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A Timely Antidote For Jaded Politics
by Adlai Stevenson III | Oct 9, 2012 | Articles
Americans are yearning for a different type of leadership; former Senator Adlai Stevenson and The Black Book make a great starting point.
The Stevenson family has a unique place in American political history. The first Adlai E. Stevenson, Vice President of the U.S., collected stories, jokes and aphorisms in a loose-leaf binder throughout his long career. They were jotted on napkins, cards — anything at hand. If it was worth keeping, it went in the binder which became known as "the black book." His son, Lewis Stevenson, Illinois Secretary of State, contributed little, but his grandson Adlai II expanded the black book in his career as a lawyer, senior official in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, Governor of Illinois, Presidential candidate and Ambassador to the UN.
Adlai E. Stevenson III inherited the black book, including contributions from friends and supporters around the world, and augmented it from his career as a Marine, lawyer, State Representative, State Treasurer, United States Senator, candidate for governor, international investment banker and ever the hereditary global sojourner and public policy activist. The black book was continuously organized and reorganized as a ready source of wit and wisdom for their speeches.
While a lack of civility is a symptom of today's money-driven politics of ideology, tactics, religiosity and ignorance, the author believes Americans today yearn for the politics and culture which created America and made it great.
In Adlai Stevenson III's The Black Book, he records American politics, culture and history as these men knew it. Since few, if any, American families have been as actively involved in public office and politics for as long as the Stevensons – beginning in the 1840's with great-great-grandfather Jesse Fell who sponsored Abraham Lincoln for President — it is a unique history covering finance and economics, law and justice, the media, politics, religion, education, war, and so much more. In order to see the future you must see the past, from The Black Book.
Adlai E. Stevenson III has lectured widely, authored numerous articles and is the recipient of many honors, including Japan's Order of the Sacred Treasure with Gold and Silver Star, and is an Honorary Professor of Renmin University in Beijing. He is Chairman of the Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy which aims to bring practitioners from the world together to address systemic challenges to democratic systems and also Chairman of SC&M Investment Management Corp., an international financial intermediary. A graduate of Harvard College and Law School, he maintains an office in Chicago and a home with his wife, Nancy, on a farm near Galena, Illinois.
For more information on The Black Book or Senator Stevenson, please visit:www.adlai3.com


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Attractions & ToursTechnologyHong Kong
Klook completes USD 425m Series D funding with new capital raise led by Softbank Vision Fund
By Simon	 On Apr 9, 2019
Activities and services booking platform Klook has today announced it has raised USD 225 m in Series D+ funding. This increases the company's total Series D funding round to USD 425m. The SoftBank Vision Fund led the round with participation from existing investors, including Sequoia China, Matrix Partners, TCV, and OurCrowd. This represents the largest ever financing in the global travel activities and services industry.
In four years, Klook has become the most searched travel activities and services company on Google. In the last year, the Hong Kong-based company expanded its global footprint into Australia, Europe and the United States to deliver new consumer experiences. Klook also entered into major global partnerships with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the Asia-Pacific-based luxury hotel group; and Rail Europe, a distributor of European rail products that represents more than 50 railways throughout Europe.
With the additional funding, Klook will scale its operations into new geographies and continue to expand in its existing Asian markets. For example, Japan is one of Klook's most important markets and is also the headquarters of SoftBank Group. The company plans to deepen its investments ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and will expand into additional Japanese cities to better serve both inbound and outbound visitors.
"The best of what a destination has to offer"
Ethan Lin, CEO and cofounder of Klook, said: "Our vision is to bring the world closer together by connecting the best of what a destination has to offer with travelers from all over the globe.
Eric Gnock Fah, COO and cofounder, added: "This latest investment is a true testament to the progress made by the Klook team in building the world's Number 1 Super App for all in-destination needs."
In 2018, trip bookings on mobile devices tripled and accounted for over 75% of total bookings. Coupled with an accelerated expansion plan to grow Klook's global footprint and service offerings, the company is expected to maintain its momentum with triple-digit growth in bookings.
"A leader in taking a mobile-first approach"
"We believe Klook is a leader in taking a mobile-first approach to the travel activities and services industry," said Lydia Jett, partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. "The company has seen great success in scaling its business across different geographies and cultures, and we are excited to help them drive further innovation in the global travel industry."
KlookEric Gnock FahEthan Lin
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Take Lunar New Year celebrations to new heights with Sydney…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Yahiko is located a little over 60 minutes from Niigata via the Echigo and Yahiko line(760 yen) with a change at Yoshida. The town itself is mainly known for Yahiko shrine which has a history of 1300 years, but it's also the home to onsets and some nice walks.
Above is the Yahiko station which is probably the only station in Japan in the Inari Shrine style. It's a shame that the main shrines in Yahiko are not this style - but it's nice enough.
Located right next to the station is Yahiko park, which is quite stunning in the right reason. I was lucky and some flowers were in blossom. There are also a huge number of mature Maple trees which would probably make this one of the premier fall season spots in the whole of Niigata.
Towards the end of the park is the start of Yu Shrine. It can be located by the normal Tori gate and the 20 minute walk that keeps on going. Note that it is quite a hike up and down small hills but it's still easily achievable.
There are two options to get to the top of Mt Yakiho. You can either hike up the top (4 hours) or catch the ropeway which costs a hefty 1400 Yen return. Note that it was like Pea soup up the top but thankfully cleared once I was up the top for a while.
A way too big Ice Cream which is 63.4 cm tall and ironically costs 634 yen. Did I mention that Mt Yakiho was 634 meters tall??
I'll be truthful and say I was quite disappointed with the ropeway, but the weather was probably the main culprit. There were some walks up the top, but you could not see too much with the thick cloud.
Yakiho is a pretty little town with quite a bit to see. But for me ending my time in Japan in a little over a week, I feel as though I have seen things very similar to this. It's a good trip if your staying in Niigata or are not travelling to Kansai.


SAO PAULO, April 25 (Reuters) - Shares in Banco Santander Brasil SA slumped around 2 percent in early afternoon trading in São Paulo on Wednesday, the day after results beat forecasts, as analysts said its current valuation was still too high.
On Tuesday after the market closed, the Brazilian unit of Spain's Banco Santander SA recorded recurring net income of 2.859 billion reais ($815.88 million) in the first quarter, topping Thomson Reuters analysts consensus by nearly 9 percent.
In a note to clients, Goldman Sachs analysts said the bank topped their estimates, but questioned current Santander Brasil valuation. "Multiples are still at a premium to peers," the note said.
Even with Wednesday´s drop to 38.55 reais, shares were up 25 percent so far this year.
Other analysts such as Banco BTG Pactual SA's agreed the multiples are high, but still believe the bank could further surprise the market positively.
Chief Executive Officer Sergio Rial said in a news conference that the bank plans to maintain the same double-digit growth in consumer loans it had in 2017.
Rial plans to strengthen Santander Brasil's consumer arm, to raise the average net interest margin, that has already risen 1 percentage point from a year earlier to 10 percent in the first quarter.
Chief Financial Officer Angel Santodomingo said in a conference call with analysts there is room for improvement on return on equity, even after the bank reached 19.1 percent in the quarter, 3.2 percentage points up in a year.


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BCN housing for students with all the services you need. Rent a Bedroom is a new concept of accommodation for students who are looking for a place to live. Share your life experiences with lots of students from many different places and cultures.
Cooking lounge: which you share with your 10 flat mates, offering you a convenient, well-equipped multifunction space. You can cook, watch television or socialize and meet people in the chill-out area.
Meeting Lounge: equipped with snack and drink vending machines, offers you a place to meet and live.
Launderette: open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
So, now you know: if you are looking for a place to live, Rent a Bedroom introduces MelonDistrict, the new concept in BCN housing for students.


Imagine a person who hasn't taken a holiday in over 10 years. Neil is one of those bloggers you will find all over the blogosphere dropping Internet marketing and conversion rates on avid readers. Besides a blogger, SEO expert and investor.. Neil Patel is a great marketer who is very smart in closing deals at great revenue ($120,000 to $240,000). His major sites are Quick Sprout and KissMetrics, which talk about IM and conversion rates.
1. How do you prioritize your day Neil? Do you have any productivity tips for those who work from home?
I have an assistant who helps me out. Here is my daily schedule. My biggest productivity tip is to respond to emails once you open them. Never open them and then respond later as it slows things down.
Takeaway: Start with the MITs (Most Important Tasks) first. Time management is all about your priorities in life. Don't open social media sites first thing in the morning, they can easily kill your productive time. Neil Patel starts his day by doing some physical exercises which keep him fresh and fit through out the day.
2. What are the BEST moments of your blogging career? What's your BIGGEST wish?
My best moments are always the ones where people say "thanks" or tell me how one of my blog posts has changed their life. My biggest wish is that I can continually help people for the rest of my life.
Takeaway: Do you think someone can succeed without the help of others? No, you can't. Give generously, and you will benefit in kind, that's how Neil became such a great emperor in blogging world.
"You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Zig Ziglar said it best.
3. How do you find and solve customers' problems? Do you have any specific tools?
There is no specific way or tool. More so it varies per problem. You just need to look for the most efficient and affordable way to solve a problem. Sometimes it's easy to come up with solutions and other times it isn't.
Takeaway: Solving your readers/customers problems is what makes you stand out from the crowd. Problems are part of life, if you want to become the BEST blogger in your niche, find and solve your readers' problems.
4. How important is the "niche" for a successful blog?
Really important. Blogging has been around for years now and it's difficult to pop up a generic blog like huffingtonpost.com and make it popular. You need to pick a niche as it's easier to dominate.
Takeaway: I'm the firm believer of "niche blogging", so I'm glad to see Neil back me on that belief. The smaller the audience, the stronger your standing. Instead of swimming in an ocean of sharks, sit in a kiddie pool by yourself – that's how you'll succeed in the crowded niche.
5. What are your tips to bring traffic to a new blog?
Funny enough, I just did a blog post that breaks this down.
Takeaway: When you have a new blog, all you need is: READERS, not traffic. No matter how much traffic you get to your blogs, it's a waste of time if you don't have loyal readership. Try to build a thriving community around your blogs to take your blogs to the next level.
6. What are the 3 blogs that you love most?
7. What is the secret of your online success, expressed in one word?
Takeaway: Neil Patel does not attribute his success to talent, but says its due to his energy. That's what you need to take your blog to the next level – HARD WORK!
8. What are THREE tips that you could give to a novice blogger?
1.Write really good content.. so good that people will want to share it and even link to it. When creating good content, make sure you also make it look really good by hiring a good designer.
2. Always be consistent – the worse way reduce your traffic is by not blogging on a regular basis. Whatever your blogging schedule is, stick to it.
3. Create evergreen content – write on topics that don't get old after a few days, weeks, months or even years. If you write content that provides value even years from now, you'll continue to generate traffic in the long run.


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SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - July 16 : Captain Brett Kirk's mission: to boldly go where Aussie rules has never gone before
Which is the bigger challenge: an international mission to bring Aussie Rules to the rest of the world, or travelling the globe for half a year with four kids under the age of six?
Both were demands facing former Sydney Swans captain Brett Kirk, who, after retiring in 2010, landed the role of international ambassador for the AFL. At their behest he toured 23 countries, and in tow were his wife Hayley, son Indhi, 6, twin daughters Memphys and Tallulah, 4, and Sadie, 2.
"Everyone said we were crazy when we decided to embark on this great adventure," Kirk says of life on the road with small children. "Obviously it was challenging at times, but no more challenging than it would be being back in Australia. We were just so grateful that we could take the opportunity to give some perspective to our children about how other people live."
The AFL was seeking to build on the 100,000-plus players of the game worldwide, with Kirk visiting and mentoring teams as diverse as the Western Cape Magpies in South Africa, Reykjavik Bulls in Iceland, the Vikings (Denmark) and the Toronto Blues (Canada).
News of the global drive came across the radar of Sydney filmmaker Michael Stringer McIntyre, who documented the tour for the feature Aussie Rules the World, which is about to get a limited theatrical release nationally.
On a mission: (From left) Filmmaker Michael McIntyre, Brett and Hayley Kirk and their children.
For McIntyre, the story is not only about the AFL's survival in the face of changing viewing habits and the growth in popularity of other sporting competitions, such as the English Premier League. It is also, and centrally, about the charismatic Kirk, one of the code's most highly respected figures.
"Here's this intelligent Buddhist, fairminded, inspiring leader, yet a fearless warrior on the field," McIntyre says. "It was a delight. I was continually learning from him and watching his ability to communicate and relate to people. It was a joy and a bit of a fantasy, really – following this extraordinary superstar, playing and hanging out with others that play a game that I love."
The camera follows Kirk as he connects with sports groups such as the Tel Aviv Peace Team, which has both Palestinian and Israeli members, as he negotiates travel chaos in India, and sings and dances on the pitch with South African players.
Going global: Aussie rules touches down in Africa.
"It was wonderful because it was so grassroots," says Kirk. "I'd been so indoctrinated in terms of the professional lifestyle of an athlete and everything that goes with it. I was back full circle to where I was as a kid, where it was all about community volunteers and people having a kickaround and barbecue, and those sorts of things, and everyone being together and lots of fun and laughter."
The film is narrated by another ambassador of the sport, David Wenham, and concludes back in Australia for the AFL International Cup,which consists of 17 competing nations. It is being released to coincide with the next Cup tournament, which begins in Melbourne in August.
Kirk, who is now assistant coach at the Fremantle Dockers, says he hopes the film will spark a conversation about the game overseas. "Footy is a great connector and leveller," he says. "It doesn't matter how big or small you are, the colour of your skin, what religion you follow, how much money you've got. Once you get out on that field, it's just a great vehicle to bring people together."
Aussie Rules the World screens at selected cinemas nationally from July 22.
Adam Goodes
"I think the biggest thing at the moment, the AFL and the players association along with the football clubs are doing at the moment is really creating environments that are very welcoming to Aboriginal players. And we're seeing a lot of indigenous players that are getting drafted from anywhere in Australia which is fantastic and that's the way it should be."


The Heritage Newham: People, Places, Progress group would like to give an extra mention to some events being staged as part of Heritage Week 2018.
Young People's Heritage Day (primary school groups only) . Newham primary schools are offered the chance to participate in a practical, participative and interactive heritage day exploring and celebrating Newham heritage through drama, video making, mural design and painting, badge making, games, visits and discussions plus an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Heritage Week Time Capsule (to be opened in 2068).
An opportunity to see the Brick Lane Music Hall and learn about the history of music hall entertainment with Newham's own music hall legend, and the founding director of the Music Hall, Vincent Hayes MBE. Pre booking only. Via kjenservices@hotmail.com. Over 16s only.
Young People's Heritage Day. Young people aged 12-16 are offered the opportunity to participate in a practical, participative and interactive heritage day exploring and celebrating Newham heritage through drama, video making, mural design and painting, badge making, games, visits and discussions plus an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Heritage Week Time Capsule (to be opened in 2068).
Tours of Abbey Mills Pumping Station: The Cathedral of Sewers. Book in your tour of Abbey Mills Pumping Station, built in 1865 and housing eight beam engines which are still operational today. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.


Things made out of re-proposed items aren't new anymore. However, not anyone is good at it but you still can contributing to the recycled art via purchasing some well crafted items made out of such items. Wine bottle recycling is a good example.


Travel pillows are great, as they help you catch a comfortable nap even on a cramped coach seat. Problem is, the oversized croissant shape makes them a bit too unwieldy to pack. The Bullrest changes that.
Measuring in at an 80 percent smaller size than traditional travel pillows, it's compact enough that you can carry it by hand on the way to the airport terminal, all while conveniently slotting into the side pouch of a backpack, too. It also comes with a travel pouch that's designed to be clipped to bags and luggage, giving you even more convenient carrying options.
The Bullrest has an ergonomic shape that's designed to fit snugly right behind the neck, promoting proper neck alignment, with memory foam construction ensuring it will mold to the exact shape and size of your neck. A stiff frame ensures it retains the ergonomic form through months and years of use, while a large vent at the center enables sufficient airflow to the back of the neck.
Do note, since it doesn't wear around the neck like traditional travel pillows, the darn thing will fall off as soon as you pop away from the backrest, so you might have to end up picking this up off the floor a couple times during a long flight. It's available in three colorways.
Available now, the Bullrest is priced at $59.99.


Since beginning of 2011, Bhavesh Vadhani has served as Director of the Risk Services practice at Watkins Meegan, LLC, in Vienna, Virginia. At the accounting firm, Mr. Vadhani leads several engagements involving IT governance frameworks and assessments of complex IT environments and systems for a number of corporate, government, and not-for-profit clients.
In his current role as a practice lead at Watkins Meegan, he is responsible for developing and enforcing quality standards, developing highly talented and skilled people, and identify opportunities in the market for the practice and the firm to grow, meet, or exceed their goals. In his client-serving roles, Bhavesh Vadhani has advised a major satellite and technology company for the last two years. In this capacity, he has overseen an IT internal controls audit process that involves testing and remediation in compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley 404 guidance. He has also consulted closely with the company's senior management group, helping to fulfill information assurance requirements for future contracts from federal agencies. Mr. Vadhani also maintains multi-year consulting engagements with an application hosting and services provider, as well as a leading technology reseller. He joined Watkins Meegan as a Senior Manager for Technology Risks in July 2007.
After earning a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the University of Mumbai in 1998, Bhavesh Vadhani pursued an MBA in Management Information Systems at the University of Baltimore. In 2000, he joined Ernst & Young, LLP, as an intern, achieving senior status within two years. Mr. Vadhani gained particular recognition through early engagements as a security consultant. In this role, he implemented advanced public key infrastructure and identity and access management solutions. As an Ernst & Young, LLP, IT Audit Manager from 2005 to 2007, Bhavesh Vadhani directed a number of engagements in the areas of IT process improvement, SOX 404 advisory, SAS 70 Audits, OMB A-123, and Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) compliance. Offering high-quality and cost-effective service to clients, as well as strong project management skills, Mr. Vadhani earned a number of awards from Ernst & Young.
Bhavesh Vadhani holds CISA, CGEIT, and CRISC certifications, as well as Public Trust 6c clearance. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Information Systems Audit and Controls Association (ISACA). He has undertaken public speaking engagements at the request of various professional organizations. Bhavesh Vadhani participates in a number of awareness-raising community events. He has raised funds on behalf of the nonprofit organization Junior Achievement and The Race for Hope-DC, which supports individuals with brain tumors.


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Illegal Aliens Sue Border Patrol. The Lawsuit's Outcome Can Have Massive Implications.
Beth Baumann / Townhall Tipaheet
The crisis along America's southern border has continued to exasperate Border Patrol agents in the field and President Donald Trump, who is attempting to put an end to the flood of illegal aliens. Seven illegal aliens from Central American countries are suing the Department of Homeland Security because of overcrowding in Border Patrol facilities and the lack of access to legal representation, The Monitor reported.
The lawsuit was brought about by:
• Jairo Alexander Gonzalez Recinos – El Salvador
• Gerardo Henrique Herrera Rivera – El Salvador
• Kevin Eduardo Rizzo Ruano – Guatemala
• Jonathan Fernando Beltran Rizzo – Guatemala
• Enerly Melitza Ramos – Guatemala
• Karen Vanessa Borjas Zuniga – Honduras
• Julia Elizabeth Molina Lopez – Honduras
According to the lawsuit, the illegal aliens want themselves, as well as others in the facilities, to be released on bond.
Posted by Diane Sori at 12:17 PM No comments: Links to this post
Dueling Senate Resolutions on Anti-Semitism Condemn Omar, Promote Islam
By Daniel Greenfield / Jihad Watch
On Thursday, June 13, the Senate passed two resolutions on anti-Semitism by unanimous consent. The two resolutions, passed back to back, offer an interesting contrast. The first resolution, 189, sponsored by Ted Cruz is a brief summary and condemnation of anti-Semitism. The submitters lean Republican, but not that much so, they also include Senator Coons, […]
Georgetown, other universities accused of covering up jihad millions taken from terror-supporting Qatar
Is it any wonder American universities have become unsafe for Jews and hotbeds of jihad recruitment. Leading sponsor of terror Qatar is arguably the preeminent financier of jihad terror in the world today. It is a benefactor of the genocidal armies of ISIS, al Qaeda, and Boko Haram; it is involved in Taliban narcotics trafficking through a relationship with the Pakistani National Logistics Cell; and profits from operating a virtual slave state. Qatar is involved in terror operations from Nigeria to Gaza to Syria to Iraq.
Read entire article here: https://gellerreport.com/2019/06/qatar-terror-fund-us-universities.html/
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil...MSM Style
By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots on American Political Radio
The mainstream media is at it again...sidestepping certain key stories they either don't want us to know about, give just a bit of cursory attention to, or simply downplay their importance...and three such stories have happened within the past few weeks.
Let's start last Tuesday when one Wajahat Ali, a far-left New York Times op-ed writer who helped launch the Al Jazeera America network and who regularly appears on CNN, had the audacity to not only mock but call Navy Seal war hero, Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw, to task for not supporting the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. In a now-deleted tweet Ali stated that, "Anytime a Republican says they are 'patriots' ask them if they voted to fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. You know who's for it? Ilhan Omar. You know who hasn't sponsored it? Dan Crenshaw. @DanCrenshawTX, I hope you do the right thing. If not, why aren't you?"
Obviously this so-called journalist didn't bother doing his homework what with Crenshaw's cut-to-the-chase response to Ali's unabashed lie saying it best, "Hey 'journalist,' maybe you should check your facts. I am a co-sponsor. Nice try though."
"Nice try," indeed for when Crenshaw outed Ali's lie, Ali did indeed cowardly delete his tweet then issued an anything but apology. Saying simply that he was wrong about the Congressman, Ali instead focused his musings on getting Crenshaw to reverse his critical "comments" about Ilhan Omar. Saying, "Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad you did and I have no problem correcting and updating the record with facts. Now try it with your comments about Ilhan Omar. You'll feel better. Sincerely, a fellow patriot," but what Ali's response shows is first, he is a truly dishonorable man and second, muslims will always stick together to defend one of their own even when one of their own is an anti-Semitic, anti-American, jihad defending stain on Congress.
And to make matters worse, Ali even walked back that so-called apology by following it up with this tweet, "I deleted this b/c Dan Crenshaw supported the Fund in May after being a holdout. Apologies to him for the tweet. I have no problem admitting it & correcting the record with facts. For those trying to "own" me, especially as you still promote "alternative facts," enjoy Tuesday."
What a truly vile little man Wajahat Ali is...no wonder he's a defender of equally vile muslima Ilhan Omar.
But what started this "tweet war" of sorts between a highly decorated American war hero...Dan Crenshaw was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with valor...and Wajahat Ali a mere shadow of a man? It all started with comedian Jon Stewart's comments when he appeared before Congressional members of the House Judiciary Committee regarding first responders and their families still having no assurance that "a victims' compensation fund set up after the 9/11 attacks won't run out of money," as well as Stewart's statements as to why Crenshaw and others skipped the very hearing devoted to this "crisis."
And even while John Stewart is a known Trump basher, he has always been an advocate for the 9/11 responders, and was truly upset that the "sick and dying" first responders and their families...families who traveled to Washington just for this hearing...were being "disrespected" because only a handful of committee members were seated at the dais. But here Stewart is wrong as only two committee members were absent...Reps Eric Swalwell (D-Calif) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa), the other members appearing to be coming and going during discussion were actually moving in and out of other subcommittee hearings, as is standard practice.
So...absolutely no disrespect whatsoever was meant, and anyway when it comes to D.C. politics a grand show usually ends up being nothing but bad political theater. And in this case it was for Louisiana's Rep. Mike Johnson (R) told John Stewart that the compensation bill would assuredly pass with overwhelming support. And pass it did when last Wednesday night, one day after Wajahat Ali posted his tweets, the compensation bill overcame its first hurdle when the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the bill's funding through 2090.
So with Wajahat Ali now being exposed as but a pseudo-journalist at best, and while John Stewart's heart is in the right place, we are now bearing witness to the fact that a broken clock is indeed right twice a day as the ever detestable Jerry Nadler (D-NY) said of the compensation bill that "we stood together as a nation in the days following September 11, 2001, and just as we stood together in 2010 and 2015 to authorize and fund these vital programs, we must now join forces one more time to ensure that the heroes of 9/11 are not abandoned when they need us most." And to that I say Jerry Nadler is right, and hell just froze over a bit.
And speaking of hell freezing over a bit, the U(seless) N(ations), specifically the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), just got knocked down a peg or two when on June 6th, Syed Akbaruddin, the Indian representative at ECOSOC, supported an Israeli draft decision, "L.15,"...a decision titled "Application of the non-governmental organization Palestinian Association for Human Rights – Witness for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council"...which basically fought against granting "observer status" to Lebanon-based "Shahed." And why...because "Shahed" is a Palestinian non-governmental organization (NGO) directly linked to terrorist groups Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In fact, "Shahed" is the proxy arm of Hamas in Lebanon.
And India's unprecedented support of Israel against the Palestinians came just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies won a two-thirds majority in the Indian general elections. Since 2014 when Modi became prime minister, India has mostly abstained from voting on UN resolutions targeting Israel but has not until now openly sided with the Jewish State out of fear of its large muslim minority "acting up," and its dependence on Arab oil. But now under Modi's leadership India has not only broken the country's historical voting record of siding with Arab and muslim countries against Israel, it has openly come out in favor of Israel and has formed a closer public relationship and stronger ties with Israel.
And the all-important decision against "observer status" was adopted in a vote of 28 to 15, with five abstentions. Some voting against "observer status" were Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Ukraine, the U.K., and of course the U.S. and Israel. ECOSOC then decided to return "Shahed's" status application because they had failed to turn over important information when its credentials were being considered during the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations earlier this year.
So, what was the response to India's decision to side with Israel? Maya Kadosh, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israel Embassy in India when first hearing of the vote immediately took to Twitter to say, "Thank you #India for standing with @IsraelinUN and rejecting the request of terrorist organization "Shahed" to obtain the status of an observer in #UN. Together we will continue to act against terrorist organizations that intend to harm," while a statement was issued from the Simon Weisenthal Center that, "A significant day. India has gone from Third World Nemesis of Israel to a pivotal ally of Jewish state." And leading Indian journalist, Shekhar Gupta, described India's vote as a "shedding of hypocrisies" and urged India to form even stronger ties with its "natural ally and strategic partner" Israel.
And that sentiment was also echoed by Vijeta Uniyal, the founder of the group "Indians for Israel." Saying, "This is a truly historic vote. By taking a principled stand at the United Nations, India has finally broken a voting pattern reminiscent of the Cold War era...and in my opinion, the position taken today by Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi's government finally reflects the long held of wishes and attitudes of the Indian people." And to Vijeta Uniyal I say the wishes of the American people as well.
And while we know that Iran surely is not happy with India right now...ain't that just too damn bad...Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had these simple but powerful words to say, "Thank you @NarendraModi, thank you India, for your support and for standing with Israel at the UN." And sometimes a simple "thank you" truly does say it best.
So as the tide seems to be turning, albeit ever so slowly, against those out to do us all harm it's turning nevertheless, and that is indeed a very good thing.
And lastly, just this past Thursday explosions disabled two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, one of the most vital passageways for much of the world's oil. One of the disabled ships, the Front Alair owned by the Norwegian shipping company Frontline, saw its 23-member crew not only evacuating the now on fire ship, but after their being rescued by the Hyundai Dubai, they were surrendered by its ship's captain to those on board Iranian "fast boats," and are currently being detained in Iran. The second tanker, Japanese owned Kokuka Courageous, was also on fire forcing its 21-member crew to abandon ship, but are thankfully safe after being rescued by the USS Bainbridge, part of our Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet.
And this latest attack came barely one month after four other oil tankers were attacked and damaged in roughly the same area and saw those attacks being blamed on Iran. In fact, in late May, National Security Advisor John Bolton said that Iran was "almost certainly" responsible for those attacks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreeing. Saying the attack was nothing but "efforts by the Iranians to raise the price of crude oil," we saw how right Secretary Pompeo was as crude oil prices rose more than three percent in response to said attack, thus indirectly boosting Iran's revenue as an oil producer.
Not good...not good at all. And even while one of Iran's larger militarized "fast boats" was in the midst of being filmed removing a failed to explode limpet mine* from the Kokuka Courageous**...they "categorically" denied being the perpetrator of these attacks. Saying how could they be when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was at the time of the attacks in a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran, I say what a perfect cover story that meeting makes. And yet Iran still heralds these attacks as rightful payback for Trump's newest sanctions that have blocked most of its crude-oil exports thus sending their country into a deep recession.
And after last Thursday's attack Mike Pompeo stated that American intelligence agencies have determined that Iran is directly responsible for the attacks, adding that said attacks are being specifically directed towards the economic interests of the U.S. and our allies... as all ships targeted are indeed U.S. allies.*** And why has this decision been reached... because no proxy group operating within the area has either the "resources or proficiency" to carry out such attacks and do so with the high degree of sophistication seen in these attacks. And like with May's attack, this latest attack also saw oil prices almost immediately going higher as well as setting off new fears that serious trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz would become reality.
So while the issue of possible consequences against Iran was not addressed by Pompeo in Thursday's statement or in his press conference, he did say that the U.S. will defend its forces, interests and stand with our partners and allies, adding that he hoped they could bring Iran "back to the negotiating table." But he did say in a tweet that the attacks are "a threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation, and an unacceptable escalation of tension by Iran," and that we intend to raise this issue with the UN Security Council...which we did in a closed door Security Council meeting on Thursday night. And with President Trump recently warning Iran about possible retaliation being leveled against its "aggressive actions," he is now working to build an "international consensus" while at the same time Iranian small boats continue, as I write this, to prevent salvage tugs from moving one of the damaged ships to port.
So there you have it, three current news stories getting little mainstream media attention as the msm deems it more important to aid the Democrats in their call for President Trump's impeachment then it is to report the news. The once honorable Fourth Estate truly is dead.
* A limpet mine is a mine designed to be attached magnetically to a ship's hull and set to explode after a certain time.
** This photo and the video were taken by a U.S. Navy P-8 surveillance aircraft showing Iranian "fast boats" trying to remove a failed to explode limpet mine.
*** Ships attacked by Iran were owned by Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)...allies all.
Copyright @ 2019 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.
For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, A Price To Be Paid For Arson.
********************************************************************************************
RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!
Tuesday, June 18th, from 7 to 9pm EST on American Political Radio, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss' See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil...MSM Style'; 'A Price To Be Paid For Arson'; and important news of the day.
Hope you can tune in at: http://listen.samcloud.com/w/73891/American-Political-Radio#history...or on Tune-In at: https://tunein.com/radio/American-Political-Radio-s273246/
Labels: 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, attacks, Dan Crenshaw, ECOSOC, Fourth Estate, Gulf of Oman, Hamas, India, Iran, Israel, John Stewart, Mike Pompeo, observer status, oil tankers, Shahed, Vijeta Uniyal, Wajahat Ali
Illegal Aliens Sue Border Patrol. The Lawsuit's O...
Dueling Senate Resolutions on Anti-Semitism Conde...
Georgetown, other universities accused of covering...
Op-ed: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil......


Mark ∓ Alison Williams build on the success of their existing Kodak Express stores by opening new premises on the campus of Cardiff University.
Established over 14 years ago the Print Centre Group in Cardiff now runs three stores across the city and another in the town of Porthcawl, offering a range of different digital print services to its customers.
With their new store, The Print Centre Group is fully committed to serving the student market once more under the Kodak Express banner.
The latest Print Centre Cardiff store is located right at the heart of Cardiff University, inside the Students' Union building, and has recently undergone extensive renovation under the hands on supervision of owner Mark Williams and his wife Alison who is also the Managing Director.
"Unlike other businesses who seem to accept that younger people are rarely having their photos developed, we see it as our challenge to get them back to printing pictures again.
The Print Centre Group is an instant digital print centre and services both the independent retail, public and private sector markets with clients such as John Lewis Partnership, Welsh Government, Hilton and Haymarket Media Group. "Print Centre Group offers a 1 hour express print on demand digital printing service for items such as flyers, posters and business cards for example and are totally geared up to manufacturing at a high pace. The Kodak net2retail facility and APP attracted the Print Centre Group to partner up with Kodak Express to enable to offer an instant click and collect service.
Having a Kodak Express and a Print Centre next door to each other in the SU compliments the full print service for the students and university community.
The transformation from a simple 24-hour photo print service into a fully equipped photo retail store will enable Mark, Alison and the team to offer Cardiff University students a first-class print service and set the benchmark for University print services across the UK.


He began drinking to medicate emotional stress. Over time he felt inadequate in his career, as a father, and as a husband. His marriage ended. Problems escalated. Blame was cast on everything but himself.
Alone now, he relies on other people. When he drinks, he binges.
She is widowed. But she continues to try to find another husband among the high-risk population. She has no family or home. Her coping and social skills are weak. Spiritually she is confused.
She is alone now, too. She drinks in a steady pattern.
These are the typical chronic drinkers seen at the Na'nizhoozhi Center, the crowning, most-tangible achievement of the alcohol reform movement in McKinley County, N.M.
NCI, "the bridge" in Navajo, is a culturally sensitive 150-bed detox facility.
From the outside, the non-threatening stucco structure looks more like a southwestern store than a place where people sober up. Called "relatives" instead of clients because they all come from the same creator, they are locked in by bars arranged in Indian patterns. They lie on gymnastic mats before waking up, trying to figure out where they are.
Although the alcohol problem is still at dangerous levels in McKinley County, the improvement has been nothing short of, well, radical. Public drunkenness has been decriminalized as drunk driving laws have been stiffened. After four years of operation, client load has decreased by 49 percent. Other indicators also are down.
Countywide suicide rates have dropped from 50 percent above the state rate to 40 percent below. Protective custody or "danger-to-oneself" incarcerations have decreased 49 percent over the same period. Many of the so-called hopeless cases have returned to their families.
NCI treats each problem drinker with respect, giving him meals, vitamins, clean clothing and entertainment at a bed cost of $35 a day. Critics call it "NCI Hilton." They also have access to either a medicine man or counselor.
This "soft-handed" protective custody program has reduced local emergency room and hospitalization costs by 58 percent, according to NCI figures.
The center was funded by city bonds, a county-wide 5 percent alcohol excise tax, and grant money from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Indian Health Service. A state law was passed to allow law enforcement agencies to hold intoxicated people for up to five days.
It's clearly a vast departure from the old "drunk tank," where men and women were thrown in separate cells with little treatment.
Projects keep the relatives involved. Some make reflective patches in Indian patterns they then sew on clothing to keep them from getting hit by cars.
A breath alcohol content test is administered on intakes. For people who can't get the traditional fix and consume cheaper alcohol-related products such as hair spray, cough medicine, and vanilla extract, the meter registers a haunting triple X.
These are the same products high school kids don't think is poison. Unfortunately, though, bromine has a habit of destroying brains. After a few years of intermittent use, kidneys shut down and blindness results, that is if the drinker is still alive. A city law in Gallup allows local stores to refuse sales of dangerous products to obvious abusers.
The medical area provides minor health care such as removing sutures or bandaging wounds. The 24-hour operation refers serious cases to other hospitals. Anybody with a breath alcohol content over .250 is placed on a medical bed for supervision by nurses.
Gallup's forced protective custody policy is graduated into three different stay-lengths depending upon the number of client visits within 30 days. Those held for the maximum five days spend the last three within a brief treatment program after the 18-hour detox period.
NCI has become more than a detox facility, a community crisis center for the county. About 50 percent of the people represent the chronic alcohol repeaters or the "700 club" and contribute to more than half the staff time and money.
The Eagle Plume Society was created for the chronic abusers who don't respond to ordinary treatment. The scared "life giving" plume is worn by warriors to bring things back to life. They move out of the normal facility and into traditional ceremonial grounds for the 14-day intensive program.
Navajo rituals emphasize healing, and singers are of great importance. The ceremonies have to be performed flawlessly. Some outside of NCI have lasted nine days.
Navajos believe everything is either male or female, nature being their bible. Out back are male and female sweat lodges and hogans. It takes years as an apprentice with a medicine man to identify the gender of plants, explained Harrison Jim, lead traditional counselor.
The intensive program doesn't follow a typical educational model found at other treatment centers. Instead, it's a training ground for "positive warrior tough-mindedness." When people suffer from a negative life, they may develop a callused attitude as a survival mechanism, said Dr. Matthew Kelly, NCI clinical director.
Moreover, they blame others, adopt a tough guy attitude, and they are loners with the exception of their peer drinking groups. Kelley said they tell them to remain tough but have a positive outlook on life rather than negative.
Further complicating the culture is witchcraft trauma. Although Christians have similar superstitions, Navajos follow a lot of unwritten rules and at times think somebody is "witching" them.
"There is a belief in this part of the world that people can influence you in a negative way. A large percentage of our clients believe that," Kelley said.
Although most of the county is Navajo, it doesn't mean they alone bear the brunt of the blame for alcoholism in the scheme of things. Several studies have indicated the normal Navajo consumer drinks less than the average U.S. non-Indian drinker, although the figures from other tribes vary considerably.
It's a common misconception that American Indians are pre-genetically disposed for alcoholism. A 1988 study indicated there is no standard Native American response to alcohol. Other studies have shown Indians react to alcohol similar to the rest of society.
Historically, the heavy use of alcohol was encouraged by the U.S. military and perpetuated by missionaries and traders, as Kelley pointed out in a report. Even today, most popular American events are sponsored by beer companies, yet the majority of Navajo meetings, ceremonies, dances, rodeos and public events are alcohol-free.


Deposition Author(s): Tochowicz, A., McKerrow, J.H., Craik, C.S.
Applying Fragments Based- Drug Design to identify multiple binding modes on cysteine protease.
Tochowicz, A., Lee, G.M., Arkin, M.R., Neitz, J., McKerrow, J.H., Craik, C.S.


text:
Pakistan army chief confirms death sentences for 9 militants
Published: 01:42 pm Jan 01, 2016
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military says the country's army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, has confirmed nine death sentences awarded by military courts over a series of attacks that killed dozens of security officials and civilians in recent years.
In a statement Friday, the military described the nine condemned men as "hardcore terrorists." It says the men include an al-Qaida activist and member of the Pakistani Taliban.
Pakistan has executed nearly 330 people in less than a year, since lifting a 2008 moratorium on the death penalty. The lifting of the moratorium was meant to be part of a crackdown on Islamic militants, but most of those executed have been convicted of criminal offenses.
#Pakistani Taliban #Pakistan's military #military courts #al-Qaida activist
Indian Army calls Sikkim face-off reports exaggerated, China urges India to exercise restraint


I received a call from this number and they left a voicemail telling me that "Legal lawsuits will unfold upon you" and "may God grant you good luck if you do not return my call or have your attorney contact me" and that this was "the final notification". He had a very heavy indian accent. I know this is a scam from India, so please if anyone calls you from this number do not answer it. When they leave you a nasty voice message then call the police. They also said in the voicemail that he will be calling my workplace as well and all of my "references" as well.
Make sure no one falls for these scams anymore.


Long prison sentences handed down to two Ukrainian activists by a Russian military court today are a blatant injustice and are comparable to "Stalinist-era show trials" of dissidents, Amnesty International has said.
The sentences came after a patently unfair trial marred by credible allegations of torture.
The court in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don sentenced film director Oleg Sentsov to 20 years and ecologist and anti-fascist activist Aleksandr Kolchenko to ten years on "terrorism" charges, charges which they both deny and claim were politically-motivated. The two were accused of arson attacks on pro-Russian groups following Russia's occupation of Crimea last year.
Amnesty attended the trial, including today's sentencing hearing in Rostov-on-Don.
"This whole trial was designed to send a message. It played into Russia's propaganda war against Ukraine and was redolent of Stalinist-era show trials of dissidents.


At P&G, we steadily hope to pull in, enrolled individual, compensate, and propel the finest people on the planet. P&G people get included – with their workplace, their gathering, their planet, people in need, and each other. So on the off chance that you're hunting down an association whose exercises reflect its gauges and qualities and whose people incessantly expect, contribute, and achieve more, P&G is a greatly empowering choice.
Note: we (Techionix) are not recruiters, instead we just sharing available jobs in worldwide, once you click on the Apply / job title, will direct you to the career page of concerned job provider, so Techionix is not directly or indirectly involve in any stage of recruitment.
Why could you check in from the bombings in Paris but not Beirut?


text:
'use strict';

console.log('begin of background.js');

chrome.runtime.onInstalled.addListener(function (details) {
    console.log('previousVersion', details.previousVersion);
});

chrome.app.runtime.onLaunched.addListener(function() {
    chrome.app.window.create('main.html', {
        id: 'Magnum8ConfigWindowID',
        bounds: {
            width: 800,
            height: 600
        },
        minWidth: 800,
        minHeight: 600
    });
});

console.log('\'Allo \'Allo! Event Page');

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Tenderness, solemnity, and profound feeling for the text inform this emotionally saturated performance. The ten voices are directed from within by tenor Luís Toscano, whose intimate knowledge of every note (having edited all these works) glows throughout. Wonderfully direct tone with admirable dynamic range, this is surely the finest Iberian vocal consort yet to emerge. The Requiem setting is the lesser-known one for four voices, and lively, pellucid recorded sound in the ample acoustics of the Basílica do Bom Jesus do Monte crowns this celebration of Cardoso's originality. Portuguese polyphony sung by Portuguese voices – it couldn't be more authentic.


text:
import React, {FC} from 'react'

// Components
import {Dropdown} from '@influxdata/clockface'

// Types
import {TagRuleDraft} from 'src/types'

interface Props {
  selectedOperator: Operator
  onSelect: (operator: Operator) => void
}

export type Operator = TagRuleDraft['value']['operator']

const operators: {operator: Operator; display: string}[] = [
  {operator: 'equal', display: '=='},
]

const TagRuleOperatorDropdown: FC<Props> = ({selectedOperator, onSelect}) => {
  const items = operators.map(({operator, display}) => (
    <Dropdown.Item
      key={operator}
      id={operator}
      value={display}
      testID={`tag-rule--dropdown-item ${operator}`}
      onClick={() => onSelect(operator)}
    >
      {display}
    </Dropdown.Item>
  ))

  const buttonText = operators.find(o => o.operator === selectedOperator)

  const button = (active, onClick) => (
    <Dropdown.Button
      testID="tag-rule--dropdown--button"
      active={active}
      onClick={onClick}
    >
      {buttonText.display}
    </Dropdown.Button>
  )

  const menu = onCollapse => (
    <Dropdown.Menu onCollapse={onCollapse}>{items}</Dropdown.Menu>
  )

  return <Dropdown menu={menu} button={button} testID="tag-rule--dropdown" />
}

export default TagRuleOperatorDropdown


Bernard Cornwell has written another page-turning historical adventure featuring Lieutenant Richard Sharpe, a foot soldier in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Britain, this time during the campaign in northern Portugal in the spring of 1809.
Sharpe is leading a very small company of riflemen cut off in Portugal from the main English army when French Marshall Soult takes the key city of Oporto, a key stepping stone to taking the capital Lisbon. While it is an almost impossible task to fight his way back to British lines, Sharpe is ordered to follow Lieutenant Colonel James Christopher (a Foreign Office agent) and find Kate Savage, a 19 year old English girl who has run away from her mother to a town under attack by the French. On the way Sharpe joins up with a group of 37 Portuguese soldiers who have also been cut off during the attack on Oporto.
At last Sharpe is beginning to make his mark as an officer, despite the distrust of his peers of someone who was born into poverty and his troops towards someone who started out as a humble private. Sharpe achieved his promotion to an officer through bravery in the field and gets the respect of his troops through tough and skilful leadership under almost impossible conditions.
Sharpe, his men and the Portuguese group fight their way out of danger against far superior French forces and track down the renegade Colonel Christopher who has suddenly become an ally of the French. Their only hope is that General Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) will arrive with relief forces in time to drive the French out of Portugal.
This is another great adrenaline-filled page-turning authentic historical re-enactment with Richard Sharpe taking a front-seat role in the battles for the control of Portugal.
I have resolved to read all of this brilliant series - so far I have read 9 with only 13 to go.


Matthew entered the world of billiards by working as a store manager for a company called Family Game Rooms, there were over 40 stores in this company from PA to NH. Family Game Rooms offered high end game room furniture. In order to better himself as a sales person he went out with the installers several times to learn how the tables go together and come apart and see some of the competitors tables.
After leaving Family Game Rooms he began working with a pool tables installer that has been in business for over 20 years. Learning the trade from a veteran he avoided all the upsetting mistakes (learning curves) of learning a new trade. After a few months of working under someone he decided to open his own business and run "Mr. Cue's" part time while working as an account executive at a reprographics company. Once the high tech industry crashed in early 2000 he decided to start "Mr. Cue's" as a full time operation. Now "Mr. Cue's" subcontracts for dozens of businesses in the NH and MA areas and continues to advertise on his own in NH, MA, VT, and ME.
"Mr. Cue's" is fully insured and has 16 years of experience working on JUST pool tables. He stands by his work 100% and knows he is one of the best in the field at what he does!


A safe vehicle to haul your most precious cargo! All of the following features are included: automatic temperature control, a power liftgate, and leather upholstery. Smooth gearshifts are achieved thanks to the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine, and for added security, dynamic Stability Control supplements the drivetrain. All wheel drive maintains traction at all four corners.


text:
Home NEWS Company Posts
What to Look For In A Profitable South African Franchise Business Opportunity
The benefit of a recognised and proven business system, trademarks, proprietary information and designs are just some of the reasons for investing in a lucrative local franchise over starting a business. But there are more profitable and innovative reasons to become a franchisee.
in Company Posts, Franchise & Biz Ops Spotlight
Am I Too Late To Join The Crypto Revolution In South Africa?
What Major Global Issues Affect International Investments?
35 Companies To Watch In 2020 And Why
Franchising gives ambitious aspirant entrepreneurs and international investors an opportunity to invest in their own business with the guidance and support of a successful business enterprise.
South African soil is ripe for franchisees, according to the Franchise Association of South Africa's chairman, Tony da Fonseca. "The sector already contributes 13,3% to the country's GDP, generating an estimated R721 billion through its 845 franchise systems, 40 528 franchisees and employing 343 319 people."
"Franchising is perfectly poised to play an even bigger role in furthering small business development, skills transfer and job creation," according to Regus.
Despite the current tough economic climate in South Africa, buying into a local franchise still presents a lower risk of failure or loss of investment than starting your own business from scratch. But how do you get started? Read on.
Why should local entrepreneurs consider an up-and-coming South African franchise?
SA's economic growth must come from private enterprise and the SME sector and franchising is the ideal vehicle to grow the small business sector.
The biggest benefit of becoming a South African franchisee is that securing finance for a franchise business opportunity is easier than financing an independent business. This is because most commercial banks are specialised in and familiar with the franchising industry, allocating dedicated products and services to franchise owners.
Good franchise support reduces risk for banks and investors, so ensure the franchise opportunities you are considering check the boxes of all the required traits of a franchise in South Africa, including:
Training from successful business operators, with access to a franchise support network
Being part of a brand means that all franchises share a similar design and layout, the same product, the same service and product quality
Operational support from the franchisor in areas such as financing, accounting, employee training and human capital management.
Franchise opportunities in South Africa aren't just attractive for local aspiring entrepreneurs. Global citizens also stand to gain from launching a business with an up-and-coming franchise or an established franchise brand.
Why should international investors consider investing in a South African franchise?
Although franchising is not new to South Africa, locally, it is still a relatively young concept, creating growth opportunities with returns above the global average.
The current and consistent value of the rand makes investment in South African franchises attractive for international investors. Investing in a South African franchise requires lower capex compared to investing overseas, plus the franchise market in South Africa is robust and growing.
South Africa is among the top ten countries worldwide that is projected to have the greatest average annual GDP growth from 2016 to 2050; in 2050 the country's GDP is predicted to have increased by 3.7%.
Additionally, government has committed to support small businesses and entrepreneurship, a move which could have a highly positive impact on growth and innovation within franchising.
What is the risk of investing in traditional franchises versus new, innovative franchising opportunities?
Traditional franchise systems may not be as innovative as new brand opportunities but seek to mitigate risk and ensure return on investment rather than fuel entrepreneurial spirit. Established franchises have to attentively avoid market saturation and consumer fatigue, but often enjoy top-of-mind consumer awareness.
Up and coming franchises require more capital than traditional franchises for development, but an emerging franchise is likely to have more locations available for you to choose from.
"If you start as part of their first few franchisees, you will have room to grow and expand your territory," notes Franchise Help. "Show your strengths and capabilities and you could earn your surrounding territories. Once the territories are taken, you will not have this opportunity."
While certain sectors may be saturated, strong brands with good brand equity will always thrive in competitive environments.
"A lot of emerging franchises have actually been in business for a long time, so they may have a strong business model, they're just new to franchising," says James Vitrano, General Counsel and Vice President – Global Franchise DevOps, Ruby Tuesday.
"Those brands present a good opportunity for savvy investors who are looking for a proven model with a low investment cost."
What questions should you ask when considering a franchise business opportunity?
Investing in a potentially profitable franchise business opportunity requires thorough research into the best franchises to own, the most lucrative franchise investments, acquiring franchise finance, understanding a franchise agreement and what goes into owning a franchise in South Africa.
Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself before you decide to invest in a franchise opportunity:
Is the franchisor reputable with a proven track record?
Am I looking for an established brand or up-and-coming franchise opportunity?
Do I have the necessary experience to enter into a business in this particular sector?
What are the capex requirements and how much can be financed?
What are the monthly fees (including royalty, marketing, back office)?
Have I checked the legal requirements?
What support will I receive from the franchisor?
What is the success and failure rate of this franchise?
What is the dispute resolution process?
Can I get references from other franchisees in the brand?
Now that you have a better idea of whether you want to own a franchise, it's time to consider franchise investments that tick all the boxes of a successful franchise business opportunity.
Investing in an IWG Franchise
Why invest in an IWG local franchise?
The Regus franchise opportunity offers early adopters a chance to enter into this growing market and diversify their investment portfolio.
The International Workplace Group (IWG) Global Workspace survey found that 79% of businesses see flexible working as a driver to success and are using these spaces to reduce capital and operational expenses. Flexible working locations also help businesses minimise unnecessary assets, manage risk and consolidate their portfolio.
"The market for flexible offices has tripled in size globally since 2006 and annual growth is around 13%, according to international real estate company CBRE (Community-Based Research and Evaluation)," notes Joanne Bushell, MD for IWG Plc. Africa
What is the Regus franchise opportunity?
The IWG has been running successful workspaces, such as the Regus and Spaces brands, since the group founded the industry in 1989.
Today, with nearly 2.5 million customers and a presence in close to 3 300 locations, they have a footprint that spans 120 countries and 1 100 towns and cities.
The flex-office market has reached a tipping point and IWG is now seeking franchise partners to help drive the pace of their global growth strategy.
IWG has launched an opportunity for those looking to invest in an exciting sector with the capacity for huge growth. IWG is seeking partners with the right skills, drive and finance to work with to develop their locations across South Africa.
A brand with deep market awareness and customer understanding, offering franchisees the opportunity to get involved early, on the first steps of a franchising journey in an industry set for growth.
Why is IWG a profitable franchise investment?
Investing in a flexible workspace and co-working franchise opportunity offers you an opportunity to diversify away from traditional franchise markets, and benefit from strong cash returns while earning an attractive return on investment.
IWG is the leading global workspace provider, with an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world.
IWG has been running successful workspaces for almost thirty years and has developed its business model through the various economic cycles. IWG boasts a proven operating model that provides partners with a highly attractive return on their investment.
What are the benefits of buying an IWG franchise?
IWG's range of office formats, as well as its growing mobile, virtual office and workplace recovery businesses, enable people and businesses to work where they want, when they want, how they want and at a range of price points.
South Africa is leading the serviced-office sector in Africa, with the largest and most mature market, according to IWG. The demand for workplace flexibility is becoming increasingly urgent, driven by employees and employers, by customers and by cost-conscious accountants.
Some of the benefits of buying an IWG franchise include:
Industry leader: Regus is the industry leader in the global serviced-office sector and is South Africa's largest provider of flexible workspaces.
Proven business model: A proven business model and track record of performance in South Africa have helped Regus establish a varied customer base – from large multinationals to small businesses using Regus locations every day.
Established systems and processes: Regus has well-established back office systems with 24/7 client support, favourable pricing – through the Regus supply chain network – and central sales support to provide sales leads and new client introductions.
How can you become a Regus franchisee?
Step 1: Send IWG an email. Get in touch with on franchise.SA@iwgplc.com
Step 2: Regus will send you the application: IWG will send you more detailed information on the franchise opportunity, a basic application to give an understanding of who you are, what your experience is, what your investment capability is and what regions or areas you are considering.
Step 3: Complete the application and send back. Send IWG the completed application form so that its skilled and experienced team can assess the information and schedule a meeting to present a complete franchise solution.
Step 4: IWG will schedule a meeting with you. Details regarding locations and site evaluation as well as development plans and timelines, training and the steps to opening your IWG franchise business will be discussed in this meeting.
Contact For More Franchise Information
If you have the drive, resources and commitment to lead the workspace revolution as an IWG franchise partner, get in touch with IWG's Franchise Team.
Alan.vanderwesthuizen@regus.com – Head of Partnership Growth – South Africa


If it's possible to earn more as a beggar, what's the scandal?
Every city has its beggars.
When I was living in Querétaro I once saw what I am sure was a foreign 20-something woman walk over to an older lady covered in a shawl who was always stationed in the middle of a busy, touristy walkway, hand cupped and outstretched to passersby who'd rush on, trying not to make eye contact.
She carried over a gallon of water and some plastic cups and sat down next to her on her piece of cardboard. The old woman looked up and smiled at her — I think it was the first time I'd ever seen her face — and I immediately felt shock and shame that it had never occurred to me to do the same.
In Xalapa, where I live, the same woman has been sitting outside the downtown Sears with a plastic cup for the coins of sympathetic commuters, usually with a dust-covered child or two under the age of six in her company.
It's been 18 years since I first saw her, and we've aged together in this same city, in our different worlds.
A couple of years ago I was walking home, headphone in, but wasn't in any particular hurry. I passed an old woman who was crying alone on a bench. I thought of stopping to comfort her and ask what was wrong, but my worry that I might feel compelled to help her and see it through to the end when her problems were most likely insurmountable stopped me, and I kept walking. I'm not proud of that moment, either.
In my city, there are beggars. In every city there are beggars. And in every city, every person has an opinion about them. The level of derision, in my unscientific, anecdotal experience, tends to correlate to one's socioeconomic status, with those who are (precariously) middle class but feel that they're just getting by handing out the most scorn.
I've always been resistant to criticize anyone asking for help on the street, not least because I've had the experience of watching people close to me sink to the point of (nearly) no return.
When you're poor, problems are magnified and can rapidly snowball, and what is a small inconvenience for someone with even modest resources can become an insurmountable mountain when you're already trying to make your last few pesos stretch.
With good jobs scarce and a minimum wage (depending on the region, it's a range of 102 pesos — about US $5 — and 176 pesos — about $8.70 — a day), it's not shocking to me that anyone would decide to try their luck asking for more money than they can make at a "regular" job, especially if they lack the education and social capital to land any kind of decent-paying position.
Desperation and the need to feed one's family, I think, trump the absolute humiliation of receiving the dirty looks and other indignities of asking for the help of strangers.
This is always said with exaggeration, as if desperate people risking kidnapping, death and all manner of trauma and abuses were entitled vacationers.
But here's the thing: if it's possible for people to earn more money simply through donations on the street than working at (or even getting in the first place) a minimum-wage job, what really is the scandal here?
We complain about so-called ninis (ni trabajan ni estudian — "they don't work, they don't study"), but it's no surprise that young people would see those with hard-earned college degrees being offered 4,000 pesos a month and conclude the effort is hardly worth it.
Dirty people with pleading eyes and ragged clothes that make you feel guilty for your state of non-misery are much easier targets of our own angst than the minority of already-wealthy, good-looking people that are quite literally bleeding the country dry through graft and corruption.
What do we owe each other? To what extent is "self-care" and emotional/physical insulation simply selfish, and when does it mean helping others, who in the end, are just us in different circumstances? We are ashamed to see people in these horrible conditions, and the discomfort of it makes us rush by to quickly forget.
I don't have the solution, but I don't think it's to angrily gripe about them, or worse, directly to them, about hard work and responsibility. Spare a smile, some eye contact, maybe some conversation if you feel safe.
If you have some money, give it; if you can buy someone some food or water, do it. So what if they're taking advantage of you? Cosmically (and you can trust me on this), they're not.
Sarah DeVries writes from her home in Xalapa, Veracruz.
Putting an end to the contrast between luxurious hotels and poor neighborhoods in Mexico's most popular destinations is the aim of a new program.


Keeping the heart – Bringing the gospel home to the heart and the mess of everyday life.
Bringing the gospel home to the heart and the mess of everyday life.
The night before Jesus was crucified, he taught his disciples an important lesson. He gathered with his closest friends to celebrate the Passover meal. But before the meal began, he took off his outer garments, wrapped a towel around his waist and washed their feet. It was an act that astonished and bemused those first disciples. Here was the King of Kings taking the form of a lowly servant. Here was the Mighty and Majestic One stopping down to serve. Here was the one who deserved all honour and glory seeking to honour others.
Jesus takes this amazing act of humble service and uses it to illustrate the life of a disciple. Anyone who claims to follow Jesus must follow this example. To belong to Jesus is to serve others. Since he came not to be served, but to serve, we will do the same. The life of a disciple of Christ is one of life-giving service and love for others. The church's calendar remembers that meal as 'Maundy' Thursday, from the Latin for 'command', honouring Jesus' command to his disciples to love one another.
In fact, Peter refuses to be served by Jesus. I am sure this is out of a desire to honour and respect his Lord and Master. How can Jesus, the Messiah, go about washing the feet of his disciples? Surely it should be the other way around?
Here is a lesson we need to learn along with Peter. Before it is a picture of service, Jesus' actions are a picture of being washed. It is a powerful illustration of what Jesus would go on to do the next day. As his body is broken and his blood poured out, he dies to wash us clean. As he rises to new life on Easter Sunday, he enables us to stand as new people, renewed through Jesus' work.
This work of being made clean comes first. Peter wants to serve and Jesus will commission him to serve (after a few bumps in the road on the way). But before action comes cleansing. Before service comes being served. Before working for Jesus we need to be washed by Jesus. This is the order of the kingdom. We cannot swap things around. We need the grace of God given through the cross before we can serve others and love as Jesus loved.
The question of guidance is something that every Christian ends up grappling with at some point or another. The whole area of guidance can be a tricky thing to navigate. How do I know which way the Lord is leading me? How can I listen to God's direction? How can I step forward with confidence?
One of the tricky areas of guidance is the balance between God's direction and our responsibility to act. Should I simply sit and wait for God's clear leading before taking a step forward? Or should I make plans and decisions and hope that God is in it, and that he would direct if I was heading the wrong way?
There is no easy answer to these questions, and the balance between these two things – God's leading and our action – is a mysterious one. Yet, I was intrigued to read the following combination of verses in the Old Testament book of Numbers.
At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped.
That's the kind of direct leading from God that most of us would long for! In practice, this guidance from God came in the form of a cloud, which rested on the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. When the cloud rose, it was time for the Israelites to move, and when the cloud rested it was time for them to stop. God guides and directs his people. It could not be clearer and plainer then that.
Moses said, "Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
It's a great argument. This man knows the area well and has great wisdom to apply to the situation. He can advise on the best places to stop and rest, and for the people to set up camp.
But it raises a question: Isn't God guiding the people of Israel? How should Moses' relative guide on the places to camp, if God is guiding them?
The Bible doesn't explain. It doesn't give any answers or explanation. It is just happy with these two truths sitting side by side and both being true. God guided the Israelites from the cloud over the Tabernacle. And, at the same time, the wisdom of Moses' relative guided them to the places to camp. Perhaps the cloud of God's presence showed them the area to stop in, and then more specific guidance was needed about the best place to camp there? Maybe, but we simply aren't told.
What this incident tells me is that the complexities of God's guidance and human wisdom and action are closely intertwined. God may guide in a very visible, supernatural way, like a pillar of cloud or fire. Equally, God may guide my thinking as I carefully consider how to honour him with my options, and seek the counsel and wisdom of others. It is not as if God is in one, but not in the other. God is guiding and leading in all these different ways, and we can trust him to do so.
Our desire for guidance might look for the cloudy pillar, but we might find God directing in the wise words of others, or as we take a considered step forward for his glory.
The Lord's Supper is a wonderful gift to the church. It is a reenactment of the Last Supper of Jesus with his friends. It is a reminder of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Good Friday. It is a declaration of the new life of forgiveness and grace. It is a longing for Jesus to return and for the kingdom to come in its fullness.
When Jesus tells us "Take and eat" he declares "this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Bread and wine are visual, physical, tactile reminders of the body and blood of Jesus. We are witnesses again to the drama of salvation: of a body broken for our redemption; of blood shed for our rescue. Around the Lord's Table we see these physical things – bread and wine – and are reminded of heavenly realities – sacrifice and salvation.
But this isn't just a meal we sit and look at. We are commanded to take and to eat. These reminders of heavenly things are not to be simply gazed upon, they are to be consumed.
God has given us a physical reminder of Jesus' death and resurrection so that we can engage with that wonderful truth in a physical way. We are, after all, physical beings. God has created us with bodies as well as souls. Around the communion table, God invites us to engage physically with the story of redemption and take it for ourselves.
Bread and wine are symbols of Jesus' body broken for us. We take these physical elements and feed on them. We eat them, and they become part of us. We are fed by them, in our bodies as well as our souls.
Every time we take communion, we are invited to take hold of Jesus for ourselves. He, of course, is really the one who takes hold of us. Yet he offers us this opportunity to reach out and take a symbol of his body. And in taking and eating, to be united with him.
It's funny how something as simple as bread and wine can be infused with so much mystery and wonder. As evangelicals, we are often wary of wonder, and engage more on an intellectual level with things like the Lord's Supper. I think that's a shame. After all, God is a God of wonder, and he has given us a creation, and a redemption, that is shot through with wonder and mystery.
The communion table is a meal for our mind – we are meant to think upon Jesus' sacrifice, remember it and consider it. It is also a meal for our bodies, real food and drink that sustains us. It is also a meal for our souls, a place where we stop and wonder at the salvation made available to us. It is a place where we engage with the truth that Jesus' prayed before going to the cross: "I in them and you in me". The act of taking and eating is an act of invitation and acceptance – that the living Christ might dwell in our hearts and be present in our lives. Wonder indeed.
Someone once asked me a great question: "How can we avoid 'psychologising' the gospel?" What they meant was this: If someone comes to us with a felt need or a specific difficulty, how do we point them to Jesus Christ without giving the idea that Jesus is simply a fix for their problems? Do we run the risk of people coming to Christianity simply to get their issues 'fixed' and that's it? Can the gospel be in danger of being simply another form of therapy?
People come for therapy for a range of different reasons. Certainly some people turn to a therapist or psychologist to try and solve the problems they are having. They have a specific area of need and would like a quick fix solution to deal with it. That happens, of course, but most therapists would probably want to dig deeper than simply deal with the presenting issue.
Those who do dig deeper, or who come to therapy for broader reasons, are essentially asking some searching questions: Who am I? How do I understand the world? What part do I play in the world? Every therapist will have a particular mindset and worldview that dictates how they approach those questions. One might emphasise that the answer of 'Who am I?' lies in our childhood and upbringing. Another might focus on our identity shaped by our fears and desires. Still another might explore our relationships with ourselves, others and the world we live in.
The Christian gospel gives the ultimate answer to these fundamental questions. It tells us who we are, what the world is, and how we fit in the deepest and most profound way. Its answers are found in the God who made us and who we are designed to relate to. We are made to live in worship and relationship with God, and through him to look after the world he has created. We are his creations and his redeemed people through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psychology, and 'psychologising', in a broad view, is understanding ourselves and our place in the world. The gospel, then, presents us with the most comprehensive psychology we could desire. It gives deep and lasting answers to the questions that psychology asks, and provides a framework for dealing with the most fundamental issues of the human heart and life.
Psychologising the gospel, therefore, can mean narrowing down the gospel to simply be a quick fix for my problems or situation. But in a wider sense, the gospel can be psychologised in that it presents with such a comprehensive worldview and mindset that we are changed as a result. We have our hearts and identity set in the right place, and our knees bowed before our Lord and our Saviour. There is, then, a proper psychologising of the gospel that gives hope for a psychology that finally, and truly, makes sense.
When you stop to think about it, it is surprising how full the Bible is of pictures and imagery. For a book full of words, and that speaks of a God who speaks in words, those words speak of pictures. God, and his people, are described in dramatic and vivid language: rocks, storms, anchors; heat, desert, dryness; shepherds, sheep, wolves; wives, husbands and weddings.
Pictures are powerful because they stick in our memories. We can be told an abstract idea ('God is stable') and we might likely struggle to remember it. But when that idea is described in picture language ('God is our rock') that image lodges into our brain, especially when we picture the image in a vivid way.
But I think more than that, the Bible uses imagery to engage our imagination. When we have a simply stated fact ('God cares for me') we can assent to it, but refrain from really engaging with it. It can stay an intellectual fact that we know but not a transformational truth that we live.
On the other hand, using imagery allows us to enter the story and engage with it in our lives. 'The Lord is my shepherd' invites us to picture a shepherd and his sheep, and to place ourselves as one of those sheep under his care. We are drawn into the image being painted and so become one with it.
Not only that, but the image is both memorable and transformational. So, when I am feeling lonely or uncared for, the picture of the Lord as my shepherd is brought forth by my mind much quicker than the fact of 'God cares for me'. And as I engage with the imagery of sheep and shepherds, I see how God's care relates to my situation of loneliness and isolation, as my imagination engages with the imagery and brings it to bear on my life.
Because of all this, it is rather sad that we can often come to God's word with a purely intellectual goal. We seek to understand the passage we are studying. Now that is good, and necessary, but I would argue it is not enough. We must also seek to engage with the passage, and enter into it with our imagination. What imagery is used? What does that convey? How does that appear in our mind's eye? How can we bring that to bear in our daily lives?
Thanksgiving always strikes me as something I ought to do, but not something that blesses me. I ought to be thankful for the spiritual blessings that God has poured out on me in Christ. I ought to be thankful for the material blessing God gives to me each and every day. But would my Christian growth and discipleship really look all that different if I didn't cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving?
First of all, thanksgiving will always be a fruit of the gospel's work in our lives. If we really and truly grasp what God has done for us through Jesus, it will inevitably well up in our hearts and overflow in thankfulness. It has to. A lack of thankfulness in a person's life must question the genuine nature of that person's gospel transformation. How can it not? We will never be as thankful as we ought to be. But if we are never thankful we do need to be concerned that the gospel has yet to penetrate the hardness of our hearts.
So thankfulness is inevitable as the gospel transforms us. But thankfulness is also a powerful tool by which God works in us by his Spirit. Thanksgiving is not only expected, it is transformative.
One way that thanksgiving transforms us is in contentment. This is an area that I certainly need to grow in, and I suspect many, if not most, of us in the western world need too. We live in a society and culture of discontentment. Discontent comes from a continual need and desire for more. More money, more possessions, more status, more wealth, more stuff. Discontentment is always on the look out for 'what's next' or 'what more?' Since it's the air we breathe in a capitalism economy, it needs a powerful force to break it. That force is thankfulness.
You see, thankfulness breaks the cycle of discontentment by focusing our attention of what we have. We no longer look to what we can get, but at what has been given. Thankfulness helps us to stop and see the beauty of what we already have, and it moves our heart and mind back to the one who have given it. It's very hard to be discontent while at the same time rejoicing in what we have here in front of us. Discontentment is finally broken by the force of thanksgiving.
Those words are found in the first of Martin Luther's 95 theses, which he famously nailed to the door of Wittenberg Church to protest the medieval church. There are also wise words that sum up the Christian life very well. The entire life of believers should be one of repentance.
If we think of repentance as necessary for the Christian life (and not all do), we tend to think of repentance as a one-off event at the start of our discipleship. To follow Jesus is to turn from our old life of sin and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. That is the essence of the gospel message, and it is essential.
But it would be wrong to think of repentance as stopping there; as a one-off, unrepeatable aspect of the Christian life. Sure, when a person turns to Christ in repentance, their sins are forgiven and their guilt removed. That is true for all time. But we still live lives of repentance and faith. We need daily to turn from our sin and turn to Christ.
Indeed, I think it is evidence of the Spirit's work in a person's life that they want to turn away from their old life and walk with Jesus Christ. This surely is a sign of new life in that person's heart and the transforming work of the Spirit. It would never occur to a person whom the Spirit hadn't been at work within!
We need a daily experience of repentance. Not because we keep 'losing' our faith and need to recommit. But because we wander; we daily lose our way and need to be pointed back to Jesus Christ. We need to daily get a course correction (which in many ways is what repentance is) and orient ourselves back towards Jesus Christ our saviour.
All of this reminds us that repentance is relational. Repentance isn't a transaction perform toward God ("If I do this repentance, then you will do this blessing for me.") Repentance is a turning back toward our Lord and Saviour in faith and trust in him. It is a moment by moment decision that he is the safest and right place to be, and his way is the right path to tread. Repentance isn't a one-off event but a continual course-correct, a decision to trust in Christ in every moment and every minute of every day. Our entire lives are to be one of repentance and faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Contentment is a fruit of the gospel. Paul tells the Philippians that he has "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11) As we learn Christ, and learn the gospel of Christ, so we learn contentment. It doesn't appear overnight, nor does it come easily to the Christian, but over time the gospel bears fruit in our lives in contentment.
But there is also a kind of godly discontentment. While we are to be content with our material wealth and situation, we are never to become content with our spiritual growth. We are never to become content with our knowledge of God, but always hungry to know more and to go deeper into knowing Christ.
Paul tells those same Philippian Christians: "I want to know Christ" (Philippians 3:10). And he goes on, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on…" Paul is happy to be discontent with his knowledge of Christ. He is not satisfied to stay where he is when it comes to his relationship with Jesus. Rather he presses on, runs toward, aims his life at going deeper and deeper in knowledge of Christ Jesus.
As Christians we are meant to be content. But we are also called to be discontent. We should aim to be content in our material circumstances, but discontent in our knowledge of God. The trouble is, we usually get it the other way around. We are discontent with our material wealth, and content with our spiritual growth. We have got it backwards! Let's put things back in the correct order: content in circumstances, but discontent in godliness; wanting no more of what we have in possessions, but always wanting more of God.
Prayer is one of the most rebellious things that a person can do.
It doesn't seem like it though. When we think of rebellion, we probably have in mind mass uprisings and people taking to the streets. Perhaps we think of protests such as the Occupy movement or the gilet jaunes crowds in France at the moment. An individual on their knees in prayer, or a group of Christians praying quietly in church, does not seem like an obvious symbol of resistance and rebellion.
Yet it is. As Christians we have an obligation to pray for those in leadership and authority. We also have an obligation to pray for the reform and renewal of unjust regimes, systems of oppression and leadership that exploits or ignores the poor and needy. We may indeed pray for a change of government in certain countries. Yet, while that might seem like an act of rebellion, it's not the rebellious prayer that I am thinking about.
At its core, prayer is saying as Jesus did to his Father, "not my will, but yours be done." Prayer is much richer and more complex than this, of course; we do not just say "your will be done" and that's it. Yet, at its heart, prayer always has this dynamic: coming to our Father in heaven and saying 'your will, not mine'.
This is a fundamental act of rebellion. It is declaring that God is in charge and that he is in control. Prayer is a proclamation of regime change: saying that God rules and that we want to see his rule and will be done in each and every situation. Prayer is an act of laying down our rule, our leadership, our will and dependently asking for our Father to take control. It is a profound act of rebellion against ourselves.
Prayer puts to death self-rule. It is an act of confession, saying that we cannot run the world ourselves, nor would it be a good thing if we could. It asks God to overthrow our desire to run things ourselves and let him take the lead.
Prayer meetings might not seem like a rebellious act. There isn't (usually) a lot of shouting. There aren't slogans and placards and storming of palaces. A Christian on their knees does not look like a rebel. Yet they are rebels in one of the deepest ways possible. They are rebels against themselves, overthrowing their own power and authority and voluntarily giving that power over to Almighty God. Prayer rebels against ourselves and asks God to rule over us. In that way, it is a fundamental part of what it means to be a Christian.
I have always been fascinated by the story of Mary and Martha. It's an episode that only takes a few verses in Luke's gospel yet it is a source of great insight and wisdom, and a passage that bears continual study and reflection.
The story is a very human one. One sister carrying the burden of all the work and chores that need to be done; another sister who is seemingly goofing off, ignoring the practicalities of life to sit and listen at Jesus' feet. There are real human emotions on display too. You can feel the frustration and irritation in Martha's voice as she complains to Jesus about her sister's neglect of her duties. There is no struggle to identify with Martha and her worries, we relate to them easily.
But it seems to me the most fascinating thing about this episode are Jesus' words to Martha. He sees right to the core of her struggles, that she is worried and upset about many things. Jesus' solution to Martha's worry is to help her to see that "few things are needed—or indeed only one" (Luke 10:42).
Only one thing is needed. That's the truth that lies at the heart of this story. It's the truth that Mary has grasped and that Jesus wants Martha to understand. Yet it's the truth that I find it hardest, perhaps even impossible, to get my head around.
The reason we can identify so easily with Martha is that we, like her, have so many things to attend to. Our lives are full of distractions, worries, concerns and responsibilities. However much we want to simplify our lives, we find ourselves juggling a range of different duties.
Of course, Jesus is fully aware of the complexity of my life, and of yours, just as he was aware of the many concerns of Martha. Yet he still claims only one thing is truly needed. That one thing is what Mary got right: to sit at the feet of Jesus. And this one things brings all the other things into perspective.
You see, I don't think Jesus was commending Mary because she represented some monastic withdrawal from the world and its worries. Mary still carried on with life after Jesus had visited, and no doubt helped with cooking, cleaning and household chores too. But what Jesus commends is that she gets her priorities right. The one thing that is needed above all is to seek the Lord. The other concerns and complexities of life can wait. Before all else, we come to sit at Jesus' feet.
Eventually, we will need to pick up the tasks and responsibility of everyday life once again. But if we have gone after the one thing first – Jesus – then we will have the right attitude and perspective to all the other things that need to be done. There are plenty of things that clamour for our action and attention. But one thing is needed before and above all else: to sit and listen at Jesus' feet.


text:
Belfast Telegraph jsou noviny vycházející v severoirském městě Belfast. Vlastníkem je společnost Independent News & Media. Původně vznikly pod názvem  v roce 1870, kdy je založili bratři William a George Bairdovi. Koncem dvacátého století se každý den prodalo přes 100 000 výtisků, což však v následujících letech klesalo, ale ještě v roce 2013 šlo o nejprodávanější severoirské noviny. V roce 2012 byl Belfast Telegraph jmenován nejlepšími britskými regionálními novinami společností editorů regionálního tisku.

Externí odkazy

  Oficiální web

Vzniklo 1870
Britské noviny
Belfast

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