if they're here to stay, Not knowing if what they say is true, Of what they're doing and telling you. So far away, but yet so near, The "not knowing" is the fear. Is it truth, or is it lies? Will a heart grow, or will it die? Either way, the bonds of Friendship's strings are tied. One's needs are met, Some with regret. Some with hope, Some with pain. But still, the answer is plain. If we hadn't met, On that very day, Things would be different In every way. The emptiness may be filled, A life may start to rebuild. A heart may be broken, ¶¶¶¶¶¶ verlasting or loyal… ¶¶¶___¶¶¶earest of all… The gifts that come from a higher source give us all reason to wonder why in due course some have the perfect most wonderful lifes and other have hardship and unwanted strifes Some are just blessed with all that is right others are working to get to the light of those who have only the best few of them know how greatly their blessed They take for granted the meeting of needs never knowing that it is more than sowing the seeds the harvest we reap is not always the same some have it much harder in lifes game Some will have it all go their way most of us work to get through the day trust in something beyond this material place there peace can be found beyond this drab space As to what reason there is for these things if I knew that answer many phones would ring I would send the word out to the world to know we should all count our blessings and let our light show By R. Thomas Dinsmore by Kit McCallum I sometimes find I'm drifting Through this life without effect; I often wonder if I'm truly Worth what I've been blessed. I search through days that have been hard, To try to understand, The many trials that I have known, The life that I have had. You see me in my daily grind, So confident and strong; Yet when I am alone, I question Just where I belong. I often try too hard I find, To analyze and guess, To scrutinize, investigate My life I will confess. For somewhere deeper, there must be Some meaning to this life, Some way to make a difference, Give a reason for this strife. Is there some hidden meaning? Some agenda to be found? A greater purpose waiting If I care to hang around? It teases and it taunts me, Always slightly out of sight; A hazy vision out of reach, Where darkness hides the light. I struggle to bring clarity To what awaits me there, And yet this weak illusion Always fades before my stare. The Nuts On Some People!!!!!!!!! SO... I was driving home from work...filled up on gas...kinda tired from washing dishes all night...and was at the intersection of Galvin and Becker...which whoever lives in Marshfield knows is a simple 2-way stop sign...this fucking tool proceeds to drive out of their stop sign 20 feet in front of me...forcing me to slam on my breaks...those of you who know me well, know that I am hands down the best driver in Marshfield...however, there is only so much I can do with freezing rain covering the road...I then slide and almost run into the guy...so I display my displeasure by honking my horn...I think all is fine and dandy...BUT THEN THE GUY HAS THE NUTS ON HIM TO TURN AROUND IN THE ROAD AND PULL UP BEHIND ME AND PUT HIS MOTHER FUCKING BRIGHTS ON!...I mean wow...at this point I'm pretty pissed off...they follow me all the way to Stadt road with their brights on...so I pull onto Stadt, and get the fuck out of my car...and they take off further down Becker...I drive home...heart still raci Loser Of The Year,show, Radio, Rambling.... So here it is again. Holiday season. The time of year when you randomly feel obliged to buy something from Sharper Image for the Uncle or Aunt that you havent spoken to since last year .... I have never understood the pressure that comes with the whole present-buying thing. I mean, parents, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends .... I get it. We love those people. We also know them a little, which means we can buy a gift that actually means something. But how many times have you found yourself in The Discovery Channel store in the Mall, staring at a DVD of 'The Amazing Planet' and trying to think who you could give it to ? It might just be me, but I always end up getting stuff that means nothing, for people that I don't even know!!! WNCI's Jingle Ball: It really is a whirlwind when we do that kinda thing. One minute, I am waking up, drinking starbucks and trying to clear the fog in my head and get a picture of my day. And the next I am crawling back into my bed at about 3.30am having s You are the essence of comfort and acceptance Forever encouraging and loving me For who I am and who I wish to be Radiating your love like the warmth of a favorite blanket I am wrapped within your heart. You are like the ocean's tide Constant and beautiful, yet forever changing I watch in wonder at your many hues Like that of a glorious sunset The colors of you are infinite. You are the one I need to seek When I experience a newness in life I want to share it with you and only you Like a sturdy oak I lean on your strength When I feel like a Weeping Willow. You are eternal You are woven into my soul forever Etched into my life. You are My Love The journey is different for everyone we are all in the process till it's done Seeking the road to peace of mind the path is easy to know and hard to find So often side tracked by things unimportant missing the wonders that are heaven sent unhappy that life won't bend to our will discovery that we have yet to fulfill just to live in the moments of the day accepting things that don't go our way knowing it is better to be a part of the whole these are the things that enlighten the soul ego and pride take away from the ride leaving us empty and wanting to hide to protect our selfs from hurts yet to come is the way of many and yet very dumb for without risk we can never be right we must be open to advance into the light Standing tall at the journeys conclusion free of the bonds of material confusion By R.Thomas Dinsmore My Poems I Write WHO AM I who am i am i me and if not who should i be i stuggle to become what others want me to be each one looks like me but never never could it be for i am myself i am me written by Tina L.Dawson WHY NOT ME i walk down the street and see lover walking hand in hand each one has that special glow of love and i wonder why not me i have a heart so full of love i truste others with my heart i can't believe how easy i can be decieved all i ever wanted was someone to love me for me someone i could care for and care for me i'm not a bad person i help people when i can so why not me will it ever happen to me will i ever be able to set my love free i guess sometimes life is not fair to all so i sat and look at the lovers passing me by wondering why not me when will i set my love and my broken heart free written by Tina L Dawson a slow healing radio heart you take a woman who will used men and hurt them get what they want and they get all the men b My Girlfriend Is Planning Our Wedding, And I Haven't Even Proposed Yet !! well, It's not even 2007, and my girlfriend is prodding me already and writting down info for our wedding which will not take place until 2009. The engagement is in 2008. I understand if she's excited that we will be getting married but DAAAANG !! Give a man some time to prepare, right? I have to figure out how to propose,where and when. Then I have to buy the ring. After all this, then I'm asking her to move in with me. Can someone please help me figure out how to deal with this? Make Me An Exceprtion She stood silently inside the bustop shelter the only noise to be heard was her short breaths in the cold new jersey december night. She shot quick looks to the side and over her shoulder. As she pullher curdory coat in closer acknowleding how the fur tickled her bare chest underneath and rubbing her cold exposed legs together to reduce the chill in the air she wondered, where is he? She told him that he had to come to the bustop she had someone leave a Christmas present there for him he had no idea she was back. She couldnt wait to feel him against her holding her welcoming her back, it had been almost 6 months since she saw him and even longer since she had felt him next to her, on her, in her. She shuffled in a little closer her boots clicked on the ground, his favorite pair, her hooker boots. She hoped he would still like her look she was smaller, 20 pounds actually military training does that to a girl. Her hair was longer to now going just past her chest and it was a dark black Poetry By Me Sweet spoken words of love longing to be. Tender caresses and thoughts of He. California Dreaming on clear stary nights. Feelings raised to whole new heights. Passionate kisses and walking hand in hand. Urges stretching across thousands of miles of land. Together at last running your fingers through my hair. Together we'll be when I am finally there. To spend my life where the warm sun kisses the sky. To walk the beach and listen to the ocean sigh. ~Gwendolyn A. (Pepper) Coyne june 19, 2006 As I lay here dreaming of exotic places I've never been before. I think to myself, is this really a dream or is it so much more. Could I have been to these places once upon a time, or have I made them all up from deep within my mind. Tales from within of times unknown, visions of life... Was this life my own? ~Gwendolyn A (Pepper) Coyne I Am EXTREMELY Heartbroken right now. This Always Happens To Me. I finally felt like i belonged to a "group of people" but i was so wrong. I Am No Longer Part Of The SK Family For Reasons Im Not Going To Say. I Will Still Stick To The Confidentiality (yeah i know i didnt spell that right.) part of things. I Will Truly Miss (blank) Most Of All (you know who you are). He Took My Mind Off Things When Nothing Else Could. He Made Me Smile Like No One Else Could. And In The End He Made Me Cry Like No One Else Could. I don't see a point of me being on CT anymore. Im going to think about it for a few days. And I want to say goodbye to "him"...And let him know i don't hate him or think any less of him. We've had more good times then bad. So Goodbye To You. I came in from doing yard work, sweat trickling down between my breasts. I was out of breath and exhausted. After getting a glass of cold water from the pitcher in the fridge, I headed to the bathroom to shower. I stripped down to my panties and tight sports bra and camisole. Turning on the radio, a techno beat with a smooth female vocal filled the room. Something about good techno has always made me feel like taking my clothes off. Since showering generally necessitates nudity, I took this as an opportunity to practice my strip tease moves. Using the corner of the shower stall as a pole, I expertly dipped low, bending my knees, and then rising again, ass first, to the beat of the music. I turned, my hips gyrating along with the song, and performed for my imaginary audience, running my hands over my breasts, hooking my thumbs through the side lace of my g-string panties. I pulled my panties part-way down, teasing...no one in particular, and turned, facing t You Know What? I'm Going To Be Alright :) ..I Always Am. The Hurt Will Heal. The Memories Will Fade. The Tears Will Stop. Positive Thinking :) :) :) :) :)!!! I Wish You Could! I WISH YOU COULD KNOW I wish you could see the sadness of a businessman as his livelihood goes up in flames or that family returning home , only to find there house and belongings damaged or destoryed . I wish you could know what it is to search a burning bedroom for trapped children, flames rolling above your head, you palms and knees burnng as you crawl, the floor sagging under your weight as the kitchen beneath you burns. I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 3 A.m. as I check her husband of forty years for a pulse and find none. I started CPRanyway, hoping aganst hope to bring him back, knowing intuitively it is to late. But wanting his wife and family to know everything possible was done. I wish you could know the unique smell of burning insulation, the taste of soot_filled mucus, the feeling of intense heat through your turnout gear, the sound of flames crackling, and the eeriness of being able to see absolutely nothing in dense smoke--"sensations t Wanna Help Me Out?? Comment bomb my pic!! I need 3000 comments to get a Platinum Cherry!! Life As A Flame First a breeze fans the flame. From flame comes smoke. A smoke so thick suffocating heavy. An unbearable weight. Need water, this thirst can not be quenched. Heat so intense the flame burns through the downpour. Anger burning with the intensity of the sun. What is water to the sun? Nothing, the cycle begins once more. A flames thirst is unique unlike a man in the desert. It consumes all in its path. The thirst of a flame halts only after consuming any and all around it. This flame won't be my end it can't be stopped. I won't burn out, I won't be snuffed out. It will not get the best of me. Let this fury smoulder. In good time this flame shall be put to use not to destroy or cause harm. But to warm those who really matter the most. My light shall be comfort, a requiem of peace. A comfortable glow banishing my own unease. Writing And Poetry new poem just read it dont ask ! take a look inside me see my world goin crazy igot no where left to be all these thing ive done feel,s like its unbreakable iwanted to be that some one now i have to stay alone tryin to ove along but no1 seemed to be around i still can c ur pretty face in my mind i cant replace night by night day by ...day u just gave ur heart i was so stupid and let it slide i choozed dat way now my world have changed ive been around town thinkin u were around i wish i could go back ina day take my whole reactions back its amazing how u color my world my life would get on track some times u have to crush and burn,take a major turns see you whole like ..goes around some times u make mistakes it take wot it take then pulls u toward the groung hearing ppl speak hurt so bad had made me weak all i got to say that they didnt know and they will now they gona see my dreams just grow its not the way it was b4 it wont bother an Have you ever woke up in a cambodian gaming parlor and realize that you where living in a dark dank abyss of emptyness and lonelyness then wander the mountians of asia for two years untill you became the cheif of a tibetan monastery I Came In 2nd Place! I want to thank those who helped support me in my very first CT contest, True Friends Contest. It had ended today, and I had come in 2nd place. Those who supported me through this contest received a special gift from me. I know it wasn't necessary, but I felt to show my gratitude, my friends would be gifted too. Gifts have been sent out, if I had missed anyone who did vote for me, message me and I will check to verify, and gift you. Again, Thank You All for your help and support! I truly appreciate it! Not Much To Read. How to learn the last lesson. This lesson is the curelest of all. How to do nothing when nothing can be done. How to learn this lesson without losing myself. How to arm myself whitout chaining myself in hell. How to learn this lesson without killing my heart. How to go on when this lesson know as death is learn. How to learn this lesson,curelest of all,do nothing when nothing is left to do. The night goes on to long dear, and the fire is burning low. A few more moments together, but then i'll have to go. The sun will soon be rising, blinding these old eyes. As they look unto the heavens, to see if you can fly. I'll walk alone in my garden, no lover by my side. Gone again each morning, hiding deep inside. A dream that lasts forever, where time has no hands to see. Those moments spent together, when you belong to me. Soon your day start love, and thoughts of me will stray. To other handsome faces, you encounter in your day. I'll worry that you're leaving, you know thats who I am. My love so deep for beauty, you'll adore some other man. I wish you could just see it, in the moments when our eyes meet. Feel it in my soul dear, a fire burns so deep. dawn has caught your eye. You leave the bed we lie in, together you and I. Godless still i'm praying, one more night to find. The day always steals you from me, Another Day, Another Life... Having issues with my family, which, around Christmas, is never good. Needless to say, I am in contact with a certain person, whom I love dearly, and this time she will not be left on her own. No matter what anyone says. in other news, I dyed my hair the other night, and it looks funky as hell :) Its Pink. Bright Pink, Hot Pink, In yer Face Pink :) and I love it :D dunno what work will say tonight, but they won't mind. Its my other job that I'm concerned about, though I don't go back until January, so all should be ok :) And if they don't like it, they can always tell me to change it :) Anyway, wishing you all a very merry christmas/happy holidays, and hope that, whatever hassles and issues your family are having, you can put them aside for just one day, and enjoy the warmth and happiness that having your family around you can provide. You asked to see inside me, you pushed and you still pried. You asked me why I hid things, why I wouldn't cry? You never stopped persuing, you tried to find your way. You tried to read between the lines, in everything I'd say. I wish you'd understand dear, this is what life made. A mind that always remembers, all my thoughts were laid. I do not wish to hurt you, and trust me when I say. the past is best left lying, they can not come to play. I know you want to hear it, you think you need to know. You will not go unanswered, nor would you just go. I will not cry you see dear, for to much inside me died. To much trust has gone now, to many people lied. I keep it all inside me, I distract so it goes unseen. I'll change the subject everytime, let's talk about your dream. It isn't I don't trust you, you're welcome in my home. But some thoughts are too painful, and better thought alone. Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other man pulls out his phone and calls emergency services. He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator in a calm, soothing voice replies: "Take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the hunter says, "OK, now what?" I Want To Believe.... Does Santa really Deliver the goods? 1. No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen. 2. There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each. 3. Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second For My Sexy Texan Roses Lmao :p TEXAN: "Where are you from?" HARVARD GRAD: "I come from a place where we do not end our sentences with prepositions." TEXAN: "OK - where are you from, jackass?" :p Mans Best Friend A dog went to a telegram office, took out a blank form and wrote: “Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.” The clerk examined the paper and politely told the dog: “There are only nine words here. You could send another ‘Woof’ for the same price.” The dog replied, “But that would make no sense at all.” Watons Was A Blonde :p Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." "I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" replies Watson. "And what do you deduce from that?" Watson ponders for a minute. "Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe. What does it tell you, Holmes?" Holmes is silent for a moment. "Watson, you idiot!" he says. "Someone has stolen our tent!" Thanks to all my friends for helping me hit 50... Winter Solstice Celebrations: Christmas, Saturnalia, Yule, The Long Night, Etc. Found this on another website and thought it was a bit interesting. Religious folk worldwide observe many seasonal days of celebration during the month of December. Most are religious holy days, and are linked in some way to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. On that day, due to the earth's tilt on its axis, the daytime hours are at a minimum in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a maximum. (In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice is celebrated in December, when the night time is at a minimum and the daytime is at a maximum. We will assume that the reader lives in the Northern hemisphere for the rest of this essay.) People view other religions in various ways, and thus treat the celebrations of other faiths differently: Some people value the range of December celebrations, because it is evidence of diversity of belief within our common humanity. They respect both their own religious traditions and those of other #1,Do you automaticly join any conversations on Sex ? #2,Do you turn every conversation into one about Sex ? #3,Does just talking about Sex make you warm all over? #4,Do you start each meal with a dozen oysters ? #5,Do you wear Sunglasses just so you can check out women? #6,Do you resent Male Flight Attendants or food Servers? #7,Do you get all your news from female newscasters? I myself,( yes ) for 6 out 7 . Where Are All My Ct Friends Now..this Will End On The 29th Come on in and let The wonderful contestants know how naughty or nice you think they may have been. Don't Forget the MEN First PRizes in the Naughty category will be an Offical Cherry Tap Keg...and a Trophy First PRizes in the Nice category will be A Romantic Vacation and a Trophy ok last night, i went to make a phone call,and to find out my phone had been shut off. now i pay my bill the first of the month faithfully,come to find out,some company has added services to my phone,without my permission,and it has caused my bill to get higher,i couldnt figure out,why,when i just have local service and caller id.so now my phone is shut off,my birthday is tommorow,and i only get payed 1 time a month,something always tries to pull me down,it seems..im a single parent,and i always pay my bills,i make sure of that.now i have no phone,i didnt even get a shut off notice,oh well,i cant do anything about it,i wonder if anyone else has had this problem...brenda Exercise: Create New Changes Now is the time to take your list of things that are wrong with you and turn them into positive affirmations. Or you can list all the changes you want to make and have and do. Then select three from this list and turn them into positive affirmations. Just suppose your negative list was something like this: My life is a mess. I should lose weight. Nobody loves me. I want to move. I hate my job. I should get organized. I don't do enough. I'm not good enough. You can then turn them around to something like this: I am willing to release the pattern in me that created these conditions. I am in the process of positive changes. I have a happy, slender body. I experience love wherever I go. I have the perfect living space. I now create a wonderful new job. I am now very well organized. I appreciate all that I do. I love and approve of myself. I trust the process of life to bring me my highest good. I deserve the best, and I accept it now. Out of this group Mj Myths Vs. Truth by Paul Hager Chair, ICLU Drug Task Force 1. Marijuana causes brain damage The most celebrated study that claims to show brain damage is the rhesus monkey study of Dr. Robert Heath, done in the late 1970s. This study was reviewed by a distinguished panel of scientists sponsored by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences. Their results were published under the title, Marijuana and Health in 1982. Heath's work was sharply criticized for its insufficient sample size (only four monkeys), its failure to control experimental bias, and the misidentification of normal monkey brain structure as "damaged". Actual studies of human populations of marijuana users have shown no evidence of brain damage. For example, two studies from 1977, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed no evidence of brain damage in heavy users of marijuana. That same year, the American Medical Assoc They just spammed me so I figured I would share some of the email... According to the Society of Pulling Numbers out of a Hat, 36.385% of the population breaks their New Year's resolutions within five minutes of making them. It reminds me of an anecdote sent to us by a reader, Marjorie Waters. She was having lunch with a friend, who complained, "Every year I resolve to lose weight and save money, but I always get them mixed up." Unlike Marjorie's friend, I keep all of my New Year's resolutions, every single one. How do I do it? Quite simple, really. After years of introspection and many sessions with a Magic 8-Ball, I've developed a healthy understanding of what I can and cannot do. Therefore, I keep my resolutions realistic. For example, a few years ago I resolved to gain five pounds. And I did. Last year I decided that I didn't know enough curse words. Today my vocabulary is much richer. And as for 2007? This will be the year I don't clean up my garage. season's greetings everyone!! may the holidays be safe and filled with lots of love and joy. :) may the laughter never end and the parties be filled with lots of happiness. Just 4 The Jokers Of Cherry Tap!!! A guy walks into a bar with a pet alligator by his side. He puts the alligator up on the bar. He turns to the astonished patrons. "I'll make you a deal. I will open this alligator's mouth and place my genitals inside. Then the gator will close his mouth for one minute. He will then open his mouth and I will remove my unit unscathed. In return for witnessing this spectacle, each of you will buy me a drink." The crowd murmured their approval. The man stood up on the bar, dropped his trousers, and placed his privates in the alligator's open mouth. The gator closed his mouth as the crowd gasped. After a minute, the man grabbed a beer bottle and rapped the alligator hard on the top of its head. The gator opened his mouth and the man removed his genitals unscathed as promised. The crowd cheered and the first of his free drinks was delivered. The man stood up again and made another offer. "I'll pay anyone $100 who's willing to give it a try". A hush fell over the crowd. Just Wanted to wish all My CT friends a Very Merry Christmas and Great New Year by: blingbling bunny My soul spills into bloody tears of joy, just looking upon you, your eyes so deep, our love so true, i wish i could hold your heart till the end of death and beyond, in the dark eternity mist, but forever is a long time, even then my you shall have my will in your fist, you say you will never leave, yet i still worry, that time will betray us, and this love will turn to furry, but i love every side of you, even the madness, so i will try to keep it away, and drive away the sadness, eternity is a long time away, so i will hold you now, and if forever comes, you will be there to show me how, we can overcome the "good" together as one, always apart of the wickedness, until finality is done, so as destiny unfurls, and this passion burns, you will be in me, as the dimension turns, it cannot be broken, not even by the one(s) above, it will never end, our wicked burning love. Her lies of smiles and blankets on tears Every emotion she shaddows to hides Covering her sadness and all her fears No one knows the torture she feels inside Shes losing all hope on the life she knew A life full of happiness and laughter Forgetting after all shes been through Not wanting to see what will come after She hides herself behind a fake smile Slowly shes fading away in her mind And no one noticed after a while Looking for hope she wants so much to find Her lies of smiles and blankets on tears Covering her sadness and all her fears The only place in the world where they make Dr. Pepper according to the original formula is in Dublin, Texas. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period after the Dr in Dr Pepper. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, one person is killed annually painting stripes on the state's highways and roads. Rodeo is the official state sport of Texas, though High School Football is more popular. In the mid 1980s, the employee cafeteria at Motorola in Austin had to stop serving food that contained poppy seeds because people showed false positives for opium when they were drug tested. Since then, the company reintroduced poppy seeds, and added Valium and several anti-depressants to a list of things not to bother testing for. Early Spanish missionaries in Texas hoped to encourage the spread of European values by offering flannel underwear to Native Americans. People who moved to Lockhart, Texas in the 1950s are still considered by natives of the town to be You Know Your From Southern California When You know you're from Southern California when... 1) Your monthly house payments exceed your annual income. 2) You drive next to a Rolls Royce and don't notice. 3) You don't know anyone's phone number unless you check your cell phone. 4) You speak Spanish, but you're not Mexican. 5) You begin to "lie" to your friends about how close you are when you know damn well that it'll take you at least an hour to get there (see below). 6) Getting anywhere from point A to point B, no matter what the distance, takes about "twenty minutes" 7) You drive to your neighborhood block party. 8) In the "winter", you can go to the beach and ski at Big Bear on the same day or mow your lawn in your shorts on New Years Day, and maybe sunburn. 9) You eat a different ethnic food for every meal. 10) If your destination is more than 5 minutes away on foot, you're definitely driving. 11) Calling your neighbors requires knowing their area code. 12) You know what "In-'N Our Brothers In Arms Ok,anyone that knows me knows that the only people that I am a fan of is Our Military past and present. I know that I could make"more points"for becomming fans of more people...but that is not what I am here for.Well,I have also been trying to make friends with as many of them as I can without feeling overwhelmed with to many friends that I can't show proper love to. So...I have some things that I have seen this past week that bother me and I wanted to get this off my chest. First...to many of my wonderful friends that are in Affganistan and Iraq are apoligising to us for not being able to show us proper love.THEY ARE BUSY FOLKS!!! IT IS NOT THEIR JOB TO SHOW US PROPER LOVE AND IT IS NOT THEIR JOB TO KEEP UP WITH US!! IT IS OURS!!What a wonderful priveladge we have to be in a time when they can share so much with us!I would much rather see the many pictures posted...the blogs of their thoughts... the political cartoons.They can share so much more with us as a whole than they can If you got a bucker dont ever buck around becuase that bucking mother bucker will buck you on the ground. With nice little twist, I slit my wrist... Not waiting life to kill, rather my own blood I spill... It's my own choice, I have no fears, only pain, in eyes some unshed tears... On the floor, blood making stains, slowly releasing me from my pains... Bloody stains, stains like in my soul, caused by all the pain, this life so foul... Vision finally fading away, soon it's all done, staring darkness, oh so black, soon it's all gone... Soon I'm released, free from this pain, suffering and life, it was all just in vain... Thought, funny how blood makes difference between life and death, farewell life, so painful, so useless, gonna take my last breath... It takes a minute to have a crush, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. It’s hard to find someone whom you truly love, much less to find someone who loves you as much. When the chance comes, don't ever let go Death, My Friend Death, my friend, you are always there, from you, no one flee, you are everywhere, still, I wonder, why you are never here... Death, my friend, you release others from pain, all those people, they get free, so many slain, yet, I ask, why I am still here in vain... Death, my friend, you everywhere see, from you, just redemption, can I plea, here I ask, come here, set me free... Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was choice, but falling in love with you was completely out of my control. With a few words, my heart is torn, from my pain, only sorrow is born... Finally, behind the lies, my life I can see, dreams collapsed, there is no hope for me... Words of love, tarnished - lie, all they burn, once love - now gone, forever, ashes to turn... All those lies, in front of my eye, now flashes, what once were my love, now only remain in ashes... Tainted ashes of love, only feed the seeds of lie, blown in the wind, to seek a victim, a heart to die... For the love of.... good cripes! Why does he have to come into my office and fart? It's really not funny. In the swirling mist, my path is lost, no turning back, it's the cost... To the darkness, forever I am bound, for me, final salvation is found... My darkest secret, black veil of death, in it's cold embrace, I take no breath... Final sacrifice, split blood, out, from veins just flood... Everlasting hunger, my final cross, in the misery of past, it is no loss... Last drops of life, poured from the dead, sacrifice for this night, made for the undead... Last One Standing Last One Standing Video - Emerson Drive lyricsEmerson Drive Music Video CodesMusic Video Codes by VideoCureMyspace Layouts To Everyone Who Is A Friend, Family Or Fan Of Me If ANYONE thinks that I am not who I say I am please remove yourself from my list now. If you think I am a fake then why have me on your list of friends, family or a person you are a fan of? Please go ahead and remove me now and you wont have to wonder if I am who I say I am. And that is all I have to say about that! I was walking in the hallway earlier and one of the guys noticed my shoe was untied and bent down and tied it for me. That made me all happy inside. Great guys I work with. =) Our Fallensoldier Is On His Way Home. Ok..I can cry now... Specialist Brennan Chris Gibson is on his way HOME... Little did I know that when I posted the picture in my photos of the fallen Marine...that my nephew would be coming home the same way. But there is a sense of relief in my tears right now...We can finally really "cry" instead of "handle it"...he is on his way home.... The funeral is set for Dec 27th...finally...we can get on with it. Thank you for your support here...I have a full life..and keep busy...but when I go home and am on my own it has meant alot...right now the tears are flowing...and I appreciate all that I have...and the best news since we found out that he was killed...is that he is on his way home. I want nothing more for Christmas than for everyone to go thank a soldier.... (repost of original by 'Flamewalker' on '2006-12-20 12:00:01') Ok this is Heartsound...the repost of the original that is at the end of this is who this brave soldier's aunt is.You c If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million peoplearound the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful,

This is FriedelThis is Friedel/Location/Facilities Friedel Jewish Academy is located on the community campus of Jewish Omaha. We take full advantage of the wonderful facilities and educational opportunities that the campus has to offer our students: - We celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat with residents from the Blumkin Home. - We use the gym for indoor recess during Nebraska winters. - We offer swimming one day a week as part of our physical education curriculum. - We partner with the JCC’s Child Development Center for special events. - We offer the quality after-school options provided by the JCC including childcare, dance, youth sports, swim lessons, and tae kwon do.

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Making use of the selection distance that Tinder allows, i came across customers over Israel’s Apartheid wall surface in Jerusalem (14km), Tel Aviv (45km), Amman in Jordan (75km), together with southern area of Lebanon (140km). Looking around nearer to house, Tinder given an embarrassing note that for those who stay inside their West financial metropolises, unlawful and often dangerous Israeli settlers become everywhere. I became horrified and yet intrigued when I swiped my personal method through hundreds of profiles to see Israeli guy after Israeli guy, as close as 2 kilometres away, inside Palestine. As an anthropologist analyzing everyday activity, day-to-day behavior, and just how group utilize and understood the ethnically segregated room around all of them, I happened to be addicted. While there have been considerable debate of exactly how we need social media within anthropological groups, during my article on the books i discovered that little attention might paid to Tinder as an instrument, whether utilized privately or expertly. Tinder and close location-based apps allow us to find out how people prove to lesbian dating sites in France the world while having isolated exposure to otherwise inaccessible populations. Obviously, this type of accessibility in an enchanting and/or sexual context furthermore raises some essential honest and methodological inquiries. How do we utilize common social media marketing systems for analysis uses? Can we distinguish between working with them both individually and professionally? What are the moral effects of using something such as Tinder as an investigation device? In the event that you stay inside Palestinian metropolitan areas and you have no individual connections with Israelis, the spatiality of job tends to be challenging understand. There is absolutely no longer a location known as Palestine which inhabited only by Palestinians. There are not too many maps illustrating the demographic malfunctions with the Occupied West Bank, and additionally latest types due to the fact unlawful Israeli agreements continue steadily to expand. ‘place A’1 is limited towards greatest towns, shrinking and frequently violated. The rooms between and encroaching into these cities (‘Area C’, about 60% on the western Bank) have become inhabited by approximately 600,000 Jewish settlers, such as the ultra-Zionist, the ultra-orthodox, and increasingly the right-wing doing work sessions, all interested in the settlements’ federal government subsidisation of construction (for Jewish residents best). The populations were mixed, although not blending, and education about each side is harmful and/or non-existent. Some provided Facebook or any other social networking passion plus some peace-building initiatives deliver someone into call just who might possibly not have started normally, but Tinder teaches you from the confidentiality of your property precisely which consumers are about your (once again, filtered through personalised alternatives of gender, a long time, and range). For folks who did not become adults here, watching the settlements appear and develop, it’s very tough to consider in the area never being the way in which these days it is, nor the degree of settler appeal. Tinder aided in my understanding of precisely how intrusive and near Israeli presence has arrived to at least one of this finally strongholds of Palestinian area because creation of the Israeli condition in 1948. ‘It’s easy to find people to speak with but it’s difficult to find people to get in touch with.’ The nationalism I realized on Tinder was actually somehow both worrying and interesting. The majority of Israeli boys I watched have one image of them posing happily making use of their weapons in army uniform, photographs using their 3 years of mandatory nationwide service. Israeli users also frequently put nationalist memes instead of a personal photograph or had the Israeli flag washed over their particular image. I discovered much more Israelis than Palestinians1, and people Palestinian male customers typically desired to utilize nationalist or passionate memes and quotes, or files of males with keffiiyehs over their unique confronts organizing rocks the archetypal graphics of this Palestinian resistance star. Apparently these photo furthermore are designed to offer anonymity; Tinder necessitates their consumers to create photos to their profile, although it does maybe not discriminate on the material associated with picture. Inventory files, humor, and memes are also frequently regularly keep consumer confidentiality. In both traditional Jewish and Muslim cultures, Tinder creates a context in which young men and females is alone along, going against personal meeting. Therefore the users may prefer to hold by themselves private while searching other consumers.

$6 million investment anchors robotics evolution of Jewish Hospital Building on UofL Health’s surgical expertise, recent investments in robotics at Jewish Hospital will increase the region’s access to minimally invasive procedures and quicker recovery. Totaling more than $6 million, the new technology includes the da Vinci Xi surgical system, the most advanced da Vinci available, the Monarch Platform, and upgrades to three surgery rooms into state-of-the art cardiac catheterization labs. “Robotic assisted surgery enhances the skills of our already well-established team and means better outcomes for our patients,” said John Walsh, chief administrative officer, UofL Health – Jewish Hospital. “Innovation is a cornerstone for UofL Health, and while a $6 million investment is significant, it is minimal compared to the impact we will have on quality of life.” The da Vinci Xi brings with it a first for the region, adding a less invasive heart surgery options for the region’s cardiac patients. As an alternative to open heart surgery, coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair and more will now only require two small incisions and the assist of robotic controls. By eliminating the need for splitting the breastbone and spreading the ribcage, recovery time is greatly reduced. “For my patients, this means improved results with less complications,” said Hazaim Alwair, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon with UofL Physicians. “da Vinci’s robotic precision gives me more control and more access to the heart, so I can repair the heart damage with minimal incisions. That means they get out of the hospital and back to life quicker.” In addition to cardiothoracic procedures, the da Vinci Xi surgical robot will also be used for: general surgery, urologic, head and neck, colorectal procedures. Jewish Hospital is now the first in Kentucky to offer the Monarch Platform, a robotic technology used to view deep inside the lungs and obtain tissue samples for biopsy to provide an earlier and more-accurate diagnosis of small and hard-to-reach nodules in the periphery of the lung. Previously these areas of the lungs were only accessible using more invasive methods. Using an endoscopic camera, the Monarch also gives the physician improved reach, control and high-resolution images to build 3-D models of the patient’s own lung anatomy to improve the procedure and treatment plan. “The Monarch technology gives me greater access to obtain a tissue biopsy from nodules located anywhere in the lungs,” said Victor van Berkel, M.D., Ph.D., cardiothoracic surgeon with UofL Physicians. “With robotic assistance, we are now able to examine areas previously deemed unreachable by conventional methods. It’s a more accurate diagnostic tool and provides my patients more targeted treatments with less risk of infection, less post-operative pain and quicker recovery.” To accommodate the new technology and growing surgical volumes, major upgrades are also underway to the operating rooms at Jewish Hospital. Three cardiac catheterization labs (cath labs) are undergoing million dollar upgrades to install state of the art technology and better serve our patients. Each suite will soon utilize the Innova IGS 5 advanced digital X-ray imaging system from GE Healthcare. The IGS 5 generates extremely detailed, real-time images of patient’s cardiac anatomy during procedures that require exacting precision such as guiding catheters and stents. When renovations are complete, Jewish Hospital will have five cath labs and three electrophysiology procedure labs, making it the largest invasive cardiology department in the region. The da Vinci Xi, Monarch Platform and Cath lab upgrades will complement the robotic technology already in place at Jewish Hospital, including the Mako Robotic-Arm to support orthopedic procedures. UofL Health recently added an additional Mako Robotic-Arm unit, for a total of two now in operation. In 2020, UofL Health physicians celebrated their 1,000th joint replacement surgery assisted with Mako.

After revealing the “obviously racist” and anti-Semitic social media user who created the video of President Donald Trump body slamming CNN, the reporter has been flooded with death threats. Jared Yates Sexton, who teaches writing at Georgia Southern University, reported Sunday that Trump shared a meme that was created by Reddit user who goes by “HanAssholeSolo.” This person has often used his account to post racist and threatening comments, including one where he identified Jewish employees at CNN earlier this month. Since revealing the meme’s creator, Sexton said on Monday that he has received a number of threats, many of them with Nazi themes. “Now articles are showing up on Neo-Nazi websites, there are videos spliced with Goebbels telling me not to test his patience,” Sexton tweeted. “That one also has footage from Natural Born Killers of a journalist being executed by shotgun. On forums, under my tweets, there’s a list of excerpts from newspaper articles about journalists being slaughter, the details gory.” CNN guest Ana Navarro warned that the president’s tweets will eventually incite violence and that is was only a matter of time. “This is just going way too far,” the conservative commentator said. “The president of the United States is inciting violence against the free press. In America, we cannot stand for it.” “This environment is the creation of the man in the White House,” Sexton said. “There are valid criticisms of the media, many on point, this isn’t that. When you start calling a group of people enemies of the country, this is what happens. When you call them scum, this happens.” “Everyone keeps bringing up the shooting in Virginia,” Sexton said. “In a way, they’re right. That’s what happens in this environment. This shouldn’t be a country where these violent instincts are cultivated and encouraged. We’re at a real tipping point right now.”

The rule of the mob (Or the mob that was used as a screen by organized terror groups) in Libya and Yemen has been all over the news, so I will avoid treating this subject other than to say that Hillary Clinton made sure that she condemned the Mohammed film that may or may not have been the trigger. Clinton has been involved with Muslim groups who seek to pressure the US into adopting hate speech legislation for some time now. As noted in yesterday's post, the Muslim world has every intention of bringing the US into the "can't say bad (Almost always true) things about Mohammed or Islam" orbit to which much of Western Europe has already acquiesced. [9/15/12 - I forgot to tip my hat to Gates of Vienna. It was from there that I picked up the Daily Mail article] In the top-linked post, UK politicain Daniel Hannan, who several months back sternly warned the US that we are fast approaching the moribund state of Socialism that has gripped Western Europe for a long time. He cites the recent gloating among Leftists at the prospect of a passing of an old and sick Margaret Thatcher. This Prime Minister took over the UK at a time when the heavily subsidized industries of her nation were about to collapse. Her reforms are compared by some to those of Ronald Reagan, her American counterpart and friend. Both are excoriated by the left today - Reagan mostly through - word of mouth among Leftists in the US, and Thacher not only through the same venue but by the school system. In the case of Thatcher, they just can't wait for the Iron Lady to die. I hold that Western Civilization will eventually triumph despite the intensive and relentless efforts of the Left. If I am proven to be correct, Thatcher's name will live on as an example of imperishable fame (I think that the Greek is Chlaos). Those who join in on the demagoguery-driven mob of Leftism will be remembered as nothing more than how we think of the gullible and easily-bribed and persuaded Roman and Athenian mobs and even those who were incited by their superiors to howl for the execution of a First Century Jewish teacher. The Left suffers from a terrible and permanent state of envy. Their polices have been utter failures in every nation in which they were implemented. This has not stopped them from continuing to advocate for their preferred system. What is even more disturbing, the hatred that they feel for those who, more than opposing them, prove them wrong by their success. Neither Thacther's nor Reagan's name cannot be uttered by them without a tone that conveys the act of spitting the word. I am reminded of the hatred that the late Christopher Hitchens professed to have for Mother Theresa. He made his hatred for her work very clear and did not shrink from using that actual word when her spoke of her. He would lambaste her for the decisions that she made to use the funds that were given to her organization. Like some Hindu radicals, many who like Hitchens were content leaving the destitute as they were, would resort instead to attacking Mother Theresa for building new convents to house the swarms of nuns who joined her order to help the poor. It meant nothing to those who would sit on their hands while people starved - they just wanted to find fault with someone who helped those that they would not. The same mindset applies to the Left - they would rather have industrial workers content for today - this while the very levels of wages and benefits they (Labor) now command will essentially guarantee that their children will not have a job. The rest of the world will understandably undercut the West on labor costs. The Left has convinced too many workers that they are in it for them, while at the same time they ensure that Western industry will dance on the brink of collapse. Envy is more than just jealousy, it can also mean the pure anger and hatred for someone who has accomplished something that you, those you support, or your favorite system never could. Pride is often a basic component of this mindset. If you have spent years advocating a non-workable system, and someone else proves that it can be done better as long as your plans are ditched, one's hubris or superbia can easily persuade you to ignore the facts and feel hatred for those who are successful. It is a perfect storm of narcissists who also have an inferiority complex. Conservative commentator Sean Hannity is very much a regular guy. He is a straight-shooter, has worked hard all of his life, and to my knowledge has never hurt a single soul, yet I have met many a Liberal who will readily state "I hate Sean Hannity". My response is that the hatred is simply a response to the fact that Sean is correct. It is not Sean that they hate, it is the awareness that their system does not succeed as well as his that eats away at them. Refusing to come to grips with this, they resort to hate. When you read the excerpts below or the full post linked at the top, try to imagine how much hate these people would actually feel if only they sit down and compare Thatcher's system versus that of Labor's (The British Left). I hold that they would feel no hate at all and that what they now affect to be their target of hatred is just a scapegoat for their inner indictment of their own beliefs. Bolding is added. "On sale at the TUC Conference, before a storm of protest forced their withdrawal, were T-shirts glorying in the eventual death of Margaret Thatcher. Lady Thatcher is a frail and elderly grandmother. Yes, she was a strong-willed, divisive politician — and thank heaven she was. A more conciliatory figure would almost certainly not have made the changes necessary to rescue Britain from the mess we were in by the late Seventies. But what does it say about someone’s mindset that they slide so easily from disagreeing with Lady Thatcher’s politics to gloating over the idea of her death? It’s not just one T-shirt seller at the TUC. You get the same sentiment on Twitter, internet comment threads, even on BBC comedy programmes. To a generation too young to remember the Thatcher governments — let alone the calamity that had preceded them — she is less a living, breathing woman than a symbol of evil, somewhere between Lady Macbeth and Cruella de Vil. So hostile to Thatcherism is the cultural climate, so preponderant the Billy Elliot view of the time (with the musical’s line ‘Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher/We all celebrate today/Cos it’s one day closer to your death’), that young people must wonder how the lady won a single vote, let alone three general elections. When I speak to sixth-formers [I assume that these are sixth-graders in the US, which means that twelve year-olds are being indoctrinated to despise those who do the the right thing] in my constituency — teenagers born long after she had left office — they often tell me, with breezy certainty, that the Eighties were years of unmitigated greed punctuated only by corruption. When I ask them how, then, they explain the results of the ballot box that saw Thatcher re-elected twice, they look uncomfortable and declare there must have been lots of nasty people in Britain. I am just old enough to remember the end of the Seventies: power cuts, three-day weeks, constant strikes, price and income controls, inflation. Worst of all, I remember the sense of despair, the conviction that Britain was finished. I don’t believe you can grasp Margaret Thatcher’s achievement without the context of what she displaced. Throughout the Sixties and Seventies, this country had been outperformed by every European economy. ‘Britain is a tragedy — it has sunk to borrowing, begging, stealing until North Sea oil comes in,’ said Henry Kissinger. *

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You can change the conversation. Chip in to rabble's donation drive today! The blogosphere has been abuzz over the Super Bowl that took place last weekend between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. Yet, none of it has been about how the Seahawks crushed the favoured Broncos 43-8, or that the Red Hot Chili Peppers faked their half-time show, not even bothering to plug in their guitars. Rather the controversy is swirling around an innocuous looking gadget that produces fizzy drinks, SodaStream, and its Global Brand Ambassador actress Scarlett Johansson. So, what do Stephen Harper and Scarlett Johansson have in common? Well let's see. SodaStream is an Israeli company and one of its largest manufacturing plants is located in an illegal settlement, Ma'ale Adumim, a sprawling Jewish community in the occupied Palestinian territories. And herein lies the problem. Johansson became SodaStream's first Global Brand Ambassador last month and at the time, she was also a Global Ambassador for Oxfam, an international non-profit organization that works to alleviate suffering in war-torn and impoverished countries. At the news of Johansson joining forces with SodaStream, Oxfam released a statement declaring that while they respect the independence of its ambassadors, they are "opposed to all trade from Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law." In response, Johansson refused to end her association with SodaStream, stating that she "never intended on being the face of any social or political movement, distinction, separation or stance." In fact, the high-profile actress has seemingly become the unintentional face of the Boycott Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement, which hopes to isolate Israel internationally through the withdrawal of cultural and commercial support to the country. Not only has her controversial collaboration raised public awareness about the growing international campaign, but posters and petitions have begun popping up with Johansson on the front urging people not to support products that are complicit with human rights abuses against Palestinians. However, SodaStream claims that it pays their Palestinian employees the same wage as its Israeli workers, that workers make $1,200 monthly -- two to three times the common wages -- and that the company is doing good for the Palestinian economy. Similarly, they refuse to acknowledge that their factory is operating on contested land and as such, is contributing to the ongoing occupation. As Oxfam made clear in its statement, "businesses, such as SodaStream, that operate in settlements further the ongoing poverty and denial of rights of the Palestinian communities." Okay, so that's ScarJo, now what about Harper? Well, when Multiculturalism Minister, Jason Kenney tweeted a photo of his just purchased SodaStream with the now infamous message, "thanks to @Oxfam for the tip. #Buycott #BDSfail #GoScarJo" it was obvious and not surprising which side of the BDS debate he fell, especially given the recent "over-the-top" government mission to Israel by Harper. The Israel visit was excessive even by the government's standards, and most notable was Harper's fawning support for the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netayanu. Yet the Conservatives' staunch defense of Israel "because it is the right thing to do" flies in the face of its official line that all Israeli settlements within the Palestinian territory are illegal. But despite the jockeying for the re-election 'million dollar photo' and the excesses of the mission -- or perhaps because of them -- there was a palpable shift in the tone of commentary and analysis of the trip, particularly among those who unwaveringly support the Conservative's policies on the Middle East. Most noted that even for a clear-cut foreign policy position such as Harper's that it veered to the extreme in its pro-Israeli sentiments. This criticism even came from those Jewish people who usually support Israel. As one commentator put it, the Prime Minister "is more Zionist than Theodore Herzl," the father of Zionism. As a result, the government's mission seems to have had the opposite effect than the one intended. So what do ScarJo and Harper have in common? Here it is: Supporters of BDS have been helped by Johansson's relationship with SodaStream. It raised the profile of the movement and it has galvanized the campaign against SodaStream. Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), a national human rights group which advocates against the policies of Israel in the occupied territories, sent out an e-petition urging pickets against stores that carry the product, including Target, Canada Tire, Sears, The Bay, Staples and Walmart. This week SodaStreams's share prices have dropped to a 14-month low on the New York stock exchange. Not only did Harper's trip gall his traditional supporters, but it also galvanized those who oppose his Middle East policies. IJV reported an upswing in traffic to their website as well as in donations. At the very least, the Harper's trip broke open an important debate and has opened up the gates for people, particularly Jewish people, who may have previously felt uncomfortable publicly expressing doubt at Israeli policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians. So, it may be a surprising link, but there it is. For those who support an end to Israel's control of the Palestinian territories, maybe we should be thanking both of them for putting the issue front and centre in the news. Like this article? Chip in to keep stories like these coming! Corey Levine is a writer, commentator and human rights, consultant who lives in Victoria, B.C. and she is member of IJV and sits on the national steering committee. Photo: flickr/Elvert Barnes Thank you for reading this story… More people are reading rabble.ca than ever and unlike many news organizations, we have never put up a paywall – at rabble we’ve always believed in making our reporting and analysis free to all, while striving to make it sustainable as well. Media isn’t free to produce. rabble’s total budget is likely less than what big corporate media spend on photocopying (we kid you not!) and we do not have any major foundation, sponsor or angel investor. Our main supporters are people and organizations -- like you. This is why we need your help. You are what keep us sustainable. rabble.ca has staked its existence on you. We live or die on community support -- your support! We get hundreds of thousands of visitors and we believe in them. We believe in you. We believe people will put in what they can for the greater good. We call that sustainable. So what is the easy answer for us? Depend on a community of visitors who care passionately about media that amplifies the voices of people struggling for change and justice. It really is that simple. When the people who visit rabble care enough to contribute a bit then it works for everyone. And so we’re asking you if you could make a donation, right now, to help us carry forward on our mission. Make a donation today.

Modern-Day Miracles, Tongue-Speaking, and Holy Spirit Baptism: A Refutation [EDITOR’S NOTE: The printed version of this article in this month’s issue of Reason & Revelation is the abbreviated form of a much more comprehensive study of this topic. To view the unedited version, click here.] Numerous religious groups commonly claim the assistance of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Famed religious television personalities boldly announce the active influence of the Holy Spirit even as they speak. Supposedly, the Holy Spirit talks to them personally, heals viewers instantaneously, and enables them to babble uncontrollably in an “unknown tongue.” All of this, then, is claimed to be “proof positive” of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Do miracles still happen? Can people speak in tongues today? Does God, in the twenty-first century, supernaturally countermand the laws of nature and heal people miraculously? “Come now, and let us reason together,” Isaiah said (1:18). It is absolutely imperative that we examine Scripture—not our feelings, not what someone else says happened to them, and not our own experience. The only sure and certain approach is to ask: What does the Bible teach? The reader must ask: “Do I honestly believe the Bible to be the Word of God?” One must be honest, and willing to go where the evidence takes him. If you had to choose between what you genuinely think you have experienced or seen firsthand, and what the Bible actually says, which would you choose? You must ask yourself: “Will I honestly accept God’s written Word on the matter of miracles?” If you will, I invite you to join me in an examination of what the Bible teaches pertaining to miracles. THE DEFINITION OF MIRACLES First of all, what exactly is a “miracle”? How does the Bible use the word? The three central terms used in the Bible to designate a supernatural (as contrasted with a natural) manifestation are: (1) “miracle” (dunamis); (2) “sign” (semeion); and (3) “wonder” (teras). All three terms occur together in Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:4, and 2 Corinthians 12:12. Related terms include “work” (ergon) and “mighty deed” (kratos). The occurrence of a miracle in the Bible meant that God worked outside the laws of nature. W.E. Vine, whose Greek scholarship, according to F.F. Bruce, was “wide, accurate and up-to-date” (Vine, 1952, Foreword), stated that the word “miracle” (dunamis) is used in the New Testament of “works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means” (1952, p. 75, emp. added). Otfried Hofius noted that a “sign” (semeion) “contradicts the natural course of things” (1976, 2:626, emp. added) and, similarly, “wonder” (teras) was used to refer to events that “contradict the ordered unity of nature” (2:633, emp. added). Thus, a miracle in the Bible was not just an event that was astonishing, incredible, extraordinary, or unusual (e.g., the birth of a baby or the narrow avoidance of an accident). A miracle in the Bible was a supernatural act. It was an event that was contrary to the usual course of nature (Arndt and Gingrich, 1957, p. 755). The miraculous must not to be confused with the providential, where God operates in harmony with the usual course of nature. THE DESIGN OF MIRACLES Second, it is absolutely imperative that one recognizes the purpose of the miraculous. Miracles in the New Testament served the singular function of confirmation. When an inspired speaker stepped forward to declare God’s Word, God validated or endorsed the speaker’s remarks by empowering the speaker to perform a miracle. Many New Testament passages articulate this fact quite plainly. For example, the apostles “went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed” (Mark 16:20, emp. added). The writer of Hebrews asked: [H]ow shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:3-4, emp. added). Referring to the initial offering of the Gospel to the Samaritan people, Luke stated: “[A]nd the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did” (Acts 8:6, emp. added). These passages, and many others (e.g., Acts 4:29-30; 13:12; 14:3; 15:12; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; cf. Exodus 4:30), show that the purpose of miracles was to authenticate the oral/spoken word as God’s Word. Miracles legitimized and verified the teachings of God’s messengers, as over against the many false teachers (like Simon in Acts 8:9, or Pharaoh’s magicians in Exodus 7:11) who attempted to mislead the people. Greek lexicographer Joseph Thayer noted that “sign” (semeion) was used in the New Testament “of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God’s” (1901, p. 573). Even the miracles that Jesus performed were designed to back up His claim (i.e., spoken words) to be deity (John 3:2; 14:10-11)—a pattern that is repeated in the New Testament many times over (e.g., John 2:23; 5:36; 6:14; 7:31; 10:37-38,41-42; 20:30-31; Acts 2:22). In other words, Jesus performed signs and miracles to prove His divine identity and thereby authenticate His message. His message, in turn, generated faith in those who chose to believe His teachings (cf. Romans 10:17). Here is the consistent sequence presented in Scripture: Signs → Word → Faith. (1) Signs confirmed the Word; (2) the Word was presented to hearers; and (3) faith was created (by the Word) in those who received it. An excellent demonstration of this process was provided by Luke in his report of the conversion of the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus. Elymas the sorcerer tried to thwart Paul’s effort to teach Sergius the Gospel. So Paul performed a miracle and struck Elymas blind. Luke next recorded: “Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord” (Acts 13:12, emp. added). One might well expect the text to have said that Sergius was astonished at the miracle that Paul performed. But Luke was careful to report the situation with precision. The miracle that Paul performed captured Sergius’ attention, causing him to recognize the divine origin of Paul’s Gospel message. The Gospel message, in turn, generated faith in the proconsul—in harmony with Paul’s later affirmation to Christians in Rome that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Over and over again in the New Testament, a close correlation is seen between the performance of miracles and the preaching of the Word of God (cf. Mark 6:12-13; Luke 9:2,6). But some maintain that there are other reasons for instances of divine healing and tongue-speaking. Tongue-speaking is said to be a sign that the tongue-speaker is super-spiritual. Others say that miraculous healing serves the purpose of making the believer well—a simple act of mercy to relieve his pain and suffering. They say God does not want us to suffer, and so He will heal us just to ease our pain in this life because we are His children. Regarding the first claim, Paul insisted that the person who possessed the ability to speak in tongues was not spiritually superior to the one who had no such ability (1 Corinthians 14:6,9,12,19). Tongue-speaking was simply one miraculous capability among many bestowed by God without regard to a member’s spiritual status, let alone his spiritual superiority over another member (1 Corinthians 12:7-11,28-30). Regarding the second claim, certainly, the compassion of God was evident when people received miraculous healing in New Testament times. And, surely, relief from suffering would have been a side effect of being healed. But the Bible teaches that relieving suffering was not the purpose of miracles. Such a purpose would contradict—even thwart—the divine intent of this created Earth as a place where hardship exists to prepare us for eternity (see Warren, 1972). Death and sin entered the world due to human choice. God allows the circumstances caused by human decisions to take their course. He does not interfere with the natural order of things to show partiality to some over others. The Christian is subject to the same diseases, tragedies, and physical death that befall non-Christians: “...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19). Christians can expect all sorts of hardship and suffering (e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-17). Commenting on the purpose of miracles, J.W. McGarvey wrote: [T]o say that they were wrought for the single purpose of showing divine compassion toward the sick, and those oppressed by the devil, would be to ignore a purpose which is easily discerned, which is openly avowed by Christ himself, and which is of much greater importance (1910, p. 354). That purpose was “to support his proclamation...a necessary proof of the claim of Jesus” (pp. 355-356). If God’s intention was to exempt individual Christians from sickness and disease, He certainly has fallen down on the job, since the vast majority of Christians throughout the last 2,000 years have experienced the exact same afflictions suffered by unbelievers. If miracles in the first century had as their object the improvement of the health of the recipient, then Jesus and the apostles were dismal failures, because they left untouched a lot of sick folk! Jesus healed a minority of the sick people of Palestine, and healed none outside of that tiny geographical region (an exception being the Canaanite woman’s daughter). In fact, one would be forced to conclude that God’s compassion did not extend to everybody. But the Bible affirms that God loves the entire world of humanity (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Hence, miracles did not have as their central purpose to show God’s compassion, nor to ease pain and suffering. McGarvey noted: [U]nlike these modern advocates of “divine healing,” the apostles were never known to go about exhorting people to come forward for the healing of the body. They effected miraculous cures in a few instances, “as a sign to the unbelievers,” but they never proclaimed, either to saints or sinners, that the healing of all diseases was a part of the gospel which they were sent to preach. These so-called faith-cure churches, therefore, and the preachers who officiate in them as “divine healers,” or what not, are not modeled after the apostolic type, but are misleading the people by humbuggery (p. 351). The usual rebuttal to these observations is that the reason some people do not receive a miracle is because “they do not have sufficient faith.” But this objection is likewise unscriptural. It is true that some individuals in the New Testament were commended for the faith that they possessed prior to being the recipient of a miracle (e.g., Mark 5:34). It does not automatically follow, however, that faith was a necessary prerequisite to miraculous reception. Many people were not required to have faith. For example, all individuals who were raised from the dead obviously were not in a position to “have faith” (e.g., John 11:44). Nor did those possessed by demons, since they were not in their right mind (e.g., Luke 9:42; 11:14). The man who was blind from birth actually showed uncertainty regarding the identity of Jesus (John 9:11-12,17,25,35-36). The man who was healed by Jesus as he laid beside a pool of water, in fact, did not even know who healed him (John 5:13). On one occasion, Jesus healed a paralytic after observing, not his faith, but the faith of his companions (Mark 2:5). Additional texts indicate that many who received the benefits of miracles were not required to have faith (Luke 13:12; 14:4; Acts 3:1-10). The opposite was true as well. There were individuals who possessed faith, and yet were not healed of their ailments. Timothy was a faithful and effective servant of the Lord. He had “frequent illnesses” and stomach trouble of such severity as to warrant Paul referring to it by inspiration. But rather than simply healing him, or telling him to “pray for healing,” Paul told him to use “a little wine” as a tonic (1 Timothy 5:23). Actually, John settled this question for the unbiased inquirer when he wrote that “many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31, emp. added). John said that belief occurs after the miracle—not before, in order to receive a miracle! The New Testament teaches the very opposite of those who claim that miracles occur today. They say a person must have faith before he or she can receive a miracle. The New Testament teaches that miracles were performed to authenticate the divine origin of the speaker’s message and/or identity. The message, in turn, generated faith in the hearer (cf. Romans 10:17). Hence, miracles preceded faith. THE DURATION OF MIRACLES These observations bring us to a third extremely critical realization: once God revealed the entirety of the information that He wished to make available to mankind (later contained in what we call the New Testament), the need for miraculous confirmation of the oral Word came to an end. Now, people can sit down with a New Testament and, with honest and diligent study, conclude that it is God’s Word. Since the purpose of miracles has once and forever been achieved, the miracles, themselves, have ceased. I repeat: the Bible teaches that miracles are no longer necessary. Spiritual maturity is now within the grasp of every single individual who chooses to access the means to maturity—the written Word of God. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul argued that love is a more excellent attribute than miraculous gifts. After all, miraculous gifts (i.e., prophecy, tongue-speaking, supernatural knowledge, etc.) were going to fail, vanish, cease, and be done away (13:8). These gifts are identified in the text with the expression “in part” (13:9-10). The “in part,” or miraculous, would cease when the “perfect” had come. But to what does the “perfect” refer? The Greek word translated “perfect” is teleios. The term does not refer to “perfect” in the sense typically understood by the modern English reader, i.e., to be sinless. Following this faulty notion, some have concluded that the “perfect” refers to Jesus—since He has been the only perfect person. Other interpretations apply “perfect” to heaven (the only perfect place), or Christian maturity and perfect love (the perfect condition or quality). But, in context, Paul was not contrasting qualities or places. He was contrasting quantities, i.e., those things that were incomplete and partial (miraculous gifts) with that which would be total and complete (the fully revealed Word of God). The inaccuracy of these interpretations is seen further in the Greek definition of teleios. The word refers to totality, that which is whole, brought to its end, finished, and lacking nothing necessary to completeness (Delling, 1972, 8:73; Arndt and Gingrich, 1957, p. 816; Thayer, 1901, p. 618). Used in its neuter form, Paul was referring to a thing—not a person—something that, when completed or finished, would replace the incomplete or partial, i.e., the miraculous gifts—which had only temporary significance. Commenting on the abolition of the miraculous gifts of prophecy and supernatural knowledge (mentioned in vss. 8 and 9), W.R. Nicoll correctly observed that “these charisms are partial in scope, and therefore temporary: the fragmentary gives place to the complete” (1900, 2:900, emp. added). Kenneth Wuest agreed: “In I Corinthians 13:10, the word means ‘complete,’ and is contrasted to that which is incomplete” (1943, pp. 117-118). The exegete is forced to conclude that Paul’s use of “perfect” referred to the completed revelation or totally revealed New Testament Scriptures. The revelation of God’s will was completed in its entirety when the final book of the New Testament, Revelation, was written by John prior to A.D. 100. Paul offered a useful illustration to clarify his point. When the church possessed only small bits and pieces of God’s will, as revealed through scattered miraculous gifts and the gradual production, between approximately A.D. 57 and A.D. 95, of the written documents from the inspired writers of the New Testament, it could not achieve full spiritual maturity. It therefore was like a child (13:11). It lacked the necessary elements to reach spiritual adulthood. However, when the totality of God’s will, which became the New Testament, had been revealed, the church then had the means available to become “a man” (13:11). Once the church had access to all of God’s written Word, the means by which the Word was given (i.e., miraculous gifts) would be obsolete, useless, and therefore “put away” (13:11). Notice that Paul likened miracles to “childish things” (13:11). In other words, miracles were the spiritual equivalents of pacifiers that were necessary while the church was in a state of infancy. Since we now have access to “all truth” (John 16:13), the use of tongue-speaking and other miraculous enhancements in the church today would be comparable to an adult man or woman who continued to use a pacifier! Paul then explained his point by comparing the initial necessity of miracles to reveal and confirm God’s Word, with the idea of looking through a clouded mirror (see Workman, 1983, p. 8). Once the entire contents of the New Testament had been revealed, the miraculous gifts no longer would be necessary. Having all of God’s revealed Word would enable one to be face to face with that Word, rather than “looking through a clouded mirror,” i.e., having partial access. Paul wrote (13:11): Now I know in part [i.e., my knowledge of God’s revelation is incomplete and partial due to limited access via the miraculous element—DM], but then [i.e., when all of God’s Word is finally revealed—DM] shall I know fully, even as also I was fully known [i.e., I shall be made to know or taught thoroughly (which is the figure of speech known as heterosis of the verb in which the intransitive is put for the transitive—see Bullinger, 1898, p. 512)—DM]. Paul made the same point to the Ephesians. Miracles—the “gifts” given by Christ (Ephesians 4:8)—were to last “till the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13, emp. added). Two significant observations emerge from this latter verse. First, the word translated “till” (Middle English for “until”) is mechri, and was used as a conjunction to indicate the terminus ad quem [finishing point] of the miraculous offices (mentioned in vs. 11) bestowed as gifts by Christ. [For treatments of the use of mechri in this verse, see Thayer, 1977, p. 408; Arndt and Gingrich, 1957, p. 517; Moulton and Milligan, 1982, p. 407; Blass, et al., 1961, pp. 193-194; Robertson, 1934, pp. 974-975; Dana and Mantey, 1927, p. 281; see also the use of the term in Mark 13:30 and Galatians 4:19]. Nicoll observed: The statement of the great object of Christ’s gifts and the provision made by Him for its fulfillment is now followed by a statement of the time this provision and the consequent service are to last (1900, 3:332, emp. in orig.). Paul was “[s]pecifying the time up to which this ministry and impartation of gifts are to last” (Vincent, 1890, p. 390, emp. added). Second, the phrase “the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God” often is misunderstood to refer to the eventual unifying of all believers in Christ. But this conclusion cannot be correct. Both Scripture and common sense dispel such a notion. Complete unity within Christendom will never occur. Those who profess affiliation with Christianity are in a hopeless state of disunity. Catholicism and Protestant denominationalism are fractured into a plethora of factions and splinter groups—literally thousands of divisions and disagreements. Nor will unity ever be achieved even within churches of Christ. Even first-century congregations did not attain complete internal unity. In contrast with this interpretation, notice the use of the articles in the phrases: “the faith” and “the knowledge.” Contextually, Paul was referring to the system of faith alluded to so often in the New Testament. Jude urged his readers to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). Paul referred to himself when he quoted others as saying, “He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc” (Galatians 1:23). Luke reported that “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Elymas the sorcerer sought to “turn aside the proconsul from the faith” (Acts 13:8). The early disciples were exhorted to “continue in the faith” (Acts 14:22). As a result of Paul’s repeat visits to Lycaonia, “the churches were strengthened in the faith” (Acts 16:5). So “the faith” and “the knowledge” refer to the completed body of information that constitutes the Christian religion. Indeed, eight verses earlier (Ephesians 4:5), Paul already had referred to “the faith” as the summation and totality of Christian doctrine—now situated in the repository of the New Testament. An honest exegete is driven to conclude that once the precepts of New Testament Christianity had been revealed on Earth, the miraculous element no longer was necessary. Miracles lasted until “the faith” was completely revealed. They had served their purpose, in the same way that scaffolding is useful while a building is under construction. However, once construction is complete, the scaffolding is removed and discarded as unnecessary and superfluous paraphernalia. THE DISPLAY AND DISPOSITION OF MIRACLES Fourth, the actual exercise of miraculous gifts by Christians is addressed in 1 Corinthians 14. In this context, Paul used the term “gifts” (charismata, from charisma) in a technical sense (like pneumatika) to refer to miraculous abilities, designated by Thayer “extraordinary powers...by the Holy Spirit” (1901, p. 667, emp. added; cf. Arndt and Gingrich, 1957, p. 887). Hans Conzelmann stated that the term indicated that “[t]he operations are supernatural” and of “supernatural potency” (1974, 9:405, emp. added). [The word is so used in the Pauline corpus in ten of its sixteen occurrences (Romans 1:11; 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 12:4,9,28,30-31; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). The only other occurrence of the word in the New Testament was Peter’s comparable use, i.e., to refer to supernatural ability (1 Peter 4:10)—see Moulton, et al., 1978, p. 1005]. Several relevant points occur in regard to the gift of tongue-speaking that help one to understand both the temporary nature of miracles, as well as their irrelevance to a contemporary pursuit and practice of New Testament Christianity. First, the term “unknown” (in regard to tongues) is italicized in the KJV because it does not appear in the original Greek text (14:2,4,13-14,19,27). By inserting this word into their translation, the translators were attempting to aid the English reader. They undoubtedly were hoping to convey the idea that the languages to which Paul referred were unknown to the speaker, i.e., the speaker had no prior training by which to learn or know the language. He spoke the language strictly by God’s miraculous empowerment. “Unknown” certainly was not intended to convey the thought that the tongues were unknown to all humans and, as such, were non-earthly languages. Second, the events reported at the very beginning of the Christian religion (Acts 2) set the precedent for understanding that tongue-speaking entailed no more than the ability to speak a foreign human language (which the speaker had not studied) to people from a variety of geographical locales (e.g., Parthians, Medes, Arabians—Acts 2:9-11). The unbiased Bible student must conclude that what is described in some detail in Acts 2 is the same phenomenon alluded to in 1 Corinthians 14. All tongue-speaking in the Bible consisted of known human languages (ideally, known to the very audience being addressed) that were unknown (i.e., unstudied, unlearned) by the one who was speaking the language. Third, there is simply no such thing as an “ecstatic utterance” in the New Testament. The tongue-speaking of 1 Corinthians 14 entailed human language—not incoherent gibberish. A simple reading of the chapter demonstrates that known human languages are under consideration. For example, Paul paralleled tongue-speaking with the use of the trumpet in warfare. If a bugler sounded meaningless noise, the military would be thrown into confusion. It was imperative for the bugler to blow the proper notes and tones, i.e., meaningful musical “language,” so that the army would understand clearly what was being communicated (whether to charge, engage, or retreat). “Sound without sense” fails to achieve the very purpose of tongue-speaking. Paul stated: So likewise ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without signification. If then I know not the meaning of the language, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me (1 Corinthians 14:9-11, emp. added). Obviously, Paul was referring to human languages—those that exist “in the world.” He envisioned a scenario where two individuals, who spoke different languages, are attempting to communicate with each other. If one speaks in Spanish and the other in German, as they attempt to speak to one another, each would be a “foreigner” to the other. Neither would be able to understand what the other was attempting to say. Hence the need for tongue-speaking, i.e., the ability to speak human language unknown to the speaker but known to the recipient. Again, an examination of 1 Corinthians 14 yields the result that no contextual justification exists for drawing the conclusion that the Bible refers to, let alone endorses, the notion of “ecstatic” speech. Fourth, Paul clearly stated that tongue-speaking was a sign to unbelievers—not to believers (14:22). Tongue-speaking was to be done in their presence, to convince them of the truth being spoken, i.e., to confirm the Word. The tongue-speaking being practiced today is done in the presence of those who already believe that tongue-speaking is occurring and, when an unbeliever, who is skeptical of the genuineness of the activity, makes an appearance in such an assembly, the claim often is made that tongue-speaking cannot occur because of the presence of unbelief. Once again, the New Testament teaches the very opposite of those who claim the ability to speak in tongues today. Fifth, the recipient of a miraculous gift in the New Testament could control himself (14:32). He was not overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit so that he began to babble or flail about. Tongue-speaking today is frequently practiced in a setting where the individuals who claim to be exercising the gift are speaking uncontrollably at the very time that others are either doing the same thing or engaging in some other activity. This overlapping activity is in direct violation of three of Paul’s commands: (1) that each individual take their turn one at a time; (2) that no more than three tongue-speakers speak per service; and (3) that tongue-speakers remain silent if no interpreter is present (14:27-28). The claim by many today to be able to speak in tongues is simply out of harmony with New Testament teaching. Anyone can babble, make up sounds, and claim that he or she is speaking in tongues. But such conduct is no sign today. It is precisely the same phenomenon that various pagan religions have practiced throughout the centuries. During New Testament times, however, no one questioned the authenticity of tongue-speaking. Why? The speaker was speaking a known human language that could be understood by those present who knew that language and knew that the speaker did not know that language beforehand. As McGarvey observed about Acts 2: Not only did the apostles speak in foreign languages that were understood by the hearers, some understanding one and some another, but the fact that this was done by Galileans, who knew only their mother tongue, was the one significant fact that gave to Peter’s speech which followed all of its power over the multitude (1910, p. 318). If and when self-proclaimed tongue-speakers today demonstrate that genuine New Testament gift, their message could be accepted as being from God. But no one today has demonstrated that genuine New Testament gift. Holy Spirit Baptism Where, then, does the baptism of the Holy Spirit fit into this discussion? Today’s alleged practitioners typically associate the expression “Holy Spirit baptism” with the phenomenon that enables the believer to speak in tongues, heal someone, or work other miracles. In other words, Holy Spirit baptism is simply a generic reference to miraculous empowerment. Anyone who can speak in a tongue or perform any other miraculous action is said to have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. He is said to be “Spirit filled.” However, it might surprise the reader to learn that the Bible alludes to Holy Spirit baptism in a very narrow, specialized, even technical sense. Just because a person could speak in tongues or work miracles did not necessarily mean he had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. The very first allusion to Holy Spirit baptism in the New Testament is John’s statement: “I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me...will baptize you in the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 3:11, emp. added). From this statement alone, one might assume that Christians in general would be baptized in the Holy Spirit. But this assumption would be a premature conclusion. John was not addressing a Christian audience. He was speaking to Jews. Nothing in the context allows the reader to distinguish John’s intended recipients of the promise of Holy Spirit baptism—whether all humans, all Jews, all Christians, or merely some of those in one or more of these categories. The specific recipients of this promise are clarified in later passages. Just before His ascension, Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they were “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). In John chapters 14-16, He made several specific promises to the apostles concerning the coming of the Spirit—the “Comforter/Helper” (parakletos)—upon them, to empower them to do the peculiar work of an apostle (i.e., to recall the words Jesus had spoken to them, to speak and write by inspiration, and to launch the Christian religion). If these verses apply to all Christians, then all Christians ought to have been personally guided “into all truth” (John 16:13), and thus would have absolutely no need of written Scripture (John 14:26). However, in context, these verses clearly refer to the apostolic office. Jesus further clarified the application of Holy Spirit baptism when He told the apostles that the earlier statement made in Luke 24:49 applied to them, and, in fact, would come to pass “not many days hence” (Acts 1:4-5). Jesus also stated that the “power” that they would receive would be from the Holy Spirit, which would enable them to witness to the world what they had experienced by being with Christ (Acts 1:8). Notice carefully that on this occasion, Jesus made an explicit reference to the very statement that John had uttered previously in Matthew 3: “For John indeed baptized with water; but ye [apostles—DM] shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence” (Acts 1:5, emp. added). Jesus explicitly stated that the Holy Spirit baptism He would administer (in keeping with John’s prediction) would occur within a few days, and would be confined to the apostles. All one need do is turn the page to see the promise of Holy Spirit baptism achieve climactic fulfillment in Acts 2 as the Spirit was poured out only upon the apostles. The antecedent of “they” in Acts 2:4 is “the apostles” in Acts 1:26. The apostles were the ones who spoke in tongues and taught the people. They were the recipients of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as is evident from the following contextual indicators: (1) “are not all these that speak Galileans?” (2:7); (2) “Peter, standing up with the eleven” (2:14); (3) “they...said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles” (2:37); (4) Peter quoted Joel 2:28-32, and applied it to that occasion as proof that the apostles were not intoxicated; and (5) the text even states explicitly that the signs and wonders were “done through the apostles” (2:43). This pattern continues in the book of Acts: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people” (5:12); “the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (14:3); “what signs and wonders God had wrought...through them” (15:12). The next direct reference to Holy Spirit baptism consisted of Peter describing the experience of the Gentiles in Acts 10. Referring to their empowerment to speak in tongues, Peter explicitly identified it as being comparable to the experience of the apostles in Acts 2. Note his explanation: And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us [apostles—DM] at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us [apostles—DM]... (Acts 11:15-17, emp. added). Peter unmistakably linked the baptism of the Holy Spirit predicted by John in Matthew 3:11, and applied by Jesus to the apostles in Acts 1:5, with the unique and exclusive bestowal of the same on the first Gentile candidates of salvation. If the baptism of the Holy Spirit had occurred between Acts 2 and Acts 10, why did Peter compare the Gentiles’ experience with the experience of the apostles—rather than comparing it with many other Christians who allegedly would have received it at some point during the intervening years? The answer lies in the fact that the baptism of the Holy Spirit did not occur during those intervening years. Baptism of the Holy Spirit was a unique and infrequent occurrence that came directly from Deity. This understanding harmonizes with additional facts. The great prophecy of the Old Testament, which made special reference to the coming New Testament era as the dispensation of the Spirit, incorporated a most noteworthy expression. God had declared: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28, emp. added). Peter repeated it on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17). “All flesh” was a technical expression used by the Jewish writers of the Bible, who frequently divided humanity into only two racial groupings, i.e., Jew and non-Jew (Gentile). The reader is urged to study carefully Isaiah 40:5 (cf. Luke 3:6) and Isaiah 66:23 as well as Paul’s use of “we” vs. “they” and “both,” “all,” “none,” and “no flesh” (Romans 3:9-20). “No flesh” and “all flesh” were technical allusions to the two categories of human flesh, i.e., Jew and non-Jew. Observe, then, that the very first recipients of Holy Spirit baptism were the Jewish apostles on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The second recipients of Holy Spirit baptism were Gentiles who were members of the household of Cornelius (Acts 10). The occurrence of that event convinced Jewish Christians that Gentiles were fit prospects for the reception of the Gospel, and thus were valid candidates for entrance into the kingdom (Acts 10:34-35,45; 11:18). Thus, Joel’s remark, that God would pour out His Spirit on “all flesh,” applied to the outpouring on Jews in Acts 2 and Gentiles in Acts 10. The only other conceivable occurrence of Holy Spirit baptism would have been Paul, who would have received direct miraculous ability from God as well. His reception obviously was unique because (1) he was not an apostle when the Twelve received the Spirit, and (2) he was “one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8). Holy Spirit baptism, then, filled two unique and exclusive purposes: (1) to prepare the apostles for their apostolic (not Christian) roles, and (2) to provide divine demonstration that Gentiles could become Christians. Laying on of Hands If Acts 2 and 10 are the only instances of Holy Spirit baptism in the New Testament, how, then, do we account for the fact that numerous others in the New Testament performed miracles or were able to speak in tongues? If they, too, were not recipients of Holy Spirit baptism, how did they receive the ability to do what they did? The New Testament dictates only one other way that one could obtain a miraculous capability: through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. Only the apostles possessed the ability to transfer miraculous capabilities to others—a phenomenon that was described succinctly by Luke: Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said unto him, “Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter” (Acts 8:17-21, emp. added). This description establishes two important facts: (1) only the apostles were able to impart to others the ability to perform miracles; and (2) those other than the apostles who could perform miracles received their ability indirectly through the apostles—not directly from God via Holy Spirit baptism. This fascinating feature of the miraculous in the first century makes it possible to understand how other individuals received their supernatural powers. For example, Philip possessed the ability to perform miracles (Acts 8:6,13). Since he was not an apostle, and since he did not receive direct ability from God via baptism of the Holy Spirit, where, then, did he derive his ability? Philip previously had received the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 6:5-6). Likewise, the first Christians in Ephesus were enabled to speak in tongues—when the apostle Paul laid his hands on them (Acts 19:6). Even Timothy received his gift from the laying on of Paul’s hands (2 Timothy 1:6). Some have challenged the exclusivity of the role of the apostles in their unique ability to impart the miraculous element by drawing attention to the admonition given by Paul to Timothy: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Timothy 4:14, emp. added). How does one explain the fact that Paul stated that Timothy’s gift had come through the presbytery (i.e., the eldership) as well? Once again, the grammar of the text provides the definitive answer. In 2 Timothy 1:6, where Paul claimed sole credit for imparting the gift to Timothy, he employed the Greek preposition dia with the genitive, which means “through” or “by means of ” (Machen, 1923, p. 41; Dana and Mantey, 1927, p. 101). However, in 1 Timothy 4:14, where Paul included the eldership in the action of impartation, he employed a completely different Greek preposition—meta. The root meaning of meta is “in the midst of ” (Dana and Mantey, p. 107). It refers to the attendant circumstances of an event that takes place—the accompanying phenomena (Arndt and Gingrich, 1957, pp. 510-511). It means “in association with” or “accompanied by” (Moule, 1959, p. 61; Thayer, 1901, p. 404; cf. Robertson, 1934, p. 611). In other words, Paul—as an apostle—imparted the miraculous gift to Timothy. It came from God through Paul. However, on that occasion, the local eldership of the church was present and participated with Paul in the event, lending their simultaneous support and accompanying commendation. After examining the grammatical data on the matter, Nicoll concluded: “[I]t was the imposition of hands by St. Paul that was the instrument used by God in the communication of the charisma to Timothy” (1900, 4:127; cf. Jamieson, et al., n.d., 2:414; Williams 1960, p. 956). Consequently, 1 Timothy 4:14 offers no proof that miraculous capability could be received through other means in addition to apostolic imposition of hands and/or the two clear instances of Holy Spirit baptism. In light of the biblical data set forth in this study, certain conclusions become quite evident. Since there are no apostles living today, and since Holy Spirit baptism was unique to the apostles (Acts 2) and the first Gentile converts (Acts 10), there is no Holy Spirit baptism today, there is no miraculous healing today, and there can be no tongue-speaking. The miraculous element in the Christian religion was terminated by God near the close of the first century. Once the last apostle died, the means by which miraculous capabilities were made available was dissolved. With the completion of God’s revelation to humanity (now available in the Bible), people living today have all that is needed to be complete and to enjoy the fullness of Christian existence (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). The alleged miracles and tongue-speaking of today simply do not measure up to the Bible’s description of the miraculous. They are unverifiable, ambiguous, and counterfeit. Today’s “divine healing” consists of vague, unseen, non-quantifiable aches and pains like arthritis, headaches, and the like. In the New Testament, however, people were raised from the dead—even days after death (e.g., John 11:17). Severed body parts were restored instantaneously (e.g., Luke 22:50-51). People who had been born blind had their sight restored (e.g., John 9:1). Those lame from birth were empowered to walk (Acts 3:2). First-century miracles were not limited only to certain ailments and psychosomatic illnesses that could be cured through natural means, or by “mental adjustments” on the part of the infirm. Jesus healed “all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matthew 4:23, emp. added). No disease or sickness was exempt in the New Testament (cf. Acts 28:8-9). Where are these types of occurrences today? When has anyone restored a severed limb lost in an accident? When has a self-proclaimed “faith-healer” raised anyone from the dead? Where are the miracle workers who are healing the blind, the crippled, and those whose infirmities have been documented as having existed for many years (John 5:3,5)? Where are the televangelists who will go into children’s hospitals and rectify birth defects, cancer, and childhood diseases? Where are the modern-day miracle workers who have ingested poison or been bitten by a venomous snake—yet remained unharmed (Mark 16:18; Acts 28:3-5)? An honest searcher for the truth is inevitably forced to conclude that the miraculous age has passed. Human beings always are looking for something new, exciting, and flashy. They want something that makes them feel religious and secure—without having to face up to personal responsibilities. Hence, there will always be those who will simply disengage their minds, their spiritual sense, and their intention to assess “the words of truth and reason” (Acts 26:25). Genuine Christianity today consists of simply taking the written Word of God, and studying it carefully in order to learn what God expects of us—no brass band, no circus theatrics, no flash of light, no dream or vision, no sudden rush attributable to the Holy Spirit. There simply are no short cuts to spirituality. The miraculous is no answer. [NOTE: To listen to an audio sermon on this topic, click here.] Arndt, William and F.W. Gingrich (1957), A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press). Blass, F., A. Debrunner, and Robert Funk (1961), A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press). Bullinger, E.W. (1898), Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1968 reprint). Conzelmann, Hans (1974), “charismata,” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. G. Kittel and G. Friedrich (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans). Dana, H.E. and Julius Mantey (1927), A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (Toronto, Canada: Macmillan). Delling, Gerhard (1972), Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Friedrich (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans). Hofius, Otfried (1976), “Miracle,” The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, ed. Colin Brown (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan). Jamieson, R., A.R. Fausset, and D. Brown (no date), A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan). Machen, J. Gresham (1923), New Testament Greek for Beginners (Toronto, Canada: Macmillan). McGarvey, J.W. (1910), Biblical Criticism (Cincinnati, OH: Standard). Moule, C.F.D. (1959), An Idiom-Book of New Testament Greek (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1977 reprint). Moulton, W.F., A.S. Geden, and H.K. Moulton (1978), A Concordance to the Greek Testament (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark), fifth edition. Moulton, James and George Milligan (1982 reprint), Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament Illustrated from the Papyri and Other Non-literary Sources (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans). Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed. (1900), The Expositor’s Greek Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdms). Robertson, A.T. (1934), A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press). Thayer, J.H. (1901), Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1977 reprint). Vincent, M.R. (1890), Word Studies in the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1946 reprint). Vine, W.E. (1952), An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan, NJ: Revell). Warren, Thomas B. (1972), Have Atheists Proved There Is No God (Jonesboro, AR: National Christian Press). Williams, George (1960), The Student’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel), sixth edition. Workman, Gary (1983), “That Which Is Perfect,” The Restorer, 3:6-9, September. Wuest, Kenneth (1943), Treasures from the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans). [EDITOR’S NOTE: The printed version of this article in this month’s issue of Reason & Revelation is the abbreviated form of a much more comprehensive study of this topic. To view the unedited version, click here.]

April-May 2017. Others’ tweets are in italics. A Fascist is anyone with the wrong shoes. Imagine calling yourself grand dragon, cyclops, wizard &c straight from the books of the kiddies’ room. What would people think of you? KKK’s Emperor W.J. Simmons on the Jew (1923): “His people is the chosen of Almighty God.” Kool Kwality Klothes at Harry Karp’s; Kohn’s Korrect Klothes (advertisement posters, The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews vol. 2, NOI Research Department, 2010, p. 418) The Birth of a Movement: How Birth of a Nation Ignited the Battle for Civil Rights, by Dick Lehr (United Black Books) “The greatest of the Hollywood movie studios, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), was started by Jewish mogul Louis B. Mayer with the profits he earned from distributing the film.” (The Secret Relationship vol.2, p. 414) [I also comment on The Secret Relationship vol. 1, 1st ed., 7th printing, pp. 203-4. Slavery among ancient Hebrews was not always as lenient as stated by the Jewish scholars quoted, for instance 1 Kings 4:6 “Adoniram son of Abda—in charge of forced labor” was Solomon’s overseer of the hosts of slaves who built the Temple of Jerusalem, quite Pharaoh-like. (One of the scholars quoted is a Dr Feingold claiming that Biblical slavery ‘’was of a precapitalist variety and had virtually no commerce connected with it. Unlike the situation in the plantation South, it did not shape the pastoral economy of ancient Israel which in any case found little use for masses of slaves.’’ So much for the little use.) Intriguingly, on p. 220, one reads that white abolitionist senator Benjamin F. Wade called Jewish Confederate Judah Phillip Benjamin ‘’an Israelite with the principles of an Egyptian,’’ thus overlooking himself the Pharaoh-like slavery in vigor under Solomon for the latter’s monumental, pyramide-like projects. It is a little disappointing that people –Puritans– who seem to have read but one book do not even know it so well.] AJUpFront talks to a former Trump campaigner about why the majority of evangelical Christians voted for Trump. (Al Jazeera English) Because they think he’s a Jew. If you’re a woman on birth control, stop taking them. Embrace femininity and reject feminism. Have beautiful children and find true love. (David Duke) Okay, Doc, now please give us your advice on how to find true love–like in the columns of women’s magazines. Students are led to believe there are no jobs with a liberal arts education and that employment is the sole purpose of education. (Historian Andy Hernandez) There are no jobs for liberal arts degrees as “culture is the occupation of the leisure class.” (Economist Tibor Scitovsky, in The Joyless Economy) While I take your point, there are a growing number of employers wanting adaptability and critical thinking–hallmarks of the liberal arts. Employers were already saying that in the 1950s: cf The Organization Man, by William H. Whyte. Besides people take liberal arts degrees because they hate the idea of working for business. Thrilled to be invited to give keynote talk on “Constrained Virtual Reality” at #Vision17. (Richard Dawkins) If you were cool, you would announce at Vision17 that you’re on Twitter, not on Twitter that you’re going to Vision17. There will never be the least fraction of 1.96M people [the number of Dawkins’s followers on Twitter] at Vision17, whatever that be. Read Does Altruism Exist? (2015) by David Sloan Wilson if only to understand Ayn Rand’s both success and intellectual mediocrity. Was Darwin an altruist (High-PRO), or would have mankind lost big if Darwin had spent his time helping others in his neighborhood? Was deaf loner Beethoven prosocial? Will the global village, i.e. the end of all subgroups, be the end of between-group competition–and altruism? You [D.S. Wilson] have made an eloquent demonstration that altruism is the tool of supremacy–if there are to be several groups. You and I are no different. As a biologist you’ve studied worms, as an historian I’ve done the same. If I’m a slave with no prospects of mating, shall I sacrifice my life for a chimp knowing he’ll reproduce and possesses 98.5% of my genes? [To Richard Dawkins] The Red Queen “There is nothing inevitable about human nature.” (The Red Queen, by Matt Ridley) A fact often stressed by evolutionists and never accounted for by them. Is there anything inevitable about chimpanzee nature? As, at the same time, evolutionists call such isolating of humans from other animals ‘’hubristic,’’ they deprecate themselves (as evolutionists). Environment pressures allow win-win situations but the Red Queen [sexual selection seen as an ‘’arms race’’] discards them. Your optimism does not seem rational, in fact. [Matt Ridley calls himself a ‘’rational optimist,’’ which is the title of one of his books, The Rational Optimist.] The figures that you showcase [in The Evolution of Everything], global wealth, life expectancy, etc, are fundamentally immaterial… because of the Red Queen. It’s fascinating that my hair receding is a good argument against my facts. (Matt Ridley, in reply to being called a ‘’balding old Lord.’’) You could also try to be above quoting the silly and to reply to reasoned objections. [Earlier, in February, I had quoted Ridley’s book The Evolution of Everything (2015); the quotes are in order here now: “The police have come to resemble an occupying army who see the citizenry as the enemy.” (p. 241) Yet our times have their Robin Hoods: “One of the reasons of the recent decline of violence in the U.S. may be that gangs have managed to impose slightly more order on the drug trade.” (p.238) & P. 199: Mendel’s laws “ought to have killed eugenics stone dead. Particulate inheritance and recessive genes made the idea of preventing the deterioration of the human race by selective breeding greatly more difficult and impractical.” ‘Tis strange, therefore, that selective breeding gives results with animals at all. Your views on eugenics are based on an ‘’exogenous’’ moral viewpoint, of which I suggest you try to account for ‘’endogenously’’ in a next book. In other, more direct words: try again. To the first sentence Matt Ridley replied: No. Domestic animals have shorter life cycles and start with smaller populations. I carefully did not say “impossible”. Beyond the number of people sterilized, there exist no assessments of the eugenic policies that were conducted, of their effects on the populations. Taboo. You endorse the taboo with all your heart, like a salvation-army major parading as a scientist. (He did not say ‘’impossible,’’ as he stresses it, yet it is the impossibility, not the difficulty of a thing that kills that thing ‘’stone dead.’’ Rereading the sentence, ‘’greatly more difficult’’ seems to hint at something stated before, and in the light of his reply it would make sense that it means that eugenics is greatly more difficult than animal breeding; thus Ridley would in fact have prevented my remark, had I read more carefully, but then I have perused the whole passage again and found no object of comparison whatever.)] Could Bolivia become the ‘Saudi Arabia of lithium’? (Al Jazeera English) Bolivia was the Saudi Arabia of silver in colonial times, and then the Saudi Arabia of tin, but the country has remained poor. Dear journalists worldwide, I wish to create a “Change for the Sake of Change Award” to help you sell paper. Help me help you. Rape in India Explain to me why mass media only report rapes when they happen in India. Interestingly in India there are 1.8 rapes per one lakh population. USA 23.3 per lakh. European countries on an average 24 per lakh. Yes, that makes this media practice even more questionable. Perhaps it means rape is so rare in India that India is the only country where rapes make news… But these stats are from women who actually report rape, Asian countries are lower because the women are afraid to actually report it? We could also imagine it’s because Asian women are consenting more… [Not to exclude first off, unless with good reasons.] The reason why people in the U.S. smile more than people in other countries. (The Science of Us: link) Because Americans are closer than others to chimps, for which smiling is a threat and, as Capitalists, Americans like to threat one another all the time. Some psychologists now argue it’s irresponsible to suggest a link between violent video games and mass shootings. (The Science of Us) It’s always irresponsible to fingerpoint a lucrative business, we all know that, don’t we? Media violence and gore exposure shifts the acting-out borderline toward the middle of the psychoticism bell curve (Eysenck). For all others, it turns them into… cowards (Kenrick & Griskevicius). [I don’t even know why I defend these views publicly since I still watch horror movies in my fourties and I consider horror movies to be art for art’s sake…] Are the US and France fighting the ‘War on Terror’ in Africa, or simply competing for natural resources? (Al Jazeera English) The answer is different for each. 1/US wants the resources. 2/France has no clue whatever. Buddhists are atheists and clerical, just as Puritans are theists and anticlerical. One can be fleeced [by a religious organization] and still get more net money than others. Devout Freemasons will tell you, if you can have them speak. The best way to silence a chicken: talk about freemasons. Hush hush… Unite against secret societies! #RiyadhSummit May 2017 “Freemasonry is illegal in all Arab countries except Lebanon and Morocco” (Wkpd) Freemasonry historically has been banned in authoritarian governments. @KsigMason Secret societies have no place in transparent societies. What, a university in Tasmania?! There are universities in every backwater hole and I couldn’t get a single chair! Reading this article [by Matt Ridley–again] about obesity on The Times online, you may find it interspersed with juicy ads for junk food–depending on your cookies. About 200 mothers breastfeed their babies at Beach Park in Fuzhou, Fujian province on Saturday to advocate the importance of breastfeeding. (People’s Daily, China) Read Dr Robin Baker about the constitution and health losses that a bottlefed baby incurs (compared to a breastfed one), and curse the West. [See here] Uncle Fatty, Thailand, has been placed on forced diet by Thai authorities. (Via People’s Daily, China) [Not a joke: breaking news] What Was That Glowing Orb Trump Touched in Saudi Arabia? (SMHub News) As the Kaaba’s Black Stone comes from outer space, perhaps the Saudis salvaged more parts from the spacecraft, like that eerie orb… Pre-programmed likes and retweets, pre-defined welcome messages: Amazing the amount of interactions I’ve got with actual machines on Twitter! Not to mention the machines that offer to tweet garbage, usually shallow quotes, for you! Among other things, AI means millions of tweets that are bot-generated, and millions of users accepting that bots tweet in their name. [They must be millions, as one provider of such services boasts over a million customers.] How to program your tweeting AI bot to send your prayers to future terror attack victims. Follow to know more. Saudis take to social media to thank King Salman for successfully hosting two big summits. #RiyadhSummit (Saudi Gazette) How to program your tweeting bot to send your deepest appreciations to King Salman for Riyadh Summit and future events. Follow to know more. 10,000 prayers a day by our AI Internet bot for your departed beloved–one month: $10, two months: $18. Feel free to ask our brochure. Already one bot liked this tweet! How do you know you’re not dealing with an AI tweeting bot? Answer: The guy sounds so weird… It is good form to overlook that your interlocutor is an AI bot. The fascinating world of Twitter Turing Test LIVE! Make no mistake, already people are learning the practice and art of tweeting from AI tweeting bots. Sometimes you think you’re being harassed by an otaku pervert and it’s an upbeat AI tweeting bot… Already people are imitating AI bots on Twitter. They think like bots already! The pronoun for a man-of-war is she. Unless it’s a Portuguese man-of-war, in which case the pronoun is it. The 7 Most Awkward Moments From Trump’s Israel Trip. My favorite moment is when Trump said nothing about moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Lazy politicians must stop telling people to work. For previous entries in the series, see Index. May 24, 2017 How To Make Successful Children Without Parenting: A Practical Guide 1/ Cuckold rich men so you children will benefit from the men’s wealth. Cuckolding poor devils is not as advantageous and should only be done for the fun (too much of that, though, can damage your reputation of seriousness). 2/ Impregnate daughters of wealthy liberals, who will not disown them when you send them back alone and pregnant (with or without your compliments), so your children will benefit from the parents’ wealth. 3/ Impregnate – and leave at once – career women (organization women), if you can bear the tediousness of courting them in the first place. 4/ Donate regularly to sperm banks attended by wealthy people. In this manner you will write an evolutionary success story without incurring the costs of parenting, which are as follows: i/ Parenting is an expense of time and resources. ii/ Parenting decreases testosterone levels. “Testosterone levels go down when a person gets married, and they decrease even further after the birth of a child.” (Kenrick & Griskevicius, The Rational Animal, 2013). You need your testosterone for every situation in life except parenting. iii/ Parenting leads to cowardice and conformism. In part this is due to the decrease in testosterone levels (ii), but it also exposes you to permanent blackmail regarding your children’s interests. iv/ Parenting in the nuclear family freezes men into routine – cattlelike routine, as the German philosopher would say: “The reason why the habits of another man elicit our loathing is that the animal transpires too much in a person led instinctively by the rule of habituation as if by another (non human) nature and who thus runs the risk to fall in one and the same class with cattle.”* (Kant, Anthropologie, I, 1, § 12, my translation) v/ Parenting, via the institution of matrimony, is aimed at the enslavement of men. As implied in xxxii (here), marriage in the past was tacitly understood as the contract by which a man was free to force copulation on a woman in order not to be stuck in the infertile phase of her cycles – being stressed that the Ogino-Knaus method of natural contraception, endorsed by the Catholic church as an alternative to mechanical or chemical contraceptives, cannot work: “the human menstrual cycle is nowhere near as predictable as many people think” (Baker, SW 112). The legal invention of spousal rape has suppressed – or is at the very least deterring – the possibility of forcing copulation on one’s wife thanks to which the man would make his best to insure he raises children of his own. Moreover, a woman’s infidelity is not always recognized as a breach of contract incurring the sanction of the law: “a divorced man is, in many jurisdictions, required to continue making child-support payments, even if DNA tests establish that he is not the biological father of a child born during his marriage.” (Kenrick & Griskevicius 2013) Given these, one wonders whether Kenrick & Griskevicius here quoted were right to name their book “the rational animal.” Men who marry are dupes and suckers. vi/ Parenting is largely detrimental to paternity. We have already seen that women who stray are more likely to conceive with their lovers than with their long-term partners. Another factor to take into account is the woman’s immune system: “Conceivably, antibodies produced by married women may be specific to husbands’ sperm. This raises the discomfiting possibility (for married men) that the gametes of facultative mates may enjoy a competitive advantage over those of husbands’ handicapped by wives’ immune systems. Significantly, ‘condom therapy,’ [for the treatment of infertility] that shields wives from exposure to husbands’ sperm for a period of several months, apparently halts production of antibodies and causes reduced female titers of sperm agglutinating and immobilizing factors (Kay 1977).” (R. L. Smith, in Sperm Competition in Humans, 2006, ed. Shackelford & Pound). The figures of children raised by a man different from their biological father (without the latter being conscious of it) have been already given: between 10 and 15 per cent in industrial societies. There may be a problem with the figures because other sources state that, in societies where promiscuity is high (extramarital sex is common), such as the !Kung of Botswana or the Yanomami of the Amazon, the figures, according to the same researchers who stress the promiscuity prevalent in these societies, are 8-9% (R. L. Smith, SCH 80). If 8-9% is a valid figure in promiscuous contexts, how should we interpret a 10-15% figure? An appraisal of the opportunities of female polyandry in our societies appears useful. David Buss considers that these opportunities have increased from man’s environment of evolutionary adaptedness (EEA) up to the present day, with respect to 1/ housing and 2/ woman’s independence. 1/ With respect to housing: “We inhabit a social landscape that is forever changed from the Stone Age world in which our sexual psychology evolved [the EEA]. The anonymity of large city living creates more opportunities to carry out affairs undiscovered, compared with the small group living arrangements of our prehistoric ancestors in which it was hard to conceal a sneeze, much less a torrid affair.” (D. Buss, The Dangerous Passion, 2000). The passage’s scope is more general than just housing, but “the small group living arrangements” alluded to refer to living in caves or on small tracts of land, perhaps with enclosure. As far as I’m concerned, I hear my neighbors sneeze through the walls, and this has been the case in all the apartments I have been living in after I left my parents’ house twenty years ago. Furthermore, the flat above my head is rented to occasional tourists and I am aware, as they have no clue or do not care, when the people getting in are having a “torrid affair,” like in a hotel room. Long-term neighbors are compelled to discretion (no screaming, no moaning) in order to avoid drawing their neighbor’s, just the same as their children’s attention (and their neighbors’ children’s), and I believe the situation is the same for virtually all flats older than fifteen years in this town (Paris). (Perhaps not including apartments permanently exposed to strong traffic noise.) This empirical and limited evidence is confirmed by the study on American suburbia by William H. Whyte in his deservedly famous Organization Man (1956): “Personal morals? The court is the greatest invention since the chastity belt.” The reason for this lies in thin walls common to row houses (semi-detached). Such arrangements are very cavelike: people hear each other sneeze all the time. The question then turns out to be: Is Dr Buss pulling our leg? Among ancient Greeks, a common wall for two houses was a forbidden arrangement. Overcrowded compounds developed among the Romans to lodge an ever-increasing, permanently unemployed urban proletariat, while the patricians maintained the Greek tradition of isolated manors in the country (the villas). The present-day megalopolis is a further development of proletarian compounds, and cavelike. 2/ Whatever the housing, sexual intercourse still can take place unnoticed, due to either stealth or secluded and/or impersonal settings. Contemporary women’s independence may well offer numerous opportunities in this respect, especially the fact that they have entered the workplace (when the economy had already ceased to create jobs): “In the modern sexually integrated workplace, men and women who share similar interests work side by side for eight or more hours each day. Repeated workplace flirtations flower into perilous passions.” (Buss 2000). Another consequence of women working is the drastic decline of breast-feeding. An argument of opponents to breast-feeding is precisely that it’s incompatible with the pursuing of careers by women. When a woman returns to work after a pregnancy, she cannot breastfeed her baby while she’s at work. Although overlooking this reason behind the widespread opposition to it, in his book Baby Wars Dr Baker makes a strong case for breast-feeding, given its many advantages: “Studies that have divided breast-fed babies into categories based on length of breast-feeding have found that those breast-fed the longest did best in terms of avoiding diseases such as gastrointestinal illness, upper respiratory illness, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and heart disease. Also, the babies nursed the longest scored the highest in IQ tests.” (BW 90) & “One benefit of breast-feeding … is its influence on a woman’s ability to regain her pre-pregnancy weight, shape and attractiveness. Even more seriously, breast-feeding influences a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer.” (BW 98). Seduction or Hysteria? The present section is an annex to the appraisal of infidelity opportunities. Its title consists of two archaisms. The first (seduction) was sometimes used in the sense of rape, especially in the legal jargon. The second (hysteria) refers to a discarded pathology. A not so remote affair, in France (the 2004-05 Outreau trial), involved several children accusing a number of adults of repeated pedophilic acts (a pedophile ring); after a first judgment convicting several adults, the public learnt that the children had lied. A similar topic was already hot in the nineteenth century, as the sex war raged in tribunals by proxy of rapist males and blackmailing or fantasizing females. It was claimed that manipulation by adults, hysteria, as well as personal interest and spite, would provide the ground for frequent false accusations by children and women against innocent men. In England, Dr Lawson Tait was commissioned to produce a report on false accusations of rape (published in 1893). His conclusions were that women had a powerful weapon at their disposal and so were to be expected to use it: “Matters are such … that however men may laugh at it and make jokes, they do not willingly travel with single unknown female companions in railway carriages. They know very well that for a man to have the finger of a woman pointed at him with a charge of a sexual offence is to secure that man’s extinction, no matter what the verdict of a jury may be.” (Quoted in The Legal Subjection of Men, 1896, by Ernest Belfort Bax, who adds: “A woman can accuse a man of sexual irregularities with absolute impunity. But it is not to be supposed that he is to have a like privilege. A special statute (Slander of Women Act) passed a few years ago, makes such slander of a woman actionable.”) This report, and the book which quotes it, by a Socialist essayist** who also authored a manifesto jointly with William Morris, may be a case of male chauvinism at its worst, covering the acts of rapists – or it may not. What the society thinks of herself (let us give it the feminine gender) and of the practices in her bosom, the way she apprehends and analyses them, retroacts on her. When she publicizes the idea that women have an interest in making false accusations, she incites men to commit rapes because the probability to escape condemnation increases (juries and judges are “primed”). On the other hand, when she publicizes the idea that man is a sexual predator, she incites women to make false accusations (e.g. as blackmail). When one priming is stronger than the other, the opposite tendency takes advantage. When one tendency is stronger than the other (men are more predators than women are blackmailers or vice-versa) and at the same time the society is convinced that the other tendency is stronger and must be thwarted, or even the society remains neutral, then the stronger tendency maintains its position to the detriment of victims, because juries and judges are rarely above holistic perceptions of the society on herself, even in the presence of evidence. In his time, the revolution in Sigmund Freud’s thinking, abandoning his “seduction theory” for the view that hysterical and neurotic women’s memories of seduction from childhood are fantasies (and symptoms), may have been influenced by this debate and by the extant documentation on false accusations of seduction (including by hysterics, as reported by French Dr Brouardel: cf. E. B. Bax). Evolutionary biology has explained the function of the different parts of woman’s anatomy and why men are attracted toward some traits rather than others: These traits are markers for fertility and good child-rearing. For instance, “Whereas the babies of other primates can cling to their mother’s body hair as they travel, human babies and infants tend to perch on their mother’s hip, supported by a restraining arm. Hips are perches. This is why the ideal female shape … gives a waist considerably small than the hips and why males have been programmed to find such a shape attractive.” (Baker, BW 101). And female breasts are made of soft tissue because they serve as airbags (BW). Hips are perches and steatopygia, a characteristic of (among others) prehistoric Venus figurines, is a driver’s stand (see picture below). *“Die Ursache der Erregung des Ekels, den die Angewohnheit eines andern in uns erregt, ist, weil das Tier hier gar zu sehr aus dem Menschen hervorspringt, das instinktmäßig nach der Regel der Angewöhnung gleich als eine andere (nichtmenschliche) Natur geleitet wird und so Gefahr läuft, mit dem Vieh in eine und dieselbe Klasse zu geraten.” **No less than George Bernard Shaw recommended the man to me: “I hardly noticed Schopenhauer’s disparagements of women when they came under my notice later on, so thoroughly had Bax familiarized me with the homoist attitude, and forced me to recognize the extent to which public opinion, and consequently legislation and jurisprudence, is corrupted by feminist sentiment.” (Preface to Major Barbara, 1906) March 7, 2016

Defiant Requiem: Voices of Resistance In the spring of 1944, a handpicked group of Nazi officers was treated to an unusual performance by inmates in a concentration camp. What appeared to be a soaring rendition of a choral masterpiece was intended as a subversive condemnation of the Nazis and a desperate message to the outside world. In the face of horrific living conditions, slave labor and the constant threat of deportation to Auschwitz, the Jewish inmates of Terezin concentration camp — artists, musicians, poets and writers — fought back with art and music.Visit Defiant Requiem: Voices of Resistance Website Full Episodes | 1See All Clips | 1See All Previews | 1See All Watch videos from your favorite PBS KIDS shows with the PBS KIDS Video app for your tablet or phone. Bring home the complete collection: DVDs, Blu-rays, books, gifts and more. Visit ShopPBS. helps all of us explore new worlds and ideas. Give Now

A U.S. District Court ruled two days ago against the Chabad branch in Northwest Connecticut, dismissing its lawsuit that a decision by Litchfield town officials to deny Chabad's plans to dramatically expand a historic building in the town was based on religious discrimination. The Chabad lawsuit also cited the Holocaust and the Nazi treatment of Jews in Germany as a relevant example of religious discrimination. The court accepted the Historic District Commission's claim that it had simply been making a decision on appropriate land-use and that the expansion sought by Chabad would "overwhelm" the affluent town's historic center. Since I have not seen the house in question, I can't express an opinion on the architectural merits of either side of the argument. Neither can I judge, not having heard them, whether the utterances of some of the commission members did indicate religious discrimination or even worse. The quotes that have appeared are, at worst, ambiguous, and as Harold Abrahams said in Chariots of Fire, anti-Semitism is something you hear "on the edge of a remark." I would though like to make a number of observations. 1. Chabad, the world around, is a bulldozer of a movement, which believes that no obstacle can stand in its way for long. This has led its emissaries in many parts of the world to adopt an extremely forceful attitude towards opponents. In places like Russia and Ukraine, Chabad rabbis have blatantly usurped sitting rabbis, claiming that they are the local chief rabbis. While the bellicosity is usually reserved for Jewish rivals and a case of the movement openly defying local authorities is less-typical, the sledgehammer approach, playing the Holocaust card in what was a planning dispute, is entirely in character. 2. The local leader of Chabad, Rabbi Joseph Eiesenbach seems to be exhibiting a total lack of proportion in seeking an expansion of a 2,500 square feet house to a structure of over 20,000 feet (the commission was willing to consider an expansion to 5,000 sq/ft). Who would fill such a megalith? Less than 9000 people live in Litchfield and as Eisenbach himself observed two weeks ago on a Chabad website, "the majority of the town is not of a Jewish faith." Chabad Northwest Connecticut already has a headquarters in the much larger city of Waterbury. Chabad, probably the most successful global Jewish franchise, has built up centers in the most obscure corners of the world and Eisenbach may be eager to emulate his colleagues on the peaks Kathmandu and beaches of Goa but it looks like he has chosen the wrong location for a mega-synagogue. 3. While a principled debate is raging on whether it is appropriate for Israeli leaders to cite the Holocaust as a justification for attacking Iran's nuclear installations, using the Shoah in this kind of case should automatically disqualify a plaintiff. Want to enjoy 'Zen' reading - with no ads and just the article? Subscribe todaySubscribe now

Newspaper Page Text MEMPHIS. TENS., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 18S6. .VOL. XL VI NO. 274 Tb Hon. Howell E. Jackson, Judgs cf tbe Ucited States Circuit Court, ii in the city, and opened oourt yesterday fur the trial ol im portant causae. A former dittin gnhhed and leading member of th Memphis bar, he will be d tiring his stay the oljet cf special atten tions by '.h's brethren and many of our leading tit'ianB, who ate proud of the eminence be haa attained to ts ajariat, His cireerrefleote credit upon himself and honor upon the 8tat be represented so fuLhfully In the United Thi Hon. Jefferson Davis is in the city, a guett at the Gayow Hotel. If the venerable and beloved statesman is specially at home anywhere in the States whose chief he was daring the war it la here in Memphis, where be spent ' many of the most pleas in t years of his life. 01 coarse be will receive the attentions of oar citizens, who will eagerly avail them selves of the oppoitanity to pay their respects to tbe ex-President of that Confederacy, one of the foremost fig ures of onr era and one of the most noted men of onr time. ' '.' Thi Republicans are becoming alarmed lest the Democrat shall unite on a plan of tariff revision and so In sure the country all that is possible of reform in that direction for the pres ent. This la a consummation meat devoutly to be wished, and we believe that Mr. "Sunset" Cox, of New York, ifljust tbe man to initiate the move ment. Both the extremes of protec tion and free trade can afford to yield something to him so that he can formulate a plan that will insure sub stantial relief for tbe masses without violence to any of the manufacturing interests of the country. Such a plan would, we fitl sure, have the aid and sympathy of the President and the bearty indorsement of the people. Thi Yicaaburg Commercial Is agitat ing a change in the form of tbe municipal government of that city, and refers to tbe experience Memphis bad under the old system of Mayor and Aldermen. , Yes, it was a great cone to as, but not until we had lost millions by it and had been brought almost to death's door did we attempt to change it. Tbe result of that change may be eeen in tbe greatly improved, better built and well paved streets, in our model sanitary system, and our pay-as you go policy and plan of budget, which prevents us from making even one dollar of debt This, added to the fact that our credit la Al, ia in striking; contrast with the fact that in 1879 VA had no credit, were burdened with a debt of $8,300, 000 with taxable values of only $12, 600,000 to pay it, tells tbe whole story of the value of our municipal change. Tub death of Mr. Hoxie, general manager of tbe Gould Southwestern system, which is announced elsewhere by telegraph, is due, we have no doubt, primarily to tbe terrible strain be endured during tbe strikes of last summer. He then represented one side of a controvery on the other and adverse side of which there were sev eral thousand clamorous men eager and earnest in their parpoaa for an increase of waxes, which mearit to them better living for themselves and families. A strain so loaded with ter rible anxieties was too much even for a man of Mr. Hoxie's mind and pby fliqne and he brcke down under it be yond the potsibiiity of recovery. He was an able and quick executant, man thoroughly and well equipped for railroad management, faithful le bis employer's interests tnd brava and fearless in their administration. The death of such a man is a loss to the! country and one not easily made up, because it takes years of experience and special qualities of mind to make such a leader among men. It is the habit just now with cer tain Southern newspapers to keep up a cry of Northern capital, as if all our present prosperity was due to it and to the labors alone of enterprising and far seeing Northern men. While it will not deny, as it cannot, the aid and encouragement of such men as Mr. CP. Huntington, who has done mora for the Booth, this part especial ly, than all other Northern men put together, and haa done his work judiciously and well, the Appsal wilj insist, with the lessons in this State, and in Alabama, and in Virginia be fore tbe public, that the vast bulk of our prosperity since 1865 is due to men amongst us, whose sagacity and enterprise male secure, sure and safe places for Northern capital. The lamented Maj. Peters, J. G. Neely, Col. Ensley, Napoleon Hill, H. M. Neely, Col. Rocker, Noland Fontaine, "Jim" Smith, S. H. Brooks and their associates are among the Southern men to whom Birmingham, Ala., is largely indebted for its rapid growth. A.S. Colyar, of Nashville, and O. M. McGhee, of Knoxviile, and their as sociates, have done wonders in build ing up great enterprises in Middle and East Tenses, ee, and Mr. Paoe of Rich mond, Va , is a leading spirit, as was Gen. Mahone some yean ago, in that section of the South. Then there is Mr. Plant, pres ident of the Southern Express Comp any, who has been inti mately identifl ed with the South for thirty or more year. To him Florida and Southwest Georgia are under last ing obligations for tbe rapid constrict iion of a railr cad system, nearly 1200 miles in extern t, that has induced and aided a marv elously rapid develop ment of the " Flewery Land." These are a few amo ng the men tbe South must rememb er as among tbe moat enterprising of her own citizens and as largely infla encing her greateatand most proniaDie enterprises. EASTERN FIELD TRIALS. MEMPHIS DOfciS WIN THE PBIM i UP1L PRIZtS. ANaghTille Merchant Attached The Kate or the Will S. Hays Dis chargedIke Harper Party. IsriCUL TO TBI AFPBAL.t Hioh Pojmt, N. C, November 23. The day opened warm and cloudy. At noon tbe clouds broke away, and the temperature was uncomfortably warm. The work done was as a whole below tbe averag. Seven braces were run in tbe derby today. The first brace was Memphis and A vent kennel's Nat Goodwin against B. F. Wilson's Fred W. The heat was one of tbe best of the day; the dogs were equal in style but Fred W. was the wider ranger. Nt Goodwin made tbe most points on birds bat lost the heat by a chase. They were down one hour and six minutes. Rapid and Hari Karl was the next brace run. The heat was a very slow and tiresome one, very little work being done; Hari Kari won. Hector and Hasting Hannah were run next. This heat was much better than the last. Tbe setter Hustling Hannah outranged the pointer and won. Swatara and Dan Noble was the next braca. Tbe heat was a very good one but did not rate first class. Seataia outranged Dan Noble, but in speed tbey rated about equal. Swa tara did the better work on birda and won. The next braca was Kej stone and Oassio. Cassio was fully equal in speed to Keystone and a bet ter ranger. Keystone did more work on birds and won. Bride and Rue II were the next pair. Bride did some good work, and bad the heat in hand troin the start and won. Mauis and Roi B. were tbe next to start. This waa a very long heat, lasting very nearly three hours, and a close one, but Mania did some bad work at one lime which destroyed her cbaocea to win. Thia waa the uilch that was bicked for $250 to beat anything in the derby, and wjs accepted by tbe Memphis and Avent Kennel. Tbe next heat was between Dalnn and Allie James. This heat was unfinished. The Memphis dogs in tbe Derby are Nat Uoodwin, Jean Valjean, Cas'io, Obance and Allie James; owner? , Memphis and Avent Kennel ; handled by J. M. Aveot. Goldetone, Keystone: owners, P. H. and D. Bryson ; handled by H. M. Roi B., Talleyrand; owner, W. T. Bowdre ; handled by H. M. Short. Ben Hnr; owner, C. P. Stewart; handled by H. M. Short. Hu8tlinfHanneh; owner, Whyte Bedford; bandied by H. M. Short. Tbe Btr or H. Lowratnal At tached LlabMlllca, S14,0US. iriCUL TO TBB ArriiL.l Nabhviixb. Tbmn., November 23. Tbe store of H. Lowenthal, clothier, was closed by tbe Sheriff this morn ing on attachment. Tbe creditors are New York and Nashville parties, the heaviest being the Naahvnle Savings Bank, $4500; Herman Lusty, Nash ville, $3960; J. Z. Levy, Nashville, $2000. Tbe total liabilities are $14, 698. Injunctions against tbe collec tion of accounts were granted. The bills charge that the defendant waa fraudulently disposing of bis stock of floods, concealing, and illegally remov ng them for tbe purpose of defraud ing complainant'. . ". RTne lawyers of the city have offered the lawyer 'a stake of $1000, to be run for at the spring meeting of the Nash ville Blood Horse Association. The race ia for three year olds, and the dis tance is one mile and one sixteenth. The first time the stake is run for will be on the new race course. Tb Male on Ike Will H liny,, Who . Hilled lae MnnKaboui, lla , charged A Harder. .If (SrBOIAL TO THI APfliL.l ' Hclina, Aek., November 23. The mate of the steamer Will S. Hays,who killed tbe roustabout at this place last Thursday, was arra!gned before the Phillips County Circuit Court today and discharged, the evidence going to ehow that it was a justifiable homi cide. It was further developed today that the man killed was a de'parate mgro.goiog under a number of aliases, his right name not known, who was wanted in Nashville, Tenn., charged with the murder of James J. Duun, on tbe ltith of Angnet, 1886. Uapt. 8, las Lit gg, Chief of Police of Helena, will forward the remains to tbe au thorities at Nashville, as there is a re ward for his apprehension deal or Last night about 6 o'clock- a negro, who was a stranger in this place, by the name of John Robinson, shot a colored woman namod Louisia Gray, the ball taking effect in tbe groin and paeBing clear tbrough her, from which she died tbis evening at 2 o'clock. Her murderer has been apprehended. Tbe Harper Parly la the Tattle tsracur, to thi imbu.. Birtif ingham, Ala., November 23. The Harper party saw something of Birmirgham a resonrces today under the disadvantage of an intermittent rainfall. They arrived from Nashville thia morning. The forenoon was spent In visiting tbe furnaces. Nearly tbe whole afternoon was taken up by a trip to tha Morris Iron oven at Read ing. Tbe ci'usns prevailed on Mr. Charles Dudley Warner, who has charge of the expedition, to remain here another day, instead of going ta Montgomery tonight, as he nad ex pected. GRENADA, MISS. A Worthy Toaac Haa'a Death. UriOULtO TBB ArFIAL.l Obihada, Miss., November 23. John McHenry, aged 18 years, and for a number of years news agent for the Appkal and Avlanche at this place, died at 6 p.m. today. He waa greatly beloved by the entire com munity. BROWNSVILLE, TENS. A Death aad Two arrlaaea. fariaui. to tbb Arrsii.,1 Bbownbvillb, Tbnk., November 23. Mr. Algie Oldham, an old asd well known resident of Lauderdale county, died last night at the residence of Mr. John H. Owen, at this place, of cancer, and was bnried today in the family burial ground at Eylan. Mks Pat Taylor, cf Haywood coun y. and Mr. Berry Edwards, of Gaines ville, Tex . were married at the resi dence oftnebride at 12 o'clock today, and took tbe tr.iin this afternoon f r Texas. Tbe Rev. John Williams per formed the ceremony, Miss Scrap Dav'a and Mr. Yourg Taylor were married tidav at Ziou Church, near tonn, by the Rev. W. A. LITTLE ROCK, ARK. Bjaaoalo Uraad Lodge la Hewaloa IBFIOIAL TO TBI AFFB1L.I Littlb Rock, A be., November 23. The Masonic Grand L de of the State of Arkaneas was called to order by the Most Worahipful Grand Maater, ;T. O. Humphrey, in Hugh DePayne's Hall, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, this city, at 10 o'clock thia morning, there being between 400 and (00 delegates in attendance. The present convocation is to be one of unusual interest, so far as the fraternity ia concerned, and among the representatives present are many of the best men of the S ate. Today's proceedings con sisted in appointments and hearing of reports of different committees, and the election tonight of the following officers fur the enduing term : Grand Maater, W. H. Gee, of Dardinelle; Deputy Grand Maater. R. H. Taylor, of Hot Sprints; Grand Lecturer, Clem McOolloch, of Charleston; Grand Ora tor, W. M. Mellette, of Fort Smith; Grand Senior Warden, J. W. Sorrels, Boone ville; Grand Junior Warden Calvin Mobley, Giange; Grand Treasurer, G.-orge H. Meade, Little Rock ; Grand Secretary, Fay Hemp stead, Little Rock. Tomorrow tbe re tiring Grand Master will deliver his address, and in the evening the local ledges will entertain tbe Grand Lodge at b grand ball and banquet. N. B. Hilger, a prominent and wealthy planter in White eounty, daring a quarrel yeotnrday with an employe named Hatkins, stiu.khim in tbe head with a shovel, and killed him almost instantly. Hilger fled, and haa not yet been captured. DlHatlnfaellna Over the Election of Certala t'Hy Officer. tSPIOIAL TO THI APPIAL.I Chattanooga, Tkkn., November 23. Very great dissatisfaction over the election of certain city officers by the Republican Aldermen last night de veloped today, especially in regard to O.R Evans, City Aitorney. Many of the Republican leaders are thoroughly Deputy MerBbjil Hi'l tody captured George Foster, the pension swindler, in Birmingham. He was brought to this city and lodged in jail. Five of Foster's accomplices were sent to the penitentiary at the last term of tbe United States Court. A corps of engineers undtr Col. P P. Hnrlbut today begun tbe final sur vey for tbe extension of the Memphis and Charleston ra lroad from Steven son to this city. Tbe work of build ing tbe road will begin at once. Nxw Yobx, November 23. The semi-annual conference of the Jewish Rabbis today discussed tbe report of the Committee on Home Prayer Book. Tbe argument was very heated be tween the Orthodox and Reform Min isters, but the question was finally settled by accepting the manuscript of the committee, which excludes all ritualistic prayers and empowering tbe committee to amend and revise it and make arrangements for its pub lication under the title of Aid to De votion. Then the matter of a unifica tion of the marriage laws of tbe United States came up. After a lengthy dis cussion a special committee was ap pointed to draw up a petition to be presented to tbe Fiftieth Coogreea urging upon that body the necseity of establishing a national marriage law. &aow Caaalaa Trouble Oa tbe Ball road. St. Paul, Mink., November 23. The roads lunning through tbe north ern part of the State and in Dako'a are having some trouble today. In the northern pait of the State, along the Manitoba line, there is not much snow, but the bieh wind, which has attained the velocity of a gale, has interfered come witn tbe running ol trains. The Northern Pacifij rnad is experiencing some trouble with the snow, hich is drifting badly and de laying trains. Throughout Ihe Red river valley the mercury is down in the neighborhood of Biro. It haa been snowing nearly all day along the line of the St. Paul and Pacifio road, but the fall has not ' been heavy enough to interfere with travel. The Milwaukee, Omaba and other roads running throughout tbe southern part of the Htate have bad light flurries of snow all along their lines, but no de lay haa been experienced In running trains. Tbe mercury on those lines ranges from 10 to 20 above zero. Ha Harder a Tonal Cllrl, Detroit, Mich., November 23. Dr. David H. Weir, of Oscoda, was arrest ed at London, Out., today for the mur der of a yoang woman in that place and will be held for extradition. Dr. Weir kept a drua store and private hospital. Mies Mabel Clark, aged 20, was a patient in tbe hospital for some time, but on November 4th she man aged to inform her f rienda that she had been subjected to the grossest indig nities. Intenee excitement wss caused by tbe story, and Weir left town. Two or three days later the girl died, and Wain was held to be responsible for her death. A reward of $2000 had been offered for ha arrest. A Hallway ColUUen, Eaot Saginaw, Mich, November 23. The through passenger train for Grand Rapids on the Detroit, Lansing and Northern, leaving here at 6:15 p.m., collided with the train coming tbis way at St. Louis, Mich., this even ing. Tbe trains were switching to pass each other when tbe collision occurred, two cars being partially smashed and several passengers in jured. The telegraph office there closes at 8 o'clock and only meager particulars can be obtained. The names of tbe injured people have not yet been ascertained. No HoeflBM am can afford to be with out it. We have used Salvation Oil In our stables and can say it's the brst and cheapest liniment we have ever need, beibert Sc. McDonnell, Paea at., Baltimore. The mm of Koaaaar 111. New Yobx, November 23. Siater Mary Frances Clare, better known as the Nun of Ken mare, is lying seri ously, and probably fatally, ill at Roosevelt Hospital, where she has been for the past three months, suffer ing from a complication of diseases. Millions uss Dr. Bull's Cough Syrup. 25 cents. WILL PROBABLY BE GRANTED A A Supersedeas Prayed for by the Conasel for tbe Dynamite Chicago. Im... ' November 23 A Bloomington (III.) rpeiial says: Ap plication lor a superstar as m lQe case of Cpies, Parsons and their convicted fel'ow anarchists was made to Justice Scott, of the Illinois Supreme Court, this afternoon, by Lonard Swett and Capt. B ack. Their brief of 150 pages and their bulky record of the trial, consisting of 8.00 type written pages, were submitted without oral argu ment It waa the intention of Messrs. Solomon and Zeieler to accompany Mr. Swett and Capt Black here, bnt as there waa little or nothing to do but make the application and submit tbe record, it waa considered not at all necessary for them to come. Justice Scott waa In bis room and apparently not greatly surprised to receive the call. Tbe Justice is a white haired, tall, sttalght and venerable gen tleman, net greatly unlike in ap pearance to Henry Clay aa his p r traits represent him. He is quite nervous on occasions of more thin ordinary importance, and showed that characteristic thia afternoon while tbe counsel were applying for the super sedeas. Upon entering the room Mr. Swett greeted J as tics Scutt, as did also Capt. Black, and both were in vited to take seats. Mr. Swett then annoanced the object of h: i call, and Justice Scott replied that he supposed tbey were free to make ti e applica tion to any one of the Snpr me Court Justices. Counsel for the unarchista paid Justice Scott tbe oom( liment of aaying that tbey had dec. led to ap ply to blm, being quite certnin that he would look carefully into Ine record of the case and give tbe vsknment of errors their juBt and proper weight in law as he was so folly coc petentto do. lhey not only hope i, but be lieved that an examlnatiia ot tbe record would convince hi n that a supersedeas should be grant d, to the end tbat the defendants might have the question of having a new trial pawed unon by - the Supreme Con t af.er doe presentation of the errors assigned bad been made. Tbey t aid the record was at the hotel, and thsy had pre pared a brief to bt eubmliteo with it. Both would be laid before him at any time ha might designate. Justice Scott asked Mr. Swe.t how long be and Capt. Black intended to remain in town, and he replied tbat be would await his pleasure. Justice Scott then (aid he would receive tbe brief and give them an immediate examination. Thereupon Capt. Black and Mr. Swett returned to tbe hotel, and a few min utes later went again to Justice Scott's room, followed by two porters carrying between them the trunk containing the 8000 page record. After unpack ing it in Jos' ice Scott'l presence Capt. Black and Mr. Swett banded him the brief and made I few explanations aa to the points of error olaimed, and bow lhey could ba most erpeditioualy examined. No oral argument was made. It is understood another inter view will be held with him tonight. Nothing will be done tonight in the matter of considering tha application by Judge Scott. He will begin work tomorrow upon the 'consideration of the testimony, and will work upon it steadily and rapidlv as possible until the end. It is understood tbat there will' be no oral argument. It seems apparent tbat no cons'ssioa will be reached for a number ef days. To laid tbo Aaarcbln. Chicago, November 13. The Am nesty Association, a sooiely recently farmed to assist -the movement ia favor of the cendemned anarchUta, held a meeting tonight, at which the principal speakers were SUt't Rpre pentatives elect Cbas. O. Dixon, M. H. Dwyer, George Rorback and Senator R. M. Burke, eech of whom wai a succeaeful candidate on ti e Labor ticket in tbe recent electior. While disclaiming being anarchists or com munislB, as tbey undertUod thoee terms, the speakers vehen entiy de nounced the verdict in tue anarchist trial, and demanded a coir mutation of the sentence. The btlicf was as serted that if the condemned men were sent to the penitentiary now,they would in tha near futui be fully pardoned. All the rneakera declured that tbe 25,000 votes caa- for the United Labor ticket were Mil as a pro. test against the verdict. It was de cided by the meeting that die entire delegation elected by Ihe I nited La bor party would present a petition to Gov. Oglesby asking executive clem ency. A committee was appointed to arrange a mass meeting to protest against the verdect in case a super sedeas is not granted by some one of the Supreme Court Judges. About 100 peisons were present at tonight's A SWINDLING SCHEME Froaa tbo Cell of aa Imaadeal Thief la Cab. Philadelphia, Pa , November 23. The Record will tomorrow Dttbllah an article exposing ,a well laid plan of Unban sharpers to swlnaie gouiDie Philadelpbians. It Is supposed they have reaped a rich harvest. Ihe plan of procedure adopted by the swindler waa to write to his intended victim representing himself aaa prisoner in the Roval orison. Havana, and offering to reveal to him ' the pot where $415,000 was buried in a glass jar on tbe out skirts of New Orleans. He obtained th's money, be said, opon drafts on a New Orleans bank, and hearing that he would be arrested, be buried it. He offered to dUclcse the place of burial and allow tha nars n addnwsed one-quarter of the amount, $ 103,000. if be would endeavor to obtain tbe writer's liberty. After iscelvlng a reply from his victim.be would again write, enclosing what purported to be an official codv of an order of tbe Court refusing hie permission to nave "is Digeags nnlars ne aeposueu with the Court tisrvi as security for the safe return of trie same. As the ba?aage contained the plan of tbe location of the h d ten money, and as be bad not tbe $1500 to deposit aa se curity, be thus gave in opportunity for his victim to volunteer to end that amount ol money to Ha' vans. Tbe Record averts tbat a nam ber of persons have been victlm'zed. It is uncertaia wheite-or not any thing can be done toward securing the arrest of the iwindlers. The Spanish authorities have, however, been notinac, ana an investigation in to the mngement of the Riyal prsnn ar navana wui pe m: ue. A flirxil r cfl.r waa made to a well k own cit Bn of Vit kburg, but the snm Btited v. as $3,100,000. Eo. A Rich Old lady Treabllae; tbe Dbtboit, Mich., November 23. Charles Richardson, of Alpena, died abont a year ago, leavirgawM be queathing to bis widow property val ued at $9U0,0o0. Ihe will was cor., ifs'ed by his brothers and siater, Tbe wife employed R. J. Kelly, J. D. Tiumbell and Ueorge 11. Sleator aa attorneys, and then, contrary to the advice of an tnree ol tnem. compro mined tbe suit by paying the relatives $120,C00. When the attorneys brought in tiieir Dills lor services on account, according to their own statement. Kelly demanded $20 000, Trumbell $10,000 and Sleator $8000, as re com- peoae for advice wblcb, not being taken, Mrs. Richardson considered the charges exorbitant, and refused to pay. Saturday she drew $162,000 from the Alpena Bank and came to Detroit to keep It awav from the law yers, placing $59,0C0 in the American Exchange National Bank of this city. However, the lawyers followed ber, and, learning that they had taken out a garnishment for tbe bank, she drew ber money out, and has since kept it about her person. It is Im possible to tell the outcome. The Mrs. Klmira Black, ail ot Thorn illksk, aid 95 jri. Fnntral from lit reiidano, No. 37 Poplar treat, thia (WKDNBSDAY) mornlDsat 10 o'ftte. Frtwnd. art tTTt.d rn Unl. Magnl ficent Gauies.Tnlles, Bro. cades, rentes, New Designs and Combinations In Display Throughout the Day KBEKER'i ', ' 'v Great 50 Cent Bale ol Dtreaa Good Continued Tedjay. Great Sale ofOO Ct; Feath er and Fur Trimming and Paftnamenterles Con tin ned Today. ,. Great Nale ol 50 Cent Hats Great 50 Cent Flower Sale Many New Attractions Today at rpHIIR'tfAT, HOV. Mtb, bain Th.ois J Ins DytHe anralsn.il Uu. will b oloied. All .fMr rn.tu'lDf on that dar mult b paid 0 WtdnM'laj, Not. alio. BANK OP OOMM KHiIK. FIRST NATIONAL BANK. MKK0A NTILK BASK. STATU N A I IUNA1I, HANK. UNION AND PI'AtfifiAd BANK. MANHATTAN hA VINIfl BANIC AND Miaram, Natamber !2, 18?. rPH K undtrt innal h ikia dr iornied 1 copartner) nip under ma grm nam a 01 JOBKI'H II. PULLBN k CO., for tha pur- ro of oarrjlna-on mrl Fir an MMi-tue auanrnnco Botla, Mr. Joa, II. Pollen will b ImmadUU control ana m.n.s.m.nt f H"!, VVoLMH. NOTICE 10 THE rCi'LlC. MiaTii", TniI.,lOYemher E, JRK6. ITTK ba?a thia dr lold and trni'rra to W Chariot L aad Jutapn UfallaB onr ntir Iomranoe Alienor Buikiajii, ul n baik ir tha to ountinuanot ot th bvrt nan tar etolora liven to oi. WM. H.PULLBtt ACQ. ranAPK WOatMs KamoTtd Allre, In treat M iA i i . u k. ... i . w luiuiivf). mi m H ,Ju ; . wiin BIM VJUI- plt, or no obaria. No futlnf rooairmti bo poiannoaa iudlcint. Caa b taken Hh u bf onlid or aauir.. umi or lend lor "ir oalari. IR. M. NET SMITH, 8pciallat. 72 Mad laon itroot, Marop-. a. ad Bopalrera of Flataoa, Oman, And Matloal Inatramcnta Oenorallr B87 MAIM T., MEMPHIS. Mississippi &, Tennessee li.lt, Co Aaaaal Meeting; of Mtockhaldar. TUB! annnal maotlntr of th itockholdera In iha Miieiaeippt and TenneHe Hall r4 Company will b hold at MJCMFHU. Wednesday, Jforember 24, 1886, at which tlrn a Director? will be elected for th amain year. (Stockholder! will b paaead ovr th road by appljlni to th H. H. LAMB. Secretary. The Orlwlaal aad Oalw Oeaalne. Bala and alwaya Reliable. Beware of worth. I Imltatlona. Indiapenaablo to LA. IM KM. A-w yor Oraaalat lor ! ulelir'a Kncli-"ad Uk bo other, or Inoloa e ((tarn pe) to a for partioolara m i.rrria bi retara mail. ain,. VAVKM. ajkl. (theater t'aemletal Cta., axis MadtMH aaaara, Pnllada.e P. Bold by Pro t I 't yerrwher. Aik for ":nleaater'a Kwajllaa" raaawraf al FORTY ODD YEARS OLD. ASSETS, $GG,80O,O0O &-Pald PolicT-IIoldera In 1885, IJS.OOO.OOO, and Not a'.Dollar ol Contmted t lulm I t) 'B"Sl!i' 't?"1 .ta re"7 !!na,k,b., iB '5! aBBlblt of anenretlo and ikllllul maaacar mnt and llharaj treatment wl polloy-boldora. The i.rei.nt lUtem.nt U plainly th heat PUItELY MUTUAL, AND 1IEXCE IXSUItlXCE AT COST. GENERAL INSURANCE AGENT, Boom 1, Cotton Exchange Building. WEWPniH TI I NSFF- AT COST, FOR TIIIIITY DAYS, to make room for Nprlng Stork. One lot Open KnKKiex. aullable for country use. OUR OWN MANUFACTURE, and fully Riiarauteed. Lilly Carriage Co. 325 Second Street. To Planters, Merchants & dinners Th aaaaon la approaohlni whan Cotton kaoomea Diinty, Damp and Heavy. By th uof The COJll'J.KTJi: COTTON ClilLlNlU Tonraampl la Iraprored and Vain of Cotton Increased. Machine! for mle by TOE UTRMORE FOUNDRY &. MACHINE CO. low lo 171 Atlwinw Nire(. II'iiicIiU. IViiu. 5 Car-loatU Nfeel Nalla, 3 arloada SuuiT and Nod. . 1 Car-load Lit r it, Rama and ajauHaRe. a Car-loads American Nardlnva. 1 Car-liad New Italrdnft, 1 Car-loitd .e Nalmon, 1 Car-load California Canned Fruit, 10 Car-load Touialoet. leeheH, Corn, Elc., I Car-load Atmore'a Mince Meat, 8 Car-load New York llnckwkent, S Car-load lMgarect, Krant and Itarrel Picklea, II Car-load Nllver Moon Uream Cbeeae, M Car-load Virginia I'eanutH. Car-load Fire Crawkera and Firework, Car-load Nnin and CurranU 3 Car-load Flue llanana, 5 Car-load Red lien Davl Apple, a Car-load Freah Fancy Caudle, 1 Car-'oad Oatmeal, Cracked Wheat, Etc., And a complete aaaortment of Ntaple and Fancy (arocerl" ' , ler ttae pelal uao. af Couutry Merekant. aaaraend lor m I'rloe-Llwt.-m Olivoir, Finnie Co. ILSHSOn Ik & 'ry Goods, Notions, Hosiery GEirfLELEirS FDRinSMG G0032, Nos. SSO and 328 Mala 8t MemphlalTmm. rjarowa a-roea or rai.t, aaa wiirra oom i labsib aaa btoCT WTl.BTI THAN TaaaBRB.a4u rrloaa wUl ooapar wtta taM0f aay aaO laMaiaaitadtltataa. W ara AienU for Maaafactarlaf Co.1 Flalds, Drflli, Sheetlif, Halrtiaf, t?H XaXIMlhtOZV aaa CaV a Tia. T DILLAUD k COFFIiJ, Caah Advauce to Merchant and Planter. TnriiDiW Tl UUIOOTa JOUH W. COCHKAN. ?. f un. a TT r an A. AJIKS B. KUBINUON. orDapoalta reoalred la anma ol (I and ouward, and InUroat allowed on aum Sal- aVBTW bay and all local IoTOftment Honda and Baonrltlaa f enerally, pay taiae, aotaf ' tnutaaa, and. In (anaral, anii any tnanoial baiineti nqrurins eei and raapoaalbl aar 4 la'an drafta, la anal ta aalt parohaeara, on all part of Karop. ay W have a oomaodioaa Vaolt for th dvoait ol Talnablaa, whioh la al th Mirto t or onatomara, rraa at ajhatra. O. P. HADDKN, President. EWD. GOLDSMITH, ?irw-Prealdrit JAMKH HATH AN. (Tawlilnr. fi!1- - " 1 ! J J; G0DwlN.&..0. lnd ConiEiIijsion Merchants, and CO Uadlaon Btreet, J Cleaalaa.l yta Bpairlna, No. IT K, Cooar Stubt. DR. II. L. LASKI, Fbyaiclaa, Hvrrtoa and Aeeoacber, iiicmDiiiioi and orrioa, tM3 Main Ntreet, Aiear Union. J. S. HANI'WKRRH lAVID P. HADDKN, AMKS A. OMBKKtt. U. 8 Esomaaa Orric, I Msmphif, Tonn.tHoromber 15, 1886. SEALED PROPOSALS IN TRIPLICATB, ubjeot lo lb usual condition., will b mfmlv.,1 at thia oflio until 12 in. of December 6, 1H86, to be then and thr publiolf oixined, lor lore won in in mmmipui-i aoo Delta Lore Dlitriot, to th approximate amonnt of M.OiUoubio yarda. Fur blank forma and detailed Information apply at tbli offioa. The rieht ia re.erred to rejaot any or all blda.and to wairtdeleora. nmuu o. tiaAuii. Captain of Kntcineara, TJ. S. Army.

Alba is the only known albino orangutan. She was rescued by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation after being held in captivity, where she suffered from dehydration and parasites. Now BOSF plans to build a special sanctuary just for her and two orangutans with whom she's bonded. Via ABC News: Spokesman Nico Hermanu said the foundation is starting a public appeal to raise $80,000 needed to buy land for the special reserve near its orangutan rehabilitation center in central Kalimantan on the giant island of Borneo. "To ensure that Alba can live a free and fulfilling life we are making her a forest island home, where she can live freely in natural habitat, but protected from threats posed by humans," the foundation said. • Albino Orangutan - Rare Species (YouTube / Wakaleo) Young @Pugloca has his finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist -- the self-described anime and Halflife fan came to Vidcon in this stunning cosplay: an influencer apology video, replete with many, many ads. He was spotted by The Atlantic's Taylor Lorenz. Back in 2010, It Books published Mary-Lou Weisman's biography of MAD Magazine icon Al Jaffee: Al Jaffee's Mad Life: A Biography; I missed it then but happened upon Arie Kaplan's 2011 writeup in The Jewish Review of Books this morning and was charmed by the biographical sketch it lays out. Life360 is an app that lets you track a mobile phone user in fine-grained, realtime detail, with options to set alert for things like "is this person exceeding the speed limit?" It's widely used by parents to track their teens, and this seems to be the summer where it comes into its own, with millions […] When it comes to passwords, there’s no such thing as paranoia. You want them secure and complex, and you definitely don’t want to repeat them on all your accounts. The trouble is, the internet seems to keep growing. And so do those accounts. Just one lockout from an important email or banking site is enough […] With the rising temperatures on tap this summer, the climate is going to be a frequent topic of conversation, and those conversations won’t be happy ones. Luckily, there’s a way to do a little climate change of your own – in a safe and sustainable way. When it comes to personal air conditioners, EvaPolar is […] Whether you’re using them for next-level selfies or steady tracking shots, gimbals are a must for anyone who wants to maximize the potential of these powerful smartphone cameras we’re all carrying around. But those smartphones are also supposed to be portable, and let’s face it: Gimbals tend to offset that advantage. Weighing in at just […]

New York, NY, May 27, 2010 … Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker who smuggled about 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust, was honored posthumously by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for her heroism in risking her life to save others. The ADL Courage to Care Award, which honors rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust era, was presented to Irena's daughter Janina Zgrzembska inWarsaw. A delegation of ADL leaders are currently in Poland accompanying an Israel Defense Forces mission on a Polish-Jewish heritage tour. "Being in Europe and here in Warsaw, I cannot put out of my mind what the rise of National Socialism meant for millions of people and especially for European Jewry," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor who was saved by his Polish Catholic nanny, in presenting the award. "Yet there were acts of courage and human decency during the Holocaust, stories to bear witness to goodness, love and compassion. Irena Sendler was one of those individuals who defied the odds and risked her life to save Jews during this bleak period of human history. Irena was a beacon, and a reminder to the rest of us that one life can truly make a difference." When Nazi Germany invaded Poland during World War II, Irena was a 29-year-old social worker in Warsaw. When the Jews of the city were forced into the Warsaw ghetto, Irena sprung into action. She became head of the children's bureau of Zegota, an underground organization created to save Jews. After persuading Jewish parents to part with their children, Irena and a group of volunteers transported hundreds of infants, young children and teenagers outside the ghetto walls to safety. By issuing false documents with forged signatures, Irena placed the children in orphanages, convents or safe homes. She kept a record of the children's true identities in a jar buried in a neighbor's yard. In October 1943, after the Nazis became aware of her activities, Irena was imprisoned and tortured by the Gestapo, which broke her feet and legs. Yet she refused to betray her associates or any of the children in hiding. Sentenced to death, Irena was saved at the last minute when the Zegota bribed Gestapo agents to halt the execution. Irena escaped prison and was pursued by the Nazis for the remainder of the war. After the war, Irena retrieved the jar of names and began tracking down some of the children to reunite them with relatives scattered throughout Europe. Tragically, many of the children's families had perished during the Holocaust. Irena continued living in Warsaw after World War II. In 1965, Yad Vashem recognized her as Righteous Among the Nations. In 1991, Irena was made an honorary citizen of the State of Israel and in 2003 she received the Jan Karski Award for Valor and Courage. Irena passed away in May 2008 at the age of 98. In 1987, ADL created a unique award to honor rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust era. The ADL Courage to Care Award is a plaque with bas-reliefs depicting the backdrop of the rescuers' exceptional deeds – the Nazis' persecution, deportation and murder of millions of Jews. The Courage to Care program is sponsored by Eileen Ludwig Greenland. Past recipients of the ADL Courage to Care Award include: Irene Gut Opdyke, Gilberto Bosques Saldívar, Eduardo Propper de Callejón, Khaled Abdelwahhab, Ernst Leitz II, Mefail and Njazi Bicaku, Hiram Bingham IV, Sir Nicholas Winton, Konstantin Koslovsky, Jan and Miep Gies, Aristides De Sousa Mendes, Jan Karski, Selahattin Ulkumen, Chiune Sugihara, the French town of Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon, Emilie and Oskar Schindler, The Partisans of Riccione, Italy and Johanna Vos.

6 Days Fez to Marrakech tour via the desert. 6 Days Fez to Marrakech tour via the desert info: - 📍Departure location➥ Fes - 📍Return location➥ Marrakech - 📍Departure time➥ 8 am - 📍Duration➥ 6 days/5 nights Fez to Marrakech tour itinerary highlights: - High and Anti Atlas Mountains. - Desert camel ride and tour. - Glamping in the desert. - The fortified village of Ait Benhaddou. - Ouarzazate Atlas Studios. - Marrakech and Essaouira Mogador. Overview of Fez to Marrakech tour: The 6 days Fez to Marrakech tour is your chance to discover a number of Morocco highlights and best attractions. In general, our six days start from Fez heading to the golden dunes of the desert. On the way we will pass by many beautiful attractions such as the High Atlas Mountains and the Switzerland of Morocco. Secondly, our tour will take you to discover the desert areas. On the next days, you will be driving by the thousands of Kasbahs and small Berber villages. Finally, we will take you to explore Marrakech before heading to Essaouira for a one-day trip. Fez to Marrakech tour itinerary: DAY 1: Fes – Merzouga desert: Our wonderful Fez to Marrakech tour is going to start with your accommodation in Fes. The first thing we will see is “Ifrane”. They also call it “Switzerland of Morocco”. Then we will pass through the middle Atlas Mountains which contain the largest forests of cedar trees, that are inhabited by monkeys. Here, we will spend some time to relax and have a walk on the are to see the Barbary Macaques. After a quiet stay, we will resume the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt. We will head out to the magnificent Merzouga via Erfoud. Passing by the spectacular Ziz gorges and Errachidia where you are going to have a traditional lunch among Berber people. Next, we will continue towards Merzouga along Ziz Valley. Finally, stopping for the panoramic views along the way. After all, arriving at Merzouga where they will welcome you with mint tea. Then, we will switch to camels that will take you through the magnificent world of the sandy dunes “Erg Chebbi”. In a memorable experience on the camels, you will admire the spectacular sunset in the middle of the Sahara. Finally, the camels will take you to our traditional well-equipped camp where you will enjoy a traditional dinner. Even more, you will be listening to a berberine music show in a friendly mood under the stars. DAY 2: Merzouga desert 4×4 tour: Our second day of Fez to Marrakech tour: Today is a very special day. Your driver will come to pick you up from your hotel to start the tour. What makes this day special, is that you are going to discover the desert life and get to know the culture more. The first thing you are going to see is the national auto museum. Moreover, it’s owned by a guy from Qatar and it’s a museum of old cars. Secondly, you are going to move to see a Berber village which they call “Khamlia”. This small village is where most of the people that immigrated from the other African countries like “Gabon” live. You will be able to try their tea and also listen to the music that they call “Gnaoua”. After you get to know their story, you will move to a very beautiful place close to the Algerian borders. Furthermore, this area is where a mine of Kohl is. Thirdly, your driver again will take you this time to discover the life of nomads. These people are about 20km from the borders, you will get to know all the parts of their tents, also where they cook and what they use for transportation. After all your driver will show you where the best food is. Even more, after lunch, you will move to see the oasis, where the agricultural lands are. Besides, you will see the water system in the area. Eventually, our staff will take you to the hotel where you will relax and spend the night. DAY 3: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges: Our third day of Fez to Marrakech tour: Firstly, before breakfast, we recommend you wake-up early so you cannot miss the spectacular sunrise. After a relaxing shower and breakfast. Again, we will be resuming our tour towards Todgha gorge, the highest canyons in Morocco. Passing by the beautiful Ziz valley. Today you will have the opportunity to hike among local people to enjoy the canyon’s beauty. At final we will reach Dades gorges, where you will spend the night in a traditional kasbah. Day 4: Dades Gorges – Skoura– Ouarzazate: Our fourth day of Fez to Marrakech tour: After breakfast, we will resume our journey through the Dades Valley, towards the beautiful city of Kalaat Mgouna, a city literally covered in roses. Then Ouarzazate, also known as ”African Hollywood“. Next, we are going to continue towards Skoura, where you are going to explore the well preserved Kasbah of Amrhidil. After lunch in front of the spectacular area, we will continue towards the gates of the desert, we are going to explore Ouarzazate, the city that has the biggest film studios in Morocco. Eventually, your driver will take you to the hotel where you will spend the night. Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech: Our fifth day of Fez to Marrakech tour: Firstly, after taking breakfast at the hotel in Ouarzazate, we will visit the biggest film studios in Morocco. Then, you are going to head out to explore the famous Kasbah of Ait-Ben-Hadou. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1987. In addition, it was also a part of many universal films such as “Gladiator”. Furthermore, this is where we will have lunch, with a beautiful panoramic view of the Kasbah. Secondly, you are going to experience the beauty of the Atlas mountains via the road of Tizi-n-Tichka, the highest road in Morocco. It has an altitude of 2260m, offering you charming views, valleys, oasis, mountains, and Berber villages. Finally, arriving at the red city “Marrakech”, where you are going to stay in a local Riad with dinner included. DAY 6: Marrakech – Essaouira – Marrakech: Our sixth day of Fez to Marrakech tour: Early in the morning, your driver will come to pick you up. The first thing you are going to see and stop for is the goats that climb the trees. This is a very famous thing in the area, also, you will see the Argan trees. After that, when you get to the city of Essaouira, you are going to start exploring the great historical sides of Essaouira. The first thing is “Scala” the kasbah. It’s a copy of the French coastal town Saint-Malo. Next, you are going to walk through the old Medina and enjoy the rich handicraft products that the city provides. At lunch, you will try a special dish with some seafood. Essaouira is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival that attracts 300,000+ people in June. It also has an expensive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi. Besides, you will discover the Jewish headquarters in the old medina. Eventually, you will draw your way back to Marrakech where the tour ends. Dinner and overnight will be in the same Riad. What is included in this tour: - Transfer from your hotel/ Riad. - Private transfer in a comfortable vehicle. - English speaking driver. - Breakfasts and dinners as per itinerary. - Hotels /riads accommodation. - A night in Erg Chebbi desert camp(only if desert tours). - Camel ride in the Sahara desert(only if desert tours). What is not included: - Lunches, soft drinks. - Plane tickets. - Travel insurance and tips.

I went to the kosher supermarket to honour the memory of the victims of this barbary. But because we have to go on living, I also wanted to address a message of hope and support to the pupils of the Jewish school of Beth Haya Mouchka. I told these young people that the European Union was created 70 years ago, after the Second World War, and after what is the most horrific tragedy in the History of Europe, the Shoah. I told them that the EU was precisely created for this not to happen ever again. Today, we are 500 million Europeans, with common values of freedom, justice and tolerance, and we are standing by the Jewish people. We will let nobody undermine our major achievement of these last 70 years. This is part of our "devoir de mémoire", as well as our responsability for the future generations.

Israel - the Jewish State - sits between the Mediterranean Sea and neighbouring Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. It is a small country with a relatively modest population of just over 7 million. The official language is Hebrew, the origins of which are ancient, however, English is widely spoken. The country was born in 1948 out of post-holocaust WWII. While Israel is only 70 years old, the region’s history is many thousands of years old. Archaeologists have identified and dated agricultural communities existing more than 5,000 years ago. Jews have been living here since the period of Abraham around 2,000BC. The capital, Jerusalem, has been a spiritual home for Jews, Christians and Muslims over the centuries. In the early days of Islam, the Prophet Muhammed commanded Muslims to face in the direction of Jerusalem for their daily prayers. Over the centuries, all three religions have battled to hold the spiritually important Holy Land. The problem of finding a fair solution to the conflicting and legitimate claims on the Holy Land continues to confound many interested stakeholders. Around 76% of the population of Israel are Jewish and around 16% Muslim. The Jewish population ranges from the secular to the ultra-orthodox. There are over a million Arab Israelis of varying backgrounds and there are 400,000 Christian Israelis also. With the support of some of the West’s major powers, Israel has become a highly successful and wealthy economy and arguably the most developed country in the region. Israel is well known for its food given its multicultural influence. Eastern European cuisine is evident everywhere as are typical middle eastern dishes. With the help of agricultural technology, you will eat the best fruits available. Most recently, the country has become a world-beating provider of science and technology. Israel is a country that will fascinate. The two largest cities – Tel Aviv and Jerusalem – are less than an hour’s drive from each other however they could not be further apart culturally. Tel Aviv could best be described as California meets Europe. It’s very modern with tall buildings, a thriving shopping scene and skimpy swimming costumes (both men and woman) playing volleyball and swimming in the Med. Jerusalem is far more conservative and with a population of around 100,000 ultra orthodox Jews, you may feel like you are in a movie scene. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small, landlocked nation with the exception of a tiny section of The Red Sea. It is mainly desert with around half of the country’s population living in the capital, Amman. Most of the population are of Bedouin origin. Arabic is the official language but English is widely spoken. Ancient Semitic settlements – more than 4,000 years old - have been identified by archaeologists around the Jordan River. Since then, all the major powers of the region invaded at some stage and the resulting culture is evidence. Originally siding with its Arab neighbours, Jordan now lives in peace with Israel since signing a treaty in 1994. Wadi Rum and Petra are her two best known attractions and visiting both are essential to any tour of Jordan. However, the country offers far more than this. The people of Jordan are warn and friendly. They are eager to meet travellers and talk about their way of life. The food is also sensational and Amman is surprisingly modern and western in some aspects. Join our small group tour to Israel and Jordan – certainly for the history but also for the ancient and modern architecture, the region’s natural beauty, the wonderful cuisine and the region’s different cultures. - Jerusalem’s old city - The hip and happening Tel Aviv - Ancient ruins of Caesarea - The amazing food everywhere you go in Israel - Petra – Jordan’s most valuable treasure and most popular tourist destination - The rugged desert-scape of Wadi Rum in Jordan’s south

This week, I tell a friend I’d love to chat but actually I have to run Yom Kippur services are starting soon and I’ve got to repent for my sins before the gates are closed. She laughs. “Well, you’re gay, so you’ve definitely got a lot of repenting to do.” When we arrived in Israel, I removed it my kippah. I’d become comfortable wearing it in Toronto, but in Israel, I feared being questioned about my Jewish choice. Weeks after I prayed at the Western Wall at the start of the new Hebrew month of Adar II, I still struggle to find meaning in the concept of Jewish peoplehood. As fulfilling as it was to engage in Shavuot programs, a lot weighs on me. With COVID-19 continuing to ravage Black communities and racist violence all over the news, I almost feel like it’s Yom Kippur instead – the time when Jews are supposed to be most aware of their own mortality.

A Savior is Born Luke 2:11Recently I received an e-mail from a man who attended “Two from Galilee,” the Christmas program presented by our music ministry several weeks ago. He wrote to say how much he enjoyed it, and then added this sentence: “God is just in the amazement business.” That Sunday—two weeks ago today—I preached on “No Crib for a Bed: The God of All Circumstances,” and I endeavored to show that every detail of the birth of Christ—even the seemingly “negative” things like there being no room in the inn—was planned by God. Nothing happened by accident—all of it fit into God’s plan to bring salvation to the world. But much of it didn’t make sense at the time it was happening. So my friend wrote about his two recent heart operations, and the physical therapy he is undergoing, and his aging parents who live a long way from Chicago. Life has not been easy. After listening to my sermon, he came to this conclusion: “If Joseph & Mary had waited a month or Caesar had decreed a month later Jesus would have likely been born in an inn and the room arrangement would have been solved in man’s eyes.” The he adds this perceptive comment: “Amazing how God works stuff out in His time when the worst looks like the best there is.” But that’s not the end of it. He wrote me again a few days later. Here is part of what he said: Just a note to let you know you picked your sermon last Sunday for me. This Christmas has been different for me. I spent one Christmas in Vietnam on a riverboat and it wasn’t good, however this year hands down is the worst. I could sit down on a park bench and cry! My health problems, family health problems, waiting on a new job, and maybe missing one. I’m actually enjoying Christmas! Before the last two weeks it was doom & gloom so why the change? Your sermon—Joseph didn’t have much of a Christmas either. I heard that story a zillion times and it took this year—a year of disaster to wake me up. So when you are wondering why you picked that sermon out of all kinds of ideas…you did it for me and I thank you! The God of all circumstances!! If that is not encouragement, then you can have my cold hard park bench—I don’t need it anymore. Have yourself a nice day!!! My friend is right. Sometimes we don’t appreciate the good news until we see it against the backdrop of bad news. Sometimes it takes a “year of disaster” to wake us up to the goodness of God. The coming of Christ to the world is the best news the world has ever heard—but as my friend said—having heard it a zillion times, we may be tempted to let our minds wander and say, “What’s for dinner?” I would like to focus on one verse of Scripture that brings us to the heart of Christmas: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 ESV). There are four parts to this verse, and each one teaches us something important about why Christ came to the earth and what his coming can mean to each of us. I. The Prophecy of His Coming Notice the simple phrase—"born this day in the city of David.” The city of David is not Jerusalem—it’s Bethlehem, which is six or seven miles south of Jerusalem. I have been there three times. Today Bethlehem is an Arab town under Palestinian control, but when Jesus was born it was a tiny Jewish community. Modern Bethlehem is a bustling, busy town filled with thousands of people who jostle each other as they walk the narrow streets. The major industry of Bethlehem is tourism (when there isn’t a war going on), and the most important site is the Church of the Holy Nativity in the center of the city. Built on the traditional site of Jesus’ birth, it is the one of the oldest churches in the Holy Land, having been first constructed on that site 1,700 years ago, then built upon, added to, and restored many times over the centuries. In 1865 a Boston pastor named Phillips Brooks visited the Holy Land at Christmastime. Upon his return he wrote a Christmas carol, which his choir director set to music for their Christmas concert in 1867. We still sing it today. “O little of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.” He wrote it that way because 140 years ago Bethlehem was still a tiny village—a quiet and peaceful place. Bethlehem is called the “city of David” because David grew up here along with his father Jesse and his seven brothers. In fact, David tended sheep in the fields outside the village just as the shepherds were doing the night the angel appeared to them. There is one other fact you need to know. Seven hundred years earlier the Lord had spoken through the prophet Micah and declared that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Here is the exact Scripture from Micah 5:2— But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Notice the phrase “though you are small among the clans of Judah.” That prophecy came from the Lord in 700 B.C. when Bethlehem was a tiny, inconsequential village. No one would ever have named it one of the Top Ten Vacation Spots in Israel. If you went there, you would find a few small houses and that’s about it. When Jesus was born, Bethlehem was still off the beaten track. However, the Jews knew that the Messiah would be born there. Matthew 2 tells us that when the Magi came to Herod in Jerusalem, they asked, “Where is he who is King of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Good question. Where is the Messiah going to be born? Herod gathered his theology council and asked them the same question. They replied by quoting Micah 5:2 (you can find this episode in Matthew 2:1-6). That’s what I mean by the fact that the Jews knew. God had told them 700 years before exactly where Christ would be born. There was no secret about it at all. As a side note, I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that even though the Magi have suddenly shown up in Jerusalem, and even though the theologians knew where the baby was to be born, and even though Bethlehem was only a few miles south of Jerusalem, as far as we know, not a one of them cared enough to investigate for himself. They were totally indifferent to the birth of the Messiah. They missed the most important event in world history because they couldn’t be bothered. When we read about the “city of David,” we should remember that Jesus was born in fulfillment of a prophecy made 700 years earlier. It should also remind us that knowledge alone is never enough to save us. It’s not what you know, but what you do with what you know that makes the difference. II. The Reality of His Coming Let’s look again at the text. The angel says, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David.” Just focus on the three words—"born this day.” They speak to the fact that what happened in Bethlehem was nothing less than the birth of the Son of God. There are two aspects to this truth we need to mention. The first is that there were no miracles associated with the physical birth of Jesus Christ. Even though we often speak of the Virgin Birth of Christ, it’s important to remember that the real miracle took place nine months earlier when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary with the result that although she was a virgin, she became pregnant. That was an enormous miracle that has never been repeated in the history of the world. Across the centuries, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ has been considered a foundational doctrine by Christians of virtually every denomination. Both Matthew and Luke plainly ascribe the conception of Jesus Christ to the action of the Holy Spirit. Matthew uses phrases such as “through the Holy Spirit” and “from the Holy Spirit” to describe what happened. Luke adds an intriguing phrase when he reports the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). The verb for “overshadow” speaks of the direct, personal presence of God. What is the significance of Jesus being begotten of the Holy Spirit? Since Jesus was born of Mary, we know that He was truly human. Since He was conceived through the Holy Spirit, we know that He was more than a man. The virgin birth was God’s way of announcing to the world that Jesus was indeed His Son. Through the virgin birth, the Son of God entered the human race, taking upon Himself all aspects of true humanity, yet remaining sinless, and without surrendering any aspect of His deity. Thus the Babe in the manger was truly Almighty God from heaven. He was fully God and yet fully man at the same time. Deity and humanity joined together. What role did the Holy Spirit play? Through some means unknown to us, during the “overshadowing,” he created within the womb of Mary the human life of Jesus Christ. It is a pure miracle of the highest order. No one can explain it or duplicate it. Nothing can be compared to it because no other birth has been—or ever could be—like it. Following the miraculous conception, Mary’s pregnancy followed the normal course of all human pregnancies leading to the night in Bethlehem when she gave birth to the Lord Jesus in a stable. Although Luke gives no details, we may safely assume that the delivery itself was normal in every way. Or at least as normal as any birth could be under such trying circumstances. From time to time we read of women giving birth in strange places—in a car, in an airplane, at the mall, at a restaurant—sometimes alone, sometimes attended by a very frightened husband. Such instances are normal births that happen in extraordinary circumstances. The birth of Jesus falls into that category—a true event that took place in a normal way in a very abnormal situation. Not Like “Lord of the Rings” Second, it’s important to remind ourselves that the phrase “this day” means that it really happened. Francis Schaeffer used to talk about “lower-story” truth and “upper-story” truth. “Lower-story” truth is made up of the facts of history—the who, what, when and where of events that really happened at a certain time in a place to particular people. By contrast, “upper-story” truth refers to fables and stories—like the fables of Aesop—that everyone knows aren’t true but are meant to teach religious truth. Many people today read Luke 2 and call it “upper-story” truth. It’s simply too fantastic to believe, or so they say. One professor called it “theological fiction"—that is, a story made up by the early church to explain the uniqueness of Jesus. Some of you may have heard about the “Jesus Seminar"—a group of liberal scholars who used colored pebbles to vote on whether or not the gospel stories about Jesus are true or not. When they came to this part of the story of Jesus, they voted 24-1 against the biblical account of the Virgin Birth. This should not surprise us since there have always been skeptics who attacked the biblical record. Notwithstanding those attacks, the Christian church has always professed its belief in the literal truth of the Virgin Birth. The ancient creeds put this way: “Conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” This is one truth that has always been believed by all Christians everywhere. To use Francis Schaeffer’s term, the birth of Jesus is “lower-story” truth because it really and truly happened. So when we read “unto you is born this day in the city of David,” let us remember that it points to something true—an event that really happened. Not a legend or a myth or a nicely-told fairy tale. To put it in contemporary terms, the Virgin Birth is not like “Lord of the Rings.” Tolkien’s book is justly famous and the movies are breathtaking, but the story is not meant to be taken as history. Everything about the biblical account of the birth of Jesus is true, including the central truth that there really was a baby born in Bethlehem who really was the Son of God. III. The Result of His Coming Now we come to the climax of this verse: “A Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Here’s an interesting fact that comes from the Greek text of Luke 2. When Luke wrote his account, he didn’t use any articles to describe who Jesus is. It reads this way: Savior … Christ … Lord. Each word is vitally important. Savior is actually an Old Testament word that means “One who delivers his people.” Christ is the Greek version of the Hebrew word Messiah, which means “the anointed One.” Lord is a term for Deity. It’s a synonym for God. We desperately need a Savior, don’t we? When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to Joseph, he said, “Give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). A few days ago I received a letter from a prisoner in Wisconsin who had read An Anchor for the Soul. The oldest of five children, he came from a single-parent family. Seeking self-esteem and acceptance, he joined a gang as a young man. When he dropped out of school in the nineth grade, he could not read or write. He got into serious trouble when he was 17. He was arrested, tried and convicted of first-degree murder. Sentenced to life in prison, he has been behind bars for 19 years. This is his comment: “Dr. Pritchard, many had given up on me, but God never did! I was told that I would never amount to anything but God says otherwise. I was told that I would find death in prison but instead I found eternal life.” Investigators recently discovered DNA and other fingerprint evidence that evidently proves he did not commit the crime. He may soon be completely exonerated and released from prison. How does he feel about his 19 years behind bars? I have been so overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of Christ—I’ve been given a wonderful peace that surpasses all understanding. I am absolutely convinced that had I not come to prison, my life would have been completely devastated beyond repair. It’s now been 19 years of incarceration and these years have been the most refreshing and enlightening years of my life—I am truly blessed beyond words. Only the grace of God can enable a man to talk like that. He goes on to say he is writing a book about his life story called Saved by the Cell. That’s why Christ came—to be a Savior for everyone who will turn to him. He is the Savior, he is the Lord, and he is the Christ—the one sent from God. This is the heart of Christmas. God loved us enough to send his only begotten Son. Think of it this way: He didn’t send a committee. He didn’t write a book. He didn’t send a substitute. When God got ready to save the world, he sent the best that he had—his one and only Son. And in sending Jesus, he was really sending himself. This is the stupendous truth of Christmas—Immanuel—God with us. IV. The Purpose of His Coming Our text contains one final truth for our consideration. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David.” Consider those two words: “unto you.” Pause for a moment and consider who was speaking and who was being addressed. When the shepherds heard these words from the angel, they must have been flabbergasted. We forget that shepherds were near the bottom of the social order of ancient Israel. They were often poor and uneducated and some were quite young. Not very many people would pick “shepherd” on their Career Preference Form. There were many easier ways to make a living in ancient Israel. So when the angel says, “To you is born,” he’s really saying, “Christ came for lowly shepherds.” But what about those theologians in Jerusalem who knew but didn’t care? He came for them too, but they missed it altogether. When Christ came, his birth was first announced to the outcasts of society. They were the first ones to hear the good news of Christmas. There is a great lesson in this for all of us. Our Lord came for the forgotten people of the earth and most of the time they are the ones who receive him with the greatest joy. Rich people often have no time for Christ, but the poor welcome him as an honored guest. He Came For You Let me now make a simple application. The angel said, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” “Unto you.” “For you.” He came for you. This is where Christmas becomes intensely personal. It’s not enough to say abstractly that you believe Christ came. Millions of people say that and are still lost in their sins. It’s not enough to say that Christ came for someone else. You can never be saved until you say, “Christ came for me. He died for me. He rose from the dead for me.” He came for you. Do you believe that? In four days Christmas will be here. Families will gather around the tree to open their presents. Already some children are counting the hours until that glad moment arrives. When you receive your gifts this Christmas, what will you do? Will you not open them? What use is a gift that is never opened? Two thousand years ago God sent a gift wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Jesus is God’s Christmas gift to you. But you will never experience Christmas joy until you personally receive God’s gift—the Lord Jesus Christ. When I write to prisoners, I often tell them that there are many kinds of prisons—-and not all of them have guards with guns. Some prisons are inside the human heart where we are held captive by our own sin. And some people inside prison are free while some people outside prison are imprisoned by their own self-destructive behavior. Christ came to save us from our sin-—but even his death on the cross cannot save us until we believe in him. A man traveled a great distance for an interview with a distinguished scholar. He was ushered into the man’s study, where he said, “Doctor, I notice that the walls of your study are lined with books from the ceiling to the floor. No doubt you have read them all. I know you have written many yourself. You have traveled extensively, and doubtless you’ve had the privilege of conversing with some of the world’s wisest men. I’ve come a long way to ask you just one question. Tell, me, of all you’ve learned, what is the one thing most worth knowing?” Putting his hand on his guest’s shoulder, the scholar replied with emotion in his voice, “My dear sir, of all the things I have learned, only two are really worth knowing. The first is, I am a great sinner, and the second is, Jesus Christ is a great Savior!” If you know those two things personally, you know the best news in the whole world, that a Savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord! Joy the world, the Lord is come. Amen. Do you have any thoughts or questions about this post? If you have a Facebook account, you may comment below: © Keep Believing Ministries Permissions and restrictions: You are permitted and encouraged to use and distribute the content on Keep Believing Ministries free of charge. If you choose to publish excerpts from a sermon or article, please provide a link or attribution back to KeepBelieving.com’s version of this article. The content of KeepBelieving.com must not be redistributed at a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. If you wish to support Keep Believing Ministries, your prayers and donations are appreciated, and further enable this worldwide ministry to distribute all materials free of charge. Topics in this messageGod | Sin | Work | War | Marriage & Family | Love | Ruth | Heaven & Hell | Family | Jesus Christ | Children | Death and Dying | Spiritual Leadership | Grace | Gospel | Courage | Joy | Anger | Doubt | Job | Giving | Men & Women | Salvation | Magi (Wise Men) | Worship | Bible Characters | Unity | Holy Spirit | Peace | David | Mary | Mercy | Music | Encouragement | Christmas | Herod | Joseph (OT) | Birth of Christ | Creeds |Current sermon series: Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned at Christmas » SEE SERMONS IN THIS SERIES Faded Glory: Why Christ Had to Come Psalm 8 & Hebrews 2:5-9 No Crib for a Bed: The God of Every Circumstance Galatians 4:4 A Savior is Born Luke 2:11» Index for this sermon series

It’s Wednesday, July 27 and Donald J. Trump is in town. Jefferson Avenue is swarming with adoring supporters, curious bystanders and angry protesters. But across the street from the Huntington Center— where perhaps the most divisive man in contemporary U.S. politics will speak— One Lake Erie Center is calm and nearly empty. Artists walk in and out, some carrying canvases, others with sculptures, jugs containing contaminated water from Flint, desk chairs from Ypsilanti classrooms, TV screens and broken glass. As the crowds for the political event swell, the artists continue to work, ignoring the surrounding circus, with only five days remaining to convert the 17,000 sq. foot space into a gallery for the group exhibition Re: Formation, on view throughout August. Recover and redistribute The dual-site exhibit is presented by the Gallery Project, an Ann Arbor-based curatorial team led by Gloria Pritschet and Rocco DePietro, a duo who founded ‘gallery of ideas’ in 2005. Since then, they have curated shows at sites in the Ann Arbor and Detroit area. Gloria Pritschet and Rocco DePietro in front of Cleveland artist Dana DePew's 'America's Creed', a silkscreen installation. Last August, the Gallery Project came to Toledo for the group exhibit WISH LIST. Re: Formation will stay on view in Toledo for one month before traveling to the Ann Arbor Art Center for another month of exhibition. Despite structural similarities, the two have very different tones. For WISH LIST, artists made works enacting human desire, but Re: Formation withholds that sense of yearning. Instead, Re: Formation gives nearly 60 regional and local artists space to express anger and frustration through art. Works in the show, in various mediums, are thematically tied to perceived injustice and politically charged subjects, confronting socio-political events, like police shootings of the unarmed and the ongoing Flint water debacle. Replay and refocus “People who have been silent are now standing up,” explains co-curator Gloria Pritschet. “There is a different attitude, more confrontational, we found in the work immediately.” “There is a sense of mobilization, of movement, of pushback,” says co-curator Rocco DePietro. “We don’t want to just complain about the problems, we want to showcase those who are doing something.” One of the artists who are “doing something" is Shanna Merola, a digital collage artist, who has worked with her art in cities, like Flint, to help interaction between community members and local police. Work from her series as a response to the Flint water crisis, appear in Re: Formation. Shanna Merola. Detroit, MI. From the 'We All Live Downstream' series. Archival inkjet pigment print. Some opt for rich metaphors told through performance— like Melanie Mano’s ‘Loftie Bitch’ video installation— while others are more direct, providing strict, raw video footage— like Kate Levy’s ‘Here’s To Flint’ documentary, tracing the history of the city’s ongoing water crisis. “This is how they protest. This happened and someone’s got to see it, someone’s got to notice it,” says DePietro. Reject and reinform Ypsilanti artist Nick Azzaro’s provocative photograph, ‘Progress at the Old Smith Furniture Building’ depicts a man waving a burning confederate flag in front of a downtown Ypsilanti building that has stood vacant for decades. Nick Azzaro. Ypsilanti, MI. ‘Progress at the Old Smith Furniture Building’. Photographic print. The photo, taken last summer, was in direct response to the Charleston church shooting and the debates that followed regarding display of the flag on state owned property. “The ‘progress’ has to do with the confederate flag burning,” says Azzaro. “It’s all about progress in terms of doing away with this past— that some Americans still want to hold onto — that represents a pretty awful thing.” Azzaro’s installation, ‘Sticks & Stones’, also on view, reacts to racist, vile and aggressive online comments about his town by covering a child-like figure sitting at a school desk with the anonymous attacks. “There is a sense of negativity… and this is a tangible way to represent it. It robs the kids of their innocence.” Nick Azzaro, Ypsilanti, MI. 'Sticks & Stones', Classroom installation. Photo credit: Chin Azzaro. Reclaim and remember A photograph of Frederick Douglass stretches across the back wall— at 15’ x 12’, it holds as an anchor. Hung upside down, the portrait of the social and civil rights reformer and abolitionist is stern and striking. Yusuf Lateef. Toledo, OH. 'The Reconditioning'. Photographic installation. “It’s a distress call,” explains Toledo artist Yusuf Lateef, who installed the work, titled 'The Reconditioning'. Lateef explains the work is based on Douglass’s infamous 1852 Fourth of July Speech, the black statesman telling a crowd of white men that “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” “He spoke on behalf of the slaves when slavery was still legal,” explains Lateef. “He spoke about the Constitution, the forefathers and how the pursuit of happiness would have to apply to slaves if it was ever going to really be achieved.” “My hope is that the work redirects our thoughts and how we look at history in the context of the present and ourselves,” says Lateef. “Slavery happened so long ago, that no one alive now was a slaveowner— but my great-grandmother was a slave.” Regroup and redirect The significance of Douglass’ portrait is strengthened by his place as a historical icon. During the 19th century, Douglass made himself a most photographed African American man. “He wanted to provide the right perception of the African American,” explains Lateef. “He looks very serious … This photo is very distinguished.” Douglass appears in formal clothing— decimating the more familiar image at the time of an African American as a slave. Now, issues of representation persist. The image of a young, black male is often tied to crime and violence, creating a dehumanizing and socially isolating experience, which serves as the subject of Lateef’s opening night performance piece. In a series of white stalls, plastered with photo collages of young black males, Lateef, and three collaborators, will welcome visitors as Douglass’s Fourth of July speech is recited. “It will be very personal. We will be waiting, telling guests that we aren’t their enemy. They will be able to soak it all in, and it will be very intense for us,” says Kevin Gilmore Jr., another artist involved in the performance. Gilmore and Lateef will also be joined by artists Darren Mac and James Dickerson. Reenergize and repair Gilmore worked with Lateef less than a year ago, performing this work at The Clazel in Bowling Green. Gilmore, also known as DaveKevinAdam, is a member of the tightly-knit group of local visual artists, rappers and writers called Black Market Rx, their name a jab at the privatization of healthcare, offering art as their solution. “Our view on healing is more holistic,” explains Chris Rogers, aka Blk Giraffe, another member of the collective. “We want to help ourselves, and the listener, by combining music and art to create something therapeutic.” Black Market Rx explores emotions through painting, photography, film, music and poetry, relying on the separate medias to navigate the process. “Different medias bring different energies out of me,” says member Charles Stoop, aka Marcus Whittington-Clark. “My photography is direct, and my writing is vague and subtle, but the emotion is there.” Reform and another exhibit Close to Re: Formation, another exhibit exploring the socio-politics of identity is on view at River House Arts. Midwesterner Ben Schonberger will present his artist book, ‘Beautiful Pig’, a collection of photographs and ephemera from the life of Marty Gaynor, a retired Jewish police officer from Detroit, offering the first opportunity for the public to see the book on full display. Ben Schonberger. Midwesten artist. Page view from 'Beautiful Pig'. Photo collage and artist book. The artist, after meeting Gaynor, worked with him side by side, to understand the unique experience Gaynor had as a minority officer policing another minority community. “Jews in Detroit aren’t supposed to be cops. We don’t exist. That’s just the way it was,” said Gaynor, whose expansive collection of photos tells a fascinating story about identity. But ‘Beautiful Pig’ is meant to be more than a retelling. Schonberger tells a story about identity through Gaynor’s experience: “My first goal was finding a way to become the owner of these… I had to disrupt the context… but I was always really aware that I had a responsibility to represent this work in a way that allows for conversation.” “As soon as I put myself in [Gaynor’s materials] and started telling a different story,” says Schonberger. “It changed the physical context, for not only what the photographs were, but also how the photographs are being interpreted now. I changed the meaning. I took his evidence and made it about identity.” Record and reflect In a tense socio-political climate, many local and regional artists react. Whether despondent or ignoring the current state of the realm, actions can be impactful. Some artists take time to meditate on the issues— like Schonberger, who researches identity in an effort to humanize the role of police officers in society. Some directly confront broad issues of representation— like Lateef, who uses performance art to subvert stereotyped images of black men, or Azzaro, who uses installation to discredit anonymous negativity towards his town. And others use the visibility of the art object to bring awareness to unseen problems— like Mark Bleshenski, from Bay City, MI, who brought over 60 jugs of contaminated water from Flint for his installation titled ‘Plumbum.” Despite anger, fear and frustration, co-curator Gloria Pritschet remains hopeful, saying, “I still hold this optimism… I think we couldn’t do an exhibit like this without it. More people are pushing back. They’re standing up.” Re: Formation's Opening Receipting is on Friday, August 5 from 5-9pm. Enjoy live music from DJ Nathan Mattimoe and nosh on snacks from Grumpy’s. Meet the artists and see ‘The Reconditioning’ performance. Re: Formation is on view through August 31. Noon-6pm, Thursday. Noon-8pm | Friday-Saturday. Noon-5pm |Sunday Note: Noon-6pm, August 29-31. One Lake Erie Center, 600 Jefferson Ave. | 734-332-1570 | thegalleryproject.com See more of the Black Market Rx during the Black Market Fest The showcase of the art and music will feature three DJs, four gallery artists and five performance. 2pm-midnight, on Saturday, August 13. The Farm (151 S. St. Clair). $7. 914-886-5174. See the event on Facebook . Ben Schonberger will be a resident artist at the Toledo Museum of Art (August 8-12) in the Glass Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP) program. He will give a free lecture at 7pm on Friday, August 12 at the TMA's Glass Pavilion. The opening reception for‘Beautiful Pig’ will be held from 8-10pn on Friday, August 12. On view through September 8. River House Arts, 425 Jefferson Ave. | 419-441-4025 | River-house-arts.com

“Debbie Wasserman Schultz is an American politician. She is the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 23rd congressional district, a member of the Democratic Party and the Chair of the Democratic National Committee.” And as Congresswoman Schultz (pictured right) states in her interview with CNN, she is a Jew and a Jewish mother and someone to whom the existence of Israel is of paramount importance. She also supports the Iran deal, because she believes that the deal is good for the security of the state of Israel . This interview with US Energy Secretary Moniz which also contains the CNN interview with Congresswoman Schultz is a must watch. Maybe one day the Iranian regime will realize how important the security of Israel is to Americans, and to US Jews especially, no matter who is the Prime Minister of Israel. So far it seems that the head of the regime, Ayatollah Khamenei has not. If he had, he would not have publicly wished for Israel’s destruction like he did today. What an own goal.

Rabbi Martha Bergadine The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong One of the (many) differences between living in Hong Kong and the States is school trips. Where in the U.S. our children might have contented themselves with a trip to the zoo, a museum, or the state capitol, my daughter’s educational visits have taken her to Beijing, London, Venice, Berlin, Prague, Kiev, and very soon, Nepal. A few weeks ago, my youngest went on his class trip to Shanghai. This was a sort of rite of passage – his first time traveling without any family – and beginning about three weeks prior to departure be began counting the days, marking them off with an “X” on the calendar. As the countdown progressed his anticipation and excitement grew. Right now, we Jews find ourselves in the midst of such a countdown – the counting of the Omer, the 49 days between the second night of Pesach and Shavuot. This countdown is described in the passage of this week’s Torah portion, Emor, which presents the Festival calendar. The Torah says And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering – the day after the Sabbath – you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week – fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the Lord. You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as an elevation offering . . . On that same day you shall hold a celebration; it shall be a sacred occasion for you . . . (Ex, 23:15, 16) The sheaf mentioned here, called an omer, literally “a measure” in Hebrew, refers to the first grain to ripen in the spring, and gives the period between Passover and Shavuot its name -- “The Omer.” The sacred occasion at the end of the counting is Shavuot, literally “weeks,” a reference to the week of weeks (7 weeks x 7 days) of the Omer preceding it. While the Torah is silent about the reason for counting the weeks, the agricultural roots of the Omer period are clear. The omer was brought at the beginning of the barley harvest, and the harvesting of grain continued throughout the seven weeks. This period culminated on Shavuot with the offering of bread made from wheat as an act of thanksgiving. For a farming society, this was a powerful recognition that God, not the farmer, ultimately “brings forth bread from the earth.” But today, the counting of the Omer appears to depart from the Torah’s instructions. We begin counting on the second night of Passover, rather than the day after Shabbat as mentioned in the Torah. And the 50th day, Shavuot, is celebrated as the anniversary of the giving of the Torah, not by the offering of bread. How are we to reconcile that with the Torah’s statement? The rabbis taught that “the Sabbath” does not refer to the usual day of rest, but here to the first day of Pesach, and so the count should begin on the second night of Passover. The implication of this timing and is profound: Shavuot becomes the fulfillment of the Exodus. The Israelites are not delivered from Egypt to simply be a free people, rather, they are to be transformed into a holy nation. Through the revelation at Sinai and the Israelites’ acceptance of the Covenant, their transformation from avdei Pharaoh – slaves of Pharaoh – to avdei HaShem – servants of God is made complete. They are not simply freed from slavery but rather freed for the purpose of being God’s people because only when they are free from bondage are the Israelites truly free to commit themselves. Passover and Shavuot then, are not separate holidays, rather they are one unit linked by the Omer. Fulfilling the mitzvah of counting the Omer can help us prepare to recommit ours to the Covenant on Shavuot. The procedure of counting the Omer is simple and can be found on page 570 of Mishkan T’filah. At the most basic level, taking the time to count each evening allows us to stop our usual activity and be fully present for a moment. By counting the Omer we are reminded that every day counts – this maybe a cliché but it is true. Pausing to count we can ask: How have we spent our time? And how have we used our freedom? To what are we most strongly committed? How can we deepen our commitment to Torah and the Jewish people? By linking Exodus of Passover with the revelation of Shavuot, the Omer reminds us that we are truly free only when we commit ourselves to a purpose. The week of weeks that is the Omer offers us an opportunity for reflection and growth as we draw nearer to Sinai. But perhaps most simply, counting the Omer reminds us of how thrilling it is to look forward to an exciting experience or a wonderful gift. The rabbis taught that, like my son crossing off the days before his trip to Shanghai, the Israelites were so excited to receive the Torah at Sinai that they counted off the days, the days of the Omer. Like them, may our hearts always be filled with excitement, joy, and wonder as we contemplate God’s gift of Torah.

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The apostle James ( the son of Alphaeus), who is also called "Less" or "Younger," was a brother of the apostle Matthew and the son of Mary. Which Mary is not altogether certain though she seems to be the wife of one Cleopas (Cleophas), which may have been another or second name for Alphaeus. James was a native of Capernaum (located on the northwestern shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel.) It is believed that he was from the Jewish tribe of Levi, however, this is not certain. Not much is known about the latter ministry of of this apostle, however, Aziz S. Atiya, in his "History of Eastern Christianity" says," The seeds of Syrian Christianity had been sown in Jerusalem during the Apostolic age and the contention has been made that the first bishop of the Syrian church was none other than St. James of the Twelve Apostles, identified as 'St. James the Less'." It has also been said that James (son of Alphaeus) was stoned in Jerusalem for preaching Christ and buried by the Sanctuary. The information above is compiled from the book "The Search for the Twelve Apostles" by William Steuart McBirnie Ph.D, Copyright 1973

David Stahel (born 1975 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a historian, author and professor of history at the University of New South Wales. He specialises in German military history of World War II. Stahel has authored several books on the military operations of the first six months of the Eastern Front, including on the launching of Operation Barbarossa, the Battle of Kiev (1941) and the Battle for Moscow. |Born||1975 (age 43–44)| Wellington, New Zealand |Occupation||Professor of history| |Alma mater||King's College London, Humboldt University of Berlin| |Institutions||University of New South Wales| |Main interests||Modern European history; military history| |Notable works||Books on the military history of Nazi Germany| Education and careerEdit Stahel completed an honours degree at Monash University and Boston College. He has an MA in War Studies from King's College London and a PhD in 2007 from the Humboldt University of Berlin. He joined the University of New South Wales Canberra in 2012. Military historian of Nazi GermanyEdit Stahel authored several books on the military operations on the Eastern Front, including Operation Barbarossa, the Battle of Kiev (1941) and the Battle of Moscow; all books were published by Cambridge University Press. Reviewing Stahel's Kiev 1941: Hitler's Battle for Supremacy in the East for the New Republic, the historian Richard Evans notes that "the story of the Battle of Kiev has been told many times, but seldom in such detail as it is in David Stahel’s book", at the same time "convey[ing] extremely complex military action with exemplary clarity". The reviewer writes: Unlike more traditional military historians, Stahel is acutely aware of the wider context of the action, from Hitler’s overall aims for the war to the importance of logistics for the outcome; from the murderous racism and ruthless pragmatism with which the German leaders, military as well as political, condemned so many Soviet civilians to starve and so many Jewish inhabitants to terrible death, to the postwar disputes among historians and retired generals over Hitler’s strategy. Evans commends Stahel for his "refreshing realism" in not "following traditional military historians’ often overly positive and simplistic descriptions of 'great' generals and 'decisive' battles" and exploring "convincingly if not entirely originally" how the foundations of the German war efforts were already beginning to crumble by the time of the victory at Kiev heralded in Nazi propaganda as decisive. - Operation Barbarossa and Germany's Defeat in the East (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009). ISBN 9780521768474 - Kiev 1941. Hitler's Battle for Supremacy in the East (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2012). ISBN 9781107014596 - Operation Typhoon. Hitler's March on Moscow (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2013). ISBN 9781107035126 - The Battle for Moscow (Cambridge, 2015). ISBN 9781107087606 - Joining Hitler's Crusade: European Nations and the Invasion of the Soviet Union (ed.) (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2017). ISBN 9781108225281 - Mass Violence in Nazi-Occupied Europe (eds, with Alex J. Kay) (Indiana University Press, Bloomington, 2018). ISBN 9780253036803

On his English-language Twitter feed a few days ago, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, predictably lambasted the United Arab Emirates’ normalization agreement with Israel. He accused the UAE of betraying Islam, the Arab world and the Palestinians. “The UAE rulers opened the door of the region to the Zionists,” he tweeted angrily. And then he made a far more incendiary comment, claiming that “the Israelis & filthy Zionist agents of the U.S., such as the Jewish member of Trump’s family,” were conspiring with “utmost cruelty” to undermine “the world of Islam.” Khamenei was referring, of course, to Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor, son-in-law and a key facilitator of Israel’s historic rapprochement with the UAE. As a general rule, Iranian leaders do not make direct references to the religious affiliation of American personalities, much less members of Trump’s White House staff. They confine themselves to excoriating U.S. policy in the Middle East or belittling this or that American official who has offended them for one reason or another. But in this instance, Khamenei departed from convention and singled out Kushner as a Jew. Khamenei’s direct reference to Kushner’s Jewish faith was jarring. It was redolent of an antisemitic rather than a strictly anti-Zionist narrative. Antisemites tend to highlight a person’s Jewish identity when their intent is to defame or discredit them. It’s a classic Judeophobic tactic. And this is precisely what Khamenei did when he gratuitously called out Kushner’s Jewish background. By attacking Kushner in this way and associating him with filth, Khamenei descended into the pit of antisemitism. In general, anti-Zionists like Khamenei take care to differentiate between Israel and Jews, as if there is and never was any connection between the Jewish state and Jews in the Diaspora. In denouncing Israel or calling for its destruction, they invariably imply that they harbor no animosity toward Jews per se. This is supposed to absolve them of the accusation that they are antisemitic. In the past, anti-Zionists in the Muslim world did not bother to distinguish between Israel and Jews, as a succession of events illustrate. The birth of Israel in 1948 set off anti-Jewish riots in Arab states like Libya, Morocco and Syria, destroying venerable Jewish communities. And Israel’s military victories led to the further persecution and emigration of Jews from Arab lands. President Gamal Abdul Nasser ordered the arrest and imprisonment of local Jews in the wake of the Six Day War, assuming they were disloyal and somehow complicit in working against Egypt’s interests. The Baathist regimes in Syria and Iraq, having adopted the same mindset, severely restricted the rights and movements of Jews. The Islamic fundamentalist regime in Iran, which is viciously anti-Israel and supports rejectionist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, has not generally mistreated its Jewish citizens in this manner. Instead, Iran has tried to draw a line between Israel and its Jewish community, the largest in the Muslim world. Iranian leaders from President Hassan Rouhani to Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif have railed against Israel endlessly, condemning it as an artificial entity that has no moral right to exist and will not survive for much longer. At the same time, they have sent New Year greetings to Iran’s Jewish community, thereby proving they are capable of drawing a distinction between Israel and Iranian Jews. It’s a smart way of conducting the affairs of a nation, since Iran is loathe to leave itself open to charges that it treats its Jewish citizens badly. But now that Khamenei has blurred the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism and resorted to using the race card to explicitly attack a Jewish member of the Trump administration, he has let the genie out of the bootle. He has made it clear that, as far as he is concerned, there is not a scintilla of difference between a Jew and a Zionist. Khamenei’s decent into antisemitism is dangerous. It could have dire consequences on the remaining Jews of Iran and coarsen even more the nature of the anti-Zionist discourse.

Yeshiva University Museum’s new online catalogue of the Max Stern collection of Jewish ceremonial art is a real accomplishment and a tangible touchstone furthering both the University’s and Museum’s mission. It marks the Museum’s debut into digital publishing. One of the goals of Yeshiva University is to provide the intellectual and spiritual grounding inherent in our motto of Torah U’Madda, bringing wisdom to life. As an integral part of the Yeshiva University family, the Yeshiva University Museum, through its exhibits, illustrates some of the myriad meanings inherent in that motto. The Stern collection is a wonderful exemplar. Max Stern’s collection of ceremonial Judaica is both personal and profound. Stern did not start his collection with the idea of an appreciating investment, nor was he trying to assemble a comprehensive or chronological story. His collection was a labor of love. Because he loved birds – Hartz Mountain Industries started as a small business selling canaries and bird seed – the Stern collection contains many pieces that are decorated with images of birds. But the whimsical decorations don’t detract from the collection’s deeper purpose: to try to recapture as much as possible of the Jewish heritage that had been destroyed in the Holocaust. In both ornate objects designed for formal synagogue ceremonies and equally cherished, if more mundane, pieces used for rituals at home, the collection depicts the full spectrum of solemnity and exuberance that colors every Jewish religious holiday and family celebration. Now, I’m delighted to say, this collection will not just be preserved for future generations who visit the Museum but will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. It is comprehensive, with professional-quality images of every object in the collection. It is multi-layered, with a rich mine of information about the pieces. It is dynamic, offering viewers the ability to get so close to precious objects that, in the physical world, they would have their noses pressed against the glass. Dr. Bernard Revel, the first president of Yeshiva University, in his first commencement address, reminded his audience of the central place of Jewish studies in humanistic disciplines. “The cultural resources, traditions and heritage of Judaism, in its millennial history, its interweaving and influence upon general history, are essential for the full understanding of man’s history,” he said. Since its founding in 1973, the Museum has made those cultural resources manifest in collections and exhibitions that celebrate the diversity of Jewish cultural, intellectual and artistic experience. -- Richard Joel, President, Yeshiva University * * * Max Stern (1898-1982) was a legend in his lifetime. Arriving in the United States as an immigrant from Fulda, Germany, he built up a major business – Hartz Mountain. But other than his acknowledged material success, he achieved his real and enduring greatness as a philanthropist for a variety of causes – mainly Jewish education and Israel. Among the former, most prominent was Yeshiva University—he was a chairman of the Board of Trustees and the founder of Stern College for Women; in the latter, Shaarei Zedek Hospital. He was also a leader in New York’s The Jewish Center, in Manhattan Day School, in the United Jewish Appeal, etc. Mr. Stern loved all things Jewish, and this expressed itself as well in his hobby of collecting Judaica, especially silver objects d’art of ritual significance. He was both a passionate and a serious collector. His life was suffused with Torah ideals and commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, and he endeavored to bequeath these loves to his children, grandchildren, and community. His collection, therefore, is an expression of his combination of his profound love for Judaism and his appreciation of aesthetics. This catalogue of his collection is a testament to the remarkable personality of a truly great man.

A University of California-Berkeley professor and leading force in the Palestinian activism movement apologized Tuesday for sharing pictures on social media that depicted Orthodox Jews as murderous and suggested a moral equivalency between North Korea and Israel, but stood by his work focused on "opposition to Zionism." Hatem Bazian, a lecturer in the Berkeley department of ethnic studies, has said he recognized the "offensive" nature of a post he retweeted, which included a doctored image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wearing a kippah, or Jewish skullcap, standing below the caption, "I just converted all of North Korea to Judaism." "Now my nukes are legal & I can annex South Korea & you need to start paying me $34 billion a year in welfare," the caption continues, directed at President Donald Trump, suggesting that if North Korea were only Jewish, it might expect to share a similar relationship with the United States as Israel. The image also bears the phrases "God chose me" and "101 Judaism we teach it" written over images of nuclear weapons. In the second image Bazian retweeted, the hashtag "#Ashke-Nazi" was applied to the image of a man in mock-Hasidic garb, including a traditional black hat and side curls. The caption reads, "Mom, Look! I is chosen! I can now kill, rape, smuggle organs & steal the land of Palestinians YAY." Bazian said that he retweeted the post while traveling to teach a course in Spain and France, "and did not read the message or image carefully on my phone." "I did not realize or read the full text until it start appearing on my Twitter feed again from a number of pro-Israel groups that target Palestinians," he said. "As a matter of policy, I don't respond to any of it as I focus on my work and have few people that manage my social media and Facebook." Bazian said he "was focused on the North Korean debate rather than anything else [in the post]." "The image in the tweet and the framing relative to Judaism and conversion was wrong and offensive and not something that reflects my position, be it in the past or the present," he said. Bazian added that he has worked against "anti-Semitism in partnership with progressive Jewish groups that express solidarity with Palestine's rights to self-determination." The tweet originally came from a user named "Ron Hughes," who used the images to explain blocking the account of a Parisian kosher restaurant, Le Kazbar. "Zionist @RKazbar BLOCKED supports apartheid, occupation, ethnic cleansing, genocide, theft Palestinian land+resources+body-organs #BDS," reads the tweet, dated July 31, 2017. On Monday, a student club named Tikvah: The Zionist Voice at UC Berkeley publicized the retweet, and called for Berkeley to "hold him accountable for his Anti-Semitic behavior." "It is unacceptable for a lecturer at a highly acclaimed and diverse university to be allowed to spew propaganda and discriminatory content, whether it is in the classroom or online," the group wrote on Facebook. Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said the university "unequivocally supports the University of California Regents' ‘Principles Against Intolerance,’ which are clear in their general condemnation of bias, hatred, prejudice and discrimination. We also adhere to and strongly support their specific statement that, ‘Anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination have no place in the University.'" "While we do not believe that all criticism of Israel's governmental policies is inherently anti-Semitic, the social media posts in question clearly crossed the line, and we are pleased they have been deleted," said Mogulof. "We deeply regret the impact these posts have had on members of our campus community and the public at large. UC Berkeley is and will remain committed to fostering and sustaining a campus community, and a world, where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected." Bazian is founder and chairman of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), an organization at the center of congressional testimony last year from Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Its network and leadership has "significant overlap" with those with alleged ties to Hamas, said Schanzer, including individuals previously involved in organizations dissolved their leaders were convicted of funneling money to the terror group. Schanzer said the AMP is "arguably the most important sponsor and organizer for Students for Justice in Palestine," another organization founded by Bazian. The national campus organization is the key mover of anti-Israel activities at universities, including the introduction and passage of divestment resolutions through student governments.

NEW YORK (Jul. 21) Hadassah women overwhelmingly support religious pluralism in Israel, but they do not support the separation of church and state in the Jewish state. These are among the results of a study, conducted among 700 of the delegates at Hadassah’s national convention in Chicago last week. The study was the first project of the newly established International Research Institute on Jewish Women. The institute, founded and supported by Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is located at Brandeis University and will focus its research on the experiences of Jewish women across the world. Results from two of the survey’s questions were released. The other findings, slated to be released in the fall, focus on the “patterns between women’s lifestyles and their Jewish attitudes,” according to Brandeis University Professor Sylvia Barack Fishman, associate director of the new institute. Shulamit Reinharz, a professor of sociology at Brandeis and the director of the university’s Women’s Studies Program, will direct the institute. Actress and director Barbra Streisand has been named honorary chair of the board of directors. The institute will give grants to support the study of Jewish women and help create Jewish women’s research programs throughout the world. It will also hold conferences, with three or four already planned for the upcoming year. The first conference will be held in December to discuss the state of research on Jewish women worldwide, according to Reinharz; a conference next April will focus on the American Jewish family. In June, the institute will collaborate with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem to hold a conference on the role of women in creating the State of Israel. In the “100th year of Zionism and the 50th year of the State of Israel, it’s time to study the role of women,” Reinharz said. “We’ve been invisible.” Marlene Post, the national president of Hadassah, said the institute will study the changing roles of Jewish women as the next century approaches. “What we don’t know from an academic research perspective is who this Jewish woman is and how she will impact in the next century on the Jewish people.” Post said Hadassah proposed the institute after seeing the results of “Voices for Change: Future Directions for American Jewish Women,” the 1995 report by Hadassah’s National Commission on American Jewish Women. She said the survey made Hadassah realize that there was a need for more research on Jewish women, “something that would take us to a higher academic level in an ongoing way.” Streisand released a statement in which she expressed her enthusiasm for the new institute. “[This] is one of the most exciting projects I have heard about in a long time,” she said. “As a Jewish woman, I have always been bothered by negative stereotypes about us, and in my films I have always tried to show Jewish women in a positive light.” Fishman said the institute is “very interested in the arts” and hopes to bring together Jewish women writers and artists for a conference.

Talk to any of the dwindling band of Germans who remember the Second World War and they will tell you that the most fanatical Nazis could always be identified by the large sweat marks staining the right armpit of their brown party shirts – the more they saluted, the bigger the stain. The sight has long since disappeared from Germany which banned both the Nazis and their salute after 1945. Yet the Berlin performance artist Jonathan Meese is now creating a stir for giving a Nazi salute during an experimental drama he produced earlier this year in which he also simulated sex with an alien daubed with a Swastika. Many in the audience walked out. Mr Meese struck again last month when he gave two more Nazi salutes at an event called “Megalomania in the Art World” in Kassel. Now he has been put on trial in the town for displaying the banned symbol of an “unconstitutional organisation”. Mr Meese admits that the salutes were provocative gestures made as part of a “discourse in art.” He insists that he is innocent and that his actions are protected by constitutional clauses guaranteeing freedom of artistic expression. But critics, including Jewish groups, disagree. They argue that the public display of Nazi salutes renders the gesture harmless and makes it more acceptable. Jonathan Meese is no Nazi but he has put his finger on one of Germany’s last post-war taboos. Kassel’s judges are expected to deliver a verdict at the end of the month.

NYC Grocery Store Goofs, Advertises Hams for Hanukkah Thursday, December 06, 2007 NEW YORK — This was REALLY not kosher. A grocery store in Manhattan made a food faux pas, advertising hams as "Delicious for Chanukah." Chanukah -- an alternate spelling for Hanukkah -- is the eight-day Jewish holiday that began Tuesday evening, and hams -- as well as pork and other products from pigs -- can't be eaten under Jewish dietary laws. A woman who saw the mistake over the weekend at the Balducci's store in Greenwich Village took pictures of the signs and posted them on her blog. Jennifer Barton, director of marketing, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the signs were changed as soon as the error was noted. She issued an apology on the company Web site, saying the company would be reviewing its employee training.

Faryal (F): When I was younger, I couldn’t grasp how large and diverse the Muslim population was around the world. We’re the second largest religion in the world and the fastest growing, yet I only knew the handful of Muslims who lived near Kansas City. Natasha (N): Growing up in Karachi, faith was always through my family. I remember after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, my cousins and I spent the days leading up to Eid sitting around my aunt’s dining table, preparing goodie bags for children who’d been affected. For me, that’s always been the image I hold on to as what it means to be a Muslim. F: While I’m thankful for the families I did grow up near — they were my adopted extended family — I wish I knew more about the Muslim community beyond our bubble. When I got to college, my eyes were opened to a whole new variety of Muslims. This might sound strange, but I saw that there were several different definitions of a Muslim depending on how you grew up. I had never really grown up with a Muslim model that was outside of the archetype I saw at the mosque when we met the other Muslim families. N: One of the biggest problems I’ve found is that religious education focuses too much on black and white interpretations of what is haraam (forbidden) or halal (strongly encouraged). It’s just so alienating, especially to us confused young people growing up in the United States. We really don’t have any space for growth or exploration in between that allows us to figure out religion in relation to our lives as college students. F: One thing I do wish I had was a sort of more progressive Muslim youth program. I remember being so jealous of my Christian and Jewish peers who would go off to their respective summer camps every summer. They came back with lifelong friends and a progressive way to stay connected to their faith. While there are a few programs that exist currently, I haven’t personally been able to find one that is progressive enough for me. N: Exactly. I feel like these internal issues, coupled with the fact that Muslims are so heavily essentialized from the outside, make it so difficult for us to accept and be proud of the variation within our identities and how we choose to practice our religion. F: Yes. Too often I see young Muslims push away from their faith because they can’t see themselves fitting the mold with which they grew up. It’s hard to understand that it’s also possible to make a religion work for you instead of the other way around. I think meeting other Muslims who share the same worldview and hold the same beliefs as you can be incredibly formative for a maturing Muslim. You can see that there are other Muslims who think and act the same way as you. There is a sub-community where you feel you might fit in better than, say, in your home community.

The month of September is a crucial and significant month for various reasons, for many people in many cultures. The word “September” is derived from the Latin word ‘Septem’ meaning seven (7). However this year 5774 being a leap year i.e. 385 days which commenced on September 5th 2013 to September 24th 2014 with an intercalary month of Adar II included, 26th August ushered in the sixth (6th) month of Elul making most of September the 6th rather than 7th month following the Biblical sacred calendar. According to the Biblical civil calendar, It occurs as the thirteenth (13th) and final month of the leap year. However it remains the ninth (9th) month of the Gregorian calendar. The first (1st) month of the Biblical civil calendar year 5775 called Tishri (Ethanim) will commence on 25th September 2014. This year is special because it is the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year which runs from Rosh Ha-Shanah 25th September, 2014 until 13th September 2015… that means the following year, that is September 2015 – 2016 is the Biblical Jubilee Year for the Jewish nation – Israel! Awesome events are already beginning to take shape with prophetic implications that we just cannot ignore. After the first blood moon that occurred on 15th April 2014 much has already taken place in Israel with the current ongoing war in Gaza This month commences the beginning of the Fall Feasts of the LORD. The Feast of Trumpets/Jewish New Year (called Rosh Ha’Shana in Hebrew) falls on the new moon of 1-2 Tishri on 25th -26th September 2014 During this month there are a number of other events that take place; The autumnal equinox will occur on 23 September 2014 at 02.29UTC when the sun will be directly over the equator crossing southward and creating the phenomena of “equal nights”. It also marks an exit from the summer season and entry into the gate of a new season– the fall/autumn in the northern hemisphere and the entry from winter to spring in the southern hemisphere. PRAYING THRU THE MONTH - We are celebrating an ending and a new beginning all in one month. This is the end of the leap year 5774. Praise the LORD that He has faithfully guided you throughout the past civil year and will usher you into the new year. Deut 33.14-19, 27; Psa 71:3, Psa 90.1 - Close the gates of 5774 and open the new gates of 5775 with a proclamation of Psa 65 and Psa 91 - This new gate is an open door of opportunity to all who will take it. This is a new season. Thank the LORD that He is the One who Opens doors that no man can shut Rev 3.8, - Read Matthew 16:13-19; Peter got a divine revelation of the LORD; and a key of dominion and authority was released to him. When you get a divine revelation of the LORD’s prophetic word; from scripture, prayer, from listening, from other literature, what He reveals constitutes a key in your hand. When you have found it, you will get its reward and your expectation will not be cut off. Revelation is the key to access the new doors of opportunity in this season. Ask the LORD to give you a fresh revelation which will become a key to unlock your dominion in the areas of your interest; whether it is divine health, divine wealth, wisdom, divine ideas etc. Isa 22.22; Prov 23.18, 24.14. - Read Matt 16:21-23, 1 Cor 16.9; At every new door of opportunity there are wicked enemies that will resist your entrance. They may attempt to wrestle the keys of access from you. Not long after he received revelation and release into authority, Peter was used by the enemy to try and stop the LORD’s fulfillment of the very destiny that would establish the Ecclesia. The enemy does not use someone or an outside occurrence to wrestle your entry into a new season; he will use you first to stop your own entry by either missing the door or losing the revelatory keys of access. Pray that neither you nor any other person or demon shall hinder your entrance into the new season and new gates. - Pray that the LORD will send His angel to guard your mouth so you will not speak your way out of your blessed season Psa 141.3 - Pray for all your input gates; you will not watch or listen to what will close your doors or lose your key of access; that you will guard your heart in this season from woundedness and reactions to what will constitute to a loss of the keys or closure of the doors you are to enter into. Pray that you will keep your feet from going to connect with persons or be involved in what will close your doors, and your hands from reaching to partake of anything that will cause a closure or loss of opportunity to enter into the season. Prov 4.20-27 - The times and seasons belong to the LORD just like every other thing and its is His good pleasure to bring you through this new door. Pray that every enemy of progress that is from outside of yourself; militating against the entrance into this new season, new year and closure of the past season is henceforth rebuked and bound and cast out of the way as you usher the King of Glory and all His hosts into the new season ahead Psa 24. It is by a prophetic arm that the LORD ushers people out of an old season into a new one. Melkizedek ushered Abram from the old season into a new season of everlasting covenant with the LORD Gen 14:18-20-15. It was Moses who ushered the band of Hebrew slaves out of Egyptian bondage into national independence. It was Jesus who ushered the whole world out of bondage from sin into eternal life. You are the priest and prophet at the threshold of a new season and this new open door. Speak into the days ahead and prophesy for yourself,Ecclesia: - Spiritual growth in areas where you have been immature, Isa 61:3 - Fanning to flame deeper love for the LORD and all of His creation especially the brethren 1 Cor 13 - Fanning to flame the Holy Spirit inspired gifts, Isa 11:2, 1 Cor 12 - Divine health, financial stability, contentment 3 John 2 - Divine specificity for which area of the Great Commission to fulfill in this season - Divine marriage and family life that will be a model for your society - Divine ideas, productivity and creativity in the work of your hands Prov 31:13-27 - The fulfillment of redemptive purpose for every divinely connected relationship you are to make in this coming season - Divine destiny helpers in every area of interest to you. - Seeing eyes, comprehending mind, obeying heart for every GOD-given project and assignment Prophesy into every one of the 8 gates of society in your nation what kingdom patterns you desire to see in this coming season - Biblical and moral constitutional definition and values for Families, Psa 127, 128 - Restoration of the proper GODly patterns for family and marriage and for the Holy Spirit to reveal the futility of any other pattern that was not originally set out by the LORD - A return to the foundational Belief system that declares that Jehovah The LORD of heaven and earth is the LORD; and biblical patterns for patterning the nation with its principles at constitutional levels. Psa 33.12, 144:15, Prov 14:34 - Government, governance and political practices which will boost the development of the nation and raise the moral and living standards of the people Prov 28:2-4 - Leaders in government who will fulfill the LORD’s agenda in the territory and for Africa, that we would have leaders who will turn the face of the continent to a shine. - Wise defense and security leaders who will work strategies that bring peace and are for the entire territory; they do not just favor few portions of it Eccl 9:14-18 - Presidents whose presidency will bring restoration, repentance, rejoicing, returning to inheritance, rebuilding of old waste and broken places and people groups, restitution of that which has been stolen, realignment to destiny and purpose, reaffirmation that the LORD alone is GOD over the nation and they are merely stewards. Eccl 10:16-17 - A redefinition of the foundation of thrones in each area of leadership and in the three arms of government – judiciary, legislature and executive to reflect righteousness, justice and equity. Isaiah 33:22, Psa 89:14 - Economic apostles who will steer the nation into its GOD-given direction, lay foundations for and develop socio economic policies which will last for generations Gen 41:33-43 - Kingdom Economic and business apostles with divinely inspired ideas for economic success; for harnessing the human and physical resource potentials in every territory in your nation. - Educational apostles and prophets who will prepare curricula that will stir up the redemptive gifts of the people in their various groupings and raise effective leaders in every sector of society. - Gifted people for science and technology who will bring development in key areas like health, construction, infrastructure development, communication, new GODly ideas in food production etc. Exod 31:1-11, - Responsible media that will cover the nation and act as a tool to shape a moral society, dissemination of information that builds up and encourages unity in diversity, that monitors and informs the public with balanced and well researched news, that disregards the sensationalism that is rampant in today’s reporting, and does not become a catalyst for violence, sectarian division and tribal/racial/religious hatred. Psalm 45:1, 68:11 - Fanning to flame various arts and sports which are unique to the territory, even traditional games which are entertaining, educational, uniting, and which celebrate unity in diversity of the territory. - One of the past prophecies stated that the LORD will revive some of the local arts and sports to become international sports. This will create jobs for talented people in those games, who hitherto, had played them as hobbies or even ignored them for more popular activities like football, athletics, painting, sculpture etc. Pray that this will occur in your territory in this new season. - Prophesy that there shall be a sanitizing of cultural practices which will reflect and enhance a GODly belief system and a break-down of unhelpful, divisive and unGODly cultural practices in every tribe, tongue, race and religion in the territory The number 13 is a number that normally speaks of rebellion and apostasy; about fallen man resisting the authorities of The LORD and spiraling down to moral and physical death; it also speaks of anger; and sinful things on the one hand, but we will look at the positive aspects of the same number 13; it is a number of promise. Between the time Abraham received the promise of a son (Gen 16:15-17) to the time of Isaac’s birth (Gen 17) was 13 years. A time between promise given and promise manifested. It involves man and the LORD. The promise is always initiated by the LORD and destined to change your world forever. It has an underlying knowledge that it is something impossible to man except he is totally dependent on the LORD. - Are there things you know the LORD has promised you that have not borne fruit? Do they seem impossible? In this 13th month; pray that you will experience a beginning of fulfillment of those promises. Such a month does not occur again for another couple of years so lay hold of the significance of this season and press into it; - It is a season to bring out all those past prophetic words that have been released over your life, your territory, ministry etc., and remind the LORD in this season of promise; for it is appropriate to remind Him of His promises in such a kairos season. - The Scriptures are filled with promises for all who will access them. In this season, read the scriptures and bring out all the promises for divine release of health, wealth, peace, marital and ministerial success, business and relational success, long life, favor etc., for His promises never fail 2 Pet 1:3-5, Josh 21.45, Psa 119.140, 145.13, 2 Cor 1.20, Gal 3.16 - The number 1 denotes supremacy, the beginning – pray that in this season of beginnings; you will put the LORD first in every aspect of your life and ministry. - The number 6 is the number for man and conscience. The LORD created man on the sixth day – the LORD’s last working day, so man started life on the Sabbath day of rest. This has to do with trusting the LORD. In this season ask the LORD to reveal to you areas where you have operated by trusting the arm of flesh and repent of those areas where you have been limited by your income or lack thereof, your medical insurance or lack thereof, your occupation, your intellect and education, your connections etc - Choose to trust in the LORD in this season. Ask the Spirit of The LORD to show you and kingdom citizens everywhere how to be totally dependent on the LORD. Ask the LORD how He would have you operate in TRUST of Him in every aspect of your life. (Joh 14:26, Gen 2:1-3, Heb 3:7-4:6, 10) - The number 9 denotes judgement and birthing. Pray that in this season there shall be a judgement on everything that resists the purposes of the LORD at the doors of this new season at every one of the 8 gates of society. - It is another level of a new season when birthing happens. In this season pray that every GOD-ordained purpose in and through your life will come to a place of safe birthing. Luke 1:35 - Pray for a brooding of the Holy Spirit over every GOD ordained purpose that must be brought forth in this new season in your life, family, ministry and the Ecclesia until it comes to fruition. - Read Revelations 22;2 and pray that the fruit of the tree of life for the 1st, 6th, 9th and 13th months will be made available to you, and to the Ecclesia in this season. - Also declare that the leaves for healing of nations will be released to your life and territory. You will enjoy divine health in your life, family, finances, the work of your hands, relationships, in your animals, vegetation, in the nation at large. Is it the month of your birth? - Proclaim Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5-10 and Jeremiah 29:11 over your life. - Thank the LORD that He knew you, had a plan for you and crafted you perfectly. - Thank the LORD that you were always a champion from the day you were conceived when the seed that made you outran the billions of others to connect with the egg in your mother’s womb. - Praise the LORD that no matter what the enemy may have tried to bring your way, you will fulfill the LORD’s destiny from this day of your birth. - The day of your birth will be numbered among the days that are blessed and it shall not be found by those who curse days or prognosticate the heavens to fight against you. - The sun shall not smite you by day nor the moon by night on the day of your birth; but the heavens shall release their best for you. Psa 121:5-6, Hos 2:19-23. Rosh Hashanah /Feast of Trumpets This feast is suggestive of a futuristic event; the second coming of the Messiah. - Happy new civil year. Pray that you and kingdom citizens at large will experience the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life to make you relevant in every area. Just like the day of Pentecost, ask the LORD to give you more relevant language to your environment so you can shape it with His purposes. (Ps 45:1, Is 51:16) - This is a time of rejoicing. Pray that The LORD will fill you with His joy. The LORD will clothe you with garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. (Is 61:3, Neh 8:10) - Count your blessing and begin to thank The LORD for all His mighty work in your life, His preservation in the past season. - This is a time to reflect on the return of the LORD for His bride the Ecclesia which includes the gentiles and the Jews who have accepted the LORD and His atoning sacrifice on Calvary. Are there members of your family, community, who do not know the LORD? In this season, take time to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to speak to them about the saving grace of the LORD. Pray that there shall be an active move for evangelism and the Great Commission through the Ecclesia . Matt 28:18-20, Joh 3.16-17. - Pray for an active desire to keep away from iniquity and seek to be holy in the Ecclesia . Pray that the LORD will preserve your soul so that when the Rapture occurs; you will be a part of those who will be caught up with the LORD, whether you are dead or alive. Pray this for kingdom citizens everywhere (Jud 1:24; 1 Thess 4:16-17) In addition, on the New Year’s Day, the people rejoice for the LORD’s blessing throughout the year just ended, and asked for His blessing in the New Year. In Israel, the fall is the time for ploughing and sowing. - There are areas of your life which you may have ploughed and not planted anything. They have been lying fallow. They have potential for fruitfulness. These are things which the LORD spoke into your life, potential areas which could otherwise have been fruitful but have been left dormant by reason of neglect, being distracted, timing etc. Pray that every area of your life including talents, giftings, abilities, relationships that have been lying fallow, idle or dormant which need to be activated in this season, will receive the rain of righteousness from the LORD for optimum fruitfulness (Hos 10:12 ) SHEMITAH/SABBATICAL YEAR OBSERVANCE This year Israel and Jewish people will enter a sabbatical year when they will give the land rest from farming. As soon as the Jews settled in the Holy Land, they began to count and observe seven-year cycles. Every cycle would culminate in a Sabbatical year, known as “Shemitah,” literally: to release. The year following the destruction of the second Holy Temple was the first year of the seven-year Sabbatical cycle. In the Jewish calendar, counting from Creation, this was year 3829, 68-69 CE in the secular calendar. By counting sevens from then, we see that the next shemitah year will be the year 5775 after Creation, which runs from Sept. 25, 2014 through Sept. 13, 2015 The Shemitah year waives all outstanding debts between Jewish debtors and creditors.Nowadays, a halachic mechanism called pruzbul circumvents this loan amnesty. This aspect of Shemitah observance is known as shmitat kesafim, “release of money [debts].” Deut 15.1-2 During the Shemitah year, the residents of the Land of Israel must completely desist from cultivating their fields. They also relinquish personal ownership of their fields; whatever produce grows on its own is considered communal property, free for anyone to take. The state of Israel has increasingly and in many ways been returning to the observances from the Torah. In modern day state of Israel, Israeli government action to set aside $29 million funding to enable farmers to observe the rest from farming, is headed by Israel’s Religious Affairs Ministry, which will spend the money encouraging and enabling Jewish farmers who wish to follow the command. It will be used to support farmers who will suffer loss of income, but who nevertheless, choose to keep the Shemitah, allowing their fields to lie fallow in obedience to the LORD’s law. Though farming regulations may seem insignificant to those in urban areas, it was in part Israel’s original failure to observe the resting years that resulted in the 70-year exile (2 Chronicles 36:20-23)—a seven-decade “Sabbath rest” for the land. This aspect of the Shemitah year is known as shmitat karka, “release of the land.” Lev 25.3-6, In the ancient Israeli agrarian-based culture, the Shemitah year proved to be a difficult challenge for the people’s collective trust in the Creator, the One who bequeathed them the Land of Milk and Honey. Lev 25:20-22 As well as giving the people an opportunity to put their faith and trust in the LORD and see it fulfilled, the yearlong abstention from farming also allowed them to collectively take a breather and focus on higher, more spiritual pursuits — as the people packed the synagogues and study halls. Even today, when the vast majority of Jews are not involved in the farming industry, the lessons of Shemitah are very apt. During this holy year they are expected to concentrate more on the spiritual mission in life, and a little less on material pursuits. More on why we are needed, less on what we need. More on faith in the LORD, less on faith in our own talents and wiles. Many non-Jews first learned about the significance of the Shemitah year while reading the best-selling Christian book of recent years, “The Harbinger,” by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, or by watching the documentary version of the messianic rabbi’s teaching, “The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment,” the best-selling Christian movie of 2012 and 2013. Cahn explained that while the Shemitah was designed by The LORD to be a blessing to the people, when it was not observed, and when the people walked away from the LORD, it became a curse. In his book and movie works, Cahn, reveals that the two greatest financial calamities in American history occurred on successive Shemitah years following the 9/11 Islamist terror attacks on the U.S. September 17, 2001, six days after the 9/11 attacks, the stock market re-opened and suffered the greatest point loss in its history, to that date. The market dropped 700 points, or 7 percent in one day. In response, the Federal Reserve slashed the nation’s interest rates, ushering in a period of economic devastation for the U.S. Sept. 17, 2001, was the end of the Shemitah year – Elul 29. Seven years later, September 29, 2008, would prove to be even worse. The days leading up to that date saw the government bailout of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the two largest mortgage companies in the U.S., in a bid to prevent the collapse of the two. Shortly thereafter, Lehmann Brothers once considered the pinnacle of financial firms, reported losses of 45 percent and filed bankruptcy rather than accept a government bailout. The stock market dropped 777.7 points or 7 percent, wiping out all gains of the past seven years. Thus making it the largest ever one-day drop in the U.S. stock market history. Sept. 29, 2008, fell on Elul 20, marking the end of the Shemitah year in Israel. What followed was an implosion of the U.S. and world economies. There is indeed need for, not only the Jews to observe the importance of this sabbatical year, but for kingdom citizens everywhere to acknowledge the seasons of the LORD as pointed out in scripture, and fulfilled in Jesus. The end of the Shemitah year in 2015 will be celebrated Sept. 28 at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. On the same evening, the fourth and final blood moon will occur. This makes the entire season of year 5775 a very prophetic odyssey for both kingdom citizens, and the nation of Israel. - Now you have knowledge – Ask the LORD that in the face of the realities of failure that attend those who will not observe or acknowledge a sabbatical year how will He have you and kingdom citizens at large to walk and operate in this coming year so that you enjoy all the benefits of the season and avert disaster by ignorance as recorded above? Acts 17.30 - Pray for the government of Israel that the LORD will release the necessary wisdom required to ensure that the nation observes this season; not just religiously, but there shall be a revelational release of wisdom as they walk in this season. - In this sabbatical year, as Israel opens the doors for the Ecclesia at large to walk into the realities of the Feasts by their acknowledging of the significance of the Sabbatical year, at national level, pray that the rest of the Ecclesia will go back to this foundational truths and there shall be a breaking of the dependence on the arm of flesh; a destruction of the counterfeit gospel of prosperity that has weakened the Ecclesia spiritually and made it a carnal entity dependent on human tactics to produce wealth, miracles, signs wonders etc. - Pray that in this season of observance and the ushering in of the fall feasts, as various orthodox observers seek for the first coming of the Messiah, there shall be a revealing of the LORD Himself to those who seek Him but are covered by the veil of blindness to His LORDship as Messiah who already came and is to come again. - It is a season for kingdom citizens who are not necessarily farmers to also reflect more on the aspects of Sabbath rest- the principle of trusting in the LORD, depending on Him for every provision and seeking Him more. Pray for yourself and kingdom citizens at large that there will be revelation on the principles that will strengthen your trust in the LORD. - Pray that in this coming season, you will spend more time communing with the LORD in various ways to fan to flame all aspects of our relationship with Him. PRAYING FOR NATIONS Israel & Middle East - The fighting between Israel and Gaza continues unabated. Pray that in this sabbatical year, as the government of Israel endeavors to help the people walk through the season, and even reduce on war action, the LORD will arise as Jehovah Nissi, the Banner over the nation and their Shield of Protection. - The season of the bloodmoons on feast days portends difficult situations which begin just before the bloodmoons and then an abating of the disaster, and a supernatural solution to every crisis. This is the season for divine intervention into the Gaza and Hamas challenge faced by Israel. It is the season for divine intervention into the rise of the ISIS in the Middle East against all non-moslems. No man has a solution for these challenges. Pray that Jehovah Sabaoth will arise with all of the Hosts of heaven and earth to contend with these twin crisis matters so that the land can rest all around and many can also fear the GOD of Israel - Even as you pray concerning the challenge of ISIS in the Middle East, recognize that the acronym is one of the names for the Queen of Heaven. In ancient Egyptian mythology the goddess Isis, a moon goddess, gave birth to Horus, the god of the sun. Together, Isis and Horus created and sustained all life and were the saviors of their people. They call her the all-goddess and she became the most powerful of all the gods and goddesses of the ancient world. From Egypt to Greece, Rome to Southern Africa, South America and Asia, all across the world she is worshipped under various names including Rain-queen, Ntu, Ashtoreth, Diana Allah etc - As a moon-goddess, this is the deity behind the idolatrous worship of Allah. With the prophetic reality that Islam is a dying religion, the demonic realm under this deity requires a level of blood of the saints to strengthen and fortify their stance. Bring a lamentation on behalf of the Ecclesia in the Middle East where the violence and bloodshed is taking place. The same violence is also taking place through terrorism by Boko Haram in Nigeria and terrorist violence in other nations including Syria, Kenya, Uganda, Israel, America, Pakistan, India etc Lam 5. - Bloodshed always brings a curse on the land; bring repentance for the bloodshed that continues in these regions by reason of the sacrifices to Isis the demon-deity behind Islam - Declare that the blood of Jesus has already paid the price for bloodshed, for every single soul and all other bloodshed and sacrifices are rendered null and voided by reason of His sacrifice on the greatest altar ever raised – Calvary. - Declare the LORD’s judgment over those who bow to the queen of heaven and make these sacrifices to her – that He will watch over them for harm and not for good Jer 44.25-27 - Pray that the LORD will raise a supernatural solution through kingdom citizens in government, in NGO’s working in these trouble spots, on averting the death as we pray for divine ideas, and bind the principality under the Queen of heaven over these regions invaded by terrorism. - On a regular basis, proclaim Isaiah 40-49 to contend with every deity that endeavors to raise themselves above the knowledge of the LORD – those gods are not GOD and they will utterly fail in every generation, West African EBOLA Crisis The Ebola Virus crisis which began in Guinea and spread through Liberia, Sierra Leone and now in Nigeria continues to plague the people. It is the most severe outbreak of Ebola in terms of the number of human cases and deaths since the discovery of the virus in 1976, with the number of cases from the current outbreak now outnumbering the combined cases from all known previous outbreaks. As of 20 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a total of 2,615 suspected cases and 1,427 deaths (1,528 cases and 844 deaths being laboratory confirmed). The Ebola virus crisis comes at a time when there are many other challenges which have been blamed squarely on the governments of these nations including unrest, joblessness, insecurity, corruption etc. Could it be that now there is a crisis which cannot be directly blamed on the government the Ecclesia can turn beyond blame and focus on GODly solutions? How ought we to pray now that we cannot quite pray in or pray out some government leaders to solve the challenge? Could it be that the continent of Africa is being redirected to a pattern of prayer which will not focus on emerging challenges but should focus on destiny and redemptive purpose for our territories? - When we focus on praying for the LORD to push our territories into their redemptive destiny, then all other challenges that hinder us entering in will begin to find effective solutions. Make this your prayer for yourself, your community and the territory at large. - Pray that the LORD’s redemptive purpose for these nations which are affected by the virus will begin to come to fruition; as this happens, pray that divine ideas for containing the epidemic, and divine healing solutions will be derived promptly as we align to the purposes of the LORD in various areas of our experience as nations. - Pray for the Ecclesia that as we begin to pray aright, solutions will emerge not only for the Ebola virus, but for the Boko Haram challenge, and other challenges that have been so difficult to handle; and that kingdom citizens will be in charge of any sector developed to manage the challenges. - Read Psa 107.20; 1 Pet 2.24, Pray for release of the grace for divine healing of the LORD from the Ecclesia in this season as kingdom citizens become bold and go to pray for those who are ailing. Pray that the testimonies that will come out of what the enemy has endeavored for evil, will turn many to the LORD Jesus as their Savior. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2014 The 69th session of the UNGA will hold from 16 September 2014 to 1 October 2014 in New York City USA. This will usher in the 10th Sabbatical year of the UNGA as it enters its 70th year of operation. The number 70 denotes perfection of spiritual order, eldership; rulers of the earth; total victory; elders worship, believers delivered and wars cease. The UN will be tabling the crisis in the Middle East as one of the major topics of discussion – with the ISIS crisis and the war between Israel and Gaza taking center stage. - Declare that the virtues of the number 70 will be reflected in this particular session of the UN general Assembly. There will be a new level of sobriety, maturity and infusion of wisdom of the LORD in the meetings held. - Proclaim Psa 117, Psa 148 over the 69th Session of the UNGA. - Declare that in this sabbatical season of so many significant spiritual events, the simplicity of the wisdom of the LORD will pervade the elders of the nations i.e., dignitaries from nearly 200 nations including heads of state and their delegations, monarchs, diplomats and professionals converge at this single venue in New York UN Headquarter for the duration of the assembly for various discussions. - Declare that the outcomes of all discussions in this particular assembly will bring forth a deliverance of the believers especially in terrorism hit areas by ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Shabab and other terrorist cells. - Declare that there shall be a supernatural visitation of the LORD to various leaders who attend the conference in this particular year as it enters its 70th cycle- and there shall be a new worshipping of the LORD by elders of the nations. - Declare wisdom on the matter of the state of Palestine and Israel proclaiming Psa 48 and Psalm 49 concerning the purpose for the UN, the division of Israel and their release from legal captives. This year an African will be president of the 69th assembly. Sam Kutesa president elect at the UNGA is minister of foreign affairs for Uganda. He takes the baton from the former UNGA President of African extraction John Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda in this significant season when the UN enters its 70th session. - Pray for the President-elect of the UN general assembly, that he would be confirmed unanimously and will exercise uncommon governance authority, grace and wisdom that is from the LORD to run the meetings in a way that would glorify the LORD and His purposes in the nations. - This is a season when Uganda has been under fire for rejecting homosexuality and abortion. Pray that these matters will be navigated with wisdom as nations gather; and the precedent that Uganda began will flow throughout the continent to resist this abominable stances from the western world and aid agencies. The Spiritual advisory body of the UN is the World Goodwill which runs its spiritual agenda under the Cycle of Conferences; World Goodwill is a section of Lucis Trust (Lucifer’s Trust). They run an anti-GOD agenda and have a clear understanding of the spiritual nature of all the conferences run by the United Nations. This is what they have to say concerning the conferences in this year: “Today, in the planning now going forward in connection with the various international conferences and councils…the spiritual effort (for the first time in human history) is to bring all of them, as functioning groups, under the direct impact of the energy which motivates and actuates that place where the Will of God is known and the purposes of divinity are defined and projected. This means that each of the coming world conferences (and there will necessarily be many) will have a greater and far more extensive effect than would otherwise be the case.” World Goodwill’s Cycle of Conferences project is a worldwide meditation group that joins together in a visualisation to help spiritually enlighten the atmosphere on which world conferences vital to humanity’s spiritual progress depend. In this season more than ever our leaders who go into the conferences without much spiritual cover, and at most with a lot of occult practices, find that they are cast under a spell of wickedness so that they become dull and cannot formulate any policies that are helpful to humanity. Many unGODly policies are fomented because the conferences are covered spiritually by the above body. - Earnestly pray for the leadership of the nation as they attend these meetings so that they will be alert, there shall be angelic covering to ensure they contribute meaningfully toward the development of the nations and resist unGODly policies that derail the nations from pursuing the purposes of the LORD. - Declare Isa 44:24-25 and Jer 10.1-16 over the World Goodwill and other spiritual bodies that guide the UN activities from a spiritual level. The LORD alone is Governor over the nations as they attend the conferences Psa 22.28. Nations of the 10/40 Window During this season we continue to pray for over 100 cities of the 10/40 window. The LORD’s strategy is to stretch the Rod (Word) of the LORD over the territory. It means we make Scriptural proclamations to contend with chants and proclamations going out from that region to the various demon deities worshipped in the 10/40 window territories. - Pray for Jesus’s visitation to individuals and people groups in the following cities using the proclamations in the updated publication “Praying Thru the 10/40 Window” which was sent to you in the previous guides or make an email request. - While focus is on the 10/40 window territories, include your own territory and other trouble spots and all lawlessness as you proclaim the Word of the LORD as law over every gate of society on a regular basis: - Bamako meaning “crocodile pool” capital of Mali belief Islam/animism - Ougagadougou meaning “place of the Oauga people”; capital of Burkina Faso belief Animism/Islam - Algiers meaning “the islands” capital of Algeria belief Islam - Kuwait city meaning “small fort” capital of Kuwait belief Islam - Beirut meaning “wells, springs” city in Lebanon belief Islam - Pune meaning “city of merit” city in Maharashtra province india belief Hinduism - Hyderbad meaning “lion town”. City in Andhra Pradesh province India belief Hinduism - Jakarta meaning “place of victory” city in Indonesia belief Islam - Dhaka meaning “after Durga wife of Shiva” city in Bangladesh belief Hindu/Islam - Phnom Penh meaning “hill of a woman named Penh” capital of Cambodia (Kampuchea) belief Buddhism/Atheism - Libya 1 September(Coup d’état of 1969) - Uzbekistan 1 September (Declaration of independence from the USSR in 1991) - Slovakia 1 September ( independence from Czechoslovakia in 1993) - Vietnam 2 September (Declaration of independence from France and Japan in 1945) - Transnistria 2 September (Declaration of independence from the Moldova in 1990) - San Marino 3 September (Independence from the Roman Empire in 301AD (traditional date)) - Swaziland 6 September (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1968) - Andorra 8 September (Our Lady of Meritxell Day, patron saint of Andorra) - North Korea 8 September (declaration of a democratic people’s republic in 1948) - Macedonia 8 September declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991) - Tajikistan 9 September (Declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991) - Belize 10 September, 21 September (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1981) - Bonaire (Netherlands) 6 September - Brazil 7 September (Declaration of independence from Portugal in 1822 - Gibraltar 10 September (Gibraltar National Day, people of Gibraltar vote to reject - Spanish sovereignty or association in 1967) - Catalonia (Spain) 11 September (The Crown of Aragon loses its nominal independence after the fall of Barcelona in 1714) - Cape Verde September 12 - Costa Rica 15 September (Independence from Spain in 1821) - El Salvador 15 September (Proclamation of independence from Spain in 1821) - Honduras 15 September (Independence from Kingdom of Spain in 1821) - Guatemala 15 September (Declaration of independence from Spain in 1821) - Nicaragua 15 September (Independence from Spain in 1821) - Mexico 16 September ((Grito de Dolores) declaration of independence from Spain in 1810) - Papua New Guinea 16 September (Independence from Australia in 1975) - Chile 18 September (date of the first Government Junta in 1810) - St Kitts and Nevis 19 September (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1983) - Malta 21 September (Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 - Mali 22 September (Independence from the Mali Federation in 1960) - Saudi Arabia 23 September (unification of the kingdoms Nejd and Hejaz in 1932) - Guinea-Bissau 24 September (Declaration of independence from Portugal in 1973 - Botswana 30 September (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1966) - For each nation celebrating an independence day, pray that the LORD will follow this with the independence of His people from the kingdom of darkness into His glorious kingdom of light. Many will have a personal encounter with Him which will lead to their decision for salvation over eternal death. Pray that the people in each of these nations will choose life and that there shall be fellowships which will be on hand to receive and disciple them into strong disciples of the LORD. Matt 28:18-20. - Thank the LORD that He is Governor over the above nations and He rules justly (Psa 22:28) - Pray that a level of kingdom governance will begin to reflect in each of the above nations as they mark various milestones during this month. - Prophetically proclaim Isaiah 61 to the Ecclesia in each of the above nations. - Pray that the LORD will strengthen the weak hands and knees of the Ecclesia in each nation. One common feature in each of the above nations is that the Ecclesia is not very strong. There is a strong occult presence in each of these nations. Pray that the LORD will raise a prophetic Ecclesia to deal with all forms of occult in this season. - Pray for nations that have turned heavily to Secular humanism because of the relative successes they have enjoyed in areas of economic development. Many of these nations have become centers of immorality and defiance of the LORD. Pray that the LORD will in this season do something that will cause the people in these nations to turn their hearts back to Him. Pray for Botswana, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Swaziland, Libya, Papua New Guinea - 11 September 2014 Montserrat Legislative Council Elections - 14 September 2014 Sweden Parliamentary elections - 17 September 2014 Fiji House of Reps elections - 18 September 2014 Scotland Referendum - 20 September 2014 New Zealand House of Reps - 28 September 2014 Switzerland Referendum - 1 October 2014 Kazakhstan Senate elections - 4 October Latvia Parliamentary elections - 5 October Brazil Presidential and Chamber of Deputies, Federal Senate elections - 5 October Bosnia & Herzegovina House of Peoples, Chairman of presidency, - 5 October Bolivia Presidential Chamber of Deputies & Chamber of Senators - 5 October Bulgaria national Assembly tentative/snap elections - 15 October 2014 Mozambique Presidential & Assembly of the Republic elections - 26 October 2014 Tunisia Parliamentary elections - 26 October 2014 Uruguay Presidential & Chamber of senators & Chamber of reps - 26 October Ukraine Supreme Council Elections - 29 October Solomon Islands National Parliament elections - 31 October Namibia Presidential & National Assembly elections (date not confirmed) - Pray for the elections that are slated to happen in this season that kingdom citizens will continually recognize the importance of becoming share-holders of the nation by becoming active voters so they can partner with the LORD in making divinely inspired political choices. - Pray that Jehovah Shalom will cover these nations during their elections. Pray that the peace that surpasses all understanding shall reign as people go to polling stations and that sanity will reign during the entire process. - Pray that the Ecclesia in the nations will not stop praying once elections are over. Pray that there will be continued and sustained prayers for the LORD’s direction in how to move forward with the new leadership. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) - Pray that the leaders who are selected in these nations will be people who will set up these territories for a last days’ move of the LORD – the expected end time revival. Habb 2:14 PRAYING THROUGH THE HEAVENS Not many people have heard about the Bible story in the stars. This is definitely NOT astrology. Astrology can’t even put three signs together to make a story, whereas, the 48 constellations that make up the true Zodiac all go together to tell the story of Jesus, the Redeemer. The story includes His birth and life prophesy (the first four major Signs; 16 constellations), His dealings with His elect people (the second four major Signs), and His coming in triumph over Satan( the last four major Signs). The heavens on a daily basis declare the glory of the LORD seen in the face of Jesus. These declarations ought to be understood and appropriated by kingdom citizens; not only in times of major heavenly activities e.g. the eclipses and other alignments of the heavenly bodies, but on a daily basis. - Thank the LORD that the heavens on a daily basis declare His glory and each day has a speech that is released over creation - Pray that you will be among those who can answer in the affirmative the question posed in Job 38.33 – that you will know the ordinances of the heavens and set their dominion on the earth - Pray that in this season of high spiritual activity when the heavens are declaring seasons of triumph of good over evil; of liberty and new beginnings you will not miss it. Crescents and Quarter Moons The First quarter moon will occur on 2nd September 2014 @23.11UTC, and the last quarter moon will occur on 16 September 2014 @14.05UTC - Command the quarter moons to praise the LORD in their season. - They use the D shaped quarter moon or it’s mirror image as a bow to shoot arrows at the ignorant. Pray that the LORD will be your shield and great Reward; pray this for all kingdom citizens everywhere Psa 91:5-6, Deut 49:23 - Pray that in the season of the quarter moons, your bow will be made strong by YHVH. You will be an arrow in His hand. He will shoot you forth and you shall land on target, deep in the heart of the enemies of His purposes in every area of expression. Pray this for the Body of Christ (Deut 49:24, Psa 127:4-5.) - As often as possible in this month, prophesy Psalm 91 over your life, family and the Body of Christ in the territory The Full moon will occur on 9th September 2014 @13.38UTC - Pray that the moon, the faithful witness in the sky (Ps 89:37) should mark a season of unprecedented levels of glorifying the LORD Psa 104:19, Psa 89:37 - Command the moon to reject every kind of worship, sacrifices, incantations, projections and prognostications made to it, and rather be a faithful witness to the season of the LORD’s glory, power, presence and goodness to His people. Ps 89:37; Prov 14:5 - Pray that the LORD will release those who are struck by the moon in this season esp. people who tend to have any issues with mental health or stability. Some people get temporary memory loss during this season of full moon. Some students forget during exams. Psa 121:6 - Pray that at the full moon there shall be a coming to fullness of the prophetic word of the LORD for you in this new month, and from thence as it wanes the prophetic releases will begin to come to fruition in every area of your existence. New moon will occur on 24 September 2014 @18.14UTC will open the new year and the festival of Rosh Hashanah/Feast of Trumpets - Command the gates of the New Year to be lifted up unto the LORD, and command the new moon to welcome the LORD into the gates of this new season. (Ps 24:7-10) - The LORD gave Israel a command “Blow the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day”. Pray for the members of the Ecclesia globally to gather solemnly in season of heightened intercession for our territories wherever we live Psalm 81:3 - A C shaped moon or its mirror image is a crescent;. The occult use the crescent moon as sickles (e.g. Hecate’s sickle), for harvesting the gains of the ignorant. Pray that the Crescent and quarter moons will do only YHVH’s bidding i.e. to praise Him and give Him pleasure as they display His glory on earth Col 1:15-20, Rev 4:11 - Declare that ever demonic harvester, every thief of kingdom citizen’s harvest will be cast out and blown away by the east wind of the LORD; and we shall partake of every harvest that we are entitled to. Psa 126:5-6 The autumnal equinox will occur on 23rd September 2014 @ 02.29UTC - This day when the sun crosses the equator brings the phenomenon of equal nights; with 12 hours of daylight and 1 hours of darkness along the equator. Command the sun to praise the LORD to praise the LORD and respond only to His bidding and do their role of legislating the times and seasons Psa 104.19-20, 148:1-6 - Many occultists will converge at the equator locations to carry out enchantments, and speak into the laylines to carry out their bidding across the earth. Command the laylines of the earth including the equator, the prime meridian, the international date line, the tropics of cancer and Capricorn to do only the bidding of the LORD and reject every other voice. The earth is the LORD’s and must respond only to His commands Isaiah 38.8 - There is a worldwide variety of fall equinox celebrations, which demonstrates the diversity of religious beliefs including remembering the dead from this season. There are those merchants of the earth that are hunting for souls all over the world to harvest into the kingdom of darkness (Rev 18.13). Pray that the LORD will be the Deliverer of such souls from the hands of the soul hunters and the fowler. He will send his angels who are hunters and fishers to address all these appropriately. Psa 91, Prov 6:5, Jer 16:16 From 10th August to the first half of this month on 16th September 2014 the sun will still be in its sojourn through a cluster of 95 stars in the constellation called Leo symbolized by the Lion and represents YESHUA AS THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. That is the 12th gate through which the sun passes every yearly cycle. Its lodging in the cluster of Leo brings the story of Jesus in the heavens to full circle – completion. Refer to August 2014 Prayer guide for further prayer for this part of the month One more decans of the star cluster Leo is Draco which has to do with this 13th month of the leap year 5774. Draco influences all twelve constellation groups through his subtlety. Notably his tail lies in the last constellation Leo, between Ursa Major and Minor, signifying that his power over the seed of Abraham will come to an end when the Lion of Judah returns to the earth and imprisons him. Draco’s testimony is that because man’s troubles begin and end with him, yet he is the 13th discreet constellation, hidden for all time among the 12. It is fitting to label him the 13th for this is the number of apostasy. He rebelled against the LORD and His Word. He is determined to challenge the rule of YHWH. He has his own religion which is built on the precepts of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and which is in opposition to the precepts of the LORD found in Scripture. (Isa 14:13-15) He is described in the stars as ‘subtle’ because his ways often seem to be aligned with Scripture. The prudent, discerning person will see through him but the hasty, worldly person will be drawn onto a path of ultimate destruction. Satan has been given 6000 years (6 being the number of man) to reveal the true hearts of men by appealing to their inner lawlessness. No person will be able to stand on the day of judgment and claim that Satan did anything more than appeal to the inner cravings of their heart. Each person is responsible for his own destiny. The stars and Scripture both declare that Satan will be brought down and punished. He will be imprisoned for the Millennial Reign of Jesus and then he will be destroyed in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10) - In this 13th and 6th month consecutively, command the star cluster Draco to declare the glory of the LORD - This hidden constellation reveals the subtlety and wily nature of the enemy. We are in a season when so much wickedness is veiled in layers of what seems good and holy and done in the name of the LORD. Many people who minister seek powers from the kingdom of darkness and are deceiving thousands across the world. Pray that as the heavens declare, there shall be a revealing of these counterfeit ones so that people will not be led into the destruction. - In this season, pray for the gift of discernment to be fanned to flame in your life; because so many are undiscerning of the wickedness that operates around us in our offices, homes, communities and even in the Ecclesia . Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you will grow this area of your life and what ought you to do in order to become more discerning. From 16th September 2014 to 30th October 30th 2014, as the sun makes one of its longest circuits through the heavens, it passes through a group of 110 stars in the constellation called Virgo. Virgo marks the sun’s first entrance into a constellation in its 13 month circuit through the heavens. Virgo reveals the particulars of the Abrahamic Covenant – its guarantor the LORD, its legal executors Abraham and Sarah, and its first beneficiary Isaac. Its fulfillment in Jesus. It is a legal contract, written in the heavens, so that all creation can see and know that the Creator of the heavens and the earth is in a legally binding contractual relationship with a particular people who descend from the loins of Abraham and Sarah and the other nations were grafted in through Jesus. Virgo is symbolized by a virgin who lay across the ecliptic bearing a branch in her right hand and a sheaf of wheat in her left hand. Her head is positioned very close to the tail of Leo. She stands upon the sign of Libra. The wheat sheaf is a fertility symbol; the branch refers to the Messiah. (Isaiah 11:1). Here begins the tale of the Jesus’s life as foretold by the heavens. It starts with a two-fold testimony of the Coming One. Stars: The branch; the gloriously beautiful; who shall come down; who shall have dominion; the son; who carries; a spike of corn; the seed. - Command the constellation Virgo to praise the LORD as it dominates the skies in the coming season. - Thank the LORD for Jesus who humbled Himself and became just like vulnerable baby, allowed himself to be raised by a regular poor couple, grew into a man and made choices that enabled Him to BECOME the Savior. He allowed Himself to come through the channel of fallen man in order to redeem us (Phil 2:5-11, Joh 3:16, Rom 5:6-8) - Pray that during this season many in unreached places will receive a heavenly revelation of the redemptive role of Jesus who was born to save mankind from eternal destruction 1 Joh 3.8 - Isaiah prophesied about Yes the Branch that would spring forth from Jesse. Jesus proceeded to display the 7 spirits of YHVH. Pray that during this season, as many as are willing in theEcclesia , will begin to manifest in greater measure, each of the 7 Spirits of YHVH in this new season Isa 11:1-2. Four other smaller groups of stars called decans that form part of the constellation called Virgo give further details of who the “Branch” is. COMA Above the ecliptic an enthroned young woman holds her infant son. Named: The desired or longed for. - It represents “The Desired” which portrays the coming “Branch” to be a child who will be the “Desire of all nations” referring to Jesus. Thank YHVH that Jesus fulfilled that which the heavens declare. Hag 2.7 - During this season of the Feast of Trumpets many orthodox Jews look forward to the first coming of the Messiah. Pray that the LORD will appear to many as the Messiah who already came more than 2000 years ago to redeem all creation and set off these last days. CENTAURUS represents “the centaur” a being having two natures A man with the body of a charging horse (centaur) lies below the ecliptic. He holds a shield and spear and is piercing a victim. Between his hind legs is the ancient sign of the Hebrew letter Tav. Named: The despised; sin offering; the pierced or who pierces. Stars: Heretofore and hereafter. - Meditate on Isaiah 53 during this season - These stars depict Jesus in His two-fold natures, Son of GOD and Son of Man, the Lion and the Lamb, the root and offspring of David, the peasant Shepherd and royal King. Praise the LORD that the heavens declare this truth. - Pray that kingdom citizens will during this season gain a better understanding of the two-fold nature of Jesus and how it manifests in their lives as He dwells in us. CRUX – THE COVENANT: Rather than a cross this constellation is the ancient version of the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Tav. This sign is positioned directly between the centaur’s legs. Named: Cutting off; boundary; mark; finish. - Pray that as the heavens declare, you will during this season go back to the message of the cross and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a revelation on this greatest altar that was ever raised. - Pray that you will revisit the importance of “carrying your cross” daily as commanded by Jesus - The Cross was the scene of the new covenant that was cut between the LORD and man restoring us back into fellowship with Him and therefore back into our redemptive purpose as mankind to rule and reign with Him forever. Read and meditate on Gen 1:26-28, Rev 22:4-5 and ask the Holy Spirit to bring you to a new and greater revelation of the significance of the Cross and the covenant we have through it. BOOTES represents the “Coming One”, referring to Jesus the coming Messiah and Judge of the earth. - Is it not amazing that the heavens declare this reality in line with the Fall Feast of Trumpets? Praise the LORD that His promise to return for His bride remains true even as the heavens so declare. - As the heavens are declaring His soon return, ponder on this question, are you ready? Make a request or download from our website the various prophecies from 2014 and previous ones too. We have also documented the prophecies that have so far come to pass since 2008-2011 on our website for your information and prayer. PROCLAIM OVER THE EARTH “IN THAT DAY I WILL RESTORE DAVID’S FALLEN SHELTER— I WILL REPAIR ITS BROKEN WALLS AND RESTORE ITS RUINS— AND WILL REBUILD IT AS IT USED TO BE, SO THAT THEY MAY POSSESS THE REMNANT OF EDOM AND ALL THE NATIONS THAT BEAR MY NAME,” DECLARES THE LORD, WHO WILL DO THESE THINGS. “THE DAYS ARE COMING,” DECLARES THE LORD, “WHEN THE REAPER WILL BE OVERTAKEN BY THE PLOWMAN AND THE PLANTER BY THE ONE TREADING GRAPES. NEW WINE WILL DRIP FROM THE MOUNTAINS AND FLOW FROM ALL THE HILLS, AND I WILL BRING MY PEOPLE ISRAEL BACK FROM EXILE. “THEY WILL REBUILD THE RUINED CITIES AND LIVE IN THEM. THEY WILL PLANT VINEYARDS AND DRINK THEIR WINE; THEY WILL MAKE GARDENS AND EAT THEIR FRUIT I WILL PLANT ISRAEL IN THEIR OWN LAND, NEVER AGAIN TO BE UPROOTED FROM THE LAND I HAVE GIVEN THEM,” SAYS THE LORD YOUR GOD. AMOS 9:11-15

- Keep to the 2 metre social distancing from people you pass by; - Take care crossing roads – use controlled crossings where possible. 1/15 A Hackney history walk for lockdown through Shacklewell. Start at the junction of Stoke Newington Road and Shacklewell Lane. On the other side of Kingsland High Street draper Ziba Dudley took over his father-in-law’s shop by 1895. Gradually this absorbed the whole block becoming ‘NE London’s Leading Store’ with 120 staff. Dudley’s closed down in 1975. 2/15 Walk along Shacklewell Lane to Shacklewell Lane Mosque. This was said to dwarf the surroundings when built as the Stoke Newington Synagogue in 1903. In 1977 it became a mosque for the Turkish-Cypriot community who had moved into the area to live and work. Its central dome was added in 1987. Carry on towards the centre of Shacklewell. 3/15 Shacklewell, not recorded until the 15th century, was one of Hackney’s least populated settlements. Shacklewell Lane continued east to Stoke Newington Common. The area lost its village feel in the last quarter of the 19th century when more industry moved in. The Lloyds sign on the side of the building opposite is an echo of the clothing factories in the area till the 1980s 4/15 Follow Shacklewell Lane round to the left and cross the zebra crossing to the Public Washing Baths. Now a nursery, it opened in 1931 with 24 baths for men, 16 for women. Bombed in 1940, it was repaired by 1942. In 1938, at its peak, it provided 103,143 baths. The Shacklewell Arms opposite was originally The Green Man, licensed by 1760. 5/15 In 1785 Shacklewell had its own coffee house. On the other side of the road, No. 77, Felix Place, is Shacklewell’s oldest surviving house. Walk on to the Petchey Academy, Hackney’s 2nd Academy, which opened in 2005 on what had been the site of a school since Dalston County Secondary was built here in 1937; later the site of Kingsland School which closed in 2004. 6/15 With the green opposite, this is the centre of Shacklewell, built on a ridge sloping south to Dalston and east to the valley of the Hackney Brook. The WW1 memorial on the green to the ‘Men of Shackelwell’ was put up by St Barnabas church, which we will pass later. Flats at Nos. 108-122 Shacklewell Lane were the site of the People’s City Farm from the 1960s till 1990. 7/15 Further on is Cotton Lofts, built in 1932 as Albert Works, the new premises for printers Henry Hildesley. Among other things, Hildesley’s printed London Transport posters from 1916 to 1925. It had an active staff association with a canteen catering for 46. The building was designed by Hobden and Porri, also the architects of the Simpson building, to be seen later. 8/15 Further on, on the right is Milton House Mansions, built as a terrace of maisonettes in 1907. They were built on the site of a house once occupied by Vincent Novello, founder of Novello’s music publishing company. Soon after moving here in 1823 he left ‘lest his children’s education should suffer from the village’s seclusion.’ 9/15 Walk down to the traffic lights at the junction with Amhurst Road. A map of 1863 shows this was as far as Amhurst Road went. The eastern part of Shacklewell Lane, leading to the bottom of Stamford Hill via Stoke Newington Common, was renamed Rectory Road as it went past the original rectory of St Paul’s (West Hackney) Church. 10/15 Safely cross Shacklewell Lane here and head back up to Shacklewell Green. On the right, pass Shacklewell House which replaced late 18th century houses pulled down in 1936. Take a look at the plaques on the side of the building: the architects were a Jewish family firm, Messrs Joseph, who designed social housing in various parts of Hackney from 1904 to the 1960s as well as The New Synagogue, Stamford Hill and The Hackney Synagogue. 11/15 Turning right into Perch St, you enter a ‘close’ of three distinct roads with red brick terraces. These were built between 1881 and 1886 with single doors leading to two self-contained flats, each with three rooms, a scullery and a WC. They were built on the site of the home for 200 years of Hackney’s Lord of the Manor: Herons, Rowes, Tyssens 12/15 Leave the area by the pedestrianised Seal Street and turn left down Shacklewell Row. On left, hard to see behind the mission hall put up in 1890 by the Merchant Taylors’ public school, is St Barnabas Church. This is the only church ever built in Shackelwell. When built in1910,one architectural critic saw it as ‘the best church of its date in London.’ It was designed by C H Reilly, whose childhood home was in Stoke Newington. 13/15 Walk back up Shacklewell Row. At the end of passage ahead you turn right and follow Somerford Grove left and turn left again, still in Somerford Grove, to stand in the middle of the Somerford Estate. It provided 150 homes in 5 different forms of dwelling, 1, 2 or 3 storeys high. The estate was built 1946-49 with communal facilities and was designed by leading architect Sir Frederick Gibberd. 14/15 The estate was built on 9 acres of what were streets of 19th century housing badly bombed in WW2. Carry on to the end of the road, turn left (notice the wall painting) then right, then left past GP surgery and turn right back into Somerford Grove to walk along the side of a 1930s factory, now converted into Olympic House, to Stoke Newington Road. 15/15 Turn left to stand outside Beyond Retro in a building which was built as a factory for S. Simpson Ltd.in 1929 to make the company’s successful DAKS trousers. The architects were Hobden and Porri. The factory was extended in 1931 and 1934 down Somerford Grove. It was seen as the most advanced clothing factory of its time, employing 2000 people. Simpson’s gradually moved out of the building, finally leaving in 1982.

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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp, and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. The Division Between Christianity and Judaism Let me begin this morning by reminding you of something from verse 10. It says, "We [that is, we Christians] have an altar from which those who serve the tent [that is, the Jewish priests, serving with the sacrifices at the tabernacle] have no right to eat." What this means is that Jesus gave himself (7:27; 9:14) as our sacrifice once for all (9:28) on the altar of the cross. He became our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) and took our place (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18) and bore our sins (1 Peter 2:24) and became for us a source of eternal food (John 6:53f.) which meets our deepest needs and gives us everlasting life. The reason it says in verse 10 that the priests have no right to eat from this altar is that they have rejected Jesus as their Messiah and the Son of God. Anyone who believes may come and eat. Jesus said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger; and he who believes in me shall never thirst." The only person who has no right to eat is the one who won't believe and come. So what we saw in verse 10 was the tragic division between the Christian and Jewish faiths. Jesus came and divided the true and the false. There are two altars: there is the old altar in Jerusalem with the old sacrifices; and there is the new altar outside the gate (v. 12) where Jesus offered himself once for all for sin. Jews and Gentiles who come to this altar for forgiveness and for strength find acceptance and hope. Jews and Gentiles who refuse to come have no right to the altar of life and will perish in their sins. Christianity as a Life of Joyful Sacrifice to God And so Christianity began, pushed out of Judaism by those who rejected Jesus as the Christ, but in God's sight heirs of the promise and possessors of the kingdom (Matthew 21:43). Now in verses 13–16 the way of life in this new religion called Christianity is described. It's a life of joyful sacrifice to the God of love. - There is the sacrifice of suffering. Verse 13: "Let us go forth with him outside the camp, and bear the abuse he endured." - There is the sacrifice of praise. Verse 15: "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." - And there is the sacrifice of a shared life. Verse 16: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Last week we talked about the sacrifice of praise and stressed that the number one priority at Bethlehem is the cultivation of hearts that stand in awe of God so that the sacrifice of praise will really be fruit of the lips and not works of the law. Doing Good to Others and Sharing Your Life Today I want us to focus on verse 16, the sacrifice of a shared life (Priority Number Two). Very simply, the life of a Christian is not only to be a worshiping, praising life, but a shared life; a life of doing good for others and sharing your possessions and your heart with others. Verse 16 says, "Do not neglect [or forget] to do good and to share what you have." Then a reason is given for why we should do this: "For such sacrifices are pleasing to God." What sort of things does the writer have in mind? I think we can see if we look back to the beginning of the chapter. Hebrews 13:1–3: "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body." So the kind of thing he means by doing good and sharing would be hospitality (having people—even people you don't know—over to your house after Sunday service); visiting people in prison; caring for any who are afflicted. But of course there are hundreds of ways to do good for people and to share your life with people. The point is that people who get their strength and their wisdom from the altar of the cross, from Jesus Christ, are people who live for others. They get up in the morning and think about how they can do the most good for other people today. This is the sacrifice that they offer to the Lord day after day. And one of the reasons for building a new and wider network of small groups at Bethlehem is to help cultivate the relationships where the sacrifice of a shared life can be made in the most caring and helpful way. Tom will pick up on this at the end of the service. Why God Is Pleased with Such Sacrifices The text says that such sacrifices are pleasing to God. And I want to spend the rest of our time pondering why that is, because I think if you can see why God is pleased with this way of life, it will please you too and make it a joy and not a burden. 1. They Honor the Death of His Son It pleases God first because it honors the death of his Son. That is, it affirms the reason that Jesus suffered and shows that his death was effective in its purpose. Verse 12 says, "So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood." Jesus suffered to sanctify you, that is, to purify you and make you holy and good and loving like he is. How do you show that sanctification? How do you affirm the sufferings of Jesus and show that they were not in vain in your life? Titus 2:14 says, "Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds." So the way to show the truth and power of the sufferings of Jesus is to be zealous for good deeds. God is pleased with our doing good and our sharing because it demonstrates the success and power of the sufferings of his Son. 2. They Display His Trustworthiness The second reason God is pleased with the sacrifices of doing good and sharing your life is that they display his trustworthiness. They show his faithfulness and reliability. How can good deeds and sharing display the faithfulness of God? You can see how in 13:5: "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for [note this word, 'for'; here comes the basis of our freedom from the love of money] he [God] has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.'" Now consider the relationship between the love of money and the ability to do good and share what you have. If you love money, if your trust for the future and for happiness is in money, then doing good and sharing will be hindered. So Hebrews says, "Keep your life free from the love of money," so you will be free to live for others and not for your own private gain. And how do you keep your life free from the love of money according to verse 5? By trusting the promise of God, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." This means that every time you offer the sacrifice of doing good and sharing because you no longer depend on money, you show that you are trusting the promise of God and that God is trustworthy and faithful. When you can live for others without needing material payoff, you show that God is your payoff. A life lived for others is a bright testimony to the worth of God and the truthfulness of his promises. And God loves to see his truth and worth exalted. So he loves the sacrifices of doing good and sharing. 3. They Are His Own Work Third, God is pleased with such sacrifices because they are in a real sense his own work, and he delights fully in the excellence and beauty of his own achievements. You can see this in 13:20–21. "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." What this shows is, first, that God equips us with everything good that we may do his will, and, second, that God works in us that which is pleasing in his sight. So when I have the faith and the freedom and the zeal to do good and to share my life with others, I cannot boast in myself; it is God at work in me. Let him who boasts boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). When you have the grace to live for others—to do good and to share—it is just that: it's GRACE! Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, "I worked hard, nevertheless it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me." And since we know that God rejoices in all his works (Psalm 104:31), we know that he rejoices in the work of grace that gives us the faith and the freedom and the zeal to live for others. So the third reason God is pleased with our doing good and sharing is that this is his work and not just ours. And he rejoices in his own handiwork. Why We Should Delight in Such Sacrifices I think these three reasons that God delights in the sacrifice of a shared life are the reasons that we should too. - It is a thrilling thing to know that the way you are living is proving the success of the sufferings of Jesus. It should be a great incentive to you that your life can verify that Jesus did not die in vain. Your good deeds and your shared life are the triumph of his cross. - It is a thrilling thing to know that your life is a showcase (in all your weakness) of the trustworthiness of God and the reliability of his promises. To bank your hope on God and not on money or things is a deeply satisfying experience. It feels risky and vulnerable in one way; but in another way there is a very profound sense of security that you have chosen the way that makes known the worth and reliability of God. - And it is a thrilling thing when your good deeds and shared life give evidence that you are the very handiwork of God—that he is at work in you to will and to do his good pleasure, and that he who began a good work in you will complete it to the day of Christ. So my prayer is that as you hear Tom Steller describe the small group vision at Bethlehem, you will feel a deep desire to share your life with others—to do them good, to satisfy your own soul, and to please your heavenly Father.

A retired farmer has spent more than 30 YEARS building an enormous scale model of a Biblical temple – and it is still not finished. Alec Garrard, 78, has dedicated a massive 33,000 hours to constructing the ancient Herod’s Temple, which measures a whopping 20ft by 12ft. The pensioner has hand-baked and painted every clay brick and tile and even sculpted 4,000 tiny human figures to populate the courtyards. Historical experts believe the model is the best representation in the world of what the Jewish temple actually looked like and it has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the globe. But Mr Garrard, who started the elaborate project in his 40s, says his masterpiece will not be finished in his lifetime. “I’ve always loved making models and as I was getting older I started to think about making one big project which would see me through to the end of my life,” he said. “I have an interest in buildings and religion so I thought maybe I could combine the two and I came up with the idea of doing the Temple. “I’d seen one or two examples of it in Biblical exhibitions, but I thought they were rubbish and I knew I could do better. “I have been working on it for decades but it will never be finished as I’m always finding something new to add.” Mr Garrard, from Norfolk, spent more than three years researching the Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans 2000 years ago and deemed to be one of the most remarkable buildings of ancient times. He then started to construct the amazing 1:100 scale model, which is now housed in a huge building in his back garden. “Everything is made by hand. I cut plywood frames for the walls and buildings and all the clay bricks and tiles were baked in the oven then stuck together,” he said. “I have also sculpted and painted 4,000 figures, measuring just half an inch and all wearing their correct costumes. “Each one takes about three hours to make and there are 32 versions of Jesus, although no one can ever spot him no matter how religious they are.” Visitors come from all over the world to see the model and Mr Garrard provides binoculars so they can see all the details. “I personally know all the top archaeologists from Jerusalem and I’ve had experts from the British Museum visit,” he added. “It’s now recognised as the most authentic version of the Temple in the world. “I’ve had a lot of offers from people to buy it, but it’s not for sale. Mr Garrard still spends hours working on the model every day. “I look upon it as a work of art, there is lots of detail and I want it to look as real as possible,” he said. “People ask me where I learnt to paint and make models but I just taught myself. For me it’s a form of relaxation and I really enjoy it. He said his wife Kathleen thinks he is mad. He added: “She wishes she’d married a normal person.” Built in 19BC by King Herod the Great, the Temple was flattened in AD70, just six years after completion. In its heyday the Temple complex covered 36 acres – four times the area of Windsor Castle. It featured the Court of the Priests, where the animals were prepared for sacrifice, the Golden Vine at the entrance to the Temple and the Eastern Gate. Since the day the Temple was destroyed scholars have argued over the detail of its construction.

What are 3 causes of the great schism in Christianity? The Three causes of the Great Schism in Christianity are: - Dispute over the use of images in the church. - The addition of the Latin word Filioque to the Nicene Creed. - Dispute about who is the leader or head of the church. What were the main causes of the Great Schism? The primary causes of the Schism were disputes over papal authority—the Pope claimed he held authority over the four Eastern Greek-speaking patriarchs, and over the insertion of the filioque clause into the Nicene Creed. What were some of the causes of the Great Schism? The Great Schism came about due to a complex mix of religious disagreements and political conflicts. One of the many religious disagreements between the western (Roman) and eastern (Byzantine) branches of the church had to do with whether or not it was acceptable to use unleavened bread for the sacrament of communion. How did Catholic and Orthodox split? The Byzantine split with Roman Catholicism came about when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne, King of the Franks, as Holy Roman Emperor in 800. … The Eastern Church became the Greek Orthodox Church by severing all ties with Rome and the Roman Catholic Church — from the pope to the Holy Roman Emperor on down. What event led to the schism between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church? What event led to the schism between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church? Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I excommunicated each other. Who are Jewish Essenes? You just studied 28 terms! What were the main causes of the Great Schism of 1054 quizlet? what were the main causes of the great schism of 1054? Disagreement over who was the head of the church and lack of communication due to language and civil wars. What caused the great schism quizlet? The Great Schism of 1054 was when the Christian Church split into the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches due to disputes on who had the most power within the church and whether icons could be used or not. … Roman Catholic was centered around Rome. What best describes the main cause of the Great Western schism? The schism in the Western Roman Church resulted from the return of the papacy to Rome under Gregory XI on January 17, 1377, ending the Avignon Papacy, which had developed a reputation for corruption that estranged major parts of western Christendom.

In Part Three, "The High Mountains of Portugal" opened up my mind to an idea. What if God were a companiable chimpanzee? Living with him would compelIn Part Three, "The High Mountains of Portugal" opened up my mind to an idea. What if God were a companiable chimpanzee? Living with him would compel us to change the most basic things in our lives --- from how we organize the kitchen and where we sleep to how we spend our days. Gone would be God as abstraction and complication, gone the heavy books that tire our eyes, gone the internet chatter, gone the so forth. Then we might see the rhinoceros in our garden. Then, we might die more peacefully. What an excellent dream. I am not quite sure what to think of the first two parts of the book --- the exceptionally painful double-story of the first part and the lovely sadness of the "poetically" magical second part. Perhaps they lay the groundwork for the third part. That is, they narrate that the good life arises from below in the here-and-now rather than from above in the world of abstraction. Or they tell us that the third part is possible only after suffering and desire. I have no idea. Now Karl Marx had lots of good ideas. But I would guess that, if he wrote a novel, it would be a clunker. So, it's fair to ask whether THMOP is a good book. Here, I am not totally satisfied. There is lush language and fantastic metaphors, but I don't think a book can stand on accessories. This book does have a core, but I think the narration is a little contrived. I am the first to admit that I may be dealing with matters of taste --- exaggerated eccentricity or magical realism do not work for me. They work in poetry for me, but not in prose fiction. What I say does not apply to the third part which has all of the rationality and groundedness of The Life of Pi. That third part is great. May the chimp be with you! The title of this book is, I assume, a translation of the Italian original. If so, it is a sport of the author. All through the book, I am led to beliThe title of this book is, I assume, a translation of the Italian original. If so, it is a sport of the author. All through the book, I am led to believe that the "Brilliant Friend" is Lila. After all, the book is written by Lenuccia, and she describes Lila as totally brilliant and herself as the plodding scholar. But towards the end of the book, Lila calls Lenuccia "my brilliant friend". And so we are left to reflect on the value or calibre of Lenuccia's consciousness; we are left with a need to reinterpret her. The need, the title, Lenuccia's descriptions of Lila, and Lila's remark to Lenuccia, indicate the degree to which Lenuccia has identified herself as Lila. She does this through the whole book --- in her own mind, she is in competition with Lila --- in studying, boyfriends, etc. --- in order to become the better Lila or, sometimes, better than Lila. Fascinating. What an interesting view of friendship as rivalry, different from the view of friendship as encouragement to excel in virtue. Both are a kind of love, but Lenuccia's is more painful. The pain is enhanced by the natural pain of adolescence, the desperation of the poor to get ahead, the self-destructiveness of the poor to prevent it, the customary life of family and neighborhood, the lovelessness (except on the part of some of the perceptive teachers), the whole eerie pagan world of Naples. Thank you, Ms. or Miss or Mrs. or Mr. Ferrante or whoever you are! I had the privilege of reading The Canterbury Tales (in a more or less Middle English version from the Guttenberg website ) while staying in Emilia RoI had the privilege of reading The Canterbury Tales (in a more or less Middle English version from the Guttenberg website ) while staying in Emilia Romagna in Italy, specifically in the Province of Parma. I am privileged because this is definitely a place Chaucer visited on embassy for his monarch. It is speculated from a passage in the Tales that Chaucer knew Petrarc, and the Via Petrarca with a house Petrach owned is just up the street from me. But also Chaucer mentions in The Clerk's Tale how one comes down from the Alps to a fruitful plain filled with, well, good things to eat and castles. And that is still the case here: There are castles all over, and people still love prosciutto and parmesan cheese, for example, which are both of early origin. Chaucer also mentions in The Shipman's Tale a couple of the local wines --- Malvasia and what he calls a "vernage" --- which I take to be Gutturnio, which is a wine from Vernasca or Vernaggia in the next-door Province of Piacenza. Then, the whole of the tale of the knight January in The Merchant's Tale takes place in this region. Indeed, the robe of January from Passolini's film of The Tales is on display at the University of Parma's design museum in the old monastery called La Certosa, which is also one of two places fixed on as the eponymous Charter House of Parma. Well, the foregoing is delightful to me. But what makes the Tales a work of art, perhaps unfinished, perhaps open-ended, is its unity. It is true that each tale differs greatly from the others, but the whole work is united by the context ---- a group of highly individualized pilgrims living in a real place and thrown into company with each other. How each tells his or her tale --- indeed, the tales they choose --- unite with their personal group story between the tales to create a whole. The Tales also provide terrific insight into life in 14th century England. And the connection to Emilia Romagna indicates how the people of the 14th century, or some of them, did get around. But, mainly, the pilgrim storytellers in the Tales are wonderfully alive. We see this as they comment on each other's tales (and disagree with each other), how they take dislikes to each other (The Reeve and the Miller), how the landlord pushes them around, etc. Their liveliness or character is also apparent in how they speak their prologues and tell their tales. For example, the Knight's Tale which is enormously long and detailed and noble and engaging, is the tale of a "perfect" knight or of a knight, dare I say it? who would like to be thought perfect -- a tale essentially noble and humanly complicated. In contrast, his son's story, The Squire's Tale, is a young man's story in the sense that it wanders all over, loses the thread (or several of them), and never does pick it up again. In an effort (I think) to stave off the Knight's Tale from becoming an impossible standard, the coarse Miller jumps in with a bawdy tale of amazing vulgarity which leaves the whole company laughing. But the Reeve, who has come to harbor ill will against the Miller, counters with a Tale that is cinematic both in its manner of narration and in its slapstick. It is worthy of being put on the screen by our American comedy greats because it is of the high and crazy quality of Laurel and Hardy. I'll just mention one more example. The Parson whom the Prologue sets up as a model of Godliness -- as indeed he is -- turns out Godly, but boring: he delivers a sermon of nauseating tedium. To boot, the landlord dislikes him because he thinks he's a Lollard --- a contemporary reference and an insight into the Wycliffe controversies of the time. Anyway, The Tales are a big and rich salad. Thank you, Mr. Chaucer, for taking us back to your century, the 14th, and letting me realize that essentially human nature is pretty much unchanged. And thank you for your art in showing how the pilgrim's react to each other's stories as well as the way in which the language and subject matter of the stories reflects the individual narrator's character. Thank you, Mr. Chaucer. I loved this book, but it took a long time for me to tackle it. The language is not "ours", but the poetry and arc are universal. Also, to read the whole of The Tales is an undertaking. It is long. It requires a kind of reading that commits to the book --- that is, to reading it with open, critical eyes, that is willing to accept some nonmodern subject matter and concentrate on the skill that brings the whole together. There is one thing that Mr. Chaucer does not ever touch on. Although I understand that the book had to have been written around 1385, there is no mention or reference to The Black Death that devatated Europe (probably the world) mid-century. (less)...more This is a series of related stories that take place in an isolated area of Westmorland which is, I believe, to the west of Yorkshire. Having been to tThis is a series of related stories that take place in an isolated area of Westmorland which is, I believe, to the west of Yorkshire. Having been to the dales and fells of Yorkshire, I think that Ms. Gardam well describes the lay of the land. But, in reality, her Westmorland is enchanted. It is glorious with color and flowers and falls of icicles. And the people are enchanted. They seem living in a different time in different ways. They are aware of the different people who have come across their lands --- Celts, Vikings, Saxons, Danes, modern-day gypsies, and renters from London --- and these people are simply part of their world's "diversity" as if one could gossip about them or know them. Additionally, they are also aware of legend and ghosts and the power of elemental forces. I am going on and on, but really I have to make two remarks about the scene. The first is that Ms. Gardam is such a skilled writer that these dales and fells are not romanticized, are not sweet. Rather, they are beautiful, but by no means gentle. Second, the scene is important because it is the backdrop to the relationships of the characters in these stories, to their different voices and individuality. The main relationship is that between Harry, son of the London renters, and Bell, son of an old farming family. These two meet as boys and have the life of boys. They get themselves in bad trouble (e.g., trapped in an old mine, lost in a blizzard), they are honest with each other, they cry in fear, they love and enjoy the wonders of the land. In short, they are particularly good friends who --- they would not say it --- love each other and are bonded to the landscape and its ways. Their growth and their attachment to the land is ultimately the subject of the stories. Their adventures have a suspense and, yes, a poignancy that permeates the stories. Are these Chekhov? Well, no. But they are lovely....more I always think I do not like short stories. But these stories are fantastic. Mr. Schlink gives us the unexpected resolution in a situation hat seems tI always think I do not like short stories. But these stories are fantastic. Mr. Schlink gives us the unexpected resolution in a situation hat seems to call for revenge and in which revenge is planned, even if in a peevish way ("The Other Man"); the self-fertilized growth of life complications, the complexities of escape, and the creation of a community of "trigamy" ("Sugar Peas"); the modern-day German and modern-day Jew in love and facing the hard questions ("The Circumcision"); the unexpected sadness of a dream come true ("The Woman in the Gas Station"). My favorites among the stories are The Circumcision and The Woman in the Gas Station. In the first, the question whether love can coexist with mutual blindness is resolved with quiet resignation. This story is charged with all the connotations of being German and being Jewish together. It is a sad story given the love that exists. In The Woman in a Gas Station, the literal (well, almost literal) realization of an actual dream upsets the rebuilding of a relationship in revitalized and happy ways. The question is what will make a person change direction drastically and in a second and what is the underlying foundation of a life that runs smoothly on the surface. I like this author's courage, his willingness to go to odd places, even ugly ones, as in his novel "The Reader", to see the lines of humanity there, the fears, the irrationalities....more I will not say very much about the character Emerence as her unique qualities are on display in the book --- her industriousness, her native brilliancI will not say very much about the character Emerence as her unique qualities are on display in the book --- her industriousness, her native brilliance, the power of her speech, her equal-handed compassion, her life story, her shame, her anger, her elemental power, and so forth. But I can't forget that this is a book written by a character about another character. Hence, it is a book about the writer --- the "lady writer", Emerence's "Magdushka". Essentially, the book is an expiation of the writer's guilt. Hence, it is a paean to Emerence who reaches qualities worthy of folk legend. Because guilt is driving the narrator, I think that possibly Emerence is more glorified and more wounded than in reality. The guilt arises from the narrator's participation in a deception to make Emerence open the door of her home to emergency health workers. But it also opens the door to a whole neighborhood. The door has been closed to all except for the one time when the writer, trusted, had been allowed to enter. The resulting helplessness of the self-reliant Emerence and the shame of the violation of her privacy, the actual breaking of the door, never leaves the writer's soul. The book begins with a dream in which she cannot open a door from the inside to obtain medical assistance for her husband/patient. The medical workers seen in cloudy outline through the glass are The Kindly Ones --- that is, the Eumenides, the Furies. They are driving the writer to self-revelation and confession. The guilt is compounded, however, by the gradual realization over the course of the confession of how much the lady writer depended on Emerence, how she came to love her, and how, as she learns through hearsay, Emerence loved her in an elemental way despite the storminess of their exchanges. It is as if a daughter suddenly learned as an adult that the basis of an entire difficult relationship with an irascible and arrogant mother was an unspoken tenderness and that this tenderness now can no longer be vindicated....more This is a really good book. Ms. Bourgeault's intelligence is obvious. She expresses herself well. She follows up logically. Obviously, she has given aThis is a really good book. Ms. Bourgeault's intelligence is obvious. She expresses herself well. She follows up logically. Obviously, she has given a lot of thought, study, and practice to Centering Prayer. I am convinced that Centering Prayer requires practice and not book-learning. At one point, Ms. B. refers to something like "doing it instead of talking about it". Nonetheless, her book is very valuable --- as is the Cloud of Unknowing and the book on Centering Prayer by M. Basil Pennington. (And now I have read exactly three books on Centering Prayer! Yay!) I liked very much her discussion of "divine therapy", attention of the heart, and the welcoming prayer. I am a little scared, however, that the welcoming prayer seems a little narcissistic, but we shall see. I also liked sensing in the book that the intellect is good (and Ms. B's is very fine), but is not all. What I actually love about all the books I've read on Centering Prayer is how encouraging they are to a regular guy who feels drawn to this practice. Ms. B. adds a depth to the discussion --- theology, tradition and psychology. Very nice. What is this book really about? I wondered first if it were a form of dystopian science fiction. I'd have to wonder, though, which France was the dystWhat is this book really about? I wondered first if it were a form of dystopian science fiction. I'd have to wonder, though, which France was the dystopia --- the liberal democratic France or the Islamic France that succeeds it. And in some ways the Islamic France seems quite interesting from the policy, social, and cultural point of view. The Islamic government favors excellent education, a small business economy that begins to thrive, and family life. That is a world that approaches utopia --- if one discounts the firm definition of gender roles, for example, and the necessity to convert to Islam in order to advance. Second, I wondered, briefly, if M. Houellebecq (whose work I do not know) is actually a right-wing writer, trumpeting the dangers of immigration and cultural diversity to the settled "indigenous" culture and secularity of modern-day France. But somehow, as I read along in the book, I didn't think he is. Then, I wondered if the book is a fictional critique of modern liberal values. I think this idea at least approaches the concept of the book. In M. Houellebecq's France, liberalism is so very liberal that it is self-destructive. For example, to promote the value of diversity, France invites a diverse population that does not share that value, to whom diversity is abhorrent. Also, M. Houellebecq portrays fictionally the advance of individual rights as, paradoxically, the fractionalization of the society that permits them to flourish in law and attitude. Therefore, a population without general social ties results and shared values lives in uneasy disunity. There is, of course, food and wine. But good food and good wine also exist in the new Islamic France that M. Houllebecq creates. Well, the book, I finally decided, is a story just as all novels are stories. In this case, the novel is set against the backdrops that I wrote about above. The protagonist of Submission is an academic who has made an excellent career on the basis of his dissertation on the nineteenth-century writes Huysman. Otherwise, the man knows nothing at all. He has arranged his teaching load to his convenience; he sleeps with his students and sexual satisfaction is a preoccupation of his; he is concerned with the food he eats and serves; and with good wines and liquors. Indeed, the instances in which food and drink appear in this book are numerous (and mouth-watering). Food is an important pleasure and context on his way to his own conversion to Islam. Cynically, he converts to Islam because it makes his life easier: it provides the way to an eminent teaching post, a very high salary, the company of intelligent men, and the dismissal of women to wifely and sexual roles (which fits neatly into his general relations with women: sex and his dependency on them). I say he cynically converts. But cynicism requires a bit more backbone than this man has. There are no values in his life and therefore no values that he can betray cynically. Well, perhaps, there is one. He does betray Huysman whose works he has studied extensively. In an act of superb and repulsive self-justification, he writes a preface for the works of Huysman to be published in the standard Pleiades editions of French literature. In this introduction, he reduces Huysman's own intellectual interests and struggles to a principle: that what motivated and pleased Huysman, was Huysman's highest value, was merely a cozy and steady bourgeois life. In fact, this is all that the protagonist values, and he sees his way back to it or to maintain it through his conversion to Islam. In fact, this bourgeois world -- or, better, the world of fleshly comforts -- is the only world he is comfortable in, the only world he is capable of. The betrayal of Huysman, who, as I understand from the book, struggled mightily with religion, provides a public or at least academic platform on which the protagonist can stand. M. Houellebecq has provided a particularly fine portrayal of a nonentity. ...more I loved the Inspector Lynley series on Netflix --- the super and tragic stories, the greatly plotted and acted relationship with Segeant Havers. I hadI loved the Inspector Lynley series on Netflix --- the super and tragic stories, the greatly plotted and acted relationship with Segeant Havers. I had no idea they were books!! I stumbled on this, my first Elizabeth George, when I saw it in a neighborhood book trade bin. And then it turned out to be the first in the series. How lucky is that? The story is very good, but better is the way that it is driven by the nature of the characters -- Lynley's unabashed compassion, Havers' inward anger, Lady Helen's veneer of elegance and insouciance covering the depths of her courage, the unpleasant judgmental reserve of Dr. Samuels, the loveliness and sad needs of Stepha, the wonderment of devastation and hope in Gillian. In short, as Lynley says at one point: Life is bad, and it does not get better. It is the beauty of these individuals and their connections floating on the ugliness that provide lives of love. It is no wonder that Lynley's great characteristic is one of the supreme values or virtues --- compassion. This book is far more than the adventure story that I read and was told when I was a boy. Robinson's life and adventures, both before and after his 28This book is far more than the adventure story that I read and was told when I was a boy. Robinson's life and adventures, both before and after his 28 years on the deserted island, are a story of his moral and religious development --- in our terms, how he learns to cope with his state of isolation and his sense of desolation. I liked his long discourses on how to manage his feelings about his sorry state and his regrets. I also like his backsliding --- as when all his hard-won equanimity is consumed by a years-long anxiety when he comes upon the footprint in the sand. Mr. Defoe has created a person who, despite adventures that I will never have (at least, I hope not!), is a character who is as real in the 21st century as he was when the book was published in 1712 or thereabouts. A whole life is laid out in this book, from Robinson's late teens till he leaves the island in his 50s and beyond. The whole story is told in a ready and understandable prose despite the length of 18th century sentences. There is a sense that a person who recognizes and deals with facts, even the facts of his own feelings, holds the pen. There is a lovely spot where Robinson's describes the "facts" of his landing on the island. He says, in effect, I got up, I ran around waving my hands and crying, I climbed a tree in fear, etc. A whole loss of control and despair is described in a practical way. Do not expect deep, poetic introspection; but do expect the introspection of a capable man and business man, from utter hysterical despair to a kind of military competence. I recommend this book. I can see why it has remained on the shelves for centuries and is still reprinted. Try it! This book was surely written by a beautiful person. At the time of the second Scott expedition to Antarctica, this person was young, loyal, hard workiThis book was surely written by a beautiful person. At the time of the second Scott expedition to Antarctica, this person was young, loyal, hard working, sensitive to beauty, attentive to the best in every person, courageous, and very near-sighted.. The loveliness of this man makes me angry at Scott and his right-hand men (like the scientist Wilson). I can't help but feel that there was something seriously wrong about the Scott expedition. The author at maybse 25 - 27 years accompanied Wilson and Bowers, another right-hand man, on the "worst journey" of the book's title. This was a six week trek over ice in the middle of winter in the total darkness with temperatures that descended to -73 degrees F. in order to --- collect the eggs of Emperor Penguin's. During the journey, the author could not wear his eyeglasses. He starved. With the two others, he had to despair. The nerves of his teeth were killed by the frost. At one point, Wilson told him, "You simply must learn to use an ice ax". Plainly our author may not have been trained or able to see. Yet, throughout the author looks up to Wilson, whereas it seems to me that Wilson was a somewhat crazed and obssessed man without a true regard for his fellows. An expedition that would have sent three men into the unknown in the most frightful season in the most frightful unknown place was stupid and cruel. No concepts of duty or advancement of science can excuse the entire incompetence and carelessness. I suppose the expedition was systematized only by a sense of honor and manliness. There was something wrong about the Scott expedition. From this book, it struck me as old-fashioned or rigid in values, too loose in organization, too diffuse in its goals, too classist. As to the latter two, the author tells us that the expedition was primarily scientific. If so, the journey to the Pole was not necessary as science could have been satisfied by a concentration of resources that the Polar journey diluted. Additionally, the author here would perhaps not have had to take the worst journey and another group of researchers would not have been stranded for a whole winter (!) on their own while Scott went to the Pole. As to may remark about classism, I am struck with the disregard, almost contempt, in which the ordinary seaman Edgar Evans is discussed or ignored, and the honor heaped on Oates of the cavalry or dragoons ---- as if both men as they died had not given their total "vitality", as the author might say, to the Polar journey. I will read more about the author. I understand that a biography of him has recently been published (?). I would like to know what happened to him as I sense that he essentially knew that he was in the hands of the unorganized, to say the least, and the obssessive, to say the most. This book echoes because the mystery of who or what Eilis is remains after the last page. I am not sure she will ever be resolved in my mind. This is aThis book echoes because the mystery of who or what Eilis is remains after the last page. I am not sure she will ever be resolved in my mind. This is a book about the choices we make or that happen to us "when we are young". In the first half of the book, this scenario appears as romance. Things are positive even though they are scary and all territory is unknown territory. This romantic positiveness remains even though Eilis is a remarkably self-possessed, reserved, and competent girl. In this context, it is a delight to meet and get to know the relatively unreserved and determined Tony. It is a double-delight to see that Eilis and Tony develop a relationship. Indeed, the description of their love-making is one of the most beautiful erotic passages I have ever read. In roughly the second half of the book, we see a different Eilis. First off, she loses her grounding in both of her worlds --- Brooklyn and Enniscorthy. She appears a classic portrayal of someone who no longer has an internal compass, a home. Next, however, she turns malleable and plastic as Enniscorthy's immediacy erases Brooklyn in her mind. And it seems that the danger of erasure of her entire two years in Brooklyn will occur, and her life will take another path despite the strong Brooklyn connections --- indeed, unbreakable connections in the custom and religion of her time. She seems capable of pretending that her immediate past never happened. This is particularly poignant because of the totally positive characterization of Tony. All this is part of her mystery. But there is more. She returns to Brooklyn because Mrs. Kelly has "found her out". But the return seems occasioned more by this bucket of cold water than by a resurgence of her Brooklyn emotional life. This raises the possibility that she returns to Brooklyn only because she cannot now continue in the new course of her Enniscorthy life, including romance, care of mother, and good job the lack of which was the reason for her emigration to America in the first place. So, is Eilis a real person? Or a person bent by events? Is she someone without real attachments but to herself? Is she simply intelligent and young? Does she have the impulses of an early feminist? Is she independent? Is she simply shallow? In conclusion, what a wonderful character Mr. Toibin has created. The writing is quite nice. I dislike Mr. T's stories, but I have liked very much every one of his novels that I've read --- The Master, The Heather Burning (superb), and Brooklyn. He does not dwell as an outside observer on the inner lives of his people. He lets the narrative events and their own thoughts describe themselves. In this way, I feel that I am the privileged observer and not Mr. T. Perhaps this is what has involved me so much in the question what Eilis is like. I believe Mr. T. is gay. And I wonder if his gayness informs the tenderness of his characters, particularly Tony. In any event, he has so beautifully described a not-gay young woman and a not-gay relationship. In this I am delighted because my exposure to gay writers has been an exposure to a kind of novel about gayness itself and not to the kind of general sympathy and compassion that Brooklyn shows. One last thing --- the movie of Brooklyn is highly excellent. To me, it is made along the model of romances of the late 40's and early 50's, and it is successful in itself as a stand-alone story. But the Eilis of the book is not the Eilis of the movie although almost every event in the book is shared in the movie. So, in my view, comparisons between the two just do not work. I was like a child when I read this book. That is, I could not put it down. I read it first thing when I got up in the morning. And last thing beforeI was like a child when I read this book. That is, I could not put it down. I read it first thing when I got up in the morning. And last thing before I went to sleep at night. That alone was a joy. How come? Because this is about Antarctica. Because it is a gripping narration full of aspiration, hope, fear, and endurance. Because Mr. Huntford is an excellent writer and a clear one. Because Mr. H. has studied the original sources and critically examined the later books and writings of the participants. Because he draws conclusions from reason and evidence. Because he is in love with his topic and has given a full measure to research and writing. Before I read this book, I was, if I cared about it at all, in the school that admired Scott and considered Amundsen a bounder. Now, I can see that Amundsen was both driven and highly professional and intelligent about his expeditions. Although he had to desire to do what he did --- reach the South Pole, sail the Northwest Passage --- he was not motivated by romanticism or established ideas about how to project the needs that the unknown might show him on the spot and to determine in great detail how to meet them. At the same time, he was courageous and faced danger and the unexpected with intelligence. As a result, he accomplished his goal of reaching the Pole and returned with all his men in good health. In Mr. Huntford's view --- and, indeed, as the sources would indicated --- Scott was unsuited even as a leader and was simply incompetent. He believes, I think, that it is time to lift the romantic scrim that blurs Scott's expedition. As Mr. H. remarked about two times, Scott had tried for the Pole previously, and remembered nothing and learned nothing. His last expedition was a mish-mash of techniques, including ponies! He did not have enough food and did not space his depots well. The result: Every man who went to the Pole died on the way back --- Scott and four others. I can see how Mrs. Oates later regarded him as the murderer of her son. Now, is Mr. Huntford grinding an axe? Well, it is true that I don't know very much about this phase of world exploration. But Mr. H. does not seem particularly biased. Rather, he seems outraged when it comes to Scott. Parts of his narration seem to favor Amundsen as when he rationalizes Amundsen's decision to go for the Pole and his concealing the decision even from the famous Polar explorer Nanssen who'd provided him his ship. He does seem to recount fairly and openly one time when Amundsen does seem to have panicked and lost his nerve (on the journey to lay the first supply depot). And his selections from the diaries and letters of Scott's men seem to bear up his version of Scott's own issues as a leader and planner. I highly recommend this book, and then you can judge for yourself. ...more

Egypt has promised an Arab conference it will cut off all natural gas sales to Israel, according to Arutz Sheva, the Israeli National News agency. “Egypt, which currently provides about 40 percent of Israel’s natural gas through its Sinai Peninsula pipeline,” writes Chana Ya’ar for the agency, “has reportedly agreed to halt sales to the Jewish State during a conference in Tehran, according to the Iranian FARS news agency. So has Qatar, which in the past has expressed its willingness to sell gas to Israel if the Egyptian supply were to vanish.” If the report is true, fuel prices in Israel could skyrocket until the Jewish State secures another source. “Due to at least six terrorist attacks and sabotage this year alone,” writes Ya’ar, “the amount of diesel fuel used to generate electricity rose by 103 percent since January, as compared with the same period a year ago.” Arutz Sheva also reports: The delegation from Cairo was among dozens of others at the 5th International Conference on the Palestinian Intifada, where participants announced the agreement to cut the supply of natural gas to Israel from their countries in a final statement issued by the “Political Groups and Parties’ Commission.” The two-day conference was reportedly attended by more than 50 parliamentary delegations, state officials and others from Muslim and non-Muslim nations. Among the countries in attendance were Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Oman, Afghanistan, Mexico, Hungary, Bolivia, Paraguay, Cuba, and Colombia. The statement also included support for “the Palestinian Intifada” and regional uprisings and revolutions, and stressed the need to “increase pressure on international courts which shrug off pursuing the crimes of the Zionist regime.” Meanwhile, an Italian company, Micoperi Marine Contgractors, has won the bid to build an offshore terminal that will enable Israel to import natural gas from other sources, reported Amiram Barkat for the Israeli business news website Globes. The project is scheduled to begin deliveries by the end of 2012 and will use a buoy offloader manufactured in Norway, reported Globes: When completed, the buoy will enable Israel Electric Corporation to make up the shortfall in gas since the cut-off of Egyptian gas in the aftermath of the fall of President Hosni Mubarak, and the attacks on gas pipelines in Sinai. The natural gas buoy became critical for the Israeli economy with the disruptions in Egyptian gas deliveries, Globes reported: The buoy’s importance increased further with the faster than planned depletion of Israel’s sole source, the Yam Tethys reservoir, due to higher pumping to meet the gas shortage. The buoy should save electricity consumers $500 million a year.

Jewish World Review July 7, 2010 / 25 Tamuz 5770 And now for the important news .... By Argus Hamilton BP officials started cutting checks Monday to gulf residents adversely affected by the spill. Don't say the oil company has no heart. Just yesterday BP announced it will not charge the pelicans for the cost of removing their feathers from the oil. GOP chairman Michael Steele faced calls to resign from GOP lawmakers Sunday after he called Afghanistan Obama's war of choice. No one can dispute he's done his job. His job is to demonstrate that all Republican lawmakers have at least one black friend. NASA head Charles Bolden said Barack Obama told him to assure the Muslim world of their contributions in space. It's so true. If it hadn't been for al-Qaeda our technological advances in robotic weaponry would have stopped when we won the Cold War. Joe Biden survived mortar fire in the U.S. Embassy in Iraq Sunday. He was urging the rivals to find common ground and it worked. At the end of the visit the vice president and the two rivals conducted a joint news conference and blamed George Bush. President Obama blamed the previous administration for the huge budget deficit Monday which could force him to raise taxes next year. It may be time to panic. As long as you still have a healthy spare kidney, President Obama thinks you are rich. President Obama lauded the Declaration of Independence Sunday. He urged people to live by the nation's founders' principles. He thinks if he comes out in favor of no taxes and slave labor he has a chance of hanging onto his House majority this fall. President Obama hosted a barbecue for the U.S. Armed Forces on the White House lawn on July Fourth, where he ate burgers, fries, hot dogs and corn on the cob. He had a ball. The great thing about being president is, you have the entire U.S. military to defend you from your wife whenever you decide to eat what you want on the holidays. Joey Chestnut won New York's annual hot dog eating contest Sunday, sponsored by Major League Eating. He ate fifty-four dogs in ten minutes as thousands cheered. Anthropologists might say that man is the apex of creation, but they grade on a curve. New York wilted in heat Sunday as high waves pummeled all three coastlines. It was all so avoidable. The Portland masseuse's friends warned her if she accused Al Gore of sexual assault, global warming would destroy the earth, and now it's happening. Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. JWR contributor Argus Hamilton is the host comedian at The Comedy Store in Hollywood. To comment or arrange for speaking engagements. Comment by clicking here. © 2009, Argus Hamilton

|The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 was preceded by more than 50 years of efforts by Zionist leaders to establish a sovereign nation as a homeland for Jews. The desire of Jews to return to what they consider their rightful homeland was first expressed during the Babylonian exile and became a universal Jewish theme after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. and the dispersal that followed. It was not until the founding of the Zionist movement by Theodore Herzl at the end of the 19th century that practical steps were taken toward securing international sanction for large-scale Jewish settlement in Palestine--then a part of the Ottoman Empire. The Balfour declaration in 1917 asserted the British Government's support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This declaration was supported by a number of other countries, including the United States, and became more important following World War I, when the United Kingdom was assigned the Palestine mandate by the League of Nations. Jewish immigration grew slowly in the 1920s; it increased substantially in the 1930s, due to political turmoil in Europe and Nazi persecution, until restrictions were imposed by the United Kingdom in 1939. After the end of World War II, and the near-extermination of European Jewry by the Nazis, international support for Jews seeking to settle in Palestine overcame British efforts to restrict immigration. International support for establishing a Jewish state led to the adoption in November 1947 of the UN partition plan, which called for dividing the Mandate of Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state and for establishing Jerusalem separately as an international city under UN administration. Violence between Arab and Jewish communities erupted almost immediately. Toward the end of the British mandate, the Jews planned to declare a separate state, a development the Arabs were determined to prevent. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed. The following day, armies from neighboring Arab nations entered the former Mandate of Palestine to engage Israeli military forces. In 1949, under UN auspices, four armistice agreements were negotiated and signed at Rhodes, Greece, between Israel and its neighbors Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The 1948-49 war of independence resulted in a 50% increase in Israeli territory, including western Jerusalem. No general peace settlement was achieved at Rhodes, however, and violence along the borders continued for many years. In October 1956, Israel invaded the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula at the same time that operations by French and British forces against Egypt were taking place in the Suez Canal area. Israeli forces withdrew in March 1957, after the United Nations established the UN Emergency Force (UNEF) in the Gaza Strip and Sinai. In 1966-67, terrorist incidents and retaliatory acts across the armistice demarcation lines increased. In May 1967, after tension had developed between Syria and Israel, Egyptian President Nasser moved armaments and about 80,000 troops into the Sinai and ordered a withdrawal of UNEF troops from the armistice line and Sharm El Sheikh. Nasser then closed the Strait of Tiran to Israeli ships, blockading the Israeli port of Eilat at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba. On May 30, Jordan and Egypt signed a mutual defense treaty. In response to these events, Israeli forces struck targets in Egypt, Jordan, and Syria on June 5. After 6 days of fighting, by the time all parties had accepted the cease-fire called for by UN Security Council Resolutions 235 and 236, Israel controlled the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the formerly Jordanian-controlled West Bank of the Jordan River, including East Jerusalem. On November 22, 1967, the Security Council adopted Resolution 242, the "land for peace" formula, which called for the establishment of a just and lasting peace based on Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967 in return for the end of all states of belligerency, respect for the sovereignty of all states in the area, and the right to live in peace within secure, recognized boundaries. In the 1969-70 war of attrition, Israeli planes made deep strikes into Egypt in retaliation for repeated Egyptian shelling of Israeli positions along the Suez Canal. In early 1969, fighting broke out between Egypt and Israel along the Suez Canal. The United States helped end these hostilities in August 1970, but subsequent U.S. efforts to negotiate an interim agreement to open the Suez Canal and achieve disengagement of forces were unsuccessful. On October 6, 1973--Yom Kippur (the Jewish Day of Atonement)--Syrian and Egyptian forces attacked Israeli positions in Golan and along the Suez Canal. Initially, Syria and Egypt made significant advances against Israeli forces. However, Israel recovered on both fronts, pushed the Syrians back beyond the 1967 cease-fire lines, and recrossed the Suez Canal to take a salient on its west bank, isolating Egyptian troops, who eventually surrendered. The United States and the Soviet Union helped bring about a cease-fire between the combatants. In the UN Security Council, the United States supported Resolution 338, which reaffirmed Resolution 242 as the framework for peace and called for peace negotiations between the parties. The cease-fire did not end the sporadic clashes along the cease-fire lines nor did it dissipate military tensions. The United States tried to help the parties reach agreement on cease-fire stabilization and military disengagement. On March 5, 1974, Israeli forces withdrew from the canal, and Egypt assumed control. Syria and Israel signed a disengagement agreement on May 31, 1974, and the UN Disengagement and Observer Force (UNDOF) was established as a peacekeeping force in the Golan. Further U.S. efforts resulted in an interim agreement between Egypt and Israel in September 1975, which provided for another Israeli withdrawal in the Sinai, a limitation of forces, and three observation stations staffed by U.S. civilians in a UN-maintained buffer zone between Egyptian and Israeli forces. In November 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat broke 30 years of hostility with Israel by visiting Jerusalem at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. During a 2-day visit, which included a speech before the Knesset, the Egyptian leader created a new psychological climate in the Middle East in which peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors seemed a realistic possibility. Sadat recognized Israel's right to exist and established the basis for direct negotiations between Egypt and Israel. In September 1978, U.S. President Jimmy Carter invited President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin to meet with him at Camp David, where they agreed on a framework for peace between Israel and Egypt and a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. It set out broad principles to guide negotiations between Israel and the Arab states. It also established guidelines for a West Bank-Gaza transitional regime of full autonomy for the Palestinians residing in the occupied territories and for a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The treaty was signed on March 26, 1979, by Begin and Sadat, with President Carter signing as witness. Under the treaty, Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt in April 1982. In 1989, the Governments of Israel and Egypt concluded an agreement that resolved the status of Taba, a resort area on the Gulf of Aqaba. In the years following the 1948 war, Israel's border with Lebanon was quiet, compared to its borders with other neighbors. After the expulsion of the Palestinian fedayeen (fighters) from Jordan in 1970--and their influx into southern Lebanon, however, hostilities on Israel's northern border increased. In March 1978, after a series of clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian guerrillas in Lebanon, Israeli forces crossed into Lebanon. After passage of Security Council Resolution 425, calling for Israeli withdrawal and the creation of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon peace-keeping force (UNIFIL), Israel withdrew its troops. In July 1981, after additional fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in Lebanon, President Reagan's special envoy, Philip C. Habib, helped secure a cease-fire between the parties. However, in June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon to fight the forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In August 1982, the PLO withdrew its forces from Lebanon. With U.S. assistance, Israel and Lebanon reached an accord in May 1983 that set the stage to withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon. The instruments of ratification were never exchanged, however, and in March 1984, under pressure from Syria, Lebanon canceled the agreement. In June 1985, Israel withdrew most of its troops from Lebanon, leaving a small residual Israeli force and an Israeli-supported militia in southern Lebanon in a "security zone," which Israel considers a necessary buffer against attacks on its northern territory. By the late 1980s, the spread of non-conventional weaponry--including missile technology--in the Middle East began to pose security problems for Israel from further afield. This was evident during the Gulf crisis that began with Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait. When allied coalition forces moved to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait in January 1991, Iraq launched a series of missile attacks against Israel. Despite the provocation, Israel refrained from entering the Gulf war directly, accepting U.S. assistance to deflect continued Iraqi missile attacks. The coalition's victory in the Gulf war opened new possibilities for regional peace, and in October 1991, the Presidents of the United States and the Soviet Union jointly convened an historic meeting in Madrid of Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian, and Palestinian leaders which became the foundation for ongoing bilateral and multilateral negotiations designed to bring lasting peace and economic development to the region. On September 13, 1993, Israel and the PLO signed a Declaration of Principles (DOP) on the South Lawn of the White House. The declaration was a major conceptual breakthrough achieved under the Madrid framework. It established an ambitious set of objectives relating to a transfer of authority from Israel to an interim Palestinian authority. The DOP established May 1999 as the date by which a permanent status agreement for the West Bank and Gaza Strip would take effect. Israel and the PLO subsequently signed the Gaza-Jericho Agreement on May 4, 1994, and the Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities on August 29, 1994, which began the process of transferring authority from Israel to the Palestinians. Prime Minister Rabin and PLO Chairman Arafat signed the historic Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on September 28, 1995, in Washington. The agreement, witnessed by the President on behalf of the United States and by Russia, Egypt, Norway, and the European Union, incorporates and supersedes the previous agreements and marked the conclusion of the first stage of negotiations between Israel and the PLO. The accord broadens Palestinian self-government by means of a popularly elected legislative council. It provides for election and establishment of that body, transfer of civil authority, Israeli redeployment from major population centers in the West Bank, security arrangements, and cooperation in a variety of areas. Negotiations on permanent status began on May 5, 1996 in Taba, Egypt. As agreed in the 1993 DOP, those talks will address the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, final security arrangements, borders, relations and cooperation with neighboring states, and other issues of common interest. Israel signed a non-belligerency agreement with Jordan (the Washington Declaration) in Washington, DC, on July 25, 1994. Jordan and Israel signed a historic peace treaty at a border post between the two countries on October 26, 1994, witnessed by President Clinton, accompanied by Secretary Christopher. The assassination of Prime Minister Rabin by a right-wing Jewish radical on November 4, 1995 climaxed an increasingly bitter national debate over where the peace process was leading. Rabin's death left Israel profoundly shaken, ushered in a period of national self-examination, and produced a new level of national consensus favoring the peace process. In February 1996 Rabin's successor, Shimon Peres, called early elections. Those elections, held in May 1996 and the first featuring direct election of the prime minister, resulted in a narrow election victory for Likud Party leader Binyamin Netanyahu and his center-right National Coalition and the defeat of Peres and his left-of-center Labor/Meretz government. Despite his stated differences with the Oslo Accords, Prime Minister Netanyahu continued its implementation, signing the Hebron Protocol with the Palestinians on January 15, 1997. The Protocol resulted in the redeployment of Israeli forces in Hebron and the turnover of civilian authority in much of the area to the Palestinian Authority. Since that agreement, there has been little progress in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. A crisis of confidence developed between the parties as the parties had difficulty responding to each other and addressing each other's concerns. Israel and the Palestinians did agree, however, in September 1997, to a four-part agenda to guide further negotiations: security cooperation in the fight against terror; further redeployments of Israeli forces; a "time-out" on unilateral actions that may prejudge the outcome of the permanent status talks; and acceleration of these talks. The U.S. sought to marry continued implementation of the 1995 Interim Agreement with the start of the accelerated permanent status talks. In order to overcome the crisis of confidence and break the negotiating impasse, President Clinton presented U.S. ideas for getting the peace process back on track to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat in Washington in January 1998. Those ideas included all aspects of the September 1997 four-part agenda and would allow for the start of accelerated permanent status negotiations. The Palestinians agreed in principle to the U.S. ideas. The U.S. continued working intensively with the parties to reach agreement on the basis of U.S. ideas. After a 9-day session at the Wye River Conference Center in Maryland, agreement was reached on October 23, 1998. The Wye agreement is based on the principle of reciprocity and meets the essential requirements of both the parties, including unprecedented security measures on the part of the Palestinians and the further redeployment of Israeli troops in the West Bank. The agreement also permits the launching of the permanent status negotiations as the May 4, 1999 expiration of the period of the Interim AgreemenT In 1999, Ehud Barak was elected Prime Minister of Israel as he defeated Benjamin Netanyahu. His platform called for negotiation of a final settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Barak’s preference was to come to a peace agreement with Syria first. Barak believed that coming to an agreement with Assad would also pave the way for an Israeli withdrawal from the strip of territory still held in Southern Lebanon. Barak and President Assad exchanged a series of unprecedented complimentary messages. They were not enough, however, to overcome a single thorny issue that separated Israel and Syria. That issue came down to about 70 meters. Israel insisted that the final border between Syria and Israel follow the official 1922 surveyed border. According to that survey, the Syrian border was 70 meters from the shores of the Sea of Galilee. This would preclude Syria having any rights to Israel’s most vital source of water. Assad claimed to have swum in the Sea of Galilee as a young officer; he was not willing to cede the issue. No agreement could be reached, forcing Barak to order a unilateral withdrawal from Southern Lebanon. Barak now turned his full attention to achieving peace with the Palestinians. He opposed concluding further interim land concessions, unless the major issues between the Israelis and the Palestinians could be resolved. Barak wanted to move the negotiations directly to a discussion on so-called “final status.” He suggested to President Clinton that a summit meeting be held at Camp David to work out a final agreement. That conference took place in July 2000 and two weeks. Barak made major concessions and agreed to a withdrawal from almost all the West Bank. He also agreed to concessions on the issue of Jerusalem. But despite Barak’s many concessions, no agreement could be reached. The problems: no formula acceptable to the Palestinians could be offered that asserted any Jewish claim to the Temple Mount and no agreement could be reached on resolving the refugee problem. When the conference ended, the blame for its failure was placed by President Clinton squarely on Yasser Arafat. Not only did Arafat not accept Barak’s offer, he made no counter-offers of his own. On September 29, Likud leader Ariel Sharon made a brief visit to the Temple Mount. The visit gave the Palestinians just the excuse they needed to launch another round of deadly violence throughout the territories and into Israel’s Arab villages as well. The “Al Aksa intifadah” reached a new level when on October 12, two Israeli reserve soldiers made a wrong turn and were captured and lynched in Ramallah. Barak soon lost his Parliamentary majority and was forced to call new elections. Ariel Sharon defeated Barak in the elections of February 2001 Over the course of the next year, the violence escalated rapidly with repeated Palestinian suicide bombers detonating themselves inside Israel and killing scores of civilians. The violence reached a sickening new level when, on the first night of Passover 2002, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 29 Israelis participating in a Seder at the Park Hotel in Netanya. Israel responded by launching Operation Defensive Shield that saw the reoccupation of all the major West Bank towns. In the course of the reoccupation, a major battle took place in which Israel captured the refugee camp in Jenin. Fifteen Israelis and 55 Palestinians were killed. The Palestinians claimed that a major massacre had occurred. This turned out to be a bald-faced lie, but it was one that the world community happily bought into and promptly condemned Israel. Only later did independent inquiries determine that, in fact, no massacre had taken place and that all the Palestinians who died had been engaged in the fighting. Though the reoccupation of West Bank substantially decreased the number of suicide attacks in Israel, it could not stop them completely. In the summer of 2003, a tenuous cease-fire was brokered by the United States but it was soon shattered by renewed Palestinian suicide bombings, including a gruesome bus bombing in August that killed dozens, including 6 small children and several Americans.

Familial dysautonomia is a genetic disorder that affects the development and survival of certain nerve cells. The disorder disturbs cells in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions such as digestion, breathing, production of tears, and the regulation of blood pressure and body temperature. It also affects the sensory nervous system, which controls activities related to the senses, such as taste and the perception of pain, heat, and cold. Familial dysautonomia is also called hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type III. Problems related to this disorder first appear during infancy. Early signs and symptoms include poor muscle tone (hypotonia), feeding difficulties, poor growth, lack of tears, frequent lung infections, and difficulty maintaining body temperature. Older infants and young children with familial dysautonomia may hold their breath for prolonged periods of time, which may cause a bluish appearance of the skin or lips (cyanosis) or fainting. This breath-holding behavior usually stops by age 6. Developmental milestones, such as walking and speech, are usually delayed, although some affected individuals show no signs of developmental delay. Additional signs and symptoms in school-age children include bed wetting, episodes of vomiting, reduced sensitivity to temperature changes and pain, poor balance, abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), poor bone quality and increased risk of bone fractures, and kidney and heart problems. Affected individuals also have poor regulation of blood pressure. They may experience a sharp drop in blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension), which can cause dizziness, blurred vision, or fainting. They can also have episodes of high blood pressure when nervous or excited, or during vomiting incidents. About one-third of children with familial dysautonomia have learning disabilities, such as a short attention span, that require special education classes. By adulthood, affected individuals often have increasing difficulties with balance and walking unaided. Other problems that may appear in adolescence or early adulthood include lung damage due to repeated infections, impaired kidney function, and worsening vision due to the shrinking size (atrophy) of optic nerves, which carry information from the eyes to the brain. Familial dysautonomia occurs primarily in people of Ashkenazi (central or eastern European) Jewish descent. It affects about 1 in 3,700 individuals in Ashkenazi Jewish populations. Familial dysautonomia is extremely rare in the general population. Mutations in the ELP1 gene cause familial dysautonomia. The ELP1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is found in a variety of cells throughout the body, including brain cells. Nearly all individuals with familial dysautonomia have two copies of the same ELP1 gene mutation in each cell. This mutation can disrupt how information in the ELP1 gene is pieced together to make a blueprint for the production of ELP1 protein. As a result of this error, a reduced amount of normal ELP1 protein is produced. This mutation behaves inconsistently, however. Some cells produce near normal amounts of the protein, and other cells—particularly brain cells—have very little of the protein. Critical activities in brain cells are probably disrupted by reduced amounts or the absence of ELP1 protein, leading to the signs and symptoms of familial dysautonomia. This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition. - HSAN Type III - Riley-Day Syndrome

Author: Roxanne Veletzos Published by: Atria Books on Oct. 30, 2018 Genres: Historical Fiction Format: Paperback, ARC Source: Simon & Schuster Canada Book Rating: 10/10 A sweeping family saga and love story that offers a vivid and unique portrayal of life in war-torn 1941 Bucharest and life behind the Iron Curtain during the Soviet Union occupation—perfect for fans of Lilac Girls and Sarah’s Key. On a freezing night in January 1941, a little Jewish girl is found on the steps of an apartment building in Bucharest. With Romania recently allied with the Nazis, the Jewish population is in grave danger, undergoing increasingly violent persecution. The girl is placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted by a wealthy childless couple who name her Natalia. As she assimilates into her new life, she all but forgets the parents who were forced to leave her behind. They are even further from her mind when Romania falls under Soviet occupation. Yet, as Natalia comes of age in a bleak and hopeless world, traces of her identity pierce the surface of her everyday life, leading gradually to a discovery that will change her destiny. She has a secret crush on Victor, an intense young man who as an impoverished student befriended her family long ago. Years later, when Natalia is in her early twenties and working at a warehouse packing fruit, she and Victor, now an important official in the Communist regime, cross paths again. This time they are fatefully drawn into a passionate affair despite the obstacles swirling around them and Victor’s dark secrets. When Natalia is suddenly offered a one-time chance at freedom, Victor is determined to help her escape, even if it means losing her. Natalia must make an agonizing decision: remain in Bucharest with her beloved adoptive parents and the man she has come to love, or seize the chance to finally live life on her own terms, and to confront the painful enigma of her past. Evocative, absorbing, and incredibly affecting! The Girl They Left Behind is a powerful, riveting tale that sweeps you into a country ravaged and oppressed by war and then forced to endure economic instability, political upheaval, social injustice, and lack of freedoms under Stalinist rule. The prose is poetic and enchanting. The characters are multi-layered, resilient, and vulnerable. And the plot, set in Romania during the mid-1900s, is a profoundly moving tale about war, familial relationships, heartbreak, loss, guilt, grief, suspicion, desperation, resilience, courage, coming of age, and hope. Overall, The Girl They Left Behind is the perfect blend of historical facts, compelling fiction, and palpable emotion. It’s a beautifully written story that is nostalgic, heart-wrenching, and impactful and does a remarkable job of highlighting not only the indomitable spirit of humanity to endure, survive, conquer, and even love under even the most atrocious of circumstances but also Veletzos’ passion for her maternal heritage. This novel is available now. Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

- Join over 1.2 million students every month - Accelerate your learning by 29% - Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month AS and A Level: International History, 1945-1991 Currently browsing by: - Remove1000-1999 words Meet our team of inspirational teachers Examine the claim that Hoover was responsible for the dramatic collapse of the economy after the Wall Street Crash. However there is also evidence to suggest, that Hoover has done everything he could to help the situation. He involved himself more in the country, more than any other president before and in fact there were other factors involved that were beyond Hoover's control. However despite his continuous effort to face the problem America continued to fall into Depression. Although the situation of the country before the Wall Street Crash was extremely difficult to mange, after the collapse of the stock exchange the economy suffered even more. - Word count: 1567 These two leaders wanted to unify North and South Korea into a unified Korea that was ruled by one of them. The war between North and South Korea started out as a civil war with border skirmishes since 1949. Many of the events in Asia caused domestic pressure on the Truman Administration back home. The US Administration came under heavy domestic pressure in 1949 , after feeling very happy for winning the Berlin airlift, When in august 1949 the USSR developed their own Atomic Bomb , The world was living in fear of a new world war with nuclear weapons. - Word count: 1135 In the cold realities of superpower rivalry, having a pro-Soviet regime so close to the USA was a humiliation, especially as the US public felt they were losing ground to the USSR in the Cold War throughout the 1950s. American prestige was at stake. Castro did not come to power intent on seeking economic and military assistance from the Soviet Union. His early statements and policies did not betray that he was a communism waiting to out himself. In many respects American reactions to Castro forced him closer to the Soviets and into declaring Cuba a communist state. - Word count: 1082 The United States were not present at Geneva and did not accept the terms presented, though there was little they could do except give support to the South and ignore the issue of the forthcoming elections. The USA were aware that Bao Dai, the Vietnamese Emperor ruling the South, would be incapable of presenting a valid alternative to Ho and encouraged the accession of Ngo Dinh Diem to lead the South. In many respects, the US failed to understand the local context, the war against French colonialism was inspired by nationalist zeal and much of the later conflict was more motivated by removing foreign (i.e. - Word count: 1034 Without the spoiling tactics of the Soviet veto, the USA had much freer rein to take the UN along with it in taking decisive action. The cloak of the United Nations and the support of the World community lent greater legitimacy to US actions and the moral sense of mission for Truman. Korea had been divided after the war into two zones of occupation divided by the 38th parallel. In the North under the supervision of the occupying Soviets, a communist government was established by Kim Il Sung while in the South a pro-American regime was led by Syngman Rhee. - Word count: 1012 American citizens no longer felt as safe and this was one of the key reasons for US anti-communist paranoia and the perception of losing the Cold War in the early 1950s. Eisenhower came to power in 1953 stating that he would be more vigorous in the challenge towards communism than the democrats had previously been. His Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, took a tough line on containment and the roll back of communism. This was after the failure of this policy in the Korean War where American efforts to push communism out of Korea under general MacArthur failed and containment was all that was achieved by the armistice in 1953. - Word count: 1272 With the memory of the Great Depression still fresh in many Americans minds and the high cost of the war, the USA, under Roosevelt, needed to stimulate economic growth and sustain the economic boom triggered by the war. Roosevelt decided on adopting an occupation policy of rehabilitation instead of one simply based on punitive punishment, another reason why America treated the countries of Eastern Europe so well was the need for them to buy American exports and keep the US economic boom going. The American actions in occupied Germany contradicted those of the Russians who began to strip there territories. - Word count: 1450 Power is maintained by expenditures in a balance of creating new wealth and military expenditure. When in decline, a powerful state should shift expenditures to creating wealth but most, mistakenly, shift their expenditure to the military thus accelerating their decline. When fully understanding the basic pattern of rising power, over-extension and decline, it can be seen in past and modern societies. This process is not uncommon to the United States and in the time period from 1885-1945, it was beneficial. The pattern described allows more visibility into what events propelled the United States into becoming a world power, the domestic and outside forces involved, and how much of the process was natural versus wooden-headedness on the part of other states. - Word count: 1400 The Crisis Decades(TM) of capitalism in the early 1970s and early 1980s were the direct result of its Golden Age(TM) of 1945-73. Discuss. This was further exacerbated by the artificially cheap prices of oil at $2 per barrel which prevented the capitalist countries from seeking alternative sources of fuel and engaging in energy conservation. Thus, when the first oil shock occurred with OPEC's quadrupling of oil prices, the capitalist nations were badly hit with recession, unemployment, balance of payments deficits and even an uncommon phenomenon of 'stagflation' in which negative growth was accompanied with inflation. However, the above merely explains why capitalist countries were in such an economic crisis when the first oil shock occurred, and does not explain why the oil shock occurred in the first instance. - Word count: 1708 Both sides were merely pursuing their legitimate interests. This was the crux-and the tragedy-of the Arab-Israeli dispute. Discuss with reference to the period 1948-2000. The Palestinians also had valid reasons to resist Jewish seizure of their land which they had inhabited for centuries, as they were made to pay for the crimes that the Europeans (Nazi Germany) had committed. This is made worse by the disproportionate division of land, including the fact that the more fertile land was given to the Jews. Thus, it can be argued that the beginnings of the conflict were indeed a case of both sides pursuing their legitimate interests, and the start of a mounting tragedy. - Word count: 1662 'The development of the international economy in the period 1945-91 favoured rich countries at the expense of the poor.' How far do you agree? was founded in 1947 as a predecessor to the aborted International Trade Organisation (ITO) and was one of the three pillars that supported the post World War Two international economic order. Its aims were primarily to reduce trade barriers and free world trade. To say that GATT favoured rich countries at the expense of the poor can only be agreed upon to a small extent. This is due to a number of factors like the motivations behind the formation of GATT, the incompetence of the poorer countries and other circumstances. The assumption that GATT favoured rich countries at the expense of the poor arises when one considers the Prebisch and Radical school of thought, that GATT was a means of exploiting poor stated and denying them opportunity. - Word count: 1266 TO WHAT EXTENT DID THE YALTA AND POTSDAM CONFERENCES CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLD WAR IN EUROPE? There were, it is true, a number of general conditions and contexts that pointed in the direction of such a break-up. Ideological differences and a history of difficulties in Soviet-Western relations are just two of them. During the war a large measure of agreement on post-war issues had been achieved but important unresolved disputes remained. At the end of the war there emerged numerous practical problems of working together in liberated Europe, above all in Germany. The fact that the Americans had the atomic bomb and the Russians did not was also problematical, as was the extent of the Soviet need for human and material resources to rebuild their war-devastated economy. - Word count: 1101 This inevitable clash of ideas featured a clash of Communism not only against Democracy but also Capitalism. Linking to this was the fact that although the Grand Alliance was over by 1945, Britain and USA remained close allies and the USSR was clearly the root of all evil for them. This closeness may have also led to resentment from Stalin towards their alliance and this rubbed off on his actions, notably the takeover of Eastern Europe and his adamant refusal for these nations to receive any form of Marshall Aid - the nations were, no doubt, in great competition with one another; Stalin was threatened by US economic penetration and dollar imperialism, which inevitably affected his attitude further towards Britain. - Word count: 1007 This policy was considered a success as an estimated 60% of the entire population benefited form the reform. However, this was to be a sign of Mao's disregard for human life as this policy resulted in the death of 2 million landlords, by means of public execution during 'struggle' meetings. Mao also started an early form of collectivisation, by 1952, 40% of peasants were collectivised. The next step was the encouragement of cooperatives, these favoured central management of land under private ownership, and by 1956 80% of peasants were part of cooperatives. The important factor of the land reform policy is that Mao was able to gain support from the peasants, the same peasants he would later use to conduct the Great Leap forward. - Word count: 1517 The French representative in the 'Big Three', Clemenceau was an uncompromising politician and clearly displays this attitude of rigid vengefulness. With the German economy already crippled and tattered due to the war, Germany was in no shape to pay the excessive reparations demanded. The 7th of May 1920, the Germans believed that it would be unpleasant but not unfair to the degree that it was. Wilson's 14 point plan was largely ignored and Germany was not to be allowed what should have been a given; true self-determination. - Word count: 1475 How far do you agree with the view that is was primarily the existence of contrasting economic systems that prevented the relaxation of superpower tensions in the period 1945-85? As Greene highlights 'Marshall Aid intended to keep the economies of the Western European countries within the capitalist world'. This clearly meant that Marshall Aid could not be accepted by the Soviet Union, and went some way to explaining why tensions grew in Europe between the two superpowers. Whilst the USA was focused on securing markets in Europe, the Soviet Union was trying to secure a buffer zone on its Eastern European border, which source 4 describes as the 'Soviet sphere of influence'. - Word count: 1408 One possible reason for this choice is so that it can be used as propaganda, to promote a special cause; in this instance it would be to promote the hard work of the British population in supporting the war effort, on the front line, and back at home. Source A compares several aspects of women and men in various ways. The source can be said to have two parts to it, a foreground and a background. One aspect in the foreground of Source A is a woman is stood to the left and a male soldier is stood to the right. - Word count: 1254 One tribe in particular that she studied was called "the Nayar", it was based in south west India and there was no nuclear families in that tribe at all. The Nayar society had a different way of life. All girls were married off at puberty, the marriage was dissolved and all the girl had to do was turn up to her husband's funeral, so he had a good sending off to the after life. Then after marriage the men could have intercourse with any girl of their choice in the same cast as them. - Word count: 1654 The few educated men had asked the United Nations to help us, but nothing has ever been done. The population around the country had started to decrease due to disease and famine. There were even talks about a rebellion in southern parts of the country. I couldn't understand why people would want to do this. I mean, te government are doing all that they can to help us out of this and I have faith in them that they will keep their promise. It may not be in my lifetime, but I am positive that one day we will be free to plenty of food and clean water supplies. - Word count: 1370 In turn the United States began to build an arsenal of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon related devices to improve the efficiency of there nuclear weapons the amount that they had, which began the nuclear arms race. The main reason for the nuclear arms race was to have the most and best nuclear weapons in order to have unsure, superior first strike capability (the ability to disable the enemy's military force so that they would be unable to retaliate). After both sides had an adequate first strike capability they developed a second strike (a nuclear force that could be used - Word count: 1408 The average age of a US serviceman was nineteen and ground troops were only trained to fight pitched battles. The Vietcong took advantage of this inexperience and adopted guerrilla warfare employing intelligence, ambush, deception, sabotage, and espionage. This escalated US problems as they were fighting on unknown territory lacking experience of guerrilla warfare. Furthermore, the US came to Vietnam with poor tactics. For example 'Operation Rolling Thunder' where heavy bombing (worse than anything even in World War Two) was used to destroy military bases and equipment in North Vietnam and to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trails. - Word count: 1588 Leading up to war, the international atmosphere was calmer then it had been for a long time. The Balkan problems were threatening but many statesmen were devoted to peace. When Europe entered war in July of 1914, few were psychologically prepared for the catastrophe soon to occur. The events leading to war start with the outcome of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870-1 causing the establishment of the German Empire including the French provinces Alsace and Lorraine, ending in the altered distribution of power across Europe. The expansion of the German economy and the growth of political ambitions from the new Kaiser alarmed the other European powers. - Word count: 1457 The author of the book 'Four Hours In My Lai' was Michael Bilton. The source would have been very effective in helping the anti-war movement had it been around in that time period. I think the audience was later generations of American people who were possible relatives to people involved in the Vietnam War. Source B pictures naked children running away from soldiers, they were some of the many victims of napalm, it was published during the war. The people who saw this source would almost definitely side with the anti-war movement but it wasn't very widely published so it wouldn't have contributed much. - Word count: 1107 Taking into account the history of Yugoslavia that you have studied do you feel that lasting peace is possibly in the independent states of former Yugoslavia? You have to respect the law and human rights and protect minority groups, this is good because yet again it will help bring down ethnic tension, you also have to have a strong economy and if there is a conflict in Croatia then they are not going to have a strong economy. You also have to hand over war criminals, and Croatia has started to hand over some of there war criminals, this makes it more likely that they will get into the EU. - Word count: 1947 generally, human beings are curious. They always want to know. The press takes advantage of this curiosity and publishes the images in newspapers and magazines. A photographer's duty is to describe his surroundings by using his camera; it is up to the viewer to judge the rights and wrongs. A photographer cannot be held responsible if an image is unsuitable. Because photographers are merely artists with a camera, they should be allowed their own artistic freedom. This statement, however, does not change the fact that altering the content of a photograph in any way is a deception to the public. - Word count: 1046

WHEN THE American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) holds its annual spring meeting in Washington, DC, the organization takes elaborate measures to present a portrait of overwhelming political clout. Huge video screens featuring footage on Israel’s geopolitical perils, thousands of attendees, rousing speeches, a steady stream of Democratic and Republican politicians proclaiming their undying fealty to Israel—all are meant to suggest an irrepressible organization on a roll. This year, as in previous ones, Iran was the dominant topic. “Words alone will not stop Iran,” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the conference by satellite. “Sanctions alone will not stop Iran.” He then admonished his American audience: “Sanctions must be coupled with a clear and credible military threat if diplomacy and sanctions fail.” At the same time, Senator John McCain excoriated the Obama administration for not being sufficiently friendly toward the Jewish state, while Vice President Joe Biden sought to assuage lingering unease about the administration’s stance by declaring that Obama is “not bluffing” when he threatens Iran with military action to forestall its nuclear-weapons development. But, as AIPAC once again tried ostentatiously to display its influence, distant drumbeats raised new questions about America’s relationship with the Jewish state—and whether AIPAC’s influence is perhaps not always exercised strictly in Israel’s or America’s interest. Washington’s local metro system displayed ads, sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace and the Avaaz advocacy group, that featured various ordinary American Jews denouncing AIPAC as antithetical to peace and not speaking for them. Although such protests by left-wing Jewish organizations may have only slight influence, they reflect a broader reality: Israel’s image seems to be under challenge as never before, in Europe as well as in America. A number of incidents suggest a cultural shift is emerging that could presage a reexamination of the nature of America’s political ties to Israel. This shift is rooted in a mounting perception that Israel cannot be exempted from culpability for its current predicament; that it is isolating itself from its neighbors in ways that are problematic for itself and for its one staunch ally, America; that its robust and illegal expansion of settlements—including in East Jerusalem, where more than five hundred thousand Israelis live—is inimical to any chance of peace; that its recent initiative to segregate Israelis and Palestinians on separate buses represents just another step toward colonization; and that it must strike out on a new course or risk becoming an international pariah. President Obama did not really deviate from this position during his recent visit to Israel in March. Obama made it clear that America supports Israel, and he brokered renewed diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey. But he also emphasized that it is up to Israelis themselves to take back their country from the retrograde forces that are driving it into the abyss. Obama even went on to take a swipe at Netanyahu and his coterie: “Political leaders will not take risks if the people do not demand that they do. You must want to create the change that you want to see. Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.” Essentially, Obama was telling Israelis to perform an end run around their own government—to view the conflict not just from their own perspective but also that of the Palestinians. Obama’s remarks were impassioned, friendly and moving. Their import could not be clearer. He offered both promise and admonition. And in uttering obvious truths, Obama exemplified a broader phenomenon—namely, the crumbling of a longtime taboo in America on criticizing Israel. Glenn Greenwald, writing as a Salon columnist a few years ago, put it starkly when he referred to the “mainstreaming” of John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt’s depiction of a powerful Israel lobby that is undermining American foreign policy. The University of Chicago’s Mearsheimer and Harvard’s Walt—both “considered A-list scholars,” according to NPR—were excoriated in the media in 2006 when they published in the London Review of Books (after the Atlantic , which initially commissioned the piece, declined to publish it) their now-famous article suggesting that the United States frequently subordinates its own interests to the wishes of Israel, in part because of “the unmatched power of the Israel Lobby.” The duo expanded their argument into a book, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy , the following year. Their scholarship unleashed a concerted effort on the part of many academics and journalists to portray the two professors as lurking outside the confines of respectable thought. Johns Hopkins University professor Eliot Cohen flatly labeled the article “anti-Semitic” and a reflection of “bigotry,” while Harvard’s Alan Dershowitz declared Walt and Mearsheimer to be conspiracy theorists as well as anti-Semites. Words such as “smelly,” “nutty” and “oddly amateurish” were bandied about. The aim was to marginalize the authors. The truth is that Walt and Mearsheimer’s book, as a 2007 National Interest symposium noted, did suffer from some serious flaws, including a failure to appreciate that it is possible to side with Israel without being pressured by an Israel lobby. Further, the authors elide any Palestinian responsibility for the failure of the peace process.Image: Pullquote: Does Israel really want to rely only on the United States, bereft of all other allies, for its security at a moment when Washington’s attentiveness to foreign affairs appears to be waning?Essay Types: Essay

the burial book, obtained from former employees, included "no room for spouse," "move Mrs. Kolin" and "dig this grave double deep." Another handwritten note said: "Where are Lippitis and who are Haskells and are they both deceased? Move Haskell marker." show "there are several hundred people who have purchased graves, premium contracts purchased years ago, that do not have a place to be laid to rest," said co-counsel Neal Hirschfeld. of Lake Worth said her parents bought side-by-side graves in 1982. Her father died in 1994, but another man allegedly was buried next to him in her mother's grave. her mother died last year, the cemetery's operators dug up the man's vault and threw most of his remains in the woods, according to a former employee. that some of his remains are still in her grave," Stone said. "I am just horrified." The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, seeks unspecified damages. investigated allegations that we thought too heinous to be accurate, too horrible to be true, over the last several years," Hirschfeld said. stake settlement claim in Florida Jewish cemetery desecration Several of the funeral homes being sued for using the Georgia crematory where hundreds of desecrated have been found were owned by SCI.

Among the bitter consolations of the Christian scriptures are Paul’s comments on suffering and weakness. I am reading my way (under heavy cloud cover) through the Pauline letters right now and I am, once again, arrested by his lamentations, redemptions, and (ultimately) affirmations of brokenness. Human grief and pain, the flesh we carry, the cross born in that flesh; as ever, I find sorting it all out a challenge. What is simply sin and (the pain endured) its consequences? What are illnesses and ailments which, by our carrying, we bring glory to God? And what are the afflictions we willingly serve, serve as if a host to demons? Yesterday I was struck by the strangeness of one of these passages. In the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul finds himself apologizing left and right for having to boast. He’s “boasting” because the Corinthians are mighty impressed with a few of Paul’s rivals. Apparently, the believers are too fond of some very charismatic voices and are willing to give those voices an authority that they do not deserve. Paul tries to bring them under his influence by reminding them of his credentials as an apostle. Although I have never been entirely persuaded by Paul’s modesty, perhaps because we see ourselves in others and I am a person of much false modesty, Paul seems to have forced himself into some very uncomfortable “boasting.” Indeed, he shares one of his ecstatic experiences by beginning with “I have this friend who ….” In just a few verses, however, he comes clean and owns the experience. Apparently Paul visited paradise and saw and heard things that should not be shared; they were ecstatic experiences for Paul and for Paul alone. There’s nothing too special about that, we all have experiences which are given to us for our own edification, but Paul goes on and shares an oracle in God’s voice. Having had a great time in paradise, Paul needs something to keep him grounded. And so, in chapter twelve, Paul writes: “a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated” (12:7). Paul begged the Lord to take the affliction away, but God replies: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (12:9). God replies! Beyond the Gospels and the book of Revelations, there are few, very few, passages in which God speaks to his people in the manner of the prophets. Of course, but for the Gospels and the book of Revelations there are few Christian scriptures that were not authored by Paul. So, perhaps it is Paul’s Christianity which seeks to de-emphasize the role of the oracle in the Christian experience. Afterall, if we are alive in Christ, why should we need special messages, mediated through a prophet to find our way, the Way? Such a strange and bitter consolation, this rare oracle. I am a weak person; I have my thorns (most inflicted by that most ready accuser, the self); and I cannot see past them. What was Paul’s “thorn”? No one knows. Some have argued for a physical affliction (an illness, a disability, an addiction) and others for communal affliction (perhaps an actual heckler, perhaps the opposition of Jewish leaders he wanted to persuade, perhaps perpetual unemployment and growing debt), but only Paul knows. I am, of course, partial to reading my afflictions into the account; I live with broken people, sick people, disturbed people. I too am a broken, sick, and disturbed person “… for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbour” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q.5). We are, together, a great thicket of thorns. What power is to be found in this weakness; this weakness which works counter to love? But for grace, I am nothing.

This year’s Keepers Kolor War “Varmints Revenge” will pay respect to the role these lovable kreatures play in the heart of all Woodmont golfers. The kompetition will be reconciled on Sunday May 19th with four teams of 12 players representing the Crows, the Gooses, the Deer, and the Coyotes in a full day of settling the score. In a kollaborative Three-Stage Kompetition, Team Crows, Team Gooses, Team Deer, and Team Coyotes will vie for a pot of team Kash Sweeps as well as individual Keepers Kup points. Team Kaptains will be designated from those who sign up and a draft of the four Varmint teams will ensue under the careful scrutiny of the Federal Election Kommission. Handicaps in 2-Man matches provide a level playing field-using 80% for the course/tee being played. Festivities begin Sunday morning with the First Stage Short Game Skills kompetition at The SID between 8:30 and 9:30. One player from each team will be grouped by handicap level to kompete in 4 short game skills. Each player will will have two shots at each skill target surrounded by koncentric circles worth 3, 2, or 1 point (2 extra points if you hole it). Total points for each player across the four skills will go toward team and individual points. What follows is each player kompeting with a partner in two nine-hole 2-man Team Matches playing off 6 tee times on each course starting at 9:45. Second Stage is 2-Man Modified Alternate Shot with teammates playing a drive off each tee-selecting the best one-and then playing alternate shot until they hole out. Each hole is worth 4 points for a total of 36 available to a team in each match. Team points for the match will be split between teammates for their individual points in this stage. Without regrouping the back nine Third Stage Match is 2-Man Best Net Ball with players getting 80% of their course handicap. Once again each hole is worth 4 points for a total of 36 available to a team in each match. Team points for the match will be split between teammates for their individual points in this stage. The winners booty…..members of the winning team get $50 Kash Sweeps per person with $25 Kash Sweeps per person for the runner-up team. Individual points from matches will be tallied to determine the four team MVPs (top individual point totals) who get 200 Keepers Kup Points and a flashy MVP Medallion. Second and Third MVP for each team will get 100 and 50 Keepers Kup Points respectively. In the League of Superheros Skirmish of 2018, it was Team Batman-Rick Brecher, Chet Levine, Nelson Cohen, Harry Harrison, Sol Gordon, Len Goldman, Steve Lustig, Billy Burack, Don Fisher, and Keith Eig-that prevailed for top team honors. Come out and enjoy a raucous day of cheering for your teammates in our Keepers Team Kompetition……..slots are limited to 48 players so sign up now. The Keepers Kahootz-Alternate Shot Match Play Series is one of our feature events of the year. It is a chance to step out of your comfort zone and prove your mettle in the game the Scots call Foursomes playing true alternate shot with a partner of your selection. This folkloric kompetition is played over three weekday evenings over two months where you and a partner of your choice will play 18-hole Alternate Shot matches against other teams playing in the Series. This is a year-long competition but it is not single elimination so teams are guaranteed of at least three match opportunities over the Series. Each evening starts at 5:00 in a shotgun start so we can get the 18-hole matches in before the sunlight is gone. Your team will get 80% of the average of your two handicaps on the course each night-Blue Tees on the South and Gold Tees on the North (Blue/Green Option for those who qualify). This is true alternate shot-one guy drives on the odd holes, the partner on the even holes playing alternate shot all the way into the cup. It plays very fast as long as you don’t feel the obligation of apologizing to your partner each time you put him in a bad spot. The scheduled three match nights are May 14th, May 29th, and June 11th. You do not have to play all three nights to participate in this Series. The 18-hole matches will be played for 1 point a hole-a total of 18 standings points available per team. For the purpose of the Series Standings we will only count the two best of three possible Two-Ball standing points performances for each team. This mitigates the effect on the standings if a team misses one Series event. We will poll the teams the week before each scheduled Series Night to determine who is coming and set the matches accordingly. Keepers Points Payouts are garnered for the winner of each Alt-Shot Series match (50 Keepers points per man for a win and 25 per man for a tie). The Final Series Standings will be based on your teams best two match performances after the three Alt-Shot Series matches-so you only need to play in two matches to have a chance to advance. The top four teams in the Standings advance to the Final Fore for the championship playoff to determine the Keepers Kahootz Alternate Shot Match Play Series champion. The scheduling of the championship playoff will be left open to accommodate the four qualifying teams with a drop dead date of August 18, 2019. Aside from Keepers Points for each series match win or tie, Keepers Kash Sweeps and additional Keepers Points will be paid out to each team in the Final Fore based on their finish after the championship dust settles. These ethereal trophies go to the winning team as well. If you are interested please sign up early….field will be limited to 24 teams. Click Keepers Kosher K To Sign Up For the Keepers Kahootz: Click Keepers Gavel Below To See Who Is Registered For the Keepers Kahootz: In the face of threatening weather, over 40 Keepers showed up to stage our annual Keepers Pro Schmo with a little help from 8 of their virtual friends. Playing the “New North” the Keepers got to experience the changes to the front nine green complexes that have been under wraps all winter. Top honors in the National League Division went to Ron “Big Sky” Hirschel who teamed with fiesty Ian Poulter to shoot Net 61 on their better ball. Tied second with Net 62 were Steve “Gordo” Gordon/Jon Rahm and Guy “Parfait” Berliner/Phil Mickelson. In the American League it was Mike “Not Lew” Selis who carried Kevin Kisner on his back on their way to a shooting Net 62 to win their division. A bit of a traffic jam developed in second place with Net 63 involving Steve “Peleton” Lustig/Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Len “The Plumber” Goldman/Justin Harding, and Bobby “Jack Lalanne” Fogel/Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Fortunately no air bags were deployed. The Net Pars or Better Kash Game raised the first $350 toward The Keepers year-end military charity donations and paid out some walk around Kash Money to six Keepers who led this kompetition. Net Pars or Better Payouts: 1st Ron Hirschel 24 Points $100 kash T-2nd Paul Cohen and Mike Selis 20 Points $75 kash each T-4th Len Goldman, Sol Gordon, and Rich Greenberg 19 Points $30 kash each The season ramps up quickly as we move into May with a Four-Club, Kolor War, and the first two of the Alt-Shot Series matches coming your way. Stay tuned for the announcements and sign ups over the next few weeks. Thanks to all who participated in kicking off our 12th Keepers Season. Next up from the Keepers Schedule is our traditional Spring Four Club Event on Wednesday evening May 1st. With after work Tee Times from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., this is a 9-hole event where you play the front of the South with four clubs of your choice….and yes the putter is one of the four, unless you intend to “Keith” or “Billy” putt with your Sand Iron or Driver respectively. You get 90% of your handicap and the Blue/Green Tee Option is available for those who qualify. This is always a fun event and your kritical thinking on club selection for the day is krucial to your success. This might require some on the ground research to determine exactly what four implements will best suit your distances on the front of the South. Keepers Kup Points to the top (5)-1st 150, 2nd 120, 3rd 90, 4th 60, 5th 30 Kash Sweeps to the top (3)-1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25 This event challenges you to play outside your komfort zone, but you may be surprised how effective you can be if you pick the right implements. Don’t get shut out of this fun and entertaining 9-hole game after work. Sign up now through the Kosher K below: Click Keepers Gavel Below To See Who Is Registered For the Keepers Four Club: With a name like “Throwback Threes” you might think the Woodmont Par Three Tournament this year was a compilation of replica holes of Ross, Raynor, Tillinghast, and MacKenzie of the “Golden Age of Golf Course Architecture”. But with holes named after things like Pet Rocks, Flip Hairdoos, Mood Rings, and Bell Bottoms it is more likely to harken back memories of those “Halcyon Days” of your youth. The Woodmont Par Three has become one of the most popular events of the year as it attracts over 100 participants-men, women, and qualified juniors- to compete in two divisions based on total team handicaps. It will be played on Sunday April 28th with assigned Tee Times between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This year the design firm of D & F Associates have fashioned 18 unique Par 3 holes from the Zoysia fields of the South Golf Course. With holes ranging 70 to 190 yards and two sets of tees on each hole, you will find approach angles into the greens from places you could not imagine. You have never seen your course look or play like this….these holes will challenge your creativity and the full array of arrows in your quiver. Grab your buddies, your spouses, or your kids and assemble your own 4-Person Team to play in this Step-Aside Scramble format. The individual challenge is made slightly easier by the fact that your result does not have to count on each shot. To make the kompetition fun for everyone, we split the field into two flights based on the team scramble handicap assigned to each team. There will be Gross and Net Prizes in each flight once again this year. As you can see below, it took excellent team play to take home the Monopoly Sweeps in 2018. For the Community Chest Flight the veteran crew of Gene Sachs, Matt Bergman, Andy Friedlander, and Steve Block took the gross prize with 43. The net winner in this division with 42.9 was the team of Joe Scheffres, Mike Bobys, Neal Bobys, and Paul Cohen. In the Chance Flight Rick Brecher, Nathan Greenbaum, Howard Isaacson, and Ron Edlavitch teamed up for 47 to win the gross and the team of Mike Fisher, Bernie Greenbaum, Ronnie Greenbaum, and Peter Jessel finished the “Greenbaum Sweep” and carded 44 to win the net. Besides the sweeps prizes for all winners, there are serious Keepers Kup Points going to our guys in the top five finishing groups with Keepers. So gather some friends and sign up your four-person squad for Throwback Threes through the Woodmont Golf Registration portal by clicking the Peace Sign below. The Keepers Kampaign for 2019 opens with our annual Keepers Pro-Schmo on Sunday April 14th where our guys will be playing in a low impact Two-Man Best Ball with a Virtual Pro score from Thursday’s round at Augusta. Play begins with assigned tee times from 8:30 to 10:30 am with 90% handicap from the Gold Tees on the New North Course. The Blue/Green Combo Tee option is available to players whose Handicap Index plus their Age is greater than or equal to 92. Keep in mind that dependent on the weather, it is likely to be Cart Path Only that day. We expect to have our customary large turn out so we will split the field into two divisions playing for two sets of prizes. The American League will be Keepers with Handicap Indexes of 14.9 or less and the National League comprised of those with Handicap Indexes of 15 or higher. Prizes for winners include Keepers Kash Sweeps to the top three and Keepers Kup Points for the top five finishing net team scores. Using AI and our patented Keepers Random Eight Selection methodology, players pick one of (8) pro partner’s scores from Thursday’s round at The Masters. The Pro’s hole-by-hole score is posted to par on the North Course and they play a virtual best ball between the Pro Partner’s gross score and the Keeper Schmo’s net score on each hole. In 2018 we had a full tee sheet and four hungry Keepers, March Birnbaum, Phil Cantor, Steve Lustig, and Artie Aronoff, tied first in the American League Division with efficient Net 60’s to split Kup Points and Kash Sweeps. In the National League Division Gary Faigen teamed with a rejuvenated Tiger Woods to steal the top spot with Net 58 scoring 300 Keepers Kup Points and $100 in Kash Sweeps. There will also be a voluntary Players Pool Kash Kompetition-Pars or Better-for those who are interested in a side game. As is our tradition, half the $20 entry toll goes to fund our combined military kontributions at the end of the year to the Folds of Honor Foundation, SMGA Wounded Veterans, Israeli Defense Fund Veterans, and Links To Freedom Program. Field is limited to the first 48 Keepers who sign up, so don’t tarry….sign up by clicking the Kosher K below. Around 50 Keepers and friends gathered at the Chatter Chabad in Chevy Chase for the Maariv Service and this year’s Keepers Last Supper Celebration. With the help of Reb Alan Bubes we were able to konvince Tony Kornheiser and Gary Williams to provide the evening’s entertainment with a Q & A kovering an array of topics of interest to our guys. Tony and Gary handled a barrage of sports questions from our guys and the discussions lasted over an hour. Most interestingly it seemed that two-thirds of the questions were about Terp Basketball in particular and College and Pro Hoops in general, which meant the lions share of the responses were in Gary’s court. The Chatter food was fabulous….including the crab cakes and pigs in a blanket, standards at all Jewish celebratory functions and a robust low-calorie dinner buffet and some sweeeeeet mini-desserts……. After dinner we had an informal presentation of Woodmont’s hosting of the 2020 USGA Women’s Am from Double-D and Billy Burak. They discussed the rationale of the club in pursuing this prestigious event and the opportunity to support the effort through the 1913 Campaign. Over $80,000 has been raised already from Woodmont members with a goal of getting 150 families to support the effort. You can get more information on this campaign by reaching out to Ron Bubes and Joann DiMeglio, the committee chairs. Then of course it was time to give out the hardware from this year’s Keepers Kompetitions. All in all the Keepers Last Supper was a festive evening of celebration of our 11th Year of The Keepers. Special thanks to Konnor Farrell for all his work through the year. We also thank the folks at Chatter for hosting this event and Tony Kornheiser and Gary Williams for lending their expertise to the evening’s program.

2017 February Issue Preaching: Luke 2:22-40 Part 2 A sermon could focus on Jesus Christ and the church as good news for gentiles. In vv. 29-32, the prophet Simeon articulates an important dimension of the purpose of Jesus and the church: to carry the news of salvation to gentiles, and in so doing, to honor the historic mission of Israel. In Luke-Acts, salvation refers to the recognition that God is restoring the world to its original purposes through Jesus Christ, and joining in the movement towards restoration. (On the motif of restoration, see Preaching the Lesson for February 19, 1999). Restoration includes the reunion of the Jewish and the gentile peoples, as noted in Preaching the Lesson for February 12, 1999. This restoration and reunion will be Israel's glory (v. 32) because God blessed Israel so that, through Israel, "all the families of the earth [i.e., gentiles] shall be blessed" (Gen 12:3). The sermon could describe the life of gentiles who live apart from the knowledge of God. Gentiles worship idols, thereby demonstrating a false sense of ultimate reality. They practice injustice. They pervert God's purposes for human community. As Acts 4:25 says, the gentiles rage and imagine vain things. The preacher could help the church recollect ways in which our world manifests gentile qualities. However, through Jesus Christ, gentiles can repent, and turn towards the God of Israel. Thereby, we gain a true sense of ultimate reality. We learn justice. We become a part of a community (the church) that embodies the divine restoration. We receive peace (shalom). The preacher can also help us see how these qualities calm our raging. Another theme nestled in this passage could lead to a sermon that would bring a sobering thought into the Christmas season. Simeon declares that Jesus causes suffering among those who are closest to him (Lk 1:34-35). This theme is persistent in Luke-Acts: the restoration of the world through Jesus Christ provokes a negative reaction among some people outside the Jesus movement (for example: 4:28-30; 9:23-27; 12:4-12, 49-56; 21:12-24; 22:47-23:49; Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-42; 6:8-8:1). By placing this theme in the birth narrative, Luke assures the later Christian community that conflict is inherent between the new world and the old. If the congregation is suffering because of its witness to the coming of a new world, the text is a comfort. God initiated this manifestation through Jesus Christ and continues it through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers us even in the jaws of difficulty. The preacher can help the congregation identify sources of encouragement and empowerment for the congregation. If the church is not in conflict with the surrounding culture, the preacher may lead the community to consider whether it is sufficiently announcing and modeling the restoration. In this case, the church is called to acts of witness that are as bold as the ones pictured in the Book of Acts. What does the congregation need to do to demonstrate Christian identity and values? Luke 2:25-38 suggests another sermon on the relationship of women and men in leadership in the Christian community. Luke often mentions women and men in leadership roles, or brings together male and female images around a common theme (for example, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, the parables of the lost sheep (male shepherd) and lost coin (female housekeeper), the parables of the widow (and the unjust judge) and the Pharisee (and the tax collector), the Spirit and prophecy falling on sons and daughters, slave women and slave men, Aquila and Priscilla as joint teachers of Christian faith. Simeon and Anna jointly interpret the significance of Jesus Christ for the Lukan reader. This motif is important because it recollects the divine intention to restore relationships in the world to the pattern that existed before the fall (see Preaching the Lesson for February 12, 1999). For Luke, women and men are partners in leadership in the Christian community, thereby exercising the kind of dominion envisioned by Genesis 1:26-27. The preacher can help the community inventory the degree to which this principle is lived out in the ministerial staff, in the leadership of the boards and committees, among the teachers, in the attitudes and assumptions of the congregation as a whole. If the community manifests a Simeon-in-partnership-with-Anna approach to leadership, the preacher can reinforce this tendency and point to its benefits. If the community continues to manifest limited roles for women in leadership, the preacher can help the congregation discover theological roots and images that can help plant the community and begin to move towards a witness to the restored world through the partnership of women and men in leadership. Another sermon is brought to the surface by the thorough Jewishness of this text. Jesus is circumcised. The parents come to the temple to carry out rites of purification. They sacrifice. In the earliest years of the church, we should not speak of it as Christianity (as if the church were a distinct religion) but as Christian Judaism. For the church was a sect within Judaism. Luke envisions the Christian witness as an extension of Judaism. When gentiles come to know, love, and serve the God of Israel through Jesus Christ and the church, they are de-paganized, and they are modestly Judaized. However, for most of the last 2,000 years the church and Judaism have existed in parallel worlds. When they did intersect, Christians often harassed Jewish communities, the nadir being the Holocaust. Only in the last generation has a dialogue begun among a few Jewish and Christian leaders, synagogues, and churches that seeks rapprochement. The preacher could use the Jewish materials in today's text as a starting point for a sermon on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. In addition to recounting the sordid history of this relationship through much of the past, the preacher could point to Luke-Acts as containing resources that can help us reconstruct the relationship between church and synagogue as one that witnesses to the restoration of human community. Ronald J. Allen

Facebook is Stupid -_- I am so tired of this crap from Facebook. Hitler's Jewish purge was not some sort of aberration, but a natural outgrowth of century after century of anti-Jewish bigotry, and this bigotry still exists. This is partially why I made a conscious decision to like and trust the Israeli girl at the mall and let her sell me those skin care products I couldn't really afford. Since Jews have been stereotyped by "Christians" as sleazy, cunning money-grubbers for so long, I chose to believe that she wasn't ripping me off and really would take me to the movies as promised. Someone told me a week later that she was probably long gone by now, so I went back to verify that she was still there, and she was, so my trust hasn't been shattered yet. Anyway... that isn't the worst of Facebook's stupidity. It really disturbs me when pornographers make a big deal about having models as young as they're legally allowed to be. I get the impression that they would use 15 year olds in a heartbeat if they could. Anyway, trained orangutans could literally do a better job than this at policing Facebook's "Community Standards". They could be trained to recognize the shapes of the letters in certain words indicating red flags, which is obviously more than Facebook's staff is capable of. Whatever they're being paid is too much. It's heartwarming to see the faith, goodness, etcetera of the old people at the old people place in spite of their deteriorating bodies and/or minds. One old man named Norm stands out in this regard as he joins us in singing the hymns, even though he can't stand up without swaying around like a bobblehead, his voice is so weak as to be barely audible most of the time, and he has great difficulty even turning the pages of the book. I like his attitude about life too. Last week someone told him "Have a good day" and he responded, "It's a good day when I wake up. If I wake up." Having said that, I never, ever, ever want to be that old and frail myself, as it's probably a hundred times less fun to live through than to witness. I hope I die before then. About three years ago I met this lady who I shall call "Janet" in an institute class and for whatever reason, she remembered me and always said hi from then on even though we never really talked or became close. This wouldn't have been a problem except that she was married and I was aware that I had in times past flirted with female friends without even realizing it, even when I wasn't actually interested, and I became super paranoid about that happening if I interacted with her too much, so I just felt super awkward every time and I think she thinks I'm "special" and she isn't really wrong. We never went beyond saying hi except for once when she was trying to use a computer terminal at the campus library and her baby was crying so I went over and made faces to calm her (the baby) down, and one time when she forgot to lock her front door so she asked me to go do it and let myself out the back since I lived close by. It took her like five minutes to ask because she kept oscillating between her worry about someone breaking into the house and her worry about inconveniencing me. One time a year or two later my ward was gathered at the church building near my house to carpool to a home evening activity, and being Mormons, of course, they were still gathered there twenty minutes after we were supposed to have left. I got frustrated and bored and didn't want to socialize like everyone else was doing so I wandered away to the other side of the building. Across the street, Janet was out with her toddler and newer baby playing hopscotch and eating popcorn and, seeing that I was all alone with no family and no home evening, invited me to join them. So I played hopscotch for a minute, feeling awkward all the while, and then her husband appeared in the doorway. A look of murderous rage came over his face. He stormed out, down the driveway, toward the sidewalk, past me, and moved the baby a little further from the road, and then turned and went back into the house without saying a word. I decided it was a good time to go rejoin my ward. Afterward I told myself that the look of murderous rage on his face must have been my imagination, driven by paranoia, because I hadn't been doing anything wrong and had never done anything wrong. I was just paranoid and everything was fine. But the next time I saw her she said, "Sorry my husband wasn't very nice. He thought I was flirting." Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because I saw them at Summerfest last night and accidentally made eye contact with him through some bushes as I walked past and slipped away into the crowd, and from what I could see through the bushes I felt like I should probably stay hidden. Predominantly, though, while I was scared the first time, this time I just felt like laughing. Maybe that makes me a bad person but, setting aside the fact that I've never done anything, he must be the most insecure person in the world if he feels threatened by me. The Mormon Section Last week I mentioned Elder Glenn L. Pace's book "Safe Journey: An African Adventure" and his struggle to gain government approval for the temple in Ghana, and since it's such a good book I'm going to lift from it again. During this time period he also got church approval for the temple in Nigeria, albeit this was a much easier and less frustrating process. Church leadership hesitated to announce one because of the instability in the country. When he returned to Utah for General Conference in April 2000, they asked him about conditions and he responded: "We just had riots in the north over the passing of Sharia law, and several hundred Christians were killed. In retaliation, several hundred Muslims were killed in the south, including many right in Aba where the temple site is located. In the delta region, where the oil fields are located, many hundreds of people have been killed. Whole villages have been burned from explosions caused by sabotage of oil lines. Oil executives are being kidnapped and held for ransom. In Lagos there have been serious riots in the streets. Vigilante groups are springing up all over the country - and they are recognized, condoned, and even encouraged by the police and military. In summary, things are better than they have been in thirty years." I just have always wanted to share that quote. More seriously he continued, "Brethren, if we wait for Nigeria to be stable before we build a temple, we might as well forget it. I feel we have to move forward and support the people. I understand your apprehension. However, if I remember right, there was a lot of instability in Nauvoo when we built that temple." President Hinckley announced that temple at the end of conference a couple days later. The moral of this story, in case you didn't catch it, is that sometimes you just have to go ahead and do something and not wait to be ready for it because you never will be. The Music Section The choice paralysis described by Aziz Ansari in "Modern Romance" and mentioned here extends beyond marriage to several other aspects of life. For example, I have over three months' worth of music on the hard drive from my busted laptop, so when recently I was able to remove said hard drive and put it in an enclosure, I was faced with a real dilemma of which song to listen to first. (My life is horrible.) The winner ended up being "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by Norah Jones, which was a free iTunes download in December 2012. There's a lot of legally free stuff available if you know where to look. The reason I accumulated so much music was that after the first time I had a laptop fry, and was without it for so long, I realized that was what I missed most of all. And as Aspies are prone to do with this or that, I developed an obsession with it. I became at least as fixated with accumulating music as with actually listening to it. I developed a mindset that I was moving toward a goal of "completeness" in my collection, which of course was nonsense given the sheer volume (pun intended) of music in the world. Of course I was already aware that I needed to re-balance my priorities and not spend so much time accumulating more, but being without a laptop again helped me to accomplish that more quickly. Now, with over three months' worth of music suddenly available at once instead of gradually, the thrill of accumulation is there again and I don't feel compelled to keep doing it so much. Of course I still have the list of albums that I intend to get someday, and tracking down obscure and out of print things on the Internet is still an adventure, but I'm doing it over a longer timeframe and not devoting so much time to it all at once. Listening to music, on the other hand, is good but not inherently productive, so the idea is to write stuff while doing so (like right now, for example). What I like most of all is to shuffle all three months plus of music at the same time. Then I never know what will come up and it removes the problem of choice paralysis or bias. When I first heard the concept of a "playlist" after getting my first mp3 player about ten years ago, I thought it was weird. Why limit yourself instead of playing it all? Now, continuing on with another alien invasion song, this one from UFO Phil, a strange individual "who has made a name for himself through appearances on national radio programs, television, films, and internet videos speaking on the subject of extraterrestrials and the paranormal. Whether Phil Hill is an actual believer in the paranormal or is engaging in a kind of performance art is the subject of some debate." (Wikipedia) UFO Phil - Alien Jam "Guys. Chris's blog is the stuff of legends. If you’re ever looking for a good read, check this out!" - Amelia Whitlock "I don't know how well you know Christopher Randall Nicholson, but... he's trolling. You should read his blog. It's delightful." - David Young About the Author C. Randall Nicholson is a white cisgender male and a Latter-day Saint, so you can hate him without guilt, but he's also autistic, so you can't. Unless you're an anti-vaxxer, in which case the feeling is mutual. This blog is where he periodically rants about life, the universe, and/or everything.

Contact the Sol Levinson & Brothers Inc Funeral Director to ensure the services they provide match your personal needs. Call the Funeral Director at (410) 653-8900. If there is a religious preference, make sure that Sol Levinson & Brothers Inc can accommodate your religious practices before, during and after the funeral ceremony and at any graveside service. Michael Andersen blogs for The Green Lane Project, a PeopleForBikes program that helps U.S. cities build better bike lanes to create low-stress streets. A lot of arguments in the world of progressive street design these days aren’t between good and bad ... (STREETSBLOGUSA) Snyder, a lifelong resident of Baltimore ... Inc. properties. Snyder’s son David will continue his role as president of the company. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Sol Levinson & Bros., 8900 Reisterstown Road, in Pikesville, Md. (Daily Racing Form) Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Owing Mills, Md. Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road, at Mount Wilson Lane, on Wednesday, January 28, at 1 pm. Interment Anshe Emunah Aitz Chaim Cemetery - 3901 Washington Blvd. (Standardbred Canada) Services were held at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC. Interment Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery, Berrymans Lane. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005. (The Jewish Chronicle) Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road, at Mount Wilson Lane, on Monday, January 12, at 1 pm. Interment Bobroisker Beneficial Circle Lodge - Rosedale, MD. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Alumnae ... (archive.delawareonline.com) Over the years I've pondered the meaning of trials and sorrow that my loved ones or I have endured. Some believe there are lessons to learn from hardship. I agree. In many instances we learn compassion, empathy, faith, trust, and humility. Our own choices will often lead to natural consequences that... What is considered proper to wear to a funeral or memorial service differs according to local customs and geographic region. But a few general guidelines can help steer you. Mercifully, the old dreary dictate about wearing only black no longer applies - although, when in doubt, it's still generally ...

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Pueblo woman is facing potential arson charges after lighting the inside of the Temple Emanuel School Building on Fire. This is the same synagogue that an alleged white supremacist planned to bomb back in November, but authorities don't believe this case is connected to those terroristic threats. Around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Pueblo Police officers along with Pueblo firefighters responded to a structure fire call at the synagogue location on 1300 block of Grand Avenue. Firefighters quickly put out the flames on the inside of the building, while police investigated. Investigators quickly identified a suspect, 62-year old Patricia DeCesaro. The woman was found at the scene and was taken into custody on first-degree arson and second-degree burglary charges. KRDO has obtained security camera footage inside the Temple Emanuel School Building showing what looks like to be DeCesaro inside the building when the fire began. “I check the cameras often cause I have it on my phone," said Michael Atlas-Acuna, the President of Temple Emanuel. "I check them in the morning and I check them at night, but I wasn’t checking at 2 in the afternoon.” The camera footage shows who Police believe to be DeCesaro coming into the building through the back door, then rummaging through the building. The building is usually reserved for Hebrew classes and small Jewish community gatherings. After taking several items, flickers can be seen igniting a fire just out of view of the camera. At the same time, the suspect is seen casually takes a sip of water from the fountain, and checks to see what's in the fridge while flames continue to build just a few feet behind. A few minutes later, cameras show a quick flash or explosion, smoke begins to quickly fill the building. Not long after, the suspect casually leaves. When Atlas-Acuna first saw the damages, he immediately thought the worst. “I thought, is this another anti-Semitic attack?” Back in November, 27-year old Richard Holzer was taken into custody after allegedly plotting to poison and bomb the Pueblo Synagogue. However, authorities don’t believe this case is connected to the recent bomb plot. “At that point it made me feel better," said Atlas-Acuna. "Then the reality hit that we have all this renovation to do now.” The Temple's President says they are insured but he believes those renovations will still cost thousands. Atlas-Acuna says some in the community have already reached out to try and help financially. If you’d like to reach out to the temple and help during this difficult time you can call the Temple's administration at (719) 544-6448

2:1-3 (King James Version) 1ďAnd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius(Quirinius) was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.Ē was Caesar Augustus? He had to be in existence around 4 BCE. Octavius, subsequently known as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus and still later as Augustus or Caesar Augustus, was the first Roman emperor following the republic, which had been finally destroyed by the dictatorship of Julius Caesar, his great-uncle and adoptive father. Gaius Octavius was born on September 23, 63 BCE, of a prosperous family that had long been settled at Velitrae (Velletri), southeast of Rome. Oxford History of the Biblical World says upon the death of Herod in 4 BCE, the Jews in Jerusalem rebelled in reaction to the executions of the scribes Judas and Matthias. Archelaus sent in troops, and a massacre of the local population ensued. When he left for revolt erupted in Judea. This time Varus, the Roman governor of Syria quelled the conflict and left a legion in Jerusalem as insurance against further outbreaks. However sporadic outbreaks continued, especially in Galilee and Perea. Varus returned and crushed the resistance, and crucified over two thousand Jewish rebels. This presence of Roman troops in Judea facilitated Archelausí removal from office in 6 CE. so many complaints from Judea and Samaria, Augustus banished Herodís first heir to Gaul. Judea and Samaria were incorporated into the province of Syria and consequently fell under the authority of a succession of roman governors. This is an important statement, because Jesus was born BEFORE Herodís death in 4 BCE and Judea and Samaria were NOT part of Syria. avoid further rebellion Rome reserved the right to name the high priest, the Sadducees and to control the priestly vestments needed for the celebration of major holidays. The Sadducees, unlike the Hyrcanus priesthood, had no sympathy for the populationís economic situation or religious sensibilities. Their policies of raising taxes, bringing Roman standards into Jerusalem, raiding the Temple treasury, and other such provocations would eventually lead to a full rebellion against Rome.† began almost immediately with Romeís demand for a census. Inaugurated by Augustus for all provinces, this practice enabled the empire to determine taxation rates for land, material goods, and Josephus, a 1st century Jewish historian, mentions the census under P. SulpiciusQuirinius, which he dates to the thirty-seventh year after the battle of Actium, or 6/7 CE. As told in the gospel of Luke, this was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. the dates provided by Josephus and Luke are not reconcilable. Luke 1:5 depicts the census as occurring during the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE. Luke was in error in his 'godly' inspired gospel and this was notthe first census and there was an earlier census under Herod prior to the incorporation of his territory into the provincial system, there is no supporting historical evidence. , in a speech attributed to Gamaliel confirms that Judas, the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him. According to Josephus, Judas, originally from Gamala in Galilee, protested against the census held Christianity has a big problem here: Luke states that the census decreed by Augustus was the first one taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. However, Quirinius did not become governor of Syria until CE 6, two years after the death of Herod.† Again, Luke's historical record is not historical. † "Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions." -FraterRavus

To access full (non-subtitled) videos of witness testimony for a village, please visit the Registered users area 1 Execution site(s) Zoya Markovna J. evokes: "The Jews of Gochtcha were shot not far from here, at the edge of the forest, where a large pit had been dug. They were brought there. We lived not far from the road on which the column was brought. There were small children. I can still see the image of this column. The Jews all walked on foot. There were no wagons. They were guarded by Germans on foot who were on both sides of the column and behind. The Jews walked calmly, they did not try to run away. People wondered why people did not try to escape, because it was easy to do it. At worst, they would have been shot on the spot." (Witness N°1434, interviewed in Symoniv on April 14, 2012). According to Zoya J. (Witness N°1434 interviewed in Symoniv on April 13, 2012), there were only few Jews in Symoniv. The children went to the school of Gochtcha where there were a lot of Jews. In Symoniv, the main population was Ukrainian and Polish. According to Luka D. (Witness n°1432, interviewed in Symoniv on April 13, 2012) the Jews of Gotcha were executed in Symoniv in a forest. He remembered that some inhabitants had been requisitioned in order to dig graves. One deyiatnik (person responsible for one street) came the day before the shooting in order to ask them to dig these graves. The desyatnik gathered the inhabitants on the following day in order to do this task. Luka D. was also requisitioned by a German in order to dig the grave. It took a full week to realize that work. According to the testimony of Zoja J. (Witness N°1434 interviewed in Symoniv on April 13, 2012) who saw the shooting, there were perhaps between 300 and 400 Jews - the majority was Jews of Gochtcha – who ran to the execution site in column. The two Jewish families of Symoniv were killed on the market’s place. Do you have additional information regarding a village that you would like to share with Yahad ? Please contact us at [email protected] or by calling Yahad – In Unum at +33 (0) 1 53 20 13 17

The school year has ended which, for the European EFL teacher, tends to mean that there is a need to go back to Blighty. This is part will to see family and friends, part the culmination of a whole academic year of withdrawal symptoms from “proper” bacon, and the largest part, because you have to work in a UK based international summer school to make your modest salary stretch for the year. It ain’t glamorous, but it’s the reality. Now, as those of you familiar with the city of Bydgoszcz will know, the city is a simple, short Ryanair sardine can flight away from London. But, on this occasion, I decided the best route was via the overnight train to Kraków. This is not simply because I’m a madman, but rather because I wanted to see a band who were playing there, and catch up with a friend. So it was that on the 28th of June, I packed up all my worldly junk (that I couldn’t leave behind) and climbed aboard the late running 7:30pm, 9 hour train to the old capital of Poland, Kraków. Spotting the sleeping cars as the train pulled in, I jogged to the front of the train with my 20Kg of personal affects. Of course, there was another sleeping car at the back, where my bunk was located. After a brisk walk past 17 carriages of TLK express train, I finally found myself at coach 41 (don’t ask about the numbering, the coach adjacent to it was number 4!). I climbed on and fished out my printout with my berth number on it. I got to the door of my bunk, popped my head in and found a 40 something Polish lady. “Dzień dobry!” I greeted her. She looked a little flustered and asked me if I was aware that I’d be sharing my cabin with 2 women. I was pretty confused. During the online booking process I had been asked 3 times to state my gender, to ensure that exactly this kind of thing couldn’t happen. I used my best Polish and my most emphatically apologetic facial expression to tell her that I was sure this was not supposed to happen, but that if they didn’t mind, I wouldn’t make a fuss, or be any trouble to them. With a big smile, she assured me it was no problem and I hefted my luggage onto the shelf near the ceiling of the cabin. Within moments a small train attendant had appeared behind me and began speaking to me in lightning fast Polish, advising me that I was to sleep in a different cabin. I said ok and began to fetch down my bag. “Deutsch?” he asked me. “Nie, jestem Anglikiem” (I’m English) I replied. Nevertheless, he had decided the way forward was to talk to me in German from here on in. He showed me to a cabin, with an older gentleman, who was settling down with a huge sandwich and a can of beer on the pre-bed-arrangement sofa of my new cabin. As I walked into the cabin with my rucksack, the two forty-something women made crying and kiss blowing actions in my direction – perhaps it had been a lucky escape after all! I greeted my travelling companion, ditched my bag on the same roof-level shelf, and then went to the window to wave goodbye to my lady. We set off quickly and the old fella began to explain to me, in Polish, with gestures (this guy could definitely be a language teacher!) how to assemble the bed, how to use the magical sink in the cupboard and that I got one free cup of tea or coffee, to be taken at the time of my choice. He also thrust into my hand a pre sealed bag with a complimentary towel, soap, ear buds (I can’t use these any more – doctor’s orders!) and some other general looking-after-yourself paraphernalia. ‘This is alright,’ I thought to myself, sitting down and tucking in to my own large sandwich. After my sandwich, rueing my decision not to grab a beer, as the old fella supped his cold Kasztelan Niepastoryzowany, I ordered a tea from the efficient little train man, which came with a strange toffee croissant. Naturally I ate it, in spite of the strangeness. After a few hours, not long before the train was due to arrive at Łodż, around 11pm, my companion helped me fashion the sofa back into a second bed. We unrolled our ingenious roll-mats with pre-prepared bedding and each went off to different bathrooms to brush our teeth. We came back, got into our beds and switched out the lights. The bed was remarkably comfortable and I remarked to myself internally that I would be able to get a good amount of sleep. And then he started snoring. In my life, I have known and shared hostel dorms with a variety of snorers, some relatively quiet, some louder than a brown bear with no lunch. This fellow beat them all, and also beat the sound of the train engine as it whistled through level crossings in the Polish countryside. If I said I had slept for 2 hours, I would be hugely exaggerating. When the knock on my door came at 4:45am and the still-cheerful conductor put his head round the door to tell me we were approaching Kraków, I felt like I had been at a festival for 3 days. Sleepless and with zero motivation to move myself anywhere. But, not wanting to end up in some distant mountain village, I dragged myself up and out to the door, with my belongings. It was an overcast, fresh morning in Kraków, but I decided that the first priority had to be finding a coffee. Standing, gleaming in the booking hall of Kraków Głowny was a Lavazza machine. I ordered an extra strong cappucino from the machine and went to sit in the waiting area with 4 travellers and about 35 tramps. I sipped my coffee while I watched successive security guards walk around in circles, tapping sleeping homeless people every time they dropped off to sleep, to wake them up, occasionally asking if they were train travellers, to which they of course gave the pre-planned lie “yes, of course.” Once the coffee was gone, it was time to dump my things at my hostel. I wandered across the square in front of the big, old station through a haze of fine rain and then through the underpass to ul. Westerplatte, where my hostel was located. I walked in and helped the sleepy attendant find my booking on his computer. He advised me that my bed would not be available until at least 12pm, so I duly left my belongings and, with only my camera, I crossed the road to the walled garden park and decided to attempt to find breakfast. On arriving in the main square, I found the place almost totally deserted. I passed a group of German or Austrian guys who were on their way from a club to a kebab shop, in a stagger and then, naturally, I heard – from a full 80m or so away – the British party troop striking up with a verse of “God Save the Queen.” I can’t help but think that Liz would not have been impressed. Finding that nowhere was open for breakfast, I tried to focus on the positive thing, that I was all but alone in Krakow’s main square on a Saturday in mid-summer. So I decided to make the most of the opportunity and took some tourist-free photos. Finally, when I thought I was just going to have to join the pigeons and sleep in the giant head sculpture, the scourge of modern food – McDonalds – opened its golden arched doors and I rushed in to request still more coffee and any kind of bread-filled-with-pork-products that they saw fit to give me. I stuffed my face thoroughly and read the day’s news on my phone. By the time I was finished, it was 9am. I had wasted a lot of time, very effectively. But I still had 3 hours before I could get my head down for a nap. So I wandered some more, happening upon new sights (as you always tend to in a city as littered with them as Kraków is!) One of the most beautiful was the coutryard at the front of this convent. Strangely located amongst a whole raft of basement dancing clubs, it still managed to have a certain order and peace about it. From here, I went back into the old town and found a cafe where I could order a vat of coffee and charge my telephone, which I would need later on. I sat and quietly read, and drank and forcibly held my eyes open. At 11:30, I returned to my hostel, paid for my stay, put myself in a horizontal position and had a very deep 2 hours of sleep. I woke up fresh and decided that the best thing for it was a late lunch/early dinner at my favourite burger restaurant on earth: Moaburger. Those who know me in real life will know that I am on the mailing list for their burgers of the week, even though I live 600km from the nearest restaurant. It’s fair to say that I like this place. I went inside and had the week’s special burger – beef tandoori, with a spiced patty, Indian salad, a slice of fresh fried onion bhaji and a side (bucket) of chips. I filled my face and drank an ice tea and, finally, felt ready to go to the concert venue. I went to see Solefald – a truly insane Norwegian avant garde metal band. They didn’t disappoint, in excellence or weirdness. I met a couple of really nice and interesting people from a tiny town in the mountains, who were at the show and spent time with a friend. All in all, a great night. I meandered back to my hostel at about 1:30am and crashed into a deep, satisfying sleep. Waking up on Sunday morning was one of those glorious times where, after a sustained period of shattering tiredness, you finally feel rested again. I got out of bed, showered, shaved and felt like a human being, as I sat down to breakfast in the hostel. I decided that today I was really going to do some exploring of the city, in particular the eclectic, eccentric Jewish quarter. So, after breakfast, I packed away my things and left the hostel with my camera. I had been looking at the map and realised that one of the places I had never seen properly in my previous visits to Kraków was the huge Wawel castle. Time to correct this situation. So I walked to the end of ul Westerplatte and veered right to the huge red brick building. As I came down the side of the entrance and main tower, I managed to get a few photos. Just around the corner from this tower (beyond the 24 hour fast food joints, opposite) is the mighty Wisła river (Vistula). This river really is everywhere in Poland and here it strikes a great curve along the edge of the castle itself. On the riverbank, next to the Tourist Information Centre, are some advertising hoardings but, in keeping with the castle theme, they’re all in the shape of turrets, of various colours. It’s a nice effect. A little further along the bank, past a market of touristy junk stalls is a “rock dragon”. It really does look quite authentic and potentially quite scary but, on this occasion, the toddler climbing on it detracted from the fear factor. After the dragon and passing the southernmost turret of the castle structure, I walked on down the main path to the boundary of the Jewish quarter. As you turn in, you realise that the polish of the old town is absent here. Everything is a little more run down, but the place feels so much the better for it. The view that greets you as you enter via one of the main streets is a great example: But once you’re here, you find yourself in a world of interesting graffiti, quaint antique cafes, people with stupid hair (I’m a fine one to talk!), communist relic cars, and so much more. It’s a vibrant lively place and, despite the sense you get that things are in a state of some disrepair, you can’t help but be moved by the charm of the place. You’ll also find some of the best food and coffee in the city. So it was that I parked myself at this cute little cafe (that seemingly has no name). What a great, atmospheric place it was; piping out French 1920’s cabaret music with a host of interesting pieces of (unmatching) antique furniture. The coffee was also excellent. From here, I just wandered, taking snaps where I could, trying to capture some of the essence of this fascinating place. I had decided to resist the extraordinarily tasty zapiekanka in the Jewish quarter this time. This Polish classic – simply cheese and mushrooms on sliced, baked bread, with a variety of mouthwatering toppings – is a real specialty here. I had tried it on my last visit and been left salivating about it in my dreams for weeks. But this time, I wanted to go somewhere different. So it was that, opposite the New Square, amongst all the hubbub of the secondhand clothing market, I found a window spot in the intriguingly library-esque Alchemia. Specialising in street food, I ordered some meatballs with a flatbread, salad and tatziki and a cold glass of Książęce Ciemne Łagodne, for me one of the best black beers around. I sat and watched the goings on at the market while I ate. The food and drink were superb and I decided, after this, to head back into the city. As always seems to happen when I’m going anywhere, I found this little fellow watching me from a window. Just as I was nearing the old city, my phone buzzed and one of my colleagues from Toruń had got in touch to tell me she’d be arriving in Kraków that afternoon. So I hurried back to my hotel to get in touch and arrange to meet. By the time I got hold of her, she was already ordering food at a restaurant. As a bit of time had passed by since lunch, I decided it would be a good idea to join. So I went along to Sioux and ordered some kind of chicken and bacon kebab thing. The important thing here was the inclusion of two different types of dead thing. Delicious. There was also some salad. So we sat on the edge of the rynek, ate well and discussed life, her time in her new job in Opole (just north of Kraków) and her impending CELTYL training, which was starting the following day. Having done it the previous September, I felt able to pass on warnings and scaremongering about mountains of work and relearning everything you though you knew, etc. From here, we moved on to the House of Beer, one of my favourite pubs in Kraków. I like this place, not only because of the exhaustive selection of beers, but also because it’s 2 streets back from the rynek and yet manages to have a beer of the day (Piwo dnia) for 5 złoty, which really is an extraordinarily small amount of money and it will usually be something great. I also felt, as Ann was to spend 2 weeks here, it might be best if she know about this great beer emporium. After another hour or so of chit chat and a couple of swift pints, we decided that we should probably head back to our respective accomodation. She was up early for training and I was up early for the airport. I headed back to the hostel, feeling like I’d had a great day and seen a lot more of the city. Within 15 minutes, I was snoozing. The alarm started buzzing in my ear a little too soon for my liking and the four beers of the previous night had left my head feeling a little heavy. But, surprisingly quietly, I got my things together, showered and disappeared off towards the station, picking up a pastry and a coffee on the way. I got on the futuristic (by Polish standards) train to Kraków Balice (where the airport is) and sat down ingesting pastry and caffeine. I immediately started to feel much better. On arrival at the airport, after just 20 minutes of super smooth travel on one of PESA’s finest locamotives, I grabbed a bottle of water and joined the huge queue for Easyjet’s bag drop. It seemed that I was travelling to London on the same day as the “indoor hard court bicycle polo” squad. Apparently that’s a thing. It was too early to either attempt to figure out, or ask what the hell that meant. I got aboard the plane with the relative luxury of a pre-reserved seat (a new time saving policy by Easyjet, which is just brilliant!) which had me near the back of the plane, by the window. Once in the air, I switched my phone on, opened my Kindle app and started reading. I had a cup of tea from the in-flight service people and was having a great flight. As we came in towards Southend to land, I even spotted the offshore windfarm, which made for quite a sight. Sadly, this was where it all went a bit wrong. The “Fasten Seatbelt” signs came on for landing, so I belted up and waited. We came down over the sharp coastline and all was well until, just after the captain had said “Cabin crew, seats for landing,” we began to climb at a rapid rate. Lots of tannoy announcements about how normal this was followed, until finally the captain came back on, to announce that a flock of birds had been spotted seconds before landing, which could have caused critical damage to the aircraft. He hoped they would move. Evidently I and all the other passengers hoped so too. Eventually, we landed smoothly and escaped unscathed, but I admit to feeling a little unnerved by the experience. What unnerved me all the more though, was stepping off the plane into a Great Britain soaked with… summer sunshine!

When we moved last year from the Washington, D.C., area to Anacortes, Wash. — a Thornton Wilder-era town in the far northwest corner of the state — I spent the first few months cataloging all that was missing from our new home. My parents were gone from our day-to-day lives; back east, in our cozy suburb, they lived just a few houses away, often baby-sitting for our kids, Ethan, 4, and Esther, 2. We also left behind a close-knit Jewish community, three synagogues within walking distance and any possibility of Sabbath lunch-hopping in the neighborhood. But of everything in Anacortes that wasn’t there, one absence in particular stood out. They were gone. I shouldn’t have been surprised. We moved to Anacortes because my husband, Scott, an active-duty U.S. Navy pilot, transferred to a local military base. Our town of 15,000 has a significant military population, service members whose tours are marked by frequent absences leading to at least one six-to-nine month deployment overseas. Because of a new policy of sending individual naval personnel to Iraq and Afghanistan on one-year assignments to supplement the ranks of the other services — and an aggressive wartime deployment schedule — many of the local squadrons are away from home. Scott is now in the middle of a seven-month cruise on an aircraft carrier, and most of the women I’ve become friendly with are also married to military men shipped overseas for more than half a year at a time. Together, we take our kids to the library and out to dinner so that our own families don’t seem so small. In summer we fill weekends with picnics at the beach, and in winter we trek to nearby children’s museums. Year-round we hike the lush, kid-friendly trails that crisscross Anacortes’s forestlands. There are almost always other mom-kid constellations eager for play dates. But I quickly discovered that the loneliest days are Sundays — especially Sunday mornings, when nearly everyone I know here goes to church and most everything is closed. We’ve been fortunate to make good friends during my husband’s many tours of duty in a variety of places around the world, and in a half-dozen years the religious practices of our colleagues rarely crossed our minds. Now that I am on my own, though, I’ve come to dread those Sunday mornings, when it feels like the kids and I are the only people on Earth not on our way to or from a worship service. But then Monday rolls around again, and we military moms kick into action. I say “we,” though I resisted the sisterhood of single mothers for much of my first year here, when Scott was gone every other month as part of his squadron’s preparation for deployment. Despite an avalanche of evidence to the contrary, I was convinced that our family was doing fine — and that my husband’s love and support, even when he was far away, made the use of the term “single mother,” even in jest, a betrayal. My heart went out to real single mothers who weren’t counting down the months until their husbands’ return: divorced women, those whose husbands or partners had vanished and grieving war widows. Many of the nonmilitary men in Anacortes make their living on the water — salmon fishing in Alaska all summer and crabbing on Puget Sound throughout fall and winter — and I feel nothing but sympathy for the wives left behind. For myself, though, I resisted the vulnerability telegraphed by the phrase “left behind.” I reminded myself that countless women have carried on brilliantly in much harsher circumstances. So I tried not to complain, either — not about our moves, not about the family and community I missed, not about raising two intense children on my own. My own self-deception weaved a comfortable web for our entire first year here. It unraveled midway through one of Scott’s absences last summer, when my brother Joshua was visiting. Sometime that week — perhaps it was the presence of another man in the house — Ethan had started to realize that Daddy was gone. Gone forever, probably, in his mind. He absentmindedly started calling my brother “Daddy,” and Joshua kept correcting him. We reminded Ethan that Scott was coming back and that his father loved him very much. But Ethan was sad. And mad. Temper tantrum piled upon temper tantrum. Ridiculous requests were followed by vicious anger, topped by howling desolation. And then came another lonely Sunday. Joshua, the kids and I had just settled in for dinner at one of the only restaurants open, a pizza joint that Ethan loved. But the greasy slice reminded him of his aborted romance with Dad, and the screaming began. I walked him out to our minivan as he hollered his opposition. I opened the door and sat him inside. With the door still open, I stood on the sidewalk; I talked, and he screamed. When he finally calmed down, we walked, hand in hand, back to the restaurant and sat down for a bite. As I was chewing, I looked up to see a woman standing at the head of our table. She was probably in her late 50s, and she wore her hair in a loose, low ponytail. She held a book in front of her. “I just wanted to tell you that I was listening to everything you said outside,” she explained. She was visibly quivering, exerting a tremendous force of will to overcome her shyness. “I’ve been reading this book” — she thrust it out — “and I want you to know you’re doing everything right.” The book was “The Loved Dog: The Playful, Nonaggressive Way To Teach Your Dog Good Behavior.” A dog-training manual. I did a two-second assessment. She didn’t look crazy. “You’re doing everything right,” she repeated. I crumpled and began to sob. She moved toward me, but Joshua jumped out of his seat and ushered her away. When I looked up again, she was standing in the doorway of the restaurant, waving the book in the air, yelling: “You’re doing everything right! You’re doing everything right!” Then she disappeared onto the sidewalk. I choked out a few more tears, wiped my face with the coarsest of paper napkins and asked Joshua what he’d said to her. “I said, ‘You’re going now,’” he answered. I was startled. Such harsh words and behavior were totally out of character for my gentle brother, and I realized he was trying to protect me. But I was worried about something else. Anacortes is a small town, and I knew I would run into this woman at the post office or at a coffee shop. I didn’t want to pretend I didn’t know her. After all, she had taken a risk to be kind. She had tried to do a good deed, even though I wasn’t in a position to hear her out. But it seemed like she had something to say. Thanking her would be the least I could do. She hadn’t wandered far. She was peering into the window of a nearby store, clutching a wadded-up tissue in her hand. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “You were so nice to reach out.” She held up the book again. That damn book! The dogginess of it all kept intruding on our moment. “You were kind, you were not threatening, you didn’t intimidate,” she said. “You did everything the book says you should do.” She gave me a hug. She smelled like a mom — like clean, generic drugstore shampoo. “Your brother told me your husband is away,” she said. “I was a single mom, too, for my son’s whole life. It was hard, but we did it. And he turned out great.” That was when I saw it: We weren’t doing great. And the effort to convince myself otherwise was going to prevent us from ever doing any better. This woman saw the signs; she read my life as if it were a rune. As a civilian with no stake in keeping up appearances for the Navy, she didn’t need to pretend that her struggle to raise a child alone hadn’t been agonizing. She’d been there, and her only interest had been in surviving. On that basis, she adopted me into the sisterhood of single mothers everywhere. I don’t agree with her belief that I’m doing everything right. Most days I’m convinced I’m doing everything wrong. But as my husband’s deployment tramples across our year, the kids’ lives, and mine, march forward with the same sense of purpose that characterizes our hikes through Anacortes’s forests. And now, when I cross paths with another mother shepherding her kids along the damp, fragrant trails, I greet her with a knowing smile. Sometimes we even walk together a bit. Alison Buckholtz is a writer living in Anacortes, Wash. Her memoir on life as a military family will be published by Penguin in 2009.

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Why were there so many Jews in SDS? (or, The Ordeal of Civility)by Mark Rudd A talk which was presented at the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, Nov. 2005 I’ve been thinking about this subject for a long time, almost forty years, so I want to begin by thanking the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society for giving me this opportunity to organize my ideas. I first spoke publicly about the question in 1988 at the twentieth anniversary celebration of the Columbia strike. In a rambling 45 minute monologue I touched on a lot of subjects, but the only one people seemed to respond to was my recognition of our Jewish backgrounds as relevant to our opposition to the war and racism. That was during a mini-revival of Judaism and Jewish culture which took place among the not so new New Leftists in the 80’s. With the death of the socialist dream we were all searching for direction at the time. Unfortunately, I haven’t pursued the subject until now, but I do believe that the revolt of Jewish youth in the New Left of the sixties and seventies deserves to be studied and honored as an important chapter in the history of American Jews. Before beginning to write, I checked out the subject on the internet. Googling the words “Jews and SDS,” the number two site that popped up was a page from “Jew Watch,” which monitors the ZOG, that is the Zionist Occupation Government of the United States. The piece was called, “How the Jews Controlled the New Left of the 1960’s.” Reading down, I found some decent scholarly references concerning the numerical preponderance of Jewish leaders and rank-and-file members of the New Left and SDS, at least until the late 1960’s. But at one point, with no warning, the anonymous author suddenly flips into analysis mode with this paragraph: “Radical Jewish students tended to come from liberal if not radical homes. While their parents might express some opposition, often on tactical grounds, they were generally quite supportive. Indeed, many Jewish parents spoke with pride of their “revolutionary” children. During the 1968 Columbia upheavals, Mark Rudd’s mother commented: “My revolutionary helped me plant these tulips last November, my rebel.” Rudd, in turn, according to the same New York Times story, speaks of his parents with respect and affection, and they maintain that they are “100 percent behind him,” even though they don’t agree with all his views. On Mother’s Day (during the riotous period at Columbia) his parents went to the Columbia campus and bought a veal parmigiana dinner, which the family ate in their parked car on Amsterdam Avenue. [New York Times, May 19, 1968, p. 1.]” I’m not sure whether the author is jealous of the close, accepting Jewish family, or more likely, merely Jewish humor-impaired, not recognizing my mother’s obvious sarcasm. Originally I was astounded that a quote from my dear mother, Bertha F. Rudd—now age 93 and still healthy and sharp-as-a-tack, living in the Lester Senior Housing Independent Living Apartments of the Jewish Community Housing Agency at the Metrowest Jewish Community Center, in Whippany, N.J.—would appear on a rabidly anti-semitic website. But then I remembered that Bertha had served as the model for Woody Allen’s mother in the 1989 movie “New York Stories, Oedipus Wrecks” in which his mother appears in the sky over Manhattan to tell the whole city about his shortcomings. Anonymous anti-semites aside, the numbers on Jews in SDS are clear. The author Paul Berman, himself a Jewish veteran of Columbia SDS, in his excellent book, “A Tale of Two Utopias,” gives the following data from reliable sources: two-thirds of the white Freedom Riders who traveled to Mississippi were Jewish; a majority of the steering committee of the 1964 Berkeley Free Speech Movement were Jewish; the SDS chapters at Columbia and the University of Michigan were more than half Jewish; at Kent State in Ohio, where only 5 percent of the student body was Jewish, Jews constituted 19 percent of the chapter. I might add a strange statistic which I became aware of in the course of two trips to Kent State to commemorate the events of May, 1970: three of the four students shot by the National Guard at Kent State were Jewish. This, of course, defies all odds. There are at least two good ways to pursue the question of why there were so many Jews in SDS. The first would be a sociological research study in which a large representative sample of the Jewish veterans of SDS and the New Left are asked about the relationship between their being Jewish and their activism. The responses would be classified and quantified. I hope somebody does this, if it hasn’t already been done. The second approach, ethnographic case study, is the one I propose to pursue. And, surprise, the case study will be myself, as representative of the cohort. So here goes: My father, Jacob S. Rudd, born Jacov Shmuel Rudnitsky in Stanislower, Poland, immigrated to the United States in 1917, when he was nine years old. My mother, Bertha Rudd, was born Bertha Bass, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1912, the year after her parents immigrated from Lithuania, the only child of the family born in this country. My family was part of the great wave of Eastern European Jewish immigration which lasted from 1880 to about 1920. Both my parents were raised in Elizabeth, N.J., speaking Yiddish at home and English outside the house. My mother graduated high school, and my father went to Rutgers, the State University, on a scholarship. Though he graduated as an electrical engineer in 1932, he couldn’t find work in the depths of the depression so he went into the Army as a reserve officer and ran CCC camps. For three years my parents were stationed in Blanding, Utah, a world away from Elizabeth, N.J. Stories I heard and photos I saw as a child generated in me a fascination with the Southwest, which might have been an important factor in my transplanting myself here years later. My father served as an officer during World War II, both at home and in the Philippines. After the war he continued in the reserves, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which he was very proud of. Someone had told him that a Rudnitsky could never rise above the rank of Captain, so in 1954 he shortened his name—and mine—which seemed to do the trick. I was raised in the town of Maplewood, N.J., a near-by suburb of Newark. My grandmother on my mother’s side ran a “candy store,” what we would probably now call a convenience store, in a mixed-Irish-Italian-Jewish-black neighborhood of Newark, a very old industrial city. From 1945 to 1967, an entire flourishing community of about 100,000 Jews packed up and left Newark for the suburbs to the west. The story of the Newark Jews, including the flight to the suburbs, has been brilliantly chronicled by Philip Roth, starting with “Goodbye Columbus” in 1959, up to today, with “The Plot Against America,” published in 2004. Roth is about 15 years older than I am; the world he describes is precisely one-half generation earlier than the one I grew up in. It’s no surprise that he has always been one of my favorite authors, though my mother can’t stand him since Maxine Grofsky’s mother used to sit next to her in shul. Mrs. Grofsky had nothing good to say about Philip. Maxine was the girl that Philip was going with right before he wrote “Goodbye Columbus.” The story skewered rich suburban Jews and also there was something about a diaphragm, you might recall. The incident was very difficult for the Grofsky’s and for my mother. Bertha never liked Roth after that. I invoke Roth to let you in on the insularity of the world I grew up in. My family carried the Jewish ghettos of Newark and Elizabeth with them to the suburbs. We may have lived in integrated neighborhoods, that is integrated with goyim (there were only a few blacks in the town) and we may have gone to integrated schools, (of course there were no blacks in my elementary school) but we were far from assimilated, if that means replacing a Jewish identity with an American one. At about the age of nine or ten I remember eating lunch at the house of a non-Jewish friend and reporting back that the hamburgers had onion and parsley in them. “Oh, that’s goyish hamburger,” my mother said. I lived a Philip Roth existence in which the distinction between Jews and gentiles was present in all things: having dogs and cats was goyish, for example, as was a church-sponsored hay-ride which I was invited to by the cute red-haired girl who sat in front of me in my seventh grade home-room. My parents didn’t allow me to go, and, since repression breeds resistance, that was probably a signal event in my career of fascination with shiksas and things goyish, a career which paralleled that of young Alexander Portnoy in “Portnoy’s Complaint.” The center of my parents’ social world was Congregation Beth El in South Orange, N.J. After my father achieved a certain level of success in the real estate business he was asked to join the Congregation Board. That was well after I had left for college. In his retirement years he took charge of the upkeep of the building and grounds. My mother was active in the local chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women and ran the temple’s gift shop, selling candy and bagels to the Hebrew school kids. Neither being particularly religious, we were minimally observant. I attended Hebrew School quite dutifully, though, and services, too, at least until the year after my bar mitzvah. I even became President of the Junior Congregation, conducting services on Saturday mornings for the kids. I was a perfect little Jewish boy in my suit and tie, tallis, and, occasionally, tefillim. However, it was on or about my bar mitzvah that it occurred to me, like happens to so many other Jewish kids, that God probably doesn’t exist, that He’s a social construct, just like all other gods. In retrospect I realize that I never had the faith very deeply. God wasn’t a very active member of Congregation Beth El. I think He had missed the move out of Newark. There, my grandmother was still maintaining the old orthodox faith, observing the Sabbath and keeping kosher. Years after her death I realized for the first time that she had never once eaten a meal at our house in Maplewood, since we were not kosher. That was the price my mother paid for having rejected her mother’s old religion as just so much superstition. As a teenager, Congregation Beth El seemed to me just another aspect of the suburban scene: materialist and hypocritical. This was the time of the civil rights movement, but the lily-white suburbs existed in order to escape the “schvartzes.” Jews in my parents’ and grandparents’ milieu used this derogatory term in exactly the same way southerners used “nigger.” “The schvartze is coming to clean the house.” “The schvartzes robbed my hardware store in Newark.” “I had to sell the apartments on Clinton Avenue because schvartzes moved next door.” There was no phony liberalism about the race war in Newark and Maplewood, at least not that I could see. Oh, yes, there was the local branch of the Ethical Culture Society, which consisted of Jews so removed from their roots that they couldn’t even remember they had once been Jews. They were the town liberals, and it was only later that I got to know them. In the early sixties I was mostly influenced by the beats in poetry and by the folk-song movement. Pete Seeger wasn’t very Jewish, his ancestors having come over on the Mayflower, I think, though many of the communists around him were. Israeli folk-songs of the time had a whiff of socialism about them, but labor anthems rang in my head. I learned the songs of the Spanish Civil War, Bertold Brecht, the Wobblies, the union movement, blues via Leadbelly and Sonny Terry and Brownie Magee. The Harlan County miners’ “Which Side Are You On?” was not the music of the Jewish suburbs. I wanted out. I got to Columbia University as a freshman, age 18, in September, 1965, a few months after the United States attacked Vietnam with main force troops. There I found a small but vibrant anti-war movement. In my first semester I was recruited by David Gilbert, a senior who had written a pamphlet on imperialism for national SDS, Students for a Democratic Society. David was one of the founders of the Columbia SDS chapter, along with John Fuerst, the chapter Chairman. Both were Jewish, of course, as were my mentors and friends, Michael Josefowicz, Harvey Blume, Michael Neumann, and John Jacobs. Ted Kaptchuk and Ted Gold were Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Columbia SDS the year before I was elected Chairman, along with my Vice-Chairman, Nick Freudenberg. All of us were Jewish. It’s hard to remember the names of non-Jewish Columbia SDS’ers; it was as much a Jewish fraternity as Sammie. There were probably a greater proportion of gentile women than guys in SDS, and of course I got to know them. Out of all the uncountable hours of discussion in SDS meetings, at the West End Bar over beer, and in our dorm rooms and apartments over joints, I don’t remember one single conversation in which we discussed the fact that so many of us were Jewish. This glaring lack alone might serve as a clue to what we were up to: by being radicals we thought we could escape our Jewishness. Left-wing radicalism was internationalist, not narrow nationalist; it favored the oppressed and the workers, not the privileged and elites, which our families were striving toward. Moreover, we were New Leftists, having rejected the sectarianism and cant of the Old Left, which, of course was dominated by Jews. My friends in SDS taught me, quite correctly, that the world was in revolt against U.S. domination. That was why the Vietnamese were fighting so hard. I learned to admire the Vietnamese and the Cubans and the Chinese and the Russian peasants who had stood up to make a new society. Identifying with the oppressed seemed to me at Columbia and since a natural Jewish value, though one we never spoke of as being Jewish. We were socialists and internationalists first. I myself joined the cult of Che Guevara, putting posters of him on my apartment wall and aching to be a revolutionary hero like him. He wasn’t very Jewish, incidentally. But World War II and the holocaust were our fixed reference points. This was only twenty years after the end of the war. We often talked about the moral imperative to not be Good Germans. Many of my older comrades had mobilized for the civil rights movement; we were all anti-racists. We saw American racism as akin to German racism toward the Jews. As we learned more about the war, we discovered that killing Vietnamese en masse was of no moral consequence to American war planners. So we started describing the war as racist genocide, reflecting the genocide of the holocaust. American imperialist goals around the world were to us little different from the Nazi goal of global conquest. If you really didn’t like somebody—and we loathed President Lyndon B. Johnson—you might call him a fascist. Columbia SDS adopted an intelligent strategy of protesting the war by opposing the university’s involvement with it. Over a three year period we exposed the University’s claims of being “value-neutral” by pointing to Columbia’s Naval ROTC program, its allowing Marine and CIA and Dow Chemical recruiting, and, finally, the defense-oriented research work of the Institute for Defense Analysis consortium, of which Columbia was a leading—and secret—member. Support for the anti-war position among students and faculty gradually grew as the war escalated and as the SDS chapter engaged in continual educational activities and confrontations. The conflict with the university over the war and racism came to a head in the massive rebellion and strike of April-May, 1968. What outraged me and my comrades so much about Columbia, along with its hypocrisy, was the air of genteel civility. Or should I say gentile? Despite the presence of so many Jews in the faculty and among the students—geographical distribution in the admissions process had not been effective at filtering us out, our SAT’s and class-rank being so high—the place was dripping with goyishness. When I got there freshmen still wore blue blazers and ties and drank sherry at afternoon socials with the deans. At the top of the Columbia heap sat President Grayson Kirk and Vice-President David Truman, two consummate liberal WASP’s who privately claimed to oppose the war but maintained the institution’s support of it. In an infamous rabble-rousing speech I made in the course of one the confrontations on campus, I referred to President Grayson Kirk as “that shithead.” Certainly I reveled in my role of head barbarian within the gates. But also I wanted to de-throne the President of Columbia University in the minds of my fellow students. It worked. More than twenty years ago I read a book called, “The Ordeal of Civility: Freud, Marx, Levi-Strauss and the Jewish Struggle With Modernity.” The author, an Irish-American sociologist named John Murray Cuddihy, advances a fascinating theory on the origins of Marxism and Freudianism. Jews were newly emancipated, that is, given legal and political rights, in Western Europe in the mid to late nineteenth century. But even bourgeois Jews were still excluded from civil society by customs and especially by manners. As Jewish (or formerly Jewish) outsiders ostensibly allowed in, but not really, Marx and Freud brought critical eyes to European bourgeois society. Marx said, in effect, “You think you’ve got yourself a fine little democracy here, well let me tell you about the class exploitation and misery that’s underlying it.” Similarly, Freud exposed the seamy, sexuality-driven motives, the up-raised penises controlling the unconscious minds of civilized, well-mannered bourgeois society. We Jews at Columbia—and I would guess at colleges throughout the country—brought the same outsider view to the campuses we had been allowed into. We were peasant children right out of the shtetls of New Jersey and Queens screaming, “You want to know the truth about Columbia University, they’re a bunch of liberal imperialists! They claim to be value-neutral but when we asked them to stop their research for the Vietnam War and their racist expansion into the Harlem community, they not only ignored us, but they called out the cops to beat us up and arrest us. Up against the wall, motherfucker, this is a stickup!” Morally and emotionally we could not fit into the civilized world of the racist, defense-oriented modern university. Such was our ordeal of civility. Only a few of us came to Columbia from red-diaper backgrounds, children of communists. We were good Jewish kids, the cream of the crop, who had accepted the myths of America—democracy, opportunity for all, good intentions toward the world—and of the university—free and open inquiry toward the truth. We were betrayed by our country and the university when we learned, in a relative instant, that the reality wasn’t even close to these myths. We third generation American Jews suddenly woke up and realized this country may have been a blessing for us, but not for so many others who couldn’t pass for white. I should add that non-Jewish friends and comrades in the New Left experienced very similar feelings of betrayal and outrage, though coming from different backgrounds. In the midst of the Columbia strike, a downtown theater company came to the campus to perform for us a revival of an old Yiddish play, “The Gymnasium.” About 1,000 students packed the auditorium of the student center to see it. It’s a classic story of the struggle of a Jewish family in Poland to get their son into the city’s high school, the gymnasium. First the boy is rejected because he’s Jewish, then the family is told he can attend the gymnasium if they sponsor a gentile also. So they go out and find a gentile boy, get him through the entrance tests, pay for him, and the two boys are admitted. It’s a saga. In the last scene, the boys come home early from school. The mother is in the kitchen. She asks what’s wrong. The son replies, “Mother, it’s wonderful, the gymnasium is closed. We’re on strike against the quota system!” The mother collapses, and as she does so, all of us in the audience jump up, screaming at the top of our lungs, “Strike! Strike! Strike!,” raising our hands in the V sign, tears streaming down all our faces. Perhaps our anger was derived in some unconscious way from the famed prophetic tradition in Judaism, but I had never experienced any of it. Our rabbi at Congregation Beth El, Dr. Theodore Friedman, never to my knowledge preached about the legal discrimination against Negroes in the South, even as the civil rights movement raged on for more than a decade. Nor did I ever hear mention in shul of any relationship between those of us in the all-white suburbs to our black neighbors in adjacent Newark, N.J., other than thankfulness that we had gotten the hell out of there. This is not to say that there weren’t decent rabbis and Jewish leaders who were active in civil rights. Years later I became aware of Rabbi Joachim Prinz of Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark, and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, both side-kicks of Dr. Martin Luther King. They are said to have been very influential, though I didn’t know about them at the time. From my own experience I’m forced to disagree with the theory that there’s something special and inherent in our religion which leads us to social activism, altruism, and the left. My former rabbi, Lynn Gottlieb, was fond of telling us that the Torah enjoins us to “honor the stranger because we were strangers in Egypt” forty-six or one hundred and seventeen times. Whatever the number, it was probably one of those laws that needed to be reiterated continually because nobody was observing it. Dr. Israel Shahak, recently deceased, was a Hebrew University Chemistry Professor, President of the Israeli League for Human and Civil Rights, and a holocaust survivor. For many years he occupied a place in Israeli politics roughly the same as Noam Chomsky in this country. In a book entitled, “Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three Thousand Years,” he argues that as a reaction to being the victims of racism throughout the centuries, we developed a religion which itself enshrined racism toward the other. This is especially true of the rabbinical commentaries developed in Eastern Europe over the almost one thousand years in which we occupied a middle position between the landlords, whom we served, and the peasants who despised us and whom we in turn despised. How could it have been otherwise? In my family, if you wanted to say somebody was stupid you said they had a “goyishe kup,” a goyish head. My intention here is not to single out Judaism as being worse than other religions. It is just to say that we are no better. As a kid in Maplewood I never heard of tikkun olam, the now well-known commandment to repair the world. For all I know, Michael Lerner—whose parents, incidentally sat near my parents in shul at Beth El—made the whole thing up. I am so obviously Jewish that no matter how much carne adovada or fry bread I eat, I’m instantly recognizable as a Jew. I proudly acknowledge the drive for education in Jewish culture which made me want to read about the world and to understand it and to become a teacher. I also recognize that in my social activism I am one of thousands working in the grand tradition of Jewish leftists, the Trotskys and the Emma Goldmans and the Goodmans and Schwerners of the twentieth century. I honor this lineage. As Jews our advantage in the past, though, was that we were outsiders critically looking in; today Jews sit at the right hand of the goy in the White House advising him whom to bomb next in order to advance the Empire. To be outsiders in a nation or an empire is not such a terrible thing. Keeping critical and alert has allowed the Jewish people to survive all sorts of imperial disasters over the millennia—the Greeks, the Romans, Islam in Spain (which went from Golden Age to Inquisition in a few centuries), the Crusades, Reformation Europe, the Russian Czars, Nazism. This particular empire is neither the first nor the last to attempt to seduce us to join up. But we’d better not: it’s our job to be critical outsiders, both for our own survival and for that of the planet. As a child I never fell for the seduction of patriotism. It seemed so arbitrary, who’s an American and who’s not. If my relatives hadn’t emigrated, who would I be? Since I was also at core an idealist and a utopian—another Jewish tradition?—I wanted to skip all that obviously stupid and dangerous stuff that gave rise to wars and racism. In 1965 I began to identify myself as a socialist and an internationalist. I still am an internationalist since old religions die hard. That brings me to the toughest problem of all, Israel. If we look closely and critically at Israel today it’s possible to see the downside of nationalism, whether religious or secular. There is a well-documented continuity over the last almost forty years between the Labor Party and Likud in their policies toward the Palestinians and settlement in the Occupied Territories. I am heartbroken over the moral and spiritual costs of the Jewish State to the Jewish People. I challenge anyone who thinks of me as a traitor to my people or a self-hating Jew, both of which I’ve been called, to visit Palestinians in the West Bank or East Jerusalem for as little as one-half day. Every Jew needs to see the misery and humiliation which our Jewish nationalism and racism have wrought. These are not Jewish values, or at least my Jewish values. Nor does the Jewish state guarantee Jewish safety and survival. My father was a military man and as such was always pessimistic about the long-term survival of Israel. He easily perceived Israel’s strategic weaknesses in both geography and demographics. The only way Israel has survived so far has been to ally with the sole remaining imperial power in the world. But all empires fall, as Jewish history so clearly tells us. Maybe they should have allied with China. This year I visited Israel with my family for the first time. I learned that far from being culturally retro, which is the way I used to think of it—a small, socialist, anti-materialist nation—Israel is really an avatar, way ahead even of California. Israel is America’s future: militarized, racist, religio-nationalist, corporate, riven with so many internal splits and hatreds that only the existence of a perpetual enemy keeps the nation from exploding. If we don’t organize to stop the current direction in this country, thirty years from now we will be Israel. “Genug!, enough!,” as my father would say if he were here, “You’ve made your point!” Ok, Jake, you’re probably right. To show what a good Jewish boy I am I’ll give Bertha the last word. After all, she started this piece. In 2003 a documentary called The Weather Underground was released. It was made by two young men, Sam Green and Bill Siegel, both Jewish, and was well received by audiences and reviewers. It was even nominated for an Oscar. My brother David, who’s eight years older than I, had never been comfortable with anything about the Weathermen. At the time I treated him contemptuously because he wasn’t “revolutionary,” and on top of that he had to live with the misery which my parents endured for the seven years I was a fugitive. Over the years our way of dealing with the issue was to not talk about it. But after he saw the movie, David became so smitten with The Weather Underground that he set up two showings, one in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he lives part-time, and the other at a Jewish film festival in suburban Essex County, New Jersey, where our family is from. About four hundred people attended the showing at the Jewish Community Center in West Orange. The average age of the audience was probably around 65. My mother was sitting in the second row. After the movie I was answering questions from the audience when my mother waved her hand, interrupting. “I have a question! I have a question!” she shouted. “What’s your question, Mom?” I asked. She paused just long enough for the audience to wonder what she was going to say. “I’ve waited thirty years to ask you: How could you do this to me?”

I know I’m not an expert, and that my wisdom doesn’t even come close to exceeding my years. However, I have always found it imperative to seek out the truth, especially when I care about something. And Israel remains one of the most important things in my life. Therefore, I always find it to be one of the main factors affecting my vote in a U.S. election. Reading Professor Steven L. Spiegel’s article, though, I couldn’t help but cringe. This was a man published by the Times of Israel and later by the Huffington Post, who had this immense platform to influence the public for the betterment of the state of Israel, and instead decided to advocate falsities. I couldn’t understand it. Therefore, this article is dedicated to rectifying all that he wrote so that maybe some of you will go into this election with a factual head, and not one full of absent context. Firstly, I’m not so much understanding why he begins by comparing Obama to other US presidents. Yes, it is lovely that a lot of other presidents weren’t big fans of Israel either. So lovely that in fact I am happy he brought it to my attention so that I can indeed be thankful that the last four years of Obama’s presidency didn’t completely wipe Israel off the map. However, did I have a say in the past? For most of the presidents he mentioned, I wasn’t even alive to know the difference. But I do have a say now. And I feel that if I want a safe and secure Jewish state, Obama has not used the last four years to prove to me that he will ensure that. So I’d rather take my chances with someone new, than rely on someone who didn’t take advantage of four full years of chances. Spiegel then continues to mention how Obama set up the strongest military relationship Israel has ever had with the US and that he also continued to give her foreign aid. However, he neglects to mention that the amount of foreign aid given to Israel was set up as the standard by past governments. He also refrains from stating that Israel has to spend most of the aid from the US on US goods and weapons. So by Obama giving Israel aid, he’s more making an investment in America’s hurting economy, than anything else. Another thing Spiegel dwells upon is Obama’s statement in the third presidential debate where the President stated, “I will stand with Israel if they are attacked [by Iran].” What the writer fails to recognize is the context of that question. Obama had been asked that if Israel struck Iran, would Obama join the war that would inevitably ensue. Obama did not say he would unite with Israel militarily. Just that he would “stand with Israel.” One can stand by a friend as they are getting pummeled. Obama’s statement is a noncommittal, empty promise, one that doesn’t hold much weight for me, or my vote. Spiegel then rattles off a barrage of facts that the Obama administration did for Israel, all true. However, the administration does not necessarily mean Obama did any of those things willingly. Of course the administration would want to maintain its one Western ally in the tumultuous Middle East region. So it would vote against blatantly false and anti-Israel propaganda spurned by the UN. As long as America’s oil interests are safe and the American wallet wasn’t taxed completely by overbearing gas prices, the US could do what it had always done in past years. It wasn’t difficult. What it could also do on the side though, was meet and accept the Arab Spring. It could endorse the radical Islamist political group, the Muslim Brotherhood. It could also go on an “apology tour” to all the Arab nations and lose ounces of unredeemable respect among the nations of the world. It would lose its position as a world power, as Obama went from country to country pleading with them to understand that he plans to ensure that “daylight” will be put between the US and Israel, so they needn’t worry that the alliance is everlasting. I cannot take away that the writer acknowledges the fact that Obama and Netanyahu’s relationship is far from acceptable. Obama has gone so far as to conference with the French president on their mutual dislike of the Israel Prime Minister. However, by comparing Obama to Reagan, Spiegel fails to recognize that it took years for the US to approve of the Israeli strike on the Iraqi nuclear reactor. That situation cannot be compared to the current one with Iran, as Obama has yet to endorse anything but sanctions. But, if sanctions don’t work, and Israel must make a move, I do not believe that Obama will stand by her militarily. He hasn’t shown his support for such an action at all, while Romney has. Therefore, I trust Romney to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish state more so than the current president. However, the fact that Netanyahu withdrew his red line statement he gave at the UN conference a couple of months ago is simply false. Netanyahu and Obama have yet to agree on when the proper time for military action will be. And I do not believe that Obama will have advanced warning of an attack if and when Israel does choose to do so. Their relationship is beyond stale, to say the least. In a recent statement, Obama mentioned, “I think there is a strain within the pro-Israel community that says unless you adopt an unwavering pro-Likud approach to Israel that you’re anti-Israel, and that can’t be the measure of our friendship with Israel.” Netanyahu is Likud, and the new Israeli government to be elected this January will inevitably be more right than before. If Obama is reelected, that cannot spell good relations for Israel and the US. Even Obama told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.” That means flexibility on everything. Last but not least, when Siegel writes of the embargo during Israel’s “War of Liberation,” I could barely believe his word choice myself. Liberation? Israel was defending its right to exist given by a UN Mandate. There was no “war of liberation.” There was a war of independence. An independence it intends to keep, if it can sustain itself in that. An independence you, as an American voter have a say in. And, now that you have the context of the facts, I hope you make the right decision. May the best man win.

Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the Palestinian Authority should cut its ties to Hamas militants running the Gaza Strip and engage in "genuine" peace talks with Israel. Speaking with NBC television, Netanyahu also insisted he was "proud to be the prime minister of all Israeli citizens, Arabs and Jews alike" after triggering outrage for urging supporters to vote for him, warning Israeli Arabs were "turning out in droves." The veteran Israeli leader had raised global alarm when he vowed in the final days of the election campaign that he would never agree to a Palestinian state on his watch -- flying in the face of decades of US policy to achieve a two-state solution. In his first interview with a US television network since winning an unprecedented fourth term on Tuesday, Netanyahu did not completely walk back those comments. But he suggested he remained open to the possibility of new peace talks, saying Israel would "need the recognition of (a) Jewish state and real security in order to have a realistic two-state solution." "I was talking about what is achievable and what is not achievable," Netanyahu said. "To make it achievable, then you have to have real negotiations with people committed to peace ... it`s time we saw the pressure on the Palestinians to show that they are committed too." Iran, which backs Hamas in the Gaza Strip, was ready to start pouring arms into the West Bank run by the Palestinian Authority, Netanyahu claimed. "We withdrew from Gaza, we got thousands of rockets on our heads. (We) don`t want it to happen again. I think the administration has said time and time again, the only way to achieve peace is a negotiated solution -- you can`t impose peace," he told NBC News. "If you want to get peace, you`ve got to get the Palestinian leadership to abandon their pact with Hamas and engage in genuine negotiations with Israel for an achievable peace." The Israeli leader also maintained that his controversial anti-Arab comments on a Facebook page aimed at drumming up support at the ballot box were an attempt "to counter a foreign-funded effort to get votes that are intended to topple my party." Some outside groups had vowed to "try to get out votes for a specific part, an amalgamation of Islamists and other groups," Netanyahu said, without giving any details, insisting he was not "trying to suppress a vote." He pledged to try to have "real integration of Arab citizens of Israel into the Israeli economy." The White House on Wednesday had chastised Netanyahu for his remarks, saying such rhetoric "seeks to marginalize Arab-Israeli citizens."

Published Jun 18, 2014Self-branded "Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk super band" Lemon Bucket Orkestra entered the Ukrainian crisis this spring with their Lemonchiki Project, but now they are turning their attention back on Canada for a lengthy summer tour. The outing will run throughout the whole summer, starting in the second half of June and stretching until early September. The tour is structured around festival stops, which are interspersed with various other dates. The group will be heading as far west as Vancouver Island and as far east as the Maritimes. See the schedule below. Note that it includes a hometown send-off show at Lee's Palace in Toronto on June 26. "Toronto has been so good to us, and we couldn't ask for a better home," said the band's Mark Marczyk in a statement. "Without the support of the Toronto community, we would never be able to share the music with the rest of the country." 06/20 Windsor, ON - Carrousel Of The Nations- Serbian Flood Relief Benefit 06/21-22 Halifax, NS - Halifax Multicultural Festival 06/25 Kingston, ON - TBA 06/26 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace 06/28-07/3 Montreal, QC - Montreal Jazz Festival 07/03-04 London, ON - Sunfest 07/05-06 Sudbury, ON - Northern Lights Festival 07/08-09 Halifax, NS - Halifax Jazz Festival 07/10-11 Calgary, AB - Calgary Stampede 07/12 Edmonton, AB - Shumka Stage 07/13 Calgary, AB - Ship & Anchor 07/16 Banff, AB - Wild Bill's 07/17 Victoria, BC - Recyclistas 07/18-20 Vancouver, BC - Vancouver Folk Festival 07/24-27 Mission, BC - Mission Folk Festival 07/29-08/01 Ottawa, ON - Ottawa Chamberfest 08/02 Ottawa, ON - Animate the Capital (parade) 08/06 Kamouraska, QC - La Vieille-Ecole 08/07 St. Anne Du Monts, QC - The Sea Shack 08/09 Gaspe, QC - Bout Du Monde Festival 08/13 Lac Megantic, QC - Benefit Show-Terrasse Du Centre Sportif Mégantic 08/14-16 Sherbrooke, QC - Traditions Du Monde 08/25 Montreal, QC - Jewish Montreal Festival 08/28 Midland, ON - Brookside Midland Cultural Centre 08/30-31 Toronto, ON - Ashkenaz Festival 09/06 Guelph, ON - Guelph Jazz Festival 09/07 Orillia, ON - Ashiko World Music Festival

Many people may hear “Passover” and immediately think of a Jewish feast celebrated in the spring. However, the Passover is not just a feast significant to only the Jewish religion, but it is an important feast for Christians as well. In fact, it is an important feast for all those who want to enter the kingdom of heaven. God gave the Passover as a command to all of His people, whether Jews or Gentiles. And it contains endless blessings and promises of God. The First Passover God established the Passover for the first time during the time of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The Israelites, who were God’s chosen people, were slaves in Egypt for 430 years. They asked God relentlessly for freedom and God granted it to them through the Passover. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt . . . Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household . . . Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. God gave special instructions to the people of Israel to slaughter a lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. This was to show God’s miraculous power throughout the land of Egypt. God Protects Us Through the Passover “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” That very night, God struck Egypt with the plague of the firstborn. Every firstborn throughout the land died—from the firstborn of every animal to the firstborn of Pharaoh. But those who celebrated the Passover did not die; God protected those who followed His command. And not only did God protect them, but He freed the Israelites from slavery the same night. This protection through the Passover applies not only to the Israelites of that time, but even to us today. When we celebrate the Passover, God protects us from disasters. That is why God commanded His people to continue celebrating this important feasts for the generations to come on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight. “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.” Exodus 12:14 (NLT) The Passover contains God’s endless love for His people, so He made it an everlasting command for our protection. The New Covenant Passover When Jesus Christ came to the earth 2,000 years ago, He had one purpose. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 (NLT) those who know they are sinners.” Matthew 9:13 (NLT) The Bible says that humans were originally born in the kingdom of heaven. But because of our sins, we were sent to this earth to eventually face death. However, Christ came to the earth in human likeness to save us, sinners. While living on this earth, not only did He preach repentance but He established the way for us to receive the forgiveness of sins—the Passover. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to celebrate the Passover by slaughtering a lamb. Meanwhile, in the New Testament, Christ commanded His disciples to celebrate the Passover with bread and wine. And this bread and wine are His body and blood. So no longer was the sacrifice of animal required because Christ Himself became the Passover sacrifice for His people (1 Cor 5:7). In this way, He gave us the forgiveness of sins, ultimately granting us eternal life. So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. John 6:53 (NLT) By establishing the New Covenant Passover, Christ fulfilled what He came to the earth to do. He gave us, sinners, forgiveness of sins and eternal life so that we could go back to the kingdom of heaven. The Passover in Our Time Throughout history, God has shown great miracles through the Passover. In the time of the exodus, God protected the Israelites from death and freed them from slavery through the Passover. In the time of Jesus Christ, God gave us the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life through the New Covenant Passover. In our age, too, God shows His endless love for us through the Passover. Although Christ established the Passover nearly 2,000 years ago, Roman Emperor Constantine abolished the feast in A.D. 325 through the Council of Nicaea. And for 1,600 years, the people of God could not celebrate the Passover. In fact, the teaching was lost and no one knew the way to enter heaven. However, God promised that He would come a second time to this earth to establish the way of salvation. On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Bible prophesied that God Himself would establish the New Covenant Passover on this earth once again to give His people life, though it was abolished for 1,600 years. And today, the World Mission Society Church of God celebrates the New Covenant Passover that God established. The Passover contains God’s promises of protection from disaster, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Visit your local Church of God to study more in depth about the New Covenant Passover and how you, too, can celebrate it.

Friday, 3 June 2016 Here’s yet another bar with yet another tall tale to tell about heroes and villains a twee theme that’s much more imaginatively executed at the likes of Evans & Peel, Mr. Fogg's and Uncle Seymour’s Parlour than at this glitzy, soulless take on a Jazz Age cocktail lounge. Apparently, inspired by fictitious 1920s sleuth Smith - a poor man’s Poirot - and gentleman/ vagabond Whistle, it’s the first of the hotel’s public spaces to be refurbished. Let’s hope owners Starwood/ Sheraton Hotels make a better fist of the potentially glorious Palm Court Bar than they have here. Bar food includes devilled whitebait; pork brawn and piccalilli and beer-battered fish fingers, chips and mushy peas (£10.50). Chapel Down vineyard’s Curious Brew ales on tap, plus a selection of good Scottish beers, will give tourists a flavour of Britain’s craft ale revolution. Jotted down on gumshoe Smith’s leather-bound notepad, £10 cocktails include Mayfair Mystery (Absolut, Jägermeister, Sezchuan pepper honey, elderflower and chilli). Apparently, Smith and Whistle would occasionally meet up here on the sly and trade tip-offs. With 1920s gin, lemon and honey classic, Bee’s Knees, incorrectly listed as 'tequila, goats cheese, pork crackling syrup and plum wine’ it looks like the crim' gave the cop a bum steer! Maybe it should be renamed Smith & Wesson, a reference to the weapon used to put the joker that dreamed up this trite tosh out of his misery. The Park Lane Hotel Piccadilly W1J 7BX http://www.sheratonparklane.com Sunday, 10 April 2016 Me: "Might I try your home-infused quince and blue cheese gin... in a dry martini, please?" Butler: "urm....gin in a martini glass? I don't think we can do that. But we can make you a classic cocktail if you prefer." Me (discombobulated): "What could be more classic than a classic gin martini?" Butler: "Vodka and lemonade? Whisky and Coke?" Well that's sure to stretch those 'expert mixologists' here to 'delight your palate with largesse and liberation' (sic). At their lightly stocked, panto set bar that recalls a display fixture at the Cowdenbeath Co-Op circa the Coronation and rationing books, the experts are at work. PR pal settles for rosemary and lavender-infused gin and tonic. Poured from a Tanqueray bottle, served With Fever-Tree tonic water, it's overpoweringly perfumed and strident on the nose. "I'd rather drink gin and Vim!" she grimaces. I opt for the 'modern sophistication' that is the STFH - aka 'Salted Toffee From Hipflask' (sic). Pre-made, served from a hot water bottle-sized silver flask, it is presented with something lumpy, brown and wrinkly on a glass plate (pictured). "Eeew! That looks like a specimen diseased adenoid" announces my date just as I'm on the point of popping into my gob what turns out to be a dried date, the ideal partner to my drink..apparently. Having spent the previous two hours sampling great single malt cocktails at excellent nearby new whisky bar, Black Rock, this recherché rinse is, to put it mildly, a bit of a let-down. To my tastes, STFH is Simply Too F****** Horrid for words. But I'll try. Imagine scotch infused with Werther's Originals and the melted contents of the not-so-select selection box your great-auntie Marjorie gave you for Christmas 1969! 'So good, it's probably illegal' trumpets the menu. 'Should be!' tut tuts date reaching for her coat. Not keen to prolong our 'by appointment' disappointment at The Bath House, she's after an early bath at home. The following day, I scrutinise the menu's florid small print. "All our house infusions are presided over by Mr. PJ Hobbs who tinkers and plays as our 'Booze Mechanic'". On last night's showing, they might as well have hired Kevin Webster, Coronation Street's resident boozy mechanic. Unless new owners Camm and Hooper - the brains also behind Tanner and Co of Bermondsey Street - up their game dramatically, I won't be diving in again any time soon. 7 Bishopsgate EC2M 3TJ 3813 7114 Tuesday, 15 March 2016 It may be of London’s most desirable districts (unless Dalston is your natural home) but South Kensington is curiously low on swanky hotel lounges with sufficient clout to pull in well-heeled cosmopolitan locals. Opulently revamped, the rebranded K Bar at the SW7 flagship of Irish hoteliers, The Doyle Collection, fills the void. All honey tone woods, copper shimmer, grouse moor greens and divine art deco bronze doors - salvaged from Dublin’s GPO and riddled with bullet marks from the 1916 Easter Uprising according to one of the bar's Blarney-kissed boys' spiel - K Bar is a luxe looker, high on charm, comfort and cracking cocktails. Highlights include a Trois Rivières sweet daiquiri (£10) and a Knob Creek rye, Cherry Heering and Applejack-based tribute to the Singapore Sling. Calvados and rhubarb bitters inform K Bar’s twist on a classic Champagne Cocktail. Créme Brûlée Martini is sheer liquid sin. Order wine from £5.50 with suitably Kensington snacks from the hotel's grown-up restaurant, adjacent and, held hostage by emerald plush upholstery, stay for ‘classic or healthy’ afternoon tea served until 5pm. 109 - 113 Queen’s Gate SW7 5LT 7589 6300 www.doylecollection.com OFF übercool Ace Hotel’s vlogger-magnet lobby - ‘a place to congregate, socialise, work or wind down’ (while you wait to be spotted by an Italian photographer casting the next big budget campaign to feature Made in Londra 'real people') your inner hipster will gravitate towards its Gallery Bar; a post-nuclear cubbyhole in which to spend ‘a long afternoon of lap-topping', sipping cocktails until well past midnight and ‘noshing snacks.’ Buttermilk fried chicken burger, and crispy fried cauliflower are the sort of stomach liners to load up on before ripping into a 100-strong whisky range that ain't for wusses that buy into Davy Boy Beckham-for-hire's Haig-Club nonsense. Scandinavian, Indian, Japanese and Australian single malts and Taiwanese cask strength rarities take on the tartan army; Tomatin 30 one among a selection of Scotland’s finest on a list that’s also big on premium gin, rum and Tequila. ‘Rogue afternoon’ drinks involve Aussie Regal Rogue vermouth served (white) with yellow Chartreuse and tonic, say, at £6.50. A seasonally evolving selection of after-dark vamps might include Sucker Punch (Bulleit, Benedictine, lemon, pineapple and kombucha tea) or Simply Red (pictured), a Glenmorangie and balsamic strawberry old fashioned that’s decidedly more current than Mike Hucknall. And this being Ace Hotel, you're a sashay away from another ace spot with a decent bar: Hoi Polloi, David Waddington's 1950's American-style dining room that is as sleek and well put-together as Eve Marie-Saint and as camp as Cary Grant in North By Northwest. 100 Shoreditch High Street E1 6JQ 7613 9800 www.acehotel.com/london Friday, 11 March 2016 When its original elaborate plasterwork ceiling caved in, the historic Alfred’s Grade II listed status obliged it be painstakingly restored. Taking this misfortune as their cue, owners Young’s treated their 160-year-old working museum to a major refurbishment. This, the handsomest of pub’s former Formosa Dining Room has been transformed into a convivial haute Victorian English brasserie; its coal cellars imaginatively transformed into plushly appointed vaults for cosy private dining. Fluted iron columns; Venetian windows; frosted glass a gogo; stunning ornate tiles; a dramatic mahogany horseshoe bar; Lilliputian saloons; snob screens; dentilled cornices: there’s so much to admire at this bobby dazzler of a boozer, the food and drink almost plays second fiddle. Order Young’s and Camden ales on draught; Beavertown and Hammerton among the craft bottled beers; sloe gin negroni, Chivas sour, spritzes and old fashioneds, and familiar wine appellations from £20 - £40. Sandwiches and salads are available during the day along with sharing boards, trad bar snacks and a classic British menu that’s served until late in the evening. A typical meal might start with ham hock, wild mushroom and truffle terrine or a hearty winter soup followed by crabmeat-encrusted salmon in a mussel broth, beef and bone marrow pie with buttered greens, or kale, squash, fig and goat’s curd and quinoa salad and sticky toffee pudding or a peach, berries and lemon and coriander meringue mess to finish. Rock up for Sunday roast but be sure to book ahead! From my review for www.squaremeal.co.uk Tuesday, 23 February 2016 In what was once the colourful heart of the old Jewish East End, the pogrom continues unchecked. Championed by a megalomaniac Mayor who has the interests of Brexit Boris, not London or Britain, at the heart of his cold calculating heart; Goodman’s Fields is yet another shining example of the shiny boxy bland ghettoes to greed that are disfiguring our city, robbing it of all originality and charm. At the entrance to this new 'luxury' slum, Geronimo Inns has splashed out a tidy sum on its latest trough and watering hole, Leman Street Tavern. The same £1.5 million would just about buy a banker a pad here - although possibly not one with a view of the equine civic 'art' that announces it. This is a blessing in disguise: two bronze stallions frolicking in a stream are the sort of trashy 70s sculptures only Beverley from Abigail's Party or deranged deceased dictators, the Caesescus, would brook in their front yard's brook. Geronimo Inns' ('a group of proper pubs with an eye for the different and the delicious’) newbie is comfy, colourful and serviceable… but for ‘different’ read 'design-by-numbers after various punchier postmodern bar-brasserie-gastropubs.' ‘Delicious’? That'll be Macon-Lugny on a list that largely sits south of £30 and offers two dozen choices by the glass for sunny day stragglers drawn to a generic pavement terrace onto a chronically congested A-road. Fill up on bar snacks of black pudding sausage roll, baked Camembert with buttered soldiers, and potato and leek hotpot. Dine on crab gratin followed by pork faggot, greens and mash, with fried milk and poached rhubarb for afters at LST, the sort of mid-market one-size-fits-all gaff I imagine morning TV Haribore eye candy Susanna Reid might fancy. Me? I'm off to grittier gaffs on nearby polyglot Brick Lane...before the Curse of the Developer destroys it too. Goodman’s Fields, Leman Street, E1 8EY 3437 0001www.lemanstreettavern.co.uk In Hackney, rummage for 60s frocks, 50s fun furs, flouncy frilly blouses, fawn felt fedoras and fuchsia feather boas and - since there's no way you're ever going to squeeze into those hot heliotrope Biba hot-pants circa Thin Lizzy you just spotted; you might as well squeeze in afternoon tea and cake served on colourful mismatched china that last saw action back in the Black and White Minstrels' black and white telly days. Anytime I revisit retro threads, I'm struck by how skinny we were back in the day before my one-time 27-inch waist was hit by rampant inflation. By night, at this Second-Hand Rose's delight - recently relocated from Shoreditch - pull on your glad-rags as a funky preloved clothes shop transforms into a bar and social open until 1am at weekends. Her dress rails tidied away, stylish owner Hannah serves classic pre-batched gin, rum, whiskey and vodka cocktails courtesy of Bethnal Green bar, Craft Cocktail Co, as well as a selection of beers by Crate, Hackney and Pressure Drop. Served by a second (microscopic) bar, the upstairs men’s department morphs seamlessly into a live lounge. A small stage hosts rockabilly, soul, blues and swing artistes when the room is not otherwise given over to jive classes, comedy, burlesque, cabaret and drawing classes. There’s even a wee garden in which to model the King's Road dolly bird @ Chelsea Girl halter-dress, serape, sun hat and cats eye shades Ms Moss would kill for. Like serial party animal Kate, Paper, Dress, Vintage has got the London Look. 352A Mare Street E8 1HR 8510 0520 http://paperdressvintage.co.uk/bar

It is not often that something leaves me with my mouth gaping open as I struggle for something to say, but the following quote made by Jack Ablin succeeded. The BBC news item is titled ‘Dow industrials hit pre-crash 13,000 landmark’. Mr Ablin’s astonishing intellect was bought to bear and the remarkable insight that has been reported, is as follows; “I think it’s a momentous day for investor confidence,” said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Private Bank. “What this number implies is that the financial crisis, that we were all losing sleep over, it never happened because now we’re back.” I am sure that I heard a collective cheer echoing around the world from the millions of unemployed and homeless who suddenly realised that actually the financial crisis never happened and they can all go back to their previous lives. Some final considered advice. If you have any money in Harris Private Bank, it might be a good move to take out as soon as you can before Mr Ablin invests it. To read the news article click this link. To leave your thoughts on Jack’s Facebook page you can go here Or you can read Jack’s bio here When you think you have heard everything, here is one I bet you haven’t heard of. A wheel-chair bound drug addict has been jailed for 10 years for having sex with a Chihuahua while high on crystal meth. The 55-year-old has been jailed for 10 years and has been registered as a sex offender. You can read about it here. Perhaps it was the big adorable eyes that got him! God bless idiots A Jewish rabbinical court condemned to death by stoning a stray dog it feared was the reincarnation of a lawyer who insulted its judges, The dog entered the Jerusalem financial court several weeks ago and would not leave, reports Israeli website Ynet. It reminded a judge of a curse passed on a now deceased secular lawyer about 20 years ago, when judges bid his spirit to enter the body of a dog. A court manager told Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot the stoning had been ordered as “as an appropriate way to ‘get back at’ the spirit which entered the poor dog”, according to Ynet. Two of Malawi’s most senior judicial officials are arguing over whether a new bill includes a provision that outlaws breaking wind in public. Justice Minister George Chaponda says the new bill would criminalise flatulence to promote “public decency”. “Just go to the toilet when you feel like farting,” he told local radio. However, he was directly contradicted by Solicitor General Anthony Kamanga, who says the reference to “fouling the air” means pollution. “How any reasonable or sensible person can construe the provision to criminalising farting in public is beyond me,” he said, adding that the prohibition contained in the new law has been in place since 1929. The Local Courts Bill, to be introduced next week reads: “Any person who vitiates the atmosphere in any place so as to make it noxious to the public to the health of persons in general dwelling or carrying on business in the neighbourhood or passing along a public way shall be guilty of a misdemeanour.” Mr Chaponda, a trained lawyer, insists that this includes farting. “Would you be happy to see people farting anyhow?” he asked on the popular “Straight Talk” programme on Malawi’s Capital Radio. He said that local chiefs would deal with any offenders. When asked whether it could be enforced, he said it would be similar to laws banning urinating in public. Earlier this evening I have been watching ABC Live 24 on the internet. All the coverage is of course on cyclone Yasi, which is a Category 5 cyclone with winds expected of 300 km/hr. Tens of thousands are in community shelters and a lot have gone inland. During the broadcast they connected to their reporter in Townsville, who gave a very Australian summary of the known damage – he listed the damage to local area pubs! You have to love the Australian sense of priorities. Hilarious. Congratulations, she probably has blond hair and speaks her mind which you think is refreshing. Well just one more thing before you go off and book the church. This week it was reported in the newspaper that 4 out 10 domestic violence cases were against men. As a colleague remarked, the other 6 men are marrying women from other cultures 🙂 Check out this video. I bet there were a few tightly puckered arseholes on this flight, most of all the 2 idiots at the front!!

People get excited when presented with events billed as “once in a lifetime” — like this year’s Thanksgivukkah on Nov. 28. The term mashes the convergence of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah — Yahoo searches for it are up 723 percent since last month — which won’t occur again for more than 75,000 years. Thanksgiving and the beginning of Hanukkah were last jointly celebrated in 1888, when Victoria sat on the British throne and Susan B. Anthony advocated in Washington for women’s rights. If you think about it, the two holidays aren’t radically different. For many people, Thanksgiving is a time not just to share a great big meal, but also to reflect and be grateful. My social networks are peppered with posts of appreciation and gratitude — mostly mellow discussions about who’s going where, with more rousing debates about substituting brisket for turkey this year (brisket recipes are another popular Yahoo search this month). As the child of a concentration camp survivor from an extended family of Holocaust survivors, Thanksgiving is a reminder to be thankful for a country that accepted my parents and gave them freedom of religion and democracy. And then there’s Hanukkah, one of the more innocuous yet still widely celebrated ancient Jewish holy days. Judah the Maccabee (sort of like a Jewish Spiderman) staged a revolt against the evil King Antiochus. Go, tough Jews! And after the dust settled, legend says a single tiny container of olive oil kept the temple’s menorah lit for eight days. On a metaphorical level, it symbolizes to me at least, a bit of unwavering light during what’s generally the darkest time of the year. So, can you celebrate both? Probably. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will have a spinning-dreidel balloon this year, proving that it’s painless to mark more than one cultural event at a time. The holidays remind us that we don’t need kitschy holiday mash-ups to gather with loved ones and appreciate the truly important things in life. Whatever your background or belief, enjoy time with family — and some marshmallow-topped sweet potato latkes. Rachel Weingarten of Brooklyn is author of the forthcoming book “Ancient Prayer: Channeling Your Faith 365 Days of the Year.”

Your cart is empty Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2019, a powerful, well-researched, fictional account exploring the trokosi tradition for the curious and the open-minded. Abeo Kata lives a comfortable, happy life in West Africa as the privileged nine-year-old daughter of a government employee and stay-at-home mother. But when the Katas' idyllic lifestyle takes a turn for the worse, Abeo's father, following his mother's advice, places the girl in a religious shrine, hoping that the sacrifice of his daughter will serve as atonement for the crimes of his ancestors. Unspeakable acts befall Abeo for the fifteen years she is enslaved within the shrine. When she is finally rescued, broken and battered, she must struggle to overcome her past, endure the revelation of family secrets, and learn to trust and love again. In the tradition of Chris Cleave's Little Bee, Praise Song for the Butterflies is a contemporary story that offers an educational, eye-opening account of the practice of ritual servitude in West Africa. Spanning decades and two continents, Praise Song for the Butterflies is an unflinching tale of the devastation that children are subject to when adults are ruled by fear and someone must pay the consequences. "Abeo is unrelenting - a fiery protagonist who sparks in every scene. Bernice L. McFadden has created yet another compelling story, this time about hope and freedom." Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of Here Comes the Sun A Room Called Remember brings together some of Buechner's finest writings on faith, love, and the power of words in the form of essays, addresses, and sermons. Here Buechner explores autobiography as theology, offers exhilarating reflections on biblical passages, and leads us into the "room called Remember," that "still room within us all where the past lives on as part of the present,...where with patience, with clarity, with quietness of heart, we remember consciously to remember the lives we have lived." In The Magnificent Defeat, Frederick Buechner examines what it means to follow Christ, the lessons of Christmas and Easter, the miracles of grace, and "the magnificent defeat" of the human soul of God. From modern pop culture to anti-Blackness, faith and family, politics, education, creativity and working life; this anthology gives visibly Muslim women a space to speak. SPOILER ALERT: We won't be answering the usual questions! Perceived as the visual representation of Islam, hijab-wearing Muslim women are nevertheless rarely afforded a platform on their own terms. Harangued by awkward questions, radical commentators sensationalising our existence, non-Muslims and non-hijabis making assumptions, men speaking on our behalf, or stereotypical norms being perpetuated by the same old faces, hijabis are tired. Cut from the Same Cloth? seeks to tip the balance back in our favour. Here, twenty-one women of all ages and races look beyond the tired tropes, exploring the breadth of our experience and spirituality. It's time we, as a society, stop with the hijab-splaining and make space for the women who know. Essays by Negla Abdalla, Zahra Adams, Sabeena Akhtar, Mariam Ansar, Fatima Ahdash, Shaista Aziz, Suma Din, Khadijah Elshayyal, Ruqaiya Haris, Raisa Hassan, Fatha Hassan, Sumaya Kassim, Rumana Lasker Dawood, Suhaiymah Manzoor Khan, Asha Mohamed, Sofia Rehman, Yvonne Ridley Aisha Rimi, Khadijah Rotimi, Sophie Williams, Hodan Yusuf. A Guardian Best Book of the Year A GQ Best Book of the Year A New Statesman Best Book of the Year Winner of the LAMBDA 2021 Literary Award for Best Gay Memoir/Biography A Dutiful Boy is Mohsin's personal journey from denial to acceptance: a revelatory memoir about the power of love, belonging, and living every part of your identity. Growing up in a devout Muslim household, it felt impossible for Mohsin to be gay. Unable to be open with his family, and with difficult conditions at school, he felt his opportunities closing around him. Despite the odds, Mohsin's perseverance led him to become the first person from his school to attend Oxford University, where new experiences and encounters helped him to discover who he truly wanted to be. Mohsin was confronted with the biggest decision he would ever make: to live the life that was expected of him or to live as his authentic self. 'Genuinely inspiring... Beautifully written, dignified and ultimately redemptive, this challenging story abounds with light and love' Attitude This is a book about life in all its aspects, which mirrors the journey of every man and connects with that which is eternal, unchanging. In this book the author has sought far and wide among the great religions and philosophies, and has drawn on the work of inspired poets and writers, to find answers to some of the questions about life. Out of the seeming diversity, a timely message of hope and encouragement emerges, reminding all of the brotherhood of man and the underlying unity of all things. A special feature of this book is that every page is handwritten in calligraphy by Dorothy Boux who has also illustrated it with subtle watercolours. Part of the bestselling Capstone Classics Series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon, this collectible, hard-back edition of The Prophet provides an accessible and insightful introduction to this timeless spiritual work The Prophet is an inspirational book of 26 poetry fables written in English by Lebanese-American poet and writer Kahlil Gibran. One of the most translated books in history, Gibran's famous work has been translated into over 100 different languages since its first publication in 1923. The book provides timeless spiritual wisdom on universally-shared aspects of life, such as giving, buying and selling, beauty and friendship, eating and drinking, crime and punishment and spirituality and religion. The book follows Almustafa, a man who has waited for twelve years for a ship to take him from the island of Orphalese back to his home. He has come to know the people on the island, who consider him a wise and insightful man. On the day Almustafa's ship finally arrives, he feels a deep sadness. The local elders ask him not to leave. Almustafa speaks of his philosophy of life and the truths he has discovered to the gathered crowd. His words have an almost magical quality to them. As he prepares to board his ship, it becomes clear that Almustafa's words do not refer to his journey home, but rather to the world he came from before he was born. The Prophet is a metaphor for the mystery of life and an exploration of the human condition. Inspirational and extremely readable for modern audiences, this classic text teaches us: We should be glad of the experience of coming into the world The separation you feel from other people is not real True marriage gives both people space to develop their individuality Enjoying your work is expressing your love for whoever benefits from it Sorrow makes space for more joy in another season of life Featuring an insightful introduction from the editor, The Prophet: The Spirituality Classic is a must-read book for anyone interested in exploring the undeniable truths of life we all share. You may like... It's Only Blood - Shattering the Taboo… Anna Dahlqvist Paperback Jewish Cape Town 5779 - A Handful Of… Tony Raphaely Paperback What Will Your Legacy Be? - . . . True… Irene M Endicott Hardcover Faith to Produce Miracles Brent C Satterfield Phd Hardcover Big Panda And Tiny Dragon James Norbury Hardcover Lessons in Elocution - Or, a Selection… William Scott Paperback R491 Discovery Miles 4 910 One Night, New York Lara Thompson Paperback R329 Discovery Miles 3 290 Key to the Exercises Adapted to Murray's… Lindley Murray Paperback R362 Discovery Miles 3 620 The Boy Who Understood Animals Yeshi Dorjee, John S. Major Paperback Laat U Naam Geheilig Word - Leer Ken 24… Este Geldenhuys Paperback

What did Freud say about a joke? Here are a few recent jokes. January 8. From the satirical journal, The Onion: “Israel Vows To Use Veto Power If Chuck Hagel Confirmed As U.S. Secretary Of Defense.” JERUSALEM—Top-ranking government officials in Jerusalem confirmed Tuesday that Israel would exercise its longstanding, constitutionally granted veto power over American policy if U.S. lawmakers confirmed retired congressman Chuck Hagel as the United States’ next Secretary of Defense. “In light of Mr. Hagel’s worrying remarks on Israeli-Palestinian relations and questionable classification of Israeli interests as ‘the Jewish lobby,’ we consider him a highly inappropriate choice for Defense Secretary who stands far out of line with our national priorities, and therefore we are prepared to swiftly and resolutely use our official veto power over this U.S. action,” said Israeli government spokesperson Mark Regev of the legal maneuver that the small Middle Eastern nation has employed to block U.S. Cabinet nominees, U.S. legislation, U.S. international relations, and U.S. domestic policy over 1,400 times in its 64-year history. February 3. From the new Netflix show, “House of Cards” (as reported by MJ Rosenberg): Kevin Spacey plays the Democratic whip of the House of Representatives. A new president has just been elected, who has promised to appoint Spacey’s character Secretary of State. However, he reneges and gives the job to someone else. The guy who gets the job is fine, even from Spacey’s viewpoint, but Spacey is mad and has to block him to hurt the president. But the guy is clean. What to do? Spacey’s staffer comes up with a Williams College editorial on Israel, published when the Secretary of State nominee was editor-in-chief of the college paper. The editorial calls the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza illegal. Spacey figures that should be enough to destroy the would-be secretary’s chances EXCEPT it turns out that he did not write the editorial, another student did. Spacey dispatches a corrupt, drug addicted Congressman (really) to visit the guy who wrote the article and convince him to say that it was, in fact, the Secretary of State nominee who was responsible. The guy doesn’t want to do it. He says that, even as a student, the Secretary-designate was a total wuss who would never take any controversial stands. So the doped up Congressman bribes him with pot and cocaine and, voila, he changes his mind. He will go public with the fact that it was the Secretary guy who opposed the occupation. Spacey gives the story to the Washington Post and then the Secretary nominee is confronted by the real George Stephanopoulos on his Sunday show who nails him for having criticized Israel 30 years ago! The addled nominee laughs! Spacey calls the head of the Anti-Defamation League (not played by the real Abe Foxman) to inform him that the Secretary-designate disrespected Israel while in college. The Foxman character rushes to CNN to announce that he will stop the anti-Semite from being confirmed. Spacey, watching the television, smiles, looks at the camera and says, “This is too easy.” The nominee is forced to withdraw. February 10: A skit rehearsed on NBC show Saturday Night Live, unaired but released online (as reported by various sources, including Mondo and Lloyd Grove of Daily Beast, whose account I’ve potted): In the six-minute sketch, performed at SNL’s dress rehearsal, Hagel is grilled mercilessly by South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham about his published statement that the interests of the United States and Israel are not always identical. “Is this a typo?” Graham demands. “Are my eyes deceiving me? Does he think that our interests and those of Israel could ever be different?” And so on and so forth, as Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee fall all over themselves to prove their slavish devotion to the Jewish state. The sketch culminates when John McCain insists that Hagel answer a hypothetical question: What if Benjamin Netanyahu calls and “he says to you, it is vital to Israel’s security, that you go on national television that night and perform oral sex on a donkey.” “Would you do that for Israel?” McCain asks.When Hagel says no, McCain declares that he can’t vote to confirm him. JAMIE WEINSTEIN, EDITOR AT DAILY CALLER: Just yesterday, there was a new speech that they believe in which during the question and answer [session] at Rutgers University, Hagel claimed that the State Department was controlled by the Israeli government. Israeli foreign ministry controls the government. DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: You see, Bill, what they’re doing is they’re going after every – BILL MAHER, HOST OF “REAL TIME” ON HBO: And it’s not? WEINSTEIN: Well, there’s two things wrong with that. One is that — it’s, you know, kind of suggesting Israeli power is controlling things. Number two, of all the branches of the government, the State Department being the most pro-Israel branch is ridiculous. MAHER: Based on every statement I’ve heard out of any Republican in the last two years, the Israelis are controlling our government. P.S. I’m aware that the Netflix episode isn’t properly a joke. But– poetic license.

|45th Vice President of the United States| January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001 |Preceded by||Dan Quayle| |Succeeded by||Dick Cheney| |United States Senator January 3, 1985 – January 2, 1993 |Preceded by||Howard Baker| |Succeeded by||Harlan Mathews| |Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 6th district January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1985 |Preceded by||Robin Beard| |Succeeded by||Bart Gordon| |Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 4th district January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983 |Preceded by||Joe L. Evins| |Succeeded by||Jim Cooper| |Born||Albert Arnold Gore Jr. March 31, 1948 Washington, D.C., U.S. |Spouse(s)||Tipper Aitcheson (m. 1970; sep. 2010)| |Children||4 (including Karenna, Kristin)| |Education||Harvard University (BA) |Civilian awards||Nobel Peace Prize (2007)| |Service/branch||United States Army| |Years of service||1969–1971| |Unit||20th Engineer Brigade| |Military awards||National Defense Service Medal| Albert Arnold Gore Jr. (born March 31, 1948) is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. Gore was Clinton's running mate in their successful campaign in 1992, and the pair were re-elected in 1996. At the end of Clinton's second term, Gore was selected as the Democratic nominee for the 2000 presidential election but did not win the election. After his term as vice-president ended in 2001, Gore remained prominent as an author and environmental activist, whose work in climate change activism earned him (jointly with the IPCC) the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Gore was an elected official for 24 years. He was a Congressman from Tennessee (1977–85) and from 1985 to 1993 served as one of the state's Senators. He served as Vice President during the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001. In the 2000 presidential election, in what was one of the closest presidential races in history, Gore won the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College to Republican George W. Bush. A controversial election dispute over a vote recount in Florida was settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 5–4 in favor of Bush. Gore is the founder and current chair of the Alliance for Climate Protection, the co-founder and chair of Generation Investment Management and the now-defunct Current TV network, a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Inc., and a senior adviser to Google. Gore is also a partner in the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, heading its climate change solutions group. He has served as a visiting professor at Middle Tennessee State University, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Fisk University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He served on the Board of Directors of World Resources Institute. Gore has received a number of awards including the Nobel Peace Prize (joint award with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007), a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (2009) for his book An Inconvenient Truth, a Primetime Emmy Award for Current TV (2007), and a Webby Award (2005). Gore was also the subject of the Academy Award-winning (2007) documentary An Inconvenient Truth in 2006. In 2007, he was named a runner-up for Time's 2007 Person of the Year. - 1 Early life and education - 2 Personal life - 3 Harvard, the Vietnam War, journalism, and Vanderbilt (1965–76) - 4 Congress (1976–93) - 5 First presidential run (1988) - 6 1992 presidential election - 7 Vice Presidency (1993–2001) - 8 Second presidential run (2000) - 9 Post-Vice Presidency - 10 Awards and honors - 11 Selected publications - 12 Notes - 13 References - 14 External links Early life and education Gore was born in Washington, D.C., the second of two children of Albert Gore Sr., a U.S. Representative who later served for 18 years as U.S. Senator from Tennessee, and Pauline (LaFon) Gore, one of the first women to graduate from Vanderbilt University Law School. Gore is partly descended from Scots-Irish immigrants who first settled in Virginia in the mid-17th-century, and moved to Tennessee after the Revolutionary War. His older sister Nancy LaFon Gore, who was born in 1938, died of lung cancer in 1984. During the school year he lived with his family in The Fairfax Hotel in the Embassy Row section in Washington D.C. During the summer months, he worked on the family farm in Carthage, Tennessee, where the Gores grew tobacco and hay and raised cattle. Gore attended St. Albans School, an independent college preparatory day and boarding school for boys in Washington, D.C., from 1956 to 1965, a prestigious feeder school for the Ivy League. He was the captain of the football team, threw discus for the track and field team, and participated in basketball, art, and government. He graduated 25th in his class of 51, applied to only one college, Harvard, and was accepted. Gore met Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Aitcheson from the nearby St. Agnes School at his St. Albans senior prom in 1965. Tipper followed Gore to Boston to attend college; and on May 19, 1970, shortly after Tipper graduated from Boston University, they married at the Washington National Cathedral. In early June 2010, shortly after purchasing a new home, the Gores announced in an e-mail to friends that after "long and careful consideration", they had made a mutual decision to separate. In May 2012, it was reported that Gore started dating Elizabeth Keadle of California. Harvard, the Vietnam War, journalism, and Vanderbilt (1965–76) Gore enrolled in Harvard College in 1965, initially planning to major in English and write novels but later deciding to major in government. On his second day on campus, he began campaigning for the freshman student government council and was elected its president. Although he was an avid reader who fell in love with scientific and mathematical theories, he did not do well in science classes in college and avoided taking math. His grades during his first two years put him in the lower one-fifth of the class. During his sophomore year, he reportedly spent much of his time watching television, shooting pool, and occasionally smoking marijuana. In his junior and senior years, he became more involved with his studies, earning As and Bs. In his senior year, he took a class with oceanographer and global warming theorist Roger Revelle, who sparked Gore's interest in global warming and other environmental issues. Gore earned an A on his thesis, "The Impact of Television on the Conduct of the Presidency, 1947–1969", and graduated with an A.B. cum laude in June 1969. Gore attended college during the era of anti-Vietnam War protests. Though he was against that war, he disagreed with the tactics of the student protest movement, thinking it silly and juvenile to take anger at the war out on a private university. He and his friends did not participate in Harvard demonstrations. John Tyson, a former roommate, recalled that "We distrusted these movements a lot ... We were a pretty traditional bunch of guys, positive for civil rights and women's rights but formal, transformed by the social revolution to some extent but not buying into something we considered detrimental to our country." Gore helped his father write an anti-war address to the Democratic National Convention of 1968 but stayed with his parents in their hotel room during the violent protests. When Gore graduated in 1969, his student deferment ended and he immediately became eligible for the military draft. His father, a vocal anti–Vietnam War critic, was facing a reelection in 1970. Gore eventually decided that the best way he could contribute to the anti-war effort was to enlist in the Army, which would improve his father's reelection prospects. Although nearly all of his Harvard classmates avoided the draft and service in Vietnam, Gore believed if he found a way around military service, he would be handing an issue to his father's Republican opponent. According to Gore's Senate biography, "He appeared in uniform in his father's campaign commercials, one of which ended with his father advising: 'Son, always love your country'." Despite this, Gore Sr. lost the election. Gore has said that his other reason for enlisting was that he did not want someone with fewer options than he to go in his place. Actor Tommy Lee Jones, a former college housemate, recalled Gore saying that "if he found a fancy way of not going, someone else would have to go in his place". His Harvard advisor, Richard Neustadt, also stated that Gore decided, "that he would have to go as an enlisted man because, he said, 'In Tennessee, that's what most people have to do.'" In addition, Michael Roche, Gore's editor for The Castle Courier, stated that "anybody who knew Al Gore in Vietnam knows he could have sat on his butt and he didn't." After enlisting in August 1969, Gore returned to the anti-war Harvard campus in his military uniform to say goodbye to his adviser and was "jeered" at by students. He later said he was astonished by the "emotional field of negativity and disapproval and piercing glances that ... certainly felt like real hatred". His orders to be sent to Vietnam were "held up" for some time, and the Gore family suspected that this was due to a fear by the Nixon administration that if something happened to him, his father would gain sympathy votes. He was finally shipped to Vietnam on January 2, 1971, after his father had lost his seat in the Senate during the 1970 Senate election, becoming one "of only about a dozen of the 1,115 Harvard graduates in the Class of '69 who went to Vietnam." Gore was stationed with the 20th Engineer Brigade in Bien Hoa and was a journalist with The Castle Courier. He received an honorable discharge from the Army in May 1971. Of his time in the Army, Gore later stated, "I didn't do the most, or run the gravest danger. But I was proud to wear my country's uniform." He also later stated that his experience in Vietnam didn't change my conclusions about the war being a terrible mistake, but it struck me that opponents to the war, including myself, really did not take into account the fact that there were an awful lot of South Vietnamese who desperately wanted to hang on to what they called freedom. Coming face to face with those sentiments expressed by people who did the laundry and ran the restaurants and worked in the fields was something I was naively unprepared for. Vanderbilt and journalism Gore was "dispirited" after his return from Vietnam. NashvillePost.com noted that, "his father's defeat made service in a conflict he deeply opposed even more abhorrent to Gore. His experiences in the war zone don't seem to have been deeply traumatic in themselves; although the engineers were sometimes fired upon, Gore has said he didn't see full-scale combat. Still, he felt that his participation in the war was wrong." Although his parents wanted him to go to law school, Gore first attended Vanderbilt University Divinity School (1971–72) on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship for people planning secular careers. He later said he went there in order to explore "spiritual issues", and that "he had hoped to make sense of the social injustices that seemed to challenge his religious beliefs." In 1971, Gore also began to work the night shift for The Tennessean as an investigative reporter. His investigations of corruption among members of Nashville's Metro Council resulted in the arrest and prosecution of two councilmen for separate offenses. In 1974, he took a leave of absence from The Tennessean to attend Vanderbilt University Law School. His decision to become an attorney was a partial result of his time as a journalist, as he realized that, while he could expose corruption, he could not change it. Gore did not complete law school, deciding abruptly, in 1976, to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives when he found out that his father's former seat in the House was about to be vacated. Gore began serving in the U.S. Congress at the age of 28 and stayed there for the next 16 years, serving in both the House (1977–85) and the Senate (1985–93). Gore spent many weekends in Tennessee, working with his constituents. House and Senate At the end of February 1976, U.S. Representative Joe L. Evins unexpectedly announced his retirement from Congress, making the Tennessee's 4th congressional district seat, to which he had succeeded Albert Gore Sr. in 1953 open. Within hours after The Tennessean publisher John Seigenthaler Sr. called him to tell him the announcement was forthcoming, Gore decided to quit law school and run for the House of Representatives: Gore's abrupt decision to run for the open seat surprised even himself; he later said that "I didn't realize myself I had been pulled back so much to it." The news came as a "bombshell" to his wife. Tipper Gore held a job in The Tennessean's photo lab and was working on a master's degree in psychology, but she joined in her husband's campaign (with assurance that she could get her job at The Tennessean back if he lost). By contrast, Gore asked his father to stay out of his campaign: "I must become my own man," he explained. "I must not be your candidate." Gore won the 1976 Democratic primary for the district with "32 percent of the vote, three percentage points more than his nearest rival", and was opposed only by an independent candidate in the election, recording 94 percent of the overall vote. He went on to win the next three elections, in 1978, 1980, and 1982, where "he was unopposed twice and won 79 percent of the vote the other time". In 1984, Gore successfully ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate, which had been vacated by Republican Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker. He was "unopposed in the Democratic Senatorial primary and won the general election going away", despite the fact that Republican President Ronald Reagan swept Tennessee in his reelection campaign the same year. Gore defeated Republican senatorial nominee Victor Ashe, subsequently the mayor of Knoxville, and the Republican-turned-Independent, Ed McAteer, founder of the Christian right Religious Roundtable organization that had worked to elect Reagan as president in 1980. During his time in Congress, Gore was considered a "moderate" (he once referred to himself as a "raging moderate") opposing federal funding of abortion, voting in favor of a bill which supported a moment in silence in schools, and voting against a ban on interstate sales of guns. In 1981, Gore was quoted as saying with regard to homosexuality, "I think it is wrong", and "I don't pretend to understand it, but it is not just another normal optional life style." In his 1984 Senate race, Gore said when discussing homosexuality, "I do not believe it is simply an acceptable alternative that society should affirm." He also said that he would not take campaign funds from gay rights groups. Although he maintained a position against homosexuality and gay marriage in the 1980s, Gore said in 2008 that he thinks "gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women...to join together in marriage." His position as a moderate (and on policies related to that label) shifted later in life after he became Vice President and ran for president in 2000. During his time in the House, Gore sat on the Energy and Commerce and the Science and Technology committees, chairing the Science Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for four years. He also sat on the House Intelligence Committee and, in 1982, introduced the Gore Plan for arms control, to "reduce chances of a nuclear first strike by cutting multiple warheads and deploying single-warhead mobile launchers." While in the Senate, he sat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Rules and Administration, and the Armed Services Committees. In 1991, Gore was one of ten Democrats who supported the Gulf War. Gore was one of the Atari Democrats who were given this name due to their "passion for technological issues, from biomedical research and genetic engineering to the environmental impact of the "greenhouse effect." On March 19, 1979, he became the first member of Congress to appear on C-SPAN. During this time, Gore co-chaired the Congressional Clearinghouse on the Future with Newt Gingrich. In addition, he has been described as having been a "genuine nerd, with a geek reputation running back to his days as a futurist Atari Democrat in the House. Before computers were comprehensible, let alone sexy, the poker-faced Gore struggled to explain artificial intelligence and fiber-optic networks to sleepy colleagues." Internet pioneers Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn noted that, as far back as the 1970s, Congressman Gore promoted the idea of high-speed telecommunications as an engine for both economic growth and the improvement of our educational system. He was the first elected official to grasp the potential of computer communications to have a broader impact than just improving the conduct of science and scholarship [...] the Internet, as we know it today, was not deployed until 1983. When the Internet was still in the early stages of its deployment, Congressman Gore provided intellectual leadership by helping create the vision of the potential benefits of high speed computing and communication. Gore introduced the Supercomputer Network Study Act of 1986. He also sponsored hearings on how advanced technologies might be put to use in areas like coordinating the response of government agencies to natural disasters and other crises." As a Senator, Gore began to craft the High Performance Computing Act of 1991 (commonly referred to as "The Gore Bill") after hearing the 1988 report Toward a National Research Network submitted to Congress by a group chaired by UCLA professor of computer science, Leonard Kleinrock, one of the central creators of the ARPANET (the ARPANET, first deployed by Kleinrock and others in 1969, is the predecessor of the Internet). The bill was passed on December 9, 1991, and led to the National Information Infrastructure (NII) which Gore referred to as the "information superhighway." After joining the House of Representatives, Gore held the "first congressional hearings on the climate change, and co-sponsor[ed] hearings on toxic waste and global warming." He continued to speak on the topic throughout the 1980s. In 1990, Senator Gore presided over a three-day conference with legislators from over 42 countries which sought to create a Global Marshall Plan, "under which industrial nations would help less developed countries grow economically while still protecting the environment." Son's 1989 accident and first book On April 3, 1989, as the Gores and their six-year-old son Albert were leaving a baseball game, Albert ran across the street to see his friend and was hit by a car. He was thrown 30 feet (9 m), and then traveled along the pavement for another 20 feet (6 m). Gore later recalled: "I ran to his side and held him and called his name, but he was motionless, limp and still, without breath or pulse[...]. His eyes were open with the nothingness stare of death, and we prayed, the two of us, there in the gutter, with only my voice." Albert was tended to by two nurses who happened to be present during the accident. The Gores spent the next month in the hospital with Albert. Gore also commented: "Our lives were consumed with the struggle to restore his body and spirit." This event was "a trauma so shattering that [Gore] views it as a moment of personal rebirth", a "key moment in his life" which "changed everything." In August 1991, Gore announced that his son's accident was a factor in his decision not to run for president during the 1992 presidential election. Gore stated: "I would like to be President[...]. But I am also a father, and I feel deeply about my responsibility to my children[...]. I didn't feel right about tearing myself away from my family to the extent that is necessary in a Presidential campaign." During this time, Gore wrote Earth in the Balance, a text which became the first book written by a sitting U.S. Senator to make The New York Times Best Seller list since John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage. First presidential run (1988) Gore campaigned for the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States against Joe Biden, Gary Hart, Dick Gephardt, Paul Simon, Jesse Jackson, and Michael Dukakis (who eventually won the Democratic nomination). Gore carried seven states in the primaries, finishing third overall. Although Gore initially denied that he intended to run, his candidacy was the subject of speculation: "National analysts make Sen. Gore a long-shot for the Presidential nomination, but many believe he could provide a natural complement for any of the other candidates: a young, attractive, moderate Vice Presidential nominee from the South. He currently denies any interest, but he carefully does not reject the idea out of hand." At the time, he was 39 years old, making him the "youngest serious Presidential candidate since John F. Kennedy." CNN noted that, "in 1988, for the first time, 12 Southern states would hold their primaries on the same day, dubbed "Super Tuesday". Gore thought he would be the only serious Southern contender; he had not counted on Jesse Jackson." Jackson defeated Gore in the South Carolina Primary, winning, "more than half the total vote, three times that of his closest rival here, Senator Albert Gore Jr. of Tennessee." Gore next placed great hope on Super Tuesday where they split the Southern vote: Jackson winning Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia; Gore winning Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Nevada, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Gore was later endorsed by New York City Mayor Ed Koch who made statements in favor of Israel and against Jackson. These statements cast Gore in a negative light, leading voters away from Gore who received only 10% of the vote in the New York Primary. Gore then dropped out of the race. The New York Times said that Gore also lost support due to his attacks against Jackson, Dukakis, and others. Gore was eventually able to mend fences with Jackson, who supported the Clinton-Gore ticket in 1992 and 1996, and campaigned for the Gore-Lieberman ticket during the 2000 presidential election. Gore's policies changed substantially in 2000, reflecting his eight years as Vice President. 1992 presidential election Gore was initially hesitant to accept a position as Bill Clinton's running mate for the 1992 United States presidential election, but after clashing with the George H. W. Bush administration over global warming issues, he decided to accept the offer. Clinton stated that he chose Gore due to his foreign policy experience, work with the environment, and commitment to his family. Clinton's choice was criticized as unconventional because rather than picking a running mate who would diversify the ticket, Clinton chose a fellow Southerner who shared his political ideologies and who was nearly the same age as Clinton. The Washington Bureau Chief for The Baltimore Sun, Paul West, later suggested that, "Al Gore revolutionized the way Vice Presidents are made. When he joined Bill Clinton's ticket, it violated the old rules. Regional diversity? Not with two Southerners from neighboring states. Ideological balance? A couple of left-of-center moderates. [...] And yet, Gore has come to be regarded by strategists in both parties as the best vice presidential pick in at least 20 years." Clinton and Gore accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention on July 17, 1992. Known as the Baby Boomer Ticket and the Fortysomething Team, The New York Times noted that if elected, Clinton and Gore, at ages 45 and 44 respectively, would be the "youngest team to make it to the White House in the country's history." Theirs was the first ticket since 1972 to try to capture the youth vote. Gore called the ticket "a new generation of leadership". The ticket increased in popularity after the candidates traveled with their wives, Hillary and Tipper, on a "six-day, 1,000-mile bus ride, from New York to St. Louis." Gore also debated the other vice presidential candidates, Dan Quayle, and James Stockdale. The Clinton-Gore ticket beat the Bush-Quayle ticket, 43%–38%. Vice Presidency (1993–2001) Al Gore served as Vice President during the Clinton Administration. Clinton and Gore were inaugurated on January 20, 1993. At the beginning of the first term, Clinton and Gore developed a "two-page agreement outlining their relationship". Clinton committed himself to regular lunch meetings, recognized Gore as a principal adviser on nominations, and appointed some of Gore's chief advisers to key White House staff positions. Clinton involved Gore in decision-making to an unprecedented degree for a Vice President. Through their weekly lunches and daily conversations, Gore became the president's "indisputable chief adviser". However, Gore had to compete with Hillary, the First Lady, for President Clinton's influence, starting when she was appointed health-care task force without Gore being consulted. Vanity Fair wrote that President Clinton's "failure to confide in his vice president was a telling sign of the real pecking order", and reported "it was an open secret that some of Hillary's advisers...nurtured dreams that Hillary, not Gore, would follow Bill in the presidency". Gore had a particular interest in reducing "waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government and advocated trimming the size of the bureaucracy and the number of regulations." During the Clinton Administration, the U.S. economy expanded, according to David Greenberg (professor of history and media studies at Rutgers University) who said that "by the end of the Clinton presidency, the numbers were uniformly impressive. Besides the record-high surpluses and the record-low poverty rates, the economy could boast the longest economic expansion in history; the lowest unemployment since the early 1970s; and the lowest poverty rates for single mothers, black Americans, and the aged." According to Leslie Budd, author of E-economy: Rhetoric or Business Reality, this economic success was due, in part, to Gore's continued role as an Atari Democrat, promoting the development of information technology, which led to the dot-com boom (c. 1995–2001). Clinton and Gore entered office planning to finance research that would "flood the economy with innovative goods and services, lifting the general level of prosperity and strengthening American industry." Their overall aim was to fund the development of, "robotics, smart roads, biotechnology, machine tools, magnetic-levitation trains, fiber-optic communications and national computer networks. Also earmarked [were] a raft of basic technologies like digital imaging and data storage." Critics claimed that the initiatives would "backfire, bloating Congressional pork and creating whole new categories of Federal waste." During the election and his term as Vice President, Gore popularized the term Information Superhighway, which became synonymous with the Internet, and he was involved in the creation of the National Information Infrastructure. Gore first discussed his plans to emphasize information technology at UCLA on January 11, 1994, in a speech at The Superhighway Summit. He was involved in a number of projects including NetDay'96 and 24 Hours in Cyberspace. The Clinton–Gore administration also launched the first official White House website in 1994 and subsequent versions through 2000. The Clipper Chip, which "Clinton inherited from a multi-year National Security Agency effort", was a method of hardware encryption with a government backdoor. It met with strong opposition from civil liberty groups and was abandoned by 1996. Gore was also involved in environmental initiatives. He launched the GLOBE program on Earth Day '94, an education and science activity that, according to Forbes magazine, "made extensive use of the Internet to increase student awareness of their environment". In 1998, Gore began promoting a NASA satellite (Deep Space Climate Observatory) that would provide a constant view of the Earth, marking the first time such an image would have been made since The Blue Marble photo from the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. During this time, he also became associated with Digital Earth. Gore negotiated and strongly supported the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gasses, but said upon his return that the administration would not submit the treaty to the Senate for ratification until it was amended to include "meaningful participation by key developing nations", The Senate had previously passed unanimously (95–0) the Byrd–Hagel Resolution (S. Res. 98), which declared opposition to any greenhouse gas treaty which would limit US emissions without similar limits on third-world countries such as China. The Clinton administration left office three years later without having submitted the treaty for ratification. In 1996, Gore became involved in a finance controversy over his attendance at an event at the Buddhist Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. In an interview on NBC's Today the following year, Gore said, "I did not know that it was a fund-raiser. I knew it was a political event, and I knew there were finance people that were going to be present, and so that alone should have told me, 'This is inappropriate and this is a mistake; don't do this.' And I take responsibility for that. It was a mistake." In March 1997, Gore had to explain phone calls which he made to solicit funds for Democratic Party for the 1996 election. In a news conference, Gore stated that, "all calls that I made were charged to the Democratic National Committee. I was advised there was nothing wrong with that. My counsel tells me there is no controlling legal authority that says that is any violation of any law." The phrase "no controlling legal authority" was criticized by columnist Charles Krauthammer, who stated: "Whatever other legacies Al Gore leaves behind between now and retirement, he forever bequeaths this newest weasel word to the lexicon of American political corruption." Robert Conrad Jr. was the head of a Justice Department task force appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno to investigate Gore's fund-raising controversies. In Spring 2000, Conrad asked Reno to appoint an independent counsel to continue the investigation. After looking into the matter, Reno judged that the appointment of an independent counsel was unwarranted. During the 1990s, Gore spoke out on a number of issues. In a 1992 speech on the Gulf War, Gore stated that he twice attempted to get the U.S. government to pull the plug on support to Saddam Hussein, citing Hussein's use of poison gas, support of terrorism, and his burgeoning nuclear program, but was opposed both times by the Reagan and Bush administrations. In the wake of the Al-Anfal Campaign, during which Hussein staged deadly mustard and nerve gas attacks on Kurdish Iraqis, Gore cosponsored the Prevention of Genocide Act of 1988, which would have cut all assistance to Iraq. The bill was defeated in part due to intense lobbying of Congress by the Reagan-Bush White House and a veto threat from President Reagan. In 1998, at a conference of APEC hosted by Malaysia, Gore objected to the indictment, arrest and jailing of President Mahathir Mohammad's longtime second-in-command Anwar Ibrahim, a move which received a negative response from leaders there. Ten years later, Gore again protested when Ibrahim was arrested a second time, a decision condemned by Malaysian foreign minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. Soon afterwards, Gore also had to contend with the Lewinsky scandal, involving an affair between President Clinton and an intern, Monica Lewinsky. Gore initially defended Clinton, whom he believed to be innocent, stating, "He is the president of the country! He is my friend [...] I want to ask you now, every single one of you, to join me in supporting him." After Clinton was impeached, Gore continued to defend him stating, "I've defined my job in exactly the same way for six years now [...] to do everything I can to help him be the best president possible." Second presidential run (2000) There was talk of a potential run in the 2000 presidential race by Gore as early as January 1998. Gore discussed the possibility of running during a March 9, 1999, interview with CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. In response to Wolf Blitzer's question: "Why should Democrats, looking at the Democratic nomination process, support you instead of Bill Bradley", Gore responded: I'll be offering my vision when my campaign begins. And it will be comprehensive and sweeping. And I hope that it will be compelling enough to draw people toward it. I feel that it will be. But it will emerge from my dialogue with the American people. I've traveled to every part of this country during the last six years. During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country's economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system. Former UCLA professor of information studies Philip E. Agre and journalist Eric Boehlert argued that three articles in Wired News led to the creation of the widely spread urban legend that Gore claimed to have "invented the Internet", which followed this interview. In addition, computer professionals and congressional colleagues argued in his defense. Internet pioneers Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn stated that "we don't think, as some people have argued, that Gore intended to claim he 'invented' the Internet. Moreover, there is no question in our minds that while serving as Senator, Gore's initiatives had a significant and beneficial effect on the still-evolving Internet." Cerf would later state: "Al Gore had seen what happened with the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956, which his father introduced as a military bill. It was very powerful. Housing went up, suburban boom happened, everybody became mobile. Al was attuned to the power of networking much more than any of his elective colleagues. His initiatives led directly to the commercialization of the Internet. So he really does deserve credit." In a speech to the American Political Science Association, former Republican Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich also stated: "In all fairness, it's something Gore had worked on a long time. Gore is not the Father of the Internet, but in all fairness, Gore is the person who, in the Congress, most systematically worked to make sure that we got to an Internet, and the truth is—and I worked with him starting in 1978 when I got [to Congress], we were both part of a "futures group"—the fact is, in the Clinton administration, the world we had talked about in the '80s began to actually happen." Finally, Wolf Blitzer (who conducted the original 1999 interview) stated in 2008 that: "I didn't ask him about the Internet. I asked him about the differences he had with Bill Bradley [...] Honestly, at the time, when he said it, it didn't dawn on me that this was going to have the impact that it wound up having, because it was distorted to a certain degree and people said they took what he said, which was a carefully phrased comment about taking the initiative and creating the Internet to—I invented the Internet. And that was the sort of shorthand, the way his enemies projected it and it wound up being a devastating setback to him and it hurt him, as I'm sure he acknowledges to this very day." Gore himself would later poke fun at the controversy. In 2000, while on the Late Show with David Letterman he read Letterman's Top 10 List (which for this show was called, "Top Ten Rejected Gore – Lieberman Campaign Slogans") to the audience. Number nine on the list was: "Remember, America, I gave you the Internet, and I can take it away!" In 2005 when Gore was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award "for three decades of contributions to the Internet" at the Webby Awards he joked in his acceptance speech (limited to five words according to Webby Awards rules): "Please don't recount this vote." He was introduced by Vint Cerf who used the same format to joke: "We all invented the Internet." Gore, who was then asked to add a few more words to his speech, stated: "It is time to reinvent the Internet for all of us to make it more robust and much more accessible and use it to reinvigorate our democracy." Gore formally announced his candidacy for president in a speech on June 16, 1999, in Carthage, Tennessee, with his major theme being the need to strengthen the American family. He was introduced by his eldest daughter, Karenna Gore Schiff. In making the speech, Gore also distanced himself from Bill Clinton, who he stated had lied to him. Gore was "briefly interrupted" by AIDS protesters claiming Gore was working with the pharmaceutical industry to prevent access to generic medicines for poor nations and chanting "Gore's greed kills." Additional speeches were also interrupted by the protesters. Gore responded, "I love this country. I love the First Amendment [...] Let me say in response to those who may have chosen an inappropriate way to make their point, that actually the crisis of AIDS in Africa is one that should command the attention of people in the United States and around the world." Gore also issued a statement saying that he supported efforts to lower the cost of the AIDS drugs, provided that they "are done in a way consistent with international agreements." While Bill Clinton's job-approval ratings were around 60%, an April 1999 study by the Pew Research Center for the People found that respondents suffered from "Clinton fatigue" where they were "tired of all the problems associated with the Clinton administration" including the Lewinsky scandal and impeachment. Texas Governor and likely Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush was leading Gore 54% to 41% in polls during that time. Gore's advisers believed that the "Lewinsky scandal and Bill's past womanizing...alienated independent voters—especially the soccer moms, who stood for traditional values". Consequently, Gore's presidential campaign "veered too far in differentiating himself from Bill and his record and had difficulty taking advantage of the Clinton administration's legitimate successes". In addition, Hillary's candidacy for the open Senate seat in New York exacerbated the "three-way tensions evident in the White House since 1993", as "not only was Hillary unavailable as a campaigner, she was poaching top Democratic fund-raisers and donors who would normally concentrate on the vice president". In one instance "Hillary insisted on being invited [to a Los Angeles fundraiser for the vice president]—over the objections of the event's organizers", where the First Lady "shocked the vice president's supporters by soliciting donations for herself in front of Tipper". Gore faced an early challenge by former New Jersey senator Bill Bradley. Bradley was the only candidate to oppose Gore and was considered a "fresh face" for the White House. Gore challenged Bradley to a series of debates which took the form of "town hall" meetings. Gore went on the offensive during these debates leading to a drop in the polls for Bradley. In the Iowa caucus the unions pledged their support to Gore, despite Bradley spending heavily in that state, and Bradley was much embarrassed by his two to one defeat there. Gore went on to capture the New Hampshire primary 53-47%, which had been a must-win state for Bradley. Gore then swept all of the primaries on Super Tuesday while Bradley finished a distant second in each state. On March 9, 2000, after failing to win any of the first 20 primaries and caucuses in the election process, Bradley withdrew his campaign and endorsed Gore. Gore eventually went on to win every primary and caucus and, in March 2000 even won the first primary election ever held over the Internet, the Arizona Presidential Primary. By then, he secured the Democratic nomination. On August 13, 2000, Gore announced that he had selected Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut as his vice presidential running mate. Lieberman became "the first person of the Jewish faith to run for the nation's second-highest office." Many pundits saw Gore's choice of Lieberman as further distancing him from the scandals of the Clinton White House. Gore's daughter, Karenna, together with her father's former Harvard roommate Tommy Lee Jones, officially nominated Gore as the Democratic presidential candidate during the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California. Gore accepted his party's nomination and spoke about the major themes of his campaign, stating in particular his plan to extend Medicare to pay for prescription drugs and to work for a sensible universal health-care system. Soon after the convention, Gore hit the campaign trail with running mate Joe Lieberman. Gore and Bush were deadlocked in the polls. Gore and Bush participated in three televised debates. While both sides claimed victory after each, Gore was critiqued as either too stiff, too reticent, or too aggressive in contrast to Bush. On election night, news networks first called Florida for Gore, later retracted the projection, and then called Florida for Bush, before finally retracting that projection as well. Florida's Republican Secretary of State, Katherine Harris, eventually certified Florida's vote count. This led to the Florida election recount, a move to further examine the Florida results. The Florida recount was stopped a few weeks later by the U.S. Supreme Court. In the ruling, Bush v. Gore, the Justices held that the Florida recount was unconstitutional and that no constitutionally valid recount could be completed by the December 12 deadline, effectively ending the recounts. This 7–2 vote ruled that the standards the Florida Supreme Court provided for a recount were unconstitutional due to violations of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and further ruled 5–4 that no constitutionally valid recount could be completed by the December 12 deadline. This case ordered an end to recounting underway in selected Florida counties, effectively giving George W. Bush a 537 vote victory in Florida and consequently Florida's 25 electoral votes and the presidency. The results of the decision led to Gore winning the popular vote by approximately 500,000 votes nationwide, but receiving 266 electoral votes to Bush's 271 (one District of Columbia elector abstained). On December 13, 2000, Gore conceded the election. Gore strongly disagreed with the Court's decision, but in his concession speech stated that, "for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession." After maintaining an informal public distance for eight years, Bill Clinton and Gore reunited for the media in August 2009 after Clinton arranged for the release of two journalists who were being held hostage in North Korea. The two women were employees of Gore's Current TV. Criticism of Bush Beginning in late 2002, Gore began to publicly criticize the Bush administration. In a September 23, 2002, speech given before the Commonwealth Club of California, Gore criticized President George W. Bush and Congress for the rush to war prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iraq. He compared this decision to the Persian Gulf War (which Gore had voted for) stating, "Back in 1991, I was one of a handful of Democrats in the United States Senate to vote in favor of the resolution endorsing the Persian Gulf War [...] But look at the differences between the resolution that was voted on in 1991 and the one this administration is proposing that the Congress vote on in 2002. The circumstances are really completely different. To review a few of them briefly: in 1991, Iraq had crossed an international border, invaded a neighboring sovereign nation and annexed its territory. Now by contrast in 2002, there has been no such invasion." In a speech given in 2004, during the presidential election, Gore accused George W. Bush of betraying the country by using the 9/11 attacks as a justification for the invasion of Iraq. The next year, Gore gave a speech which covered many topics, including what he called "religious zealots" who claim special knowledge of God's will in American politics. Gore stated: "They even claim that those of us who disagree with their point of view are waging war against people of faith." After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Gore chartered two planes to evacuate 270 people from New Orleans and criticized the Bush administration's response to the hurricane. In 2006, Gore criticized Bush's use of domestic wiretaps without a warrant. One month later, in a speech given at the Jeddah Economic Forum, Gore criticized the treatment of Arabs in the U.S. after 9/11 stating, "Unfortunately there have been terrible abuses and it's wrong [...] I do want you to know that it does not represent the desires or wishes or feelings of the majority of the citizens of my country." Gore's 2007 book, The Assault on Reason, is an analysis of what Gore refers to as the "emptying out of the marketplace of ideas" in civic discourse during the Bush administration. He attributes this phenomenon to the influence of television and argues that it endangers American democracy. By contrast, Gore argues, the Internet can revitalize and ultimately "redeem the integrity of representative democracy." In 2008, Gore argued against the ban of same-sex marriage on his Current TV website, stating, "I think that gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women to make contracts, have hospital visiting rights, and join together in marriage." In a 2009 interview with CNN, Gore commented on former Vice President Dick Cheney's criticism of the Obama administration. Referring to his own previous criticism of the Bush administrations, Gore stated: "I waited two years after I left office to make statements that were critical, and then of the policy [...] You know, you talk about somebody that shouldn't be talking about making the country less safe, invading a country that did not attack us and posed no serious threat to us at all." While Gore has criticized Bush for his Katrina response, he has not spoken publicly about his part in the evacuation of 270 patients on September 3 & 4, 2005, from Charity Hospital in New Orleans to Tennessee. On September 1, Gore was contacted by Charity Hospital's Neurosurgeon Dr. David Kline, who had operated on his son Albert, through Greg Simon of FasterCures. Kline informed Gore and Simon of the desperate conditions at the hospital and asked Gore and Simon to arrange relief. On Gore's personal financial commitment, two airlines each provided a plane with one flight latter underwritten by Larry Flax. The flights were flown by volunteer airline crews and medically staffed by Gore's cousin, retired Col. Dar LaFon, and family physician Dr. Anderson Spickard and were accompanied by Gore and Albert III. Gore used his political influence to expedite landing rights in New Orleans. Presidential run speculation Gore was a speculated candidate for the 2004 Presidential Election (a bumper sticker, "Re-elect Gore in 2004!" was popular). On December 16, 2002, however, Gore announced that he would not run in 2004. Despite Gore taking himself out of the race, a handful of his supporters formed a national campaign to draft him into running. One observer concluded it was "Al Gore who has the best chance to defeat the incumbent president", noting that "of the 43 Presidents, only three have been direct descendents of former Presidents:" John Quincy Adams, Benjamin Harrison, and George W. Bush, that "all three won the office only after... anomalies in the Electoral College", that the first two were defeated for re-election in a populist backlash, and finally that "the men who first lost to the presidential progeny and then beat them" (i.e. Andrew Jackson and Grover Cleveland) "each won a sort of immortality—having his image placed on a unit of US currency", and that Gore should answer this call of history. The draft movement, however, failed to convince Gore to run. The prospect of a Gore candidacy arose again between 2006 and early 2008 in light of the upcoming 2008 presidential election. Although Gore frequently stated that he had "no plans to run", he did not reject the possibility of future involvement in politics which led to speculation that he might run. This was due in part to his increased popularity after the release of the 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. The director of the film, Davis Guggenheim, stated that after the release of the film, "Everywhere I go with him, they treat him like a rock star." After An Inconvenient Truth was nominated for an Academy Award, Donna Brazile (Gore's campaign chairwoman from his 2000 campaign) speculated that Gore might announce a possible presidential candidacy during the Oscars. During the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, Gore and actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared the stage to speak about the "greening" of the ceremony itself. Gore began to give a speech that appeared to be leading up to an announcement that he would run for president. However, background music drowned him out and he was escorted offstage, implying that it was a rehearsed gag, which he later acknowledged. After An Inconvenient Truth won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, speculation increased about a possible presidential run. Gore's popularity was indicated in polls which showed that even without running, he was coming in second or third among possible Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. Grassroots draft campaigns also developed with the hope that they could encourage Gore to run. Gore, however, remained firm in his decision and declined to run for the presidency. Involvement in presidential campaigns After announcing he would not run in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, Gore endorsed Vermont governor Howard Dean in December 2003, weeks before the first primary of the election cycle. He was criticized for this endorsement by eight Democratic contenders particularly since he did not endorse his former running mate Joe Lieberman (Gore preferred Dean over Lieberman because Lieberman supported the Iraq War and Gore did not). Dean's campaign soon became a target of attacks and eventually failed, with Gore's early endorsement being credited as a factor. In The New York Times, Dean stated: "I actually do think the endorsement of Al Gore began the decline." The Times further noted that "Dean instantly amplified his statement to indicate that the endorsement from Mr. Gore, a powerhouse of the establishment, so threatened the other Democratic candidates that they began the attacks on his candidacy that helped derail it." Dean's former campaign manager, Joe Trippi, also stated that after Gore's endorsement of Dean, "alarm bells went off in every newsroom in the country, in every other campaign in the country", indicating that if something did not change, Dean would be the nominee. Later, in March 2004, Gore endorsed John Kerry and gave Kerry $6 million in funds left over from his own unsuccessful 2000 bid. Gore also opened the 2004 Democratic National Convention. During the 2008 primaries, Gore remained neutral toward all of the candidates which led to speculation that he would come out of a brokered 2008 Democratic National Convention as a "compromise candidate" if the party decided it could not nominate one. Gore responded by stating that these events would not take place because a candidate would be nominated through the primary process. Senator Ted Kennedy had urged Gore to endorse Senator Barack Obama though Gore declined. When Obama became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president on June 3, 2008, speculation began that Gore might be tapped for the vice presidency. On June 16, 2008, one week after Hillary Clinton had suspended her campaign, Gore endorsed Obama in a speech given in Detroit, Michigan which renewed speculation of an Obama-Gore ticket. Gore stated, however, that he was not interested in being Vice President again. On the timing and nature of Gore's endorsement, some argued that Gore waited because he did not want to repeat his calamitous early endorsement of Howard Dean during the 2004 Presidential Election. On the final night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, shortly before Obama delivered his acceptance address, Gore gave a speech offering his full support. Such support led to new speculation after Obama was elected President during the 2008 Presidential election that Gore would be named a member of the Obama administration. This speculation was enhanced by a meeting held between Obama, Gore, and Joe Biden in Chicago on December 9, 2008. However, Democratic officials and Gore's spokeswoman stated that during the meeting the only subject under discussion was the climate crisis, and Gore would not be joining the Obama administration. On December 19, 2008, Gore described Obama's environmental administrative choices of Carol Browner, Steven Chu, and Lisa Jackson as "an exceptional team to lead the fight against the climate crisis." Gore repeated his neutrality eight years later during the Democratic presidential primaries of 2016 until endorsing Hillary Clinton on July 25, 2016, the first day of that year's Democratic National Convention. Gore appeared with her at a rally on Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus on October 11, 2016. Gore has been involved with environmental issues since 1976, when as a freshman congressman, he held the "first congressional hearings on the climate change, and co-sponsor[ed] hearings on toxic waste and global warming." He continued to speak on the topic throughout the 1980s, and is still prevalent in the environmental community. He was known as one of the Atari Democrats, later called the "Democrats' Greens, politicians who see issues like clean air, clean water and global warming as the key to future victories for their party." In 1990, Senator Gore presided over a three-day conference with legislators from over 42 countries which sought to create a Global Marshall Plan, "under which industrial nations would help less developed countries grow economically while still protecting the environment." In the late 1990s, Gore strongly pushed for the passage of the Kyoto Protocol, which called for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. He was opposed by the Senate, which passed unanimously (95–0) the Byrd–Hagel Resolution (S. Res. 98), which stated the sense of the Senate was that the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol that did not include binding targets and timetables for developing as well as industrialized nations or "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States". In 2004, he co-launched Generation Investment Management, a company for which he serves as Chair. A few years later, Gore also founded The Alliance for Climate Protection, an organization which eventually founded the We Campaign. Gore also became a partner in the venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, heading that firm's climate change solutions group. He also helped to organize the Live Earth benefit concerts. In 2013, Gore became a vegan. He had earlier admitted that "it's absolutely correct that the growing meat intensity of diets across the world is one of the issues connected to this global crisis – not only because of the [carbon dioxide] involved, but also because of the water consumed in the process" and some speculate that his adoption of the new diet is related to his environmentalist stance. In a 2014 interview, Gore said "Over a year ago I changed my diet to a vegan diet, really just to experiment to see what it was like. ... I felt better, so I've continued with it and I'm likely to continue it for the rest of my life." At the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, Gore released An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, a sequel to his 2006 film, An Inconvenient Truth, which documents his continuing efforts to battle climate change. A "Climate and Health Summit" which was originally going to be held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was cancelled without warning in late January, 2017. A few days later, Gore revived the summit, which he will hold without the CDC. Gore's involvement in environmental issues has been criticized. For example, he has been labeled a "carbon billionaire" and accused of profiting from his advocacy; a charge which he has denied, by saying, among other things, that he has not been "working on this issue for 30 years... because of greed". A conservative Washington D.C. think tank, and a Republican member of Congress, among others, have claimed that Gore has a conflict-of-interest for advocating for taxpayer subsidies of green-energy technologies in which he has a personal investment. Additionally, he has been criticized for his above-average energy consumption in using private jets, and in owning multiple, very large homes, one of which was reported in 2007 as using high amounts of electricity. Gore's spokesperson responded by stating that the Gores use renewable energy which is more expensive than regular energy and that the Tennessee house in question has been retrofitted to make it more energy-efficient. Data in An Inconvenient Truth have been questioned. In a 2007 court case, a British judge said that while he had "no doubt ...the film was broadly accurate" and its "four main scientific hypotheses ...are supported by a vast quantity of research", he upheld nine of a "long schedule" of alleged errors presented to the court. He ruled that the film could be shown to schoolchildren in the UK if guidance notes given to teachers were amended to balance out the film's one-sided political views. Gore's spokeswoman responded in 2007 that the court had upheld the film's fundamental thesis and its use as an educational tool. In 2009, Gore described the British court ruling as being "in my favor." Organizations including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) criticized Gore for not advocating vegetarianism as a way for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. Gore agreed that meat production contributes to increased carbon emissions, but did not want to "go quite as far as ... saying everybody should become a vegetarian". He said that although he was not a vegetarian, he had "cut back sharply" on his consumption of meat. When asked by Bjørn Lomborg to debate whether spending on health and education should take priority over limiting carbon emissions, Gore responded that he would not debate because the "scientific community has gone through this chapter and verse. We have long since passed the time when we should pretend this is a 'on the one hand, on the other hand' issue ... It's not a matter of theory or conjecture." Meeting with Ivanka and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka, reported that she intended to make climate change one of her signature issues, while her father served as President of the United States. She therefore contacted Al Gore, and he met with her and her father on December 5, 2016, at Trump Tower. Following his visit, Gore spoke briefly to the media standing outside the elevator of Trump Tower. Gore related that: "I had a lengthy and very productive session with the president-elect. It was a sincere search for areas of common ground. I had a meeting beforehand with Ivanka Trump. The bulk of the time was with the president-elect, Donald Trump. I found it an extremely interesting conversation, and to be continued, and I'm just going to leave it at that." This was a significant milestone, as Trump once tweeted that "[t]he concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." Awards and honors Gore is the recipient of a number of awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize (together with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) in 2007, a Primetime Emmy Award for Current TV in 2007, a Webby Award in 2005 and the Prince of Asturias Award in 2007 for International Cooperation. 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Shabbat is a time to break free of technology and connect with ourselves and others. Now why is that so damn hard? My First Christmas as a Jew was in lockdown in the pandemic epicenter: Loving Christmas doesn’t just go away when you convert New Orleans Road Trip: Sleeping in a former Synagogue, and the Southern Jewish Experience at a New Museum On our road trip and 3-month sojourn in Mexico, we now found ourselves in the American South: New Orleans, my birthplace, and new home to both the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (5 Star!) and an Airbnb called Synagogue, in a former synagogue, with all history removed and in its stead, Christian art (decidedly NOT 5 stars). Read my reviews of both with photos, and get yourself to NOLA! 🪕🎺⚜️ Happy Hanukkah from the Nathans in Miami: A Slideshow, A Reminder of What The Holiday Is, and Why We Shine the Light Happy Hanukkah from the Nathans in Miami! Slideshow: Hanukah fun and gear, and a bit on the holiday and letting the light shine in the dark Support Nefesh of Los Angeles and Doing Jewish with some fun holiday shopping for Hanukkah!

Are you looking for Merry Christmas Images or Xmas pictures to wish Merry Christmas to your friends and family? Well, Christmas day is very special to everyone and on Today we have 50 best Merry Christmas Images and Xmas photos exclusively for you which you will surely love. Merry Christmas Images | Xmas Pictures & Merry Christmas Pictures 2021 This festive season is so much more than Christmas parties and gift-giving. May your Christmas be filled with the true miracles and meaning of this beautiful time. Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every other day of the year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! – JOEL OSTEEN Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to be put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself… Wish You a Merry Christmas! – NORMAN WESLEY BROOKS Merry Christmas Images in HD Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you! – STEVE MARABOLI We have collected the best Merry Christmas Status Video for you on our site. Beautiful Merry Christmas Images and Xmas Photos December is full of the beauty of Light and love we can bring into our life. You can choose to be stressed or you can choose to let the small stuff go and be peaceful this Holiday season! – EILEEN ANGLIN Also View: Happy New Year Images Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every other day of the year.” – JOEL OSTEEN Also View: Merry Christmas Wishes Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. – OREN ARNOLD Awesome Merry Christmas Images and Merry Christmas Pictures My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love which comes at Christmastime fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year!. – Thomas S. Monson Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.” – THOMAS S. MONSON Christmas brings family and friends together; it helps us appreciate the love in our lives we can often take for granted. May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home with many blessings. Wishing you peace, joy, and all the best this wonderful holiday has to offer. May this incredible time of giving and spending time with family bring you the joy that lasts throughout the year. The meaning of Christmas is held in our hearts and shared with family and friends. I’m sending you messages of faith and hope for a beautiful holiday season. During the miraculous time that is Christmas may you see with the eyes of a child, experience the wonder of love, and truly enjoy all that the season has to offer. It’s the time of year when loved ones gather together. It is a special time to be thankful for all of the wonderful blessings in our lives. Sending you good wishes and the hope that your holiday will be a joyous one. The glory and beauty of this wonderful season are something we all can share together. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. You would find the list of Merry Christmas Quotes for your family, take a break from your busy life and show that you do care for them, and greet them with Merry Christmas quotes that are specially collected for your family. Learn to live harmoniously, both in song and interactions. Christmas is a time to cherish the friends you love and the understanding between kindred souls. We got to the moon on Christmas Eve in 1968, at the end of a poor year for this country. We had Vietnam. We had civil unrest. We had the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. But we went around the moon and saw the far side for the first time. A scriptwriter couldn’t have done a better job of raising people’s hope!. – Jim Lovell I started making music… I guess I was 12, and I started playing ‘Guitar Hero.’ And you know, it got to a point where on expert, you can only exceed to a certain point. And so, you know, I was like, ‘Let’s play a real guitar. Let’s not waste more time.’ So, I got my mom, I told her to buy me a guitar for Christmas, and I started making music then!. – Post Malone Christmas – that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved!. – Augusta E. Rundel It is a time for celebration and gatherings. I wish that you may spend your time meaningfully with the people close to your heart. Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas! Each card you receive is a sign of amity, may you receive and send many Christmas cards and many Christmas wishes. A short story on Christmas: Some people also think that December 25th might have also been chosen because the Winter Solstice and the ancient pagan Roman midwinter festivals called ‘Saturnalia’ and ‘Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ took place in December around this date – so it was a time when people already celebrated things. May the Christ of Christmas be born in your hearts, held in your love & shared with your world this special season. Wish you Christmas joy and happiness through the new year! I think we’ve taken the meaning of Christmas out. People don’t stop and think about Jesus or the birth of Jesus. When they think of Christmas, they think of Santa Claus and – for the children, and they think of giving gifts and out-giving the next person of spending their time looking for the right thing for somebody who has everything. Billy Graham We got to the moon on Christmas Eve 1968, at the end of a poor year for this country. We had Vietnam. We had civil unrest. We had the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. But we went around the moon and saw the far side for the first time. A scriptwriter couldn’t have done a better job of raising people’s hope!. – Jim Lovell My parents were kind of overprotective people. I and my sister had to play in the backyard all the time. They bought us bikes for Christmas but wouldn’t let us ride in the street, we had to ride in the backyard. Another Christmas, my dad got me a basketball hoop and put it in the middle of the lawn! You can’t dribble on the grass!. Jimmy Fallon I think that ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ was mentally taxing, if only because I had to go to a Christmas party shortly after I had wrapped photography in Romania at two in the morning as the Ghost Rider. The invitation had a Christmas ornament on it with Ghost Rider’s face on it as a tree!. Nicolas Cage Every Year We Celebrate The Holy Season Of Advent, O God, Every Year We Pray Those Beautiful Prayers Of Longing And Waiting And Sing Those Lovely Songs Of Hope And Promise. Check: Christmas Memes One Can Never Have Enough Socks,” Said Dumbledore, Another Christmas Has Come And Gone And, I Didn’t Get A Single Pair. People Will Insist On Giving Me Books. I like indoor Christmas trees. And I like people who decorate their homes with lights and all that crap. I think it’s a healthy outlet for them. If they weren’t covering their lawns with twinkling lights, they’d be doing something that was really, really creepy – Lewis Black After church on a Sunday after Thanksgiving, my family would go chop down our Christmas tree. Once it was home and placed in its stand, Mom and I would painstakingly decorate our tree. It took hours to place the tinsel, string the lights, find the perfect spot for my favorite macaroni and felt ornaments from kindergarten – Molly O’Keefe Count Your Blessings, Sing Your Christmas Carols, Open Your Gifts, And Make A Wish Under The Christmas Tree. May You Have A Merry Christmas! Short Story on Christmas: A very early Christian tradition said that the day when Mary was told that she would have a very special baby, Jesus (called the Annunciation) was on March 25th – and it’s still celebrated today on the 25th March. Nine months after the 25th March is the 25th December! March 25th was also the day some early Christians thought the world had been made, and also the day that Jesus died on when he was an adult. The date of March 25th was chosen because people had calculated that was the day on which Jesus died as an adult (the 14th of Nisan in the Jewish calendar) and they thought that Jesus was born and had died on the same day of the year. May you feel the magic, the joy, and the spirit of the holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This Christmas wish is sent to you, full of love and happiness, so that all your dreams may come true! Let the spirit of Christmas warm your home and fill your heart with joy and laughter. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the true meaning of this season fill your heart and home with an abundance of blessings, peace, and joy. Happy Holidays! Roses are red, violets are blue, to all my wonderful Facebook friends, happy holidays to you! Have a very Merry Christmas and a year full of blessings, love, and cheer for you and your dear! There may be gifts under the Christmas tree but all I want for Christmas is you. I love you my darling! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas full of love, blessings, and joy that continues throughout the year. “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale Check: Christmas Song Meme “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens “Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” – Oren Arnold. “One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” – Bob Hope “Christmas is, of course, the time to be home – in a heart as well as a body.” – Garry Moore “Christmas is a stocking stuffed with sugary goodness.” – Mo Rocca “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” – Burton Hillis “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie Durìng thìs tìmé of fàìth ànd family mày thé trué méànìng of Chrìstmàs provìdé you wìth joy. Wìshìng you à Mérry Chrìstmàs ànd à blésséd Néw Yéàr. I need you with me, every time I think of you and I would like you to return here. I count the days to meeting again. Merry Christmas 2019. ? I remember those days when we saw us every day and we went for a walk. Now we only see each other once a month but despite all that, our relationship is strong and nobody is going to separate us. Merry Christmas 2019 Wishes When Christmas bells are swinging above the fields of snow, We hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago, And etched on vacant places. Are half-forgotten faces Of friends we used to cherish and loves we used to know. My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Christmas is a time for cherishing those who bring so many blessings to our lives. May your heart feel that love this Christmas and throughout the New Year ahead. One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. It is easy to get lost in the flurry of activity during the holiday season. May you get time to take in the beauty and true meaning of the season and have a Merry Christmas! You could never give me a better Christmas gift than our friendship. I am confident that I’ll continue to get that gift this year. Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. Merry Xmas 2019 The messages which are written to our dear have the great fillings which are linked with our heart through which we show our love to our dear with the great happiness. Let this Christmas Eve bring prosperity and peace all around and erase all conflicts and worries. Celebrate this Christmas Eve with lots of love, fun, and joyous moments around. Merry Christmas 2019! May this Christmas be a fitting ending to a successful year for you. May the New Year bring fresh hopes and bright beginnings. The presents are fun, but what really matters is being with your closest family and friends to celebrate this joyous occasion. Don’t get too scared if a fat dude in red shows up at your doorstep and tries to wrap you up in gift paper. He is Santa Claus and he’s going to simply send you to me, cause I added you to my wish-list this Christmas. Happy Xmas day to you! Merry Christmas Images HD Top Merry Christmas Images Download Merry Christmas Images and wishes Merry Christmas Images and Xmas Pictures Merry Christmas Images and Merry Christmas Pictures Merry Christmas Pics Merry Christmas Photos Merry Christmas Wallpapers We hope you like our collection of Merry Christmas Images and Xmas Pictures. Kindly share it with your friends and family and with them Merry Christmas. I hope you have a great year ahead.

Some 125 American visitors were sitting down to lunch in the Gaza settlement of Neve Dekalim Sunday when they heard the sounds of explosions. They later learned that a rocket attack had killed three workers at a nearby greenhouse in Ganei Tal. Five others, all non-Israelis, were wounded. Another attack, almost simultaneously, damaged a home in nearby Sderot, just outside Gaza, causing no injuries. "It’s a completely different kind of emotional experience to be nearby when something like this happens," said Jeff Reznik of Brooklyn, in a call from Neve Dekalim Tuesday. "It bonds you with Israel in a way that hearing about it on the news never does." After visiting the damaged home in Sderot, with a gaping hole in its concrete roof, Rev. James Vineyard, an Evangelical minister from Oklahoma, said it reminded him of his service in the Vietnam war, and reinforced his sense that the idea of Israeli-Palestinian peace was "nonsensical." The American visitors, mostly Jews with a contingent of ministers and a Brooklyn state senator, see the continuing hazards in Gaza as proof that handing over territory to the Palestinians while a declared cease-fire is violated is a mistake on the part of Ariel Sharon’s government. "People are seeing that if you run away from terror, it runs after you," said Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who organized the visit, in a phone interview. State Sen. John Sampson, who says he had no opinion on the disengagement prior to the visit, said in the same phone call that he had come to view the matter as a "civil rights" issue. "It has been an eye-opening experience," said Sampson, who is a candidate for Brooklyn district attorney. "It showed me the fortitude and spiritual uplifting of the people here in Gush Katif. For families who have lived here for 23 years to be uprooted, it’s not fair." Hikind left for Israel on Sunday evening, shortly after appearing at a Central Park concert in solidarity with the Gaza settlers following the Salute to Israel parade. "The Jews who live in Gush Katif, those are the heroes of the Jewish people," Hikind told a crowd that was smaller than organizers had hoped. Two police officers estimated about 1,000 in attendance, while event organizer Joseph Frager estimated the crowd at 10,000. Frager had said he hoped for 25,000, but added "this was the liveliest crowd we’ve ever had." Some of the political rhetoric reached heated levels as speakers like Rachel Sapperstein, a resident of Gush Katif, labeled Sharon and Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres the "enemy" and called the pullout plan "evil." Oshrat Meirovitch, 20, of Kiryat Arba on the West Bank, said people often think Gush Katif is only a desolate bunch of huts or a handful of houses, and few understand it is a thriving area full of life. Events like Sunday’s concert, she said, will hopefully help change that perception. "I just hope that people around us understand the mistake they are going to do," said Meirovitch, who spent the afternoon with an orange bucket soliciting donations for Gush Katif. Many of the concertgoers, like Leon Lauterbach of Yonkers, said they didn’t see themselves as protesters, but rather as supporters of Israel. Lauterbach called the turnout "lousy," but said he didn’t think it was a sign of fading momentum. "I personally don’t think the disengagement will take place," said Lauterbach, 78. "A determined minority can always beat a complacent majority, unless they use force." Families, teens, seniors, men with black hats or no hats all made their way to the park’s East Meadow, where the orange-clad crowd rallied around speakers and Jewish rock bands. Knesset member Effie Eitam declared what he termed the expulsion of Jews by Jews as against halacha and an affront to President George W. Bush’s war on terror." Mr. President, read my lips, there will be no disengagement," Eitam said, firing up the crowd. "The only place Jews cannot live wherever they want is in the state of Arik Sharon." The concert was dedicated to the families of Gush Katif, whose citrus groves inspired the color used by disengagement protesters. As afternoon sunbathers scattered, the park slowly filled with a second parade of orange T-shirts, hats, signs, banners, posters, balloons, and fliers. In the pit in front of the stage, sun-drenched teens danced in circles, kicking up dust arm in arm. Around the stage, bystanders leaned on signs lamenting disengagement as a win for terrorists. Others handed out fliers for a future rally in Washington. "It’s wonderful to see the crowd, all the Jews to stand with us and give us strength," said Ezra Haidu, lead singer of Maarava Mikan, a band from Gush Katif. "It’s inevitable that Gush Katif would happen," said Batya Virag, 25, of Manhattan. "There are people, even at this concert, who have made it their agenda. But whether they’re out there saying, ‘Yes, Gush Katif’ or ‘No, Gush Katif,’ they are supporting Israel, and that’s an umbrella over everything." Along the route of the parade, orange shirts supporting the Jews of Gaza and declaring "Jews Don’t Expel Other Jews" were plentiful, but there was no sign of organized protest. Some 200 marchers from the Zionist Organization of America, however, sported orange shirts reading "All Of Israel Is Our Home," a subtle protest against the disengagement. Sources said the marchers complied with concerns by the Israel Tribute Committee that the words Gush Katif not appear in order to preserve the parade’s overall theme of non-political solidarity. The president of the Tribute Committee, Judy Kaufthal, said she had seen the shirts before the parade. "We knew that was what they ordered," she said. "There was no problem." Jeremy G. Burton is an editorial intern. Adam Dickter is a staff writer.

Two educators from Dunaway Elementary — librarian Becky Lowry and fifth grade teacher Lily Hall — received a treat last week they will not soon forget. As book faire chairperson, Lowry, who has worked as the school’s librarian for 19 years, was invited by Scholastic, Inc., to a meet-the-author event in Dallas, an annual event held as a thank you for all book faire coordinators in the region. The featured author this year was Henry Winkler, forever known for his role as “The Fonz” on the 1970s TV series “Happy Days.” Lowry invited Hall, who has also been at Dunaway Elementary for 19 years, as her guest to the event, which included a one-hour presentation, followed by a book signing. “He read for us and it was fabulous,” said Hall, who mentioned that Winkler reminded her of a 60-year-old version of his “Happy Days” character, Arthur Fonzarelli. “(Winkler) was energetic. He had the same energy and the same enthusiasm as Fonzie. He was still cool. He was absolutely wonderful,” said Hall, who added, “The humor would just roll out of him.” Winkler is co-author with Lin Oliver of a series of books about an imaginative, dyslexic fourth-grader named Hank Zipser. “The main character is Henry Winkler as a child,” said Hall, who explained that she learned at the event that Winkler’s childhood nickname was Hank and that all the characters in the books are based on actual people he knew. Hall and Lowry also learned that Winkler – like his character Hank – suffers from dyslexia. “I did not know he had those challenges. That was interesting to hear,” said Lowry. The Dunaway educators pointed out that Winkler works in close collaboration with his co-author Oliver, who also has experience with learning disabilities – but from a parent’s perspective. “(Oliver’s) child grew up with ADD,” Hall said, noting that the authors had a personal understanding of learning disability challenges and have not only used that experience in creating the storyline but have actually employed several techniques to make the books more user-friendly for those with learning disabilities. “The chapters are shorter so that readers could, with less effort, say, ‘I’ve finished a chapter. I’ve accomplished something,’” said Lowry of one example in which the authors intentionally created for those with special needs in mind. “As a person, I love the humor and resourcefulness of Hank,” said Hall of the main character of the books written to appeal to an audience of third to fifth graders. “Hank thinks out of the box,” said Hall, explaining that Hank’s ways were certainly not traditional. “As an educator, I believe that whatever appeals to a student is worth reading. If you can find what appeals to them, you’ve hooked them,” said Hall, who is always looking for creative ways to instill a love for reading in her students. Hall pointed out that part of the appeal for students is that they can relate to Hank. “We have a lot of students that have challenges,” said Hall, listing learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADD, as well as difficult situations at home and other obstacles. Of the 14 books co-authored by Winkler and Oliver, several of them can be found on Dunaway Elementary library shelves. “I have also purchased about nine of the books for my classroom,” said Hall, who finds them to be “funny and well-written.” “They have been very popular (with students),” reports Lowry of the books in the Hank Zipser series. One of the statements Winkler made at the event really impressed Hall. Winkler explained that it was someone else’s quote, but words that he lived by: “If you will it, it’s not a dream.” “I guess one of the reasons I identified with that is because my motto is ‘Keep knocking until someone answers the door,’” said Hall, who states that her motto is inspired by words from Scripture. No stranger to adversity or success, in addition to conquering the challenge of dyslexia, Winkler overcame his father’s insistence that he take another career path and Winkler’s Jewish family faced severe tragedy in Nazi Germany. Winkler's family fled to the United States from Germany decades ago, but his grandparents were captured and taken to concentration camps. As a child growing up in the U.S., Winkler was expected to take over the family lumber business once reaching adulthood. Winkler had other aspirations, however, and while a college student saved enough money earned from roles in TV commercials to make a one-month trip to California. While there, her met his wife and landed a role in “Happy Days.” “I was very impressed that he was able to overcome his disabilities and challenges to become a success in all that he is: actor, author, husband,” said Lowry. Email Jennifer at [email protected].

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Israeli police arrested a 19-year-old Israeli Jewish man as the primary suspect in a string of bomb threats targeting Jewish community centers and other institutions in the U.S., marking a potential breakthrough in a case that stoked fears across America. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld described the suspect as a hacker. Israeli media identified him as an American-Israeli dual citizen and said he had been found unfit for compulsory service in the Israeli military. “He’s the guy who was behind the JCC threats,” Rosenfeld said, referring to the dozens of anonymous threats phoned in to Jewish community centers in the U.S. over the past two months. “Israeli National Police have arrested a suspect threatening to have bombs in schools and other facilities,” a police official said. Israel’s Channel 10 TV showed footage of the suspect appearing in court in the central Israeli city of Rishon Letzion. He wore tan pants and a blue sweater that he used to cover his face as he walked past reporters. The channel said the young man had lived in the U.S. for a period of time and had been home-schooled. It showed images of a large antenna outside his house and said his father was also arrested. At the courthouse, the suspect’s lawyer, Galit Bash, told reporters that her client had a “very serious medical condition” that had kept him out of compulsory military service and might have affected his behavior. He “didn’t serve in the army, didn’t go to high school, didn’t go to elementary school,” she said. “So that’s why the medical condition can actually affect the investigation.” Channel 10 described the condition as a brain tumor. A judge in Israel has ordered a medical evaluation before the man is charged. Israeli police said the suspect made dozens of calls claiming to have placed bombs in public places and private companies, causing panic and “significant economic damage,” and disrupting public order, including by the hurried evacuations of a number of public venues around the world. The man is suspected of placing threatening phone calls to Australia, New Zealand and also within Israel. Rosenfeld said the man called Delta Airlines in February 2015 and made a false threat about explosives aboard a flight from John F. Kennedy Airport. The threat allegedly led to an emergency landing. Rosenfeld said the man, from the south of Israel, used advanced technologies to mask the origin of his calls. He said police searched his house Thursday morning and discovered antennas and satellite equipment. “He didn’t use regular phone lines. He used different computer systems so he couldn’t be backtracked,” Rosenfeld said. Former FBI Agent Manny Gomez commends the intelligence community for tackling the daunting task of tracking cyber criminals. “Online threats are a big problem now,” Gomez told CBS2. “U.S. intelligence and U.S. law enforcement has to discern throughout the hundreds of credible threats that come in on a weekly and monthly basis.” After an intensive investigation in cooperation with FBI representatives who arrived in Israel, as well as other police organizations from various countries, technology was used to track down the suspect who had made the threats around the world, Rosenfeld said. The FBI released a statement confirming the arrest and commending the work of the Israeli National Police, but did not go into details about the investigation. “Investigating hate crimes is a top priority for the FBI and we will continue to work to make sure all races and religions feel safe in their communities and in their places of worship,” the statement read. “At this time, we cannot provide additional information on the investigation.” Attorney General Jeff Sessions commended investigators in the U.S. and Israel for their joint effort in tracing the suspect’s digital trail. “Today’s arrest in Israel is the culmination of a large-scale investigation spanning multiple continents for hate crimes against Jewish communities across our country,” Sessions said. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, and we will not tolerate the targeting of any community in this country on the basis of their religious beliefs. I commend the FBI and Israeli National Police for their outstanding work on this case.” The suspect’s motives remain unclear. “Was he acting alone? Was he acting with others? What was his intent? Why did he do this? And was the threat real — was he going to act on it,” Gomez said of the ongoing investigation. “It could be an attention-seeking thing, it wouldn’t surprise me that at the end of the day we find out that this is a young man with certain issues and that he was doing this to get attention.” “I think it’s ironic that he’s Jewish. One would’ve thought that somebody that’s posing a threat to the Jewish community would be an anti-Semite or somebody who has something against the Jewish community,” he added. It’s still unclear whether the man will be sent back to the U.S. to face charges. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there have been more than 150 threats against Jewish institutions in 37 states and two Canadian provinces since Jan. 9. The threats were accompanied by acts of vandalism on several Jewish cemeteries. The ADL said it was “relieved” that there’s been an arrest in the case, but urged the Jewish community to remain vigilant. “Identifying the suspect who allegedly did the majority of these bomb threats I think can bring some relief to the institutions that experienced these. So in that sense, we’re relieved,” ADL regional director for New York Evan Bernstein said. “We’re happy this is taking place, we’re happy there’s been some resolution here. Now we can’t let our eyes be taken off the ball about some of the other big issues facing the state of New York.” “Personally, it’s saddening. As a Jew and a as Zionist, to hear that the person is an Israeli Jew is very tough,” he added. “While the details of this crime remain unclear, the impact of this individual’s actions is crystal clear: These were acts of anti-Semitism. These threats targeted Jewish institutions, were calculated to sow fear and anxiety, and put the entire Jewish community on high alert,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “Even though it appears that the main culprit behind the majority of these attacks has allegedly been identified, anti-Semitism in the U.S. remains a very serious concern. No arrests have been made in three cemetery desecrations or a series of other anti-Semitic incidents involving swastika graffiti and hate fliers. JCCs and other institutions should not relax security measures or become less vigilant,” he added. Doron Krakow, CEO of the JCC Association of North America, said the organization was “troubled to learn” that the suspect is Jewish. “We are gratified by the progress in this investigation, and applaud the commitment and leadership of the FBI and other federal agencies, Israeli law enforcement, and local law enforcement across the United States and Canada,” Krakow said. “Throughout this long running period of concern and disruption that we are hopeful has come to an end, JCCs have had the opportunity to review and assess our security protocols and procedures, and we are confident that JCCs are safer today than ever before.” Jordan Shenker, head of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, said he is cautiously optimistic that the man arrested in Israel on Thursday acted alone and that the threats will be over. Shenker, whose center received three phone threats since January, said the arrest has led to a feeling of being able to exhale, but that the center has always prioritized security and will continue to. “I think there’s a sense of relief that somebody has been arrested and identified as centrally responsible for a large number of these calls,” Shenker told WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond. “Certainly very thankful to the FBI and the international intelligence community for the effort, energy and priority they put on resources to identify who has been responsible for these acts of hatred and intolerance.” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he hopes the arrest “brings comfort to those affected by his despicable hate crime.” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a statement saying, “Whatever their source, those threats were an assault on our values and our people.” “As the proud home of the world’s largest Jewish community, New York City will always stand ready to face down intolerance and stand up for our persecuted neighbors,” de Blasio added. “History teaches us that we can never be indifferent to the scourge of anti-Semitism, and we can never take lightly threats fueled by hate.” “They found him. I think I stated a couple weeks ago that this would come to a successful conclusion, and it did,” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. “People who engage in this type of behavior are going to suffer the consequences.” O’Neill couldn’t confirm whether the suspect targeted specific locations in New York. The threats led to criticism of the White House for not speaking out fast enough. Last month, the White House denounced the threats and rejected “anti-Semitic and hateful threats in the strongest terms.” Last month, a Missouri man was charged in connection with at least eight threats against the ADL headquarters in New York City and JCCs nationwide. Prosecutors said the threats were made in an effort to harass and vilify his former girlfriend. In New York City, anti-Semitic incidents – including bomb threats, swastikas on doors and subways, and threatening phone calls and emails — continue to skyrocket. Even with the prime suspect arrested, security experts remain vigilant as we approach the Jewish holidays. The NYPD will increase the police presence at all Jewish institutions in the city for Passover. “Now the Passover is coming, we may see copycats doing this, but will be investigated and dealt with accordingly as well,” Gomez said. (© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Let all who are hungry come & eat Jewish community members lead charge to open local co-op market in one of nation’s worst ‘food deserts’ By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer When Lela Klein grew up on Superior Avenue in Dayton View, her family’s idea of freedom at Passover was linked to economic justice. “You can’t really have freedom if you’re bogged down by the chains of poverty,” she says. Klein and her husband, both labor lawyers, returned to the Dayton area from Washington, D.C. in 2012 after their son was born. Klein is now executive director of the Greater Dayton Union Co-op Initiative. Her first charge with GDUCI: to open a grocery co-op for West and Northwest Dayton, one of the nation’s worst “food deserts.” Joining Klein to make the Gem City Market a reality on a fast-track fund-raising and construction timetable are Hall Hunger Initiative Senior Advisor Rick Carne and Hall Hunger Initiative Manager Etana Jacobi. GDUCI and HHI were both established three years ago. “HHI is an outgrowth of the awful food hardship numbers we became aware of three years ago,” says Carne, a public affairs and economic development consultant who was former U.S. Rep. Tony Hall’s longtime chief of staff. Carne is also a past chair of Dayton’s Jewish Community Relations Council and has served on the Ohio Jewish Communities board for several years. The Food Research and Action Center reported in April 2015 that the Dayton metro area ranked ninth in the nation for food hardship. Hall, known for his previous fights against hunger in the Dayton area and as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, called on Carne to set up HHI in Dayton, now a United Way partner. HHI’s goal is to reduce food insecurity and increase food access through collaborations with community stakeholders. In short order, Carne realized the community’s most pressing food priority was to help get Dayton’s first grocery co-op up and running. “We are seeing many of our neighbors deciding whether they are going to pay for food or they’re going to pay their heating bill,” says Jacobi, the newly-hired manager of HHI. “That is a decision no one should have to make.” A native of New Hampshire, Jacobi — whose father is Israeli — arrived in Dayton three years ago to work for the Kettering Foundation. She began volunteering with GDUCI in February 2017 when she met Klein; six months later, Carne hired Jacobi to manage HHI. “Dayton does a pretty good job of having an emergency food structure,” Klein says, “so when a family falls into an emergency need for food, there are a lot of places they can fill that need. What we don’t have is consistent, long-term access for working families.” She says the 2008 closure of the Kroger on Gettysburg Avenue was the tipping point toward Dayton’s food desert. “The loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs led to an already unstable situation becoming even more destabilized in West Dayton,” Klein says. Along with job losses, she cites the foreclosure crisis, unequal distribution of generational wealth, and the long-term divestment of money out of the community as devastating factors. “People are spending food dollars. They’re just spending it at the Dollar General, they’re spending it at Walgreens,” Klein says. “You go to the Walgreens by Good Sam and you see people filling their carts with groceries. That Walgreens does not have a produce department.” Carne notes that when people with low incomes arrive at hospital emergency rooms, often times they are malnourished. Klein says GDUCI initially considered opening its co-op at the site of the old Gettysburg Kroger. But when they conducted a market study, it turned out that lower Salem Avenue just south of Grand Avenue would be the best location. “You won’t have to be a member to shop there,” Klein says of Gem City Market. “It will feel like walking into a traditional, conventional grocery store: community-centered, bright, friendly worker-owners who care about your experience.” She plans to work with a wholesaler that itself is a co-op, with prices comparable to Kroger’s in-house brand. Approximately 30 percent of Gem City Market’s products will be organic and local. “We want everyone to feel welcome,” Klein says, “folks who have very limited budgets who are primarily shopping with SNAP to be able to get what they need, but also for folks who live in the neighborhood who want to get their organic kale.” Carne says the market has plans for a teaching kitchen, educational classes, and a nutritionist on site. Jacobi describes the market as the first step in building a different kind of economy in Dayton. “Food insecurity and food access issues don’t exist in a vacuum,” Jacobi says. “With this particular model, we’re able to not just address food insecurity, we’re also able to bring an institution that’s owned by the community and the workers.” Gem City Market is the first of several co-ops GDUCI has planned for Dayton. “We know the NCRs of the world and the GMs of the world are going to come and go,” Klein says. “We’ve learned that lesson. How can we build some economic anchors that are really and truly rooted here and that are accountable to us? That, to me, is the very long-term vision of GDUCI with Gem City Market.” Klein envisions the co-ops as an interconnected network of worker-owned businesses. “The worker co-op experience in the U.S. has been that you might have one pop up here or there, but they tend to be very fragile as stand-alone businesses,” Klein says. “What you see elsewhere in the world is that when co-ops work together as a family of co-ops, they are more resilient.” To determine which co-op businesses GDUCI will create next, Klein just hired Rachel Meketon, a graduate of MIT’s Urban Planning Program, as its project manager. It turns out that Meketon, originally from Philadelphia, is also Jewish. It was a happy coincidence when Klein and Jacobi each realized the other was Jewish; they were at the same Chanukah party. The social justice activists had already connected and were working together on the Gem City Market co-op project. And Klein only found out that Meketon was Jewish after she hired her. “I feel like I came into myself as a Jewish woman in some ways through my economic social justice work,” says Klein, who received her law degree from Harvard. “I’ve had so many mentors who have been Jewish women doing work around worker justice. That’s really shaped me and who I am.” Jacobi says that tikun olam, repairing the world, is at the top of her list of Jewish values. “It’s so incredibly important to not just be a Jew, but to be a human and to repair the world,” she says. “It’s part of what we’re supposed to do with our time on the Earth.” GDUCI is determined to break ground on the Gem City Market this fall in order to open its doors by late 2019. “That would mean raising another $1.5 million by this fall,” Klein says. “We know that people need access to fresh food now and that’s why we are being so aggressive.” To date, Klein, Carne, and Jacobi have raised more than $1 million in grants and pledges from local foundations and philanthropists toward their $4.2 million goal for Gem City Market. Klein says $4.2 million would allow GDUCI to open the market without debt on the building. “We’re hoping for a new market tax credit to come into the project, which might give us about $1 million in equity,” Klein says. “And then we’re hopeful for maybe a quarter of a million to half a million from the state capital budget.”

"Anyone, anywhere who ever utters, prints, types or otherwise conveys the word Indeed, will need to pay me the sum of $5,000.00 per incident," spoke a grinning Reynolds between sips from a tall, cold glass of cocker spaniel. "Back billings for prior uses of the word Indeed are already being mailed out as we speak, along with various charges for accrued interest, court costs, and other fees incurred. We have started with the bloggers. I would strongly advise against any bloggers out there attempting to alter their blogs to remove any occurrences of the word Indeed from either their front page or their archives. My minions and I already have screen captures of everything any of you have ever published. Attempting to alter your websites will only result in the filing of criminal charges. Muwahahahaha!" "Within the next few weeks," he continued, "We will get around to reading every book, magazine, newspaper and any other piece of printed material ever written, beginning, naturally, with the Bible. Churches everywhere should start taking up collections now, as we fully intend to bill you since God doesn't have any tangible assets in this plane of existence! From there, we will move on to television, motion pictures, radio broadcasts and the recording industry." "As for everyone else out there in the general populace, don't think my spies can't hear you if you utter the *magic word* in your private conversations. You didn't actually believe me when I pretended to oppose the Patriot Act, did you? Psych! Muwahahahaha!" "I would also like to remind you all that copies of my new book are available in the lobby. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I think I see a defenseless hobo across the street. Heh." It looks like an awful lot of us out here in the blogosphere are in deep doo-doo! Damn it! I just realized that posting this story cost me $25,000.00! Quick! Someone alert the Alliance legal defense team! We need to file an appeal on this ruling, ASAP! In the meantime, for all of you bloggers out there, I suggest we immediately switch to the use of Ind**d in place of the copyrighted word until this ugly business is cleared up! You know he is only going to use that money to finance his sick little penguin porn venture anyway, don't you? I'll be damned if I contribute to the delinquency of any flightless waterfowl! And let's not even discuss his depraved genetic mutation program! Do you understand now why I joined the Alliance??? THIS MAN MUST BE STOPPED AT ALL COSTS! For the love of God - HELP US, before it is too late!!! Instapundo Delenda Est! Besides, in the 8 1/2 months that I have been blogging here - not one stinking Insta-lanche! Not one! You'll pay, you puppy swilling bastard! You will pay!!! (NOTE: This story is nothing more than a filthy lie.) UPDATE 7/19: It has been mentioned by some well-informed folks both here and elsewhere that the word "trademark" would have been more appropriate than the word "copyright." This fact is duly noted. So, I'm not a lawyer... Thanks for the link! Holy cow! Let me extend a great big welcome to all the fine readers of Little Green Footballs! Mr. Johnson, sir, I am truly honored, thank you so much! Hope you all enjoy your visit to my humble little blog. NOTE: For some more laughs, be sure to check out the LGF thread, esp. the first 160 comments or so! Thanks be to the Almighty Leader of the Alliance! Welcome IMAO readers! Thank you, Frank J.! The cavalry has arrived! Thank you to the Alliance and its Filthy Lie Wrangler, GEBIV! Welcome Daily Pundit readers! This post is featured in Carnival of the Clueless #6 at Right Wing Nut House! Thanks for the links! The Jawa Report (The Force is with me!) Fistful of Fortnights The Llama Butchers (Hey! A Llama-link! Nothing to spit at!) The Jewish View WuzzaDem (Oooh! I feel all warm and "fuzza" inside.) What Attitude Problem? NIF (Another NIFty treat!) More Filthy Lies (Thanks for the link!): This post was submitted to Wizbang's Carnival of the Trackbacks XXI. This post is featured in File It Under's Carnival of Crazy II: Nuttypalooza. AND STILL NO INSTA-LANCHE!!!

(*Pssst: Even if you don’t believe in it!) Sitting at a Catholic funeral mass today, though I’m a Reform Jew with only a minimal belief in the afterlife (bordering on non-existent), I felt oddly comforted by the unification and spiritual centering that the mass provided. In Judeo-Christian religions, many life-cycle rituals are kind of similar with only the language and the order of prayers being recognizably different from one other. There was a small group of us sitting together to say goodbye to our friend. He had been Irish Catholic, hence the Catholic funeral; but most of the friends sitting there banded together in grief were a patchwork quilt of Jewish, Atheistic, Agnostic, Christian, and Pagan beliefs. Yet we all rose and said “Amen” at the same time, and we all sat down and bowed our heads when the Priest asked us to. We all shook hands, and all of us who knew the prayer of Matthew 6:11 said as much of it as we knew in unison, even though we were from different houses of worship (and in some cases, none at all). As I sat there pondering the beauty of the church as the sunlight beamed down from the ceiling windows onto the wooden cross that stood up on what in a synagogue we Jews would call the bimah, I wrestled with a mix of sad, surreal feelings when my eyes rested on my friend’s urn sitting on a small table lovingly surrounded by beautiful flowers. As we all sang in prayer to a version of G-d I do not believe in, and as the Priest spoke in lilting, wistful wonder of the pearly gates that await us all in the Christian glory of Heaven that I absolutely do not subscribe to, I still did not feel disconcerted, alien, or left out. Honestly? I felt solace. It was reassuring that all of us were in one place where we could band together to stand up for our friend, to let him know (regardless of whether we believed he could hear us or not), that we were there, that we loved him and that we missed him, in a deeply spiritual way, even if it was not how some of us might personally have expressed our sorrow. It was through the religious path of our friend that we performed our mourning rites to honor him, because that was his way. What better way to honor a person we loved than to say goodbye to them in the house of G-d they loved? I could not think of a more appropriate place (other than perhaps where he lived) to celebrate him and wish he were still with us than where his family had us gather. It was what he would have wanted, and no matter what you do or do not believe, I suspect this is the best way for people grieving to connect to each other, and to get through the tears without feeling alone. I may never be fervently religious. I love my Jewish faith, but I have struggled profoundly with maintaining a concrete belief in Hashem (If you held my feet to the fire, I’d say I’m a fairly solid believer, but in a heavily Deist-esque way). Yet no matter what my own personal belief in G-d is, as long as it isn’t physically harming anyone (or any creature), and as long as it isn’t forcing anyone to feel oppressed, I will always stand with others in other places of worship when asked to for weddings, for funerals, for wakes, and any other form of welcoming (or bidding farewell to) a new stage of life. It is not just my duty as a friend, but it feels like an important part of being human. Rituals, traditions, and cultural touchstones are what often help us get through the most fearsome, confusing, joyous, trying, and morose parts of existence on this tiny, blue dot. Religion, at least at times, can actually be helpful when you need a vessel with which to channel the wide berth of feelings that can overtake us all when confronting things like death, birth, marriage, divorce, or even like becoming 13! Living is a miasma of emotional uncertainty, and coming together as a community, even if only temporarily, even if only symbolically, can often help to ease the burdens these events can put on people who might often otherwise have been (or at least felt) alone for. Sharing in empathy, compassion, sorrow, and hope that we will all get through this journey in one piece somehow is what I believe religion is truly meant to help us do. Granted, that doesn’t mean that when I die, I expect everyone to sit Shiva for me for a whole week and figure out all the Hebrew in the Mourner’s Kaddish, (since I’m a Jewish convert, that would be VERY difficult for my biological family!), or to believe everything the Rabbi says about life and death, or G-d according to Jewish tradition (or at all!). But I do think that when my time comes, it is a great comfort to me to know that when the people I love are sitting in my little tiny shul in Troy NY, as a Rabbi says the prayers, they will be together as they close their eyes for a minute and remember me in one of the places I was most happy and had some of my most spiritual moments; that they can perform the important mitzvot (act) of nichum avelim: comforting the mourners, as well as each other, in my absence in my favorite synagogue. Please understand that I am not saying religion is great all of the time, or that is for everyone, or that it doesn’t have tremendous flaws. I’m married to an Atheist, so I am definitely understanding of some of the arguments against organized religion as a whole even while I choose to practice it myself. But in terms of the communal comfort and healing that religious traditions can often provide? For peace of mind like that even as a NYC Jewish girl sitting in a small, upstate Catholic Church; for a few hours at least, I can truly be a believer.

Rosemarie Beck's "Letters to a Young Painter" In the summer of 1966, the artist Rosemarie Beck (1923–2003) began preparing a talk she was scheduled to give at the University of Delaware the following year. Seven years earlier, she had made a similar appearance at Connecticut’s Wesleyan University. The New York critic Hilton Kramer had published the highlights of that talk in his Perspectives on the Arts (Arts Yearbook #5), c. 1961. For the 1967 talk, Beck planned to adapt the much admired model that the German author Rainer Maria Rilke had established in his Letters to a Young Poet. It was a fitting choice. Beck’s still unpublished Letters to a Young Painter were dispatches from a perfect hinterland in terms of her career arc and artworld trends.1 In a 1944 essay for The Nation entitled “Abstract Art,” the critic Clement Greenberg had noted that: Artists will do whatever they can get away with, and what they can get away with is not determined beforehand. Good landscapes, still lifes and torsos will still be turned out. Yet it seems to me—and the conclusion is forced by observation not by preference—that the most ambitious and effective pictorial art of these times is abstract or goes in that direction. And in a 1986 PBS documentary, Robert Motherwell and the New York School: Storming the Citadel, Robert Motherwell suggested that Abstract Expressionist painters had become the inhabitants of the art world’s citadel, rather than the ones storming it. For all her talent and insight as an artist, Rosemarie Beck might as easily never have joined the hordes storming the citadel, let alone imagined a place inside it. Beck’s earliest affinity was for music. She took violin lessons from the age of ten and played in a string quartet into her thirties, long after establishing herself as an artist. Late in her life, she compared her brushstroke to “a note of music.” In light of this extensive musical background, it is no surprise she painted several versions of the Orpheus myth. She undertook the study of art history as an undergraduate at Oberlin College in 1940 because the school lacked a studio art program. In 1944, she began work as an assistant to the influential Surrealist painter Kurt Seligmann, running errands and perform- ing clerical tasks in exchange for instruction. Her future husband, the writer Robert Phelps, was afraid she would become “a second Seligmann,” but Beck was drawn in a different direction. In an early 1945 letter to Phelps, she confessed: “I have [a] horrible presentiment that I may grow into [an] abstractionist. (Would you mind?) My own mother, I do believe, would most assuredly disown me.” Phelps did not mind, and her tongue-in-cheek fears of maternal disapproval were unfounded as well. Shortly thereafter, she came into contact with Bradley Walker Tomlin and Philip Guston, each of whom provided early encouragement. Of Tomlin and Guston in particular, she told the critic and curator Jennifer Samet in an unpublished 2002 interview: “They were my teachers—in the sense that I hadn’t been to school.” Her beginnings as an artist found Beck classed as an Abstract Expressionist, and her work in this vein earned her inclusion in Kootz Gallery’s “New Talent” show of 1950. A New York Times review of the offerings at Kootz concluded: “There is considerable authority in statements by several of the young painters if, as yet, most of them seem too near various sources.” Years later, in her Letters, Beck made a similar assessment of her development as a painter, noting: “Your true subject is often revealed to you very early in your painting life, but like Peter denying Christ, you put it down: it doesn’t work historically, it looks too perverse, too private, too slight maybe? It takes a whole lifetime of painting to realize this.” Robert Motherwell, Philip Guston and Bradley Walker Tomlin were early champions of Beck’s work. She had had her first solo show in 1953 at Peridot Gallery in New York. Her work had appeared at the Whitney Museum in New York and the Tate in London. She had had six other solo shows at Peridot by 1966, but by the late 1950s, Beck had moved toward figuration. “Be fearless of the unknown,” she planned to advise her imagined Young Painters. “You’re not an artist if you’re fearful—remember and chasten [yourself] with this truth.” Beck’s 1958 Self-Portrait was a bellwether in her shift to figurative subjects, though it gave no indication of what a rich colorist she would become. That aspect of her work became apparent in her Le Macquillage/Magdalen series of the early 1960s, her first foray into narrative painting. This change of direction had serious implications for her career. She was caught between two tides—Abstract Expressionism, from which she appeared to be a defector, and Pop, which seemed to devalue the effort and technique that artists like Beck employed. She held to her own particular vision, and trusted her instincts in choosing color, brushwork and subject matter. The break from Abstract Expressionism was not as pronounced to her as it seemed to observers, however. She said: “I call myself a realist (figurative is the official word) but essentially I think abstractly almost entirely in the sense that I never think of a real tree, a real apple but of interlocking forms.” Beck’s figurative work often dealt with literary and mythological subjects. In addition to her enduring fascination with the Orpheus myth, she completed paintings based on Apollo and Daphne, Atalanta, Icarus and Phaedra, as well as a series of works drawn from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. This was perhaps due in part to her husband’s influence early on, but Beck’s motivations went beyond that. For instance, The Tempest, she told Jennifer Samet, “was very obvious. I carried that theme along in my head for a long time. And it was stimulated by reading the first line. And the writer’s aside "Enter Mariners, wet." I was fascinated by how one could paint that.” As a teacher, Beck did not have missionary zeal, though she gave freely of what she knew, both through her teaching positions at colleges in the Northeast and via talks like the ones at Wesleyan and Delaware. She had ideas and opinions, yes, but humility as well. The move to more figurative work meant confronting new problems in conception and composition. In May 1966, while preparing her Delaware talk, she confided in a letter to the writer Bernard Malamud her plans to finish two paintings which, she felt, were taking too long and were “both in crises of doubt.” Such misgivings are natural enough. (Think of Alberto Giacometti’s repeated expressions of uncertainty and frustration, chronicled in A Giacometti Portrait, when working with James Lord as his sitter.) Yet the fact that these misgivings so closely coincided with Beck’s decision to offer guidance to younger painters showed her recognition of the distinct stages of development they were about to confront. In Beck’s case, the early part of her career seems to have offered greater comfort with her work. “If you are talented, you imitate and you feel a sense of power that isn’t really your own,” she told Lorraine Gilligan in a 1978 American Artist interview. Just before beginning the Letters, she noted in her journal her tendency to follow Bradley Walker Tomlin’s example too closely as a young artist, to “[borrow] a hand,” as she put it, before concluding, “I don’t think he would recognize his hand now.” Indeed, she had planned to confide to the Delaware audience: “Talk about influence is much more comprehensive than merely having teachers or Masters.” She had moved beyond looking to her near contemporaries as exemplars. An extensive tour of Italy brought heightened affinities for artists like Piero della Francesca and Paolo Uccello. “It’s a question of looking at everything,” she wrote, “especially works of art. The formation of style is in this attentive beholding. In the very places where you seek comprehension the Mystery becomes your daemon.” Indeed, when Piero’s Resurrection proved to be off view, she decided to “see the land first and imagine the rest.” This approach tracked closely with one of her beliefs: Certain considerations are more imperious than making art. Whatever it is that summons us away from our studios, our desks, our music, paper, is what we must heed—the very substance of our art without which our making has no life, smelling only of the lamp. It’s in the denial of what summons. Though we unspeakably yearn, it’s out of this we fabricate, invent, substitute, sublimate—whatever you choose to call it. In time, Beck abandoned the Letters to a Young Painter premise, concluding: “My initial enthusiasm passed. I didn’t want to instruct or bear witness for the moment.” Some of her entries in the series are cryptic. Others read like aborted thoughts. Yet there is value in the best of these maxims, both for what they reveal about Beck’s process, in particular, and the play between the apparently divergent styles we associate with Abstract Expressionist and figurative painters. Years later, Beck revisited the premise. Perhaps she had accumulated knowledge and experience enough, had spent enough hours guiding young painters in classroom settings, to feel comfortable extending these lessons to a larger audience. In the 1990s, she presented versions of a talk drawn from the Letters to students at the New York Studio School, Swarthmore, Vassar and Wright State University, among other institutions. Her health faltered in the years that followed, but by that time Beck’s belief in the project was great enough that the artist Catherine Drabkin presented the talk a number of times on her behalf.2 As a whole, Beck’s Letters show an artist who has known some acclaim, completing a transition from one phase of her career to another with humility in the face of new formal and technical challenges. They are unfailingly forthright, and they provide a meaningful gloss on her work as an artist, and on the climate in the years after Abstract Expressionism had taken up residence at the center of the American art world. “How do you put the passion in?” Beck asks at one point in the Letters, just the type of question an aspiring painter might pose. “You can’t,” she responds. “You stick to your sense of relations and if you’re passionate it will come through.” It is advice that Beck followed closely herself. Her paintings, like her advice, remind us she was an artist not only conversant with risk, but one who courted it.3 1. The “letters” referenced here are fragments from Beck’s journal, c. 1966. The journal spanned the entirety of her adult life, practically speaking. Access to these materials was provided by Beck’s granddaughter Doria Hughes, who serves as Secretary of the Rosemarie Beck Foundation and archivist of Beck’s writings and correspondence. Hughes’s husband, Curtis, a composer, adapted selections from Beck’s journals in 2005 and 2006 as The Beck Journals, Vols. 1 and 2. 2. Drabkin and the painter Martha Hayden, who is also Vice President of the Rosemarie Beck Foundation, are at work on a book-length treatment of Beck’s Letters, entitled Letters to Young Painters. 3. There were a number of Beck exhibitions this spring, covering a wide range of her work: Helzer Art Gallery, Portland Community College, Rock Creek, Oregon, “Drawings”(February 9–March 10); Broadway Lobby Gallery, Portland State University, “Paintings” (February 18–May 3); the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, “Embroideries” (January 14–March 22).