text:
LIFE INSIDE MUSLIM QUARTER OF JERUSALEM S06 EP.66 | MIDDLE EAST MOTORCYCLE TOUR
This is the souq of Muslim quarter. By far, this is the most vibrant souq. You can see that there are security cameras everywhere. Doesn't look nice to find these flags in the Muslim quarter in Palestine.
Sorry? Yesterday, you were here? Yes. In the mosque. Assalam Alekum and Welcome Back to the Channel from Jerusalem, Palestine. Personally, this is a really special city among all the others that I have visited. Whenever, I'm here...
For the last few days for instance... And before that, I was here in 2019... I haven't seen a more beautiful old city anywhere else. You guys loved my old vlogs from this area. This time, I'll try to make it in a different way. Last time, I focused more on history.
That we'll do this time as well. But it's gonna be more like a walk through tour. Today, I'll mainly do the recording with the GoPro. So that I'll show you the old town as I walk through it.
In this vlog, I'll try to focus more on the Muslim quarter. We'll also visit Al Aqsa compound. And if we'll still have some time left, then we'll go watch other things. As for the Jewish, Christian and Armenian quarters, those will be covered in our upcoming vlogs. There are a total of 4 quarters over here.
Right now, I'm at the Nablus road, right outside the old city. As the name implies, Nablus road goes straight to Nablus. Old city starts as soon as we cross this road. So, let's cross this road and get to the old city. I'll share more info once I'm at the gate.
Right outside the old city is a small souq. You'll find a lot of restaurants here. Since this is the Arab quarter of the old city, you'll find Arabs out here. Here you'll find fruits, vegetables and bread everywhere. For instance, this guy is selling bread.
People come here in the morning to get fresh bread. This is a special type of bread; in the form of a ring. I haven't seen this shape at other places. These look like falafel to me; quite big ones for that matter.
Is this falafel, mate? Yes. I haven't seen such big falafels before. If you look that way, it's all old city from here. We have reached the most beautiful gate of the city.
It is known as the Damascus Gate. The city has a total of 8 gates. 7 of them were built in the Ottoman times. And 1 of them is a newer one and hence it's called the New Gate. It was built in 1890.
I guess that's still the Ottoman time. However, the rest of them were built in the 15th or 16th century. The Damascus Gate is the most beautiful among all of them and is in a very good condition. And these city walls were built in the 16th century by the Ottoman ruler, Suleiman the Magnificent. So, let's get in and see the old city.
As you can see that even here there is a market before we enter the old city. People have set up their stalls. Fruits and vegetables are being sold on both sides of the passage. They bring it here from their own fields.
You can see that there are a lot of grapes here. Other than that, I can also mint. This is the souq of the Muslim quarter.
By far, this is the most vibrant souq. You can't experience this atmosphere anywhere else in the world. It's still in its original condition.
You can see people selling items on the road. Some people are selling prayer mats in the middle of the road. Some are selling clothes. Similarly, there are traditional Arabic clothes on sale. You can find almost everything here. One of the reasons why this souq is so vibrant is the sheer number of tourists.
So, there's extra advantage to keep the shop open. In many other souqs, there aren't too many tourists; just the locals. That makes the people shut their traditional shops. You won't find traditional items here as well, though. Mainly, there are clothes and fruits.
Then there are sweets as well. There are shwarma restaurants. So, this is mainly to attract tourists. For locals, it's just the fruits.
Let's go this way. You can see that there are security cameras everywhere. The whole old town can be monitored and controlled with the help of these cameras. There is a sign board here that says that this pathway goes towards the Western Wall.
Also towards the Temple Mount, the Holy Mosque and Lions' Gate. Let's keep going. These are Palestinian sweets. We'll try these later. Walking through the souq takes you 1000 years back in time. That's how the atmosphere around here is.
Honestly, I'm a big fan. Whenever I get some time, I just come here to walk. You won't get this feeling anywhere else. A very unique and amazing experience. You'll see all sorts of people here; not just the Arabs.
A lot of tourists and Jews too; a very mixed crowd. For instance, look at this first Armenian Church in this Muslim quarter. There aren't just mosques in the Muslim quarter but you'll also find churches. Similarly, you'll also find mosques in the Christian quarter.
There's a cafe here but the church is closed. Similarly, you'll see Israeli flags outside some houses in the Muslim quarter. That's where Jews are living. I don't since when they have been living here... But it doesn't look nice to find Israeli flags in the Muslim Quarter which is a Palestinian area.
This can be provocative. And that's how the situation of this city has been. Although, it's okay at the moment. But you can never know when things go wrong.
The city always remains on the edge. Going to an even busier area now. These streets are really narrow and yet you'll see some motorcyclist riding through.
We are very close to Al Aqsa mosque now. So, let's just go there, first. As you can see, the Israeli forces on duty, block the way. Muslim? Yes. Praise be to Allah. Muslim. Yes. From where? Pakistan.
I was stopped by the forces and they checked my bag. I could feel rudeness in their attitude. Could be a part of their job protocol. People do get harassed here by these forces; especially the Arabs. People from the neighboring areas are not allowed to come here. So if someone doesn't have the permission or their ID, they get stopped here.
There's gonna be another check post before we can enter. You can see the gate of Al Aqsa mosque now. And there are Israeli forces personnel here as well. Let's see if they ask us any questions. Normally, you are questioned only once. Assalam Alekum. Wa Alekum Salam.
Pakistan. Yesterday, you were here? Yes. In the mosque. Thank you. I'm actually amazed to find out that they knew that I was here yesterday. Because it was Friday yesterday and I came here for the Jumma prayer. God knows how they recognized me because there are literally thousands of tourists here.
Despite that... they know everything. So, let's go and see the compound of Al Aqsa mosque and know its history. And find some answers... Because I feel that people have a lot of misconceptions about this place.
I want to present this to all of you in a simple and easy manner. So that, we can get rid of those misconceptions. A lot of families are sitting here under the trees. People come here not only because this is a religious site for them...
But they have a much more emotional relationship with this place. Whenever people have time... and since this is a very nice place to hangout... People come here with their families, bring food and then have a good time here. They spend their time here.... as much as time as they have. Especially, the people from neighboring areas who have permission to visit.
Especially, on Fridays and Saturdays, the places are super crowded. You can see another gate here. The main bazaar is right in front of it. The mosque has a total of 8 gates, out of which 7 are open. Most of the gates are in the Muslim quarter. There may be some way by the wall at the back of the quarter. This is the very first view that you get as soon as you get out of the bazaar.
Let's go up there and I'll give you a view from there. We'll capture these views and will also share the history with you. This is called Dome of the Rock and in Arabic it is called Qubbat al-Sakhra.
Qubbat means gold, referring to the gold on the dome. That's why it's also called the Golden Dome. Sakhra might mean dome. The place is quite crowded today. Seems like people have come from far off places. Seeing so many people sitting outside, suggests that there will be more inside.
Let me show you the compound from the outside first. At this time, even non-Muslim tourists can visit. This could be the reason why it's so crowded right now.
But tourists can't go in. They just stay in the compound. You can see that there is also a pulpit out here in this compound. This suggests that there may have been sermons and prayer gatherings out here in the past. This whole area is called Al Aqsa Compound or Al Haram Al Sharif.
Jews call it Temple Mount because that's where the Jews had their first and second temples. The first temple was built by Prophet Solomon (pbuh). The second temple was built by the Israeli king Herod. That was, later on, demolished by Romans. There hasn't been a Jewish Temple here ever since.
Many people asked me why this is such a holy site for Jews. Now you know why. When Jews pray, they face the location of the temple. The outer wall of Al Aqsa compound on the left side is called Western Wall. They pray here beside this wall. We'll see more of that in our next vlog.
Let's go and see it from the inside. At this point, let me tell you that there are two buildings that are really important. One ... you can see right behind me ... and the other one is in front of me. Call it Golden Dome, or Dome of the Rock or Qubbat al-Sakhra. That other building is called by most people as Qibli mosque...
That's the name that you will find in documents. It is also known as Al Aqsa Mosque. So, when we say Al Aqsa, we mean this whole area. It's not just this mosque in front of us. But since this is a major area where a lot of people gather for prayers...
And the pictures that you see are mostly from the inside of this mosque. Let's go and first see the Dome of the Rock from the inside. I'll also share some of its history before we go to any other place.
The inside of the mosque is probably the most beautiful place that you will visit in this area. And the amazing artwork with different colors on the walls.... There's green and gold... Different other colors such as blue and red... They are masterfully used in the artwork and mosaic work on the walls. The windows are tinted and contain a variety of colors.
I haven't seen any building like this in this area before. However, the first thing that you see when you enter is a stone, right in the middle. According to Jews, this is the holiest place in the whole world.
That's where their temple was based. Jews believe that this is the place where God created the world. And Prophet Abraham (pbuh) brought his son here for sacrifice. Muslims believe a different version of that story but this is what Jews believe. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) visited this place before he went on the Night Journey. This place was the first Qibla of Muslims.
But later on, it was changed to Makkah. There's a narrow passage way going downstairs, next to the rock. You can see that people are offering prayers down there as well. This is such a holy place for Jews that they won't dare to come to this place even when the temple existed. That's because any common Jew was not allowed to visit this place.
Only the High Priest or the Rabbi had the access to this place. The Western Wall is 40-50 meters from here. They just pray by the wall and don't come any further. No matter where in the world Jews live, they pray while facing Jerusalem.
I hope I have clarified why this is such a holy site for Jews. Before Muslims, Byzantines, Romans and Crusaders ruled here. For them this area did not hold much importance.
Muslim armies came here under the command of Khalid bin Waleed (RA) during the Caliphate of Umar (RA). They conquered this land by defeating the Byzantines in the Battle of Yarmuk. This dome was built in the Umayyad times. The dome has seen a lot of changes with time. The dome was rebuilt in the 11th century after it collapsed in an earthquake.
When the Crusaders ruled here after the Muslim rule, they converted it into a church. After that the place came under Muslim rule when Saladin conquered Jerusalem. You see that the place underwent some changes under every ruler. But overall, it is very similar to how this was originally built. It's an octagonal structure with the dome at its top.
The impressive blue tile work was done by Ottomans. There's calligraphy of two chapters of Quran; Al Isra and Yasin. This dome has not always been golden. Turkey and Jordan collaborated in the renovation of the dome in 1960. Some of the bricks on the dome got out of shape with time. The dome also faced discoloration as aluminum or some similar material was previously used.
So they decided to cover the dome with liquid gold. So that its color is always bright and beautiful. That's why it's visible from a distance and it still looks amazing.
Close to the Golden Dome is the Qibli Mosque, also known as Al Aqsa Mosque. Its foundations were also laid by Caliph Umer (RA) when Muslims conquered the area. Later on, it was transformed to a much bigger mosque by the Umayyads. But unfortunately it got demolished in an earthquake. Then came the Abbasids who rebuilt the mosque.
The Crusaders changed it into an army depot. That caused some serious damage to the mosque. However, when the Muslims came back under Saladin and then the Ottomans, the mosque underwent a lot of renovation. Let's go and take a look from inside. I hope I have clarified the name Al Aqsa for you.
It's actually Qibli Mosque, also called Al Aqsa Mosque by many. The mosque is really beautiful and unique from inside. You will hardly see this architecture and construction style in any other mosque. The Umayyads who built this mosque had their power center in Damascus.
So, this mosque, in fact, resembles the Umayyad mosque in Damascus. I remember seeing similar columns there. You can say that the Byzantines used to build their churches in this style. This style may have been inspired from there. I haven't seen a more impressive artwork than the one that you can see in the dome here.
You may find that in some churches, though. Simply amazing. Even after so many years, it's still of such high quality. The place makes you forget everything. And it's not just the artwork but the windows and the ceiling...
Everything is done with so much attention to the details... That I've been taking pictures and videos for almost 30 minutes and I can't stop myself. That's how brilliantly unique this mosque is. Another unique feature of the mosque is the pulpit of Saladin.
It's still present here after almost a 1000 years. It's a really beautiful artifact and it's covered from sides to protect it. It's made of wood and ivory.
And the artwork on the pulpit is very fine and detailed. I'm sitting in the mosque and just met Mahmood. He's from Bethlehem. Bethlehem is almost half an hour away.
Hardly 15 - 20 km away. But people from there can't visit this place. There's a wall. Yes. There's a wall. So they have separated the two cities with a wall. And you can only come here if you have a visa. Mahmood works in Jerusalem.
That's why he has a visa and can come visit this place. Other people who don't work here or don't have a visa, they can't visit Al Aqsa. This is the new visa. Couldn't come here for two years. He couldn't come here for two years. I mean it's your country and you live only 30 minutes away.
And you can't visit a place like this with such high religious and emotional attachment. Similar for Ramallah? They can't come here... not without a visa. So they also need a visa to come here? Yeah. Thank you so much my friend. It was nice meeting you.
Underneath Qibli mosque, there's another mosque called Al Aqsa Qadeem. I tried to find out more about this but didn't get much success. Apparently this could be the first to be built and the upper mosque was constructed afterwards.
As we already know that the mosque had a lot of renovations under different rulers. And then it was destroyed by the earth quakes as well. May be that's why the upper mosque was constructed. The stone blocks used in the construction here are really large and are similar to the ones used in ancient buildings. This mosque is much longer than it is broad.
It's more like a tunnel. At some points, old columns are also visible. These days, this mosque serves as an institute for kids to learn Quran. Hopefully I was able to show this area in a much more detailed manner. Last time there were some confusions.
So I tried to rectify that and share as much info with you as I can. I forgot to mention one thing. This area is under the control of a Palestinian-Jordanian body. Israel captured it in 1967 but soon after that it gave its control to this body.
All the internal matters are taken care of by Muslim management. But you have already seen Israeli army personnel outside. Whenever situation gets tense... which happens a few times each year... Then the army comes here with weapons and everything. You might remember seeing videos from Ramadan when suddenly problems erupt here.
Things are pretty normal these days but you never know when this changes. Army is always alert here and there and on check posts. And they don't mind coming inside to monitor things. Lets now go to the bazaar and see how things are going there.
30th SCM COSCAP-SA #aviation #bangladesh #tourism 2023-01-29 19:30
30 Scary Videos That'll Leave You Unsettled 2023-01-25 23:29
Oto najgorsze silniki XXI wieku Koszmarnie awaryjne tandety przynoszące wstyd motoryzacji! 2023-01-23 03:41


de la oscura magnolia de tu vientre.
un colibrí de amor entre los dientes.
tu cintura, enemiga de la nieve.
era un pálido ramo de simientes.
tu boca ya sin luz para mi muerte.
of the dark magnolia of your womb.
a hummingbird of love between your teeth.
your waist, the enemy of snow.
was a pale branchful of seeds.
and your mouth already my tomb, emptied of light.


A prestigious coffee bean blend, characterized by a perfect and balanced combination of well-selected raw material. Fine character, full-bodied, intense flavor and strong persistence of the taste. Ground each time it is suitable for any kind of preparation, perfect for household use to savour at any moment of the day.
Size: 250g bag of coffee beans.


Ozar, of Loyola University, and other observers have noted, "A nation cannot resolve by law and public policy a set of issues on which there is not, within the community at large, a consensus on the underlying values. In the latter cases the contracting couple normally provide both sperm and eggs, so that the surrogate mother is not the genetic mother.
Moreover, as mentioned in earlier chapters, the absence of federal support means no federal oversight of this research because the National Institutes of Health does not provide scientific peer review for private research.
Despite this being an exception to the more common Indigenous American practice of integrating children into all adult activities, including cooking, it is a strong example of observational learning.
Most male infertility is of unknown origin; research is needed to uncover the causes. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica ;61 2: As Professor David T.
As experience with the technique accumulates, the risk to the embryo is clearly no greater than it is in nature, nor are the parents at any increased risk of harm. Child Development ;66 2: Some maintain, however, that this is secondary to an increased baseline risk for these problems in the population of infertile patients [ 63 ].
Egg donation is a much more complex and intrusive procedure than donor insemination and involves IVF techniques. More insight into the endocrine control of ovulation that occurs during breastfeeding might aid in the spacing of births.
As with donor gametes, surrogates and gestational carriers are subject to significant medical and emotional risks from carrying a pregnancy and undergoing a delivery [ 50 ]. Murray, Thomas April 8, What is society to say to these technologies that, in many cases, redefine the family and turn traditional notions of reproduction upside down?
Wilmut, Ian et al. Copyright by the Christian Research Institute, P. Through centralized mandatory reporting registries, general estimates of IVF activity are available in many nations.
The embryo is then induced to divide into genetic copies of itself, thereby artificially mimicking what happens when monozygotic multiples are formed Illmensee et al.
Since the embryo was a genetic duplicate of the patient, there would be no immunological rejection. Preimplantation Genetic Testing Preimplantation genetic screening PGS and diagnosis PGD offer the unique ability to characterize the genetic composition of embryos prior to embryo transfer.
Because all children deserve to have a life and a future that is completely open to them in terms of its prospects Feinberg,and because being the product of cloning would necessarily deprive the resulting child of these prospects, cloning is seriously immoral. Conflict of Interests The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.
Although similar questions of safety will be raised for any new reproductive technology that is developed, such as cryopreservation of embryos and ova, the moral roadblock to taking risk for the unborn has for the time being been breached.
ART is a field that is dynamic and ever changing. She would have different friends, attend different schools, play different games, watch different television shows, listen to different music.Journal of Social Issues; Social Issues and Policy Review; Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy we offer a general conceptual framework to help integrate the multitude of variables examined and issues raised.
This framework emphasizes four sets of factors as new reproductive technologies are developed and become available to the. We live in a brave new world in which reproductive technologies are ravaging as well as replenishing families.
Increasingly common are variations of the situation in which "baby's mother is also grandma-and sister."1 Sometimes extreme measures are necessary in order to have the kind of child we want.
Treato helps patients and caregivers make more informed healthcare decisions by analyzing online conversations about medications and health conditions and sharing what others like you are experiencing and sharing online. Ethical, Social, and Legal Issues OBJECTIVES Discuss ethical conflicts related to reproductive issues such as elective abortion, forced contra-ception, and infertility therapy.
4. Discuss the maintenance of client, institutional, and. Children raised in intact married families are more likely to attend college, are physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to be physically or sexually abused, less likely to use drugs or alcohol and to commit delinquent behaviors, have a decreased risk of divorcing when they get married, are less likely to become pregnant/impregnate someone as a teenager, and are less likely to.
Becoming An Egg Donor. This is also available in a printable version (PDF, KB, 30pg.); The New York State Task Force on Life and the Law was created in to develop public policy on issues arising from medical advances.


Oh man, nothing beats BBQ, beer and baking out in your backyard on a nice sunny day like today. I've always been a propane BBQ'er and have also been smoking with them for years, until this summer. I bought my first charcoal grill, a 22.5" Weber OTS, and I don't think I'll ever use propane again! I wasn't even planning on buying a charcoal grill because I always figured they were too inconvenient. I ended up getting one because my wife wanted one of those outdoor firepits and I figured lets just get one of those Weber kettle grills and we can use it as both...wood burning for marshmellows and wieners and charcoal for BBQ meats and other foods. Well, it's worked great as both.
I've been using lump charcoal for most of my cooking and today I used a mixture of briquettes and lump and the results were awesome with the chicken I cooked. I threw in a few wood chips for a bit of smokey flavor while it cooked. I even threw on a cherry pie to bake after I took off the chicken. The pie was nice and hot after we our dinner.
I just have to say after buying the OTS, it's like discovering BBQ'ing all over again! Great forum here, I've found lots of useful info!
Cheers everyone and happy BBQ'ing this summer!


YOUNG mum Mary Jamieson has recalled her shock at giving birth to a 'hole in the heart' baby she thought was a bout of constipation.
Mary, of Paxton Street, Accrington, had no idea she was pregnant until she entered labour two months prematurely and delivered little Benjamin, born with four heart defects known as 'DiGeorge Syndrome'.
She had already endured one traumatic labour with her first son Joshua two years before, when she required an emergency caesarian section and vowed never to go through childbirth again.
To Mary, her younger son who is awaiting his fourth birthday, but still fits into a two-year-old's clothes, will forever be known as 'my surprise baby'. She explained: "My doctor told me I was ill and that I was constipated. The painkillers stopped Benjamin from moving and I only had a small bump. A few months before I had even given Joshua's baby clothes away."
Mary, 22, recalled: "It was 4am in the morning and I just woke up with really bad stomach pains and the first I knew about it I was in labour with him. They took him into the premature baby unit and they decided he was two months early. They did a scan and found out he had four defects of the heart. I found out the day after he was born."
She added: "I had a troubled first pregnancy. I was in labour for 28 hours and I had an emergency caesarian. When I was in labour with Joshua I said please don't let it happen again, but it was worth it to get Benjamin."
From an early age it became clear that Benjamin would never be a stranger to hospitals and he was rushedback with measles just a week after he was discharged.
Mary said: "Somebody can cough and he could end up in hospital. He had to have a small plastic tube between his arteries because he was not getting enough oxygen.
"He was 5lb 5oz when born but he lost quite a lot of weight. All the calories went on his heart and not on his growing and he had to be on special weight gaining milk."


text:
Your Anti-Vaccine Fantasies Are Insulting and Hurtful, and Here's Why | Vol. 2 / No. 52.4
Cover of Sesame Street's amazing new autism-friendly book, "We're Amazing, 1, 2, 3!" | Image: Sesame Street, Leslie Kimmelman, Marybeth Nelson
This is a rant post about how tiny-minded and offensive people can be when someone does something that contrasts with their (needlessly irrational) worldview. If that's not up your alley today, I'm going to advise you skip it. I just needed to get this off my chest. Otherwise, read on.
Last week I was thrilled to learn that popular children's show franchise Sesame Street has introduced its first autism spectrum character, named Julia. Here's a little from the website, Sesame Street and Autism:
But inside Hooper's store, Julia seems scared. She claps her hands over her ears.
"What's the matter?" Asks Abby.
"Julia has really good ears," explains Elmo. "Sometimes she hears noises that Elmo doesn't notice. Like the noise the blender makes. She really doesn't like it!"
"Don't worry guys, I'll turn the blender off," says Alan. Then Julia takes her hands off her ears.
There's a picture book that follows Julia, Elmo, and Abby around, showing how they can all have fun together. There's a moment where Abby thinks Julia doesn't like her because she doesn't respond to a hello, but Elmo explains that it's because she's on the swings and "it's just hard for her to talk when she's swinging." Julia "flaps" when she's happy, knows all the words when she sings, and enjoys chocolate milk with her friends. Julia acts the way she acts, and her friends understand that. It's about as damn-near perfect as you can get, teaching kids acceptance and understanding.
As the author of the book, Leslie Kimmelman, writes: "There's greater awareness, and there has been much progress understanding autism. But it's still a puzzle, and every child is affected differently. You've probably heard the saying "if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." So what's the most important thing for people to know? We're all different in some way or another—that's what makes the world an interesting place." And that viewpoint really shows up in the way it's being handled openly and without fear. I literally cannot express how pleased I am by this development.
Which is why I the people I'm about to talk about make me, as the Norwegians say, helt Texas.
Raw Story is reporting that the announcement of Julia is being met by anti-vaxxers with nothing short of horror and anger.
That's right. They think that Julia is part of a "big pharma" conspiracy to "normalize" autism. Mike Adams, owner of, as Wikipedia describes it, "Natural News, a site promoting alternative medicine and conspiracy theories," and all-around terrible human being, had this to say:
"The rollout of autistic Julia is Sesame Street's attempt to 'normalize' vaccine injuries and depict those victimized by vaccines as happy, 'amazing' children rather than admitting the truth that vaccines cause autism in some children and we should therefore make vaccines safer and less frequent to save those children from a lifetime of neurological damage." [emphasis mine] He further described Julia's introduction as "yet another sickening example of the absolute mental derangement of modern society."
I'm linking to the Raw Story because I don't want to drive even a single visitor to Adams's sites.
So first, and it's 2015 and who ever thought we'd still have to tell people this crap OVER and OVER, but:
VACCINES DO NOT IN ANY SENSE OF THE TERM OR IN ANY IMAGINABLE OR CONCEIVABLE WAY CAUSE AUTISM.
(deep breath)
AND EVEN IF THEY DID your disgust at Sesame Street trying to convince society to treat people with autism with dignity and respect (how dare they!) ranks you among THE VERY WORST PEOPLE I'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED, ONLINE OR OFF.
I really don't know what I hate the most about anti-vaxxers: the compete and utter denial of all reason and sense, or the fact that they use people with autism as a scaremongering example of why their baseless fantasy of terror should be listened to.
People with autism exist, and we did before vaccine schedules and we certainly did before Andrew Wakefield falsified his evidence which for some reason you people still cite. We are not terrifying. We are not the worst thing that could ever happen to your children. We are not boogeymen or closet monsters to be used to scare neurotypical people out of acting rationally or using common sense. We are people. By some counts we are one in every sixty-eight people on the planet.
If you want to tell people that vaccines are dangerous, feel free to do so. You'll be wrong, but you're free to.
But, and I just cannot say this any louder or any more forcefully than this: Leave us the hell out of your twisted fantasies. Every time you use the specter of autism as a scare tactic to frighten the world into following you off of Darwin's cliff, you make life harder for people with autism. Every time you repeat the lie that autism is caused by vaccines you take away from people with autism's status as *people* and replace it with an objectification of autism as a *negative consequence.* We, our families, and our friends — we all deserve better than to be treated like a plague by you and your tinfoil-hat-wearing, paranoid, delusional friends.
Please leave us alone.
(deeper breath)
So to the good, good folks at Sesame Street, to Leslie Kimmelman, to Marybeth Nelson, to everyone trying to make the world a better place for people on the autism spectrum: thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
And to you, Mike Adams, and your hateful anti-vaccine cronies — and I mean this: screw you.
Richard Ford Burley is a writer and doctoral candidate at Boston College, as well as an editor at Ledger, the first academic journal devoted to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In his spare time he writes about science, skepticism, feminism, and techno-futurism here at This Week In Tomorrow.
Anger can be therapy too permalink
Future Power 2: The Stellarator | Vol. 2 / No. 52.3
Solomon, That's Called Rape | Vol. 2 / No. 52.5

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In order to keep your business going—and growing— you need a reliable system that works for you day in and day out. Designed to meet the challenges of your store's environment with retail-ready components not found on a PC, the HP rp3000 Point of Sale (POS) System features powerful processing, a durable form factor and a three-year standard warranty to help you concentrate on your business—not your POS system.
When you need a platform for a POS solution to process customer transactions, a range of inputs allows you to re-use your existing serial accessories and migrate to USB peripherals at your own pace. The HP rp3000 POS System gives you the flexibility to standardize on the same hardware and image throughout your store.
Oversized cooling enables longer continuous operation in an ambient 40°C/104°F environment.
Efficient, low-powered Intel® Atom™ processor uses less energy, helping you save on energy costs.
A lockable front cover and no front ports keep your data and receipts more secure and help prevent tampering.
Extreme environmental and shock testing help ensure reliability during the long-term wear and tear typical of a busy, rugged retail environment.
Let HP take care of its products so you can take care of your business. HP and our valued partners provide worry-free maintenance with a standard three-year warranty on full hardware bundles for end-to-end service in one phone call—take care of your POS system and your HP peripherals all at once.
Flexible POS: Whether you need a platform for a POS solution to process customer transactions or a manager's workstation, the HP rp3000 POS system gives you the flexibility to standardize on the same hardware and image throughout your store.
Retail-Ready Durability: The HP rp3000 POS system boasts a steel chassis and extensive on-board monitoring, an efficient Intel® Atom™ processor, and oversized cooling system that add to the lifespan of the system and increase your savings.
Customize Your Solution: Buy only the HP-branded options you need: a touchscreen display, receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, or magnetic stripe reader and POS keyboard, plus your choice of software applications (in conjunction with ISVs).
HP Service and Support: HP and its valued partners provide worry-free installation and maintenance with a standard three-year limited warranty on full hardware bundles for end-to-end service in one phone call.


Elite online casinos offer hundreds of online real money online gambling for real money slot games, including 5-reel video slots, 3-reel classics, fixed jackpot games, and progressive me software developers focus on progressive gaming while others focus on graphics and entertainment value. Real money online gambling for real money online gambling in the United States sits in a kind of legal grey area. There are no federal laws against simply betting or gaming online, but some states. Casino, games with, real Money. Playing at an online casino for real money has a number of advantages. First, it is a great source of side income since you can play the games after work and generate more income. Real money online casinos offer dozens of ways to get in the game. At casinos online, gamers playing for money should aim to use their home currency every online gambling for real money step of the way. That means depositing, playing, and withdrawing your cash in that specific currency. Casino online, Best online casino, Party casino online, and, online casinos real money usa, Play free for real money go now!
Grande Vegas Casino No Deposit Bonus. CASA held its annual Casino Night at City Hall at City Limits with dinner and a variety of Las Vegas-style games online gambling for real money like roulette, poker, craps and. CAnterbury PArk rACetrACk AnD CArD CLub 1100. Slotomania and Huuuge Casino might not make you for, they will give you so many hours of fun that you should android download.
Reviews about Prairie Meadows Poker Room in Altoona, including Poker Tournaments, Games, Special Events and Promotions. BEST online slots, video poker, table games, and more. Casino Boombet casino into your best option. We update this list frequently with the latest information online the casinos, the. The player can bet either0 Qi coins when using a slot machine. Fortune Lounge is a marketing alliance of top international online casinos, who.
• Online gambling for real money – Resorts Online Casino is a super fun website that is easy to navigate! Whether you're staying with us for work or play, you'll find yourself at a different kind of place with all the. Sign up to a £500 deposit match on mobile games. Foxwoods® Resort Casino today announced the launch of FoxwoodsONLINE social casino platform at www.
• Casino play for free – MGM Mirage have been eyeing ways into online gambling for real money online gambling, and are expected to try to jump into the. Bovada Casino download is accompanied by a step-by-step guide. Studios is an art glass studio located in Portland, Oregon. For those of you who do not know where. North Las Vegas, Cannery Hotel & Casino has become the preferred choice for local and regional residents seeking online gambling for real money gami.
• Free casino games for fun – Sky online gambling for real money Vegas Only available at Sky Vegas online casino promotion. Burney, Shasta County Quechan Reservation*, ParadiSe caSinoS, Ft. York casino known new the huge city bearing the same name, however. Reviews, deposit/withdrawal methods online gambling for real money + timeframes, and.
You can either choose to join a table of other players or go one-on-one with the dealer. Las Vegas slot machines online or free or real money. Kings and Queens, Jokers and… an Ogre?!
• Zone online casino bingo games – Twin River Casino reserves the right to include or exclude guests based on Twin River's sole.
• Play casino games for free – Montana's Best Casinos is to be Montana's Gaming Industry Leader by creating Exceptional Entertainment Experiences for our customers. The casino world is as wide las vegas online it play wonderful stretching from the bright lights of Vegas line Macau to the intergalactic realm.
• No deposit casinos – Oct 9,ee slots casino games · online gambling for real money muckleshoot casino.
• Online casino no deposit free welcome bonus – Tony Bennett is scheduled to perform Friday Maye ballroom at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. If you're looking to play casino blackjack, you're at the right place. Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the Midwest?
Play Live Online gambling for real money!
MGM has gone live with its NJ online poker and casino sites. Pittsburgh's premier entertainment destination, Rivers Casino supports the. You can check your Play+ account balance for free online at SC. Suggest a phone number · Address, Suggest an address. Earlier this year, a whistleblower from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the national regulator for online gambling, said the agency was doing.


While skill with the disc is the most important factor in a Frisbee Golf competition, a player who has practiced the course will have a significant advantage. Poor shot selection will greatly increase your score, especially if it results in a penalty (see tip #5 below).
Throwing your disc against the target as hard as you can from only a few feet away will certainly intimidate your opponents. However, this can also bend (or completely shatter, in the case of many MAD FIGS) the disc. You can just touch the target without making a throw, or even leap through the air to get close enough if you prefer.
If you take your time in getting to the frisbee between shots, you run the risk of bystanders picking it up and throwing it back to you. This can be a disasterous event, since you will most likely end up further away from your target.
Making a good throw from underneath a tree, around a building, or off a roof can be quite difficult. Since you must keep one foot planted where the disc landed, it is much easier to throw from in the open. Possibly saving one stroke with a risky shot often isn't worth the two extra shots you'll need to get out of a bad spot.
Certain holes (as noted in the course outline) contain hazards. Landing in the street adds 2 strokes, while landing in the water adds 5 strokes. In a close match, this can mean almost certain defeat.
BONUS TIP FROM MATT HENSCHEL: If your disc does land in the water, don't swim through the lake after it and DEFINITELY don't drink any of the lake water!
Frisbee Golf is one of the most grueling physical challenges known to humanity. Therefore, you should always follow up a visit to the course with a visit to the Dam Diner in scenic Friant, California.
A feeling of sadness is typical after finishing a round of Frisbee Golf, since most other activities are a step down. However, it is best to remember that you can always come back tomorrow for another chance to play!


text:
Records Book
LPGA International
Courtesy: Romeo Guzman
Kaur's 74 Leads Panthers on Day Two of Sun Belt Women's Golf Championship
Mike Holmes/Sports Communications
Team Results - Round 2
Individual Results - Round 2
Tee Times - Round 3
* Georgia State shot a second round 310 to move into 10th place following two days of the Sun Belt Conference Championship on Tuesday at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.
* Junior Harmanprit Kaur led the Panthers with a 2-over 74 to move into a tie for 27th with one round to play.
* Live scoring throughout the event can be found at GolfStat.com, while TV coverage can be found on ESPN+.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Led by a second round 74 from junior Harmanprit Kaur, the Georgia State women's golf team shot a 310 on Tuesday to move into 10th place at the Sun Belt Conference Championship at LPGA International.
Kaur, the lone upperclassman in the line-up this week, made three birdies and now stands in a tie for 27th at 8-over par entering the final round.
The Panthers, who are looking to win a sixth conference championship in program history, are 49-over par on a tightly contested leaderboard.
"We cleaned up a lot of things today including eliminating a lot of the big numbers that hurt us yesterday," head coach Cathy Mant said. "We still have some work to do entering the final round, but I think we can finish the year on a high note. This team refuses to give up and I expect us to finish strong on Wednesday."
Sophomore Chloe Howard stands in a tie for 27th with Kaur at 8-over par following a second round 79. Freshman Maria Blasco shot an 81 on Tuesday and is in 45th place at 17-over par, while sophomore Petra Duran added a 4-over 76 and is tied for 46th at 18-over par. Freshman Emma Berlin is rounding out the line-up in a tie for 54th at 23-over par following an 83 in the second round.
South Alabama tied for the low round of the tournament with a 2-over 290 to take hold of the lead at 9-over par. Texas State is in second place at 10-over par, with Troy in third at 12-over par. Georgia Southern stands in fourth place at 13-over par with Arkansas State rounding out the top five at 17-over par.
Texas State' Anne-Charlotte Mora and South Alabama's Siti Shaari are tied for first place at 2-under par entering the final round. Georgia Southern's Ella Ofstedahl and Troy's Sarah Harrison are tied for third place at even par while a trio of golfers are tied for fifth at 1-over par.
Live scoring throughout the event can be found at Golfstat.com. Live coverage of the event can be found on ESPN+. Georgia State will be paired with Little Rock going off Hole No. 10 at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
With a tournament championship, Georgia State would advance to one of four NCAA Regional sites May 6-8. Regional sites include Auburn, Ala., Cle Elum, Wash., Norman, Okla., and East Lansing, Mich.
MORE FROM GEORGIA STATE Women's Golf
Women's Golfers Berlin and Duran Named All-American Scholars...
Jessica Steward Named Women's Golf Coach
Eight Women's Golfers Earn Academic Honors
Women's Golf 7-09-19
Women's Golfers Berlin and Duran Named All-American Scholars by WGCA
PANTHERVISION
Baseball 6-26-2019
Football 6-18-2019
Check out the new football strength and conditioning center at Georgia State Stadium
JOIN | LOGIN | VIEW MORE VIDEO


Have you ever wondered why some people seem to attract money like a magnet, and others have to scrounge for every nickel that comes their way? For most of us, work and money go hand in hand. Some people live to work, while others simply work to live.
Money may be a necessary evil, but are we astrologically predisposed to our methods of making and managing our financial well-being? A closer look at your Sun sign may help to shine a little light on the situation.
Earth signs are known for their practical nature, which is firmly rooted in common sense. Their patient methodology and inherent need for stability often plays a significant part in their career and financial success. Ever the conservative, the Earth signs, regardless of their pay scale, are born knowing how to save. When the stocks are down and the economy is being squeezed, the Earth signs may cry poor, but chances are good that they have a moderate roll of bills tucked away in their sock drawer.
Taurus is the executive of the Earth sign bunch – the ones most likely to iron and frame their first dollar bill. They love money and the things that it can buy, and will collect both with a sense of strategy. Virgo tends to be the workaholic. Their discipline flows from their work choice directly to their precise and detailed checkbook ledger. While Virgos may know where every penny has been invested or spent, it is Capricorn who gets the shrewd award. Capricorns make money to keep it, and watch it multiply. They are likely to climb the ladder of success in their chosen field, simply so that they can buy the company.
The intellectual and logical traits of Air are often lost in the breeze when it comes to managing their financial plane. They believe that money is made to be spent. Money of itself holds little value to an Air sign, except that it gives freedom to shop and share. Because work is yet another social arena, Air signs do well in negotiating their pay and position, although they are willing to sacrifice cash in order to achieve personal satisfaction.
Gemini is an accounting nightmare whose impulse spending could fill a store. Their credit card balances aren't incentive to work harder, simply a reason to negotiate (and get!) a little more. Their diversity and love of power keeps them moving in their career path(s), creating an image that success comes easy, even if unpaid bills clutter the desk. When it comes to budgeting, Libra is the best of the Air sign bunch. Well, at least they know what one is. Their love of luxury and the finest things leads then to a career path that allows for self-expression, and is likely to put them in the spotlight – a blessing to their wallets. The oddball of the Air sign group has to be Aquarius. These idealistic, humanitarian sorts are primarily interested in the freedom that money brings. They may tuck away a bill or two if required for their plans, but are just as likely to give it away to a friend or cause in need of a helping hand.
Money in the hands of a Fire sign is likely to go up in smoke. Patience and restraint aren't characteristics of this hot-headed bunch, but their passion to achieve often comes in as their saving grace. Not lacking in energy or ambition, the Fire signs tend to race (or bully) their way to the front, and being the boss typically results in generating more cash. Fire signs like money, the things that it can buy, and the power that it represents.
Aries can be a competitive super-achiever, who thrives on creating success. Never one to be in second place, they tend to make money as a by-product of their ambition. Their selfish side can lead to financial chaos, as their spending habits can quickly get out of control. Fortunately, their creative independence tends to be profitable enough that they can eventually clean up their own mess. Luxury-minded Leo is as good at making money as they are spending it. Even though they are quick to whip out a credit card for a comfort shopping spree, every cent is accounted for, and their next paycheck is already on the way. When it comes to cash, Sagittarius certainly lives in the now. Ruled by Jupiter, the planet of success, Sag knows that more money can be made, even when they don't know exactly where or how. What matters most to this Fire sign isn't money, but the freedom it can buy – for them, money that translates into an experience is worth every dime.
The Water signs are the most diversified group when it comes to money, and making it. Always ruled by their emotions, each Water sign displays their own thoughts and feelings when it comes to money and career.
Cancer is willing to work hard for every dollar they have, and even harder to keep it. For them, money is the unfailing security blanket, and their industrious I'll-do-it-myself attitude has created more than one millionaire whose wallet is in pristine condition – because it is rarely opened. Secretive Scorpio always has a plan, and knows that money equals power. Through quiet calculation, Scorpio will manipulate their career path to get where they want to be, and will stretch a dime as far as a dollar, carefully planning for their chosen luxuries. Pisces typically prefers to be behind the scenes, and often is the starving artist. While they do like their creature comforts, this sign is adept at living within their fluctuating means. For them, money really isn't worth the paper it's written on – it's just another one of those mundane, earthly things.
Some people say that money can't buy happiness, while others say that if that's your viewpoint, you obviously don't know where to shop! Money, or the lack thereof, affects all of us in some fashion – every day. Just ask someone who doesn't have any. Circumstances, as well as portfolios, have a tendency to ebb and flow. Money may rule our world in some fashion by dictating our freedom and levels of comfort, but the one thing it can never do (unless we let it) is to define who we are. Money doesn't make us – we make money. Astrologically speaking, we all have a shot to achieve our financial goals. If you hate what you do, or can't seem to make ends meet, maybe it's time to call on the stars.
Is there abundance written in your stars? Talk to a psychic to find out. Call 1.800.573.4830 or click here now.


Registration begins Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Registration is taken at the community center that your child will be attending (see below). All participant must be at least 6 years old and completed kindergarten.


text:
Philadelphia Reflections: Stories from the Delaware to the Schuylkill
By Edited by Colleen Lutz Clemens & Rebecca Helm Beardsall
Beyond the iconic landmarks of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell is the Philadelphia the locals know. The gritty waterfront district, the vital farming suburbs and the immigrant communities of Germantown and Kensington are all part of the hometown face of Philly. From the bustling streets of the downtown of today and yesteryear to the bingo halls of Allentown and the Middletown Grange Fair, this collection takes the reader on a nostalgic journey through the cityscapes and suburbs. Sixteen of Pennsylvania's finest creative nonfiction writers share their stories of taking SEPTA buses, riding the Wanamaker's monorail and kayaking the Schuylkill. This collection of vignettes masterfully reveals the unforgettable histories and colorful traditions that make up the City of Neighborhoods.
Rebecca Helm Beardsall teaches in the English Department at DeSales University. She grew up in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and has lived in various places since 1991, including Scotland, Canada, Montana and, most recently, New Zealand. She graduated with a BA in English from DeSales University in 2005 and received her MA in English from Lehigh University in 2008. She has fifteen years' experience in freelance writing in the United States and abroad. Her poetry has been published in various literary journals. She currently resides in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and her cat, Myrtle. Colleen Lutz Clemens, a daughter of the Lehigh Valley, is an assistant professor of English at Kutztown University. Along with her poetry publications in English Journal, her essay in the anthology Click recounts her story of being her high school's first female tuba player. Her essay about her Pappy, who worked at Bethlehem Steel, was featured on Philadelphia public radio's This I Believe series. She currently resides in Bucks County with her husband and two dogs.
Remembering Fairfax County, Virginia
Historic Tales of the Pennsylvania Wilds
Lackawanna County Chronicles
Remembering Pittsburgh: An "Eyewitness" History of the Steel City
Remembering Chester County: Stories from Valley Forge to Coatesville
Remembering Cheltenham Township
Remembering Norristown: Stories from the Banks of the Schuylkill River
Remembering Monroeville: From Frontier to Boomtown
Remembering Germantown: Sixty Years of the Germantown Crier
Squirrel Hill: A Neighborhood History
World War II Chicago
Lucky to Live in Pennsylvania
The Wise Animal Handbook Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Architecture


Have you ever done something soooo stupid that it makes you laugh everytime you think about it? Well, I had one of those moments Monday afternoon.
I still chuckle at the stupidity even now when I am typing it.
I suppose there is a lesson in this. In Luke 8:18, Jesus says, "So be sure to pay attention to what you hear. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they think they have will be taken away from them." Jesus said to pay attention to what you hear. If you don't you could miss the "One I love".
Does anyone have a Q-Tip?


text:
Soliris (Eculizumab)
Ultomiris (Ravulizumab-cwvz)
Health Insight
aHUS Linked to Similar Disorder via Complement System and Protein Deficiency, Study Says
Click here to subscribe to the aHUS News newsletter!
Two diseases often difficult for doctors to distinguish between — atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) — are both marked by complement system activation and severe deficiency of the ADAMTS13 enzyme, researchers report.
These disorders are known to share symptoms, but until now were largely thought to be have distinct biological mechanisms.
The study, "Synergistic effects of ADAMTS13 deficiency and complement activation in pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathy," was published in the journal Blood.
aHUS and TTP are two types of thrombotic microangiopathy, characterized by blockages in small blood vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy) that result in organ injury. While TTP is caused by autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 or inherited mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene, aHUS results from uncontrolled activation of the complement system, a set of over 20 blood proteins that form part of the body's immune defenses.
But complement activation has also been shown in TTP, suggesting a link between the disorders. TTP patients with refractory disease and severe ADAMTS13 deficiency respond to Soliris (eculizumab, by Alexion Pharmaceuticals), a treatment that targets the complement C5 protein.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Pennsylvania intended to better assess if ADAMTS13 deficiency and complement activation both contribute to disorders such as aHUS and TTP.
For this purpose, they generated mice with a combined mutation in Adamts13 and cfh, a gene that codes for the CFH complement protein and whose variants have been linked with aHUS.
Results revealed that mice with no ADAMTS13 protein or with a mutation in one of the copies (heterozygous) of cfh — resulting in an amino acid substitution of tryptophan by arginine — remained asymptomatic, despite having microvascular blood clots in various tissues.
In contrast, the animals lacking both the ADAMTS13 protein and with a heterozygous cfh mutation showed a higher mortality rate and more severe organ damage.
These mice also showed low levels of platelets (reflecting the formation of blood clots), increased amounts of the LDH enzyme (an indicator of overall organ damage), and higher levels of blood urea nitrogen and of the kidney function marker creatinine. The analysis further showed low plasma levels of the haptoglobin protein, an indicator of hemolysis (red blood cell destruction).
Mice with mutated cfh in both gene copies (homozygous) revealed severe thrombotic microangiopathy irrespective of having alterations in Adamts13. They also had greater complement activation and markedly higher plasma levels of the Willebrand factor, which plays a crucial role in TTP disease processes.
The animals with combined mutations showed similar changes, but greater severity of organ damage and increased mortality than those with changes in cfh alone.
All three affected mouse strains had widespread platelet-rich blood clots in small arteries and capillaries across tissues of major organ, including the brain, heart, lungs, kidney, liver, and intestine.
"Together, our results support a synergistic effect of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency and complement activation in pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathy in mice," the team wrote.
"The results may help design a potentially novel strategy to treat the refractory thrombotic microangiopathy," X. Long Zheng, MD, PhD, the study's senior author, said in a press release.
José is a science news writer with a PhD in Neuroscience from Universidade of Porto, in Portugal. He has also studied Biochemistry at Universidade do Porto and was a postdoctoral associate at Weill Cornell Medicine, in New York, and at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. His work has ranged from the association of central cardiovascular and pain control to the neurobiological basis of hypertension, and the molecular pathways driving Alzheimer's disease.
Tagged ADAMTS13, CFH gene, complement activation, thrombotic microangiopathy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Previous: Tips for aHUS Caregivers
Next:NORD 2019 Rare Disease Summit Set for Oct. 21-22 in Washington, DC
5 Main Symptoms of aHUS
AstraZeneca Set to Acquire Alexion Pharmaceuticals in 2021
How Does My Doctor Know I Have aHUS?
Mindfulness for People Living With aHUS
Travel Tips for People With aHUS
aHUS News
aHUS News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.


text:
Joe Klein apologizes (Genre: Fantasy)
In Foundation Beyond Belief, Kerfuffles, nonbelief and nonbelievers
In his recent cover story for TIME magazine titled "Can Service Save Us?", Joe Klein got something wrong.
Hey, it happens.
I happened to be in Oklahoma City when I saw the article. I had the privilege of meeting with some secular humanists there who organized volunteers, resources, and blood drives, teamed with local businesses to feed relief volunteers, and drove bulk donations around the city to distribution centers after the tornadoes. They drove backhoes into neighborhoods to clear rubble and get the rebuilding started, took people into their own homes, fed them and clothed them.
I told them about the efforts of the secular humanist organization I direct, including partnering with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to put 100,000 meals in the hands of the survivors of the storms. Foundation Beyond Belief, Atheists Giving Aid, Oklahoma Atheists, the Atheist Community of Tulsa, the Lawton Area Secular Society, the Norman Naturalism Group, FreeOK, the Oklahoma State Secular Organization — the response from the secular humanist and atheist community was overwhelming. Some gave money (nearly a quarter million dollars in ten days), and others gave untold time and energy.
But Joe didn't describe our efforts in his article.
That's fine. I mean my goodness, you can't name every single group that helped out, be reasonable. But unlike other organizations that he didn't name, Joe went out of his way to specifically say that our organizations were not there:
But there was an occupying army of relief workers, led by local first responders, exhausted but still humping it a week after the storm, church groups from all over the country — funny how you don't see organized groups of secular humanists giving out hot meals…
I'd say it's funny how you don't see what you don't look for.
These atheist and humanist contributions to the disaster relief effort were not hard to find. A five-second Google search turns up almost every one of them. But Klein checked only his assumptions and biases, and in so doing reinforced the assumptions and biases of his readers — just about the most shameful thing a journalist can do. Even the time-honored test of substituting another subgroup ("funny how you don't see any organized groups of Jews/blacks/women handing out meals" etc.) should have been enough to slap the sleeping journalist awake in Klein's head, pushing his cursor the scant few inches needed to open the browser of his choice and see whether that thing he assumed was true was actually true.
After being flooded with indignant emails for a few days, Joe posted what he must have seen as a clarification under the darkly snarky title "Secular Humanist Watch." He didn't say there weren't any secular humanists in the relief effort, you see. He said there weren't organized groups of secular humanists. He then tangents into an irrelevant discourse on his own beliefs and mis-defines atheism and secular humanism before restating the whopper:
[I]t is certainly true, as my critics point out, that secular humanists, including atheists, can be incredibly generous. I never meant to imply they weren't. But they are not organized.
This is the jump from carelessness to the lie. He had just been flooded with proof that there was a large, organized secular humanist and atheist presence in the relief effort. Instead of apologizing for a careless error, he opted for an outrageous doubling down. And now, instead of focusing on the good work we're trying to do, we have to complain, something that further reinforces stereotypes. I hate that.
Here's the apology that a person of character and integrity might have made:
In my recent TIME cover story on service, I said that you don't see organized groups of secular humanists giving out meals after a disaster. Apparently this is not at all true. To be honest, it's something I thought was true. I am accustomed to seeing religious organizations on the scene, as well as non-sectarian NGOs, but I was not aware that secular humanist organizations have also been present — not just as individuals, but as part of the organized, collective effort to diminish suffering and heal a broken community. This was news to me, and good news at that. With a little more care, I could have brought that news to my readers and enhanced the story.
As it turns out, it would have been quite easy to discover this fact. I simply didn't think this particular claim needed checking. I was wrong about that, and for that I am sorry.
I'm particularly troubled to realize that my claim disregarded the hard work and dedication of real people who opened their hearts to the victims of the tragedy in Oklahoma, just as their religious friends and neighbors had opened their hearts. I erased these folks, and worse still, reinforced the popular mistrust that exists against them. That is simply not okay.
I briefly considered writing a follow-up that defended my statement on technical grounds, noting that I said there were no organized secular humanist groups, or something to that effect. But I quickly realized that this was just as untrue as the original statement, and that it was more important at any rate to reverse the harm done than to defend my own work.
So thanks to those of you who corrected me on this. I'm always glad to learn something new. It keeps me growing as a journalist and as a human being.
How you can help after the Boston bombing
In action, Foundation Beyond Belief
The humanist members and staff of Foundation Beyond Belief extend our hearts to everyone affected by the tragic bombing in Boston on April 15.
FBB has become a touchpoint for compassionate humanist action in the freethought community. That's a responsibility we take very seriously. When a tragic event like this one happens, many atheists and humanists contact us to see if FBB will mount a crisis response drive. We examined the Boston situation carefully and decided we could be most helpful by pointing toward existing efforts.
If you would like to assist the victims of the bombing and their families, here are a few ways to help:
The Harvard Humanists shared the news that one of their volunteers and her daughter were badly injured in the bombing. Celeste and Sydney Corcoran are both enduring extensive surgeries, and Celeste lost both legs below the knee. Consider making a donation to help the family cope with the financial burden. You can learn more about Celeste and Sydney here.
The One Fund Boston is a fund started by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to assist the families most affected by the bombing. Individuals and businesses are contributing to this fund, including a $1 million commitment from John Hancock and donations from many other corporations. "The One Fund Boston will act as a central fund to receive much needed financial support," according to Governor Patrick.
Those looking for a specifically nontheistic response might consider the drive currently underway through We Are Atheism, Atheists Giving Aid. We Are Atheism intends to distribute the funds to local Boston agencies and/or directly to the families affected.
The Red Cross reported that, thanks to generous donors, the blood supply was adequate to meet demand after the bombing, but people across the country can always schedule an appointment to donate blood.
Double the members. Double the donations. Double the good works.
In Foundation Beyond Belief
Foundation Beyond Belief, one of the loves of my life, is going through a pretty profound transformation this year. Thanks to the generosity of a few extraordinary donors this year, our programs are expanding rapidly, including a pilot for an international humanist service corps that launches this summer. (Much more on that soon.)
But the humanist giving program remains at the heart of what we do — over 1,350 individual humanists contributing what they can on a monthly basis to make the world a better place. We've supported over 100 outstanding charities since our 2010 launch and expect to clear $1 million in total donations by year's end. And every dollar designated for our featured charities goes to those charities.
I know a lot of Meming of Life readers are also Foundation members, and that seriously warms my cockles. If you invite a friend to join and they tell us you referred them, you'll be entered in a drawing for some cool thank-you prizes, and so will they! (Deets here.)
If you're not a member yet, now is a GREAT time to join. For one thing, you'll help us reach our goal of doubling our giving membership by the end of 2013. The giving is simple and fully in your control. You choose your own giving level, starting as low as $5 a month, then distribute your donations among our five cause areas based on your own vision of humanism.
So why not join us now, or watch this video, THEN join, or learn more here, THEN join. Thanks!
Checking in on FBB
In Foundation Beyond Belief, nonbelief and nonbelievers, values
Foundation Beyond Belief, the humanist giving community I first announced on this blog, is continuing to grow, and I realized recently I haven't been keeping Meming of Life readers in the loop very well. Bad Dad.
We now have over 1,300 contributing members and have raised over three-quarters of a million dollars for more than 100 charities since our 2010 launch. Volunteers Beyond Belief now includes teams of humanist volunteers in 23 cities across the U.S., and we're launching our first international affiliates in Canada and Australia later this year.
Here's a peek at our current slate of beneficiaries:
Now why not join up?
You want this book
I really shouldn't presume that you want this book. It's just that…you kinda do.
I'm giving away three signed, personalized copies of my most recent book Voices of Unbelief: Documents from Atheists and Agnostics to support the year-end fund drive of Foundation Beyond Belief.
It's a ripping good cause. The humanist members and supporters of FBB have had an astonishing year. We raised over half a million dollars for 24 charities, including our first ever Light the Night drive for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. We expanded our network of humanist volunteer teams to 23 cities, and we're poised to launch FBB affiliates in Australia and Canada. Next year we hope to double our membership, launch a new and improved website, and top $1 million in donations.
We make all that happen with a small, dedicated staff and a really reasonable budget. But the budget is still a positive number, and we rely on grants and direct donations to keep the lights on.
So here's the deal: Join or donate to FBB during December, and for every $5 of membership level or $10 donation you give, you'll be entered in a drawing for one of three signed, personalized copies of Voices of Unbelief.
Three reasons you just might want this book:
1. Most people will never own it.
It's an expensive, large-format, high-quality hardcover, intended mostly for universities and libraries. The list price is $100 (and 0 < 100). 2. It's unique.
The book is built around 47 documents by atheists and agnostics throughout history. In addition to the US and Europe, there are voices from Persia, Uganda, Nigeria, India, and China. The material includes essays, letters, journal entries, clandestine manuscripts, and even transcripts from Inquisition interrogations. Sure, it has Russell and Dawkins, but also Julia Sweeney and Mr. Deity.
3. It includes rare and never-before-published items.
Among several rarities, you've probably never read the amazing transcripts of Inquisition interrogations from the 14th century that are included -– because they've never been published before in English.
Click to donate to FBB – every $10 gets you 1 entry
Click to join FBB – every $5 of membership level gets you 1 entry
Thanks for putting humanist compassion to work for a better world!
Now it's getting serious
Just five days until I can get back to telling you about Atheism for Dummies. But first, I need your help with a problem.
Foundation Beyond Belief means the world to me. You know that. I want to see it succeed in expanding the reach and impact of compassionate humanism around the world. It's the most meaningful work I've ever done.
You may also know that we're in the running for a Chase Community Giving grant that would completely transform our work. But today, after several good days, we're slipping in the ranks. This is serious. So I'm asking, from the bottom of my heart: If you haven't voted yet, we really, really need you. Can you take a minute to help us out?
If any of my books have been helpful to you, this would be the best possible way to say thanks right now. And while you're there, consider sharing to your Facebook page. Thank you!
UPDATE 15 Sept. 8:00 pm: After an incredible surge on Friday, we're rising again and are now just 96 votes away from the $50,000 grant. Thanks for taking the time to make this happen! Voting ends September 19.
Thanks to your votes, Foundation Beyond Belief is now #54 in the Chase Community Giving competition with seven days to go. That means we're in striking distance of a $50,000 grant.
This grant would completely transform our ability to focus and encourage generosity and compassion in the atheist and humanist community. Since our launch, we've created a network of 18 volunteer teams across the U.S and raised nearly half a million dollars for charities around the world. Here's the idea:
The video's out of date — in fact, a new video is one of many things a grant would buy. We'd also double the size of our Volunteer network, redesign our website to better tell the stories of the outstanding charities we support, and much more.
I'm really proud to do this work, and I want to do it better. This grant will help immensely. All we need are clicks!
Please take just a moment to vote for FBB in the Chase Community Giving competition
FBB needs your clicks!
This is so big — and so, so easy.
Foundation Beyond Belief is one of several thousand charities nominated for a Chase Community Giving grant. Two hundred charities will win grants of $10,000 to $250,000 based entirely on public votes. Voting has begun, and we are currently #67. If we stay there, we'll earn $25,000, an amount that would completely transform our ability to put humanist compassion to work next year. Just 150 votes would launch us to #45, which is $50,000.
This is HUGE.
Please take a moment to click the link, approve the annoying app, and cast your vote for Foundation Beyond Belief. If you can share with your friends, that's gravy. Voting ends September 19, so I'm afraid I'll be a pest for nine more days.
VOTE FOR FBB!
UPDATE 9:00pm: When I posted this we were at 442 votes and #67. We're now at 607 and #57. If you've voted, please click the link to return to your vote page and share the link from there!
Intern for Foundation Beyond Belief!
(You know you want to.)
Foundation Beyond Belief is now accepting internship applications for Fall 2012! The internships run Aug 1 – Jan 31 and average 8 hours per week on a volunteer basis. Interns assist the Foundation with membership development, researching and selecting featured charities, donor management, outreach, communications (including blog and social media), program design, and creative organizational development.
Desirable characteristics include:
• Self-discipline, self-direction, reliability
• High personal motivation and perseverance
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to the Foundation's mission
• Demonstrated familiarity/involvement with the freethought community
• Clear written communication skills
• Creative problem-solving abilities
Experience in the nonprofit sector is not a requirement. Experience in grant writing or other development capacities is a plus, but is also not a requirement.
To learn more about the intern positions or how to apply, go here. Deadline July 23.
Help FBB pin the needle
New Year's Eve is a scary time in the inboxes of America as non-profits and political orgs invoke their boogeymen to squeeze out the last 2011 donations. Democrats put a flashlight under their chin and talk about Gingrinches and Bachmenn massing just beyond the horizon. Same flashlight for the Republicans, but they only have to say socialism. Secularist organizations warn of creeping theocracy, and the religious warn of creeping secularism.
Not really one for scare tactics myself, which may put me at a disadvantage here in the final hours of the Foundation Beyond Belief fund drive. The drive is vital to our work, but I can't say anything scary will happen in 2012 if we don't meet our goal — just fewer cool things.
And OH, the cool things we have planned! We're hoping to have a presence at Reason Rally, Rock Beyond Belief, and the International Freethought Film Festival, expand our humanist volunteer network to four more cities, completely revamp our website, and give our quarter-millionth dollar to charity. We're also about to launch a national FBB Team to raise funds for a major cancer-fighting charity (no, not THAT one).
For all that positive humanism, I hope you'll agree that our own financial needs are pretty reasonable.
I must say I'm feeling a little giddy about the drive (though mentioning that is an outrageous violation of the Fund Drive Rules). In all channels combined — widgets, website, and checks in the mail — this year's drive is now at $12,550 [Update 8:39 pm: $14,110!]. That's really close to securing a quarter of the modest funding we need for 2012, which has me dancing in my jammies. If we end up raising the additional $2,450 $890 in the next 11 3 hours, I may just have to sing in them.
The drive ends at 11:45 Eastern Standard Time tonight. If you've already given, THANK YOU — it means more than you know. If you haven't yet, and you can, we'd be grateful for any amount to help us blow through the goal and keep humanist compassion growing and thriving in 2012.
UPDATE JAN 1, 2012: We finished the drive at $14,460. That's 97 percent of the goal. I am thrilled and relieved. All of our plans for 2012 can go forward. Sincere thanks to all of our very generous donors! We will make you proud this year.


Rosemary Walsh studied at University College Cork, graduating in 1990 with a BA Honours Degree (English and Music) and in 1991 with a BMus Honours Degree. Further studies, over two years, at the Cork School of Music led to a DipCSM Honours. Rosemary's piano teachers have included Una Hunt, John Gibson, Jan Cap , Angel Climent and Ronald Lees. She is an experienced accompanist and repetiteur and has performed with the Orchestra of University College Cork and with the Irish Youth Choir. She is presently the accompanist with Shannon Musical Society and the Coláiste Muire School Choir.
Originally from Co. Kilkenny, Rosemary has taught at St. John's College, Kilkenny, Villiers School, Limerick and at Maoin Cheoil an Chláir since 1994. Her past pupils have included several who have achieved professional qualifications in piano performance and teaching. She has a particular interest in aural skills and theory instruction. Rosemary believes in creating well rounded, independent musicians who's love of music is passed on within their communities and to future generations.


text:
Q: Crawler headers I'm creating a simple crawler that will scrape from a list of pre-defined sites. My simple question: are there any http headers that the crawler should specifically use? What's considered required, and desirable to have defined?

A: You should at least specify a custom user agent (as done here by StormCrawler) so that the webmasters of the sites you are crawling can see that you are robot and contact you if needed.
More importantly, your crawler should follow the robots.txt directives, throttle the frequency of requests to the sites, etc... which leads me to the following question : why not reuse and customise an existing open source crawler like StormCrawler, Nutch or Scrapy instead of reinventing the wheel?

A: It's good to tell who you are and your intentions, and how to get a hold of you. I remember from running a site and looking at the access.log for Apaceh that the following info actually had a  mission (as some of the ones listed in StromCrawler code):

*

*Agent name - just the brand name of your crawler

*Version of your agent software - If issues with earlier versions of the agent, good to see that it's an evolved version

*URL to info about agent - A link to an info-page about the crawler. More info on purpose, technical buildup etc. Also a place to get in contact with the people behind a bot.

If you check out Request fields, you'll find two of interest: User-Agent and from. The second one is the email address, but last I checked it doesn't appear in the access.log for Apache2. The User-Agent for automated agents should contain name, version and URL to a page with more info about the agent. It also common to have the word "bot" in your agent name.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


It's far to say that we have more than our share of anxieties in this house, my children can worry as if it were an Olympic sport …. and then some. It seems to (at times) part and parcel of autism parenting but we persevere and hope that a new day brings a new perspective.
It has been a week of worries for the children, worries about upcoming events and things past (which really don't need to be worried about).
Worries for my self-employed Hubbie when cash flow slows right down.
A mega horrible stress headache for me which was been on and off this week. I've wanted to get to my temples with a can opener and just …. release it all.
But, there is a reason to be cheerful and it is this….
It's half term next week!!! Yippee.


text:
NAMM 2013: Taylor Introduces Grand Orchestra Series Acoustics
Posted on January 26, 2013 at April 13, 2013 by Ronnie Brooks
Taylor's Designers Rethink the Big Guitar
It's always tough for acoustic guitars to cut through at the NAMM show – visually or sonically – but this year, a trio of new Taylors should get their share of attention.
Taylor is unveiling their new Grand Orchestra body shape, a fresh take on the traditional jumbo model. The ultra-limited first edition is available in three versions, all featuring Taylor's Expression System® onboard electronics and designed to fine-tune the jumbo's typically big, thumping voice. According to Taylor reps, "Aggressive strummers will love the robust output, while fingerstyle players will enjoy the dynamic range and sensitive response."
Based on the success of Taylor's previous experiments with new body shapes like the Grand Symphony (GS) and Grand Auditorium (GA) series, the Grand Orchestra models should work well for players looking to blend the power of dreadnaught and jumbo-size guitars with more balanced highs and midrange found in less-massive instruments.
All three first-edition models come with a solid Sitka spruce top and re-voiced bracing system. The absence of a cedar top (for now) will scare off some finger stylists, but the slightly wider 1¾" nut width is clearly intended to accommodate finger pickers interested in adding more muscle. As for rhythm players looking for power and low end, the 16¾" width, 5" depth and spruce soundboard promise ample punch and authority—especially for a new guitar that hasn't benefitted from years of "playing in."
While a variety of standard options are listed in Taylor's online catalog, these inaugural models will come in premium wood grades and non-cutaway versions only, to accentuate the new body shape. Because these guitars haven't shipped to stores yet, prices here are manufacturer's list (expect discounts at stores). Here are some of the standard features.
The 918e Grand Orchestra Model features Indian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top with Adirondack bracing, satin-finish mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard with Taylor's popular "Cindy" inlay pattern (an ornate floral pattern used on all 900 series models). The top and rosette are edged in abalone, and the ebony bridge and pins feature abalone inlays, as well. List price is $5,658.
The 618e features Big Leaf maple back and sides, Sitka top with Adirondack bracing, abalone rosette, a Hard Rock maple neck and ebony fingerboard with "twisted oval" inlays. Future runs should offer the standard range of 600 series colors and finishes, plus quilt/flame options. List for the all-blonde, first-run version (which includes a three-piece back) is $3,798.
The 518e model comes standard with tropical mahogany back and sides, Sitka spruce top and bracing, and abalone rosette. The satin-finish mahogany neck features an ebony fingerboard with "deco diamond" inlays. Look for options to include either Englemann spruce, Western red cedar or mahogany tops. List for the first-run edition is $3,518.
Company CEO Bob Taylor summed up the company's approach to redesigning the traditional jumbo guitar. "Taylor's pretty well-known for having original [ideas]. Our shapes are ours, our inlays, our pick guard, our peghead … we don't make other people's guitars."
More NAMM 2013 Coverage is here!
The Taylor K28e First Edition Grand Orchestra
Fender Acoustics NAMM 2012
NAMM 2013: Ibanez Mondo Update - Iron Label Series,…
namm2013
Ronnie Brooks
Ronnie Brooks can be found lurking around Nashville, TN, where he writes magazine articles, Web content, songs, ad copy, jingles (little songs), and the occasional thank-you note. His songs have been recorded by Kid Rock, Joe Perry and Molly Hatchet; he's played bass for Chuck Berry, produced Dolly Parton, performed on several Super Bowl ads, and seen the Beatles play live.


text:
LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ALL PRODUCTS - **Please Note No International Shipping Outside of the USA Due to Covid 19**
Posture/Thoracic
SI Joints
Thigh/Groin
Heel Gels
Moisturizing Socks
Top 7 Exercises To Help Relieve Joint Pain
This is a Great & Informative article published by Everyday Health and reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH.
It has been shown that regular exercise can help ease symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Too tired to exercise? Forty to 80 percent of people withrheumatoid arthritis (RA) cite fatigue as their most debilitating symptom, according to research published in theIsrael Medical Association Journal in 2014. That, coupled with joint pain and other symptoms of RA, can be a big barrier to getting regular exercise. "This decreased activity level in people with rheumatoid arthritis actually results in reduced muscle strength and ultimately can lead to increased arthritis pain and disability," says Hareth Madhoun, DO, a rheumatologist at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. But regular exercise can actually help ease the symptoms of RA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "People who exercise have improved daily function, decreased depression and fatigue, reduced pain, and improved sleep," Dr. Madhoun says. Don't use rheumatoid arthritis as an excuse not to exercise. Instead, make it your reason to get moving with these seven expert-recommended RA exercises.
Reduce Joint Pain By Walking
It's free, simple, you can do it almost anywhere, and it's easy on joint pain. Not only is walking good for people with rheumatoid arthritis, but it's great for your heart health, says Craig Hensley, PT, DPT, OCS, a physical therapist at the University of Chicago Medical Center. And that's especially important for people with rheumatoid arthritis because the Arthritis Foundation notes that RA increases the risk for heart disease.
In the water is a great place to stretch your muscles and soothe your joints, so hit the pool for an aerobic workout. Swim laps or try a water aerobics class.Swimming, along with other types of aerobic exercise, helps control weight, boost mood, and improve sleep, and it's good for overall health, Madhoun says. Dr. Hensley suggests doing aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, or biking three to five times a week, eventually working up to sessions of 30 to 60 minutes.
The stronger your muscles are, the less strain there is on yourjoints. So don't be afraid of weights, Hensley says, because they're a great way to get stronger and boost muscle mass. Experiment with weight machines, free weights, and resistance bands. Start slowly and increase your intensity gradually. Aim for two to three days a week, doing eight to 10 different exercises that work different large muscle groups across your body. Do two to three sets of eight to 12 repetitions per exercise.
"Particularly for people with arthritis, the smoother motion of cycling minimizes the jolting of traditional jogging," says Brian LaMoreaux, MD, a rheumatologist at Wexner Medical Center. "Unfortunately, some people with rheumatoid arthritis may have hand damage that can limit their ability to participate in cycling." If your hands can handle it though, trybiking a few times a week. Biking may help you condition your body for other types of exercise as well, Dr. LaMoreaux says.
Yoga and Tai Chi
"When a joint and its surrounding muscles are affected by arthritis, the result is often impaired coordination, position awareness, balance, and an increased risk of falling, which is why people complain of their 'knees giving out' with activity," Madhoun says. He explains thatyoga and tai chi are examples of exercises that improve body awareness, which can increase coordination and balance, sense of where joints are positioned (proprioception), and relaxation. Plus, they include flexibility and range-of-motion moves, which boost joint flexibility and joint function, according to the American College of Rheumatology.
Pilates focuses on strengthening and improving control of muscles, particularly muscles that influence posture, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This can make Pilates helpful in managing pain and coping with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Research published in the journalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2013 found that children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis saw a reduction in joint pain after participating in Pilates for six months compared with a group that did conventional exercises.
House Work
Youdon't always have to hit the gym or even the pavement for a good workout. There's plenty of exercise to be had at home. Give your house a thorough cleaning or work in your yard pulling weeds, raking leaves, or cutting the grass. While you're at home, practice balancing on one leg to improve strength and balance, Hensley says. Improvise strengthening exercises by using a chair to move from sitting to standing, or lift soup cans as light weights.
Adjusting Exercise for Your Rheumatoid Arthritis
Respect your body andmake adjustments according to your RA symptoms. "When people are in a flare of their disease, I often tell them to focus on flexibility and low-impact exercises such as swimming, yoga, and walking," says Anisha Dua, MD, MPH, a rheumatologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago Medical Center. "When rheumatoid arthritis is well-controlled, it's highly beneficial to engage in regularly scheduled physical exercise, including aerobic and strengthening exercises."
Get Your Free e-Book on Coping with Arthritis & Improving Your Quality of Life
Be Sure to Check Out our amazing new arthritis pain relief cream - Super Strength Formula
Be Sure to "Like" our Facebook Page to See All Our Happy Winners & Prizes
Retail Account Applications
LET US HELP YOU (574) 293-8622
© 2023 Armstrong Amerika.


In Saturday night speeches to the Tennessee Democratic Party's Three Star Dinner, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and former Gov. Phil Bredesen struck similar themes, saying a willingness to work with Republicans is the way to change Democrats' political fortunes in the Volunteer state. Party officials say about $450,000 was raised at the event in Lebanon.
…He said he felt voters were tired of polarization and that he came to the Senate to find common ground.
Excited Democrats said Saturday the "stars have aligned" with the "most credible candidates" they've fielded in a dozen years heading their ticket as Bredesen runs for U.S. Senate and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh vie for the party's gubernatorial primary.
…State Party Chair Mary Mancini said about 1,000 people attended the event, raising an estimated $450,000, the most successful event in several years.
Earlier, Bredesen, a former Nashville mayor, said in an interview that "I think my whole history has been to cool down party politics," noting that in areas ranging from health care to education, he had pushed issues "contrary" to party issues.
June 18, 2018 (LEBANON, Tenn.) — On Saturday, more than 1,000 Tennessee Democrats from across the state gathered in Lebanon to Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, and Fight for the Future at the 2018 Three Star Dinner and Celebration.
Attendees heard from elected leaders and candidates, paid tribute to Democratic accomplishments of years past, and got fired up to use every moment from now until November 6 to work hard to elect more Democrats up and down the ballot.
Keynote speaker U.S. Senator Doug Jones of Alabama addressed the crowd, speaking to the opportunity to restore Democratic values to all levels of government.
Jones said his victory and the coming election is proof that Republicans don't have a permanent hold on the South.
"I believe we can show the country that we embrace the change we see in our diverse communities — that we have pride in a way of life that values people," Jones said.
Former two-term governor and U.S. Senate candidate Phil Bredesen said he'd join Senator Jones in focusing on "kitchen-table issues" in the Senate so that others can experience Tennessee as a land of incredible opportunity, as it was for him.
Democratic candidates for governor Karl Dean and Craig Fitzhugh also addressed the crowd, focusing on capitalizing on the energy of this moment and remembering what we're fighting for.
House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh spoke to the energy of Democrats around the state stepping up to run for office and volunteer.
All told, the Tennessee Democratic Party raised more than $450,000 and saw a record number of attendees. Combined with investments from the DNC totaling more than $125,000, it's clear that Tennessee is a "state of opportunity," as Senator Jones put it.
Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini said the quality of the candidates and the commitment of Democrats stepping up across the state is a sign of good things to come this fall.
Abbi, why speak in generalities when we can give the voters of Tennessee a more vivid coming attractions thanks to our friends in the Democratic Party bringing One Term Senator by Fluke Doug Jones to town. Notice how Phil Bredesen introduced Jones as an example of ". . .how anyone should operate in the U. S. Senate." INDEED!!!
The One Term Senator by Fluke from Alabama has a Heritage score of 27% which simply means he votes with his ultra-liberal Democratic friends in the Senate opposing the Republican agenda 73% of the time while Marsha Blackburn has a current Heritage score of 86%. They grade tougher over at the Conservative Review so Senator Jones gets a score of flat out 0% while Marsha is moving along at 80%.
To our tepid conservative friends who may be tempted to vote for Bredesen because apparently the pollsters have told him that you find the siren song of "moderation" virtually irresistible, there are in fact no "moderates" in the Democratic Senate delegation and it's foolish to expect Bredesen to be the first and only one. Unfortunately, if it's moderates you are looking for, they're all Republicans.
Like George Wallace said about Republicans and Democrats. There isn't a dimes worth of difference between the two.
Once again, republican spokesman speak in generalities because they have no issues. Name one piece of major legislation the Pelosi and Schumer have advanced. Name one piece of moderate legislation that Republicans have advanced. There are none and haven't been any for years. All congress has done is continue the redistribution of the nations wealth to the top 1% of American citizens and destroying what is left of the actual free market in the process. The less money the poor and working class have, the fewer real choices they will be able to make. Choice, not profits, is what makes a free market work. Democrats have always acknowledged that the wealthy will end up with the lion's share of the wealth, they just run it through workers hands in order to build the market. And let's face it, modern elections are about money and economics, not constitutional issues.
TO REVISE & EXTEND MY REMARKS: I said ". . .there are in fact no "moderates" in the Senate Democratic delegation. . . ." Apparently there are no "moderate" Democrats PERIOD.
It is true that most Democrats tend to be more conservative than moderate. The days of the moderate (read: Eisenhower Republican) are long gone. Bernie Sanders is about as close to a moderate and constitutionalist as one is likely to find, and he's an independent. The right has been brainwashing Americans into acceptance of the aristocracy/corporatocracy form of government by demonizing the poor and minorities of the nation for quite some time. One doesn't have to read farther than this blog to see the vapid nature of conservative thought. They have no ideas, no views on policy, no background in constitutional meaning or any sort of regard for basic human rights. It's only about helping the wealthy steal that last ten percent what's left of American resources from the rest of the citizenry. Recognizing that we are decades behind the rest of the industrialized world in healthcare, education, childcare, wage reform, housing policy, famine protection and progressive taxation isn't liberal or conservative, it basic intelligence and observation of fact versus ignorance and stupidity.


The one, foolproof way to explore fashion is to play with patterns. That is exactly why some days I just want to combine different patterns and play with colors to maximize my look.
For my outfit of the day, I paired up this yellow striped suit with full print skirt. I am totally loving this skirt because it can be any style you want: feminine, sweet, or boyish. Today I'm mixing a little element of masculinity to the look, so I took out my fanny pack and beret hat. The fanny pack is the key that gives a shape to my whole look.