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2/24/2012 (2 years ago)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
2/24/2012 (2 years ago)
Published in Politics & Policy
Keywords: secularism, liberal secularism, radical secularism, Hobeesian, Catholic Social Doctrine, HHS Mandate, Andrew Greenwell
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - The decision by the Department of Health and Human Services compelling Catholic charitable and educational institutions, either directly or indirectly, to provide or pay for insurance coverage for preventive health care defined to include contraception, sterilization, and abortions may be for secularist liberals as well as Catholics, a "teachable moment," to use the phrase President Obama used after Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his home in 2009.
We can frame the issue confronting the Church and the federal government in various ways. We can say, for example, that the HHS mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. We can go beyond that statute to argue that the HHS mandate violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Such arguments are being made, and in both cases are probably right. But only courts-probably ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court-will decide unless the Obama administration backs down from the mandate, which it does not seem to want to do.
More vaguely, one can argue, as some have done, that the HHS mandate violates the "rights of conscience," and the Church understands that the State ought generally to recognize the right of conscientious objection to an unjust law, and certainly when the law requires a person to violate the natural moral law. (see Compendium, No. 399) This is certainly correct as far as it goes.
But the issue really is deeper than a federal statute, the U.S. Constitution, or conscientious objection. Underlying the HHS mandate and the Obama administration's lack of accommodation is an attitude, or perhaps better, an ideology that touches and concerns the relationship between man and God, between man's politics and God's reign. It involves, in fact, warring political philosophies, a Christian and a Hobbesian. It's a war of the Olympians against the upstart Titans, if you will. It is whether we are to have a politics and a nation under God, or a politics and a nation that is God.
The Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer perceived our nation's traditional and Christian political foundation through his wire-rimmed glasses in Nazi Germany shortly before he was arrested and executed much better than our modern liberal secularists. "American democracy," he wrote in his unfinished Ethics, "is founded not upon the emancipated man but, quite the contrary, upon the kingdom of God and upon the limitation of all earthly powers by the sovereignty of God."
The liberal secularists--liberal secularism is the ideology driving the HHS mandate and the Obama administration's insensitivity to Catholic religious liberty and the natural moral law which finds contraception, sterilization, and abortions to be intrinsic evils and anti-life--believe differently than Bonhoeffer. They believe that American democracy is founded upon "emancipated man."
The Catholic Bishops, on the other hand, believe, like Bonhoeffer, that American democracy is founded--indeed must be founded--on the "kingdom of God and upon the limitation of all earthly powers by the sovereignty of God."
It should be pointed out that the American founding Fathers and our fundamental and organic law--read, if you wish, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers where it is apparent enough--do not believe in "emancipated man." Our political traditions presuppose the "kingdom of God" and "the limitation of all earthly powers by the sovereignty of God." That's the meaning of the Jeffersonian phrase that we are answerable to the laws of Nature and Nature's God. Bonhoeffer is absolute right from a historical standpoint.
The Catholic Bishops are therefore acting within sound American political tradition in taking issue with the HHS mandate. The American political principles, after all, have been informed by the Gospel, though secularist liberals prefer to forget that fact. That's why when the Catholic Bishops cried foul at the HHS mandate and the Obama administration, they were in the main supported by a whole host of religious as well as politically conservative leaders. "We are all Catholics now," said the former Baptist preacher and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The Mormon Glenn Beck launched a "We are All Catholics Now" movement. Such as these would be odd bedfellows if this were a uniquely Catholic matter. But it's not.
Those outside the Catholic Church which have voiced support see that this is a skirmish--a very important skirmish--between those who believe that American Democracy is founded upon "emancipated man" and those who believe that American Democracy presupposes the "kingdom of God and "the limitation of all earthly powers by the sovereignty of God."
Huckabee and Beck and others like them are on board in support of the Catholic Bishops because what is involved here is an American matter. It involves the American soul.
No, it goes beyond that. It is a human matter, the human soul, since it involves human politics, human law, and human governance wherever and whenever they may be found.
Traditionally, the West--influenced by Christianity--divided history into B.C. and A.D. We must also remember that politics is divided into B.C. and A.D. There is a politics before Christ. There is a politics after Christ.
The liberal secularists who want to found their politics on "emancipated man" want to go back to the time of politics B.C., when Caesar was all there was. The only difference is that Caesar's imperium--instead of being tied to the will of one man--is tied, often just by fiction, to the will of many. But whether it is one Caesar or many Caesars, if Caesar is all there is, it is tyranny all the same.
Though Christ was not a political leader, and though the New Testament is not a political document, what the Son of God did while on earth changed politics forever. He unhinged it from God. Something utterly new, utterly freeing, utterly emancipatory happened when Jesus rejected the blandishments of Satan in the Third Temptation and refused--for his part and on the part of his Body the Church--all the kingdoms of the world and all their splendor. How did this emancipation from the earthly powers come? By worshiping the Lord God of Israel, and serving him alone. (Matt. 4:8-10) This, of course, meant also keeping the natural law which is reflected in the Ten Commandments and in the love of God and love of neighbor. (Matt. 22:37-40)
In unhinging the Church from any State, Christ hardly intended to make the Church a pawn of the State. Quite the contrary. He rejected any suggestion that Caesar was divine. "Render to Caesar those things that are Caesar"--one of which things was Caesar's vain claim to divinity--"and to God those things that are God's." (Matt. 22:21)
What is it that Christ, through his acts and through is teachings, wrought in politics? It is what Eric Voegelin in his The New Science of Politics called the "de-divinization of the temporal sphere of power." This "de-divinization" of politics is one of Jesus Christ's great gifts, though Caesar has never been happy with it because it comes at his expense. Centuries before the First Amendment, there was separation of Church and State, and it finds its principle, it seed in the Gospels.
There would have been no First Amendment without the Gospels. There would have been no First Amendment without Christ. The rights of the First Amendment are not something the State gives to us. The rights of the First Amendment are something God gave to us. It is doubtful pagan man would have come to this awareness without the revelation of Christ.
There are two other things that may be learned from this skirmish.
First, one ought not to be misled by the federal government's use of such innocuous or clinical terms such as "preventive care" and "women's health." Any person who suggests that pregnancy is an illness which requires "preventive care"--i.e., contraception, sterilization, and abortion--stands outside the world of reality, what is, and has his feet planted in the world of ideology, what one wants regardless of what is. And ideology, not reality, is exactly what drives the liberal secularist.
Second, we should recognize that there was, and is, grave danger in allowing a government that believes in "emancipated man" and disdains the "kingdom of God" and any "limitation of all earthly powers by the sovereignty of God" to make decisions on behalf of all of us when it comes to health care, or anything else for that matter. It is not necessarily a good to have Caesar oblivious to the limits of his power involved in health care. It in fact presents a very grave danger.
In this regard, it is salutary to remember that the pagan Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, when he sought to overthrow the Christian Church, established hospitals and orphanages and other charitable institutions-and diverted to them considerable monies from the public treasury.
Julian established these pagan institutions to rival those of the Church. But Julian's ultimate aim was not to help his people. Julian's aim was to go back to politics B.C.
What, in summary, is to be learned in this teachable moment? That there is a politics B.C. and a politics A.D. That the former believes in "emancipated man," and the latter in "the kingdom of God and upon the limitation of all earthly powers by the sovereignty of God." That there are those who always want to go back from a politics A.D. to a politics B.C., and this we must resist.
That, in advocating "emancipated man," the liberal secularists are touting a philosophy or ideology that is foreign to the better angels of our political traditions. That the American Bishops, in making their stand, are soundly within the best of our American political traditions. And finally, that at this most important skirmish between two views of the world and political life, we the Christian faithful, ought to stand behind, or better, arm-in-arm, with our vanguard Bishops
Andrew M. Greenwell is an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas, practicing in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is married with three children. He maintains a blog entirely devoted to the natural law called Lex Christianorum. You can contact Andrew at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Yesterday was a very exciting day for the Disney Gals. We were notified who was selected to move on to Round 2 for the 2013 Mickey Moms Panel.
Just in case you're unfamiliar with the Mickey Moms Panel, here is a little tidbit from their website: " The Walt Disney World® Moms Panel is a forum where online 'Moms' answer your questions and offer advice about family vacations to Walt Disney World® Resort... These 'Moms' have been selected to be panelists because they have demonstrated an excellent knowledge of Walt Disney World® Resort. Being familiar with the Parks, Resort hotels, dining and entertainment, shopping, and recreational activities, they can offer the help and tips you need to make your vacation planning a snap."
Having been a finalist for the 2012 Moms Panel, I can tell you that Disney truly makes the applicants demonstrate not only your knowledge of Disney, but also your passion for the parks or other Disney travel as well as your willingness and expertise in planning travel for others. The application and subsequent rounds ask questions such as "What are the first names of the Sherman brothers?" and "Where do you find your information in planning Disney vacations?"
Today, we want to congratulate all of those who made it to Round 2. While there are too many to name (but a much smaller number than the original 14,000 or so applications), we would like to especially note a few of those Gals who have been instrumental in this blog. Congratulations to Beth, Gayle and Jane!!! We send pixie dusted thoughts to all Round 2ers and can't wait to see you in those "oh so special" pink shirts!

subset: commoncrawl


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An up close look at a Mommy Connections group and how it helps new moms address the loneliness and isolation that often accompanies having a baby.
You don't need to be a professional to get a great snapshot of baby.
Playing is what kids do best, and it's a good thing, too, considering play is instrumental in your child's development. So this year, as you start your holiday shopping, keep that in mind. Toys should be fun, but also contribute to intellectual, sensory and behavioural growth.
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Less confined sitting and more tummy time will help babies get on the right track toward being active.
Andrea Page, a pre-and post-natal fitness coach and founder of FitMom, shares simple tips and demonstrates exercises to help new moms introduce fitness to their babies from an early age.
New guidelines note that even babies need to move more.
Stumped for ways to play with your little ones? Check out these age-appropriate, play-anywhere…
This month we want you to show us your child's best moustache! In honour of…


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[Video] 50 Cent & Lil Kim Cover 'Magic Stick' For First Time Ever
August 18, 2011 4:15 PM
[photogallerylink id=115696]
A lot has been going on down under and it has a little something to do with a "Magic Stick." OK, get your mind out of the gutter.
What we're talking about is our man [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]50 Cent [/lastfm]and the ever-controversial OG hip-hop princess [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Lil Kim [/lastfm]performing "Magic Stick" in Australia live for the first time ever since the song came out in 2003.
This dirty little joint is definitely a crowd pleaser, so why hasn't the duo performed it live before?
Check this out! 50 Cent and Lil Kim Perform 'Magic Stick' Live For First Time in Australia youtube.com/watch?v=mEre43… #SK—
(@50cent) August 17, 2011
[Source: PopDust]


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Plano West Profile
Once again, Plano West made Newsweek's rankings of America's Best High Schools in the country! We are #63! Can we get a "Wolfpack"?!?!?! Visit thedailybeast.com/BestHighSchools for more information.
Junior and Senior Orientation/Schedule Release Information
Please log on to parent portal after August 1, 2014, to update student information and electronically sign required forms. After completing all required documents in parent portal, student schedules will be available online for your convenience beginning August 14, 2014. Click here for detailed information about printing your schedule and other necessities to begin the school year.
Welcome Back, Wolfpack Orientation is scheduled for August 14, 2014, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., in the Plano West Small Gym on the North Side of the Main Building.
Plano West Wolf Den PTSA Information
Wolf Den PTSA isn't just fundraising and baking cookies. Plano West's PTSA is an organization where parents, students, and facility can make a difference in their school. Membership fees go towards funding activities that directly benefit our school AND our students. Our PTSA provides you many volunteer opportunities in which to participate – on campus or at home. Click here for detailed information about joining the Wolf Den PTSA
Save a Life!
Each day 160,000 students do not go to school because they are bullied, teased and harassed.
Produced by the Theatre Productions students at Plano West Senior High School, "Save a Life" utilizes student performances to deliver a message regarding bullying and suicide prevention. To enhance the impact, the performers included an interactive conclusion to the performance which enabled the audience to participate and established a very personal dimension. This message was delivered to both adult and student audiences.
Student Accomplishments
Click here to see what students have
MOTTO:"Leading with Pride"
"The mission of Plano West Senior High School is to prepare students to strive
We Believe...
...education is a dynamic, not a static process which prepares students to be life-long learners....success in education is based on a cooperative effort among students, staff, parents, and community.
...all students can achieve success.
...students need critical thinking skills to be successful in today's changing global environment.
...knowledge provides an awareness of our multi-cultural society and contributes to an appreciation of human worth and dignity.
...the strength of the instructional program provides each student with an opportunity to excel academically as well as intellectually.
...strong morals, values, and character provide the foundation for productive citizens.
...that a safe, caring, and nurturing environment is essential to the learning process.
...excellence is the standard in instruction and leadership.
...everyone has an obligation to contribute to the school
Questions about the website?
Questions about PWSH?
The Plano ISD's Family Education and Guidance Services webpage has helpful information and online classes for parenting resources. On-line classes cover bullying and harassment, cyber bullying, as well as other parenting concerns.
Student Conduct
Please take the time to read the Student Expectations for conduct before, during, and after athletic events.
Parking & Carpools
The following links will open information regarding parking and carpooling at PWSH:
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency, the following documents outline the communication procedures.
Food Service Information
Substance Abuse Information
For information about substance abuse prevention please visit:
Mondays and Wednesdays
For students who normally ride the bus home from school!
Must see Keili Holloway, in the counseling department, to sign up and get a bus pass.
Senior End of the Year Information
Plano ISD is not responsible for contents on remote sites.


text: Zoom "It would be many years before I discovered that what I needed to know was not to be found in some singular and extreme act of bravery or brilliance, but in the small repeated act of coming back to the present moment, letting go of who I think I am. As the stone carver Simon Verity told me, a connection can appear in the midst of attending to something very finite." –Parabola Magazine editor Tracy Cochran on finding the infinite in the finite from our winter issue. Photo: Stonemason finishing an angel, 1909 via: parabola-magazine.


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Today's Bible Verse:Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. (NLT)
Today's Inspiring Thought: Open My EyesStudying the Bible is an eye-opening experience, or at least it can be. We are often blind to certain nuggets of truth when we don't ask for understanding and dig deeper for the Lord's hidden treasures.
If you desire to see wondrous truths each time you read God's word, I recommend saying this verse as a prayer before you study.
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From LeakyPedia
Revision as of 17:53, 3 December 2010 by Xenophilis94 (Talk | contribs)
This article is about Muggles in general. For a list with links to articles about specific Muggles, see Category:Muggles.
Muggles are the non-magical people of the Harry Potter series. Basically, anyone who is not a witch or wizard is a muggle.
The Wizarding World's View on Muggles and Muggle Things
Sub-section 1
Sub-section 2
Section 2
Section 3
Sub-section 1
Sub-section 2


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Register now for free, or sign in with any of these services:
Fitchdue wrote: "I foresee RTA raising rates and cutting service again within the next 30 days."
As the story states, this money was earmarked for NEW services, not current services.
Krazyk47, your comment is not accurate. Lakewood paid $15,000 for the service. RTA also paid $15,000 and supplied the vehicle and operator.
gmnortholmst, you said you see A LOT of buses without bike racks. I just checked this morning with our staff at Central Bus Maintenance, and was told the following...
* ALL standard buses (about 400) have exterior bike racks, and each rack holds two bikes.
* Because of their design, the 20-some HealthLine vehicles allow bikes inside, but there is no rack outside.
* There are no bike racks, inside or outside, on 11 trolleys.
If you see any other bus without a bike rack, please let me know.
Zero routes had to be cut. The dogs and their training are covered by a grant from Homeland Security.
My job includes many duties, and some days, I am just not at the computer that much. I read all comments, but sometimes, it is too late to catch very many readers.
Thanks for the clarification.
RTA works with many school systems to make sure the students have transit passes. I am not aware of all the financial ramifications.
Good question.
The operators are trained to help people. They do not make "determinations." They will inform a dispatcher that someone has asked for a Safe Place, and either Transit Police or a zone supervisor in an RTA van will take that person to a Safe Place (there are two agencies working with us.)
If the trained officials there determine a person is "plain crazy", (your words, not mine) they will take steps to deal with that person.
RTA only provides the transportation, so that a troubled teen can find a place that has the resources to help him or her.
Correct. Your first comment said I was a county employee, and I am not. I am employed by RTA, totally separate from the county. I should have made that clearer.
Now, let's return the focus back to Safe Place, where it belongs.
1. I am not a county employee.
2. If I left, no one would be here to challenge all the half-truths and myths that are included in some of the posts.
3. More and more, people are getting there information from the Web. In Cleveland, this Web site is tops in news content. Just as RTA (and every news-making organization) monitors the TV stations and what is in The Plain Dealer, we now must monitor what is being said about us on-line.
4. You told me to get to work. My response is...I never left. This morning, I have been handling numerous media calls and editing copy and monitoring cleveland.com. I have never wasted any of your tax dollars. By holding down two jobs at RTA, I have saved the taxpayers at least $60,000+ a year.
Thanks for your comments.
I am not angry, just disappointed. Positive-thinking people have always achieved so much more than negative-thinking people.
Thanks for your comments. I am trying to provide a balance, as cleveland.com is a place that seems to attract some of the most negative people I have ever heard, and this story is definitely positive. I am fully aware of the issues facing RTA; I have been a daily rider for 20 years. Again, thanks for your comments.
RTA employs more than 1,000 bus operators. Many operators provide stellar work, others do not. RTA continues to discipline those operators who do fail to follow policy. Are you suggesting we pass up opportunities like this, where we can help children in need, just because some operators do not follow policy? I am sure that children in need would disagree with you.
^This was intended for Gramps
Another typical cleveland.com negative comment. Children ride many buses, so this program is not anything new to operators. All operators are given periodic background checks.
Gramps, your comment is not clear. Could you please explain?
^ Your comment is not clear. Could you please explain?
Why just pick on RTA? Why does the Zoo or Metroparks do any marketing? For that matter, why does ANY government agency do any marketing?
Why? Two reasons...
1. We need to keep the public informed.
2. We are selling a product or a service. We are in competition with the auto industry. They all wish we would just go away.
There are no Transit Police assigned to patrol city streets. There are no "extra cops" with nothing to do -- they all have specific assignments.
I just spoke to an RTA engineer who returned from the site. The concrete is NOT spalling, it was hit by something. He showed me a piece of the concrete, and it is not flaking at all.
God bless cleveland.com, where rushing to judgement has become an art form.


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An elderly Whatcom County man and one of his dogs died in a house fire this weekend on Mosquito Lake Road.
Neighbors called 911 after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, when they heard explosions coming from the single-story house at 5422 Mosquito Lake Road, said Fire District 14 Chief Jerry DeBruin.
About three-quarters of the home was aflame by the time firefighters arrived. They found an elderly man, believed to be the homeowner, dead at the scene, DeBruin said. Authorities declined to confirm his name Monday, but the county assessor lists the homeowner as resident Andre Anctil, 76.
The man owned oxygen tanks - the likely cause of the explosions - that have become the focus of the investigation, DeBruin said. It's not clear how long the house had been burning before someone noticed and called 911.
"But if there was an explosion that started it, that's almost like a bomb going off," DeBruin said.
The man had been known to smoke while using oxygen, said Whatcom County Medical Examiner Gary Goldfogel. An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday.
A phone call to fire investigator Will Anderson hadn't been returned as of Monday evening.
One of the man's dogs died in the fire. Several other dogs were taken in by neighbors in the immediate aftermath.
Reach Caleb Hutton at 360-715-2276 or email@example.com. Read his Dispatcher Blog at bellinghamherald.com/dispatcher-blog or follow him on Twitter at @bhamcrime.


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Look North for a Safe, Private Cloud
Consumers are concerned about the security of cloud providers' technology and what those providers might do with their data. So do secure personal cloud services really exist?
A Dream Realized: F-Secure's 25-Year Success Story
From 1988's Morris worm to today's mobile malware, F-Secure has seen constant changes in the threat landscape. Still relentlessly fighting malware, F-Secure is now moving to become the major player in cloud security.
Q1 2013: Game Changer for Android Malware?
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F-Secure Provides Cloud Based Privacy Protection for 1 Billion People
Is not having an account the only way to retain privacy in Facebook? F-Secure's Safe Profile is making Facebook privacy simple for everyone – and testers are welcome.
F-Secure's Protection Service for Business Gets On Board with Parallels
F-Secure's business security service for PC and mobile will be available through the Parallels ecosystem of service providers reaching over 10 million SMBs.


text: Need a splash of color to your outfit? Try the Givenchy Bird of Paradise Clutch. I for one, adore Birds of Paradise flowers, I just find them so unique and tropical. I know it is spring and many designers are going for those brightly colored handbags, but I like how Givenchy took that trend and also incorporated a black in there as well. The black background makes for a pop of color as you see all the different flowers all over the handbag. The placement is perfect and polished also as it is not your typical floral where the flowers are strewn all about. The clutch has defined areas of flowers and is symmetrical, which in turn makes the handbag look more put together and sophisticated. The trim is Riccardo Tisci's signature trompe l'oeil chain print and adds nice definition to the bag and allows you to see the shape of it nicely. The strap can be removed and you can carry the handbag as a clutch or a top handle which is nice for versatility. Carry the handbag with the handles during the day and at night remove them for a sexy evening clutch. Available through uringBergdorf Goodman for $1,120.Tags: Bergdorf Goodman, Birds of Paradise Clutch, black, floral, Givenchy, luxury


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Assessment of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
There are a number of key considerations when preparing to advise your clients in relation to assessment of damages for personal injury claims. In addition, there are a number of other areas that can be often overlooked or can be complex and confusing, but also need to be taken into account.
Explore the key considerations, as well as discussion of related areas and take with you a framework to assist you to prepare your advice in relation to and to deal with assessment of damages for personal injury claims.
The initial key considerations:
- Ogden 7 - the legal landscape in 2012
- Ogden 7 vs Smith & Manchester - two sides of the same coin?
- The implications for damages and costs following CA's decision in Simmons v Castle
Unravel the additional considerations:
- Loss of chance in relation to earnings
- Important considerations in relation to gratuitous care and assistance, including rates
- Treatment of collateral benefits
- Provisional damages
- Interest
Upon successful completion of the accompanying quiz and feedback, practitioners may claim CPD hours as indicated on our CPD Information page.
|Jamie Clarke, Colm Nugent
|Recorded Monday 10 September 2012
|1 hour
|1.5 hours
Access for 1 month to:
• View the content and complete the CPD quiz
• Download the transcript, audio recording and slides (where available)
Jamie ClarkeHardwicke
Colm NugentHardwicke


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Today's weather forecast: Dreamy
You Can't Eat the Sunshine is a weekly podcast series produced by Kim Cooper and Richard Schave in which the Esotouric founders talk with L.A. personalities about the city's myths, contradictions, and inspirations.
This week, Kim and Richard shoot the breeze with City Planner Erick Lopez, who discusses the new Downtown Code, which will hopefully create a more pedestrian- and transit-friendly city. In this exclusive clip, the duo chat with Gale Banks, the "guru of automotive turbo-charging," who recalls running the switch engine in Union Station's Passenger Terminal, which is built at the site of L.A.'s old Chinatown location. "There are 52 rails coming in there, three railroads," he says. "It was bridging old railroad and current railroad."
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Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have built a silver, glass and chromium nanostructure that can all but stop visible light cold in one direction while giving it a pass in the other.
Scientists at Rice University have created a nanoscale detector that checks for and reports on the presence of hydrogen sulfide in crude oil and natural gas while they're still in the ground. The nanoreporter is based on nanometer-sized carbon material developed by a consortium of Rice labs led by chemist James Tour and is the subject of a new paper published this month in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
Biologists at UC San Diego have succeeded in visualizing the movement within plants of a key hormone responsible for growth and resistance to drought. The achievement will allow researchers to conduct further studies to determine how the hormone helps plants respond to drought and other environmental stresses driven by the continuing increase in the atmosphere's carbon dioxide, or CO2, concentration.
A new study using a photosensitive molecule, azobenzene and carbon nanotubes demonstrates the feasibility of developing solar thermal fuels with significantly increased energy storage capacity.
An AFM probe is a cantilever, shaped like a tiny diving board with a small, atomic-scale point on the free end. To measure forces at the molecular scale in a liquid, the probe attaches its tip to a molecule such as a protein and pulls; the resulting deflection of the cantilever is measured. The forces are in the realm of piconewtons, or trillionths of a newton. One newton is roughly the weight of a small apple.
Nanotechnology is advancing tools likened to Star Trek's "tricorder" that perform on-the-spot chemical analysis for a range of applications including medical testing, explosives detection and food safety. Researchers found that when paper used to collect a sample was coated with carbon nanotubes, the voltage required was 1,000 times reduced, the signal was sharpened and the equipment was able to capture far more delicate molecules.


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UFC on Fox 10 has its first confirmed fight via the featherweight division. Fox Sports' Damon Martin reports that Jeremy Stephens will fight Darren Elkins on the January 25th "Week before the Super Bowl" card. Elkins is the #10 ranked featherweight while Stephens could conceivably be ranked with a win over Elkins, who asked to fight in Chicago due to the close proximity to his hometown of Hobart, Indiana to the Windy City.
Stephens (22-9) dropped to featherweight following 3 straight defeats at lightweight. "Lil' Heathen" pulverized Estevan Payan at UFC 160 and then knocked out Rony Jason (who later KO'd a door) with a head kick just 40 seconds into the 1st round. The 27-year-old has never won 3 consecutive UFC bouts, which is incredibly given he's been in the organization since 2007.
Elkins (17-3) won his first 5 fights at 145 lbs, and filled in for Clay Guida against Chad Mendes at UFC on Fox 7. Unfortunately for him, he was stopped in 68 seconds by "Money" Mendes in San Jose. Elkins did recover nicely in Indianapolis, beating Hatsu Hioki by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 27. His ability to "grind" out decisions has helped him climb up the divisional ranks, so consider this a battle of contrasting style as he takes on the striker in Stephens.
It's early days, so no word on whether or not this fight will air on the main card of the preliminary card, but I'd tend to think this would be one of the "leading" FS1 prelim bouts.


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In this week's breakfast club, we were at one of the city's most popular butcher shops. We're talking about the Butcher & Larder in Noble Square. Owner Rob Levitt told us about what makes his shop unique.
Butcher & Larder only buys whole animals, not just choice cuts, which means sometimes there is a cheaper cut available than what you might find in a butcher's case at the grocery store, Levitt said.
The shop also has a commitment to small family farms that are independently owned, and they deal directly with the farms to source their animals.
Levitt runs the shop with his wife, who focuses more on the business side of things while he focuses on the meat itself.
205 N. Michigan Avenue
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Rated 4.2 out of 5 by 577 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by SusieDJuly2014 Perfect accommodations! This was an outstanding experience at your hotel for a conference we had for our company this July. The food was creative and delicious. No complaints at all. All staff was very friendly, warmly accepting of us and keenly efficient. Each small room and large meeting groups were efficiently attentive in all ways even with adding extra microphones for a speaker who was softspoken. There was not one concern on our part as patrons. Every need of ours was handled smoothly. At the cocktail meetings the staff was friendly, almost like we were special guests invited into their home! Our room was so comfortable. Having accessible computers in the lobby at NC was a plus! This was a totally wonderful experience. Thank you all staff! July 14, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Scooterbug Great location in downtown Phoenix Beautiful hotel. Employees were very courteous and helpful. Great location for convention activity. Accommodations were excellent. Very close to night life activity, sporting venues, such as baseball and basketball and dining. July 24, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Tomtomaz Easy as pie Chose hotel because attending downtown event. Price was unusually low and hotel not busy. Very willing to upgrade room to club level. Staff and services all were excellent. Breakfast choices varied and attendant very pleasant. All same as previous stays. An excellent, clean consistent hotel that is walking distance to Chase field, convention center, Sun's arena, restaurants, movies etc July 22, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Melpomeni Beautiful views... On the SPG level I enjoyed a lovely room with wide expansive views of the city and the mountains in the distance. The FedEx center on the second floor was easy to access and the staff was gracious in accommodating my business needs. July 24, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by mystery42 comfort and distance from downtown A+ I chose this hotel because of the distance from Chase Field. I would recommend because the staff was friendly, room was comfortable, pool was refreshing & I got a great price. July 24, 2014
Rated 3 out of 5 by BNelson11 Good But Total Cost is Pricey Stayed here on business for national conference. Overall this is a nice hotel with what I consider average rooms for this level of hotel. The food the hotel prepared for the meetings was excellent. Staff were courteous and helpful and friendly. The room rate was okay because of the conference summer rate we received but then again it was 107 degrees so couldn't really go anywhere outside for very long. I stayed at a true resort in New Mexico a few weeks ago for similar conference and they had equal pricing but had a resort with lots to do, outstanding food and several beautiful pools so the Sheraton hotel was okay by comparison. However, while we received average rates, by the time you add $19/day self park and $14.95/day for Wi-Fi access, it gets pricey for what you get. July 14, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by TJ907 The District Bar Andre is a great bartender! (Actually, every bartender was good!) Andre is funny and entertaining along with mixing great drinks! When you are in, ask him to make you a margarita!!!! July 21, 2014
Rated 3 out of 5 by VincentF Pricey plus Gorgeous hotel!! Great rooms, quiet and comfy. Much too costly, AND they charge $13 extra for internet service in rooms. The breakfast is limited in choices, poorly prepared and NOT worth the $18, but nothing else is within walking distance. The gift shop prices are outrageous for very limited toiletries and sundries, and no other shops in walking distance. This is a hotel for the 1%ers. The Phoenix "downtown" is desolate. November 9, 2011
Rated 5 out of 5 by Cheeba Aloha Very clean, very professional and friendly staff. July 22, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by MikeAZ1 Nice, Nice, Nice Had a great stay at this hotel as I have several times before. I would certainly recommend it to anyone and would not hesitate to stay there again. July 21, 2014
Rated 4 out of 5 by Sher13 Would Rcommend I had an excellent week-long stay in the Downtown Sheraton. The property is well kept and the staff most helpful. I would stay here again anytime. July 21, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Nancy2595 Super Hotel With Great Staff This hotel has great staff, a fantastic exercise room (the best I have ever seen in a hotel), and reasonably priced and great food in their restaurant and at their bistro/coffee shop. The meeting spaces are fantastic (I was there for a training conference), and the access to PCs for checking email and browsing the net was great. My room was clean, comfortable, and offered a great view of the Superstition Mountains. I would recommend this hotel to vacationers, honeymooners, for family reunions, business travelers and for a place to hold large sized conferences. Just an all around great place to stay. July 2, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by De56 Bedding Bed and bedding was amazing...you didn't want to get out of bed! July 21, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by ASP2014 Consistently Professional and Accommodating I frequent many hotels and The Sheraton Downtown on 3rd street has consistently delivered. It's rare to find a staff that repeatedly delivers exceptionally. I could provide an example from each associate I have interacted with. I look forward to each and every visit. The amenities are always well maintained and inviting. It's as close as you can get to home, without chores. August 13, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by BLF1963 Excellent Location This hotel is in an excellent location. Lots of attractions to walk to and plenty of restaurants. The staff at the hotel was outstanding. I was there for business meetings and the food quality was exceptional. The only thing lacking was Free WiFi. It was very spotty around the hotel and in the meeting rooms and if you wanted to use it in your room it was $14.99 a day. Alot of hotels now give that for free, at least for anyone in their loyalty program. July 14, 2014
Rated 4 out of 5 by Kelly1210 Unexpected delays The check-in process took a good deal of time after standing in line, only 2 people checking in a line of 10 with no one at the Gold/Platinum check in. Also, when I got to the front of the line there were issues getting me checked in. Also when I went to leave the parking garage after checking in my card hadn't been activated and had to wait for assistance to get out. July 16, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Binu This hotel is very clean and quiet The room was quiet and very comfortable. I enjoyed the clean atmosphere and friendly staff. March 10, 2014
Rated 1 out of 5 by Alyssa123456 Tired and unsatisified I booked my room 2 months in advance. I called from the airport to ensure I had a room, some of my other people attending the same meeting didn't have rooms either. When I arrived at the hotel, after a 4 hour delay in my travel, I was informed that the did NOT have a room for me. They rebooked me at another hotel. When I mentioned my disappointment with the fact that I had called and was told that I did have a room and then when I got there I didn't. The Associate gave my a blank stare and NO apology. Customer service was horrible. May 2, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Sushine Great Hotel! Evertything was wonderful! Close to the Convention Center. March 8, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by Nic4 Great Location The location of this hotel is excellent. However, the staff is horrible. When calling to modify my reservation I was told "no" over and over again. I found a better rate online and the reservations department told me to call the hotel. When I called the hotel about the better rate, I was told to call the reservations team. Then I was told to book online. After being told different information several times I was completely frustrated. At check in, the woman was rude, unfriendly and unhelpful. The best interaction with the staff was the room attendant and security. They helped me into my room when my card didn't work. Overall, I would not stay here again. This hotel is not customer friendly.. April 7, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by UpsetDonna SHERATON MOTEL ERROR I made a reservation for our CFO for the ASBO conference. I asked that I be copied on the reservation confirmation. Instead of copying me a separate reservation was made for me in addition to the reservation for the CFO. It was my error that I did not catch their error until our American Express came in with a $249 no-show but Sheraton made the error of making the reservation and refused to correct the error when the CFO contacted them. I have made reservations for years for the people I have worked for and have never had a motel make a reservation in my name and I always ask to be copied on the confirmation. We should not have to pay for this reservation. Be certain to watch your reservations VERY CAREFULLY. November 12, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by anonymous090923 Average and Below Average for Starwood I travel a lot and expect more from a Starwood property, especially when they upped my rate on me. They were understaffed and everything took forever no matter what you needed; a package pick up, room key, have a question, need coffee, and this trickled over to their bar and restaurant. They messed up my breakfast order and when I said something the next day (since I could not wait an hour for them to fix it) they sent a manager to my room early in the morning to ask me about the issue. She was very polite and I was surprised they would bother me early in the morning without giving me notice. I will not stay here again and I will definitely not recommend the hotel to any of my friends or colleagues who travel just as much as I do. October 29, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Karen02 Great experience! I cannot say enough positive things about my stay at the Sheraton. My room was clean, spacious and included a mini frig and a desk with a charging station. The view from my room was spectacular! The people at Guest Services and throughout the hotel were always polite and helpful. Room service personnel were very friendly and efficient. Room service was much faster than the norm. I attended a week-long conference and found the facilities to be excellent. I would definitely stay there again! June 29, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by caneloaldrete this hotel has great vew the staff very professional, and responsible and courteous, July 9, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by DAK137 The 4th July Stay This was a GREAT hotel for the 4th of July festivities. The North side had fantastic views of a variety of firework displays in the comfort of the 31st Floor !! Excellent Staff and a very fun District Happy Hour ! Thank you ! July 6, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Bippy Great business hotel I had a wonderful experience at the hotel. Its proximity to the airport was great, my room was very comfortable and I got a good nights rest each night. I appreciated their Green program and the $5 voucher or 500 point promotion. The staff I encountered were all very friendly, helpful and prompt. The fitness center was well equipped and kept very clean. I appreciated the many lounge areas for meetign with colleagues and the proximity (within walking distance) to some very tasty restaurants. June 27, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by MetricsMan Housekeeping Stayed 4 nites for a conference and was very pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff. What really prompted this review was the housekeeping staff. My toilet was running but I could stop it by removing the top and adjusting the float. I left a little yellow sticky on the tank top indicating that the float was sticking and left for the day. I forgot to notify the front desk or engineering. When I returned, the yellow sticky was gone but the sticking float was fixed. Amazing!! November 2, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Emily29 Great Stay Beautiful stay at the Sheraton downtown. Lovely hotel, beautiful artwork, comfortable beds, and exceptionally professional and courteous staff. The only complaint I have is that the water was, at times, dangerously hot coming out of the faucet. It would turn very hot during my showers. I would start at one temp and then it would get extremely hot for a few seconds, then go back to the right temp. I was a nervous wreck in the shower each morning...I'm talking VERY hot water! Everything else was excellent. December 13, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Annabella Great Hotel We had a great stay here. We needed to be at the Convention Center everyday and this was very close to it. The rooms were comfortable and quiet. Our only complaint was the pool area was small and not very exciting for my 11 year old. July 5, 2014
Rated 4 out of 5 by sticky27 If you get a good rate, then it's worth it. I wouldn't pay any more to stay here than I would at another hotel, but if you can get a decent rate then the beds are like clouds and the rooms are clean. July 6, 2014


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Welcome to the Needham High Class of 1970 website.
Planning for the Mitchell School '64 50th Reunion is in its final stages. April 11, 2014 - looks like it will be a fun event. Plans include a visit to the school, speaking with students, bowling at the Needham Bowlaway and dinner at The New Garden Restaurant (this is a change!) at 250 Chestnut Street. Social hour begins at 6 PM, with Dinner at 7 PM. We don't want anyone to be left out, so we are looking for help in contacting some missing Mitchell classmates. If you are in touch with any of the people who were in this class at Mitchell (not all of whom graduated from Needham High), please send an email to Stanley dot Gibson at Yahoo dot com and/or forward this link to them and encourage them to get in touch.
Click here to see the Facebook Page for the event.
The 40th class reunion was held Saturday October 16, 2010 at the Village Club in Needham. Everyone had a great time. And because time flies we are already "rocketing" toward our 45th!
If this is your first visit please sign up. And if you did not join us for the last reunion please visit the "40th Photos" page under Photos/Video at the top and review the pictures.
There's a short video tribute to our class under the Videos link also under Photos/Videos. In case you missed it, the video reunion invitation is there as well.
"As I write this, it is June 5, 1990 - I believe tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of our graduation. It seems as though it took forever to reach age 18, and but a moment's time to reach age 38. The days used to be too long, especially school days, and the future so far away. Now, there is not enough time in the day, and the future is always upon us. In twenty years we will be talking about (God help us) grandchildren, retirement and the relative merits of Geritol. I look forward to seeing you, and everyone else while we are still faintly recognizable."
Craig Murphy by email, 1990
And here we are - another moment later and we've had our 40th reunion!
Visit the Past Reunions page and have a look at the group photo from our 10th reunion. If you have any old pictures from school, or the reunions please send an email and we will post them. If that link doesn't work send an email to joanct at gmail dot com.
Please continue to help us try to locate classmates - you can send an invite to this site by using the box on the right - just fill in their email address. More than 40 of the email addresses we had from the last reunion caused bounce backs so we really need your help to spread the word.
Needham High has a Wikipedia entry! Who knew?
Thanks for all the positive feedback on the site! We are having fun!


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Violent burglar hunt
A violent burglar who attacked a man in his own home with a baseball bat is being hunted by police after he failed to turn up at court for sentencing.
25 year-old Madars Celins did not appear at court in March, but he was still found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Celins, along with brothers Agris and Didzis Logacev, got into a property on Ramsden Road in Hexthorpe where they attacked a 39 year old man with baseball bats.
He had to spend 6 months in hospital with broken bones in his legs.
The brothers were both found guilty and sentenced to 5 years each for burglary.
A warrant for Celins arrest has now been issued.
– PC Lee Walker
"This assault was particularly nasty and vicious and we want to locate Celins to ensure he serves his sentence for his crime. Anyone who may have any information of his whereabouts is asked to contact the police.


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Linh Dinh (and Wilhelm Röpke) on the Evil of Inflation
- Inflation is your dollars deflating. It's your money going down, down, down, depreciating as the Federal Reserve injects more bucks into our banking system. And since the biggest banks own the Federal Reserve, the Fed is the banking system. Each time these banks give cash to themselves to be lent to you at interest, your dollars become a bit more worthless.
That succinct definition brings to mind this blogger's favorite economist, Wilhelm Röpke, who, the Ludwig von Mises Institute's Shawn Ritenour reminds us, identified "inflation as a primary source of social decay" — Biography of Wilhelm Röpke (1899-1966): Humane Economist. An essay by the man himself — "Repressed Inflation": The Ailment of the Modern Economy.
Labels: The Dismal Science


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Today's Most Viewed Headlines
- The race to keep Baxter in Illinois is on
- Chase bank hacked, FBI investigating data theft
- 10 Things to Do
- Here's what's drawing Baxter to Boston
- A cool way (literally) to save heart attack victims
Einstein said it was e = mc2. But in Greg Hinz's world, the equation that counts is power = money, and he covers the sector where those forces converge: government and politics. From the Obama White House to Illinois House and the 44th Ward, Hinz is watching what the boys and girls in power are doing to you and your pocketbook.


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The head of BP says the era of cheap energy is over, echoing suggestions from other big oil executives that the steep drop in prices may not last long term. BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward told an oil conference in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi that growing global population and rapid industrialization in countries in China and India will continue to drive demand for oil. Current production levels still fall short of meeting this growing demand over the long term, he says.
A prominent Canadian economist says oil prices deserve credit for the global economic slowdown, not the crash of the U.S. housing market. CIBC World Markets economist Jeff Rubin said Monday oil is being virtually ignored as a culprit even though the real price of crude increased by more than 500 per cent. He notes that four of the past five global recessions were preceded by an oil shock, and this time it's no different. The price of crude spiked at a record $147 in July, but has since been cut by more than half to below $65 a barrel. Rubin says that if triple-digit oil prices are what started the recession, then $60 oil prices are what will end it.
Circuit City stores announced that it's closing about 20 per cent of its U.S. stores in an effort to return the nation's second-largest consumer electronics retailer to profitability. Those include nine in Texas. Two are in Sharpstown and League City. Other Texas store closings are in Burleson, Cedar Park, Dallas, Mansfield, McKinney, Sherman and Temple. The Richmond, Virginia-based company said it will shutter 155 of its more than 700 stores in 55 markets by December 31st. Circuit City also said it will further reduce new store openings and plans to work with landlords to renegotiate leases, lower rent or terminate agreements.
A closely-followed snapshot of the nation's manufacturing sector fell to its lowest level in 26 years in October. The credit crisis and Hurricane Ike are blamed for the weaker-than-expected reading from the Institute for Supply Management. The private group's manufacturing index fell to 38.9. Any reading below 50 indicates contraction. That was well below September's 43.5 and well short of economist forecasts for an October reading of 41.5. In another report, the Commerce Department says construction spending fell 0.3 per cent in September. That was not as large a drop as expected. A rebound in nonresidential activity helped offset more weakness in home building.
Construction spending fell by a smaller-than-expected amount in September as a rebound in nonresidential activity helped offset further weakness in home building. The Commerce Department says construction spending dropped by 0.3 per cent in September, less than the 0.8 per cent decline many economists had been expecting. Spending had been up by 0.3 per cent in August after a huge 2.4 per cent plunge in July. The weakness in September was led by a 1.3 per cent drop in housing construction, which has fallen every month but two over the past 30 months. Spending on government projects fell by 1.3 per cent, the biggest setback since January.
Online spending grew six per cent in the third quarter, down from a 13 per cent annual growth rate in the previous quarter, according to Comscore. Total online spending was $30 billion in the third quarter, not counting travel. Online spending growth has declined for five consecutive months.
A former El Paso Corporation natural gas trader has been sentenced to ten months in prison today in Houston by Judge Vanessa Gilmore for transmitting false information about gas transactions. Donald Burwell admitted knowingly transmitting false information in 2000 to Inside FERC Gas market Report, which publishes index prices widely used to set prices for domestic natural gas sales.
Administaff says most small and medium-sized businesses remain optimistic about growth, according to the Houston Business Journal. More than 37 per cent of owners and managers expect a higher rate of growth in 2009, according to the Houston-based staffing firm's latest business confidence survey. The economy is the biggest concern of nearly 82 per cent of the more than 6,200 businesses polled nationwide. About 61 per cent plan to either increase or maintain the current capital spending. Some 38 per cent expect to maintain their current staffing levels next year.
The National Association of Business Economists says 90 per cent of its members are more pessimistic about the economy than they had been in July, according to the Houston Business Journal. Economists indicate the U.S. has fallen into a recession that will continue throughout 2009. Only 36 per cent feel rate cuts and other Fed initiatives to unfreeze credit markets have working—in fact, 58 per cent believe the programs are having little impact.
Ford says its October sales dropped 30 per cent as low consumer confidence and tight credit continued to keep buyers out of showrooms. Ford's report is a strong indication that sales for the month will be poor for nearly all automakers and could be the worst in more than 25 years. Ford is the first of the automakers to report its U.S. sales Sunday. The company says Ford, Lincoln and Mercury truck sales were off 30 per cent compared with October of last year, while the three brands' car sales were down 27 per cent. General Motors says its October U.S. sales plummeted 45 per cent because of weak consumer confidence and tight credit markets. The Detroit-based automaker said Monday that it sold nearly 169,000 light vehicles, down from about 307,000 in the same month last year. Car sales fell 34 per cent, while light truck sales dropped 51 per cent. Despite the drop, GM's total still beat Toyota's sales. GM's Japanese rival offered zero per cent financing on several models for most of last month and sold about 152,000 vehicles--a drop of 23 per cent. Toyota says it will continue Its zero per cent financing incentive for another month after posting another steep sales drop. Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter says the Japanese automaker will continue offering zero percent financing nationwide on 11 models through the end of November, but the company's marketing approach will become more regional in nature. Carter attributed Toyota's better-than-average performance in part to the success of the financing deal. Honda announced a 25 per cent drop in sales, which includes a 29 per cent decline in truck sales. But its Acura sales rose six per cent.
Governor Rick Perry has announced a $2 million Texas Emerging Technology Fund investment into CryoPen of Corpus Christi for development and commercialization of their Cryosurgical device CryoPen. It provides physicians with a non-invasive means to perform cryosurgery, which implements freezing to destroy unwanted or harmful tissue.
Banks tightened up further on all sorts of lending from home mortgages to credit cards and business loans as the worst financial crisis in seven decades took a bigger toll on the economy. The Federal Reserve says its latest quarterly survey of bank lending practices found high numbers of banks reporting tighter credit standards across a broad range of loan products. The Fed says its survey, released Monday and conducted in the first two weeks of October, found that sizable percentages of banks had "`continued to tighten their lending standards and terms on all major loan categories over the previous three months."
The government says it will borrow a record $550 billion in the current quarter as it scrambles to fund the huge rescue programs being put in place to deal with the worst financial crisis in seven decades. The Treasury Department plans to borrow more than a half-trillion dollars in the current October-December quarter and another $368 billion in the first three months of next year. Major Wall Street bond traders estimate the government's borrowing needs for the whole year will total an unprecedented $1.4 trillion.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says whoever succeeds President Bush must demonstrate more leadership on the global economy. Brown warns against protectionism. The British leader sees the United States working within an international framework for the restoration of economic growth, stability and jobs. Brown also says Persian Gulf states should have a bigger role in the governance of the International Monetary Fund, in exchange for financial bailouts for collapsing economies. Analysts have suggested that Arab states would be unwilling to contribute to the IMF, which is dominated by the G-7and the United States. Brown says the IMF must now reflect the rising power of Gulf states. He spoke at an international conference in the United Arab Emirates.
Could Cuba turn out to be another oil power? The state-run oil company of Brazil has signed an agreement with the communist country to explore for oil in deep waters off the Cuban coast. Officials in Havana say the field could contain 20 billion barrels of crude. The deal calls for seven years of exploration. And if the reserves are confirmed, the Brazilian company would produce oil and natural gas from it for another 25 years. The site is north of Cuba's famed beach resort of Varadero, 80 miles outside Havana. At an oil-deal signing ceremony Friday, Cuba's President Raul Castro joked about the prospects of success, saying, "God would not be so unfair to us as to not let us hit anything."
Abu Dhabi National Oil and a division of Royal Dutch Shell say they have signed a deal to explore the possibility of developing deep natural gas fields off the emirate's coast. The memorandum of understanding calls for the companies to evaluate the joint exploration, development and production of the fields. Shell says that once the evaluation is complete, it "hopes to move forward rapidly with final agreements in order to quickly begin joint exploration and development activities."' Shell already holds a 9.5 per cent stake in the Abu Dhabi Onshore Company and a 15 per cent share of Abu Dhabi Gas Industries. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Could pond scum be the next green fuel? Supporters think algae could someday be turned into cheap fuel for automobiles and airplanes, and are betting heavily on the idea. About $180 million in venture capital money has been raised for algae research, with more than half coming in the third quarter of this year. That's according to Cleantech, an industry research group. Some academic institutes have set up dedicated algae research centers, and a handful of start-ups are planning to test algae on larger demonstration projects in coming months. Even the federal government is getting interested. The Department of Energy has invested $2.3 million in algae-to-fuel grants so far this year.
The Baylor Eye Clinic opens tomorrow on the McNair campus of Baylor College of Medicine. It's the first building to open on the campus at Cambridge and Old Spanish Trail—also the site of the future Baylor Clinic and Hospital in 2011.
Along with the election, investors will be watching a number of key economic reports this week. They include the monthly jobs report due on Friday. Like some other recent economic reports, it's expected to be grim. On Thursday, there's the report from the government on third-quarter productivity.


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A boil water order has been lifted that had been issued for parts of Marble Hill, Missouri due to a water line break.
The order is for the north side of Marble Hill from Crooked Creek to Bollinger County Co-op.
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According to his official death certificate, actor and comedian Robin Williams was cremated one day after his death.
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Backpacker Magazine – January 2009
Pack snowshoes for these nine epic treks to snowy solitude in the Pacific Northwest, Rockies, and Northeast.
Pacific Northwest | Rockies | NortheastNORTHEAST
2 Days
Grafton Notch State Park, ME
Grafton Notch boasts 3,112 acres of the Mahoosuc Range's sky-high scenery. Get a taste on the eight-mile Baldpate Mountain out-and-back on the Appalachian Trail. Head east to the krummholz-covered West Peak of Baldpate (3,680 feet), with big views of eastern Maine and the White Mountains to the west. It's only a mile through the berry shrubs to East Peak (3,790 feet). Backtrack to Baldpate lean-to, then the trailhead in the morning. state.me.us
3 Days
White Mountain National Forest, NH
The Whites aren't truly in season until winter. For evidence, hike this 23-miler from the Nancy Pond trailhead. Climb along riffling Nancy Brook to tent sites at Norcross Pond. Begin day two with four miles on the steep (and technical if icy) Desolation Trail to 4,680-foot Mt. Carrigain. Descend to Carrigain Brook to camp. Follow Sawyer River Road to Sawyer Pond Trail on day three's downhill cruise to NH 112. fs.fed.us/r9/white
4 Days
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, NY
Pharaoh Lake is the largest body of water in the Adirondacks unreachable by road, and this 23-mile snowshoe loop takes you up and over the wilderness's highest point to get there. Start at Crane Pond Road trailhead and trek southeast toward Crane Pond, where red blazes lead up progressively steeper terrain through spruce-fir forest to the Pharaoh Mountain summit (2,556 feet). Ogle wind-whipped views of the High Peaks to the north. Descend the summit's southeast flank to end the six-mile day at a lakeside lean-to. Explore the upper bulb of Pharaoh Lake on day two, working steadily northwest to your camp at Crab Pond. Go light after breakfast on an eight-mile round-trip to the upper Crane Pond drainage on day three. Return to camp; then enjoy an easy three-mile hike out on day four. adk.org
How about Mt. San Antonio,or Old Baldy in SoCal. you can take the metrolink from downtown LA to about a mile from the base of the mountain and it's over 10,000'? it's a real mountaineering experience that gets overlooked everywhere. i can hardly find anything about it on the internet, why has Backpacker forsaken this mountain?
hey Oregon hiker, I to got the Cali boys back an I didn't click on anything. Backpacker, show some love... every one knows the left coast is the best coast!
Varlo, there is plenty of steeper terrain that you can't skin up on skis that snowshoes work fine with. In addition, not everyone has the $$ that an AT setup costs and so snowshoes provide a low cost alternative
Snowshoeing??? Really??? C'mon you guys, snowshowing is for people from Boston anyway. Get yourself some backcountry skis and learn how to use them and you'll likely (hopefully) never have do use snowshoes again!
I snowshoed Pharaoh Wilderness 7-11 March 09 under springlike conditions, with one day of continuous snowfall. My route took me in from Crane Pond Rd TH via Oxshoe Pond LT overnight, then on to Pharaoh Lake LT4 at Split Rock Bay via the swing trail (not the Pharaoh Mt peak trail). The upper portion of the Swing Trail, before the pass into Pharaoh Lake, was a morass of melting beaver ponds with deep drifts. I was unable to follow the yellow DEC blazes there( the beavers take down the trees with the markers), and had to bushwhack in by GPS in a snowstorm. Although most trails had been packed before, rain and new snow tended to obscure them. I did not meet anyone in the Wilderness in the course of 4 days; at the trail head parking, I talked with two parties experienced with Pharoah. One had spent an unplanned overnight on Pharaoh Mt in a leaf heap in October after the trail became a bushwhack; the second got lost in the same beaver pond area I did and bushwhacked through by GPS. I had a great time.
Hey LLCoolJ, if you want to read about Cali so much, why did you click on the Pacific Northwest link. Try the other link that actually includes the California area. And maybe take a geography class...
The pharoah lake area is well marked by the DEC. The trails are heavily used. GPS waypoints seem like overkill but each to their own.
And California being a giant state, with many mountain - not on your list? Why not? oh yes... its because you don't have any permanent reporters in southern california.... You're a northeast Boston NY newspaper, and that is why I cancelled my subscription.
And California being a giant state, with many mountain - not on your list? Why not? oh yes... its because you don't have any permanent reporters in southern california.... You're a northeast Boston NY newspaper, and that is why I cancelled my subscription.
SE Wyoming offers some spectacular snow shoeing opportunities on short runs (morning/afternoon or 1 day)
Get lost in Medicine Bow Forest either at Happy Jack or over by the Snowy Range Ski Resort. And.....as a bonus keep your eye out for kimberlite as the area is said to have many opportunities for diamonds!
The adk.org link is a very general reference indeed. Why isn't there a reference to a hike with GPS waypoints? Winter hikers need backup data, as it is easy to lose a trail under snow conditions. See adkforum.com and search Pharoah for recent trip reports and trail conditions.


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Local News
Binghamton Man Under Arrest After Stabbing
12/24/2013 (Updated 6:43:30 PM)(Source: Fox 40 Staff)
A Binghamton man is in jail charged with second degree assault after police say he stabbed another man on Sunday in downtown Binghamton.
31-year-old Deshawn Maddicks of 260 Washington Street allegedly stabbed another man in the neck after an exchange on Washington Street.
The incident took place around five Sunday afternoon. Police say the victim is in stable condition with a non life-threatening wound.
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It seemed like something worth bringing up for discussion in its own FanPost, since, it is going to be a hot topic for at least a few days. The Chone Figgins --> Mets trade rumor thread had a reaction that I was not expecting from the community. Everyone, by and large, was upset by the idea that Figgins would be traded for a 2011 salary dump and prospects. Even though the trade did not come to fruition, it seemed as though everyone was against the idea of trading Figgins for anyone that isn't a major league ready impact bat. However, I would argue that trading Figgins for anything worthwhile (even just prospects) may actually be to our benefit.
When Chone Figgins was signed, the idea was that Figgins, if he played at his projected level, would have win values of something like:
2010: 4 wins
2011: 3.5 wins
2012: 3 wins
2013: 2.5 wins
Based on aging, etc. That's 12 wins at 36 million, or about 3 million per win. Wins last year were about 4 million, and long term contracts get discounts, so we essentially paid him a little below average for free agents. A good deal, but nothing special.
2010 is gone. 2011 is looking like a long shot. So really, the question is whether or not 9 million per year in 2012 and 2013 is worth it if he plays at his project level, and I don't think it is. At least it is not something we should be concerned about losing. We'd be paying 18 million for 5 wins, and that's only if this year is a fluke, with a genuine possibility that he has gotten worse. If 2011 was looking like our year, I'd say keep him around, but 2012 and 2013 are a long way off, he's not expected to be as good during those years since he's older, and all of this is under the assumption that he's going to play back to his career norms, which is in no way a guarantee. Trading him is simply not that bad a move. We can always pay the same contract for someone on the free agent market in 2011 or 2012 or 2013 anyway, since his contract was never a steal.
Even if you're trading him when his value is low, there is still a pretty obvious benefit to getting his contract off the books and using that money elsewhere. If 2011 looked to be a great year for us, maybe not, but since 2011 is already an uphill battle, it doesn't make nearly as much sense to keep him around.
That is not to say that any Figgins trade is a good one. Not at all. He's still a very useful asset. Trading Figgins for Zambrano, for example, would simply be switching a good potential regular with a bad one. Whether or not to approve of a FIggins trade is based in large part on the trade itself. However, the idea of a trading Figgins is sound, because the assumption was we were signing him mostly for his projections in 2010 and 2011, one of which is a lost cause, the other is looking to be a tremendous struggle. It would appear trading Figgins before the 2012 and 2013 seasons would be more of a benefit than a loss to our long term outlook.


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Old Dominion University President Roseann Runte and Provost Tom Isenhour are offering an opportunity for all faculty and staff to participate in the strategic planning process by attending faculty town meetings on Wednesday, April 28, in room 1005 of Constant Hall.
A town meeting for faculty will be from 10:30 a.m.-noon. The staff town meeting will be from 1:30-3 p.m.
The purpose of the town meetings is to identify both strengths and weaknesses of the university, along with opportunities and threats that exist in the environment in which we operate. We look forward to learning more about your perceptions of Old Dominion and its community, and how - together - we can shape the future of the University over the next five years.
Seating is limited to 150 in each meeting. For more information, call 683-3159.
This article was posted on: April 22, 2004
Old Dominion University
Office of University Relations
Room 100 Koch Hall Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0018
Telephone: 757-683-3114
Old Dominion University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.


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By LAURA HALM6 News Reporter
ROCKWOOD (WATE) - Neighboring businesses and law enforcement say a Rockwood spa kept a low profile before it was busted last week.
The raid at Interstate Spa on Highway 27 was part of a statewide prostitution and human trafficking investigation dubbed "Operation Paladin."
No arrests were made in this bust, but the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says there was enough evidence and probable cause to get a search warrant at Interstate Spa.
Investigators are now trying to determine if there's any connection between the dozen or so spas hit in this statewide sting.
Businesses near Interstate Spa say it's surprising to hear about a prostitution and human trafficking sweep since they didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
"I don't think that they caused any problems in other words there weren't any brawls or things that would make you think 'Oh wow, what's going on over there?' I don't think anybody pays attention to it so I'm glad the state is taking it seriously," said restaurant owner Jacki Hill.
Interstate Spa was the only massage parlor or spa in Roane County included in this statewide investigation. However, Rockwood City Police Chief Danny Wright says it's unclear what the scope of the problem is at the business.
"It's not an appreciable number of complaints. It's kind of low key and most places stay low key," added Chief Wright.
Chief Deputy Tim Phillips with the Roane County Sheriff's Office says during the bust on Friday, three people were at the business: two employees and one customer.
"We're looking for credit card receipts, papers, ledgers, things that could be utilized in some type of criminal activity," added Chief Deputy Phillips.
While there were no arrests yet at this spa, it's still an open investigation and the business is simply closed.
Chief Wright says it's not unreasonable to think more busts like this one can be expected in the future.
"I would say they're on the radar now," he said.
Chief Wright says based on the spa's history and advertising along the interstate, he believes clientele consisted of travelers simply passing through Rockwood.
1306 N. Broadway NE Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
Telephone: 865.637.NEWS(6397)
Fax: 865.525.4091
Email: email@example.com


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Sorry, I didn't intend to start an argument! I was just sharing some interesting results that I found. My hypothesis was that interfaces were faster, but that isn't the case if my test is accurate.
By this,do you mean "Abstract classes support single inheritance while interfaces support multiple"?Quote:
PHP has single inheritance.
All in good intention and interested in learning more,


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Let's Hope It's A Lasting Vogue
By RICHARD DAWKINS
Added: Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 UTC
Reposted from the Washington Posts' On Faith:
Athorism is enjoying a certain vogue right now. Can there be a productive conversation between Valhallans and athorists? Naïve literalists apart, sophisticated thoreologians long ago ceased believing in the material substance of Thor's mighty hammer. But the spiritual essence of hammeriness remains a thunderingly enlightened relevation, and hammerological faith retains its special place in the eschatology of neo-Valhallism, while enjoying a productive conversation with the scientific theory of thunder in its non-overlapping magisterium. Militant athorists are their own worst enemy. Ignorant of the finer points of thoreology, they really should desist from their strident and intolerant strawmandering, and treat Thor-faith with the uniquely protected respect it has always received in the past. In any case, they are doomed to failure. People need Thor, and nothing will ever remove him from the culture. What are you going to put in his place?
Atheism means non-belief in the particular cult that happens to pervade the society under discussion. In America that means the cult of Yahweh, the God of the Jews commandeered by the Christians, Muslims and Mormons. Today, everyone takes it for granted that we are all atheists with respect to Thor and Wotan, Zeus and Poseidon, Mithras and Ammon Ra. If asked why you don't believe in Thor's hammer, you would probably say something like "Why is the onus on me to justify my nonbelief in Thor, given that there is not the smallest positive reason for belief?" You might go further and add that thunder, which was at one time attributed to Thor's hammer, now has a better explanation in terms of electric charges in the clouds. While technically agnostic about all those ancient gods, and about fairies and leprechauns too (you can't disprove them either), in practice we don't believe in any of them, and we feel no onus to explain why.
Today, while almost literally everybody is an athorist, nonbelief in the God of Abraham is the most reviled opinion in America. Professor Anthony M Stevens-Arroyo, one of the On Faith regular panellists, begins his answer to the current question as follows: "I never met an atheist I could like. Surely, somewhere on this planet, there is a friendly atheist, but I haven't bumped into one yet. The atheists who have crossed my path are obnoxious . . ." As an experiment, try substituting the word 'Jew' or 'woman' for 'atheist', and imagine whether a university professor who said those three sentences would keep his job. Yet in present day America, a professor (of "Latino Studies") can publish such odious remarks about atheists and get away with it.
Of those scientists distinguished enough to be elected to the National Academy, more than 90% do not believe in any kind of supernatural God. Needless to say, many of them are likeable, friendly and far from obnoxious, as well as being intelligent, well-educated, happy and productive citizens. An equally high proportion of atheists has recently been disclosed among the Fellows of the Royal Society, and it is plausible that distinguished Academicians in philosophy, history, economics, literature and other disciplines, coming from the same educated and intelligent echelons of society, would yield similar data. One must hope that a respectable proportion of the Congress is drawn from that same educational and intellectual elite, so it is a strong statistical expectation that many of them must be atheists too. Yet I believe I am correct that not a single one of the 535 members of Congress will admit to the fact. A good many have got to be lying, and who can blame them? If they came clean they would be unelectable, as polls have repeatedly confirmed. Atheists are widely assumed to have no morals or values, to have no purpose in life, and to be incapable of love, or of appreciating beauty in art or nature. Who would vote for one of those?
The premise of this week's question is that atheism is enjoying a certain vogue. I hope and believe it is not a flash in the pan. The symptoms of which I am aware are indeed encouraging. Dan Dennett's Breaking the Spell and Sam Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation sold exhilaratingly well through 2006, and my own The God Delusion remains high in the bestseller lists into 2007. Similar success is to be expected during 2007 for Christopher Hitchens's forthcoming God is Not Great, and Victor Stenger's God: the Failed Hypothesis. Such buoyant sales of books advocating out-and-out atheism would have been inconceivable until surprisingly recently. When, six years ago, I first proposed The God Delusion to my literary agent he was blunt: "Don't even think about it." Yet now, after six years of incipient Chrisitian theocracy . . .
On my recent book promotion tour of the USA, the standing ovations I consistently received from packed audiences around the country, (including in Kansas, and Lynchburg, Virginia as well as, more predictably, the so-called 'blue' states) owed nothing to any eloquence or writing skills of mine, and everything, I believe, to a pent-up frustration among reviled freethinkers. Time after time, in the long book signing queues, young Americans (encouragingly young) confided to me, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying the things that I have wanted to say, but never felt I could" (see www.RichardDawkins.net). Sam Harris and Dan Dennett report similar experiences from equally large audiences. There is widespread hope that we are seeing the beginnings of a long-overdue shift in the tectonic plates of our culture. Polls suggest that atheists are far more numerous in America than they themselves realize. They well outnumber the Jews, whose political lobby packs a legendarily powerful clout. It is time for America's atheists to take courage from this, and from the books I have mentioned, come out of the closet, stand up, recognize each other, and work together to exert their rightfully proportionate influence on this great democracy. If those books are, as is often dismissively said, preaching to the choir, do not underestimate its size or ability. This is a very large and very talented choir, and the time has come for its music to be heard.
Viewpoints: Why is faith falling in the...
- - BBC News Comments
A new poll suggests that atheism is on the rise in the US, while those who consider themselves religious has dropped. What's the cause? Two writers debate.
From Bible-Belt Pastor to Atheist Leader
Robert F. Worth - New York Times Comments
A great article about Jerry DeWitt and the growing presence of atheist communities
Playboy Interview with Richard Dawkins
Chip Rowe - Playboy Comments
Playboy Interview with Richard Dawkins
Atheists On Religion, Science, And...
- - YouTube - townsquare Comments
Cara Santa Maria (Senior Science Correspondent, Huffingtonpost.com) leads this week's panel on 'The Point' to discuss these issues and more with Michael Shermer (Publisher - Skeptic Magazine), Sean Carroll (Theoretical Physicist - Caltech), and Edward Falzon (author of 'Being Gay Is Disgusting').
Atheists find a new venue for the...
Kimberly Winston - Washington Post Comments
Last weekend, the Atheist Film Festival showed more than a dozen films about separation of church and state, freedom of religion (and no religion), the conflict between science and religion in public schools.
Albert Einstein's Historic 1954 "God...
- - eBay auction Comments
Albert Einstein's Historic 1954 "God Letter" Handwritten Shortly Before His Death
Rats Manipulated to be Attracted to Cats
Richard Dawkins - RichardDawkins.net Comments
Rats Manipulated to be Attracted to Cats
Richard Dawkins - RichardDawkins.net Comments
No Precedent? Then Set One?
Why I won't take part in debate with...
Richard Dawkins - for the Press and... Comments
I was invited several months ago to speak at the Faclan Book Festival in Stornoway and I was delighted to accept, as I have a great affection for the Highlands and Islands but have never visited Lewis and have heard such good things about its beauty and about the friendliness of the islanders.
It's What Moral Philosophers Do
Richard Dawkins - RichardDawkins.net Comments
It's What Moral Philosophers Do
You don't need God to be good . . . or...
Richard Dawkins - - Comments
Freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, secular humanists – whatever name non-believers go under, they are not America's most popular minority.
The Descent of Edward Wilson (with...
Richard Dawkins - Prospect 188 Comments
Richard Dawkins's review of The Social Conquest of Earth, by Edward O Wilson (WW Norton, £18.99, May) - (with Polish translation)


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They say there are moments in life that shape, define and profoundly affect us and I'd like to tell you about a couple. One which has delighted me and one which has devastated me that have happened since we last spoke.
Firstly the joy of a new life...a precious and much awaited baby girl has been born. Let me tell you a little more and for this I must take you back to 2001, the year of Tom's birth.
It was as the Special Care Baby Unit; the most incredible place where we spent Tom's first month of his life, surrounded by perpetually bleeping machines, oxygen and the weeniest baby birds, as I affectionately called some beautiful teeny babies, who I have since met as fantastic, healthy children.
Continue reading "Moments in life that shape, define and affect us..." »


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Sri Lankan pastor gunned down
The situation for Christians, their churches, and pastors has taken a turn for the worse as violence in Sri Lanka is on the rise. The cease-fire between the government and the main rebel group, the Tamil Tigers, is pretty much history
Compass Direct reports:
Late last Sunday (February 17) two men gunned down a Sri Lankan pastor, the Rev. Samson Neil Edirisinghe, 37, killing him instantly. They also shot his wife Shiromi, 31, leaving her in critical condition. The couple's 2-year-old son received minor injuries and is still in shock after witnessing the shooting. Edirisinghe was buried today in Ampara, in eastern Sri Lanka, where he served as pastor of the House of the Lord Church. The church met in a local YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) hall where Edirisinghe taught English classes for the British Council. Shiromi was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Ampara Hospital at press time.
The Advocacy Desk of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka has released an important statement, condemning the killings and calling for the national police to do more. In their statement, the NCEASL said:
Organized attempts by any individual or group to breed religious tension and incite religious hatred - be it in Ampara or anywhere else, must be condemned by all right thinking people irrespective of religious affiliation and calls for urgent action by the Government to put a stop to this ugly trend.
It is disturbing to see the widening gulf between the ethnic groups in our country confounded by
the erosion of trust between religious communities. Recent media reports on the arrest of a Pastor for alleged involvement in LTTE activity has seen a veil of suspicion drawn over Christians. It is the sacred duty of the Government and the law enforcement authorities to conduct impartial investigations and deal with any guilty party under the law and release without
prejudice those who are found innocent.
We strongly condemn the murder of Pastor Neil Edirisinghe and the attack on his family. We call upon the IGP and the Police force in Ampara for immediate and impartial investigation whereby those responsible for this crime will be dealt with under the law.
We pray for the restoration of peace and understanding between communities and individuals in
our nation.
Christians in Sri Lanka in recent years have seen surges of violence, sometimes targeting them, and sometimes just as the result of the unresolved conflicts at the national level.
The highly regarded International Crisis Group on Feb. 22, 2008, released an important update on how Sri Lanka has returned to a climate of conflict.
Look here for a 2004 article in The Weekly Standard.