Sadjadpour, the Carnegie analyst, finds it remarkable that so many politicians have supported a group with so much baggage. "In some cases it's greed, in some cases it's cluelessness, in some cases it's remarkably poor judgment, and often it's all of the above," he said of the political support.
What I still don't quite understand is how so many high-ranking and prominent people could be genuinely clueless about a group that they are supporting on a regular basis. It would be more understandable if they were simply motivated by anti-Iranian animus and chose to align themselves with the most distasteful allies possible. That wouldn't make their cavorting with terrorists any less disgraceful, but it would make sense in a very cynical way. What doesn't make any sense is how so many prominent figures could be so thoroughly ignorant about the background of an organization whose cause they are promoting. At some point, the ignorance defense isn't credible. Since the MEK's American advocates obviously know so little about the group's history, why should anyone else trust their judgment when they say that the group shouldn't remain on the FTO list?
"Why are they picking on you?" asked one of many outraged emails from supportive readers in a similar vein. "Why aren't reporters going after the other big names who are raking in big money for speeches like this?" The quick answer: They don't work for newspapers.
In fact, some reporters, including Justin Elliott, have been publicizing the pro-MEK activism of former officials, politicians, and retired military officers for many months. These reporters have been "going after" pro-MEK advocates for quite a while, so it's absurd to think that Page received more scrutiny than anyone else. The reason that these other individuals haven't been censured by anyone is that they are generally no longer answerable to any employer or organization. In that sense, they are free to lend their support to a terrorist group in a way that someone in Page's position isn't. Even though they would all seem to be offering "material support" to a terrorist group, there is no real danger that any of them would face charges.
Much of M.E.K.'s support, Gobadi says, comes from the Iranian diaspora. While he doesn't name the group's U.S. supporters, the Senate disclosure database reveals the Iranian American Community of North Texas and Iranian American Community of Northern California have been most active. Dozens of similar community groups came into existence after the U.S. government shut down a partner office of the M.E.K. in D.C. in 2003, but many have since disappeared. Requests for comments from both community groups were not returned, but it's clear that they have had enormous fundraising and sway.
IACNT and IANCC paid the lobbying firms in Washington thousands of dollars to get signatures for the congressional resolution. They paid the speakers lobby thousands of dollars to get Rendell, Giuliani and Crowley, participants said.
In recent weeks, new questions have been raised about whether private meetings, conference calls and other contact with officials at the State Department and elsewhere in the administration over the past year require the advocates' registration as lobbyists or agents of a foreign entity.
This false claim that they represent Iran's democratic opposition is exactly what pro-MEK advocates say about the group all the time.
Terrorism by itself is a word that sends a shiver of fear through the counter terrorist pros and the victims who have not yet come through the experience. But the word is utterly meaningless when it is employed by the statesmen and officials who set out divergent paths of combatting terrorism but their action is in absolute contradiction to their words bragged to their own citizens. Maybe the illusion of being politically powerful, and luckily few of the kind actually assume a leading political power, means you have virtually nothing to fear of and you are justified in whatever you may do, even if it is shaking hands with terrorists or bowing down to them. That is what happens to Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House and the GOP nomination for the US presidency, whom the US voters have a low opinion of and think to be the lowest form of a candidate.
Mr. Gingrich is not the only former US politician to openly support MKO but he might be the only one to have bowed down to so broadly to the leader of a designated terrorist group. Appearing at a rally held by MKO on June 23 in Paris, Mr. Gingrich, before delivering his speech, neared the end of a long line of attendees to face Maryam Rajavi, who leads the terrorist cult of MKO in the absence of her husband Massoud Rajavi. Under the impression of whatever atmosphere, he smiled, and folded at the waist and bowed to her in a Japanese style.
Mr. Gingrich is a known American figure for his uncompromising stance against Iranian regime particularly for post-hostage crisis. But his error made in his speech after the bow down show was more striking. He sharply rebuked Iranian regime for the 1979 hostage crisis, in which Iran held American embassy officials hostage for 444 days. Although he meant to provide it as a proof of Iran's anti-American feature, he seemed to have failed to remember, knowingly or unknowingly, that MKO not only had supported and participated in hostage-taking but was the zealous side that intensified the created tension and challenged both Iranian and American sides. Although MKO group denies to have played a role in the embassy takeover, and that is true to say it played no role in the occupation of the embassy, it turned a hot supporter of the event as verified by the US State Department Report of 1994 disclosing facts on the group: "As part of that struggle, they assassinated at least six American citizens, supported the takeover of the U.S. embassy, and opposed the release of American hostages".
However, evidences never fail to reveal the truth. There are published evidences and facts by the group's own publications that prove the critical role of the organization in intensifying the hostage crisis so as to win a public support to initiate an aggressive campaign against what it referred to as the main Capitalist camp, namely the US. Maybe MKO never anticipated that in less than two decades they would have to make desperate attempts to acquit themselves of what they believe to be false accusation.
For years MKO has struggled and lobbied to remove the terrorist tag. However, it has received all forms of praise and advocacy from among the high-profile American politics. Most of these advocates collected big bundles of money from the abundant display of the group's extravagance for their support regardless of being engaged in an illegal business. But, to bow before a terrorist, can the gain be equated to loss?!
A meeting was held on Monday 21 November between officials of the Diyala province and family representatives of the people trapped in Camp Ashraf.
1- There will be no compromise on the decision to deport the MEK.
3 - There will be no compromise on respect for human rights laws and agreements and therefore they will not be forcefully returned to Iran.
He said that the overall decisions will rest with central government but as far as Diyala is concerned there is no room for the MKO anywhere inside the province. This has been announced repeatedly by practically all the leaders of tribes and local officials. Dr Al-Mahdwe dismissed completely the MEK propaganda in which they claim they have some support and said that to claim, after what they have done, that the MEK have even a small percentage of support in the province is simply a lie and is purely fictitious.
General Abdol Amir Al-Zeidi, is the commander of the regional army and responsible for the protection of the camp. He said that he has met many escapees from the camp. The last one was a woman who had to drag herself out and crawl for about half a kilometer before reaching the Iraqis. He said the leaders are the problem not the trapped people and if given order we are prepared to transfer them out of the camp with the utmost dignity and care and respect for their wellbeing. He said this can be checked by reporters and human rights organisation who wish to observe the operation.
The General said that in the event they receive the order to evacuate the camp, they will try their utmost to stop the leaders killing the hostages and the disaffected members as they did before. According to the General most of the people who were killed in April 2011 were in opposition to the leadership and had been shot in the heart or in the head. But the leaders tried to cover up such facts even though the evidence is unequivocal. He said reports will be handed over to the authorities to deal with the cases of murder of these people at the hands of the hostage takers.
Massoud Khodabandeh heading the delegation thanked the Government of Iraq and asked the Governor of Diyala and the General to help inform the people trapped inside about their rights and to counter the lies given to them by the hostage takers and cult leaders.
Ms Abdollahi on behalf of the families asked for help and for care to be taken when dismantling the camp to institute particular safeguards to protect the relatives of the picketing families.
Ms Sanjabi, (formerly a member of the MEK Leadership Council), who managed to escape some months ago, explained the latest developments inside the camp and gave some ideas about how the leaders may try to plan and execute violent resistance.
Mr and Mrs Mohammady from Canada who have been trying since before 2003 to rescue their daughter from the camp, presented some documents including copies of the arrest warrants for some leading members of the MKO inside the camp which the General received and promised to follow up.
Other delegation members including Mr. Azizi a Human rights activist from Netherlands Mr Sadeghi, one of the few people who managed to escaped from the camp during the time of Saddam Hussein, Mr Ghashghavi who spent years in Abu Ghraib, where he was sent by Rajavi, Mr. Ferydouni who managed to escape a few weeks ago and Ms Mahdian whose husband, a registered POW, is trapped inside the camp also participated in the meeting.
Press and media were present and the Governor and the General gave a media briefing following the meeting which was broadcast live through official and national media.
A Conference in Baghdad University on Friday 25 November was organised by Al-Edalat Al-Iraqi Society, headed by Dr Nafe Al-Isa, which represents the families of 25,000 Iraqi victims of the MEK.
The Conference was held in Al-Hakim Conference Centre in Baghdad University and hundreds of tribal leaders, University lecturers, Governmental representatives and officials, NGOs and media representatives filled the salon. Although Camp Ashraf and the MEK is an issue specific to the government and citizens of Iraq, the Conference organisers made sure to invite Western agencies, such as the UN, EU and diplomats who have claimed or expressed an interest in Camp Ashraf. Unfortunately, however, any such invitees were apparently unable to leave the Green Zone to attend the Conference and talk to the delegates.
Opening the Conference, Dr Nafe, speaking on behalf of the families of victims of MEK violence, asked that those MEK leaders who were responsible for this violence be brought to justice before their deportation.
Speakers from the government and NGOs all emphasized that the deadline for deportation must be strictly adhered to and that Iraqi and international law against terrorism and crime must be upheld. Other speakers, in particular the tribal leaders spoke about the MEK's crimes which they have witnessed in recent years in Diyala province. They were highly critical of the failure of the American military to dismantle the camp after 2003, and were scathing of the continued American backing which allowed the camp to be used for training and inciting terrorism against Iraqis.
On this theme, Jasem Al- Ebadi, Member of Parliament and member of the parliamentary Human Rights Commission used his speech to criticise EU efforts to keep the terrorist group intact and their opposition to the deportation process. He commented that if they are so in love with this terrorist group, why don't they take them to their own countries?
Mr Adnan Al-Shahmani, head of the Parliamentary Committee to oversee the expulsion of the MEK announced in the Conference that the deadline would not be extended and that the camp will be closed by the end of the year. He also explained that the Iraqi Judiciary had issued its final verdict that the camp should be closed and the land handed back to the original owners.
Mr Al- Shahmani also criticized the West for its silence toward the crimes committed by the group against civilians, and asked international communities not to remain silent in the case of the abuse of the rights of the families of the victims of the MEK.
Mr Al-Shahmani also met with the representatives of the families of hostages inside Camp Ashraf and the delegation from European countries who are campaigning to ensure a peaceful outcome to the standoff at the camp.
Massoud Khodabandeh, from Middle East Strategy Consultants which is working with the Iraqi government to resolve the situation at Camp Ashraf, introduced his book 'The Life of Camp Ashraf – Mojahedin-e Khalq Victims of Many Masters' to the Conference. The book places the MEK in the context of its foreign ownership and concludes that these owners have invested heavily in the MEK's ability to commit acts of violence and terrorism, and that this is the reason for western resistance to closing the camp. The book particularly highlights the MEK's refusal to allow residents of the camp to have contact with their immediate families as a fundamental human rights abuse of every person in the camp.
Ms Abdollahi represented the families and asked for help to release the hostages (including her own son) from the camp. Ms Abdollahi reminded the Conference that the families' struggle to find their relatives had been going on since 2003 and that a permanent picket had been established two years ago. She stressed that when searching for a solution the families of course have the security and safety of all the residents as their utmost priority. The families have the simplest and easily granted request – to visit their loved ones who are in the camp. This does not depend on the removal of the MEK from Iraq and would be simple to do. The only barrier to this request is the order of the MEK leaders Massoud and Maryam Rajavi. They can easily resolve this issue by ordering that the families of MEK members be allowed to have free and unfettered contact with their loved ones.
Ms Sanjabi is an ex-member of the MEK's women only Leadership Council. She managed to escape from Camp Ashraf very recently, and explained the dire situation of the women inside the camp, detailing disturbing and shocking human rights abuses which are currently being carried out against the residents by the MEK leaders.
Ms Mahdian, whose husband is a hostage inside the camp, explained how Saddam's Intelligence services gave her husband to the MEK as a slave, even though he had been and is still a registered POW, captured at the start of the Iran-Iraq war. Ms Mahdian explained that her son has not seen his father for the past 25 years and the MEK would not allow this visit even after two years of picketing.
Mr Sadeghi from Germany, who is one of the few members who managed to run away from the camp successfully during the time of Saddam Hussein, presented and explained evidence of recent MEK interference in the internal affairs of Iraq, their collaboration with Saddamists and other terrorist groups, and the MEK's active role in intensifying the insurgency.
Mr Ghashghavi also from Germany, served eight years without trial in Saddam's prisons including Abu Ghraib for refusing to carry out Massoud Rajavi's orders to commit criminal acts. Mr Ghashghavi explained how Rajavi and Saddam would force people to either kill others or be sent to the torture chambers themselves and be killed.
Another ex-MEK member, Mr Ezati who now lives in the Netherlands, gave interviews to the media explaining the situation inside the camp and the constant abuse of human rights of the victims. Mr Ezati strongly criticized the unfortunate media silence over these human rights abuses which he ascribed to the pervasive influence of the MEK's powerful backers who regard the MEK as "good terrorists".
Tens of ex-MEK members who work with Nejat Association in Iran, also attended the Conference and were interviewed by the media. They explained that Nejat Association, which works closely with the families of the hostages, now has the capacity to help those survivors who wish to do so, to go back to their country under the amnesty which was granted by the Iranian authorities in 2003 (which is based on the understanding that the MEK members have been subjected to the coercion and control of cult leaders) and which to date has been upheld under the supervision of the ICRC.
Conference attendees were particularly interested in the testimony of three recently escaped camp residents who gave full and detailed explanations to the media about the harsh reality of being a captive inside Camp Ashraf. They spoke about the total information blackout and social and emotional isolation they experienced there. They emphasized that the leaders and the hostage takers lie constantly to the residents so that the captives have no idea about the outside world. They are made to believe that the MEK leaders are directly supported by the Americans and that if they tried to escape the camp they would be immediately shot, or now, after being tortured by the Iraqis they would be handed over to Iran to be executed without trial. They said that if they were given the true facts and information, there is not one person in the camp who would still want to stay in the desert of Iraq nearly nine years after disarmament. They urged international organizations, especially the US representatives and UNAMI, who are the only organizations with close relations with the hostage takers, to take advantage of their weekly meetings inside Camp Ashraf with the hostage takers, to persuade them to open up the flow of information and convince them to give people the right to family visits as well as normal means of communication such as writing and telephones, etc.
These recently escaped hostages also urged UNAMI not to present the hostage takers as the representatives of the hostages in the media outputs. Instead they should be clear that Rajavi is no one's representative and as long as the negotiators have not met with the hostages without the presence of the MEK commanders - the hostage takers - outside the camp, they have no right to claim anything on their behalf. They said they believe that UNAMI and the American backers of the cult are in breach of international law for siding with the terrorists as these are people who have abused the human rights of over 3000 people for decades. The survivors of Camp Ashraf are now taking legal advice to claim compensation for their suffering and losses from the MEK leaders.


Hannibal Buress has moved up in the ranks of comedy recently. Getting his own show on Comedy Central is a big step for him. In this video, the comedian talks about his missteps, his inspirations, and which human orifice is the funniest.


July 29, 2013 by Carol Tschirpke, P.T.
Bam! My Knee! Now What?
June 20, 2013 by Carol Tschirpke, P.T.
Knee injuries are common in all sports, but football tackles and pile ups put this vulnerable joint at great risk. When Rodney Harrison, the New England Patriot safety, went down with a knee injury, the Boston Globe reported that he had suffered a right medial collateral ligament … [Read more...] about Bam! My Knee! Now What?


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Eleven Arts To Release Millennium Actress on Blu-Ray
Posted by Samantha Ferreira | Aug 26, 2019 | News Reporting |
Tags: blu-ray, eleven arts, millennium actress, shout! factory
Earlier today, Eleven Arts announced that they will release Millennium Actress on home video in North America. Shout! Factory will ship the feature on Blu-Ray and DVD on November 19, with a suggested retail price of $26.99 USD.
The release will include both the subtitled and dubbed versions of the film.
Millennium Actress is an original project from late filmmaker Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika). Kon directed and co-wrote the film at Madhouse, with Sadayuki Murai (Boogiepop Phantom, Kino's Journey) serving as a co-writer. Kon and Takeshi Honda (Blue Submarine No.6, Den-Noh Coil) collaborated on character designs.
The picture made its theatrical début on January 3, 2001. The film was originally released in North America by Sony Pictures in 2003. Eleven Arts gave the film a two-day theatrical run on August 13 (subtitled) and August 19 (dubbed).
Eleven Arts describes Millennium Actress as:
Experience the gorgeous new restoration of what many believe to be Satoshi Kon's (Perfect Blue, Paprika) greatest work, Millennium Actress. When the legendary Ginei Studios shuts down, filmmaker Genya Tachibana and his assistant are tasked with interviewing its reclusive star, Chiyoko Fujiwara, who had retired from the spotlight 30 years prior. As Chiyoko recounts her career, Genya and his crew are literally pulled into her memories where they witness her chance encounter with a mysterious man on the run from the police. Despite never knowing his name or his face, Chiyoko relentlessly pursues that man in a seamless blend of reality and memory that only Satoshi Kon could deliver. Boasting countless awards, including the Grand Prize in the Japan Agency of Cultural Affairs Media Arts Festival, which it shared with Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, Millennium Actress is a must-see for anime fans of all ages.
Source: Twitter (ELEVEN_ARTS)
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requested comments about its calculation method for the trend factor used in its fair market rent (FMR) estimates.
HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims announced that he will retire from public service at the end of this month to return to his Seattle, Wash. home.
The city of Seattle, Wash.'s Office of Economic Development allocated $10 million in new markets tax credits (NMTCs) to support the INSCAPE building's renovation.
The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) announced March 9 that the 2016 TCAC Excel application's sources-and-uses budget now includes language that allows the sources and uses budget to serve as the template for the final cost certification.
The Novogradac LIHTC Property Compliance Workshop is a 10-hour, two-day course, led by knowledgeable instructors, to provide attendees with the most up-to-date low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) compliance knowledge and industry trends critical to owners and property managers. At the conclusion of the workshop, attendees have the opportunity to pass an exam to obtain the Novogradac Property Compliance Certification (NPCC), an official accreditation for members of the LIHTC community.


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Q: Oracle Forms - Enable / disable tabular list item rows based on the query data I have a text item ('TXT_EG_PER') and a list item('LI_P') as tabular in a datablock('DB') as shown in the picture.

 I want to make list items enable/disable singly based on the row data.
I used 'TXT_EG_PER's WHEN-VALIDATE-ITEM trigger. My code in it:
IF smt..    THEN
    SET_ITEM_PROPERTY  ('DB.LI_P',
                     ENABLED,
                     property_true);
ELSE
    SET_ITEM_PROPERTY  ('DB.LI_P',
                     ENABLED,
                     property_false);
END IF;

But it makes all list items enable or disable. I want to do it row based.

A: Use SET_ITEM_INSTANCE_PROPERTY instead. Its usage is described in Forms Online Help System. Have a look, as it doesn't have the same parameters as SET_ITEM_PROPERTY built-in, e.g.
set_item_instance_property(item, record, property value);

In your case, that might be
SET_ITEM_INSTANCE_PROPERTY  ('DB.LI_P',
                             :system.trigger_record,
                             ENABLED,
                             property_true);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Celebrate Equality Day! – The 33rd anniversary of the Charter's equality provisions
"Every day should be equality day, because every day we need to fight against the systemic inequality we witness and reaffirm our commitment to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms." – Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Ottawa (17 April 2018) — On April 17, the National Union of Public and General Employees joins allies across Canada to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the coming into force of the equality provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Charter has transformed human rights in Canada
The Charter is one of Canada's most important legal documents and has profoundly transformed human rights in Canada over the past generation. The Charter was signed 36 years ago, but implementation of Section 15 on equality rights was delayed for 3 years because federal, provincial and territorial governments needed to amend their own laws to include equality provisions.
Section 15 states:
Equality Rights
15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
While section 15 contains guaranteed equality rights, it is also important to note that the addition of section 28 was made to ensure that men and women have an equal claim to Charter rights.
28. Notwithstanding anything in this Charter, the rights and freedoms referred to in it are guaranteed equally to male and female persons.
On this day Canadians everywhere can celebrate the inclusion of Sections 15 and 28 in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As such, they form part of the Canadian Constitution. It is well known that these sections are in the Charter because of the activism of Canadian women and it is important to celebrate that activism as we also celebrate the rights contained in the Charter.
From aspirations to reality
Unfortunately, it seems to take a long time for society to catch up to laws that are adopted. Decades after this great breakthrough, Canadian women still face major income inequality. Research shows there is a growing gap between the rich and the poor in Canada. A top priority of future government budgets must be to reduce income inequality for everyone, but especially for women.
There is still much work that needs to be done, but until the Charter was adopted, human rights were narrow and minor. They were protected by the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960), but not taken too seriously because they were not written into the Constitution. Having the Charter gives us a framework to make the changes that are needed and inspires us to continue to press forward.
"There was a great deal of resistance to the idea of entrenching Charter rights in the Constitution and there is still a long road ahead. Since the Charter, we have seen profound changes in Canadian law, but we must not rest or become complacent as there is much work to be done, and without vigilance, very quickly our Charter rights could be eroded." said Larry Brown.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 390,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. — NUPGE
Equality Day


For all players wanting to play roulette, but don't know much about the age-old game, you've come to the right place. Instead of simply being played in a physical casino, like most every other casino game, it can now be played online from the comforts of your own home. While the once wildly popular casino game has now taken a back seat to a handful of games, make no mistake about it, roulette is still a fun-filled game of chance that will leave you as pleased as it has for casino goers all over the globe for centuries, Today, it remains a viable option for online casino lovers that are looking to increase their winnings – and fun. In Europe, casino and online-based based roulette is still wildly popular even if it has taken a bit of a backseat to other games stateside.
An online roulette wheel has 38 numbers from one through 36, in addition to a single zero and a double zero. If you're playing the European version, only 37 numbers appear, as the double zero appears only on American wheels. The numbers on the wheel are not listed consecutively but do alternate from black to red, with the exception of the single and double zeroes, which are both green. The dealer who spins the wheel is called the croupier in a live casino. The wheel spins in one direction while the ball spins in the opposite direction. The wheel remains stationary and will start to spin after you've locked in your bets.
Wagers on any of the three columns generally pays 2-1.
Bets on individual numbers, including 0 and 00, are placed by putting a chip or chips fully inside a numbered box. With a whopping 35-1, the payout for nailing one of these bets is absolutely phenomenal.
A split wager is a bet placed on two numbers, and it pays 17-1. The player places a chi so it stands on two numbers.
A street bet is a three-number bet that pays 11-1.
There really is no strategy in roulette unless you spot the wheel spitting out the same combination of winning numbers fairly consistently, suggesting a worn wheel or one that may be off balance. Outside of that, roulette is a game of absolute luck!


Book Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer | reading is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Cress and Thorne are too cute for words! She openly admits that she's a damsel in distress, but the Prince Charming idea (in the form of Thorne) is not agreeing with her fantasies. Oh, the mishaps they have! Thoroughly entertaining.
Thorne was hilarious. Indeed, he is not the prince to the rescue that I had in mind. He was so much more, his character was oozing with fun 🙂 He has his moments, too. He was sweet to Iko, and I really, really liked that about Thorne. He's a riot, I tell you. Very enjoyable to read!
Slim appearances of Cinder and Kai in Scarlet? It was worth it! So, so worth it here in Cress. *happy sigh* They have this romantic feel of a fairy tale without being… patronizing, and unreal. You know? The swoon is cute enough to generate a happy, happy feeling.
Whatever happened to Scarlet and Wolf will hopefully be only a trial. I love these two, so I want a happy ending for them! Please, Marissa Meyer?
Cress set me up pretty nicely in anticipating Winter. Funny, cute, and action-packed, it is a book that I will glad pull an all-nighter for.


This is the first card I made for the Online Card Class Color Theory. For the first day we learned about Primary Colors and how to use them. I had recently purchased Simon Says Stamp Beautiful Flowers 2 and used this stamp set to create my first card for the class. I love the way that red and yellow compliment each other.
I stamped the images on Neena Classic Crest 80# Solar White Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored them with Copic Markers (colors are listed below). The matching dies for these images cut really close to the edge and leave a small white border, which I really like. I arranged the flowers into a bunch and glued them together with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive. To add dimension 3M 1/2″ Foam Tape was added to the back of the flowers.
I like the visual interest that is added to a card using an embossing folder. I die cut a rectangle of Neena Classic Crest 80# Solar White using a My Favorite Things A2 Stitched Rectangle and then ran it through the Big Shot with the Cricut Cuttlebug Mosaic folder. The panel was adhered directly to a top folding A2 cardbase made from Gina K. Designs Base Weight Onyx Black Cardstock. The backing was removed from the foam tape of the bouquet of flowers and they were adhered to the directly to the card front.
The sentiment is from Studio Katia's Blooming Bunch stamp set. It was stamped with VersaMark Ink onto a scrap of black cardstock and heat embossed with Gina K. Designs Detail White Embossing Powder. The sentiment was cut into an angled banner and foam tape was added to the back and adhered to the card front and the card was done.
I recently posted another butterfly card where I stamped different butterflies onto a rectangle of Neena Classic Crest 80# Solar White Cardstock and cut around them using my Silhouette Cameo. When I went to throw away that rectangle I saw that I had stamped those butterflies in a really pretty formation and decided to use it to create another card. I really like the way it turned out.
I ink blended the butterfly rectangle using Distress Oxide Inks and then die cut it using a My Favorite Things A2 Stitched Rectangle. To add visual interest I die cut some Simon Says Stamp White Glitter Cardstock with the same rectangle die and adhered the two together with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive.
A side folding A2 cardbase was made from Gina K. Designs 120# White Cardstock. The butterfly panel was adhered directly to the card front with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive. Pink Offray Ribbon was added to the bottom of the card. I didn't want the sentiment to add element to the card front and so I decided to print a sentiment on Avery Clear Labels and adhere it to the ribbon. I like the way it turned out. As a final embellishment, a lot of white pearls were scattered all over the front of the card.
This week the Free For All Challenge is to create a card with the theme "Birds of a Feather." I decided to pull out my Cuttlebug Feathers and Arrows Dies, along with Sizzix's new 3-D Feathers Embossing Folder to create my card.
I began by die cutting some Kraft Cardstock using the largest My Favorite Things A2 Stitched Rectangle and then ran it through the Big Shot with the Sizzix 3-D Feather Embossing Folder. To help the feathers stand out I used Distress Oxide Tea Dye and Vintage Photo to lightly ink blend over the raised surface of the feathers. Later I decided to add a little Salty Ocean to the center of the feathers to compliment the colors used on the feathers.
I die cut the feathers from Neena Classic Crest 80# Solar White Cardstock and ink blended them using Distress Oxide Salty Ocean, Broken China, and Cracked Pistachio. To help them standout on the card front I eventually decided to ink the edges with Salty Ocean. I liked the feathers, but they needed a little something to add visual interest, so I pulled out my Tim Holtz Collect Stampers Anonymous Burlap Stencil and lightly pounced Salty Ocean Distress Ink onto each feather, which gave them an interesting pattern.
I wrapped some Gold Decorative Trim from Hobby Lobby three times around the base of the card front and tied it in a knot. I added 3M 1/2″ Foam Tape to the back of the two largest feathers, glued the smallest in place with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive and then removed the backing and adhered the largest feathers over the top.
For the sentiment I ink blended a scrap of white cardstock with the same colored used on the feathers, dried it with my heat tool and then stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant's Fair Feathers with VersaMark Ink and heat set it with Ranger Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder.
A top folding A2 cardbase was made from Gina K. Designs Base Weight Dark Chocolate Cardstock. The dry embossed rectangle was adhered to the cardbase with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive. The sentiment was cut into a then strip and adhered directly to the cardbase with liquid glue and the card was done.
At Splitcoaststampers.com this week the Technique Lovers Challenge was to create a Tri-Fold Card. It looked interesting and so I decided to give it a try.
You take a full sheet of cardstock and score it at 4 1/4″ and 5 1/2″ and then you cut it diagonally from corner to corner. This creates the tri-fold card base. I decided to do a top folding card and decorated the bottom right of the card with patterned paper from Bo Bunny's Isabella Collection. Then I needed to decide on what focal image I could create that would go well with the patterned paper I had chosen. I decided to us Avery Elle's Bring on the Cake.
I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored it with Copic Markers. I then pulled out My Favorite Things Pierced Circle STAX die and selected one that would closely cut around the focal image. I left enough room to stamp the sentiment from the same stamp set. I matted my circle with pink cardstock I had in scraps using the Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles Small.
When adhering the focal image you want to be sure that you only do so to one side so that the tri-fold card can be opened. I decided to scatter some Doodebug Designs Sprinkles Cupcake Assortment around the focal image, added Ranger Glossy Accents to the frosting and the card was done.
The problem with this type of card is that it doesn't stay together very well. This really bothered me and so I went to my sewing room and pulled out some clear Velcro and added a small square underneath the focal image to keep the card together and it worked much better.


Belle Teal is growing up in the South in the late Fifties. Her grandmother is going senile and her mother is studying at secretarial school while trying to support them all, so there's really no one at home for Belle Teal to tell about the new colored boy at school or snooty new rich girl. As she confronts her classmate's blatant racism with the help of her friend and a sympathetic young teacher, Belle Teal does a lot of growing up.
Probably one of Martin's better novels, this one still has some rough spots, almost as if it was rushed and underedited. It is enjoyable enough as a read for middle readers, but gets a bit scrappy at parts. Like other novels about racism in the past, this novel seems suspciously like one of those books you get assigned to read, rather than choose to. Might make a good book report subject but for enjoyment I'd go for something more contemporary and relevant.


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Ty Simpkins is a 21-year-old American Movie Actor from New York City, New York, USA. He was born on Monday, August 6, 2001. Is Ty Simpkins married or single, and who is he dating now? Let's find out!
As of 2023, Ty Simpkins is possibly single.
Ty Keegan Simpkins is an American child actor. His major film roles include Iron Man 3 (2013), alongside James Wan's horror stories Insidious and the sequel Insidious: Chapter 2, and Jurassic World (2015). He appeared with his real-life sister, Ryan Simpkins, in the films Pride and Glory, Revolutionary Road, and Arcadia. He appeared on-screen as an infant, playing the role of baby Jack Manning on One Life to Live.
Ty Keegan Simpkins
New York City, New York, USA
August 6, 2001 (age 21)
Fun Fact: On the day of Ty Simpkins's birth, "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child was the number 1 song on The Billboard Hot 100 and George W. Bush (Republican) was the U.S. President.
Ty Simpkins's Girlfriend
Ty Simpkins is single. He is not dating anyone currently. Ty had at least 1 relationship in the past. Ty Simpkins has not been previously engaged. His sister Ryan is three and a half years older than him. According to our records, he has no children.
Like many celebrities and famous people, Ty keeps his personal and love life private. Check back often as we will continue to update this page with new relationship details. Let's take a look at Ty Simpkins past relationships, ex-girlfriends and previous hookups.
Ty Simpkins's birth sign is Leo. Leos love being coddled and having their egos stroked. Leos are attracted to someone who's just as vibrant and unique as they are. The most compatible signs with Leo are generally considered to be Aries, Gemini, Libra, and Sagittarius. The least compatible signs with Leo are generally considered to be Taurus and Scorpio. Ty Simpkins also has a ruling planet of Sun.
He has not been previously engaged. We are currently in process of looking up more information on the previous dates and hookups.
Ty Simpkins Biography
Ty Simpkins was born on the 6th of August in 2001 (Generation Z). Born roughly between 1995 and 2012, Generation Z is the next generation that is still growing up. Not a lot of data is published about this generation, as the average age is somewhere between 4 and 19 years old. But we do know that these toddlers are already hooked on technology.
Ty's life path number is 8.
Ty Simpkins is popular for being a Movie Actor. Portrayed Dalton Lambert in the first two Insidious films and also had roles in the blockbuster films Iron Man 3 and Jurassic World. Additionally, he acted alongside his sister Ryan in the 2008 film Revolutionary Road. He acted opposite Rose Bryne in both Insidious (2010) and Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). The education details are not available at this time. Please check back soon for updates.
Ty Simpkins is turning 22 in
Ty was born in the 2000s. The 2000s is the decade of growth of the Internet and beginning of social media. Facebook, Twitter, eBay, and YouTube were founded. The iPhone was released.
The 21-year-old American was born in the Year of the Serpent and is part of Generation Z
According to Chinese Zodiac, Ty was born in the Year of the Serpent. People born in the Year of the Snake are a symbol of wisdom and wit, often seen as humorous and gifted in literature and art. However, the snake can be overly suspicious, which makes them a bit paranoid.
Ty Simpkins Facts
What is Ty Simpkins marital status?
Is Ty Simpkins gay?
Ty Simpkins has no children.
Is Ty Simpkins having any relationship affair?
Was Ty Simpkins ever been engaged?
Ty Simpkins has not been previously engaged.
How rich is Ty Simpkins?
Discover the net worth of Ty Simpkins on CelebsMoney
Ty Simpkins's birth sign is Leo and he has a ruling planet of Sun.
– View Ty Simpkins height, weight & body stats
– Ty Simpkins's biography and horoscope.
– When is Ty Simpkins's birthday?
– Who's the richest Movie Actor in the world?
Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us. This page is updated often with fresh details about Ty Simpkins. Bookmark this page and come back for updates.


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Home/Politics/Connecticut student-teacher arrested for consensual sex with legal-aged student
Connecticut student-teacher arrested for consensual sex with legal-aged student
Kevin WhitemanFebruary 7, 2018
Tayler Ivy Boncal busted for having sex with an 18-year-old. (Photo: New Britain PD)
A Connecticut 22-year-old student-teacher has just been arrested for having sex with an 18-year-old student. Strange, considering the legal age of consent for Connecticut is 16.
As reported by the Breitbart news service, Tayler Ivy Boncal has been arrested and charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault.
Breitbart also notes that "Boncal had finished her semester as a student by the time of the relationship, she was active in the district as a coach for Conard High School's track team."
Obviously towing the party line, Breitbart also cited that West Hartford schools superintendent Tom Moore "condemned Boncal's behavior, arguing that she broke the 'sacred trust' she entered into when she joined the community. 'Whether someone is 21, 41, or 61, the moment they are a part of a school as a student teacher, mentor, or coach, they enter into a sacred trust with our students and community.'"
Furthermore, the local newspaper, the Hartford Courant, also published that "She is accused of engaging in intercourse and oral sex with the student under a statute that prohibits sexual contact between teachers and students in their schools."
Photo: Central Connecticut State University
The Connecticut paper also noted, "On Dec. 4, Boncal was hired as a track and field coach. School officials said the 18-year-old is not a member of the track team."
Also cited by the Courant, "Boncal graduated from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain in December 2017, university spokesman Mark McLaughlin said Friday afternoon."
However, from a 2002 official state of Connecticut General Assembly website, it clearly stated what does and doesn't constiture statutory rape, specifically § 53a-70 (a)(2) and § 53a-71 (a)(1):
First-degree sexual assault to have sexual intercourse with a person under age 13 if the actor is more than two years older
Second-degree sexual assault to have sexual intercourse with a person between ages 13 and 16 if the actor is more than two years older
But a bit more up to date, from a seperate and updated 2017 Connecticut General Assembly website, the above cited Sec. 53a-71 is given a bit more ink. (Emphasis mine)
Sexual assault in the second degree: Class C or B felony. (a) A person is guilty of sexual assault in the second degree when such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person and: (1) Such other person is thirteen years of age or older but under sixteen years of age and the actor is more than three years older than such other person; or (2) such other person is impaired because of mental disability or disease to the extent that such other person is unable to consent to such sexual intercourse; or (3) such other person is physically helpless; or (4) such other person is less than eighteen years old and the actor is such person's guardian or otherwise responsible for the general supervision of such person's welfare; or (5) such other person is in custody of law or detained in a hospital or other institution and the actor has supervisory or disciplinary authority over such other person; or (6) the actor is a psychotherapist and such other person is (A) a patient of the actor and the sexual intercourse occurs during the psychotherapy session, (B) a patient or former patient of the actor and such patient or former patient is emotionally dependent upon the actor, or (C) a patient or former patient of the actor and the sexual intercourse occurs by means of therapeutic deception; or (7) the actor accomplishes the sexual intercourse by means of false representation that the sexual intercourse is for a bona fide medical purpose by a health care professional; or (8) the actor is a school employee and such other person is a student enrolled in a school in which the actor works or a school under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education which employs the actor; or (9) the actor is a coach in an athletic activity or a person who provides intensive, ongoing instruction and such other person is a recipient of coaching or instruction from the actor and (A) is a secondary school student and receives such coaching or instruction in a secondary school setting, or (B) is under eighteen years of age; or (10) the actor is twenty years of age or older and stands in a position of power, authority or supervision over such other person by virtue of the actor's professional, legal, occupational or volunteer status and such other person's participation in a program or activity, and such other person is under eighteen years of age; or (11) such other person is placed or receiving services under the direction of the Commissioner of Developmental Services in any public or private facility or program and the actor has supervisory or disciplinary authority over such other person.
(b) Sexual assault in the second degree is a class C felony or, if the victim of the offense is under sixteen years of age, a class B felony, and any person found guilty under this section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of which nine months of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court.
Should Boncal lose her job if substantiated? Probably.
But should she be convicted as a felon for sexual assault of someone well over the age of consent? Absolutely not.
Please share on Twitter and Facebook, especially if you think Tayler Boncal is being set-up for a fall.
Betrayed: Cleared of Murdering Afghan Civilians, Marines Still Slammed by Army Officers, DoD Investigators, International Media
Geogia high school senior suspended one year for hugging teacher
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Poll: Who do you think won the CBS GOP debate in South Carolina and why?
Trump and Reagan Similarities, a Perspective of History [Video]
San Fran QB sits during National Anthem, BLM's DeRay McKesson approves
" Bringing Down 'Amerika' ": Patriots, This IS War! Nov. 4, 2017 Ups The Ante: Reds & Greens In The Fray. What's To Be Done?
Black Christian woman unloads on Obama, BLM, blacks in a heroic tirade
The Left's Goal: Get Parents Out Of Their Children's Lives


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Index » Games » PC » Driver: San Francisco
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
Also known as: Driver 4
With crime lord Charles Jericho now on the loose, San Francisco faces a terrible threat. Only one man can stand against him. His name is John Tanner. He is the Driver. Driver San Francisco is the return of the established action driving video game series that has sold 14 million copies worldwide. Players will race through the iconic streets of San Francisco across 210 square miles of terrain, with the ability to shift between over 130 licensed muscle and super cars to complete missions, challenges and dares.
US: September 27, 2011
UK: September 30, 2011
PlayStation 3 (Reviewed)
Xbox 360 (Reviewed)
Our Review of Driver: San Francisco
"A reboot of a classic racing franchise offers more than just a rehash of the original"
Driver: San Francisco (PlayStation 3) is ranked #163 out of 1542 total reviewed games. It is ranked #30 out of 112 games reviewed in 2011.
162. Driver: San Francisco
164. Snoopy Flying Ace
Developer: Ubisoft Reflections
18 images added Jul 17, 2011 14:46
Driver: San Francisco - Story Trailer
Posted: Apr 29, 2011 00:22
NGN at E3 2011 - Driver SF gameplay
Posted: Jun 14, 2011 01:58
Driver: San Francisco - Meet the Cars
Posted: Jul 12, 2011 21:02
All videos for Driver: San Francisco (6)


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That's what you call HOT pink! Holly Willoughby highlights her incredible figure in a low-cut minidress
By Bianca London for MailOnline
There are few women in the world who could be confident in themselves while standing next to Holly Willoughby.
And it certainly wasn't hard to see why today (Thursday), as the stunning 31-year-old showed off her figure in a hot pink minidress at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.
Mother-of-two Holly drew attention to her hourglass curves in the plunging outfit, which she teamed with black and white patterned sling-back heels and simple gold jewellery.
Hot to trot: Holly Willoughby dazzled in hot pink at the Edinburgh International Television Festival
Stunning: The TV presenter looked radiant as she displayed her enviable figure in the tight pink dress
But while Holly certainly ensured she was the centre of attention at the event, she had some strong style competition from Emma Bunton.
The Spice Girls star joined Holly and Keith Lemon for a special live episode of Celebrity Juice, which was filmed during the festival.
And as she posed up for photographers ahead of the filming, Emma showed off her classic sense of style in an elegant black and white dress with an on-trend Peter Pan collar.
Terrific trio: Holly joined Keith Lemon and Emma Bunton to co-host an episode of Celebrity Juice
Joking around: Emma and Holly looked unimpressed by Keith's notorious jokey behaviour
Emma, 36, finished off her outfit with a pair of black sky-high heels, tying her long blonde hair into a loose side ponytail.
However, when it came to stealing the spotlight in front of photographers at the event, Holly and Emma both had competition from Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemon.
Keith, also known as comedian Leigh Francis, was sporting a kilt for the Scottish event, which he then lifted up to reveal a pair of tiny denim hotpants underneath.
Back to work: The trio took part in a special edition of Celebrity Juice at the festival
The prankster channeled his inner caveman in the printed kilt and matching boots, even donning a tooth around his neck.
His ridiculous attire only served to enhance the glamour of Holly and Emma, who stood on either side of him.
Holly Willoughby highlights her incredible figure in a low-cut minidress


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Seminarians Fighting Back
News: Commentary
by Gene Thomas Gomulka • ChurchMilitant.com • December 29, 2020
Longing for justice
For decades, scores of victims brought forward complaints of clerical sexual abuse, only to find themselves revictimized by Church leaders. Victims, who had the courage to confront those who enabled their abuse as minors, found their voices hushed by threats of what might happen to them should they reveal their plights or even think of suing the Church. The Spotlight team of The Boston Globe took this challenge head-on in its 2002 exposé of the abuse crisis that has since proven to be of epic proportions. The Catholic Church in the United States alone has spent some $4 billion to date on abuse settlements and legal fees.
Aux. Bp. Ed Grosz of Buffalo
If 2002 marked a turning point regarding the clerical abuse of minors, 2021 is about to mark a new turning point, with more explosive revelations to come regarding abuse or reprisals against seminarians and the malfeasance of the clerics who allowed it to happen.
Up until now, hundreds of seminarians — targeted by prelates like now-disgraced Theodore McCarrick or the multitude of abusive seminary faculty members who follow in his footsteps — left formation and went away without ever revealing what happened to them. Others were threatened to have their prospects of ordination taken away if they should reveal the misconduct they endured or witnessed. When then-seminarian Ryszard Biernat tried to report attempted abuse by Fr. Art Smith in Buffalo, Biernat was told by Aux. Bp. Edward Grosz to keep silent or face being sent back to Poland never to be ordained a priest.
The longstanding "culture of silence" surrounding scandal-ridden seminaries is about to be broken by the cases and testimonies of whistleblower seminarians in New York and around the world.
Gorgia's Lawsuit
In September 2020, the law firm representing former North American College (NAC) seminarian of the New York archdiocese, Anthony Gorgia, took the first steps in a lawsuit moving forward against New York cardinal Timothy Dolan, NAC rector Fr. Peter Harman, NAC vice rector Fr. Adam Park, and other responsible parties. Gorgia became a victim of reprisal and was coerced into leaving the seminary after he witnessed and received reports of inappropriate physical behavior on the part of the vice rector, Fr. Park.
2021 is about to mark a new turning point with more explosive revelations to come.
After more than two years of reporting to responsible Church officials the allegations of misconduct against Park and cover-up by Dolan, Harman and others, only to find these reports unaddressed, it became apparent that whistleblower seminarians can only hope to find justice through legal action. The summons with notice filed by Gorgia's attorney cites the nature of the legal action as recovering for, among other things, discrimination and harassment Gorgia suffered as a heterosexual "at the hands of both the homosexual defendant(s) and their cooperating defendant(s)."
As Gorgia's attorney brings forward a solid landmark case that will incriminate both the accused transgressors and a vast number of complicit Church officials, the NAC becomes the second seminary connected with the Vatican to be publicly denounced this year for scandalous treatment of seminarians.
Jarzembowski Ignored
Whistleblower seminarian Kamil Jarzembowski was coerced into leaving formation at St. Pius X Minor Seminary, located inside the Vatican, after he witnessed alleged homosexual misconduct being committed against another seminarian. Jarzembowski reported the alleged abuse as far back as 2012, only to find his letters unaddressed by a list of Vatican and other Church officials. It has yet to be reported what sentence Fr. Gabriele Martinelli received after he was tried before a Vatican criminal court in October 2020 for accusations of repeatedly sexually abusing a young student. The Vatican has also been silent about the disposition of the former rector, Msgr. Enrico Radice, who allegedly covered up the abuse.
Free clip from CHURCH MILITANT Premium
WATCH MORE LIKE THIS
The way local church leaders and the Vatican have handled the case of Jarzembowski and other cases brought forward by seminarians explains why abuse advocates advise reporting abuse to civil and not Church officials. Unfortunately, regardless of to whom a seminarian reports abuse, he is usually dismissed or coerced into leaving while the abuser is generally retained and, in some cases, even promoted.
Thouvenel, Monaco Allegations
Former seminarian Mahe Thouvenel, for instance, found himself dismissed from the seminary after he filed a sexual assault complaint with French authorities against Abp. Luigi Ventura, a former Vatican ambassador to France. Thouvenel's testimony, along with that of other alleged victims, led a French court on Dec. 16, 2020 to find Ventura guilty of sexual assault. Ventura joins the ranks of over 100 prelates — cardinals, archbishops and bishops — who have been accused publicly of sexual abuse or misconduct. Despite the extensive harm done by these abusive Church leaders, few have been disciplined, and only seven have been laicized like ex-cardinal McCarrick.
It will be worth watching if the shocking revelations being brought forward by whistleblower seminarians will advance the trajectory of seminary closure.
Back in the United States, several other seminaries have seen key events unfold as scandal engulfed their institutions. Complaints by whistleblower seminarians in Buffalo and unearthed allegations of a decades-long "culture" of sexual impropriety led to the closure of Christ the King Seminary and the removal of its rector, Fr. Joseph Gatto. Around the same time, reports by former seminarian John Monaco concerning homosexual activity, intimidation and abuse at St. John's Seminary in Brighton led to the removal of the rector, Msgr. James Moroney.
John Monaco
Seminary Closures Ahead?
It will be worth watching if the shocking revelations being brought forward by whistleblower seminarians will advance the trajectory of seminary closures owing to scandalous and immoral behavior on the part of rectors, vice rectors, faculty members and seminarians. Such has already been the case with the NAC's counterpart in Belgium, the American College of Louvain (ACL); St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Missouri; St. John's Provincial Seminary in Detroit (aka "the Pink Palace"); Christ the King Seminary in Buffalo; and other institutions closed over the years.
Unlike Church officials, who are supported by large numbers of lawyers whose services are paid for at rates up to $1,000-an-hour by the Catholic faithful, former victimized seminarians and priests depend upon private contributions to pay their legal costs involved in bringing suit. They rely upon the media to bring their cases to the attention of the public, who can then contribute by visiting websites such as the "Save our Seminarians" GoFundMe page.
Just as The Boston Globe's Spotlight reporters had no idea when they began their investigation how widespread the abuse problem involving minors was throughout the Catholic Church, the faithful may be surprised to see the multitudes of former seminarians and priests throughout the United States who will follow in the lead of landmark legal action moving through the courts. Victories by Gorgia and other whistleblower seminarians would well signal a defining moment for the hundreds of victimized seminarians who long for the day to have their voices heard.
Gene Thomas Gomulka is a retired Navy captain/chaplain who was reprised against after he confronted his ecclesiastical superiors for covering up and underreporting abuse. He invites anyone who left the seminary after experiencing, witnessing or reporting sexual misconduct to write: saveourseminarians@yahoo.com.
--- Campaign 27425 ---
NAC Casualty Inspires Action
By William Mahoney, Ph.D. • 0
Former Seminarian's Landmark Case Moving Forward
By Church Militant • 0
Investigator Issues 'Immigration Advisory' to Polish Bishops
Right Reason
13 : Tyranny of Relativism


Cuphead is punishing from the very beginning, starting with the early boss Goopy Le Grande. Our guide will help you wallop Goopy throughout all three of the blue blob's perilous phases.
The post How to deliver the R.I.P. to Goopy Le Grande the blue blob in Cuphead appeared first on Digital Trends.


However hard you work in the gym, it can be difficult to achieve defined abs. Sometimes our natural body shape does not make it easy to slim down and many men simply don't have enough time to spend hours working out. This can affect confidence and self esteem, even for those that are fit and healthy as no matter how much gym work is done, these stubborn areas of fat can linger. There are a number of lipo-sculpture treatments available, such as VASER Liposuction. The procedure uses ultrasound technology for targeted fat removal and doesn't require a hospital stay or general anaesthetic.
This is a minor-surgical lipo-sculpture technique, meaning there is no overnight hospital stay or need for general anaesthetic. Dr. Mike Comins is one of the UK's leading lipo-sculpture experts. He is a Vaser body contouring trainer and was the first doctor to be trained in VASER Hi-Def in this country. Dr Comins has performed over 3000 lipo-contouring treatments, the highest in the UK and he recently won an industry award for his VASER Liposuction work.
On consultation Dr. Comins will examine the areas of concern and discuss in detail, the treatment needed as well as the results that can be expected. You will then be able to make an informed choice about your procedure. Following your Vaser Liposuction procedure you may be advised to have some Velashape 3 treatment to further tighten and tone skin so that results are maximised. Velashape 3 is a third generation treatment performed by a therapist here at Hans Place Practice.
Using 10 years' technology, Velashape 3 works by heating the underlying collagen in the skin and tightening and toning to give a smooth appearance. This treatment is not permanent such as Vaser Lipo but can be performed once every 6 to 10 months to ensure smooth and toned skin. Hans Place Practice now have one of only 8 Velashape 3 devices in the country and we are providing some excellent results.
How can VASER-Liposuction Contouring help you?
Please contact us on 0207 584 1642 for more information.


With our powerful laundry dryer and automated laundry rack, dry your laundry at your convenience.
Your laundry will smell fresh and clean - just like being hung in the sun!
Hang your clothes just like you would in the sun, but in an enclosed room. Turn on the clothes dryer, shut the door and relax. Your items will dry even if it is pouring rain outside.
Unlike the tumbler dryer, there will be no entangled giant ball of laundry or disintegration of your favorite clothing.
Dry cushions, shoes, stuffed animals, mattresses that will not fit into the tumbler dryer.
You can use our laundry dryer in any enclosed space - small to large. Even a small area of 2mx1m would work fine. Why waste a window or balcony to air your laundry? You will not even need a window, but your laundry will smell fresh, just like if it was hung in the sun.


You must have received emails like this, can you quickly find out what's the latest reply here?
I cannot read it. So I build a little tool to help me.
Enter "Stand Out", a web app to make the important information stands out in the email.
It's really easy to use: just paste the email content into the "input" box and you get a nice result on the right.
Why building such an "useless" thing?
On the other day I was receiving with emails flooded with ">"s and "»"s. It was a long discussion and people are replying each other. Normally Outlook handles the format nicely if everyone is using the same email format, but it fails when participants use different email formats: such as pure text and rich format text. The email server automatically generates ">"s and "»"s to distinguish old and new replies, but unfortunately the result is not really human readable.
I believe computers/programs should make Haman's life easier.
It's also interesting to mention that there are other computer programs (like StripMail) doing this. But it's 2013 now, who wants to download and install an exe?


What color was Washington's white horse?
William Thauer, baroque oboe & recorder, and Beverly Biggs, harpsichord, perform at Governors Club, Chapel Hill.
Stay tuned for details for the season opener of Baroque & Beyond's 2019-2020 Season.
Harpsichord duo Elaine Funaro & Beverly Biggs perform at the Weymouth Center in Southern Pines. Details to follow.
Baroque & Beyond's winter concert – stay tuned for details.
Baroque & Beyond's contribution to the 2020 HIP Festival takes place on Friday evening, Feb. 7, 2020. Stay tuned for details.


"In Madrid there have been increasingly louder calls for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to stand down following a bribery scandal, thus fuelling concerns about a political crisis. The timing of such a crisis would indeed be particularly inconvenient as the situation on the financial markets has begun to improve to such an extent that any ESM aid measures became unnecessary", wrote analyst Thu Lan Nguyen, pointing also to Italy's political backdrop, with Berlusconi running for Prime Minister again. "After all, a change of government in either country would threaten current austerity measures".
majority of market participants is likely to take a wait and see approach and will refrain from a test of the upper end in EUR-USD for the time being", added Nguyen.
In case the political situation in Spain and Italy increases market concerns, the pair is rather likely to move further south where the next major resistance is located in the area around 1.34. "On the upper end the recent high at 1.3711 constitutes the major obstacle at present", said the Commerzbank analyst.
The GBP/USD has continued to trade in the red Tuesday, following a reversal that started off of its European highs (1.5806). Subsequently, the pair lost its grip on the 1.5800 level, bleeding nearly 50 pips in the process to trade at 1.5749/50 in these moments.


text:
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Chester & District
Cherwell
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What's Your Game?
Employee Volunteering scheme
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Whether you are using a Smartphone, Tablet, PC or Mac, BrowseAloud will provide the reading support tools you require for free. BrowseAloud reads web pages aloud for people who find it difficult to read online.
Browsealoud may be helpful to:
Anyone with low literacy skills or dyslexia
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Browsealoud reads website content out loud, highlighting each word as it is spoken in a high quality, human-sounding voice. For more information and support with using BrowseAloud, visit our Browsealoud page or the Browsealoud website.
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text:
Lokomotiva řady S 699.0 (tovární typ Škoda 32E) byla vyrobena v roce 1963 v počtu jediného kusu. Stalo se tak v plzeňských Škodových závodech, tehdy zvaných Závody V. I. Lenina v Plzni.

Jde o první lokomotivu na světě s laminátovou karosérií. Rovněž to bylo poprvé, co se na projektu železničního stroje v Československu podílel výtvarník-designer, a to prof. Otakar Diblík z VŠUP Praha. S délkou 20 000 mm přes nárazníky a váhou 126 tun patří 32 E mezi největší a nejtěžší československé lokomotivy. Zároveň se stala v době svého vzniku nejvýkonnější škodováckou lokomotivu s trvalým výkonem 4620 kW.

Pojezd tvoří dva třínápravové podvozky, u nichž jsou použity ocelové šroubové válcovité ocelové pružiny. V každém podvozku jsou uloženy tři stejnosměrné sériové trakční motory, pohánějící nápravy ozubeným převodem. Lokomotiva již měla také křemíkové diodové usměrňovače, elektrodynamickou brzdu a další novinky. Střídavý proud 25 kV 50 Hz byl přiváděn do transformátoru s regulací na straně vysokého napětí. Z něj byl proud usměrňován v trakčním usměrňovači, který byl vždy po jednom pro každý podvozek. Jeden trakční sériový stejnosměrný motor měl trvalý výkon 770 kW, takže se jednalo o velmi výkonnou lokomotivu. Novinkou bylo také instalování krokového řízení s řídícím segmentem místo řídícího kola podle čs. patentu a zařízení pro automatický rozjezd.

Z bran plzeňské Škodovky vyjela lokomotiva S 699.001 dne 28. prosince 1963 pod továrním označením 32 E s výrobním číslem 4804. Bylo s ní uvažováno pro dopravu osobních i nákladních vlaků. Lokomotiva byla zkoušena na trati Plzeň-Horažďovice předměstí. ČSD řadu S 699.0 však nakonec neobjednaly. Pro tratě, které byly v té době elektrizovány střídavou soustavou byla poněkud předimenzovaná a v některých úsecích s oblouky o malých poloměrech nevyhovovala svými třínápravovými podvozky. Proto daly ČSD na těchto tratích přednost čtyřnápravovým strojům S 489.0, pro něž byla lokomotiva S 699.001 přímým vzorem. Koncem června 1965 byla lokomotiva 32 E zkoušena na náročné trati Bulharských železnic Gorna Orjachovica–Ruse. Po svém návratu do Škody Plzeň byla vystavována na podzimním brněnském strojírenském veletrhu. 12. 12. 1965 byla prodána pro potřeby Železničního zkušebního okruhu v Cerhenicích.

V letech 1966-1967 byla pro potřeby ŽZO rekonstruována. Byly jí instalovány nové podvozky se změněným převodem na poměr 2,18, čímž se zvýšila maximální rychlost lokomotivy na 160 km/h. Rovněž byl zvýšen celkový trvalý výkon na 4 920 kW.

Vnějších změn na lokomotivě za dobu jejího provozu nebylo provedeno mnoho. Kromě krytů patek nárazníků a táhlového ústrojí, bylo ještě na čelech dodatečně instalováno podokenní madlo. Původní červeno-bílý nátěr s černým podélným pruhem byl v Kolíně zřejmě v souvislosti s přípravou na vystavení na veletrhu změněn na schéma, podle kterého byly natírány později vyráběné čtyřnápravové "laminátky", tedy kombinaci červeno-žluto-šedou.

Používala se při chodových zkouškách osobních a nákladních vozů i hnacích vozidel na okruhu ve Velimi. 21. 1. 1981 se lokomotiva při jízdách na malém okruhu vzňala. Nikdy potom už nebyla opravena do provozuschopného stavu. V letech 1981–1991 byla sporadicky využívána na zkušebním okruhu jako mrtvá zátěž.

V roce 1991 byla odeslána do depa v Brně-Maloměřicích. Tam byla odstavena až do roku 1998, kdy byla přetažena do areálu Škody Plzeň. Tady pak čekala dalších dvanáct let na svou renovaci, kterou provedlo až Techmania Science Center, jež jí do svých expozic uvedlo spolu s lokomotivou Škoda 2ELo v rámci rekonstrukce technických památek, na něž poskytl finance operační program ROP Jihozápad.

Související články
 Elektrické lokomotivy Škoda

Externí odkazy

 parostroj.net
 atlaslokomotiv.net
 techmania.cz

S 699.0
S 699.0

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


"From the moment Tom and I met Sandra we instantly clicked.
Sandra is an exquisite artist and she can bring out the beauty of anything and anyone. Sandra's passion for photography is so evident in everything she does and the results are undeniably spectacular.
When we first worked with Sandra for engagement session we could tell right away that we made the right choice for our photographer. She was so excited and so passionate about the photo shoot. She effortlessly spotted locations and photo opportunities that we could have never even dreamed of.
Then we flew her down to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for our destination wedding. Not only did we come home with the most beautiful and breathtaking photos we could've ever imagined, we came home with a new family member.
"Sandra has a talent like no other photographer I have connected with - she is a true artist when it comes to capturing moments. I can speak from several experiences working with Sandra - boudoir shoot, engagement shoot and my wedding. In all of my experiences, she has captured the moments perfectly, making them magazine worthy.


Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of Leola. This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate the life of their loved one.
Mrs. Leola Sutton Cox, 70, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side Saturday, February 9, 2019.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 PM at the Greenville Church of God. Burial will follow in Pinewood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Cox, a native of Carteret County, was the daughter of Leo and Eloise Willis Sutton. She lived her early life in Salter Path and moved to Greenville when she was 15. She worked at Too Tuff Toggs in Grimesland for a number of years. Mrs. Cox was a member of the Greenville Church of God, where she sang in the choir for many years. She was a devout Christian who spent her life serving others.
She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cox was preceded in death by a sister, Myrna Byrd.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Lee Cox, Sr.; sons, Robert Lee Cox, Jr. (Robbie) and wife, Teresa, and Jay Lee Cox, Sr. and wife, Tina, all of Greenville; sisters, Faye Millaway of Winterville, Loretta Cherry and husband, Jack, of Winterville, Pam Garris and husband, Randy, of Ayden, and Susanne Baker (Sue) of Greenville; brothers, Danny Sutton of Farmville, Johnny Sutton and wife, Beth, of Greenville, and Jimmy Sutton and wife, Tina, of Farmville; grandchildren, Joshua Cox, Jay Lee Cox, Jr. (JJ), Sheryl Wynne, Christina Cox, Robert "Dale" Cox, and Zachary Cox; great-grandchildren, Noah Wynne and Jay Lee Cox, III (LJ); and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM at the Greenville Church of God.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Leola Sutton Cox, please visit our Tribute Store.
"Email Address" would like to share the life celebration of Leola Sutton Cox. Click on the "link" to go to share a favorite memory or leave a condolence message for the family.


text:
Tyranny comes and goes, but Margaret Atwood and Adrienne Clarkson's friendship is for the ages
By Vinay MenonEntertainment Columnist
Fri., Sept. 21, 2018timer5 min. read
If there was a biometric gauge that measured human enthusiasm, right now Margaret Atwood's face would flatline.
"Are you the interviewer?" she asks, looking at me warily, like a resigned patient sizing up an endodontist seconds before an emergency root canal.
It's Thursday, just before 4 p.m. We arrive seconds apart outside the home of her dear friend, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. The plan is to discuss Atwood's latest award, named after Clarkson, over "afternoon tea in the Annex," which sounds far more civilized than my usual "shots of Jack Daniels in East York."
Abra Rissi, Clarkson's executive assistant, opens the door and greets us warmly. I remove my shoes and Atwood stashes her umbrella, which is co-ordinated with her black-and-red ensemble. Even the cherry-coloured lanyard, from which crimson reading glasses dangle around her neck, is in sartorial sync on this cloudy day.
Settling into a living room — there appears to be more than one — we flop on antique sofas, around an oversized coffee table lined with books such as The Encyclopedia of Stupidity and To Fight Against This Age.
The lighting is dim, the decor regal.
Two minutes later, Clarkson enters in a canary yellow dress with white frill and orange blazer. Throw in a fascinator and Canada's former governor general would not look out of place at a royal wedding.
They break into charming chatter about the weather and gardening, two famous luminaries lamenting soil conditions and a lack of September rain.
As students at the University of Toronto, they met at the age of 18. Six decades later, the banter is just as meandering and rapid-fire as when the teens bonded over a love of literature, meeting to read their poetry and short stories to one another.
And on Wednesday evening at Koerner Hall, they will share a stage and converse for the public when Atwood receives the Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship.
The award ceremony will serve as the exclamation point on three days of programming around 6 Degrees, an annual symposium of events hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Clarkson and her husband, the writer and public intellectual John Ralston Saul, co-founded the charity in 2006.
The goal then, as now, is to inspire Canadians "to be inclusive, embrace fresh thinking, practise active citizenship, and own our collective culture and spaces."
But at a time when anti-immigrant rage is bubbling up around the planet like toxic lava, their work has never seemed more crucial — or challenging. So even though Atwood needs another award like the rest of us need more junk mail — about the only thing she hasn't yet won is the Stanley Cup — her enthusiasm does finally redline when she talks about 6 Degrees.
"The award itself is making a statement about what's going on in this world, which is a world in which people are closing doors, building walls, trying to fragment people into groups that are hostile to one another," Atwood says. "And the award is saying, 'We can do other and better than that.'"
Clarkson nods in agreement.
"I think the reason why we chose Margaret Atwood was that a novelist like her has a vision that is prophetic," she says, citing The Handmaid's Tale.
Atwood's dystopian exploration of totalitarianism and the subjugation of women under puritanical rule is now a popular TV series. But when the book was first published in the mid-1980s, some critics dismissed it as farfetched. It has since gained a new following, including admirers who detect eerie parallels to the current political climate south of the border.
Put it this way: at the Women's March in Washington last year, one protester hoisted a placard that read, "Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again."
"All great novels have this idea of what the future could hold for us," says Clarkson, who has previously bestowed her award on Ai Weiwei and Aga Khan.
Clarkson reminds Atwood of a conversation they had about 20 years ago. At the time, they wondered what life might be like at 80. That milestone birthday is no longer a guessing game that requires a crystal ball.
Next year, 80 will become a reality for both.
"I said, 'If we are not dead, we'll still be doing what we've always done,'" recalls Clarkson. "And that's true. We are still doing what we've always done."
Atwood doesn't miss a sardonic beat.
"Yes," she says. "I'm writing and Adrienne is buying shoes."
Clarkson throws back her head and laughs so hard, she risks whiplash. But the mirth tapers off when the subject of populist nationalism arises.
Atwood traces the onset of isolationist ideology that's spreading across the West to the fall of the Berlin Wall: "The old rule, the old stasis that had prevailed in the Cold War, was gone."
"I have another way of looking at it," says Clarkson. "I think we got very affluent. But not everybody got affluent. And now the gap between people who don't have very much and the people who have more than they could ever want is so huge."
"Yeah, we are in that moment just before the French Revolution," warns Atwood.
This sounds ominous. What does it mean for Canada?
"I think we are, unfortunately, not immune to having what I think is a kind of conspiracy of nativism and populism in the world, which we are receiving through social media all the time, so that we don't really know what we really think," says Clarkson, shaking her head and itemizing the socioeconomic benefits newcomers bring to Canada, bundled with their dreams of a new life.
"We need immigrants," says Clarkson. "We also know that when they come, they do fit in. They learn the language. They go to schools. They participate ... All the other stuff is just rhetoric and populist nonsense. It's racist. It's prejudice and bigotry."
"People who say we don't want immigrants," adds Atwood, "it comes out of fear."
Later, when I ask for their takes on Doug Ford, I fear they might spit into the china cups that just held smoked black tea infused with lychee. Don't expect to see either woman lining up for free hot dogs at this weekend's Ford Fest in Vaughan.
"First of all, it's early days," says Atwood of Ontario's new premier. "But, second, we realize totalitarian moves when we see them. You should not interfere with a vote in the middle of an election, the way they just did. It's just wrong."
And then a little later: "And if he did it to us, he will do it to anybody that annoys him. And that is called tyranny. That is when the will of the dictator is the only thing that decides what happens."
As I turn off my tape recorder, the Star's Richard Lautens moves in with his camera. He needs to ask them more than once to look at the lens. It's an endearing sight.
After all these years, the chatter just won't stop.
For more information to 6 Degrees, which starts on Monday, visit 6degreesto.com
Vinay Menon is the Star's pop culture columnist based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @vinaymenon
Doug Ford, Margaret Atwood


The State of Kentucky has a variety of museums, visitor centers, and cultural attractions in the following counties. Before visiting a museum listed on this page, be sure to check its address and hours of operation by visiting its website or contacting it. The museum may have relocated or closed, and hours of operation may be irregular. Tourist information is available at your fingertips by clicking on the Kentucky county name you are interested in visiting.
Located in the Frankfort area.
Located in the Paducah area.
Located in the Glasgow area.
Located in the Lexington-Fayette area.
Located in the Danville area.
Located in the Fort Campbell-Hopkinsville area.
Located in the Madisonville area.
Located in the Covington area.
Located in the Elizabethtown area.
Located in the Maysville area.
Located in the Louisville area.
Located in the Richmond-Berea area.
Located in the Corbin area.
Kentucky Map features road maps, topographical maps, and relief maps of Kentucky.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Home/Military Life/Government Contracts: Pork Barrels of Fun
GovernmentMilitary Life
Government Contracts: Pork Barrels of Fun
Government contracts have made multimillionaires out of many people. The process has become insanely complicated. In many ways, it is yet another example of political correctness gone wild. My experience with government contracting began close to a half century ago. I was a newly commissioned second lieutenant and needed a new radio system to allow me to communicate with my EOD teams. My unit was responsible for three states. (Police bomb disposal units were rare in those days and Army EOD units spent a lot of time supporting local PDs.) I had to fill out a one page form, let the contracting section put it out to bid, and a month later Motorola was installing my radios.
Complicated Procedures
The contracting procedures are infinitely more complicated nowadays. Congress (you do realize they know what's "best for us" (sic)) slowly but surely created a byzantine labyrinth of extremely complicated, rules, processes, systems and pricing. Contracting has become a ridiculously silly way of buying what you need if you work for the government. You generally acquire substandard, overpriced equipment along with poor service providers.
The government system does its best to suppress common sense.
There are so many ridiculous problems; it is hard to pick one that is the dumbest.
The Set Aside Rule
A contender is the "set aside" rule. Congress loves pork barrel spending. The website freedictionary.com defines pork barrel spending as, "A bill or project requiring significant government spending in a locality to the benefit of the legislature's constituents." Former Alaskan Senator (now deceased) Ted Stevens was a master at pork barrel politics. Years ago, he inserted a provision in a bill that allowed the Government to sole source contracts to companies owned by Alaska Native American tribes. This ethnic group, literally overnight, became the most sought after subcontracting entity in existence.
Sole Sourcing
Sole sourcing means that you do not need to put a contract out to bid. As a government employee, I considered sole sourcing a godsend as it saved me months, sometimes literally years, of going through the contracting nightmare to get something done as simple as buying an armored car.
Of course, whether or not Alaskan Native Americans sold armored cars, or knew anything about them, made no difference. I could be sure that some company that did would be smart enough to "team" with the Alaskan company and provide the car. The company would provide the knowledge and expertise. The Native American Alaskan Company would allow the other company to use their name, and get paid handsomely for it.
This sort of nonsense makes a mockery of the contracting system. It does nothing to help the Alaskan company learn about how to work with the Government. Sure, the government has a program called "mentoring" where a larger company can mentor a smaller one, and by doing so get preferential treatment on contracts. The reality is no one really does much mentoring; they do it to obtain a contract. Neither side really expects any mentoring.
I have not even touched upon the other "special treatment" groups like women-owned or Native American (not Alaskan Native American; Senator Stevens took care of them better than most) and others. I will save that for another rant.
Garmont T8: Comparing Garmont's Line of Boots
20 Years Since 9/11
Is It Time for More Ink?
Gender Equality in the UK Military
Navy Uniform Regulations: Boots and Accessories
The Life of a Single Parent in the Military


text:
PHOTOS: PETA Exposes Pain, Misery for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs at Pacific BioLabs
Amanda Hays 202-483-7382
Hercules, Calif. – Please see the following statement from PETA Vice President Dr. Alka Chandna regarding federal documents that reveal serious animal welfare violations at the Hercules-based contract testing laboratory Pacific BioLabs.
Injecting animals with experimental compounds and rubbing substances into their raw, abraded skin is business as usual for Pacific BioLabs, but incompetence and a culture of disregard add to the animals' suffering. According to a just-posted federal inspection report obtained by PETA, employees injected two rabbits with a chemical at full concentration—although the protocol required that it be diluted. Although the error was noticed, the veterinarian was not notified and the rabbits were left to suffer overnight. The following day, they had to be euthanized.
Pacific BioLabs has previously been cited for running afoul of animal welfare laws. Just last year, two guinea pigs who had been used in a "dermal sensitization" test were found to have deep wounds, measuring 2 inches by half an inch, in their flesh. PETA recently obtained photos of the animals' condition via a Freedom of Information Act request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals in Pacific BioLabs' facility feel pain and value their lives just as much as any of the company's executives, and it would do well to modernize its operations by ending cruel and archaic animal tests and using only sophisticated, human-relevant research methods, such as those described in PETA scientists' groundbreaking Research Modernization Deal.


text:
package grails.plugin.lightweightdeploy.connector;

import com.google.common.base.Objects;

import java.util.Map;

public class SessionsConfiguration {

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        this(true, "");
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    public String getWorkerName() {
        return workerName;
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}


On December 15, 2017, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) rendered its decision on the Toronto Ward Boundary appeals. The OMB upheld the City's Ward Boundary Bylaws subject to minor amendments to the boundary between Ward 33 and Ward 34. For any inquires regarding the new ward boundary structure and the OMB decision, please click here.