text:
October 20, 2000
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom today wrote to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to recommend the SEC investigate "the accuracy and adequacy of material disclosures by the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ('Sinopec') in its registration statement" about its holdings in Sudan. The Commission has found religion is a major factor in the 17-year war being waged by the government of Sudan against Christians and animists in the south. Revenue from oil production is the government's principal source of funds for the war in Sudan, and the Commission found that foreign corporations, including Chinese petroleum companies, are vital investors in the Sudanese oil industry. The text of the letter follows:
October 20, 2000
David B. H. Martin, Esq.
Division of Corporation Finance
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Recommended Investigation Of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec")
Dear Mr. Martin:
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recommends that the SEC investigate the accuracy and adequacy of material disclosures by the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (" Sinopec") in its registration statement, in light of recent media reports about its holdings in Sudan. This recommendation is made pursuant to section 202(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, 22 U.S.C. 6432(b).
This Commission is charged with the authority and responsibility to investigate religious persecution abroad and to recommend to the U.S. Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State how United States foreign policy could advance international religious freedom. The Commission has found: that religion is a major factor in the genocidal war-making of the Government of Sudan ("GOS") against its southern residents; and that revenue from its oil production is the principal source of funds for the prosecution of the GOS's civil war. The Commission also found last fall that foreign corporations, including Chinese petroleum companies, are vital investors in the Sudanese oil industry.
On the eve of this month's initial public offering of Sinopec shares, the Wall StreetJournal reported on October 11 that a Sinopec subsidiary (Zhongyuan Petroleum Corporation) had a joint venture in Sudan's oilfields with a unit of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC); that last summer Sinopec gave its entire interest in the Sudan venture to CNPC, the chief shareholder of its chief domestic rival, PetroChina, Ltd.; that it has not disclosed the value of any assets from CNPC in return for this transfer; and that there is evidence that Sinopec's subsidiary continues to do business in Sudan's oilfields.
If true, this report would suggest that Sinopec's prospectus has a material omission rendering it misleading: Nowhere does it disclose any assets or operations in Sudan. The prospectus cryptically mentions that on June 3, 2000, its parent, Sinopec Group Company, "transferred to us certain operations, consisting principally of, various overseas investments . . ." Prospectus of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, October 12, 2000, p. 175. But in the absence of any other information in the prospectus, a prospective investor is led to believe that these "overseas investments" are not the wells in Sudan's Block 6 oilfield, but rather "16 residential and office units located in various buildings ... situated in Hong Kong, Macau, Republic of Singapore, and the United States of America." Prospectus, Annex B, p. B-10.
American investors who may be considering investing in Sinopec may consider it material to their investment decisions to know whether the registration statement of Sinopec is adequate and accurate in its disclosures about that company's possible ongoing business interests in Sudan.
Therefore, the Commission recommends that the SEC determine whether Sinopec has accurately and adequately disclosed its interests in Sudan. While we understand that the SEC generally does not discuss specific disclosure or enforcement views with respect to a specific registrant, the Commission nevertheless requests, pursuant to section 203(b) of IRFA, 22 U.S.C. 6432a(b), that the SEC provide the Commission with the results of any such investigation.
Thank you for your consideration of our recommendation and your cooperation with our information request.
Elliott Abrams
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress."
Hon. Elliott Abrams,Chair
- Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Vice Chair, Rabbi David Saperstein, Laila Al-Marayati, M.D.Hon. John R. Bolton, Dean Michael K. Young, Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, Nina Shea, Justice Charles Z. Smith Ambassador Robert Seiple, Ex-Officio, Steven T. McFarland, Executive Director


text:
Krista Tedder
Head of Payments, Javelin Research
Tedder has spent 17 years in risk management roles throughout the lifecycle of a payment. Starting at a retailer in 1998 , moving into credit cards at MBNA, and on to processing at First Data and now with MasterCard's Global Processing Division since 2010. By understanding the role of all parties she brings a unique perspective to the risk management functions in payments. Tedder's current focus in payments is on the migration to EMV in the US Market, security focuses in the digital payments space, and improving consumer experience by focusing on solutions that are safe, simple, and secure.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
American Thinker | Rocco DiPippo | Jun. 7, 2008
The Democratic Party has devolved into a club for the illegitimately aggrieved, the self-absorbed, the self-hating and the perpetually pissed-off. It is a sanctuary where solipsistic malcontents and their disjointed causes find refuge and support. It has long ceased being an earnest gathering of broad minds where man's timeless problems are examined against the backdrop of the Constitution and solutions to them proposed based on the actual realities of the human condition. It is now the political province of the intellectually deceased, where frightened, lock-step ideologues and other small men and women concoct and promote divisive, destructive, weird and cowardly policies developed within a not-so-quaint, quasi-Marxist stricture of gender, class and race.
There was a pre-Lewinsky time, before moral relativism blurred America's vision, when associating with people like Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers would have automatically excluded someone from attaining the highest office in the land. Back then, anyone with well known connections to such America-averse personalities would have been rejected by a super-majority of the electorate during primary season and almost certainly blocked by the Democratic Party before they could have gotten to within a mile of the White House. But those days — when patriotic, true liberals like Joe Lieberman were considered typical Democratic Party politicians — are gone. Now politicians like Lieberman are banished to the Party's periphery and leftists, not liberals, like Denis Kucinich, Bernie Sanders, Jim McDermott, John Kerry, (who served in Vietnam), Jim McGovern, Patrick Leahy, Richard Durbin, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have replaced them.
Until recently in our history, a President Barack Obama would have been an impossibility. But given the political and ideological climate that exists today in America, the ascension of a leftist like Barack Obama into presidential politics makes perfect sense. Beliefs like domestic terrorist William Ayers's and racist, anti-US preacher Jeremiah Wright's are no longer met with utter scorn or a trip to behind the woodshed, but are embraced, promoted and defended by many Americans. Think MoveOn, International ANSWER, think hordes of young neo-communists and their indoctrinating, puppet-master Marx-spouting professors. Think Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan, Noam Chomsky, Ward Churchill and his acolytes. Think NYU, Columbia, The New School and Harvard. Most importantly, ponder the makeup and direction of the Democratic Party leadership. Like Barack Obama and his radical friends, it is appallingly far Left.
Ideological descendants of Marx and Rousseau now lead the Democratic Party and they have turned it into a disloyal opposition to an increasingly accommodating GOP. They have molded the Party into a force working stridently and unashamedly against a Commander in Chief during wartime. They have made it a den of treachery devoted to American defeat in Iraq. They preside over an institution advised and influenced by moneyed, non-governmental groups and individuals with unquestionably anti-US agendas who help make the Party a pseudo-intellectual sinkhole filled with perverse, tried-and-failed ideas repulsive to the majority of Americans. Those ideas are shaped into agendas which are then forced on the public by an activist leftwing judiciary and by a major media and arts consortium shot through with utter disrespect, indeed contempt, for traditional American values, religions and institutions.
. . . more


text:
Dragan Roganović (born 1978), better known by his stage name Dirty South,is a Serbian-born Australian DJ, remixer and record producer based in Melbourne.
"Breakthrough DJ / Producer 2010: Thomas Gold" Axwell in DJ Mag 2010
"Rising Star 2010" Beatport 2010
2011 was a landmark year for Thomas Gold – you couldn't step inside the world's finest clubs this year without hearing a Thomas Gold original track, collaboration or remix blasting from the speakers at some point during the evening. As a DJ, quite simply, Thomas Gold is known for having amongst the most impeccable programming and mixing skills in the business.
When asked by DJ Mag to name their upcoming DJ/producer of 2011, Swedish House Mafia, Axwell, Sander van Doorn, Cosmic Gate (and more) had one name in common – Thomas Gold. As a producer, Thomas Gold focuses on quality over quantity. 2010's smashes "AGORa" [Size], "Work That" / "Kananga" [Toolroom], "The Button" [Toolroom], "Marsch Marsch" [Toolroom], "Areena" (w/ David Tort and David Gausa), Thomas Gold & Alex Kenji "What´s Up" [Spinnin'] and Fatboy Slim vs Thomas Gold "Star69" [Skint], set the stage for a massive 2011. Thomas Gold's collaboration with Dirty South, "Alive (feat. Kate Elsworth)," was named essential new tune by BBC Radio 1 on July 8, shot to number two on the Beatport charts and became one of the summer's true festival anthems. Thomas returned in October with a massive rework of "Marsch Marsch" for inclusion on the 2011 Toolroom Amsterdam Dance Event Compilation.
In 2009 Thomas remixed Delerium's classic "Silence" and it was named "Best Progressive House Track Of 2009" by Beatport. Then, in 2010, Thomas Gold remixed Moguai "We Want Your Soul" for Size Records and it was described by Tiësto as a "classic." These proved to be just the tip of the iceberg as his remixing reached another level in 2011. In January, Axtone released "Hard Rock Sofa & St Brothers 'Blow Up' (Thomas Gold vs Axwell Remix)" which promptly rocketed up to number three on the Beatport charts. In March, Toolroom released Jay C & Felix Baumgartner "Souk (Thomas Gold Remix);" In May, Interscope released Lady GaGa "Judas (Thomas Gold Remix);" and on July 4th XL Recordings dropped Adele "Set Fire To The Rain (Thomas Gold Remix)." Thomas' remix of "Set Fire To The Rain" which now has over 10 million plays on YouTube. Thomas rounded out his 2011 remix work with Sander van Doorn 'Reach Out' (Thomas Gold Remix) for Doorn Records
As a DJ, Thomas Gold played all the right places in 2011. The impressive list includes coveted spots on Swedish House Mafia's legendary Masquerade Motel Miami, EDC Las Vegas @ Swedish House Mafia (main) stage, Size Matters @ Governor's Island, NYC, Tomorrowland main stage, Pacha Ibiza alongside Swedish House Mafia, Creamfields UK main stage and SHM stage, Escape From Wonderland Halloween Size Matters Stage, Sankeys Club, Manchester, Space Miami (headline), Pacha NYC (headline) and Ministry Of Sound (headline), among others.
Things to look out for from Thomas Gold in 2012 include Henrik B "Leave A Light On (Thomas Gold Remix)" [out in winter/early spring on Axtone]; Dirty South & Thomas Gold "Eyes Wide Open" [late January 2012 on Phazing], and finally, the much anticipated release of Thomas Gold "Sing2Me" [spring 2012 on Axtone]. "Sing2Me" was originally premiered by Swedish House Mafia during their September 16 takeover of BBC Radio 1, so this is a long time coming!
Dirty South & Thomas Gold Ft. Kate Elsworth – Eyes Wide Open (Original Mix)


text:
Sait 20906 7" x .090" x 7/8" General Purpose Metal Cutting Wheel
The 20906 includes:
- 1x Sait 20906 7" x .090" x 7/8" General Purpose Metal Cutting Wheel
- 7/8" arbor
- For cutting and notching of all ferrous metals
- Type 27 A60S-BF
- Max 8,500 RPM
- Fits all 7-9" Angle Grinders with a 5/8-11 Thread
The Sait 20906 Metal Cutting Grind Wheel is made from the quality materials you've come to expect from the Sait brand.
Tech Specs:
- Brand: Sait
- Model: 20906
- Type: Metal Cutting Grind Wheel
- Package Qty.: 1
United Abrasives, Inc. warrants that all industrial products it manufactures will be as represented in its catalog and will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for which the product was intended if, but only if, it has been properly stored and used. Our obligation under this Warranty shall be limited to either the exchange of any product proven to be defective under normal use or to refund the purchase price thereof, at our option, within six months from the date of purchase by the original purchaser. The term original purchaser, as used in this Warranty, shall be deemed to mean that person or company to whom the product was originally sold. This remedy is purchaser's exclusive remedy against United Abrasives, Inc. for any damages to either person or property caused by any defect or other failure in the product. Said refund or exchange shall constitute a fulfillment of any and all liabilities of United Abrasives, Inc. with respect to the quality of the product sold by it. All products listed in this catalog must be used in accordance with the safety regulations set by OSHA, by the directive described by the American National Safety Institute B7.1 ("Safety Requirements for the Use, Care and Protection of Abrasive Wheels") and by the American Brush Manufacturers Association. The user of any United Abrasives, Inc. product should be thoroughly familiar with the above safety rules and regulations before use of the product.


text:
The Green Bay Packers allegedly played the Detroit Lions this afternoon, in a rematch of a Jan. 1, 2012 game in which the teams combined for a Packers team single-game record 1,125 yards. In that game, Detroit racked up 575 yards (Matt Stafford threw for 520 yards) while Green Bay rolled up 550 (Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns) on the way to a 45-41 win.
Today the Lions held up their end: 561 total yards (Matt Stafford threw for 330 yards) while Green Bay rolled up ... 126. Matt Flynn actually threw for 139, or more than his team accumulated in total. The Lions won 40-10.
Before a 70-yard final (pointless) drive, the Packers had 56 yards. Had it stood, that total would've been the second-worst offensive day in the history of the team. The worst was 36 yards at Cincinnati in 1976 (71 rushing yards, minus-35 passing). The next-worst was 61 at the Boston Redskins in 1934 (55 rushing yards, 6 passing).
Infamy will follow the Packers, who didn't win once in five November games, after this line: 126 yards (24 rushing yards, 102 passing). But at least this low is not, after all, a new one.
Photo credit: AP


text:
Snowfall windfall, 2013 edition
Since there's going to be significant white stuff on the ground, two Long Island restaurateurs are ready, as ever, with their snow discounts.
In Huntington, Tutto Pazzo co-owner Joe Petrone said he is giving a 25 percent discount tonight and upping it to 50 percent for Saturday. This goes for food only.
And Uncle Bacala's restaurants in both Garden City Park and Smithtown will give 25 percent off for a snow depth over 6 inches, 50 percent off if it tops 12 inches. This is for food only from the regular menu and can't be combined with other offers. Cash only.
Tutto Pazzo is at 84 N. New York Ave., Huntington, 631-271-2253.
Uncle Bacala's is at 2370 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park, 516-739-0505 and 368 Middle Country Rd., Smithtown, 631-265-2300.


text:
Nick & Toni's, East Hampton: Closing to update dining rooms
Nick & Toni's, celebrity magnet and three-star restaurant, will close for a face-lift starting next Monday.
The hardest Hamptons' table to snag on a summer Saturday, Nick & Toni's is refreshing and updating its dining rooms and bar, including floors, tables, seating, lighting. But the layout and the style of the 25-year old Mediterranean eatery are expected to remain the same. Under chef Joseph Realmuto, Nick& Toni's earned a three-star rating in Newsday in 2012.
Expect the wood-burning oven to be fired up again in April.
Nick & Toni's, 136 N. Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-3550.


text:
A-Frame #11 – Hocking Hills
A-Frame #11 – Hocking Hills
This cabin is romantic, cozy and comfortable. Tucked away in a grouped setting you can soak in your private hot tub while gazing into the forests' huge oak trees with an abundance of wildlife and serenity. This special cabin is constantly updated with comfortable furnishings, linens and bedding. The 20′ ceilings create a roomy feel throughout the cabin. All the comforts of home such as a wood burning fireplace, satellite/flat screen TV, Partial Kitchen – Two Stove Top Burners, mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, cookware, and glassware are provided. Wi-Fi in cabin! This cabin has a private queen bedroom on the main floor, with a full bath and a fun loft with a queen bed! Just 2 miles from our superior state parks. You can enjoy exciting activities such as zip lining, fishing, hiking, rock repelling, ATV trails, horseback riding and pure relaxation. COMING EARLY OCTOBER – Our A-Frame cabins will have access to a communal firepit located within walking distance. Enjoy your next stay here!
18905 St. Rt. 664 South Logan, OH 43138


text:
[Temporary Discontinued] MU Print-On Sticker - Vintage Series
Sumthings of Mine, is started as an online store in October 2016, which aims to share a curated selection of stationery, paper and lifestyle accessory that focusing on journaling and collecting moments. We aim to make here a great place especially for those who care for designs and quality as well as uniqueness. We collect unique and quality stationeries that could serve to collect and create your moments.
We hope you will get something of yours at Sumthings of Mine.
Thank you for visiting us at Sumthings of Mine!
A series of pressure-activated stickers which are printed with beautiful and stunning designs. Unlike stickers, you do not have a peel off a sticky back. Only pressure is needed to activate these adhesive stickers.
You could choose to cut out your desired part of the sticker sheet, or apply the whole sheet. Remove the backing sheet, and by pressing on the desired pattern of the sticker sheet, the decal will remain and then the image is created. You could use designed popsicle stick to apply pressure the designs on the surface you want them to appear on.
By stacking different patterns of print-on stickers, you could also create various visual effect and the richness of colours would became an expressions of visual elegance. The outcomes are truly magical, get ready to get inspired enjoy them with your limitless creativity!
They can be used cardboard, smooth wood, glass and many other surfaces too. Do use them freely as you like!
Each pack comes with 2 different sheets of designs.
Content: 2 sheets/per set
Material: Paper, PVC, Adhensive
Size: H15×W10cm
Designed by MU


text:
Pólo Industrial de Viana S/N
00000 Luanda
firstname.lastname@example.com www.trevotech.com
The end of one harvest is the start of planning for the next one – that's the thinking behind the CLAAS post-harvest check, as a standard service package to assess the technical condition of your machine at the end of the season. Even minor damage, faults or wear problems could have a dramatic impact on the next season's results – so that must not be allowed to happen.
The original CLAAS post-harvest check is a professional diagnosis of your machine, for the reliable detection and documentation of any weak points. The diagnosis report can be provided in digital form if required. This shows you and your CLAAS sales partner exactly what has to be done to get your machine into shape for the coming season.
Order the original CLAAS post-harvest check from your sales partner, clean the machine and bring it in. They will then handle the whole process – from setting the timeline and, if applicable, commissioning the CLAAS customer service technician, to checking out every detail of your machine.
If any defects are found, or some significant preventive maintenance is needed, you will receive an individual quote for the repair or servicing job. You decide what work you want to have carried out, giving you full control over the work and the cost.
Pólo Industrial de Viana S/N
00000 Luanda
email@example.com www.trevotech.com


text:
BT was a surprise name in the line up of firms who have bid for 4G spectrum, but the telecoms giant isn't planning to stomp into the mobile network arena.
Ian Livingston, BT CEO said during a conference call with press in July that "BT has no plans to become a national mobile operator" - and BT hasn't said that stance has changed.
TechRadar contacted BT to find out its plans for the 4G spectrum it's bidding on and was told: "we're not saying much at the moment", so as far as we can tell it won't be the fifth mobile operator in the UK anytime soon.
4G Broadband
While BT is staying coy, it suggests the firm is planning on using the spectrum to roll out 4G broadband services.
There's no guarantee that BT will even come away with any spectrum from the auction with the seven companies involved all fighting for a limited amount of space.
BT isn't the only firm which is potentially looking to offer 4G broadband, with Hong Kong based firm HKT probably eyeing up the spectrum for super-fast internet. HKT is part owned by PCCW, which in turn owns UK Broadband – the race is on.


text:
The name Olmstead should be familiar to those students of Wiretap Law. The law struggles to keep up with technology. This is nothing new; the law struggled to keep up with technology a century ago. Today we are struggling with the question of whether an individual has an expectation of privacy in a communications network. That same question confronted the judiciary during prohibition. Then the answer was no. The expectation of privacy granted by the Fourth Amendment applied to your home; since a wiretap took place on telephone lines outside Olmstead's home, concerning communications that were being transmitted outside of Olmstead's home, there was no expectation of privacy and no 4th Amendment protection.
Watch the full episode. See more Ken Burns.
The seeds of destruction of Olmstead were written within the Olmstead opinion. Justice Brandeis, in his famous dissented, opined that the court had failed to recognize the Constitution as a living document. The Founding Fathers could not have anticipated all that would come after their time, nor did they intend for the Bill of Rights to be applicable only to the threats that occurred during their time. Brandeis wrote,
When the Fourth and Fifth Amendments were adopted, "the form that evil had theretofore taken," had been necessarily simple. Force and violence were then the only means known to man by which a Government could directly effect self-incrimination. It could compel the individual to testify — a compulsion effected, if need be, by torture. It could secure possession of his papers and other articles incident to his private life — a seizure effected, if need be, by breaking and entry. Protection against such invasion of "the sanctities of a man's home and the privacies of life" was provided in the Fourth and Fifth Amendments by specific language. But "time works changes, brings into existence new conditions and purposes." Subtler and more far-reaching means of invading privacy have become available to the Government. Discovery and invention have made it possible for the Government, by means far more effective than stretching upon the rack, to obtain disclosure in court of what is whispered in the closet.
It would take four decades for the courts to wake up and reverse Olstead, and another two more decades for Congress to extend this expectation of privacy beyond telephone networks to computer networks.
Today, once again, it is said that there is no expectation of privacy in modern electronic communications; we should get over it. History repeats itself.
Today, once again, it is said that there is no expectation of privacy in modern electronic communications; we should get over it. History repeats itself.


text:
'Homegrown' Cano in Yankees' long-term plans
NEW YORK -- The Yankees have consistently stated that they would like to retain second baseman Robinson Cano, who is set for his first crack at free agency, and general manager Brian Cashman has said that the club has already made the five-time All-Star one "significant offer" to stay in pinstripes.
Another is likely to follow in the near future, though a quick resolution to Cano's contract status seems unlikely. Through his representative at Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports, CAA's Brodie Van Wagenen, Cano has reportedly asked the Yankees for a 10-year, $305 million deal.
"We'd love to have Robbie back," Cashman said. "There's not much more for me to say about that, but our intention is to have him back if we can. He'll receive without question, or has received, a significant offer to stay. He'll have something legitimately to ponder."
The Yankees' offers were reportedly in the arenas of eight years at $138 million and six years at $144 million. The requested $305 million pact would be the richest in history.
"He's been a great Yankee," Cashman said. "I think if he stays, he'll have a legitimate chance to experience what you just saw, for instance, for Mariano [Rivera]. Maybe he has the chance to be the first Dominican-born player in Monument Park; a homegrown Yankee.
"But at the same time, it's a business. He has comported himself in a tremendous way both on and off the field for the New York Yankees and we've been extremely happy to have him. We hope to extend that relationship."
Cashman said that Cano and his representatives "certainly" will be in a position to entertain offers from other clubs, a process that can begin after the World Series.


text:
Peter J. Wallace
After forty-two years, the Seventy-sixth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church witnessed the completion of the work of what may be the longest-serving special committee in the history of the OPC: the Committee on Revisions to the Directory for Public Worship.
The same Assembly also handled what may have been the shortest appeal in OP history: approximately thirty-five seconds! Since there were two appeals related to the same case, when the Assembly determined to send the first appeal back to the presbytery, the second appeal became moot, and so there was no point in discussing it further.
The moderator of the 76th General Assembly, the Rev. William Shishko of Franklin Square OPC in Franklin Square, New York, presided with wisdom and justice. In his opening remarks, he warned the Assembly about the lightning speed with which he would call speakers to order if they wandered from the subject being discussed, adding that "in New York we have defined a nanosecond. A nanosecond is the amount of time from when a traffic light turns green until a cabbie honks his horn [laughter]. And for those of you from Iowa, I can explain to you later what a cabbie is [laughter and groans]."
Last year the Rev. Donald Duff had indicated that he would like to retire from his position as stated clerk of the General Assembly. Therefore, this Assembly elected the Rev. George Cottenden as the next stated clerk. His term will begin next year after the General Assembly.
As usual, the Rev. John Mahaffy served diligently as assistant stated clerk, the Rev. Stephen Phillips ran the overhead projector, and Mr. David Haney and the Committee on General Assembly Arrangements kept things running smoothly. Kuyper College (formerly known as Reformed Bible College) provided excellent food and accommodations, as well as recreational facilitieswith basketball or soccer almost every evening.
The moderator of the 75th General Assembly, the Rev. Alan Strange, opened this year's Assembly with a sermon from Colossians 1:24-29. He urged preachers to wrestle with the text of Scripture, as Jacob wrestled with the angel, until they see how the gospel shines forth from the textand how the text calls us to obey Jesus Christ. The message that must be proclaimed in every sermon is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." He concluded by warning pastors and elders not to minister only to those who appear interested. Our task is to present everyone mature in Christ.
On Monday, the moderator, the Rev. William Shishko, preached from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 on how "preaching Christ is not enough." If a minister preaches Christ, but does not imitate Christ in his own life, he falls short of his calling. "Brothers," he exhorted us, "too many of us spend our time in front of computers and minister by e-mail.... If you do not want to be with your people, if this is not your personality, then this is your failure to imitate Christ."
Undoubtedly the most anticipated decision of the 76th General Assembly was its vote on the proposed revision of the Directory for Public Worship.
While the Assembly made few changes of substance, one in particular should be noted. Some had voiced concern that the proposed revision blurred the line between those things that are mandated by Scripture and those things that are "strongly recommended." Therefore, the Assembly amended the preface to read as follows:
The Directory seeks to make clear this distinction in its use of language. The following denotations used in the Directory are to be understood as indicated. The first category denotes practices that are required by the Word of God.
1) Practices that are mandated are denoted by "shall," "will," "is to be," "must," and "are to be."
The following three categories denote practices that are not mandated:
2) Practices that are strongly recommended are denoted by "should," "ought to," "is desirable," and "is advisable."
3) Practices that are commended as suitable are denoted by "is appropriate," "is well," and "is fitting."
4) Practices that are permissible are denoted by "may."
The Assembly also spent considerable time on the question of who may participate in leading worship. It became quite clear that there are a variety of views held within the OPC, and that the language used in chapter I, section D, was probably the best way to harmonize them all. Those holding to the two-office view (who see ministers simply as teaching elders, sharing the same office with ruling elders) would have preferred to give ruling elders greater authority in planning and conducting public worship. However, there seemed to be no way to state that in a way that would not go beyond what the defenders of the three-office view (who see ministers and ruling elders as holding different offices) could accept. Others feared that the general office of the believer was particularly infringed upon by the final line, "No others should take such leadership in overseeing or conducting public worship."
It seems to the present writer, however, that the language of section D clearly focuses on the overseeing, planning, and conducting of public worship. It would be consistent with the language of section D for a deacon (for instance) to pray over the diaconal offering, since he would not be overseeing, planning, or conducting public worship. In other words, the proposed revision leaves room for a variety of activities under the oversight of the session.
In the end, the Assembly voted by a significant margin to send the proposed revision to the presbyteries for their approval. (No count was taken because the voice vote was so clear.) Now the Final Proposed Revision will be voted upon by the presbyteries. Since our Form of Government (32.2) requires that all amendments to the Constitution be approved by a majority of presbyteries, at least nine of the sixteen presbyteries must approve it before it can go into effect.
Mark Bube, the general secretary for the Committee on Foreign Missions, reported that the highlights of 2008 included the opening of a new field in Uruguay, short-term work teams in Haiti, village-by-village ministry in Uganda, and greater cooperation with sister churches in foreign missions. There are two missionaries who are ready to go to the field right now, but we simply do not have the resources to send them. Mr. Bube also reiterated the importance for churches to be very careful not to communicate sensitive information about certain missionaries on the Internet or by e-mail.
The Rev. Danny Olinger reported for the Committee on Christian Education on the ministerial intern program and the Ministerial Training Institute of the OPC. The Rev. Alan Strange added that the Psalter-Hymnal project is under way. Tom Patete, executive director of Great Commission Publications (the joint OPC-PCA publishing venture), informed the Assembly that the Rev. Ben Alvira is spearheading the translation of GCP's Sunday school curriculum into Spanish.
The Rev. Ross Graham reported for the Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension. Telling of their work were "the energizer bunny of the OPC church planting corps, Mr. Everett Henes," who serves at Hillsdale OPC in Hillsdale, Michigan; the Rev. Chris Sandoval of the Hispanic Bible Ministry in Chicago; and Dr. Norman De Jong, who has yet again come out of retirement to work with Fremont OPC in Fremont, Michigan.
One of the central issues before the Assembly was the severe recession and its impact on the work of the church around the world. Each of the three program committees has significantly curtailed its spending for 2009 and proposed a reduced budget for 2010. All in all, the budget for 2010 is 5 percent lower than the budget for 2009.
Mr. Olinger reminded the Assembly of the financial hardships endured by the fathers of the OPC. He told about the Rev. Edward Kellogg, who in 1937 was sent to plant a church in New York City. Friends in the Presbytery of New Jersey were so concerned for the Kellogg family that they launched a food-and-clothing drive so that his family wouldn't starve.
Mr. Graham pointed out that the records of those days of financial shortage show us two things: (1) you never find anyone complaining about not having enough money, and 2) you never find them curtailing actual outreach ministrywhether or not there was money for it! We may not have much money, but we can still serve our Lord Jesus Christ!
Speaking of finances (some readers may wish to skip the next two paragraphs!), the Assembly revised the notoriously complex "Instrument E" that governs the combined budget of Worldwide Outreach, in an attempt to make it simpler both to understand and to follow. The OPC has tried to avoid competition among the program committees of the church by creating a unified Worldwide Outreach budget, overseen by the Committee on Coordination (which consists of representatives of each of the program committees, together with several men elected by the General Assembly).
The revision permits any of the three program committees to enter into "special relationships" with presbyteries or sessions in order to "implement a part of that committee's program with respect to a specific missionary or project." The admitted danger is that giving for special projects could wind up taking away from the combined budget. Therefore, the Instrument states that financial support for such special relationships must come "from sources that are over and above its regular giving to the Worldwide Outreach combined budget." This means that a session or presbytery may not fund special relationships instead of the combined budget (though sessions and presbyteries are always free to give designated gifts if they cannot in good conscience support the work of Worldwide Outreach as a whole).
As usual, the fraternal addresses were some of the highlights of the Assembly. Delegates and observers were sent from twelve churches. The moderator replied appropriately to each delegate and observer.
One of the most remarkable addresses came from the Rev. Ludgero Morais and Dr. Augustus Lopes of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, a 788,000-member denomination that broke relations with the PCUSA in 1975 and the PCUS in 1983. Last year they entered into corresponding relations with the OPC, due to their desire to have relations with the heirs of those who brought the Reformed faith to Brazil. Dr. Lopes, the chancellor of Mackenzie Presbyterian University, also spoke of their efforts to give the 45,000-student university more of a confessional identity.
Another notable address came from the Rev. Kevin Backus, who reported that the Bible Presbyterian Church has lost 40 percent of its members over the last two years, simply because the BPC has remained in corresponding relations with the OPC. He thanked the OPC for being patient and willing to answer the questions and concerns of the Bible Presbyterian Synod in recent years.
The Rev. Richard Holst spoke on behalf of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales. He pointed out that while 70 percent of Brits claim to be Christian, only 10 percent attend church at all, and 50 percent of teenagers claim to be atheists. With a total communicant membership of 380 in twelve congregations, the EPCEW is struggling to maintain a foothold for the Reformed faith. Given the challenge of finding sufficient ministers for their smaller congregations, perhaps a retired minister or two could consider moving to England for a few years to assist them.
In an effort to broaden their work, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries has now been reorganized to include four deacons, together with three ministers and two elders. They are preparing a Deacon's Summit for the summer of 2010, and hope eventually to have a full-time staff person to coordinate short-term mission trips, diaconal projects, disaster relief, and short-term home-missions teams. Since all four deacons had to be elected at once, the election was quite an affair. Seven deacons were nominated, and from the nominating speeches, it would appear that we have some truly remarkable deacons in the OPC!
While everyone should know our first missionary deacon, Robert Wright of Karamoja, the new members of the committee deserve some introduction. Robert Keys of Columbus, Ohio, has served as a deacon for more than twenty-five years, and when Hurricane Katrina hit, he asked his session the following day for permission to go help. Kenley Leslie of Morgantown, West Virginia, spent several months in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, working in hurricane relief, and was referred to both as a "doer extraordinaire" and as a "deacon's deacon" for his dedicated service over many years. Chris Sudlow of Wheaton, Illinois, received a rather unique nominating speech, as he was called "a freethinker, gifted beyond words, arrogant above all imagination, and a wonderful, soft-hearted servant" who is known for his ability to communicate effectively. He is the organizer for the Deacon's Summit that will be held in Wheaton next summer.
Considerable debate was prompted by the recommendation from the Committee on Chaplains and Military Personnel to send a humble petition to President Obama regarding the matter of gays in the military, on the ground that such a petition was needed in order to provide encouragement to our chaplains and military personnel. Nearly half the Assembly voted to sustain the moderator's ruling that the petition was out of order because the Committee had not demonstrated that this was truly an extraordinary case (as required by Confession of Faith 31.4). While some others wished to send a letter, they did not approve of this particular letter, and so the Assembly voted to postpone the matter indefinitely.
As one speaker put it, there are dozens of public sins that we could take positions on, but the way we best make our voice heard is by proclaiming the Word of God in all its fullness, and also in coming alongside those who are suffering for the gospel's sake. Other speakers pointed out that the OPC has already made clear statements on homosexuality in our Confession and Catechisms, as well as in the Instruments of the General Assembly and in the 60th General Assembly's letter to President Clinton.
There is no proper way to summarize the debate over the appeals before the Assembly. As one speaker put it, the existence of a Committee on Appeals and Complaints is a reminder of our fallen condition. Perhaps it is sufficient to say that the Assembly sent both cases back to their respective presbyteries with the hopes and prayers that through the continued interaction between the parties, God will bring true reconciliation.
The author, an OP minister, is stated supply of Michiana Covenant Church (PCA) in Granger, Ind. Reprinted from New Horizons, July 2009.
|© 2020 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Chaplains and Military Personnel


text:
Nelly Furtado claims "we ain't doing nothing," in her new song "Parking Lot," but her video suggests otherwise.
Wearing a hot pink jacket and leopard pants, Furtado struts around in a parking lot packed with customized Mini Coopers and onlookers. Furtado took to Twitter and shared her favorite car from the video.
My favorite minicooper was the one wrapped with post it notes enjoy the New video for #PARKINGLOT vevo.ly/PB2YUk
— Nelly Furtado (@NellyFurtado) September 18, 2012
It doesn't take long before Nelly starts dancing in this video, but this isn't your typical dance. Sticking with the parking lot theme, Furtado and the onlookers dance with their arms out like they are each driving cars while she sang, "Bring your car to the parking lot and ride all night till you get a spot."
Directed by Ray Kay, who also directed Britney Spears' "Til the Word Ends" and Justin Bieber's "Baby," Furtado and her crew definitely found plenty of parking spots to make this video.
In the behind the scenes cut, Furtado talked about the making of this video. "We vibed it out in front of the chain-link fence and then we got on top of the car for some more jamming out," she said.
This video is packed with jamming, and although Nelly credits her dancers for making this video a success, she also took a moment to show off cars that weren't as noticeable in the video, including one covered in faux-fur, Christmas lights, one that was inspired by Barbie and another that looked like a baby tiger.
"This is video is going to have some special effects," said Furtado. "We're going to have some real interesting, cute creations with headlights. It's going to be kind of surreal."
Was it surreal for you? Watch the full video now.
-Ashley Quadros, 100.5 NOW/Sacramento
You must log in to post a comment.


text:
Can Appropriation Artist Claim Copyright Over Artwork Appropriated From The Same Original?
from the riddle-me-this deptHere's a fun one found via Boing Boing. It involves a band, named Elsinore, that is about to put out an album and has run into a rather bizarre copyright issue that highlights some of the insanity in today's copyright law. For the cover of the album, they used a painting done in an art class by a friend of the band named Brittany Pyle. You can see it here:
Based on all of this, many folks in the comments to both the Boing Boing post and the band's post say that the Lichtenstein estate has no case at all. But... copyright law isn't quite that simple (and there are a few complicating factors). First of all, there's some question concerning the copyright on the original work. No one seems to know exactly where it's from. The only version people point to is the one that Barsalau has highlighted, but he doesn't seem to indicate the source as far as I can tell. And, to make matters worse, everywhere you find Barsalau's work on Deconstructing Roy Lichtenstein he has copyright notices all over everything. No, I'm not kidding. I'm not sure how he can claim copyright on any of that, but for right now that issue is probably secondary, unless somehow he really does own the copyright on the original, and can make a claim against... well... both Pyle and Lichtenstein's estate.
Leaving that aside, though, while common sense would suggest that the estate has absolutely no case, copyright covers the unique expression in an image, and one could potentially argue that Lichtenstein's work did some unique things from the original image... including (potentially) the decision of how to crop the image. Since no one seems to actually show the full source image, we don't know if the comic book image is cropped in the same way, or if that was, potentially, an artistic choice by Lichtenstein. If that's the case, the estate could make the argument that the copyright they hold is on the cropping choice, and while Pyle may have copied the image itself from the original, she copied the crop from Lichtenstein. Would that actually stand up in court? One would hope not, but stranger things have happened.
That said, the whole thing really is fairly ridiculous no matter how you look at it. It's ridiculously obnoxious for an appropriation artist, who relied on infringing on copyrights quite regularly to then turn around and claim that someone else infringed on his copyrights (or, in this case, to have his estate do the same thing). It's particularly obnoxious to basically say it was okay for Lichtenstein to do it to others, but anyone doing it to Lichtenstein is not allowed. And I won't even get into the ridiculousness of Barsalau then declaring copyright on his own efforts of matching Lichtenstein's work to the originals. Either way, it seems pretty silly that the band may now need to go find themselves a lawyer just to use a piece of artwork for their album cover.
Filed Under: appropriation art, brittany pyle, copyright, david barsalau, elsinore, roy lichtenstein


text:
By Rich McIlhenny
Like many a child growing up in Mt Airy in the mid-to-late '60s, I was mesmerized by The Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder, who dominated the airwaves during the pre-Brady Bunch Era of our youth. I even thought our father, Francis, sort of resembled the handsome and rugged Bruce Wayne, who slid down the hidden "Batpoles" in stately Wayne Manor, with his sidekick Dick Grayson magically turning into Batman and Robin on the way down.
They'd jump into The Batmobile, which is without question the coolest car ever made, and rush off to battle the Joker, the Penguin or the Riddler and their henchmen and save Gotham City from whatever devastation was being visited upon it by these evil villians .
During that time, my dad worked for General Electric in Valley Forge, which had a huge office and plant where they made products for NASA and other companies. Our family piled into his orange '57 Chevy to head out to the company Christmas party in December of 1967. After a bit of a drive and unable to find a close spot, Dad dropped my sister Lisa and our mother and me out front, while he went to park the car.
We walked into the huge and magically decorated lunchroom, where there were hundreds of kids with their parents all abuzz as Santa was sitting by the Christmas tree giving out presents. Lisa and I ran over to get in line as we listened to my father's friend and co-worker Bud Leo on the microphone welcoming everyone to the affair.
After a few minutes of waiting, Mr. Leo's soothing voice was suddenly interrupted by sounds of a struggle, while the lights started to flicker on and off. Soon there was a very loud and evil laugh from the stage above us. Everyone looked up to see the Penguin himself, who had just wrestled the microphone from Bud, who now was being tied up by one of his cohorts. In no time, several other baddies were making their way towards Santa. The crowd gasped, and children cried out as the Penguin's muscle dragged Santa onto the stage and tied him up with Bud.
The cries grew louder as the toys were gathered up and taken from kids by the villains as the Penguin taunted us over the loudspeakers and asked where our savior was this time. The happy family holiday party had turned into a nightmare. Parents tried to console their crying children as the Penguin laughed and teased us all more and more.
A shout of "look at the window!" caused the kids to cheer, as their heads turned to the large plate glass window of the lunchroom, where they looked out to see the Batmobile peeling through the parking lot and come to a screeching halt just outside. Batman and Robin jumped out and pressed their faces against the window, peering inside at the disturbing scene. Kids cried out "Batman, Robin! We're in here!" as the heroes went rushing around the side of the building looking for a way out after finding that the main doors were locked by the Penguin's men.
As the crowd came to a hush and everyone wondered where they were, Batman and Robin slid down ropes from the level above onto the stage to cheers and started duking it out with the baddies. Fists were flying, and kids were screaming and rooting them on as Batman and Robin knocked out the villains and untied Santa Claus to thunderous applause.
Bud wrestled back the microphone from the hands of an angry and now tied up Penguin and shouted, "Kids! Let's hear it for Batman and Robin!!!!!" The crowd went wild as Bud turned to The Caped Crusader, who by then was panting and sweating heavily. "Batman," Bud said, "once again you and Robin took care of the Penguin and his terrible men and saved Christmas for all of these boys and girls. Is there anything that you would like to say to them?"
Batman paused and looked over the crowd while the children waited breathlessly to hear him speak. "Nah, not really," Batman replied to howls of laughter from the parents and stunned looks from the children.
While the crowd buzzed and the baddies were taken away by the just-arriving police, Lisa and I fought our way through the crowds of kids surrounding Batman and Robin. Once we got up close, I looked up at Batman, and he looked down at me. It was then that I saw a familiar twinkle in his eye.
"Batman?" I asked nervously. "Do you drive an orange car?"
Smiling as he picked me up, Batman replied, "Yes, son. I do."
Rich McIlhenny, a lifelong resident of Mt Airy and a realtor with Remax Services,
can be reached in his Batmobile at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
It seems like the fully-animated motion-capture craze has come and gone with the shuttering of Robert Zemeckis' ImageMovers Digital and the box office bomb Mars Needs Moms. However, before that bomb exploded, directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson decided to do a mo-cap trilogy adaptation of the internationally popular comic book series, The Adventures of Tintin. The cast includes Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Cary Elwes, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook, and Daniel Mays.
But how do you market a mo-cap adaptation of a Belgian comic that isn't widely-recognized by the American mainstream? With airplanes, flaming ships, and a silhouetted figure in a trenchcoat. That's what you'll see on the UK poster for the flick along with attention paid not to the cast, but to screenwriters Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish. Hit the jump to check out the poster. The first trailer for the film is set to go online tomorrow. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (a subtitle that was left off the poster) opens in 3D on December 23rd. [Update: The US teaser poster has also gone online. I slightly prefer the UK version, but the US teaser is no slouch and it shows off the ship, "The Unicorn"]
UK Poster via Empire who will also debut the film's trailer tomorrow.
Click over the AICN to see a larger version of the US teaser poster:
Here's how Spielberg breaks down Secret of the Unicorn:
"The first part of the film, which is the most mysterious part, certainly owes much to not only film noir but the whole German Brechtian theatre — some of our night scenes and our action scenes are very contrasty. But at the same time the movie is a hell of an adventure."


text:
PJMÂ's recently published report on electric transmission planning details how electric grid upgrades and construction maintain reliable electric supplies while meeting the challenges of power plant retirements, the rapid switch to natural gas, the growth of wind power and statesÂ' renewable energy requirements. PJM operates and plans the transmission grid serving 60 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
Between Nov. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2012, PJM received 104 retirement requests for 13,868 megawatts of generation – about enough electricity to supply Indiana's needs for a year. Most of the retirements were related to more stringent environmental regulations combined with low natural gas prices. The trend continues in 2013 with formal notice in January of the retirement of an additional 1,697 megawatts of generation.
"We've never had to cope with generation retirements or fuel shifts on this scale," said Steve Herling, PJM vice president of transmission planning. "The fact that we're able to respond to these changes so efficiently shows the strength of the planning process and the skills of planners both in PJM and the 14 transmission owners within the PJM region." PJM's analysis identified the need for more than 130 grid updates to avoid reliability problems resulting from the power plant retirements. The $2.4 billion in solutions include equipment upgrades, new substations and substation additions, rebuilding existing lines and construction of new transmission lines.
For example, about $174 million worth of major projects are required in the Mid-Atlantic region to solve reliability problems caused by the retirement of generating units in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Most generator retirements were in the western region of PJM, including western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, western Maryland and Indiana. In particular, retirement of generators along Lake Erie in Ohio will require significant transmission upgrades in and around Cleveland. About $341 million in major projects were authorized to resolve generator-retirement problems in the PJM western region. In total, 137 transmission upgrades were approved.
In Virginia, PJM authorized $293 million in major transmission projects to solve reliability problems caused by retiring generators. As some generation retired, PJM saw a record amount of new generation in one year, most of it natural gas-fired.
Meanwhile, PJM continues to study the effects of existing wind power on the grid and to plan transmission changes to handle it. The PJM report identified nine grid stability problems at eight locations in Ohio, Illinois and Virginia resulting from conditions related to wind power on the grid.
PJM planned and authorized $97 million in transmission projects to ensure that energy from generators, such as wind power, that typically run during overnight "light-use" hours can be delivered without causing stability problems.
Wind power on the grid is expected to grow because many states require a certain amount of electricity sold in the state to come from renewable sources. PJM continues to evaluate the new transmission lines and improvements that will be necessary to add the wind power needed to meet state renewable energy requirements. The study includes off-shore wind and imports of wind-powered electricity from other regions.
PJMÂ's 1,000-page report on transmission planning, the PJM Regional Transmission Expansion Plan in Review, documents these and other grid needs and related construction and upgrade projects throughout the PJM region.
PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 60 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the regionÂ's transmission grid, which includes 59,750 miles of transmission lines administers a competitive wholesale electricity market and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion.


text:
Serge Ibaka had 14 rebounds and seven blocks yesterday. Danny Ainge is smart, but
Darrell Morey Sam Presti is smarter. A full year of Ibaka at PF next season is going to be huge. After just seven games this month, Ibaka has more blocks (25) than in either of the last two. Also, his 9.7/9.4, with 3.1 blocks in 29.7 mpg since Jeff Green was traded to Boston are all above his season averages. I wouldn't expect much else defensively from Ibaka next year, as he'll lose a few boards and blocks to Kendrick Perkins, but having two sturdy bigs roaming around the rim instead of the weak Nenad Krstic or the roaming Nick Collison, will improve Ibaka's scoring a bit and may prove him to be a Camby-like fantasy necessity next year.
Here's what else happened this weekend in fantasy basketball:
James Harden – 16/5/3, with four steals, three treys and .500 from the floor. His PER jumped from 14.0 (slightly below average) to 16.1 (slightly above average) between last season and this one, while his Offensive Rating rose from 109 to 119. It's hard(en) to tell what the future holds for this guy, but if you're in a dynasty or keeper league, you should strongly consider inking him into next year's roster.
Aaron Brooks – 19/10 in 30 minutes as he started in place of the groinally-inflicted Steve Nash. The Suns play tonight and again on Wednesday. Nash should play in at least the latter of those two games, but Brooks might get another shot at starting and should see a boost in minutes from here on out.
Reggie Evans – 6/17 in 29 minutes. That's four more minutes than starter Ed Davis. As long as Amir Johnson's out, Evans should be in, but Davis is the better overall option still.
Stephen Jackson – He averaged 22/7.5/4 in two weekend games since returning from injury. His FG% and turnovers are a far less prettier picture. Those are a never a pretty picture for Jax.
Sonny Weems – Went 2-for-6 yesterday in 17 minutes. Despite shooting .500 (22-for-44) in six games this month, he's averaging a season-low 18.2 mpg in March, eight fewer than February. If efficiency is what Weems has going for him at the moment, it's a fleeting moment. Flip through your Weems Nov. 2010 scrapbook and look for someone else to bolster your squad.
Ramon Sessions – Had four points and five assists in 21 cold-shooting minutes. Not what owners hoped for when they received the news that Baron Davis was going to miss and handful of games. Oddly, he's averaged fewer mpg since Davis left than while he was splitting time. It's weird, like the Cavs don't really know what they're doing or something. Davis returns Saturday in Portland, the Cavs have just one game (mercifully) in between now and then to see how the Davis-Sessions timeshare shakes out. If you had told me there would be a turf war this year between a guy named Ramon and a guy named Baron and neither switchblades nor musical dancing interludes would be involved, I'd call you a damn dirty liar.
Luke Harangody – The 6-foot-8 thunderchunk went 0-for-8 against Oklahoma City. Mostly just Serge Ibaka. Ibaka enjoyed scaring the Harangooey out of Luke.
John Salmons – 0/0/2, with four turnovers and missed all five of his shot attempts. I'm not sure what to say about a game in which every Buck looked like it had been hit by a Range Rover. The score of this game was 60-38 after three quarters and I turned it on for the same reason people sniff milk they know went bad a month ago. You'll never fully believe it, unless you experience it. I can admit I was wrong about Salmons. I ranked him significantly lower than most other fantasy blog sites, but always held the belief he would gear up after the All-Star Break. He's gotten worse. My conclusion is that he either a) only gears up if he's traded at the All-Star Break, b) feels just too damn much compassion for those teacher's unions to concentrate on basketball right now, y'all, or c) less-than-thrilled about playing for a team severely hampered by the loss of Drew Gooden. Okay, I'm done dissing the Bucks.
Brandon Jennings – Oh, wait. Psyche! I forgot about Jennings … which has been my problem all year. He's been forgettable. Quick! Who's having a better year: Jennings, Jrue Holiday, D.J. Augustin or Devin Harris? I'll give you a hint: I compared their stats for 15 minutes and couldn't decide. Ugh. Milwaukee. If the Bobcats are the team where crappy players go to play crappily, the Bucks are the team good players go to play like the Bobcats.
Troy Murphy – Sighted! Played 17 minutes in what could understatedly be called a blowout and ended with 12/7, with two steals and a block. Could be the start of something, could be the continuation of nothing.
Danny Granger – Missed just the second game of the season due to a case of the bubons. Another way to see it is your fantasy team was one .375-shooting night short on Sunday.
Tyler Hansbrough – Career-high 29 points last night. He's started the last three, scored 20+ points in each if his last four and has shot .590 in that span and is owned in fewer than 40 percent of fantasy leagues. He averaged 12.9 mpg from October through December, 22.3 mpg in January, 23.3 in February and 31.4 in March. I know he's white. Roster him anyway.
Chauncey Billups – Returned to the Knicks lineup to go 4-for-14 from the field (0-for-7 from the arc) and turn the ball over four times. Of the 14 games he's attempted at least seven threes, this was the first he hadn't made any. So don't panic. I suspect Billups will bounce back. But even if he doesn't – even if there are spiders and snakes involved – don't panic. Don't ever panic.
Shawne Williams – The only thing more silent than Williams' March production is the "e" at the end of his name. Dude's averaging season-highs in minutes (26.4), points (9.4), blocks (1.6), and threes (1.9). He's owned in fewer than 15 percent of leagues. You deep leaguers could use a guy like this. Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid, Willy.
Kevin Love – Ended his double-double streak at 53 games. If you gave me 29 guesses as to which team would end that streak, I wouldn't have gotten it right. At any rate, this might be good news for Love owners. He's admitted that the double-double thing has dragged on him. If the last month was Kevin Love being dragged, imagine what a carefree Love would be? My guess would be carefree Love would involve patchouli and tie-dye.


text:
Saturday, August 9, 2008, 07:04 - CommentaryBrooklyn
For those of you in New York, I will be presenting a slideshow of images from The Europeans today at 4:30 at The Spark, which is located at 161 West 22nd Street (6th & 7th Ave).
If you cant come dont worry, I plan on doing a few events this fall upon my return. In the meantime enjoy your HCB Quote of the Week!
The handwriting on the wall. Paris 2007 © Damaso Reyes
Drawing with its graphology, elaborates what our consciousness grasps in an instant. - Henri Cartier-Bresson
| 0 trackbacks | ( 2.9 / 1064 )
Friday, August 8, 2008, 12:59 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
If we read a recent article in the EU Observer we can see what happens when nearly the nearly thirty member state of the European Union cant coordinate their foreign policy.
Twenty EU states will begin welcoming Kosovo passport holders after Pristina started issuing the new documents on Wednesday (30 July). Slovakia will not allow entry however, while the six other EU countries that do not recognize Kosovo have not made their position clear.
Can we has passports? Kosovo 2005 © Damaso Reyes
Countries including Spain, Greece and Portugal have not recognized Kosovo as an independent nation. The problem of course is that most countries in the E.U. are members of the borderless Schengen treaty zone which allows for free travel. So someone can legally enter Germany with their Kosovo passport but they cant go to Spain even though there is no border control.
The issue of Kosovo is a prime example of why the E.U. needs a coherent foreign policy and the dangers of one. Nations like Spain with its Basque separatists dont want to recognize Kosovo because they dont want their own people getting any fancy ideas. At the same time it is clearly untenable that most of the E.U. recognizes Kosovo and a few dont. I imagine at some point soon all the E.U. will have formal relations with Kosovo.
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 960 )
Thursday, August 7, 2008, 13:51 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
Since immigration is one of the core themes of my project it makes sense that we talk about it quite a bit. I think it is hard to underestimate the transformative effect that a borderless Europe is having. An article in Der Spiegel talks about how many Eastern Europeans are now choosing to stay home rather than go abroad. The torpid state of the economy in many western countries is a part of it but the fact that many nations in the E.U. are so hostile to immigrants is surely another.
Me and my friends are leaving, goodbye! Cologne 2007 © Damaso Reyes
Now, though, the debate may be changing. Indeed, should the economic downturn prove short-lived the UK and other Western European countries may eventually be wondering how they can attract more workers from the east. The outflow of laborers from countries like Poland may already be reversing.
According to recent survey conducted by the Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) in Warsaw, only half as many Poles are willing to work abroad as in 2004. Furthermore, UK government statistics indicate that the numbers of work permits issued to Eastern European immigrants dropped by 10 percent in 2007 against 2006. In the first quarter of this year, the number of permit applicants under the UK's Worker Registration Scheme -- which was set up in 2004 to regulate the inflow of workers from the new member states -- was the lowest it has been since the first quarter of 2005.
Clearly this will have a negative impact on western economies. As much as foreigners are often maligned and blamed for the ills of society their cheap labor helps keep those same economies afloat. How long will it be before these same nations are begging for immigrant labor?
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 949 )
Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 11:07 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
Weve been kinda down on the state of the discussion surrounding immigration in Europe lately but lo and behold there is actually a positive piece in the Guardian! The author interviewed twelve children who had recently immigrated to the U.K. and asked about their experiences. Whats nice about this piece is that we actually hear the voices of the immigrants, something very rare in the mainstream media.
Speaking truth to power! © Damaso Reyes
Its a great piece and I encourage you all to check out the full text but here is one part:
Oliwia, 13, moved from her two-bedroom flat in Slupsk, Poland, in 2006 with her mother, who was looking for work. They now rent a room in Harrow, northwest London. Her mother works as a cleaner and studies English at college. Oliwia goes to school in Hounslow.
How did you find out you were moving to the UK?
My auntie was living in England and when she came back to visit us my mum said, just for a joke, that we would move there too. Then my mum thought about it seriously. She showed me our tickets and I opened my eyes and I was like: 'It's my dream come true.'
Why did you move?
In Poland they don't want that many people to work if they're quite old. Over here you can do whatever work you like. My mum doesn't speak English well so she's a cleaner now, but she's learning English so she can look for other work. She'd like to work in a shop.
What happened the day you left?
Grandma and grandpa took us to the airport. I had a diary and my mum wrote me a message saying that on this day our lives would change completely. It was really nice but quite sad.
What was your old home like?
I lived in a flat at the top and I had my own room. It was about 20km to the beach. In the summer holidays we'd go to the seaside.
How was your first day at school?
My first day was scary. I didn't speak English well so I didn't understand a lot, but it was fun.
What are the other children like?
In Poland you only have people from Poland but here you have people from all different countries. Some people are racist; I tell them to stop or I just ignore them.
What do you like most about living here?
Fast food. It's really cheap but it's so tasty.
What do you miss most about home?
My grandma and my grandpa. I used to spend all of my summer holidays with them.
Where will you live when you grow up?
Maybe somewhere really hot but maybe not, because then there's a lot of spiders, so I think this is the best country because it's quite warm.
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 939 )
Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 13:56 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
Today we look toward Italy and the issue of immigration. Weve talked about demographics before but it bears repeating the Western Europe need immigrants and lots of them. But many nations are very resistant to what they see as the endless flood of immigrants which threatens to overwhelm them and with paragraphs like this one from an article in the IHT it is no wonder.
About 800 illegal immigrants landed in Southern Italy on Thursday, with emergency services warning that already crowded holding centers were near collapse in a country that had declared an immigration emergency.
Without a deep and far reaching discussion about the benefits and costs of immigration an atmosphere of intolerance can prevail leading to a paragraph in todays second article found in Der Spegiel.
Authored by Thomas Hammarberg of the Council of Europe -- a human rights watchdog not connected to the European Union -- the report dished up searing criticism of Italy for its treatment of the Roma and Sinti minority population as well as its highly restrictive immigration policies. In particular, Hammarberg lambasted Italy for using "security concerns" to justify its actions.
Just another Austrian. © Damaso Reyes
The question of course is what is to be done? How should Europe be handling its immigration? Perhaps more importantly how can Europe integrate those who come to it seeking a better life? To me it is a question of seeing immigrants with new eyes. At some point Europeans have to accept that immigrants are part of their society and not outsiders who somehow dont belong. That has to be the first step. There are examples of plenty of societies which can successfully integrate their immigrant populations but clearly more work needs to be done
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 966 )
Monday, August 4, 2008, 11:40 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
As most of you know, the newspaper, not to mention magazine business, is in serious trouble. Papers are laying off stay (including photographers) and cutting the number of editorial pages they run. Throughout my career I have noticed a decline in the number of opportunities and jobs I have been able to find. An interesting article in the Columbia Journalism Review talks about the trends.
My competition. Vienna 2008© Damaso Reyes
Photographic storytellers are competing with the millions-strong army of amateur photographers whose work is housed on Flickr, which editors cull for cheap or free images, and the rise of amateur-supplied agencies, including iStockphotoowned by the largest stock agency of them all, Getty Images. There are also outlets that claim to separate the digital wheat from the chaff, like PhotoShelter, a global stock marketplace, or the jpg Magazine, which threshes out a few hundred images submitted by Web amateurs and publishes them on paper. As Magnum photographer Chris Anderson glumly puts it, he and other professionals are watching the decline of editorial sales of images, both what we are assigned to produce and the buying of editorial imagesand I am waiting for that moment when that decline drops straight off a cliff.
Clearly there is a need for professional photographers and amateurs cant replace the training and dedication we have (its the same reason bloggers cant replace investigative journalists). To report on the most important and least covered events around the world takes patience and dedication, something someone on their holiday usually doesnt have.
Now this doesnt mean that the economic environment will continue to support our activities. I do believe that a time will come very soon when things do fall off a cliff. In twenty years the (much diminished) ranks of photojournalists may very well consist of the Top 1% who actually get paid assignments from whatever is left of the mainstream media and trustafarians who can pay their own way. The idea that someone who grea up poor like I did can become a successful international photojournalist may very well not exist by the time I have children, whenever that day comes.
I need a drink!
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 993 )
Saturday, August 2, 2008, 14:46 - CommentaryBrooklyn
One month form now I will be in France, woo hoo! I know you are just as excited as I am for me to be back out in the field. Of course there is lots to do between now and then so I will leave you with your HCB Quote of the Week!
Silence is golden! Berlin 2007 © Damaso Reyes
In a portrait, Im looking for the silence in somebody. - Henri Cartier-Bresson
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1029 )
Friday, August 1, 2008, 13:19 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
In a very real sense, 2009, not 1992, truly will be the hour of Europe. By that I mean that if the chancellor of Germany, the prime minister of Britain and the president of France -- backed by their counterparts in Southern Europe, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia -- were to walk into the White House on Jan. 21 and propose serious, realistic new contributions to, say, the war in Afghanistan, the reconstruction of Iraq, the nuclear negotiations with Iran and perhaps even climate change, the White House would listen, so writes Anne Applebaum in the Washington Post.
Thinking in The Hague © Damaso Reyes
One of the main rationales for the European Union is to serve as a counterweight to the United States but while Europe has done a great job at coming together economically it has done a pretty dismal one of doing so on the political level, especially when it comes to foreign affairs (see the Iraq War).
But the new generation of European leadership including Merkel, Sarkozy and Brown seem to be interested in finding a way of working together rather than pursuing their individual national interests.
The question is can they see the forest for the trees?
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1031 )
Thursday, July 31, 2008, 14:07 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
So it seems like at least one European leader is taking my advice and pushing for a more democratic process when it comes to the future of the European Union. Spiegel reports on Frances move to allow its citizens to directly vote on future E.U. enlargement and other matters of import.
Is this the right box? No one knows for sure Amsterdam 2005 © Damaso Reyes
This of course is a good thing even though E.U. voters have rejected a constitution the three times they had a chance to vote for it. This change will hopefully mean that European leaders and those interested in a more closely integrated Europe will actually try to engage their public and convince them that a healthy E.U. is in their best interest.
It will also force those who wish to join the E.U. including Turkey to make their case more forcefully and directly, lobbying voters instead of bureaucrats. The more people see the benefits of discussion and dialogue when it comes to the future of Europe the more average people will feel as though they have a voice and that their consent should not be taken for granted..
Courtesy of Der Spiegel
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 928 )
Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 12:24 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
Oh no!
The iconic British pint is fast losing ground as the national drink, with a report out Monday showing beer sales in pubs slumping to their lowest level since the Great Depression, the Associated Press is reporting!
An endangered species? © Damaso Reyes
Whatever you may think of British cuisine their beer is spot on. But it seems like a number of factors are moving people away from the pub which is now endangered and off to
The local pub seems to be such an important part of British culture it is hard to imagine it disappearing. Whether it is after work drinks with the lads or a wake, Brits love their pubs. But good cheap wine from the Continent and the new smoking ban seem to be getting people to drink less.
Oh, the humanity!
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1090 )
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 12:12 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
Most of the photographers I know, myself included, are in this business not to make money, although every once in a while it would be nice. We are photojournalists because we are passionate about our craft and want to change the world through it. There is a great article about photographer Ed Kashi on the Popular Photography website that you should read when you have a chance.
What was that? I still cant hear you London 2005 © Damaso Reyes
The article talks about advocacy journalism, something of a dirty term in America but embraced in much of the rest of the world. I think some journalists fear that if you are an advocate you lose your objectivity and therefore cannot reliably inform your readers about what is going on.
This is an idea that I reject. While it is true you can lose your perspective, often times to take the time and energy to work on an important story (often without funding or support) you must be passionate. In order to get these images in front of the eyes of the people who need to see them you often need the passion of an advocate.
Personally I think the key is to be as passionate as you want to be but not to beat your viewers over the head with what they are supposed to learn. I think subtly is something much overlooked by far too many photographers. I think you can be passionate and an advocate and still make photographs that inform the public and inspire change but at the same time are nuanced.
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1076 )
Monday, July 28, 2008, 11:14 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
It seems like while we Americans are trying to burnish our image abroad, our cousins across the pond are tarnishing theirs. An interesting article in the Guardian explores how British tourists are perceived in the rest of Europe; especially in Greece which has become a bit party destination. While Europe is much less uptight about alcohol than America (could you imagine a temperance movement in France for instance) alcohol abuse, especially among the young is a growing cause for concern.
One more please © Damaso Reyes
Do you have any experiences with hordes of Brits descending on your village?
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1089 )
Saturday, July 26, 2008, 19:35 - CommentaryBrooklyn
I really enjoy these long summer days. There is something special about this city during this season and I am truly soaking it in. I hope that summer is treating you well wherever you are. Here is your HCB Quote of the Week!
Anna in Central Park. © Damaso Reyes
Photography, for me is a supreme moment captured with a single shot. - Henri Cartier-Bresson
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1197 )
Friday, July 25, 2008, 12:35 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
Did you see?
Obama rocked the house in Berlin yesterday and everybody is talking about it!
Flying in Berlin, 2006. © Damaso Reyes
While the speech may have not been as specific as people would have liked (this was not the point of the speech, but that is besides the point) it was pitch perfect in terms of the broad ideas that an American politician should be conveying to Europe.
"The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes, natives and immigrants, Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down," Obama told a crowd of more than 200,000 in the heart of Berlin.
Edmund Stoiber, the honorary head of Germany's Christian Social Union party -- the Bavarian sister party to the conservative Christian Democrats -- and former governor of the state of Bavaria, admitted to being impressed by the speech. "The young senator embodies what many people yearn for: charisma and leadership," Stoiber told SPIEGEL ONLINE. "But German politicians will also have trouble meeting his demand to assume more common responsibility for global problems in the world. America is relying on Germany and Europe. This strengthens the trans-Atlantic bridge."
A sign of things to come?
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 1258 )
Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 12:32 - Commentary, Photo of the DayBrooklyn
It is sad when you look forward to meetings as a method to get away from your desk.
But this summer I have spent far more time at the keyboard than behind the camera. As many, many others have stated before me the digitalization of photography has been a blessing and a curse. On the one hand I edited and output a family portrait for a friend in about 15 minutes; on the other hand in order to do research or for that matter keep in touch with people around the globe I am stuck at my desk.
Just one more email Stuttgart 2007 © Damaso Reyes
I am very much looking forward to get back out into the field at the end of next month. In the meantime I will be shooting around the city over the next few days which will be a nice break from the desk
| 0 trackbacks | ( 3 / 975 )
Back Next


text:
There's never been a better time
to apply to Otterbein University.
Apply online today!
I am an
Be an Equestrian &
A Scholar
If you loved horses as a kid, competed in 4-H, took lessons in English riding, don't think you have to give it up when you come to college. At Otterbein you can ride and compete nationally at our new facility just three miles from campus. We are also one of the select schools in the country to offer majors in Equine Science. Come see what the neighing is about!
Check out these areas:
Get to know...
Otterbein University, 1 South Grove Street, Westerville, OH 43081 614.890.3000
Otterbein University is a private, non-profit, United Methodist affiliated, regionally-accredited institution.
© 2019 Otterbein University. Otterbein University is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer


text:
Freddy P (Of Making Da Band) - Gone Lose [In Studio Session]
"@ImFreddyP Exclusive Studio Performance , Freddy Go hard in the studio Mikey T The Movie Star Exclusive " - Mikey T
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
FOI.com – Freedom of Information
This web site is for sale for $94,000 – Contact [email protected]
Information wants to be free … but the government has other ideas.
The Freedom of Information Act is a US law that requires government agencies to provide certain information to citizens that request it. Many States also have similar laws. The problem is that vague exceptions result in endless disputes and lawsuits. Often, these requests are completely ignored or some type of ridiculous or nonsensical response is provided.
Department of Justice FOIA page
George Washington Univerisity National Security Archive FOIA page
FOIA Request Letter Generator – Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press | FOIA Request Generator from the Student Press Law Center
US Immigration FOIA information
New Jersey has separate (uncoordinated) laws for records and meetings. Violation rate is extremely high and numerous government agencies were caught overcharging. There are large numbers of lawsuits across the State and the laws are often disregarded. There are currently large numbers of complaints that e-mail is used to circumvent public meetings act:
NJ Foundation for Open Government
Open Government Advocacy Project


text:
Are you getting Destiny 2?
Anything goes here! General and Wow related discussions are welcome here.
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1
- Safaladi
- Site Admin
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:23 am
- Twitch: swimasta
- Location: Chicagoland, IL
- Contact:
Are you getting Destiny 2?
Hey guys, this poll is to see if you are getting Destiny 2! I have it pre-ordered on PC, and am not planning to get it on the PS4. I tried the beta and realized that I just enjoy FPS on PC so much better, even the Destiny universe. Hopefully many of you will be on PC so we can group up on Battle.net!
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1


text:
By Karen D'Souza
SAN FRANCISCO — The late Mark O'Brien never had much in the way of muscle. In fact, he only had three working muscles in his body, one in his right foot, one in his neck and one in his jaw.
But O'Brien had far more backbone than most people. Stricken with polio as a boy, he would overcome paralysis and living in an iron lung to earn a graduate degree from UC Berkeley and become a celebrated writer and poet. So inspiring was the Berkeley's man story that it became the focus of Jessica Yu's 1996 documentary "Breathing Lessons," which won an Academy Award.
Now, another revelatory aspect of his life, his determination at the age of 38 not to die a virgin, has become the subject of "The Sessions," a new film directed by Ben Lewin. Opening Friday in San Francisco and elsewhere in the Bay Area on Nov. 2, this Oscar contender stars John Hawkes as O'Brien and Helen Hunt as Cheryl Cohen Greene, the Berkeley sex therapist who helped him fulfill his dream. The narrative has been adapted largely from O'Brien's article "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate," published in 1990 in the literary magazine The Sun.
Greene, a grandma and a cancer survivor who is still practicing her profession at 68, says that working with O'Brien changed her life: "Mark was the bravest soul I have ever known."
"I feel like Mark and I were soulmates in a sense," says writer-director Lewin, 65, also a polio survivor. "I didn't want to make a cripple-of-the-week movie. The struggle to survive is definitely part of his story but the story I wanted to tell is more about the struggle to connect."
Hunt, an Oscar winner for "As Good As It Gets," says the goal was to portray O'Brien's journey without indulging in sentiment or cliche. "When you are trying to capture a real person's story, you do feel a lot of pressure to get it right," says the actress. "We wanted to respect his memory."
Felled by polio at the age of 6, O'Brien was immobilized from the neck down, but he was nevertheless always on the go. He checked himself out of a nursing home to go to college.
"The two mythologies about disabled people break down to: one, we can't do anything; or two, we can do everything," he says in the documentary. "But the truth is, we're just human."
O'Brien enrolled at UC Berkeley in 1978, shuttling back and forth between campus and the iron lung that was his lifeline. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and repeatedly applied to the Graduate School of Journalism until he was admitted. He and his electric gurney soon became familiar sights on Berkeley streets. He also co-founded the Lemonade Factory, a small press that publishes the poetry of those with disabilities.
Although he was only 4-foot-7 and weighed just 60 pounds, O'Brien had a big personality. In addition to writing, he was also avid about Shakespeare, baseball and religion (he was Roman Catholic). Jaw-dropping honesty and a caustic wit were his signature qualities.
"One thing that Mark and I share is a twisted sense of humor about life," notes Lewin, who uses crutches to make his way slowly across a room during an interview. "If there is a God, he must have a wicked sense of humor."
O'Brien certainly had a way with words. In his late 30s, when he became desperate to lose his virginity before his body gave out, he placed this ad on his homepage: "I am looking for an intelligent, literate woman for companionship and, perhaps, sexual play. I am, as you see, completely paralyzed, so there will be no walks on the beach."
Of course meeting someone is no small feat if you spend most of your day trapped inside a steel tube. O'Brien worried he would never fall in love.
"I was angry at all women for not falling in love with me," he said in the documentary.
Meeting sex therapist Cheryl Cohen Greene changed all that. She had six sessions with him in which they explored his physical potential for intimacy. As in the film, she used a mirror to show him what he looked like naked. The experience opened his eyes, and his heart.
As he wrote in the Sun article, "I was surprised I looked so normal, that I wasn't the horribly twisted and cadaverous figure I had always imagined myself to be."
Greene admits that her first encounter with O'Brien was terrifying: "It was scary. He was very fragile. When I took off his shirt, he screamed because it hurt so much."
In the movie, the therapy sessions are rendered with great nakedness, both emotional and physical. For O'Brien, sexual activity was the holy grail of being alive. Before these sessions, he had only ever been touched by doctors, nurses and attendants.
"He told me he felt like he was on the outside looking in at a banquet but he knew he would never be able to taste that food," says Greene, her voice thick with emotion. "As soon as I met him, I vowed that he would have a chance to taste the feast."
Greene and O'Brien remained friends long after their sessions were over. They spent his last birthday together, sharing laughs over lobster and chocolate decadence cake.
"I fell into serious like with him," she recalls. "The day that I kissed him on the chest, something that had never happened to him before, he cried and so did I."
For his part, when it came to his review of the act itself, O'Brien was as candid as ever.
"It wasn't as great as I thought it would be," he said in "Breathing Lessons," "but being naked with a woman who was being extremely friendly was the most fun I'd ever had."
For Hawkes ("Winter's Bone," "Deadwood"), the challenge was acting with his face alone.
"I had to get beyond the body to be able to get into his mind and his soul," says the actor. "It's been a great gift to discover him, his voice."
For the record, O'Brien eventually found romance with a woman named Susan. In the movie, he is so tickled when he first meets her that he gushes: "You know, I'm not a virgin."
Lewin's only regret is that he never got to meet O'Brien, who died in 1999 at the age of 49. Greene, who turns to the heavens and talks to O'Brien on occasion, has no doubts that he would approve of the picture: "Mark would be thrilled."
'The Sessions'
Opens: Friday in San Francisco; elsewhere on Nov. 2
Rating: R (strong sexuality including graphic nudity and frank dialogue)
Cast: Helen Hunt, John Hawkes and William H. Macy
Director: Ben Lewin
Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes


text:
BookingBook your Whisky & Chocolate Tour Ticket
From £24
Sample 6 Dalwhinnie Single Malt Whiskies.
Pair the whisky with luxury highland chocolates.
Savour the moment with a whisky glass and tasting mat.
09:30 - 17:00
09:30 - 17:30
09:30 - 18:00
09:30 - 17:30
09:30 – 17:00
From £24
To ensure the best possible visitor experience tours sizes are kept to a maximum of 16 people.
Please arrive at least ten minutes before your tour time to give you time to purchase your tickets.
Multiple tasting after tours and the tasting options are always very popular and on occasions, we may have to restricted availability depending on visitor numbers and staffing levels.
For health & safety reasons, children under 8 years old are not permitted in the production areas of the distillery.
Multiple tasting after tours and the tasting options are not recommended for drivers.
Extra tasting options are subject to availability and are not available on the last tour of the day.
We will make reasonable adjustments to the distillery visitor tour that we offer at each visitor centre to ensure that disabled persons including those with guide dogs or other assistance dogs have a positive visitor experience and, above all else, remain safe.
Disabled persons including those with guide dogs and other assistance dogs are welcome at our 12 distillery visitor centres. If you are a guide dog assisted person we ask you to book your visit in advance highlighting your specific requirements so that we can endeavour to deliver a positive visitor experience.
The unique layout of each distillery location and visitor centre means that the reasonable adjustments we make at each distillery may vary.
We are the highest distillery in the land and weather conditions can be severe, we can and do get cut off. It is always best during winter months to phone 01540 672219 in advance of setting out to see if we are open to visitors.
45 - 50 mins
A guided tour of our distillery followed by whisky and hand-made chocolates.
Tastings available 10:00 – 16:00 subject to availability
No time for a tour? Try our whisky and chocolate tasting only options from £6.


text:
S.A. Proto has a Slack team for its members. Slack is a great communications platform and we
encourage you to use it for your committee, CreaTe project, do-group or other purpose.
Would you like to join the S.A. Proto Slack? Click the button below to send an invite to your e-mail
address. This will share your currently set e-mail with Slack. You can always change the e-mail
address of your Slack account later.


text:
Caramel apple loaf cake
Nutrition and extra info
- Loaf can be frozen before decorating
- kcal490
- fat29g
- saturates15g
- carbs53g
- sugars30g
- fibre2g
- protein7g
- salt0.64g
- 175g soft butter, plus extra for greasing
Butter is a dairy product made from separating whole milk or cream into fat and…
- 175g golden caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
The ultimate convenience food, eggs are powerhouses of nutrition packed with protein and a…
- 225g self-raising flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
A fragrant spice which comes from the inner bark of a tropical tree. When dried, it curls into…
- 4 rounded tbsp Greek yogurt
- 2 eating apples
Grown in temperate regions, apples are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. There are…
- 50g walnuts, very roughly chopped, plus 1 tbsp extra, chopped
Walnuts are one of the most popular and versatile of all nuts. When picked young, they're…
- 50g soft toffee (we used Werther's chewy toffees)
There are few secrets to toffee. It is simply sugar that has been…
- 2 tbsp double cream
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease a 2lb loaf tin and line the base and ends with a long strip of baking paper.
Beat together the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale, then beat in the eggs, one by one. Tip in the flour, cinnamon and yogurt. Peel, core and chop apples into small chunks, then add to the bowl and mix everything together with a wooden spoon.
Scrape into the tin, smooth the top and scatter the walnuts down the middle. Bake on a middle shelf for 1 hr 20-30 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool in the tin.
To decorate, put the toffees in a small saucepan with the double cream. Gently heat, stirring, until toffees have melted into a smooth caramel sauce. Cool for about 1 min while you gently turn out the cake. Slowly drizzle the toffee sauce over the top of the cake. Scatter immediately with the extra walnuts – they should stick where they hit toffee. Leave for 10 mins before serving. Best fresh but will keep in an airtight tin for 3-4 days.


text:
This list began in 1997 on the once-hip onelist.com. It was designed to be a resource for the USA Fields of the Nephilim fan base. Especially with rumors of a reunion in the works, the need to get USA fans connected and motivated seemed imminent.
Since then, it has grown into a collective of eccentric, creative, intelligent and talented people who share an interest in the band members' projects. Fields of the Nephilim, Last Rites, NFD, and The Nefilim all are subject to discussion. While our members are still mainly Americans, many, many people from all over the world now are enlightened by the glow of Sumerland.
This affiliated site has, through the hard work of many fans, become one of the most comprehensive Nephilim resources on the web. It is approved of, though not officially maintained, by the band.
Many ups and downs have been traversed by the artists, and by their following. In the absence of activity in the official camp, the name was changed to Dead But Dreaming. Slumbering, hoping; some certain. Some not so.
Above all, this list has existed as a state of mutual dreaming, solace and sharing for those of us seeking a Last Exit. A beacon for the wight, if you'd like, for all of you who have been paying attention.
The Mourning Sun rose, and at the 24th Moment paradise reopened. The vast number of fans who attended this historic concert felt an intangible energy of transformation, closure, wakefulness and rebirth.
Sumerland has been regained. Enter The Gates.
Listowner: email@example.com