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NOW WHO IS DISOBEDIENT TO THE POPE?
Let's have some instructional fun with Pius and Adrian's mouthpiece.
On December 1, 2005, Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Sacraments, sent an Instruction to the Neocatechumenal leadership: Kiko Arguello, Carmen Hernandez, and Mario Pezzi. The Instruction began with the words:
"I am to inform you of the Holy Father's decisions."
Cardinal Arinze, in the name of the pope, outlined SIX items relative to the celebration of Kiko's particular way of celebrating the Liturgy, including this one:
5. On the manner of receiving Holy Communion, a period of transition (not exceeding two years) is granted to the Neocatechumenal Way to pass from the widespread manner of receiving Holy Communion in its communities (seated, with a cloth-covered table placed at the center of the church instead of the dedicated altar in the sanctuary) to the normal way in which the entire Church receives Holy Communion. This means that the Neocatechumenal Way must begin to adopt the manner of distributing the Body and Blood of Christ that is provided in the liturgical books.
After the SIX points are laid out, Arinze again stresses:
In short, the Neocatechumenal Way, in its celebration of the Holy Mass, should follow the approved liturgical books, keeping in mind what is laid out above under the numbers 1,2,3,4,5, and 6.
Just over a month later, on January 9, 2006, on KOLG, our local Catholic radio station, Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, Archbishop of Agana, publicly rejected the instruction issued in the name of Pope Benedict XVI and called into question the credentials of Cardinal Arinze, saying:
"Arinze, to tell you the truth, is really not for the Way, and I don't know what credentials he has..."
Audio here. Transcript here.
In fact, Apuron went beyond just criticizing Cardinal Arinze, Apuron turned the pope's DIRECT INSTRUCTION to conform to the liturgical books into a papal permit to DO JUST THE OPPOSITE:
"...it is the first time in the history of the church that we were given permissions for the variations that is being done in the Neo Catechumenal Way, officially by the pope."
Apuron, of course was just repeating what he had been told to say. And guess by who?
"When Vatican analyst Andrea Tornielli first gave the news of the pope's directions, the official spokesman and director of the Way in the United States, Giuseppe Gennarini, protested that in reality these orders amounted to an approval...Gennarini called the very authenticity of this letter into question." (Source)
Also see Neocatechetical Spin Update and Neocatechumenal Update: It's Still Spin, by Jimmy Akin.
(By the way, NOTICE Apuron's use of the word "we." Here Apuron identifies himself as no longer Archbishop of Agana.)
Aware that his authority was being undermined by the leadership of the Neocatechumenal Way and even by an Archbishop in Guam, Pope Benedict addressed the Neocatechumenal Way at a special audience on January 12, 2006, reminding Kiko and his followers that the Instruction had been issued in the name of the pope, and demanded that the Neocatechumenals comply with it:
"Recently the congregation for divine worship and the discipline of the sacraments imparted to you, in my name, some norms concerning the Eucharistic celebration, after the trial period that had been granted by the servant of God John Paul II. I am certain that these norms, which draw upon the provisions of the liturgical books approved by the Church, will meet with attentive compliance from you." (Source)
Five days later, Kiko and his clowns told Pope Benedict that they were going to do it their way anyway:
...we have always shown to the many brothers who have emerged from hell, full of wounds and of self-loathing, that in the Holy Eucharist the Lord makes present his love, dying and rising for them; and not only that, but prepares a table, an eschatological banquet, which makes Heaven present and where He himself, full of love, has them sit down and comes to serve them: "He will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them" (Lk 12:37).
In this way, every time we celebrate the Eucharist we experience the power this sacrament has to draw them into the Passover of Christ, bringing them from sadness to joy, from darkness to light, from death to life… "
It's the typical avalanche of words and half truths that Kiko uses to overwhelm any opposition to his agenda, even if it is the pope. The passage from Luke is a description of what will happen in Heaven, Kiko manipulates it to justify his practice on earth. Skip the passion and death of Jesus Christ (the Sacrifice), skip the solemn reverence due him in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and sit down and be waited on.
Theologians and exegetes can argue all they want, but in the Catholic Church (which the rest of us belong to) the Pope has the final say on the Liturgy. Yet, Kiko, Gennarini, and Apuron, all tell him to go to hell, that they are going to continue doing it their way. And so they have.
NOTE: The CCOG, the LFM, and all people who care that the title Archbishop of Agana still belongs to a man named Anthony S. Apuron, will continue to publicly call for his resignation if not total and absolute LAICIZATION.
This has nothing to do with Archbishop Hon, his duties, or his authority. The people have a right, and have always had a right to show to the world their absolute revulsion of the man who not only wreaked havoc on this diocese for three decades but, as we are now learning, raped and mutilated our children. In this regard, WE WILL CARRY ON.
frenchie June 11, 2016 at 10:33 AM
The type of diarrhea coming out of Diana's mouth is similar to what I am always faced with, when trying to establish a debate with an Atheist or a Communist.
This is double language all the time. Leading the conversation to a field of questions and answers always pre-determined in advance, which they have trained for like monkeys in a circus.
In order to have a conversation, you need to have both parties willing to follow an intelligent and honest set of rules. In the case of the neos, you have neither.
What you get is a set of prearranged quotes for a situation or another.
The Neos are the Pavlov dogs of the religious world.
Dear Frenchie,
You think the quote from St. Paul is misplaced here. I doubt very much that you also think the exercise of love itself is misplaced in addressing the problems we face in the Church on Guam. These problems have been long in the making. It will require patience to sort them out. If love is to find us a solution and bring eventual healing and unity, unkind words aimed at sinners as well as those sinned against will have to fall away. Dishonoring of the suffering and those causing suffering will have to desist. Tempers all around will have to cool. Self-seeking, from whatever quarter, will have to give way to care for the other. If we do not prepare the soil for the flower of love, we will choke both it and, eventually, ourselves. I think you agree, n'est pas?
Care for the other is obvious and inherent in the Christian heart. That is not in question. For there to be resolution of the problems on Guam, certain things need to happen.
1. Reach out to the victims - chastise those that have called thm liars
2. Revoke the decree against the CCOG
3. Remove the NCW structures (and personnel) from the administration of the Archdiocese
4. Immediately instruct the NCW to conform their liturgical practises to those of the Church.
That would be a start. In time, the Deed Restriction on the RMS would need to be removed, and the influence of Pius and Gennarini addressed.
These things are non-negotiable in my mind. I have been following this blog for about three years and Tim has been correct right from the beginning. There can be no hope for reconciliation without the above, but that does not preclude them being done with charity for all the people of the Church.
Dishonoring the suffering? How does the truth dishonor the suffering? Tempers need to cool? So you don't like confrontation! The soil (church)has been infected with weeds(NCW). Remove the weeds and the flowers(love)will flourish.
The laity must step forward as we've witnessed here on Guam. Confrontation is not rude, impolite, selfish or a dishonor to anyone but the faint of heart.
Mr. Williams, one dishonors those who suffer by vilifying them.
frenchie June 11, 2016 at 4:03 PM
Ah Mr Guile!
In order to prepare the soil for the flower, one of the first thing you do is rid yourself of the bad weeds.
The gardener is very nurturing and attentive to his flowers, not only does he need to keep the bad weeds away, but the snails and other invasive species.
Only through his careful and loving attention, do the flowers come to their full potential.
Since you have a liking for studying the Bible, I will refer you to
Matthew 13:25 and the parable of the weeds. It is very appropriate in our case. It reflects the challenge Archbishop Hon is facing as a careful and loving tender of his field.
Love is to be use with wisdom and discernment, it grows in the trust of the other, and has to be unconditional.
At this point, in the history of our Church on Guam it certainly does not meet these criterias.
Trust has been broken.
The love was too conditional.
I think Mickey (God bless her soul) would agree, n'est ce pas?
Frenchie, Of course, those who are unfit for office should be removed, perhaps even laicized or punished financially or otherwise, but such is done for the greater good (cf. Thomas Aquinas), that their old selves be deconstructed to become a new being in Christ. As Christians we are meant to love others, even with a hard, punishing love, but not damn them. That's up to God to do.
frenchie June 12, 2016 at 1:09 AM
Dear Mr Guile,
Calling a cat a cat, is in no way damning said cat. Some people find it hard to love a cat, because cats are peculiar in the way they express or not their attention.
The cats, even the domesticated ones, are inherently predators, and as such their nature displays some of these talents in ways that can be problematic, for some people. Ergo the number of dog lovers.
In the same way some people can be predatorial in their behavior. This of course can become a big problem in a societal environment.
This kind of behavior among societies in general, and small ones in particular can be destructive. Since you studied so called (and I don't like the term) primitive societies, you certainly know that there are moral codes that channel and in some cases sanction these behaviors.
Hence the societal taboos in place in most if not all societies, from the most basic to very developed.
We as Christians have codified these norms to a greater degree, and enforced them for centuries.
Demanding as faithful that these norms be enforced is in no way throwing the oprobe, or anger on the culprits, just enforcing what is just and necessary.
Implying in a passive/aggressive round about way, that people demanding that these norms be applied, is tauntamont to having non Christian feelings is grossly misguided, if not preposterous.
Once more there is no need to apologize for the indefensible,specialy in regards to those amongst us who dare going after our most innocent and most weak, the children. This is even more unlawful morally when the offender is one that has the responsibility to keep and share the moral values in total contradiction with these actions.
Any such suggestion at this time would be sterile and counter productive.
Frenchie, Sorry if I misunderstood you, but your reference to Mt. 13 led me to think you sought a damning of the weeds or evil-doers. If you read the parable of the weeds to the end, you read that the owner of the field (i.e., God) orders the weeds to be collected to be burned (i.e., to be condemned). But here the owner, or God, does the condemning.


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How Rahm Emanuel Would Run the World
In this interview, first heard on Freakonomics Radio last year, Steve talks with the former top adviser to presidents Clinton and Obama, about his record — and his reputation. And Rahm explains that while he believes in the power of the federal government, as former mayor of Chicago, he says that cities are where problems really get solved.
Produced by Morgan Levey and Harry Huggins
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Steven LEVITT: Today, we go back to the beginning, my first guest, Rahm Emanuel, the episode that started it all. When I sat down with Rahm on March 2, 2020, and again one month later, the Covid pandemic was just getting going. We actually met in person that first time — the only in-person interview I've done. We didn't have a name for the show. People I (Mostly) Admire came later. We didn't even really have a concept. I just knew I wanted to talk with smart, interesting people. So we taped this interview with Rahm, we released it into the Freakonomics Radio feed — people seemed to like it. And People I (Mostly) Admire was born.
Welcome to People I (Mostly) Admire, with Steve Levitt.
LEVITT: If you're a regular listener hearing this episode, you'll notice that the format of the show has changed a lot over time. One thing we figured out right away is that I am terrible reading from a script. The episode you're about to hear begins with me reading a long biography about Rahm. How hard could that be? Well, for me, very hard. It took roughly 20 takes to get something I thought sounded decent. And Dubner heard it and said, God, that's awful. You must be able to do better than that. So roughly 40 tries later, I produced what you'll hear below. And it's still hopelessly, embarrassingly bad. So have a good laugh at my expense and be glad we banished long scripted segments from the podcast.
LEVITT: I'm fascinated by unconventional people, probably because I'm so weird myself. I especially like unconventional people who also happen to be really smart. I find that if I can spend an hour talking with someone like that, it often completely reshapes the way I see the world. But there's a problem. It's hard to find people like that, and even harder to get them to talk to me once I've found them. Usually, they've got something much more important to do. So I hatched a plan. What if I start a podcast? Maybe I could convince some of those folks who otherwise wouldn't talk to me, to talk to me. So far, I would say the plan is working pretty well. Today's guest, Rahm Emanuel, is the first person I approached for the podcast, and I can guarantee you he would not have spent two hours over the course of two days talking with me absent this podcast. Typically, I have zero interest in politics — I don't know much about political science, and it seems like politicians mostly rehash the same arguments every day with little desire to find real answers. But I was eager to talk with Rahm because I had just finished reading his fascinating book The Nation City: Why Mayors Are Now Running the World. It's full of deep insights, and that's no surprise, since he has a reputation for being one of the smartest people in politics. Presidents Clinton and Obama both relied heavily on his advice. Because of his work during the Obama administration, Rahm's name became permanently associated with the phrase "never let a good crisis go to waste." He also spent three terms as a Congressman from Illinois and two terms as Mayor of Chicago. He comes from a family of overachievers: His older brother Ezekiel is a leading bioethicist and advised the Obama administration on healthcare reform; his younger brother Ari is at the top of William Morris Endeavor, one of the biggest talent agencies in the world. Of the brothers, Rahm may have the biggest reputation for being a foul-mouthed, fearless, ruthless maniac. As a teenager, working at Arby's, Rahm had an on-the-job accident that took off half of the middle finger on his right hand. The story goes that when the doctor unwrapped Rahm's hand after surgery, he flicked everyone off and said from now on he'd have to give people the middle finger twice to have the desired effect. While still in his 30s and working in the Clinton administration, Rahm is reputed to have pulled British prime minister Tony Blair aside just before he took the stage at an event, and admonished him, "This is important. Don't f*ck it up!" Now that is somebody I want to get to know better. Here is a guy who has been wildly successful. And yet, it is totally clear he doesn't play by the rules that usually turn me away from politics. As I waited for Rahm to show up for our first interview in Chicago, I started to have some misgivings. Rahm's team had called ahead to the sound guy at the studio. Rahm was in a terrible mood, they warned. He had injured his leg the night before, and was in intense pain. In addition, Rahm's father Benjamin — the two were extremely close — had passed away a few months earlier; the day of our interview would have been his father's 93rd birthday. Knowing Rahm's fierce reputation, I can honestly say I was a little bit afraid as we sat down to talk. Maybe you can hear it in my voice.
LEVITT: We're rolling? Great. Rahm, why don't you tell us your name, what you're doing now, and a couple of the jobs you've done in the past.
Rahm EMANUEL: Rahm Israel Emanuel, father of three, former senior adviser to President Clinton. Member of Congress, and in the leadership — chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. President Obama's chief of staff and then mayor of the city of Chicago for two terms.
LEVITT: The thesis of your book, Rahm, is that mayors run the world and Covid must be the toughest possible test of that thesis. It's a truly global disaster that's disproportionately hitting the large cities. And it's one that requires, you know, national, cross-national cooperation. Do you think of Covid as being the exception to your rule that mayors run the world?
EMANUEL: One of the principles of the book is that as the national government was dysfunctional, local and state leaders were going to step up. Now, I say in the book and I want to repeat, there is no replacement on certain levels. I mean, you can't really have an immigration policy or a climate-change policy just in Chicago. You do need the national government to do certain things. I do think one of the things that's going to come out of this is that we're no longer going to accept this kind of dysfunction. It's just not going to be acceptable that the wealthiest country is this fundamentally unprepared for the future. That said, you know, you can look at state and local leaders who have done extraordinary things because, you know, power vacuums get filled. Mayor Garcetti was the first to say that he's going to make wearing masks the blanket policy of Los Angeles. And then, all of a sudden, the CDC a week later is issuing that guidance.
LEVITT: Let me toss off a hypothesis I have, which is related to what you've been saying. So, this particular crisis has been incredibly information-rich. It's been data-rich. And the actions people have to take depend on their ability to understand data and models and forecasting, because the point at which you have to take radical action is the point at which almost nobody was sick, almost no one was dying. And my own hypothesis is that we've done a really bad job in this country at making people data-literate. And our school systems haven't focused on data. They haven't kept up with the advances in thinking and computing over the last 50 years. And I think we're paying the price in this epidemic because many public servants and many policymakers aren't trained to think in the right way about data science and models. What's your reaction to that?
EMANUEL: Well, this is rare for an Emanuel. I haven't thought about that, so I don't know. But usually we have answers before we have questions. My knee-jerk answer is I'm not sure everybody should be walking around being a data scientist. That's what data scientists are for. But let me say this. We're having a big argument inside the Emanuel brothers. Everybody's guessing, even the best data scientists. And everybody goes, "Oh, just follow the scientists." Well, you know, I come from a medical family. My dad, you know, how many times my dad asked for a second opinion? There's a reason you ask for a second opinions. The science — I mean, I hate this analogy when everybody goes, "Oh, just follow the science." Well, the science isn't clear! We're chasing information and it's moving in real time as we're making judgments. And that's where you're going to need just making a judgment. In the storm of a crisis, you're making informed, educated guesses. And the emphasis is on the word, "guess," not "informed" or "educated."
LEVITT: You're hitting on a point that I make all the time with my students, which is that the most important talent of a data scientist is common sense and thoughtfulness. And data alone are never the answer. It's combining data with reasonable models of the world, with humility. But I want to give you credit, Rahm, as well, because you were just able to say, "I don't know," which I think says a lot about you. And I think on those questions where you answer with confidence, I think that should increase our confidence of the answers you're giving.
EMANUEL: I may have you call some family members.
LEVITT: If you were a public servant right now, and you had to think about coming out of this quarantine, what job would you want to have and what would you be trying to do?
EMANUEL: I think I had the two jobs I would want in any crisis, which is the mayor and chief of staff. On the national level, I think you've got to do three things right now. One is how to step up a robust testing system, because you're going to need it both for identification of hot spots and the ability to transition to some level of normalcy on the economy. Two, a reorganization, I think, on the economic level. The first bill was a disaster-relief bill. It's very clear there's going to be more need for disaster relief. And then how to really think through what a stimulus bill should be. And I've thought about, you know, not only the normal infrastructure, which will take two to three years to spend out, the 5G and broadband universal you're going to need because we're going to have online learning, telemedicine, and stay-at-home work. That's going to become the new norm. And you got to have a floor to guarantee equitable participation in that new economy. And then I think major, major investments in our public health. You know, to quote Warren Buffett, "When the tide goes out, you see who was swimming without shorts." And even though I think we have a great healthcare system in the country, the kind of starvation budget of our public health indicates that we have not kept up with future public health needs. And then third, you know, if you look at history, in the beginning of the era of the Cold War, we realized we needed a more coordinated effort. The National Security Council was established. After 9/11, we created the Homeland Security Department and the DNI, the Director of National Intelligence, to bring all our intelligence agencies together. After the poor response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992 in Florida, President Clinton, when he got elected, elevated FEMA to a cabinet level, put a serious person there, and plussed-up the budget. This is our fifth pandemic in 20 years. You're going to need a new office for bringing together all the resources so there's one person in charge and accountable for our public health, early detection, mobilization, and deployment of resources. Because SARS, MERS, H1N1, swine flu, Ebola, since not one of those really destabilized us, we got our guard down. But we've been exposed, and now we're going to have to organize. You can't have CDC, NIH, FEMA, the military, the intelligence all playing a role in this, but nobody accountable for it.
LEVITT: Why did you choose public service?
EMANUEL: I grew up in a home where politics — not just electoral politics, but current events — was debated constantly. My mother was an activist who set up and ran the C.O.R.E. here in Chicago, Congress of Racial Equality. Did all the open housing and integration of beaches in Chicago. My father, as an immigrant, was a pediatrician trying to set up a practice. And in 19, I think, '62, quits the — he's been here like three years, barely speaks English, and he quit the American Medical Association over national health care, which he was for and they were against. And then just a few years later, with maybe just a few more words of English under his belt, he sues the city of Chicago over lead in household paint and organized the pediatricians against that.
LEVITT: Your dad was certainly ahead of his time with lead.
EMANUEL: Just 52 years.
LEVITT: But your mom as well, I mean, the racial attitudes in Chicago in the 1960s, they weren't particularly friendly, right?
EMANUEL: No. In fact, when we lived on Buena, which is in Edgewater, we got kicked out of there because of all the, as the landlord said, all the colored people that were coming to the house. And so, it was very much in the home. And both of them, both on economic and social and racial justice, demanded the kids do something also of social and political value.
LEVITT: So, let's fast forward. As I understand it, you took a huge bet on a governor that nobody ever heard of. And it seems like that's been paying dividends ever since.
EMANUEL: My dad was totally against this. So I used to tease him about it. So, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, when I was political director in the late '80s, was a congressman from Arkansas. So we used to go through Arkansas quite frequently. And I got to know Bill Clinton and believed what he was doing, and we kept up that dialogue. And I decided I was single, young. I always wanted to do a presidential. And the guy was at 2 percent, a whopping 2. Bill Clinton, after the debacle of his '88 convention speech, was a kind of a dumb bet. If you were taking a safe bet, you would have done Mario Cuomo. And I thought, I'll just get this done with my system. I want to do a presidential. I want to try this out. And I believe in Bill Clinton.
LEVITT: And what was so special about him?
EMANUEL: Bill Clinton always said that the most underappreciated, undervalued thing in politics is ideas. And I thought he had a new way of thinking about it. And I thought, could pick the lock that Republicans had at that point, because they've gone the 12 year stretch in the White House. You have to be idealistic enough to know why you're doing what you're doing and then tough enough to get it done. And if you look at successful presidents in history, neither one tips the scales too far one way or the other. They have both of those skill sets. And you look at all the ones that never make it, they usually tip one way or the other. So, Bill Clinton in 1997 — proposed children's health insurance program with pediatric care, eye and dental, by expanding Medicaid. The Republicans came back and countered with pediatric care, no eye and dental, but outside Medicaid. And we cut the deal. It was President Clinton's pediatric care, eye and dental. But outside of Medicaid, which is the Republican model. The Republicans cared more about whether it was inside or outside of an entitlement program, Medicaid, and the President says, "We're here to get kids health care. We're not here to get a program expanded." Newt Gingrich says, "We're going to accuse you of nothing but welfare for people that work." And President Clinton said, "Listen, Mr. Speaker, I'm just gonna tell you this right now. You just go ahead — you could throw me into that briar patch, because when I'm done, I'm gonna have a policeman, a fireman, a teacher, and a nurse standing outside. And you can call them welfare. Make my day. Go ahead and throw me into the briar patch." And Monday morning, we scheduled that press conference and they were folded like a cheap suit the next day.
LEVITT: When you talk about Clinton, I could sit here all day. But let's talk about Obama. So you left the Clinton administration and won election to the U.S. Congress and did three terms there. And then you got the call from Obama to come and be his chief of staff.
EMANUEL: I was trying to change my cell phone number. I didn't really want to do it.
LEVITT: That, to me, seems like the best job on the planet. Like, I would like to have that job.
EMANUEL: The difference between you and I, Steve — I knew what the White House was like. You don't. Okay? I know what the chief of staff job is.
LEVITT: So, what is the chief of staff job?
EMANUEL: It's the most miserable job in America. So — it's the toughest job. The world is falling apart. It's a tough job even when the world is going good. Worst is probably the wrong adjective. It's the toughest, most thankless job, that's true, probably. Which adds up to the worst job. Let me back up. I've become chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, — win it, and Nancy becomes the first female speaker. I then become caucus chair, which is fourth in ranking, and I'm basically a sophomore. I'd been to the White House. I was now on my road in the House, my own voting card, my own identity, etc. And all of a sudden — if you go to the White House, as I used to say, the White House is family-friendly to the First Family. It's not family friendly to anybody else. And I would have to go six months away from my children. They would have to finish school, then come move out there, everybody would have to disrupt their lives. And even when they moved out there, I'd barely see them. And I didn't want that. But I also grew up — my grandfather on my mother's side, my Grandpa Herman, if the president asks you to do something it's either "yes" or "yes, sir." And it took me about 48 hours to figure out which answer I wanted to give.
LEVITT: So, one of the things I've heard, — I know nothing about Washington — is that the most important thing about the chief of staff is that the flow of information that could potentially get to the president is infinite. And the president's got finite time. And what makes it so powerful is that you control what the president sees.
EMANUEL: I used to tell the cabinet this. You can get in to see the president but you're not walking in with a problem. I want to see all the solutions you're offering. You are not allowed to dump on the president your problem, after his day, he's supposed to think of your solution. So, I want to see your solutions. Two or three. Nothing less. And you can't have a phony one, a pig-in-a-poke, and then the one you want, but you're scared of the politics. You got to have real, viable options. And nobody gets in without presenting those options to me. And I would also organize the rest of this senior staff or core group, David Axelrod, Gibbs, etc. you know, to see it, evaluate and scrub it, because you cannot go in and dump your problem on him. That's not fair. So, that was one thing. The other thing is, you got to help the president evaluate all the options. President Kennedy used to say, "To govern is to choose between bad and worse." And the judgment you need is to figure out which one is bad and which one is worse.
LEVITT: There are arguably few worse situations for a president than taking office in the immediate aftermath of a severe and dramatic economic downturn. Just weeks after Obama was sworn in in 2009, he signed a $787 billion stimulus package, which was among the largest spending bills in U.S. history. This came on the heels of his predecessor George Bush's $700 billion T.A.R.P. bill to bail out failing banks and other companies.
EMANUEL: And Republicans are against both, even under Bush. So basically within a blink of the eye for the American people, you've approved $1.6 trillion dollars. And then we passed kids' health care, Lilly Ledbetter on pay equity and fairness, etc., some other things. I was making a very strong case to the President that we should do financial reform. The financial team led by Tim Geithner, Larry Summers, etc., are against what I want, because they said the doubt of a long battle about financial reform would stop banks from lending and that would not let the economy recover.
LEVITT: What did they want to do instead?
EMANUEL: It wasn't what they wanted to do, it was what they didn't want to do. Okay? Now, I made an argument to the president: One, the political system needs some Old Testament justice. We needed a banker in the middle of the public square and just slap him silly. Two, because of the financial meltdown, you were more likely to get a bipartisan vote, which both the T.A.R.P. and the stimulus bill did not have. Third is, you would fight with the bankers. Now, if you have to have an opponent, I like bankers. I thought, culturally, politically, holding the bankers and the financial industry's feet to the fire and reforming the system would both garner bipartisanship and be a sense to the public, the middle class, that were still — their homes are underwater — it would be somewhat of a catharsis that somebody upstairs was being held accountable. To President Obama's great credit, we had a four-hour Saturday Roosevelt Room discussion. I lost the fight. He made his decision. Healthcare first. But what I loved about both President Clinton and President Obama is you were never scared to disagree with them. But once a decision was made, you enforced that decision. President Obama — I gave him advice on financial reform, lose that battle. He decides health care. I've been through this movie before. It doesn't look pretty. I said, "Okay, if this is what we're going to do, fine." I told him upfront, "You will pass nothing else when you're done. Kaput. Because this is not one that gets money back into the account. You're taking it all out." He made that decision. The president wanted it done. Now, did I chase members down, including working out at the gym and being very clear to them how they were going to vote? Yeah. I have no bones about it.
LEVITT: Going back to financial reform — as an outsider, at that same time watching, I was stunned at how the economists in the administration were just willing to do anything. They were so worried, it seemed, about being held personally responsible for the next Great Depression that they just didn't kind of care, another $500 billion. And I challenged some of them later. And I said, you know, as a public servant, shouldn't you have been trying to maximize expected value for society or something, and not worrying about your own reputation? And it was kind of like, they hadn't thought about that before. And then they changed their tune dramatically after that, said, "No, no, it wasn't about our reputation, it was uncertainty and da da da —"
EMANUEL: So I think we're on the 12-year anniversary of the financial bailout. That was really good policy. It saved the country from a depression. Plus the stimulus bill, the two of them combined. Two of the worst political decisions you could ever make. And those two, one-two punch, saved the economy from a depression.
LEVITT: So, we have argued on this podcast that the president is not nearly as important as people think the president is — has much less actual power. The decisions matter less. You've pretty much disagreed with everything I've said so far. Do you disagree with that as well?
EMANUEL: Yeah.
LEVITT: So, you think the president is actually really important?
EMANUEL: So, yes, big time. If I had known this, I never would've come on this podcast. Who vetted this decision? So I think presidential decisions are major. Otherwise I've wasted a lot of time giving sound advice.
LEVITT: So, you speak very reverentially about Clinton and I can't tell whether you feel the same about Obama or not.
EMANUEL: Really? I think they're both great presidents. No, no, no. Opposite. I suppose if there's a slight tinge — you know, I used to say to my mother, "You love Ezekiel more than me." She goes, "No, I hate you both equally." So let me say this. A, I spent more time with President Clinton. B, it's in my formative political years. I revere President Obama. And, you know, we're closer in age. We're good, good friends. We have a personal relationship. But it was just at a different point in my life. And that's why. Let me just be really clear. If I left any doubt, that's bad on me.
LEVITT: Coming up after the break, Rahm Emanuel ponders the central tradeoff of this difficult time that we find ourselves in:
EMANUEL: Public health is dependent on separation and segregation. The economy is built on a premise of integration and interdependence.
LEVITT: That's right after this.
LEVITT: Listening to this episode now 16 months and 40 episodes later, I realized how easy Rahm made my job that day. He's a dream guest in the sense that he has great stories and he's not afraid to make bold statements. He loves to talk, but he also knows when to stop talking. I remember my confidence growing and deciding I would throw out a question after the break that I knew was risky, but I hoped he'd take the right way.
LEVITT: A long time ago, Stephen Dubner wrote a piece about me in The New York Times, that I was this brilliant guy. And when there was some problem, I'd scratch my head, I'd type in the computer, and some brilliant solution would pop out. I've been able to milk that for the last 20 years and it's really been helpful. You have a reputation as being ruthless and foul-mouthed and a tyrant. So, to what extent is that sort of a fake thing you've cultivated? To what extent do you think it's helpful?
EMANUEL: Well, first of all, I don't care. I mean, here's my thing. I am tough for the things I believe in. You — one, you should know. All my staff — still people that worked for me when I was President Clinton's senior advisor, stay in touch with me and ask me to be references for their jobs, etc. Now, if all I was was a screamer, would that be possible? We're all more complicated than described. I actually think journalists, unfortunately for speed, time, etc. — you know, did I send somebody a dead fish? Yes, I did it. And I'm not proud of what I did. And I would do — I would do it again. I wouldn't do it again at this point in my life, but I would do it again at that point in my life. So, you know, look. Am I tough? Yeah. Am I passionate? Yes. Am I a caring person who reaches out to people who years ago worked for me? For all the screaming and yelling that quote unquote, I only do. That's all I do. I only have one tool in my toolbox. That's it. Really? Now, is it out there? Does it work for me sometimes? Sure. But like, update your metaphors, man. I'd sent the dead fish close to 30 years ago. Okay? But to you, I want to congratulate you, taking one article and making all the money you did off of that one article.
LEVITT: So, you probably don't remember, but the first time we ever met in person was when you had decided to run for mayor. We talked for a few minutes and I said, "You can't seriously want this job. The mayor of Chicago right now is the worst job in the world. The city finances are in shambles. Pensions are unfunded. And the crime —" and you probably don't remember your answer, but your whole demeanor changed and you got very quiet — like not like you're like a teary guy or anything — but you said, "I love Chicago, and I'm the only guy who can save Chicago."
EMANUEL: I said I'm the only guy?
LEVITT: Yeah, you said that. And it really struck me because, I'd never met you, obviously, but I'd heard so many stories about, you know, how ruthless you were. And at that moment, like, either great acting or a really genuine sense that you were doing —.
EMANUEL: Either authentic or faking the authenticity?
LEVITT: Exactly. So you come and you win and you served two terms as mayor and now you've written a book about mayors.
EMANUEL: Look, the introduction is about my grandfather's journey from Eastern Europe and fleeing the pogroms of Eastern Europe to come to a city as a 10-year-old. And this city, um, made our family. And I do believe it's the most livable big city in America. It's the quintessential American city. And it's the city that welcomed not only my grandfather, but my father. And we put our roots down here. So, it's home. And you have, Steve, I think, some old shoes you refuse to throw away, right? And when I went to college, I immediately came home. When I left the Clinton White House, I immediately came home. When I left President Obama's side, I immediately came home. And so, this is home. And the book is about, you know, the center of gravity of our politics. We've had these fluxes between national versus local. We're in the beginning of what I think is a major local breath or center of gravity and a diminished role for national. That's also true in Brussels and London, etc. When you think about the way you work — where you work, how you get to work, where you raise your kids, etc., the amenities of your neighborhood and community. Schools, transportation, libraries, parks. All of those are services your local government gives, which is why 75 percent of the public believe in their local government, but only in the 20s for national. The national government's becoming more and more like Disneyland on the Potomac. What's different this time also is that local governments are A, mastering the schools, the transportation, the libraries, the parks, and these investments that are key for the vitality of their city and their residents. And they have to do it, one, because the national government's walking away; two, they don't have the option of standing still. They have to make these investments. Just take education. Lyndon Johnson, at the height of the belief in the federal government, he creates Head Start. Cities are burning, people are fleeing, and he gives mayors some money for early childhood education. And it's to help mayors who can't get it together. Fast forward 50 years later, President Obama — working with John Boehner, the speaker of the House, a Republican who used to be the chairman of the Education Committee — tries to create universal, full-day pre-K for early childhood education. Can't get it done. So, rather than take no for an answer, he pulls together 200 mayors and says, "Look, I can't get this done at the national level. But you guys are the only ones that could put some points on the board." And you go to New York, go to Chicago, go to Boston, go to San Antonio, go across the country. Mayors are now finding the local resources for universal, full-day pre-K. The need hadn't disappeared. The government entity that could provide that new service did. Now, Chicago, on the other side of the educational equation, we were the first city to create — with Chicago Star Scholarship — free community college tuition, books and transportation if you got a B average in high school. No federal government, no state government. Nothing. They never even called. Even though 8,000 kids have gone through it. Eighty-one percent of that 8,000 are the first ones in the family to go to college. Boston's copied it. Denver's copied it. San Francisco's copied it. Oakland's copied it. But nobody expects Washington will do anything about this.
LEVITT: What I admire about what you did in education was, you were incredibly pragmatic. You looked at the situation. You said, the school day in Chicago, when the school year is short, the kids are getting something like two or three less years of education over 12 years — and you did what Clinton taught you to do, which was to fight doggedly at whatever cost with the end in mind and succeeded in doing that.
EMANUEL: I would not be sitting here across from you if it wasn't for two things. The love of my parents and a good education. And in government, you can affect one, you can't affect the other. So I believed in that, and I made a pledge in the campaign of 2011 that our kids in Chicago had the shortest school day and the shortest school year in the United States of America. That is an unbelievable condemnation. So, before I was mayor, even — I was mayor-elect — I changed the law so time was not in a contract negotiation, in cooperation with the teachers union. And remember, 84 percent of the children that go to the Chicago public schools are from poverty or below. If you were starting with a blank sheet and you want to end the cycle of poverty, would you draft a five-and-a-half-hour day? So that was one. And then two, in that same negotiation in 2012, we ended up producing the resources for full-day kindergarten for every child.
LEVITT: So, I've studied education for a long time. And in the end, I got discouraged because I actually think that we are asking too much of our schools. Because absent not just the love of the parent, but the focus on education of the parent, whatnot, I think sometimes we think the schools are somehow going to make up for deficits that they can't. So, I'm a big believer in education. But I also think that people should be realistic.
EMANUEL: First of all, you're right and wrong. The whole debate, which is what drives me crazy — no one teacher, for 45, 50 minutes, can push back against all the social, economic, cultural deficits that walk into that room. It's impossible. Impossible! Now, the principal creates the culture in that building, and it needs the entire building, not one room out of that building, to work. Number three, we're going to have to be honest. Parents play a role in the child's education. And we do have to ask our schools to take on more responsibility, especially for kids in poverty, because not every parent has the agency that Steve and Rahm have, and our partners, let's be clear, to deal with the education of a child. And so, the discussion should be fulsome. Think about it as a parent and then back up all the things Steve and Rahm, Amy, I don't know your spouse's name — we do — and then what are the policies we can do that allow a child who doesn't grow up in the Emanuel-Rule home, have the same opportunities, the same capacities? And if you then put those in place — look, one statistic to illustrate this point: in the United States, 44 percent of all high school kids go to college. In Chicago, it's 44 percent. We don't have the same completion rate, but we do have the same acceptance rate, and attendance rate. Everything that would say, not that child, not that ZIP code, not that income, not that race, not that gender, we have proven the cynics wrong. Do we have challenges? Absolutely. Are we done? No. But to you that are depressed, but are passionate about studying it, I would tell you, it can be done. You'll get your head beat in. I was 6'2" when I started this job, I'm 5'8″ now. But you can do it. It can be done.
LEVITT: So, it's not that you're saying that the city, or the mayor, is necessarily the right way to get things done. You're saying with the current dysfunction at the federal level, we're just completely screwed unless the mayors step in and do this. Is that the right way to think about it?
EMANUEL: I would love a federal partner. I don't want to do this on my own. You don't have an option as a mayor to wait. And I think when you look at it, if you think the federal government is distant, your local government is pretty — I mean, you said before I ran, you and I had a conversation — pretty intimate. The economy is global. We're seeing it right now with the virus. But all politics is local. And I think the residents want a government that they can influence, that influences their lives, and that's more local than it is national.
LEVITT: And why do you think the mayors are becoming more important now? You think there's more talent flowing into that job?
EMANUEL: Without a doubt. Just take politics nationally right now. So Mayor Pete wins Iowa. In New Hampshire, Joe Biden runs this ad ridiculing streetlights, cobblestones, "When I'm dealing with Iran and health care," and people go, "I don't know, street lights and cobblestones sound pretty good to me." That would be like, as the governor of Michigan said, "Just pave the damn roads." If you feel so alienated from your government, what is the one political government that still has legitimacy to say X or Y? And that's your local government, and your local government official. And I think mayors today, for a host of reasons of leading the efforts on education, leading the efforts on infrastructure investment, leading the efforts on quality of life, all the things that touch your life is your local government.
LEVITT: Yeah, that's true, and I have to say, I was highly skeptical of your premise when I started reading the book. But it was surprisingly persuasive.
EMANUEL: I walked in with a C and got a B-minus?
LEVITT: I mean, it's an unusual book in a lot of ways. It's part memoir. It's part policy-wonkish or deep thinking.
EMANUEL: So, I'd describe it as a third political science, a third of rethinking urban policy and politics, and as you remember, Winston Churchill, towards the end of his tenure, they said, "How do you think history will treat you?" And he goes, "Very well. I plan on writing it."
LEVITT: I would say one of the most surprising things I've observed is the liveliness of cities, I mean, 30, 40 years ago, cities were dying. I mean, it was like — everything was going against them. Crime, poor financing, bad schools. And technology, which was making it less and less important that people be face-to-face. And who would have ever predicted the turnaround?
EMANUEL: My dad and mom left Buena — I was in fourth, fifth grade — we moved to the suburbs. That's not happening today. All the things that drove you out are driving you back in. And that's a pretty unique social, cultural, and economic alteration.
LEVITT: So, what do you think happened? Because it's something I think about a lot. How did that happen? My own pet theory — probably I'm wrong — but my own theory is that it's not just about jobs, but stuff has just gotten so cheap, right? So, it used to be, like, when we were kids and the TV broke, it was a big deal, but now a TV broke, so you just buy a new one.
EMANUEL: You just watch it on your telephone.
LEVITT: So, I think stuff got so cheap — and as people got richer, services became much more important in terms of the way people consume. And the cities are the only place to get those kind of services that people want. And that, I think, has been really important.
EMANUEL: A lot of people want the services or the benefits that come with the city living. The lakefront. The museums, the theater, the restaurants, the bars, in the same proximity of work. And that's put pressure on cities to improve schools, improve their public transportation, improve their parks, their access, what parks offer. And I'm proud of this as a former ballet dancer, for 100 reasons, we came up with this thing called Night Out in the Park, which was cultural attractions in our parks, from Shakespeare theater to Joffrey Ballet to the Chicago Symphony. If a family wanted those amenities, they're like, out of reach even for a middle- to upper- middle-class family. And so making sure that you can still have culture and all those things accessible and affordable. And then, there's a massive race across the globe that will never slow up, for talent. And Chicago has an incredible institutional strength in this. G.E. Healthcare left London for Chicago. And McDonald's years ago left for the suburbs, realized that they can't find the talent they need staying where they are, the campus structure they have, the university they have. And they took it here to Chicago. Now, there are other things you got to do to make sure that everybody's a winner at that, not just some people. But companies are chasing talent. And where you have talent, you'll have success.
LEVITT: These days, Emanuel is a contributor for ABC News and an advisor for Centerview Partners, an investment bank. Given his lengthy experience in public service, I wanted to ask him one more question about how history will view the Covid-19 crisis.
LEVITT: Is this going to be seen as a blip? Is this going to be seen as fundamental?
EMANUEL: No, no, no. History will see this as a pivotal point where not only are we globally interdependent, but we're going to start to try to find ways to unlock that interdependence. I don't think our supply chain 10 years from now will look like it is today. We are not going to be this reliant on China for medical supplies, pharmaceutical supplies. It just won't happen. And, you know, public health is dependent on separation and segregation. The economy is built on a premise of integration and interdependence. Those two principles are in conflict right now and we have to figure out how they can't be in conflict, but more collaborative and cooperative. We're going to have future pandemics and we're not going to be able to survive as a society where you're picking one or the other.
LEVITT: Those are wise words, Rahm, and I hope that we won't let this crisis go to waste.
EMANUEL: Can I say — the quote was, "Never allow a good crisis to go to waste. It's the opportunity to do the things you never thought possible and make them possible." And so the emphasis was always not having a good crisis, not letting it go to waste, but what are you going to do that you thought, "Oh, I would love to do that, but I can't for, you know, these 20 reasons." The impetus then is to identify what are the key things in that crisis that have to get prepared for then, the future. And that maybe makes us all, to quote you, better data scientists.
LEVITT: So, let me make a confession. I asked Rahm that last question about Covid being a blip because on March 2, 2020, I really believed Covid would be a blip. How wrong was I, and how right was Rahm? I guess that's why presidents ask him for advice and not me. Anyway, next week we are back with a brand new episode. We just recorded it. And I have to say it is one of my all time favorites.
People I (Mostly) Admire is part of the Freakonomics Radio Network, which also includes Freakonomics Radio, No Stupid Questions, and The Freakonomics Radio Book Club. This show is produced by Freakonomics Radio and Stitcher. Morgan Levey is our producer and Jasmin Klinger is our engineer. Our staff also includes Alison Craiglow, Greg Rippin, Joel Meyer, Tricia Bobeda, Emma Tyrrell, Lyric Bowditch, and Jacob Clemente. All of the music you heard on this show was composed by Luis Guerra. To listen ad-free, subscribe to Stitcher Premium. We can be reached at pima@freakonomics.com. Thanks for listening.
EMANUEL: Dee Dee Myers described me as Alan Alda with an Uzi.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Home » FAQ Frequently Asked Questions » Why is it important to have a website?
The first thing people do when they come into contact with a new person or new employees is type their name into google to see if they can find information about them or find them on facebook: it is a matter of fact, we all did it. To avoid confusion between companies that have the similar names or people who have the same name, the easiest thing is to create your own website. If you do not have a Facebook page or worse a website then you do not exist in the modern business world. It seems a bit too much but it really is so!
Without a website it is difficult to convey your brand and be known by the general public and be easily recognizable.
Also: how you can be credible without feedback on the internet? Customers need a place to give their feedback and opinions about you and your business. With the combination of social media marketing and a website you can deliver a message quickly and immediately. The business website should be created before advertising; even before the business card.
It's common knowledge by now that customers are looking for you on google!
IG-Global as a company first took these steps to make our own website.
Our web designers will advise and decide together with you as you build your identity on the web. First comes the website, then the rest!


You have seen many people coming and going across the years of your life. Sometimes this makes sense and other times it doesn't. There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to those who stick close and those who drop off at the sides, but for you to carry on and to continue forward you must come to terms with the seasons of people alongside your life.
The first thing I would want you to know is just this: people will come and go and it won't always be nice and pretty. Often, there is disillusionment and confusion. Those who were helping us get healthy can't stay around once we are healthy. Those who encouraged you toward your goals all of a sudden have no interest to stay around once you reach them.
For many years now the pattern has been that God brings us at CCIM alongside those He is bringing into new levels of influence and spiritual authority within the body of Christ.
As leaders move forward and beyond themselves in ministry it is imperative that hearts and spirits are both cleansed of past residue and strain and simultaneously filled with the grace and peace of our Lord.
The Lord changes us. When we come to the end of self-effort we take a risk to settle into the power of Christ to in fact transform and make all things new.
For years now, like skipping stones over the landscape of my soul, there have been moments, situations, circumstances that required I be stronger and wiser than I was. It was during those times that I learned to simply rest and wait in the presence of God for new clarity, fresh stamina, renewed capacity. And EVERY SINGLE TIME God works on me from the inside out and I am equipped and grown into what is necessary yes, but even more so, who I so desire to be.
In our man-made religions it is easy to believe that change comes about from our own efforts.
We try this, we loose off that, we struggle here, we add habits, we work and strive and concentrate until we are exhausted and weary and beaten up.
This is NOT the gospel of Jesus Christ.
While self effort may be good for our outer bodies it has no impact whatsoever on the core of who we are.
Continue reading How Do We Change?
Posted on February 17, 2014 May 19, 2014 Categories SulhaTags Excellence, Growth, Jesus ChristLeave a comment on How Do We Change?
Next week, for three days I'll be making myself available for complimentary coaching, consulting or prayer ministry sessions.
I am making these sessions available to 12 individuals on a first come, first served basis.
Each session will be for one-hour.
4. And a brief summary of what kind of help you are looking for; what do you want to go away with.
I look forward to speaking with and serving you.
NOTE: All sessions are kept in the strictest confidence.
I work with indigenous leaders around the world. Many of them are in third world countries, some of the poorest in the world. Many of these leaders are working amongst the most difficult of circumstances trying to live the love of God to their own people.
Due to difficulties, both the chronic and the unexpected, I am often approached for tangible assistance with the needs facing these pastors and evangelists and early on as we were nailing down the scope of our work at Capturing Courage we were tempted, and tried on a few occasions, to fundraise to meet various needs around the world.
All of these efforts met with dismal failure. We couldn't even raise $1 to help with a toilet door! And we began to realize that our work is not one of tangible help with the problems at hand, rather we truly are only called to grow leaders in terms of spiritual transformation, emotional wholeness, and in strong leadership skills.
In this and as I continue to work with leaders, those given assignments bigger than themselves, I have really settled this year on the fact that I would be doing them a disservice if my help removed from them their difficulties.
My eyes are wider and my view is broader and I understand like never before that for leaders to be leaders they must be well versed in difficulty. They must in fact be grown in capacity to head into trouble and to creatively look for solutions that are right at hand but often just out of sight.
This inner capacity within each one of us is only grown and strengthened in the face of difficult things. Difficult things grow us up. Our stamina is increased when we learn the love of God in what is the worst.
The ability to carry on, to remain abiding in God no matter what, is a skill all its own and one that must be acquired by leaders if they are going to go successfully forward to which they are called.
For it is not difficulty that undoes us. It is the nagging questions about the presence of God in the midst of these difficulties, these are what really undo us and it is only in difficulty that these questions about God can be fully answered.
Tree roots must go deep in order to withstand storms and it is drought that sends them deep.
What the many who approach me for help don't know is that I've weathered my own many difficulties. I've walked a path of strain and faithfulness woven together for many, many years. And while I couldn't see my hand in front of my face for a lot of that time I now look back and see that those years were the investments years paving the way for the rest of my life's journey.
The spiritual authority, the leading that I am called to was birthed and nurtured and grown through those most difficult years. And now, as I visit and mentor and pray for leaders be it online or in person or over the phone across oceans I encourage leaders to embrace the difficulties that they are facing.
Are they hard? You bet. Are they crushing? Yes. Are they pushing them to their edge? Yup.
But this place where we end and our Lord begins is the richest place to be. Standing in the tension between faith and all that doesn't seem to be working is in fact the call of all leaders. For leading is not about telling others what to do. It's not about organizing building projects or arranging pastors conferences.
Rather, those who truly lead us, showing us the way, do so on the basis of how they themselves have met God. Where has God become real for you? This is where you lead from. And here in the shadow of your own journey others are nurtured and grown and empowered to go forth with strength of their own.
Every capacity a leader grows and allows within is a capacity that all around can catch hold of and make their own.
We need to be capacity building people. And capacity is built in the difficulties. Period.
What satan intends for evil the Lord makes good. What has been robbed from our lives will be replaced many times over. The losses we have experienced are the seed-beds of fruitfulness for others.
Imagine a portion of your heart, the part that all the stress and harm and difficulties go. Imagine that as life goes on and the difficulties surmount that this portion of your heart is stretched out of all proportion. Imagine your heart being stretched by difficulty as hard circumstance after hard circumstance is poured in.
Now, imagine that this portion of the heart can contain just one of two things. It can contain the grumbling, the bitterness, the rushing to fix things, the impatience, the complaining, the disillusionment, the harm, the hatreds, the unforgiveness, the doubts about God, and more.
Or this stretched out part of your heart can be inhabited by the living God. Entering the Lord into our grumbling, into our bitterness, into our rushing to fix things… you get the picture, turns our cauldrons into reservoirs.
And once we have been pruned and threshed with all chaff burnt away we are then in possession of strength and stamina, belief and wisdoms that cannot be taken away. Ever. The solid knowing of our Lord Jesus Christ is a possession that will not rust or decay. And this is how leaders are made.
I don't rush to fix anyone's problems any more. I wouldn't do them the disservice.
– I packed up house and home in order to focus on international ministry – now I have two homes… how did that happen?
– At CCI we slogged through all the financial requirements to go forward on strong footing – thanks team!
– I got to sleep under thatched roofs in Africa – tickled pink!
– My own focus was narrowed down and fine tuned, I stopped doing all that I wasn't to be doing – phew!
– AND as we turn the corner into 2014 we celebrate Capturing Courage Int'l being 5 years old.


An effective, responsive and consistent earth resources regulator.
Earth Resources Regulation is progressively implementing changes to improve the way we regulate earth resources projects. With the release of our first statement in May 2018, we committed to the adoption of an outcomes-based approach to regulation. In addition, it set out the principles that we will follow and what you can expect from us, as a modern, proportionate and robust regulator for the earth resources sector.
In July 2018 we released the Statement of Operating Change for the extractives industry.
We have now published the equivalent statement for the mining industry. This statement focuses on how we are streamlining regulatory approvals for the minerals industry.
how significant increase in risk is determined.
Guidance is also being developed which will provide a clear structure for operators to prepare the necessary documentation to vary a work plan. This guidance will include the new risk matrix and example controls for lower complexity hazards. These form part of a broader package of targeted information and guidance to help you through the regulatory process.
The Victorian Government is committed to continuous improvement in the regulation of the earth resources sector. The Government has allocated $12.7 million to implement a range of actions, following the Commissioner for Better Regulation's report, Getting the Groundwork Right: Better regulation of mines and quarries. An implementation plan, released in May 2018, documents the sequenced approach to regulatory improvement that we are delivering.
We welcome and value your feedback. You can contact us via ERRFeedback@ecodev.vic.gov.au.


Now All Inclusive! Santa Barbara's wildest and most talked about party happens just once a year at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Experience which wines and tequilas pair with a stunning sunset over the Pacific while you stroll the lush gardens of the beautiful Santa Barbara Zoo. Come hungry, food from the Central Coast's finest eateries is included in the price of the ticket and drinks are included as well. Then party the night away to the best dance sounds of DJ Hecktik.
For guests ages 21+ only.
Park at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort and catch the Dignatarios shuttle in the parking lot. Or, ride MTD's Downtown Waterfront Electric Shuttle. MTD Stop: At the Zoo entrance.


If your question doesn't fit in any other category below ask in here.
You're a company providing services around UML/Rhapsody or you're a company searching for Rhapsody/UML experts and consultants you're an Rhapsody expert searching for new job opportunity or projects? here is the place to get in touch - advertise yourself - it's for free!
Something doesn't work? Any Categories missing? Want to provide feedback?
Questions about modelling in combination with a RXF. Please use the Modelling Category for general modelling questions.
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A variety of lockers are available to rent on a semesterly basis. Lockers are used to store college related musical instruments, equipment and materials and come in various sizes.
For more information regarding bass and general lockers, visit berklee.edu/public-safety/lockers (login required).
For more information regarding percussion lockers, contact housing@berklee.edu.


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Most Oppose Government Involvement in Social Media Censorship
Sixty-two percent of Americans consider it inappropriate for government agencies to be involved in censoring content and individuals on social media platforms, according to a recent Counterpolling survey.
WHY IT MATTERS– Recent revelations from Twitter highlight how government agencies were in regular contact with the social media company regarding content moderation.
The new Republican Congress has pledged to hold investigations into censorship of conservative views online.
IS PUBLIC DISCLOSURE A SOLUTION? – The survey, conducted by RMG Research, asked if individuals would be in favor of a proposal that would require public disclosure of all government efforts to censor content or individuals on social media.
39 percent said "strongly favor"
31 percent said "somewhat favor"
11 percent said "somewhat oppose"
8 percent said "strongly oppose"
11 percent said "not sure"
DOES CENSORSHIP HAVE A PARTY LINE? – Democrats and Republicans are more likely to agree than disagree about government involvement in censoring social media content.
Seventy-six percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Democrats think it is inappropriate for government agencies to be involved in censoring content and individuals on social media.
Democrats and Republicans are even more agreeable on the proposal to require public disclosure of all government efforts to censor content or individuals on social media.
Eighty-one percent of Republicans and 66 percent of Democrats favor a proposal requiring public disclosure of all government efforts to censor content on social media.
BOTTOM LINE – Americans are critical of the government censoring online speech and want full disclosure if agencies are involved in doing so.
GO DEEPER –
CBS News– Twitter Files: What they are and why they matter
The Hill –'Twitter Files' fuel House GOP probes, censorship claims
This Counterpolling™ survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on January 10-12, 2023. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation's population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 3.1 percentage points.


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Start of season 'very difficult' for PSG, admits Verratti
Reims v PSG
The midfielder offered an explanation after the Champions League runners-up suffered defeat in their first two matches of their Ligue 1 campaign
Marco Verratti has admitted that the start of Paris Saint-Germain's season has been "very difficult" as the club looks to recover from their run to the Champions League final.
PSG advanced all the way to their first-ever Champions League final, but fell short 1-0 to Bayern Munich thanks to a goal from Kingsley Coman.
Having played through that tournament in Lisbon all the way through August 23, PSG were then required to jump right back into Ligue 1 with four matches in 10 days starting on September 10.
PSG lost each of their first two games, falling to Lens and then Marseille, before bouncing back with wins over Metz and Nice.
The match against Marseille, in particular, was a setback for PSG, as the game ended with five total red cards and Angel Di Maria later earning a four-game suspension for spitting on an opponent.
Di Maria's incident came following a clash between Neymar and Marseille's Alvaro Gonzalez, who the Brazilian accused of racism, in the aftermath of the match.
The French champions were left short-handed in both losses, with Verratti one of few regulars to feature in those opening games, and the Italian admits that the start to the season has been far from ideal, even if the club is beginning to turn it around.
"It's the first time I've experienced a start to the season like this. Playing a Champions League final on the 23rd and having a match on the 29th, I don't say it as an excuse, but as an observation," he told PSG's official website.
"In the other leagues, it is clear that everyone had time to prepare for the start of the new season. It is necessary to protect the teams that can go far for the French championship, whether it is Paris or another team.
"We already knew, before facing Lens, that we wouldn't be able to play our best. The same for Marseille, even if we wanted to give the maximum. Without a preseason, it was very difficult. Now we're starting to get a little better, little by little we're going to get back to the football we played last season."
Verratti has now made 318 appearances for PSG, with the Italian now among the top five players in club history when it comes to appearances. The midfielder joined PSG joined the club from Pescara in 2012, instantly becoming an integral part in seven Ligue 1 titles.
"It means a lot, to be one of the players who have worn this jersey the most is something beautiful," he said. "It means that we have spent many years together, that we have won many titles, and I'm still young in football, I'm only 27 years old. So I hope to be able to play a lot more, to win even more.
"I wasn't expecting that when I arrived and it's fantastic to experience that here. I want to continue for a long time. To be the most capped player in the history of this club, that would be great.
"I love this club. It has made me grow, it has introduced me to real football, it has offered me everything. I have been able to play great matches, to play with great players, and I am happy here."
PSG are set to face Reims this weekend in their fifth game of the Ligue 1 season.


The Swedish police closed down the bittorrent tracker the Pirate Bay on Wednesday and on Thursday hackers went after the website of the Swedish police. The website was closed late Thursday after a denial of service attack. Tonight hackers were able to put the website of the Swedish Government out of business. As of this morning the site is still not up. For a while a message to Minister of Justice Thomas Bodström was up on the site: "Thomas – we want our freedom back". Aftonbladet has the screen dump here.
Tags: pirate bay, hackers, police, Pirate Bay.


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Tasha Reign, The Porn Star Teaching Frat Boys About Consent
Adult actress Tasha Reign is visiting college fraternities around the country to lecture fraternity brothers and pledges about affirmative consent. This is what she's learned.
Updated Oct. 03, 2018 5:58PM ET / Published Oct. 03, 2018 4:43AM ET
Courtesy Tasha Reign
Brett Kavanaugh has ignited a rage in women—and in our country.
Thanks to the courage of women like Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who claims the Trump Supreme Court nominee attempted to sexually assault her at a house party when she was 15 years old, and Deborah Ramirez, who alleges that Kavanaugh exposed himself to her during a party at Yale, we are having a much-needed discussion about evidentiary "proof," sexual assault, consent and the ideology behind "boys will be boys." In many ways, Kavanaugh is a reflection of our male-entitlement culture—one that oozes toxic masculinity.
I began guest-lecturing at universities—starting at UCLA, my alma mater—about seven years ago. In the beginning it was nerve racking, and I wasn't sure the juice was worth the squeeze. I always figured my speeches about the adult industry could be recorded and played in class, but apparently that doesn't have the same effect on students. I was back on the hallowed grounds of Bruin territory, almost two years ago, when a student came up to me after class. He introduced himself as "Harrison," and he was very amicable and confident. He looked me dead in the eye and said, "You mentioned that word 'consent' a lot. I am in AEPi here on campus, and I was wondering if you could come talk to the new pledges about that word, 'consent.' I think they could really benefit."
At first listen I wasn't eager to go to a fraternity house alone and talk to a bunch of young boys about consent. I was scared. I had visited my fair share of fraternity houses in college and wasn't willing to return to that time in my life. I had also cast the same judgment that so many women do on fraternity houses. Stereotypes filled my mind and I was very apprehensive about getting involved. A few days went by and I began to brainstorm. I couldn't get Harrison's face out of my mind or the words that he had used. I realized quickly that instead of reading about all these fraternity horror stories I could be part of the solution.
Part of my apprehension stemmed from resentment I had toward society. Constantly being told by mainstream media outlets and religious extremists that my job as an adult performer somehow encouraged men to make bad choices like murder and gang rape had taken a heavy toll. Then it hit me: whether I like it or not, these men are learning about sex through my videos. My videos are made for media-literate viewers that already know about sex—entertainment for couples, for fun alone, for the man that can't have sex with women, that is my target audience. However, that is just not the way it is. The rise of free tube sites has both changed the way we consume porn and the audience that consumes it. So I came to the conclusion that it was my civic duty to educate these AEPi members. What else did I have to do on a Wednesday night, anyway?
I wore a green romper from Nasty Gal and a pair of nude heels. I was nervous, not knowing exactly what I was going to say or even how I was going to present this "consent" talk. I rattled my mind for ideas, googled and read a series of sex education articles. After all, my degree was in women's studies, not sex ed. However, almost a decade as a sex worker had taught me all I needed to know and then some. I had an idea: an anonymous bowl could be passed around. That way, the young pledges could submit their questions without the embarrassment of their brothers, and then I could answer them candidly.
As I pulled up to Frat Row, I had been thinking about how all my girlfriends told me to bring a bodyguard—advice that I'd brushed off. I was also concerned about how if something were to happen, would anyone even believe me? I didn't know. I just had a gut feeling that AEPi would be warm and welcoming. Upon entering the historic building, I was cheerfully greeted by all the brothers that had already been initiated. I noticed that there was a young woman amongst the men, which made me feel at ease. She was there to help them talk to women; to coach the pledges, too. When I walked upstairs to find the pledges, they were all sat down in chairs in a circle. Each pledge wore white—except one little outlier who forgot. There was a candle lit, kind of like a séance, and I took a seat. I don't think they'd seen my movies or even been told exactly what was happening. They were on their best behavior.
"Most of the questions that these guys ask are both familiar and shocking."
As I introduced myself, they remained silent and attentive. They gave me the type of respect that I would want my future sons to give women. They subverted the negative image I had of misogynistic frat boys (well, most of them). I was more focused on the squeaky wheel's questions—the one that kept asking questions that caused me to feel concerned for his future. Those are the boys who need serious help. I wish they could have been taught how not to sexually harass women in the same way I was fed information about how not to get raped, but we're here now. Don't even get me started on the weak sex-education program we have in California's best schools. Why are consent talks not standard from elementary school onward?
Most of the questions that these guys ask are both familiar and shocking. I am incredibly impressed by how many of them are well-versed in California's affirmative consent law—the conscious agreement to engage in sexual activity throughout the entire encounter. That conscious agreement can be verbal or physical, although I warn them about the latter. In my opinion, using your words is the most effective strategy we have in the bedroom. I reiterate to them how imperative this is. I give anecdotal examples from my past that they can relate to (it's possible that they have been on the other end of similar events, and this conversation makes it clearer). The next thing I emphasize is that they have such bright futures, and those futures depend on them upholding their reputations and responsibilities as role models; as the prestigious fraternity brothers that they are. They are in a very privileged position, so I like to remind them of that—and how it all can be thrown away. Just look at Brock Turner. He may not be serving any more time in prison but he is serving his own form of societal "time." People will never forget.
Then, I lighten the mood and turn the conversation to more sex-based specifics. They have all this energy and emotion that no one has really allowed them to express—or so it seems. Women, in my experience, talk about details; we communicate in ways that men are ashamed of. It's refreshing to answer their questions about how to perform oral sex on women and how to initiate foreplay without being creepy. They seem to want to learn. Maybe they act differently with a few beers in them, because they really "like beer," so I make sure to let them know that consent means you or your partner can't be blacked out, or even drunk. That proves to be the most challenging part of our conversation. There are unfortunately many queries like: "What if the girl makes it up—that I did something to her?" That is when I present them with their fear versus reality: Why on earth would a woman want to deal with the public humiliation that follows? What is her reward? I tell them that the chances of that are so incredibly rare that they needn't worry.
Why am I doing this? Consent is the most important and serious issue that fraternities face, at parties and behind closed doors. Speaking to these young men on this candid level may help prevent them from making poor choices. I tell them to think of me and this conversation when they're in positions they see as "gray." As a feminist, I constantly remind myself that men are a product of their environment and women must help shape that environment. We raise men, mold men, and are a part of Greek life. That is why I was there that night, and that is why I will continue on with this advocacy project that's still in the early stages of development.
Because we are all in this together.


Sridharan, A and Gandhi, NSVVSJ (1999) Dynamic shear modulus as affected by displacement amplitude. In: 11th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, AUG 16-20, 1999, Seoul, South Korea.
The realistic estimation of the dynamic characteristics for a known set of loading conditions continues to be difficult despite many contributions in the past. The design of a machine foundation is generally made on the basis of limiting amplitude or resonant frequency. These parameters are in turn dependent on the dynamic characteristics of soil viz., the shear modulus/stiffness and damping. The work reported herein is an attempt to relate statistically the shear modulus of a soil to its resonant amplitude under a known set of static and dynamic loading conditions as well as wide ranging soil conditions. The two parameters have been statistically related with a good correlation coefficient and low standard error of estimate.


Check out this terrific campaign desk from Land of Nod! A great option for those who love vintage style but prefer to buy new.
What do you think? What color strikes your fancy?
This desk is super cute! I always though Land of Nod was for baby furniture, so I would have never even looked there. Thanks for the tip!
That desk is really great. I can also see it used as a console table in a foyer. I've had my eye on a lamp and a rug from Land of Nod–I love how many of their things can be used in grown-up spaces as well as kid spaces, and the prices are more reasonable!
A foyer table would be great!
Thanks for checking in, KMR!


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…of Canada) 60 Tips for Helping People who have Schizophrenia – Tips for communicating with someone who has schizophrenia, handling a crisis, and avoiding relapses. (Schizophrenia.com) Finding a Good Residential Option…
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Gambian mongoose
Species of mongoose from West Africa
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Family: Herpestidae
Genus: Mungos
M. gambianus
Mungos gambianus
(Ogilby, 1835)
range of the Gambian mongoose
Synonyms[2]
Herpestes gambianus Ogilby, 1835
The Gambian mongoose (Mungos gambianus) is a mongoose species native to the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic from Gambia to Nigeria. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2008.[1]
1 Taxonomy
3 Distribution and habitat
4 Behaviour and ecology
Taxonomy[edit]
Herpestes gambianus was the scientific name proposed by William Ogilby in 1835 for a mongoose specimen from Gambia.[2]
Characteristics[edit]
The Gambian mongoose has a grizzled grey and brown fur, which is mixed with red on the back, hips and thighs. Its throat and the sides of the neck are pale silvery brown, and the neck is marked with a dark brown stripe running from the ear to the shoulder. The breast, belly and inner sides of the legs are red. Its feet are black, and its tail is mixed with black and has a black tuft at the end.[2] It has five toes on each foot, which is bare from the sole to the wrist and heel. Their faces are short, and have only two molars on each jaw. Females have six mammae.[3]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
The Gambian mongoose is endemic to West Africa where it can be found in the mesic savannas and woodlands from Senegal and Gambia in the west east to Nigeria.[1]
Behaviour and ecology[edit]
The Gambian mongoose is diurnal, gregarious and terrestrial. They live in groups of 10-20 individuals, but groups have been known to number over 40. The groups consist of adults of both sexes, who forage together. Encounters between animals of different groups are often noisy, with a lot of fighting between the neighbors. This mongoose is very vocal, communicating with a variety of sounds. A call that sounds like a bird twitter is used to keep the group together while foraging. A louder, higher pitched twitter is used to indicate danger.[3] The Gambian mongoose is an opportunistic feeder, eating a wide variety of foods. They are primarily insectivorous, eating mostly beetles and millipedes. They will also eat small rodents and reptiles, and sometimes eggs.[3]
Reproduction[edit]
Breeding occurs at any time of the year, with more young born during the rainy season. All the females in the group reproduce at around the same time. Groups can breed up to four times a year, but individually the females do not breed as frequently. Mating occurs 1–2 weeks after the young are born. Mongooses often breed with others of another group, but most stay within the group. While the mother forages for food, two males stand guard at the den's entrance. This mongoose practices communal suckling; cubs suckle from any lactating female. The young are weaned at the age of about one month, and at this time they join the group in foraging.[3]
^ a b c Sillero-Zubiri, C.; Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Mungos gambianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T13922A45199653. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T13922A45199653.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
^ a b c Ogilby, W. (1835). "Descriptions of Mammalia and Birds from the Gambia". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part III: 97–105.
^ a b c d "Mungos gambianus". Animal Diversity Web. Regents of the University of Michigan. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
Wikispecies: Mungos gambianus
ADW: Mungos_gambianus
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gambian_mongoose&oldid=1056209742"


Mind and Life Institute – leading mindfulness research organization founded by the Dalai Lama and a group of eminent scientists. Its mission is to alleviate suffering and promote flourishing by integrating science with contemplative practice and wisdom traditions.
Oxford Mindfulness Centre – international centre of excellence within Oxford University's Department of Psychiatry.
A Contemplative Dialogue: The Inquiry Process in Mindfulness-Based Interventions (2016) – An academic article exploring the essential elements of teaching mindfulness, written by 3 of our faculty – Susan Woods MSW LICSW, Patricia Rockman MD CCFP FCFP, and Evan Collins MD FRCPC.
Kadampa – locations at Bloor/Crawford, Beaches, Richmond Hill, Etobicoke and elsewhere, meditation sessions and retreats, Tibetan tradition.
The Centre for Mindfulness Studies is among the list of MBCT training organizations and our therapists are among those listed in the directory.


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Ball drop before bedtime
Posted by Stephen Centanni | Dec 23, 2014 | Music Briefs | 0 |
While many have plans to ring in 2015 in the streets of downtown Mobile, some may want to spend some time with the family before their champagne-fueled revelry at the MoonPie Drop. For the past 10 years, Lucy Buffett has provided her family friendly Noon Year's Eve Celebration that provides fun-filled activities and musical entertainment for both children and adults.
One of the best parts about this celebration is the party is done way before bedtime. In fact, LuLu's will close at 4 p.m. for LuLu's employees to spend time with their own families.
The celebration begins at 10 a.m. The kid-centric event will feature face-painting, a plethora of games, a petting zoo, arts and crafts and a sandcastle contest. The event will reach its apex with a beach ball drop countdown to noon, which will be followed by a "kid-safe" fireworks display.
Kathleen Rees and Pelican 212 will be providing the soundtrack for Noon Year's Eve. Rees acts as the conductor of this family band, which features members ranging in age from 8 to 12. One of the more impressive aspects of this group is the talent of its young horn section. The crowd can expect party favorites ranging from "Soul Man" to "We Are Family."
LuLu's 10th annual Noon Year's Eve Celebration
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.
Venue: LuLu's, 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores, www.lulubuffet.com
Tickets: Free
PreviousGo with the Flow
NextEvelyn King, The Village People promise over-the-top MoonPie drop
Stephen Centanni
With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver's license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early '90s. He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go's and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing. While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation's Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama's graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine's managing editor/senior writer. His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade. As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F'n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children. Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni's experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile's enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.
Marlow Boys 'Vol. 2' release party
Lefty Collins' Chicago blues
Remember the '90s
Your favorite band


When it comes to mid-tier tools—respectable quality offerings that won't the bank like pro-grade stuff will—GearWrench is consistently a go-to brand in the pack, and we just came across one of their more out-of-the-ordinary kits at a significant discount. More commonly known for their quality ratcheting wrenches, this ratchet and socket set maintains that same mantra of streamlining your repair/DIY job.

Even to the more well-versed wrencher this set might look a little confusing at first glance. Specifically designed for nuts fitted onto longer studs, as well as for bolts on top of an engine bay that have a ball socket for affixing engine covers (See right hand side of turbo coolant reservoir in this video clip), you're basically trading off a larger diameter ratchet head in order to not have to fuss with using wrenches or (if you're lucky) extra deep sockets.

It's also worth noting that GearWrench added a very smart feature to the ratchet in this kit, and one you don't even always see on pro-grade ratchets out there. The flexible ratchet head in this set has a locking function, meaning you can set your desired angle and safely guide your ratchet to its target location—something that will occasionally prove frustrating without a lock, especially when using a heavier socket/extension combination. If we were looking at full-pop retail, the kit runs for nearly $200 (a bit steep, to be frank), but at 70% off you're looking at $83.30. Given the cursing and busted knuckles this kit can save you, we'd say it's worth it if you're looking to add some more specialized kit to your growing tool collection.


Kicky & Tink's Playhouse doesn't dictate how you have your party. We have tons of exciting Party Add-ons so you can choose those that appeal to you. Our goal is to make your party the awesomest ever and our desire is to make things so stress-free for parents that they saying "I think I may have had as much fun as the kids did!"
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