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February 24, 2012
Same-Sex Marriage Bills Pass in States
Maryland is the latest state to pass a bill approving same-sex marriage.
A same-sex marriage bill passed the Maryland Senate Thursday, sending it to Gov. Martin O'Malley who said he will sign the bill into law.
Maryland will become the eighth state to legalize same-sex marriage, though opponents are collecting signatures to put a referendum on the November ballot.
The governor of Washington signed a bill this month legalizing same-sex marriage in the state. New Jersey also passed a same-sex marriage bill, but it was vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie. Christie and other state Republican lawmakers want to make the issue a ballot question for voters.
A question on same-sex marriage will likely be on the November ballot in Maine, the Portland Press Herald reports. Minnesota voters will also vote on a marriage amendment in November. North Carolina will be the final Southern state to vote on a constitutional amendment declaring marriage between a man and a woman. The vote will take place on May 8, which is also the same day as the Republican State primary.
Lawyers defending California's Proposition 8 asked the full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the 2-1 decision ruling the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
Earlier this week, a federal court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. Last year, President Obama asked the Justice Department to stop defending the law.
Some same-sex marriage proponents are making symbolic moves over the issue. A salon stylist created headlines for his refusal to cut New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's hair due to her opposition to same-sex marriage. A judge in Texas refuses to conduct marriages for a man and a woman until same-sex couples can marry.
Marriage is a covanant between God, a Man and a Woman. Marriage is symbolizes and represents God's relationship with the Church. Marriage between the husband and wife, is symbol of Jesus's love for His people. It's in the Bible, Revelation 19:7-8, NKJV. "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."
Government should never have any part of marriage however for a marriage to be legal it has to be recognized by the State, sadly. If the goverbment would get their hands out of private business between the Church and it's members then Gay Marriage would be a non issue. So you see it's a double edges sword because gay people want the right to marry and in order for that to happen they have to elect and support a government who will insist on sticking their noses where it doesn't belong and firhg for their "equal" right to marry. You can't have it both ways. You can't say the government needs to make laws and then complain about the laws they make.
I personally do not believe in gay marriage but I do think that people are born gay out of sin, their brains are imbalanced and God loves them as wants for them to live sin free. I think that all they want is the same rights as a married person, the ability to act when thier "partner" is sick or passes away, the ability to help make decisions. A loving God would not turn these people away and neither should we. If we agree that based Biblicaly that gay marriage is wrong then we should do the Christian thing and help find another way. If the government wants to help then create a "civil union" so they can accomplish what they need to legally without us calling it marriage.
"Marriage is a covanant between God, a Man and a Woman."
Nope. Legal marriage is a civil contract, codified by the state and registered via a state-issued marriage license. Religion has nothing to do with legal marriage, which is entirely the province of the state.
Religious spectacles, like weddings and 'holy matrimony' sacraments are legally meaningless. The government has no interest in them. This is precisely as it should be. You can have all the church weddings and holy matrimonies you want, but teh only way to get a legally recognized marriage is to obtain a state license.
Although the government may have always enforced marriage laws, its attempt at redefining marriage in such a radical way is unprecedented, novel, and dangerous. In all cultures marriage has historically been considered sacred and intrinsically associated with the dominant religious views of that culture. The banning of, for example, polygamy in this country was not primarily because of the interest of the government but because the culture at large was based on orthodox Christianity with whose teaching polygamy was inconsistant and unacceptable. Apparently secularists now consider themselves the new dominant cultural viewpoint of the USA and thus have attempted to simply redefine marriage. But they are not redefining it, or anything else, around any consistent principal. Why should the number of marriage participants be held to two? Or who should really determine the minimum age of consent? If the "government," or more accurately, certain political movements within the government, now consider it their duty or right to change an established norm of all cultures in human history, then they better be prepared to do it time an time again as the winds of cultural change blow in every direction and cries of "why not me too" from bi-sexuals, polygamists and various others echo in the court chambers. In fact, redefining cultural norms is precisely not the job of the government, nor was it the founders' vision for it to be.
Can you name one major culture in the last 5000 years that defined marriage other than between a man and a woman? Hence, the need for the State to redefine marriage.
Conversely, there is no reason same sex couples cannot procure the blessing of their "holy matrimony" - if that's what they want - from a church that recognizes same sex couples.
Why should the govt. extend the right to marriage to same sex couples anyway? There is no compelling reason.
What gay organizations really want to do is to force society to recognize their perversion as normal and extend to them rights/benefits based on that perversion. Those consequences will be far reaching. An example: I can see a Harvey Milk Day in which schools nationwide will have to sing the praises of Harvey Milk's contributions to gay's civil rights struggles - or they will be labeled homophobes.
For this state to decide on this course of action only shows how far down the road to secularism they have traveled, a journey unthinkable by their forefathers. Sad.
These Godless same sex psuedo marriages are blasphemous! God tells us in genesis that He created the institution of marriage. And that marriage consists of a husband and wife. Thus its called HOLY MATRIMONY! What God has created no man has the authority to change. These godless homosexual activists are saying that they know better than God as to what a marriage should be! That is blasphemy!
I am against homosexuality, period. I am also against any redefining of marriage as the joining of "any two persons".
Marriage was never about "respectability" since respect inheres in persons not ceremonies. It was always about societal acceptance and sanction of the institution of family and subsequent off-spring.
Concerning marriage, homosexuals have seemingly answered the question: "What's in a name", concluding that the term "civil unions" was definitely not marriage by "any other name". I wish it were! Because with the joining of "any two persons" the prognosis for the institution of marriage is definitely not rosy.
Wiser persons than myself, including a justice of the Supreme Court, have predicted that joining two men or two women in "Holy matrimony" is as dangerous culturally and morally as opening Pandora's box. This Justice sees portents of all kinds of marital aberrations. I hope he is wrong.
I also hope they are wrong, too, who say that this homosexual respectability grab will mean that marriage by an ordained minister in a Church will become a snare for those ministers who either fail to act against or openly voice their convictions.
It may just be that while homosexuals may get their way, and the "right" to marry like heterosexuals, their victory may turn out to be pyrrhic.
I think that we who call ourselves Christians have better things to do with our time than oppose the giving of legal rights to those people who are different than ourselves.
Why don't we focus our time and effort on ministry instead of spreading what seems like so much hate? We should fight against the idea of government imposing religious laws (religion is the only opposition to same sex marriage), unless we want to look at the possibility of Islamic law becoming an American legal issue in the future as well.
If we think that same sex marriage is wrong, then we shouldn't engage in it. Plain and simple. How is a homosexual couple living in Maryland, New Jersey, or California getting married going to affect me? It is not.
And then why even limit marriage to human beings? Why can't a woman marry her cat? Or a man marry his car? Once the basic definition is thrown out, then anything is possible. The result will be chaos in the legal system, to say nothing of what it will do to children growing up in such a confused and confusing society.
Matthew Hamilton, you are wrong. A homosexual couple anywhere is a grave threat to your life. Your reasoning resembles that of the pro-abortion crowd who say that "If you don't like abortion, don't have one." It ignores the cumulative effect on society of the actions which are contrary to the will of God. We are all affected by abortion; we are all affected by the growing acceptance of homosexuality. Some posters have already alluded to possible outcomes (a Harvey Milk Day, etc.).
I understand where everyone is coming from on the matter of same-sex marriage, but I must disagree with the general Christian view on it. Honestly, I've seen worse offenses against the sanctity of marriage. People can get married these days merely on impulse, and have the ability to divorce right afterward. People have married inanimate objects for the insurance benefits. I believe that if two consentual adults truly love each other and wish to stay with one another for the rest of their earthly lives, who cares about mere details such as gender?
And yet what is the harm if one or both are sterile and are of age and give consent?
No harm at all!
Which is why the anti-incest laws ought to be repealed in the case of sterility.
Dan, just because a law is on the books does not mean it is a good law and ought to be retained.
You seem to think that it is OK to use the existence of bad laws as a precedent to add even more bad laws -- a fallacy, BTW, that the guy who wrote the article about secular reasons against gay marriage also falls into. You both want to use injustice as an excuse for even more injustice.
The appropriate response to bad laws is to repeal tha bad laws, not perpetuate them.
By admitting that sterile incestuous unions do no harm you make my argument for me.
Thank you!
@ Scott
"What gay organizations really want to do is to force society to recognize their perversion as normal and extend to them rights/benefits based on that perversion. Those consequences will be far reaching. An example: I can see a Harvey Milk Day in which schools nationwide will have to sing the praises of Harvey Milk's contributions to gay's civil rights struggles - or they will be labeled homophobes."
This is an outstanding point. Back in the 1960s,homosexual knew that their "lifestyle" would never be accepted by society at large unless they could get homosexuality removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental disorders.
In 1970, militant homosexuals began a campaign of threats, intimidation, and constantly disrupted APA meetings. They eventually infiltrated the APA by gaining access to a major conference by forging delegates passes and setting up their own booths. Finally, when the APA were forced to vote on whether or not to remove homosexuality from their list of mental illnesses, members received threatening letters in the mail and threatening phone calls at their homes. In the end, enough members of the APA were sufficiently intimidated and did not vote on the matter a tall, leading to a victory for homosexual activists. Prior to this time, the APA were able to provide thousands of testimonies from former homosexuals and lesbians who had been successfully treated and had left their destructive lifestyle.
Think about this: to go from a clearly established and treatable mental disorder to suddenly no disorder is dangerous and highly irresponsible. From this point on, homosexuals and lesbians continued to relentlessly push their agenda onto society. We saw gay "pride" parades with displays of public nudity and sadomasochism appear on our streets. Laws banning displays of public nudity were ignored as police officers were told to turn a blind eye. Homosexuals were beginning to demand access to educational institutions, including public schools. Homosexual publications appeared everywhere, while liberal churches began ordaining homosexual & lesbian clergy. TV shows with open displays of affection and even sex scenes between homosexual characters, while people like Ellen Degeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were elevated to Goddess-like status.
During this "revolution," the homosexual movement was working feverishly to get "gay-friendly" politicians elected, including activist lawyers & judges. many public figures began to see the political advantage of supporting "gay rights,' right up to deconstructing marriage in the name of "equality." As homosexuals could not win through the ballot box, they made certain that their own judges would strike down the will of the people and impose same-sex marriage onto the nation through judicial tyranny.
It didn't stop there, of course. By this time, a total of 3.8% of the population of the USA identified itself as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed and two-spirited people. And governments at state and federal level even gave them recognition. Those dissenting voices who openly questioned this madness would be attacked and vilified in the most shocking and hostile way. Non-words like "homophobia" were invented to stigmatize anyone who did not agree with the advances of the homosexual movement in society. Churches were trashed, homosexuals threw used condoms at catholic priests, a campaign of "outing" prominent public figures and celebrities began with a vengeance, and public high schools are now being forced into accepting gay-straight alliance clubs under the disguise of "equality' and "anti-bullying." The real motive is to recruit the young into supporting the homosexual agenda, now cleverly disguised as a human rights issue.
In Canada, "human rights" kangaroo courts appeared, operating outside the framework of the legal apparatus. In 1999, Scott Brockie, a Christian printer from Toronto, was dragged into one of these abhorrent trials and fined $5,000 for refusing to print material for a homosexual organization. Mr. Brockie argued that the material was bordering on pornographic and offended him as a Christian. Mr. Brockie's legal fees topped $100,000.00. Yep, One hundred grand to defend yourself against a homosexual organization that could easily have gone to another printer who would have obliged them. I believe that Scott was targeted because he was a Christian.
In another case involvibng our "human rights" courts, evangelical pastor Stephen Boisson was "banned for life" from expressing his moral opposition to homosexuality. The tribunal also ordered Boisson to pay $5,000 "damages for pain and suffering" and apologize to the "human rights" activist (a heterosexual college professor) who filed the complaint.
The complaint stems from Canada's debate leading up to state legislation recognizing so-called same-sex marriage. In 2002, the pastor wrote a letter to the editor of his local newspaper in which he denounced the homosexual agenda as "wicked" and stated that: "Children as young as five and six years of age are being subjected to psychologically and physiologically damaging pro-homosexual literature and guidance in the public school system; all under the fraudulent guise of equal rights."
Be rest assured that freedom of speech no longer exists in Canada, unless you are a member of a privileged minority group. Note, however, than homosexuals are routinely condemned in print by Muslims in Canada, but no-one from that particular faith has yet been prosecuted or sued by anyone form the "GBLT" movement or our human rights professor.
Today, homosexuality or "gay rights" now permeates practically every facet of society. Trangender or "gender corrective" operations are paid for by our tax dollars, gay "pride" parades are given public tax dollars, and now even faith-based schools and home schooling are being targeted to eradicate 'homophobia."
Make no mistake about it, our complacency has allowed a tiny minority group of people to become so politically powerful, any member of the public or politician than expresses the slightest criticism of them can expect to be hounded and persecuted for homophobia, hatred, bigotry and even "Nazism." What homosexuals fail to realize is, their own behaviour is so utterly vile and depraved, they cannot think rationally anymore.
However, we as Christians should remember that God has given them over to a depraved mind.
"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another." Roman 1:24
Remember. God Word expressly condemns same-sex relationships. Those "churches" that perform same sex unions and weddings will surely feel the full force of His wrath for ordaining and "blessing" a union that will ultimately lead to the eternal destruction of that couple. It doesn't matter how "nice" some gays and lesbians come over, they are still under God's judgement.
Our job as Christians is not to debate the pros and cons about whether or not homosexuality is a gender disorder, a mental disorder or a "lifestyle choice." Our job as God's chosen people is to pray constantly for their salvation. Even in the face of persecution and abuse from them, We are called to be faithful witnesses for Christ, not slaves to political correctness.
Here is a short list for your perusal. The Christian believer's relationship/involvement in the government has always been an issue in the Christian community. I have listed what the Bible says without much commentary. Come to your own conclusions about what Jesus and His apostles taught. But after reading this ask "Is there a Biblical mandate from our authority (Jesus) to establish a formal "Christian" government?
Jesus' "theology" of the Christian believer's relationship to government:
Matt. 15:21 "Then He *said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."
Matt. 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how [e]can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a [f]hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [g]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Paul's theology of the believer's relationship to the government:
Romans 13:1 Every [a]person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except [b]from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore [c]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for [d]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Titus 3:1 (A)Remind them (B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be (C)ready for every good deed..."
Peter's theology of the believer's relationship to government:
I Peter 2:13 (AJ)Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent [p]by him (AK)for the punishment of evildoers and the (AL)praise of those who do right. 15 For [q](AM)such is the will of God that by doing right you may (AN)silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as (AO)free men, and [r]do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as (AP)bondslaves of God. 17 (AQ)Honor all people, (AR)love the brotherhood, (AS)fear God, (AT)honor the [s]king."
That is all very interesting, Dan, but it all misses the point ... which is justifying, on a purely constitutional basis, the privileging of one religious group (Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, etc.) or one system of theological teaching in the civil law.
More plainly ... why should Christians (or Buddhists or Jews or Muslims or ... ) enjoy a legally privileged position in US society?
And please don't tell me, as I'm sure you will, that the US is a Judeo-Christian country, because (1) it isn't true and (2) the Founders and Framers wrote explicit provisions into the Constitution to make sure the government is, not religion hostile, but religion-neutral.
If you want substantiation for points (1) and (2) above, please review the thread on the 9th Circuit's decision in Perry, where I have substantiated both points repeatedly.
The marketplace of ideas is open to all. The question is: which ideas will be accepted and which ones will be rejected. That simple, James.
"What is the difference between one's moral vision and one's church's / denomination's teaching on matters of morality?"
One is the church's teaching and one is my own belief. And if the ideas happen to be the same - well, it is just a "coinkidink". As Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun."
"St. Paul was not a Christian because he obviously tolerated slavery, e.g.,"
Have you even read Philemon?
"This means, among other things, that it is not legitimate to justify your advocacy by citing reasons that only you and your group would consider valid."
That is your opinion. All truth is God's truth.
"This is why it always irritates me and frustrates me, in debates about "cultural" issues -- abortion, assisted suicide, gay marriage, etc. -- to see Christians immediately whip out their Bibles and start quoting Scripture."
I guess you'll just have to tolerate us b/c we aren't likely to stop just b/c you don't like it. The Bible says in II Tim. 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." And in I Peter 3:15 "... always being ready to make a [j]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and [k]reverence..." But James, don't feel as if you are all alone in your frustration: the civil and religious leaders in Jesus' time felt the same as you except their annoyance was with Jesus. Seems He quoted the Scriptures to them, too, and they didn't like it any better than you do. So they crucified Him. They found some kind of legal principle to justify that.
"Beliefs are not data. Faith is not fact." You place your faith in philosophical naturalism, and that belief leads you inextricably to your moral/political/social convictions. So it is with Christians. Except Christians provide health care, agricultural assistance, job training, education, etc, etc, etc for lots of people all over the world. (Seems as if we take Jesus literally on this point, too.) What do philosophical naturalists provide - other than support for the legalization of abortion, homosexual perversion, assisted suicide, etc.
Study: Gay men spreading AIDS at alarming rate
ATLANTA— Gay men too young to remember the earliest reports of AIDS are now spreading the disease at alarming rates that remind health officials of the explosive first years of the epidemic.
A government survey released May 31 shows 4.4 percent of gay and bisexual men ages 23 to 29 are newly infected each year with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
The survey...is the government's most sweeping evidence yet of a resurgence in the disease among young gay men.
It suggests even more staggering infection rates for blacks in that group: 14.7 percent -- one in seven -- become HIV-positive each year.
Left unchecked, the infection rates for gay and bisexual men threaten years of progress the country has made to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, analysts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
``The numbers we're publishing right now are more like the findings you see in the '80s than the findings you see in the '90s,'' said CDC's Linda Valleroy, who led the survey.
The study included nearly 3,000 gay and bisexual men who were tested anonymously for HIV from 1998 to 2000 in Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Seattle.
Government analysts acknowledged the data could be flawed: The men were recruited only at dance clubs, bars, city shopping centers and gay-and-lesbian community centers, so the true rates for all young gay and bisexual men could be higher or lower.
The government's effort to contain HIV/AIDS may be cursed by its own success, CDC analysts said. New HIV infections have leveled off in America at about 40,000 a year, and improved medicine allows AIDS patients to live longer and healthier lives.
``People don't perceive that you get infected and you die in two months anymore,'' said Phill Wilson, executive director of the African-American AIDS Policy and Training Institute at the University of Southern California.
``There's all these posters around that say you can climb mountains and do whatever with HIV and AIDS. There's not enough messages about the price you have to pay,'' he said.
Health officials expressed extreme concern about the high new-infection rates among young black gays and bisexuals, saying the stigma in the black community of having HIV or AIDS may be keeping testing rates low.
There are no comparable historical data on infection rates for young black gays and bisexuals. The one-in-seven infection rate in that group is roughly the same as current infection rates in South Africa, Valleroy said.
The CDC wants to cut the number of new infections nationwide to below 20,000 in five years, chiefly by improving prevention programs, targeting them more narrowly to the communities most at risk, and urging more Americans to get tested for HIV.
A key part of that effort will be getting to young gays and bisexuals to remind them of the disease's devastation and the risk that continues even in the wake of improved medicine and safe-sex efforts.
``We have to stop and take a look at the devastation that potentially could occur among these young men,'' said Helene Gayle, the CDC's AIDS chief. ``These are precious and important lives.''
Since the discovery of AIDS -- first reported in a 1981 government health bulletin as a strange form of pneumonia -- there have been about 750,000 reported cases in America. Nearly 450,000 of those patients have died.
``We're not visiting as many dying bedsides, and we're not going to as many funerals,'' Wilson said. ``But we are tired of losing our friends, and it's not over.''
And you said there is no data out there.
And you said there is no data out there.
Actually, that's not accurate. What I said was (1) any exclusion of gay people from 14th Amendment protections has to be based on data, not dogma, and therefore admonished you to cite tha former, not the latter.
But in all of our posts, including your recent ones, you seemed, and still seem, to not realize the difference.
"Gay marriage" in fact represents a vast expansion of state power: In this instance, the state of New York is declaring that it has the competence to redefine a basic human institution in order to satisfy the demands of an interest group looking for the kind of social acceptance that putatively comes from legal recognition....
For if the state in fact has the competence, or authority, to declare that Adam and Steve, or Eve and Evelyn, are married, and has the related authority to compel others to recognize such marriages as the equivalent of what we have known as marriage for millennia, then why stop at marriage between two men or two women? Why not polyamory or polygamy? Why can't any combination of men and women sharing financial resources and body parts declare itself a marriage, and then demand from the state a redress of its grievances and legal recognition of it as a family? On what principled ground is the New York state legislature, or any other state legislature, going to say "No" to that, once it has declared that Adam and Steve, or Eve and Evelyn, can in fact get married according to the laws of the state?"
"There is a curious rhetorical fact that has usually gone unremarked in these debates, but which is worth pointing out. That what the New York state legislature approved has to be described, not as marriage, but as "gay marriage" or "same-sex marriage" is itself a verbal indicator that what is being done here is counterintuitive. We all know, or thought we knew, what marriage is, and to add the qualifier "gay" or "same-sex" is a tacit admission by the proponents of the practice that it requires an appeal to authority to enforce what seems strange, odd, not right. The verbal tic of "gay marriage" or "same-sex" marriage is thus itself a rhetorical warning sign that what was done in Albany was an exercise in raw state power, the state's asserting that it can do X simply because it claims that it has the power to do so."
Same-Sex "Marriage" Is Not a Civil Right
"...marriage is a matter of civil law. And since it is unconstitutional to deny equal civil rights to citizens, it is unconstitutional to deny to homosexual couples the right to marry...we need to be clear about what constitutes a civil right.
"It is certainly true that the contention over marriage is about civil law. Marriage law has long been a state matter, and in the United States that has meant, literally, a state rather than a federal matter. In any case, the law has until now taken for granted that marriage is an institutional bond between a man and a woman."
"...the argument is about what government ought to do about keeping or changing the legal definition of marriage."
"...this debate is about whether the law that now defines marriage is itself good or bad, right or wrong. And to join that debate one must appeal, by moral argument, to grounds that transcend the law as it now exists. In that regard, the question of marriage is not about a civil right at all. It is about the nature of reality and interpretations of reality that precede the law."
"Those who now argue that same-sex couples should be included, as a matter of civil right, within the legal definition of marriage are appealing to the constitutional principles of equal protection and equal treatment. But this is entirely inappropriate for making the case for same-sex "marriage."
To argue that the Constitution guarantees equal treatment to all citizens, both men and women, does not say anything about what constitutes marriage, or a family, or a business enterprise, or a university, or a friendship. An appeal for equal treatment would certainly not lead a court to require that a small business enterprise be called a marriage just because two business partners prefer to think of their business that way. Nor would equal treatment of citizens before the law require a court to conclude that those of us who pray before the start of auto races should be allowed to redefine our auto clubs as churches."
"The simple fact is that the civil right of equal treatment cannot constitute social reality by declaration. Civil rights protections function simply to assure every citizen equal treatment under the law depending on what the material dispute in law is all about. Law that is just must begin by properly recognizing and distinguishing identities and differences in reality in order to be able to give each its legal due."
"If someone wants to argue that two people who have not in the past been recognized as marriage partners should now be recognized as marriage partners, one must demonstrate that marriage law (not civil rights law) has overlooked or misidentified something that it should not have overlooked or misidentified. For thousands of years, marriage law has concerned itself with a particular kind of enduring bond between a man and a woman that includes sexual intercourse—the kind of act that can (but does not always) lead to the woman's pregnancy. A homosexual relationship, regardless of how enduring it is as a bond of loving commitment, does not and cannot include sexual intercourse leading to pregnancy. Thus it is not marriage."
"The first question is about identity and difference. This is the material legal matter of properly recognizing and identifying what exists and distinguishing between marriages and auto clubs, between schools and banks, between friendships and multinational corporations. It has nothing to do with civil rights."
"To recognize in law the distinct character of a marriage relationship, which entails sexual intercourse, involves no discrimination of a civil rights kind against those whose bonds do not include sexual intercourse. Those who choose to live together in life-long homosexual relationships; or brothers and sisters who live together and take care of one another; or two friends of the same sex who are not sexually involved but share life together in the same home—all of these may be free to live as they do, and they suffer no civil rights discrimination by not being identified as marriages. There is no civil rights discrimination against an eight-year-old youngster who is denied the right to enter into marriage.
The remainder of this article, as well, is very informative.
@Dan: For if the state in fact has the competence, or authority, to declare that Adam and Steve, or Eve and Evelyn, are married, and has the related authority to compel others to recognize such marriages as the equivalent of what we have known as marriage for millennia, then why stop at marriage between two men or two women? Why not polyamory or polygamy? Why can't any combination of men and women sharing financial resources and body parts declare itself a marriage, and then demand from the state a redress of its grievances and legal recognition of it as a family? On what principled ground is the New York state legislature, or any other state legislature, going to say "No" to that, once it has declared that Adam and Steve, or Eve and Evelyn, can in fact get married according to the laws of the state?"
My answer: from a strictly constitutional standpoint -- I repeat: from the standpoint of the Constitution, not someone's idiosyncratic religious dogma -- there is no constitutional impediment to "poly" marriages, considered as civil / legal contracts.
I'm sure churches and other religious organizations would have multitudes of doctrinal, dogmatic, and theological objections. Also, religious organizations would be quite free, as free as they are now, to refuse religious sanction to "poly" unions. From that standpoint, and thanks to the "free exercise" clause of the Firsr Amendmenr, there would be no abridgement of religious organizations' prerogatives.
But -- one more time -- from a constitutional standpoint -- there would be no objection.
In order to rule out "poly" relationships and exempt them from 14rh Amendment protection, you would have to formulate a "compelling interest"I argument: and you would have to do so in religion-neutral terms on the basis of real, actual, tangible, empirically observable psycho-social harm that "poly" unions would cause.
So far, no one has done that for gay or "poly" marriages. All anyone has ever done, certainly all anyone has ever done in the conservative-evangelical Christian community, is quote the Bible, and their particular interpretation of the Bible, at that -- which is hardly a religion-neutral argument.
I am against homosexualty, as I am against every sin. However, I'm still okay with it being legalized. I think churches should be allowed to marry or not marry whoever they want. However, the secular government is different. I don't think there is any way to legally justify keeping same-sex couples from getting a marriage license from the state, especially since so many rights are tied into marriage. There is no way to justify denying secular same sex-marriage from the standpoint of the Constitution. I think the religious freedom right given in the constitution means that it can't be justified to keep it illegal. Religious freedom means that any church or whatever should feel free to deny them religious marriage. But it also means, by the same token, that people who are for same-sex marriage should be allowed to do it. I may not consider it a real marriage before God, but that doesn't mean I have the right to deny them their own beliefs or to stop the state from issuing marriage licenses.
Basically, I don't want my church or denomination to perform religious same sex marriages. But I think the federal government should legalize it. And I think that the Church needs to focus on more important issues like abortion.
"...from a constitutional standpoint -- there would be no objection."
Unless SCOTUS objects, that is. If the SC is comprised of a majority of philosophical naturalists (progressives) then they will spin the constitution their way. If the majority of the SC is comprised of traditional coservatives then they will spin it their way. It all depends on the world view of a majority of the justices.
"...when the California Supreme Court ruled in 2010 in favor of homosexual marriage, one dissenting justice warned that it would not be illogical to expect that support for polygamy soon would follow."
(The barbarians are in the city.)


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sound designer
samuel beckett's
text by Samuel Beckett - music by Michael Roth
demo recording and slideshow/trailer of the first 9 minutes of a new music/theatre chamber piece -
work-in-progress for recorded voices, laptop, and string quartet
For more details about the piece, click here.
Thanks to the actors whose voices are featured on the recording:
Marco Barricelli, Jessica Jean Erwin, Robert Joy, and, from the
Stratford Festival, Geraint Wyn Davies, Dion Johnstone, Seana McKenna, and Lucy Peacock - to whom I am very grateful.
For the complete Beckett text, click here.
For the complete score, click here.
Video is also posted at NEW MUSIC DAILY
And for further information, please contact the composer.
In IMAGINATION DEAD IMAGINE, the string quartet is the protagonist,
listening and responding to what they hear - akin to Beckett's KRAPP'S LAST TAPE or EH JOE -
This is a preliminary demo of a work in progress - with digital strings -
no ponticello or extended techniques. Ultimately, the strings will of course be live,
only the voices, playing from the lap top controlled by the quartet, are recorded -
The string quartet approaches a laptop on a table. Each player in turn, one at a time,
presses the space bar and hears the recorded line,"No trace anywhere of life," -
and then each player presses the space bar to stop it. Each member, as they hear the line,
puts on an ear piece (to hear the click track) - and each presses the space bar as often as needed to make sure they hear everything they need to hear (the click and the voices) in order to proceed.
This is repeated as necessary until everyone is ready.
Finally, a player presses the space bar one last time, and the piece continues on -
the quartet hears the voices as Beckett's text (essentially a description of an object and a set of instructions and directions) - and plays the music that is their response - -
lots of pro tools editing on the voices in the first 8 minutes - click to enlarge
Thanks for listening - and thanks to Mr. Beckett for, among many other things, permission
to compose this piece many years ago. Details about performances coming soon.
Samuel Beckett on vacation in Morocco, 1978

subset: commoncrawl


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Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons - Saturday 8:00PM on Fox
Line - Falcons by 2
Week 12 - Falcons 20 Packers 17
How the Packers can win: Get the run game going and keep an aggressive approach on defense. If the Packers can get rookie James Starks going like they did against the Eagles (23 carries for 123 yards) then it will be a defensive nightmare for the Falcons. The Falcons will have a hard enough time focusing on stopping Rodgers that Starks could interfere with their game plan. With the effective run game Rodgers threw for 3 TDs and was 18/27. The Packers attacked Mike Vick all game and really held him in check. Yea he threw for 292 yards but they did force him to throw an INT to finish the game, and they held him to only 33 rushing yards. They might have a little trouble containing Michael Turner but they'll bring the pressure when Ryan drops back to pass and they don't have to worry about him scrambling away as he only had 122 rushing yards all year.
How the Falcons can win: Stop Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons won the only meeting between the two teams back in week 12 but Aaron Rodgers absolutely torched them through the air and on the ground. Rodgers completed 74% of passes going 26/35 for 344 yards with a TD, and rushed 12 times for 51 yards with a TD. Brandon Jackson was extremely ineffective rushing 10 times for 26 yards. Nobody seems to really know how to stop Rodgers, but I know the Falcons are working on how to do that as we speak. Can't really blitz the guy because he'll run all over you but the Falcons need to find a way to slow him down. I guess they can use the Jets offensive approach and run the ball and keep Rodgers on the sidelines
LiLbRo's Prediction: Matty Ice doesn't lose at home and the Georgia Dome will be loud. Should be an exciting game with a lot of young talent (Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Greg Jennings, Roddy White), but the Falcons will find a way to win a tight one 31-27.
KeithyP's Prediction: The road to the Superbowl goes through Atlanta, and Atlanta is putting up road blocks. The Falcons are just to well rounded on offense and the Packers lack of a run game hurts them. The Falcons win with a great balanced offensive attack and beat the Packers 28-24.


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German Pilsener - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
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Ratings: 19 | Reviews: 11 | Display Reviews Only:
3/5 rDev -21.5%
08-03-2014 02:42:06 | More by mikefuski17
2.75/5 rDev -28%
04-30-2014 22:39:06 | More by Durandal_777
3.75/5 rDev -1.8%
02-12-2014 03:13:46 | More by BigMike
3.75/5 rDev -1.8%
12-27-2013 23:51:54 | More by jp312
3.5/5 rDev -8.4%
09-22-2013 12:35:56 | More by Oakenator
New Jersey
4/5 rDev +4.7%
05-29-2013 16:25:43 | More by InspectorBob
4/5 rDev +4.7%
01-06-2013 00:06:26 | More by 2dogbrew
4.25/5 rDev +11.3%
10-03-2012 20:49:39 | More by rolltide8425
3.8/5 rDev -0.5%
Good but way average.
This was an okay beer, had a clear straw color but a smallish head and very light carbonation.
Smell of spicy sharp malts and a light hint of pepper hops.
Drinks good but had a slight off taste similar to diaceyl that you find in ales.
Tasted of spicy, sharp hops and some malts.
felt okay on the palette.
Listen, this wasn't won of my better choices that evening.
09-16-2012 17:32:42 | More by micromaniac129
3.85/5 rDev +0.8%
On tap at the brew pub.
Pours a crystal clear pale straw color with a light fizzy head.
NOse has light malts, touch of breaddy malts, hints of floral hops.
Taste is similar with light toasty malts, bready, light lager flavors, light floral hops, slightly crisp and fruity lager, drier finish but not as clean, a bit more bitter floral hops.
Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb.
Overall not bad, decent malts, a touch of the bready malts, no real straw, decent floral hops, light lager flavors, it's almost there just a bit more nice malt profile.
09-24-2011 00:16:49 | More by jlindros
4.08/5 rDev +6.8%
On tap @ Iron Hill Lancaster on 9/9/10. Served in an oversized mug.
Pours a clear copper, topped with a thin layer of fizzy bright-white head. This stays frothy around the edges, leaving some thin wisp of lace dotted across the sides of the mug. The aroma smells of earthy fruit wrapped up in some leafy floral notes. Sweet grainy breads pull up the back. There's a pretty good evenness here between the hops and malts in the nose.
The taste has a strong prickly bitterness to it, being fairly aggressive with notes of earth and bitter rind. The stiff grainy sweetness of the Pils malts adding balance and presence to this on the palate. Deep spicy finish on this that completely dries ones tongue out. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a sharp crispness to the carbonation that prickles the mouth with flavors. This is even maybe a little too sharp feeling at times but it doesn't really hinder things at all.
Solid Pils here, being well balanced, crisp, and clean feeling throughout. I'll echo the sentiments of some other reviewers and say that is yet another example of fresh and tasty PA Pilsners done right. Sign me up for a mug of this anytime!
09-14-2010 16:42:30 | More by Kegatron
4.7/5 rDev +23%
I have no idea how I have not reviewed this previously (unless the notes have not been transcribed or were lost/stolen), but today was the day to get 'er done!
This was brought to me with a finger-and-a-half of bone-white head that quickly fell to wisps. Color was a beautiful sunshine-yellow with NE-quality clarity on a cloudy, overcast day. Nose was subtle with Saaz hops along with a dry, biscuity maltiness. Mouthfeel was medium with an initial hop bite followed by the same dry, biscuit maltiness as noted on the nose. A few of us had been discussing the preponderance of German-style lagers in PA earlier in the afternoon and here was a perfect example! What a fantastic beer! Finish was Sahara-dry with a slight sweetness at the extreme finish. Gasp!
08-23-2010 01:00:55 | More by woodychandler
New Jersey
4.33/5 rDev +13.4%
A: Poured a sunny yellow color with a bright, creamy white head of moderate proportions (1 finger). The lacing was thick and full providing great stickage and coverage while the visible effervesce was quiet with a stray bubble or two rising at any given moment lazily to the surface.
S: A nice scent of fresh grains and spicy hops highlight the nose. Soft hay notes along with a light lemony zest touch rounds things out. The aromatic strength was perfect with more then enough juice to satisfy and give appreciable results per style.
T: Dry grains with hay notes and a dry lemony flowery hopping gets things off to a strong start. The beer proposes a modest amount of hops but remains true to style with a beautiful grain bill that highlights and defines this drink. The hopping really comes through on the finishing swallow which produces a dry lemony and hay punch that is sure to please even non-fans of style.
M: The mouthful was light but still offered a good deal of resistance when rolled around the tongue. Crisp, dry, with an effortless exit and dry lemony fade with a grainy touch well suited per style.
D: Most extreme beer drinkers are quick to dismiss and discriminate against certain lighter styles, thankfully im not one of them. I can respect a greatly brewed crisp lager or pilsner as well as any Baltic porter or barleywine. This by style meets and in some instances exceeds most other examples and comes off as a refreshing, crisp , dry interpretation that is definitely growler worthy from this brewery. Modest alcohol of 4.8% ensures session material.
04-25-2010 16:55:03 | More by beerthulhu
4.1/5 rDev +7.3%
a: This was a slightly hazy pale golden color. It was served to me with a thick fizzy and sticky head.
s: Clean bready malts and a nice mineral component as well.
t: Pretty close to spot-on here. Perhaps not as clean as it should be, but damn tasty none the less. Cereal, hard water, and herbal hops.
m: Fizzy carbonation and a crisp body.
d: Really nice pils, not quite up there with Stoudt's or Victory. Pretty close though, a very pleasant surprise.
01-30-2010 22:07:10 | More by DIM
3.8/5 rDev -0.5%
drank at IH in lancaster on 3.27.09.
pours a wonderfully beautiful clear golden yellow color with subtle hints of orange. nice head on the beer as well, leaving a nice ring of foam around the edge of the glass complimented by a nice constant stream of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. great sporadic lacing throughout the glass. decent smell, crisp malty with hints of hops.
good taste for a german pilsener which can be a difficult beer to get 'just right'. a nice malty taste with a perfect hop balance around the edges with a little bread and earthiness to it. the carbonation is spot on with a nice mouthfeel to balance all the great flavors.
04-15-2009 12:33:25 | More by Hophead101
3.83/5 rDev +0.3%
Poured a clear golden yellow with 1/4 inch of soapy white head, good lacing. Smells of lemon and grassy hops mixed with some crisp malt. Taste has some honey and lemon up front, followed by a sweetbread backbone, and a crisp grassy finish. Medium-light in body, good carbonation, and very easy to drink. A nice lighter tasting beer very true to the style.
01-09-2008 22:28:27 | More by HopDerek
3.85/5 rDev +0.8%
On tap at Lancaster, PA location on 12/23/07.
A - Pale golden body with frothy white head that diminished into a whispy white veil and left delicate rings of lace around the glass. Modest carbonation for a pils.
S - Biscuity and pale malts paired with German noble hops in the nose. Subtle notes of vanilla, honey and lemon also present. Otherwise, a classic pilsener aroma.
T - Starts off a bit sweet with vanilla and honey notes, followed by some biscuity and bready maltiness and a bitterness reminiscent of lemon zest and orange peel. Average length finish that's crisp and clean.
M - Light body with watery texture and crisp, dry finish. Moderately prickly on the tongue and all-encompassing bitter aspect throughout the mouth.
D - Nicely balanced and easy to drink. Clean and crisp taste... the way a classic pils should be.
12-24-2007 19:10:06 | More by ffejherb
3.6/5 rDev -5.8%
Served cool in a standard pint at the brewpub across from F&M in Lancaster.
A - A crystal clear golden w/ a very thin soapsud head.
S - Light noble hop notes w/ gentle crisp malt notes enliven the aroma.
M - Pleasant smooth spice of hops upfront w/ a lightly oily feel and moderate carbonation providing support.
T - A fine flavor of hops w/o much spice, just subtle and fresh w/ a touch of grassiness and malt sweetness. The pils finishes dry w/ an above average, refined flavor.
D - This is by no means the best pilsener I have ever tasted, I have traveled through the heart of Germany and had worse, though. This is very drinkable and well made.
Had this again April 08 A- 4 S-3.5 M-4 T-4 D -4
I had this on tap at Iron Hill's Lancaster location on the Harrisburg Pike downtown. Served cold in a pils glass.
A - A brilliant gold w/ a pillowy whit e head-excellent clarity w/ plenty of visible carbonation as bubbles rise to the surface. There is a fine bead and the lace clings well in ringlets
S - A very nicely spiced hop-(noble) aroma w/ a bready yeast note w/ a slight toasted pils malt aroma
M - Crisp, refreshing moderate to full carbonation. Very spiced up front w/ a nice lingering piney bitterness and a dry malt taste as it finishes w/ a slight creaminess from the carbonation
T - This is a really classic take on the style w/ a nice dry malt flavor w/ hop spice falling in line w/ plenty of flavor. The hops are the major flavor component here, but used in a conservative and yet bold way w/ an earthy, herbal spiciness. There is a subtle sweetness as the hop taste leaves the palate and a creamy flavor like fresh baked baquette w/ the yeast note coming out in the last sips. Big Kudos on taste to Paul Rutherford as this is quenching and spot on.
D - This is a must have taste - I could drink this for hours- nice sessionable quality and flavor that doesn't let you down midway into the pint, but really begs for another. Excellent pils, my taste buds are rewarded for the lager I have been waiting for. This is an excellent pils - up there with the PA pils tradition the sign of true brewing craftmanship
12-02-2007 16:22:24 | More by Slatetank
3.58/5 rDev -6.3%
This beer in my glass had a cloudy pumpkin-orange color. I thought that was odd for a pils, considering they are typically a clear, golden color. The aroma was more typical, with a high hop scent in front of sweet malted grains. It was a very balanced aroma. The flavor is intially sweet, until the hops kick in. There are also hints of spices. The beer finishes with a clean, lager flavor and slight alcohol warmth. All and all, I thought this was a decent brew well worth drinking.
11-29-2007 02:38:24 | More by RiekerStarBrew
German Pilsener from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
85 out of 100 based on 19 ratings.


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Knight, Wolfe on Caricom panel to probe Guyana police killings
JAMAICAN attorneys-at-law Justice Lensley Wolfe and K D Knight, QC are among three jurists named to probe last month's killing of three people by the Guyanese police in Linden.
Wolfe, a former chief justice of Jamaica and Knight a former Cabinet minister and currently a government senator, will join prominent Trinidadian attorney Dana Seetahal, a former independent senator and lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Port-of-Spain.
They were named by the secretariat of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to the commission which will enquire into the deaths of three Guyanese, aged between 19 and 46, who were among a group of protesting residents in Linden -- a mining town.
The residents were protesting against the decision of the Guyanese Government to increase electricity rates when they were allegedly shot and killed by heavily armed riot police, who also wounded 20 other demonstrators.
The Guyanese media reported that the riot police, who apparently lost patience as night fell, and opened fire on the demonstrators, some of whom were shot in the back as they ran. The police later reported that they were pelted with bottles, stones and other missiles.
Linden is the second largest town in Guyana after Georgetown, and capital of the Upper Demerara-Berbice region. It lies on the Demerara River, has a population of roughly 60,000 and is primarily a bauxite mining town.
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Nag, nag, nag, that's all I seem to do with President Obama these days (not that he listens to me, but still).
In the meantime, Michelle Obama hasn't been on my radar screen much, although nearly a year ago I did take notice of the fact that the gown she wore to the inaugural ball really didn't suit her at all. Too frilly girly-girly for a tall and statuesque woman. What's more, being a helpful sort, I even suggested a more elegant alternative.
Well, even though President Obama obviously isn't taking my advice, maybe the First Lady is, because I'm happy to report that last night she wore a flattering evening gown, more on the order of the one I'd originally recommended:
It's a relief to be able to say something positive about one of the Obamas, even if it's only about a topic as trivial as a ball gown.


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Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living is committed to promoting healthy, sustainable communities in the Gary, IN area. In order to obtain that, we have developed services and programs to cater to individuals or groups in need. The typical age of our consumers range from 4 through maturity. It is our belief that no one is beyond help.
The mission of Edgewater Systems is to provide a comprehensive set of behavioral healthcare services to individuals and families. We believe in the development and delivery of a full spectrum of behavior healthcare services and our goal is to achieve an optimum level of stabilization and / or personal accomplishment for each client.
Learn More About Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living:
Contact Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living today at 219-945-9054, or browse the website for more information about our products, and services.


text:
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Opponents of a federal ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men are demonstrating at a St. Paul blood bank.
Organizer Zachary Fincher says about 20 to 40 men will try to donate blood at the Memorial Blood Centers' St. Paul location Friday. The Minnesota AIDS Project is providing on-site HIV tests.
The goal is to show the U.S. Food and Drug Administration how much donor blood could be added to the nation's supply if gay and bisexual men could donate. That population faces an indefinite or lifetime deferral on blood donations.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/133rYNt ) says blood banks have urged the FDA to amend its criteria for blood donations. The FDA says its policy is "based on the documented increased risk of certain transfusion transmissible infections, such as HIV, associated with male-to-male sex."
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Ancient India
Sunday, November 3, 2013
We began the first language arts block with the stories of ancient India. The children heard an Indian creation myth and compared it to others they have heard over the years. They were able to highlight the similarities, as well as the differences. The story described the birth of Brahma, the supreme being, and told how the four castes sprang from different parts of his body. The class heard the story of the great flood involving Manu, a giant fish and the seven holy Rishis. They learned about the sacred Ganges River and the formidable Himalaya Mountains, both treasured gifts of nature to the Indian people. Next came a story from the Bhagavad Gita, the classic tale of the five sons of Pandu and the great battle between good and evil. On the field of Kurukshetra the mighty archer, Arjuna, along with his charioteer Lord Krishna, saw his enemies and recognized many of them as his kinsman. In despair, he faced a moral dilemma on whether he could fight them or not. The class talked about the ancient Indian principles of karma and reincarnation and pondered Arjuna's difficult decision. Everyone enthusiastically shared opinions on what he should do!
We then moved on to one of India's most revered tales, The Ramayana. The adventures of the incarnated god, Rama, his virtuous wife, Sita, his faithful brother, Lakshama, the evil ten headed Ravana and the warrior monkey, Hanuman, held everyone's interest and sparked many lively discussions. During the daily review the children shared insightful questions and thoughtfully expressed their ideas. The Indian perspective on life and death, the relationship to the gods, the struggle between good and evil, and the implications of the caste system informed the discussion and made for a meaningful exploration into this rich ancient civilization.
Throughout the block the children wrote dictations that strengthened spelling, grammar and punctuation skills. We discussed ways to identify the main parts of each story. The children also independently wrote short synopses out of the stories. Out of the dictations and written work, I created daily lessons to address those areas that need more practice and clarity, such as the use of possessive, quotation marks, run-on sentences and common spelling errors. The children also created many wonderful drawings for their morning lesson books, including one of Arjuna and Krishna on the battlefield and another of Hanuman setting Lanka on fire with his tail.


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This is the first of its kind! A pillow bolt for the ION paintball gun. The Bob Long Ion pillow bolt has been proven to be one of the best bolts to hit the market. Lightweight and air efficient, the Bob Long Ion Pillow Bolt weights in at only 25 grams. The stock bolt weights 32 grams. The Ion Pillow Bolt uses a hollowed shaft for greater air storage and efficiency. The pillow is made of soft rubber and will reduce the mass applied to the ball at the time of impact. Overall, the Bob Long Ion Pillow Bolt is a must have for all ION owners!
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Share this kitchen-tested recipe from the Betty Crocker Kitchens with someone you love.
Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
Roll one round on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.


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Best Online Savings Account Rates 2013
- 8 Comments
- By Casey Bond
- September 22, 2013
With deposit rates lowering all over the country, many people have to save money wherever they can. Seeking out the best savings account rates is a simple way to increase returns on deposits so that financial goals are achieved in less time.
Currently, online banks generally offer some of the best savings account rates when compared to their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
That's because online banks have the luxury of forwarding incredible savings opportunities, like no-fee savings accounts, and high-yield savings account rates to their customers because, unlike commercial banks and credit unions, online institutions do not have to pay for overhead expenses.
Today's Top 5 Best Online Savings Account Rates of 2013
The internet is full of online financial institutions claiming to offer the best online savings account rates that might sound too good to be true. Luckily, depositors can, in fact, face greater gains through the high yield savings account rate options online. Here are the top online savings rates today:
- SmartyPig: 1.00% APY
- SFGI Direct Community Bank: 0.86% APY
- FNBO Direct: 0.85% APY
- American Express: 0.85% APY
- Ally Bank: 0.84% APY
Like most other savings accounts, these interest rates are not fixed, and may change without notice at the discretion of the bank.
Here is a list of the 5 best online savings accounts of 2014!
How to Identify the Best Online Savings Accounts
Like any other financial product on the market, each savings account has its benefits and its downfalls. Online products are among the best savings account options, especially when it comes to obtaining higher savings account rates. However, there are many other factors that play into whether an online savings account is right for your unique needs.
Here are just a handful of considerations to make before opening a new account:
- Minimum Deposit. Saving money takes enough effort and willpower as it is. Don't make it harder for yourself by signing up for a savings account that requires an excessively high initial deposit.
- Minimum Account Balance. Ideally, the best savings account won't have a minimum account balance to maintain. Find an account that provides the best savings account rates, but lets you save money on your own time. What's even worse is that if customers fail to maintain the required minimum account balance, financial institutions may charge a fee that goes against earnings.
- Service Fees. Keep in mind that when you deposit your money into a savings account, you're doing the financial institution a favor by letting them borrow your funds for their use. Avoid savings accounts that charge a regular service fee, so you're not left on the losing end.
- FDIC Protection. Ensuring your savings fund is secure is a necessary part of choosing the best savings account product. Most online banks are insured by the FDIC, but if you're considering a new bank, make sure to research whether your funds have the same protections as a conventional institution.
- Customer Service. With a physical bank or credit union, stellar customer service is more of a matter of preference, rather than a requirement. However, when it comes to online banking, being able to contact a customer service representative 24/7 is not only convenient — it's essential.


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Posts Tagged 'Wainuiomata'
Hutt Radio and others
Its been a while since I updated on Hutt Radios progress. This project has developed over the last 4 months from their requests for announcers to their first public meeting and earlier developments .
But I am happy to release the latest news following their early hard work and funding issues:
Hutt Radio, the new community station now on 106.1 FM,
hopefully has most of the inevitable teething problems solved.
The Trustees are pleased to finally have BBC World on-air,
24 hours a day. Technically, this is the "test broadcast" phase.
It won't be too long before some live local content is inserted
on a regular basis, in partnership with the BBC World Service.
Current coverage is the whole of the Hutt Valley from the
southern end of Upper Hutt, right down the valley to Petone.
Until the Trust can afford to site the transmitter on a hilltop,
some areas in the Western Hills will be unable to pick it up.
The transmission is from a NaeNae rooftop. FM radio is a
"line of sight" signal, so houses tucked behind a bit of hillside
won't receive it. Nor will steel-reinforced concrete buildings.
Cars with Japanese radios will need to insert an expander.
Hutt Radio should eventually cover the entire Hutt Region.
via Hutt Radio
Congratulations all around to those involved as the continuing hard work is paying dividends. I look forward with interest to their continuing development in 2010.
Network radio is the current business model but I for one would like to see Hutt Radio succeed if only to provide a conduit for local voices, that seems to have been lost in the drive for commercial success.
As a sidebar the development of this community asset piqued my interest in the history around earlier radio broadcasting in the Hutt Valley (does anyone remember KIX FM?) but also similar activities already underway.
Several other broadcasters exist in this area that I have uncovered (albeit LPFM and/or internet based) which while limited in their range and coverage show the desire of others to express themselves via broadcasting. Whilst not all about community some show interest, and with the desire to broadcast on a network basis by the bigger radio stations the role of a community station servicing only the Hutt community is novel in todays world.
Visiting the NZ LPFM website provides insight into a list of 29 stations within Wellington of which 7 are in the Hutt region. Registration is voluntary and there could be more, but does show the diversity of people wishing to pursue their avenue of broadcasting, some with local content.
My chance to plug two that I have listened to (and know they are around) and like
Grant of the The Cheese is also on Twitter as http://twitter.com/zollymonsta
These guys are also on YouTube
No doubt they have other social media addresses and I apologise if they are not your best avenues or are out of date.
Does anyone else have any favourites that are out there?
Wainuiomata: Youths detained as result of arson attempt
Three young people will be referred to Police Youth Aid after a second small fire was discovered at a school in Wainuiomata on Saturday.
The fire was started in a pile of wood at St Claudine Thevenet School, but did not take hold, said Police.
Earlier in the day, a classroom at Pukeatua Primary School, also in Wainuiomata, was destroyed by fire which police are treating as arson.
However, they do not believe the two fires are linked and have made no arrests in connection with the Pukeatua fire.
Wainuiomata: Fire at Primary School
Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a Wainuiomata primary school.
Emergency services were called to the blaze at Pukeatua Primary School in Wainuiomata about 4pm Saturday, Detective Sergeant Scott Cooper, of Lower Hutt police, said.
Fire crews arrived to find the outside decking and one of the classrooms fully engulfed in flames.
The fire was brought under control before it could spread to other areas of the school, Cooper said.
Fire investigators and police said the blaze appeared to be deliberately lit.
via TVNZ
Wainuiomata: Second helicopter rescue in a day
For the second time in a day the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Wainuiomata last night around 7.30pm to a Motor Vehicle Accident
The helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance Helicopter Paramedic on board, responded to the crash site in Wainuiomata. The Fire Service had established a landing area.
On arrival all of the occupants of the vehicle were out. The Paramedic treated a 20yr old female from Johnsonville who a passenger in the vehicle for neck injuries.
The female patient was transported to the Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where she is currently being further assessed and treated for her injuries.
Wainuiomata: Baby flown to hospital
A six-month-old boy has been flown to Wellington Hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to his milk formula.
The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the boy's home in Wainuiomata just after 10am.
The fire service established a landing area for the helicopter and the child was transported to hospital with his mother.
Via Newstalk ZB
Wainuiomata: Woman trapped under dead horse
A woman was trapped under her dead horse this afternoon.
The woman was part of a group of three riders on the Wainuiomata South Coast when her horse suffered a seizure, falling to the ground and trapping her underneath. She was knocked unconscious in the fall, and her helmet was heavily damaged.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called and she was conscious but groggy by the time the helicopter had arrived upon which she was flown to Wellington Hospital to be placed under supervision.
Wainuiomata: Car rolls on Hill road
A car rolled on the Wainuiomata Hill road at approximately 12 o'clock. The accident was believed to be caused by a diesel spill on the road. Traffic was held up at the time, but is now clear following the accident scene been cleared by Police.
At this stage no serious injuries have been reported.
Wainuiomata: Hill road car crash
A two-car crash had forced the closure of one lane on the Wainuiomata Hill Rd late yesterday afternoon.
Police said one of the vehicles had rolled, and at the time of reporting it was not yet known whether anyone has injured.
Traffic experienced delays of about 45 minutes due to the crash.
Wainuiomata: People in Police custody following Shotgun incident
Three people are continuing to help Police after an incident that is suspected to be gang related occurred in Wainuiomata. The incident followed a shotgun discharge in Castlerea St which sparked an Armed Offenders Squad callout in the early afternoon following a report from a member of the public.
The media is reporting no-one is injured and the incident was over by 4pm, with the AOS been stood down earlier. At this stage no firearm has been recovered and Police are continuing their investigation with the occupants of the house.
Wainuiomata: Man gets 7-1/2 years for attack
A jealous lover was today jailed for a claw hammer attack on a man who he believed to be his ex-girlfriend's new partner.
Trevor William Grindrod, 34, was sentenced at the High Court in Wellington to seven years and nine months imprisonment.
Justice Warwick Gendall said that six weeks after Grindrod split with his girlfriend, he visited her house uninvited and saw her with a workmate, "you thought, in a mildly amorous situation".
The man barricaded himself in the bedroom and told Grindrod he had called the police, "but you were not to be denied," attacking him with the claw hammer, Justice Gendall said.
"This was an unprovoked, prolonged, gratuitous attack with a lethal weapon," Justice Gendall said.
"You were fortunate you did not kill the complainant."
Crown prosecutor Kate Feltham said Grindrod walked from Wainuiomata to the workmate's Lower Hutt house, "picking up" the hammer on the way.
He smashed his way into the property through a window, broke through the bedroom door and began hitting the man in the head and body with the hammer, adding punches and kicks.
The attack spilled into the bathroom where Grindrod ripped a vanity from the wall and attempted to beat his victim with it.
Grindrod told police he was trying to kill the man and was initially charged with attempted murder.
This was later reduced to injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
His victim suffered numerous injuries including a broken nose, but after months of physiotherapy escaped long term physical damage.
Justice Gendall noted Grindrod had 20 previous convictions, four of which were for assault and included two attacks on children between late 2007 and early 2008.
Via NZPA
At first I had put Mr Grindrods attack as a crime passionnel (or crime of passion) but no sympathy here, previous attacks on children. Mr Grindrod was lucky not to have received the maximum sentence, and it seems his violent past has caught up with him in receipt of this sentencing.


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It's been a bit of long and bumpy ride for Steven Soderbergh's lean, mean action pic "Haywire." First the movie went from Lionsgate to Relativity, and it was set up with an April 22nd release date. As the snow started melting, the movie was moved to late summer as fine tuning continued on the picture but then it was moved once more -- and finally -- to January 20, 2012. That might seem odd, but you have remember that "Contagion" just moved up a full month to a September 9th release and we'd wager that Soderbergh -- as well as Warner Bros. and Relativity -- wanted to make sure that there was breathing room between both pics (and the ever busy Soderbergh is also shooting another new movie this fall, "Magic Mike" to complicate things further).
Anyway, all that said, after various set pics and unofficial concept art, we finally have our first official look at the film and it's MMA fighter Gina Carano not kicking ass as we've seen her do, but instead, firing a gun. It's a bit curious to with Carano shooting instead of immobilizing some baddie as the first taste, but hey, whatever works, and honestly, it still looks pretty badass. Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton, Michael Douglas and Michael Angarano round out the great cast in the film that will find Carano playing a covert ops specialist who discovers she's been double-crossed and takes revenge on her own company. The film was written by Lem Dobbs ("The Limey") and David Holmes (the 'Oceans' Trilogy, "Out of Sight") wrote the score.
You already know we're looking forward to this, so click below to check out the full pic. And oh yeah, Soderbergh will be at Comic-Con in a few weeks which should be...interesting. Any suggestions on what his cosplay outfit should be? [Collider]
robertperriin | July 8, 2011 9:04 AM
Fair enough. And I havent seen Carano act, who knows she could be good. All I know is The Girlfriend Experience was PAINFUL to watch, and the way Gina is holding the uzi in the top photo doesn't inspire much confidence. Hell of a supporting cast though. http://bit.ly/oHUf1z
HiHaHo | July 1, 2011 12:11 PM
you can see no less than seven seconds of footage on the "MYSTERIUM-X RED REEL" :
(at 2:55)
styles | July 1, 2011 6:32 AM
She kicks plenty of ass in the movie. In fact, the fight scenes are the best scenes in the movie. I don't even remember her firing a gun. Unfortunately, besides that, this movie was very weak and boring in my opinion.
hackattack | July 1, 2011 3:36 AM
I think Soderbergh would make a killer Dr. Venture


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Tea Party not dead but running out of gas
To the Editor:
The Tea Party is far from dead, but running out of gas. There are many Republicans that still support the idea of smaller government, but having the Tea Party label attached to the GOP is a huge liability that GOP leaders can no longer afford. The 2014 mid-term elections are shaping up to be a battle once again for the GOP to hold onto the House and not lose any more ground in the Senate, and open advocacy of Tea Party positions becomes even more of a risk.
The resignation of South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint from the Senate, which followed on the heels of Dick Armey's desertion, and the firing of Palin by Fox caught some by surprise. DeMint and Armey were two big fish in the Tea Party affiliated pond.
The current Tea Party's brand of patented loose cannon obstructionism is too threatening to a GOP still reeling from the election flop. The ouster of the Tea Party hardliners and desertions by GOP bigwigs from the movement can be the first rumbling that the lights are dimming for the Tea Party.
But the House of Representative still is not ready to do important work for the country. When Tea Party affiliated candidates scored big victories and even upset GOP incumbents in some races in 2010 they had one mantra and that was to shrink government, and shrink it fast. It's one thing to scream about big government, bloated federal spending, and whopping federal debts, and it's quite another to actually hold Congress and the nation hostage in an uncompromising way to chop down the government. The Tea Party has overreached and many Americans didn't like it.
They have blocked every piece of legislation that would put people back to work, demanded draconian slashes in Medicare and Social Security, and wasted congressional time and energy passing bills and amendments to kill health care reform, as well as education, health, social service and law enforcement programs. Congress was at a virtual stall for the last two years. Republican leadership has no guts to disavow the Tea Party beliefs and objectives because they and mainstream conservatives have allowed themselves to be taken hostage by these fools and clowns. So the GOP fear mongering for 2014 votes through racism, xenophobia and islamophobia rhetoric will continue. Republicans continued attacks of sexism and racism will not be changed with the current "soundbites" and "rebranding."
Alabama and Arizona are clear examples where Republican immigration backlash caused increased violence against Latinos (forget about Fox and Rubio talk, read the FBI and Southern Poverty Law Center reports).
Walt Hill
Petersburg, Va.
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As reported earlier, aside from hosting three title fights including a bantamweight championship bout between Evolve MMA's Leandro Issa and young Korean prodigy, Soo Chul Kim, ONE FC 6 will also host the opening round of their 8-man Bantamweight Grand Prix.
"The pool of talented Bantamweight fighters in Asia is fast increasing and I decided the best way to start choosing contenders for the title in the Bantamweight division was by putting on an eight-man Bantamweight Grand Prix." ONE FC CEO Victor Cui said, "We are bringing the best of the best from all over Asia and the world for the start of this historic tournament."
Five out of the eight participants on the tournament have been revealed today, and one of the more notable new signings is top Japanese bantamweight, and Bellator veteran, Masakatsu Ueda (15-2).
Ueda is a former Shooto champion who has notable wins over Royler Gracie, Kyoji Horiguchi, Rumina Sato, and Eduardo Dantas. He's a welcome addition to the promotion's burgeoning division, and will be taking on Road FC veteran, Min Jung Song at the opening round.
Another popular fighter joining the bantamweight tournament is Jens Pulver, who has been matched up against Chinese fighter, Zhao Ya Fei. After that back and forth battle against undefeated featherweight star, Eric Kelly, the former UFC champ will be looking to rebound as he drops back to 135 lbs for the Grand Prix.
Apart from the 4 fighters mentioned in Ueda, Pulver, Song, and Zhao, URCC Champion Kevin Belingon is also said to be joining the tournament. Three more competitors are yet to be announced for the 8-man tourney, but it is already shaping up to be one to look out for.
The opening round starts this October, and much like DREAM and PRIDE tourneys, both the semifinal and final rounds are likely to be hosted on the same night in a future event.
Check out the current ONE FC 6 fight card after the jump. Follow me on twitter -- @antontabuena.
ONE FC 6: Rise Of Kings
October 6, 2012 -- Singapore Indoor Stadium
- Shinya Aoki vs. Arnaud Lepont [Super-Fight]
- Zorobabel Moreira vs. Kotetsu Boku [Lightweight Championship]
- Honorio Banario vs. Bae Young Kwon [Featherweight Championship]
- Leandro Issa vs. Soo Chul Kim [Bantamweight Championship]
- Melvin Manhoef
- Radeem Rahman
Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals:
- Masakatsu Ueda vs. Min Jung Song
- Jens Pulver vs. Zhao Ya Fei
- Kevin Belingon


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- 4/24/14 /
- Comment
Watch a Video of Aaron Sorkin's Newsroom 'Apology'
"I didn't want to make up fake news."
Skip to content, or skip to search.
"I didn't want to make up fake news."
"I feel like I'm just now starting to learn how to write it."
"It's so gross."
"Let's just write it for ourselves. It's hard enough to get a job."
Plus: Seven great single episodes (or TV movies) you can find online.
This season of The Newsroom may as well have been its apology tour.
"That's what I've been told," says Thomas Sadoski.
It's the most exciting time of the year — Election Night.
Still no word from HBO, though.
Jerry Dantana, you devious bastard.
Over the past few weeks, The Newsroom has remade itself into good television on the fly. All it took was Jerry Dantana.
Particularly "epic fails."
What are we to make of Jerry Dantana?
"News Night With Will McAvoy" was the best Newsroom episode to date.
We've spent so much time talking about The Newsroom's women problem that we haven't talked about its race problem.
So much.
This episode showed what happens when our heroes try to recruit others into the NewsNight family.
Free Olivia from The Newsroom.
"The Genoa Tip" finds our heroes flailing through the cloudy waters of self-doubt.
On Jim and Maggie: "They're just so made for each other — they're the same person, basically."
Free Alison Pill!
We're back for season two, and Will is singing Rebecca Black.
In season one, The Newsroom was the most insufferable good show on TV. How do its new episodes look?
Well, everyone was shouting.
After a while, it gets eerily hypnotic.


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Can't believe an audio bite (can't find it yet) I just heard on ESPN's College Football Live program. Nick (not-so-quick) Saban was complaining about these "new offenses" that play so fast it's "endagering player safety". Can you believe that? He goes on to say with the offenses playing so fast the defense can't get set, get the right players in, etc. and that it makes the game unsafe for players that aren't ready to play.
It couldn't be because he recruits brutes that occasionally have the "vapors" due to not being in good enough shape to run down those "trick offenses"?
Methinks Coach Nick may be looking ahead and already finding excuses.


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September 28, 2012
S.C. veterans gather at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nineteen electric cooperatives joined Honor Flight of South Carolina yesterday to fly 85 veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorial built in their honor and other historic sites. It was the second co-op-sponsored flight this year in honor of South Carolinians who fought in World War II
S.C. veterans gather at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
"This is a generation of people who are leaving us too quickly," said Bill Dukes, Honor Flight of South Carolina president. "Their average age is over 88, so it's important that we honor them before we lose that opportunity."
In fact the oldest vet on this trip was 94, the youngest 82.
The trip, free to the veterans and paid for by 19 electric cooperatives in South Carolina, was part of a series of flights organized by Honor Flight of South Carolina, which has been arranging flights for veterans since 2008. This trip adds to the more than 81,000 veterans nationwide who have taken honor flights since 2005, when a small group of Ohio vets were ferried to Washington, D.C., in private planes.
"It's been a real blessing," said Dukes, referring to the cooperatives' underwriting of a second honor flight. "We've been able to reach a large number of rural veterans through these co-op-sponsored flights, vets who otherwise may not have heard of Honor Flight."
The one-day trip began with an 8 a.m. chartered flight from Columbia to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where giant water cannons created a ceremonial arc over the plane as it taxied to the gate. When they entered the terminal, veterans were greeted by a small brass band and women, dressed as war-era USO girls, who welcomed the vets in the airport. Scores of busy travelers stopped by the gate with well-wishes for the veterans, many of whom were greeted with cheers, hugs and handshakes.
From the airport, the veterans traveled directly to the World War II Memorial. Dedicated in 2004, the oval-shaped site includes 56 granite pillars, one for each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia. The granite for these pillars, known as "Kershaw" was quarried in South Carolina. Two-thirds of the 7.4-acre memorial site is landscaping and water.
During their stop at the Memorial, the vets took photos and shared stories. A bugler solemnly played "Taps" as the entire group gathered for a photograph underneath the South Carolina pillar. The American and South Carolina flags were presented.
After lunch, buses took the vets on a tour of Washington with stops at other memorials on the National Mall—Korea, Vietnam, and Lincoln—before they crossed the Potomac River and visited the Iwo Jima and Air Force Memorials. Upon arriving at Arlington National Cemetery, an escort took the buses into the cemetery—a special exception the cemetery makes for these aging visitors. They watched the military precision of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, the quiet reverence broken only by the relief commander's orders, the clicking of the soldiers' shoes and the snap of the rifles into place on their shoulders.
By 6:30 p.m., the Columbia-bound plane was in the air. In one final surprise, awaiting the veterans' return were hundreds of people who lined the airport terminal to give the vets a rousing welcome home. Among the dignitaries who were there to express their gratitude was South Carolina Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell.
"These two Honor Flights have been very rewarding for our family of electric cooperatives," said Mike Couick, CEO of the state association of electric cooperatives. "It's a humbling experience to spend time in the presence of these heroes' who've done so much for our state and country."
Readers may post words of appreciation to the veterans for their service at www.facebook.com/SouthCarolinaLiving.
The co-op's annual meeting takes place at the office on 2269 Jeffries Highway in Walterboro.
Registration is from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Business meeting starts at 10 a.m.
Washington Invasion Find out what happens when dozens of S.C. high school students take over Washington, D.C.


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This time of year "America's Resort," isn't just about the golf on the Old White but the live concerts featuring big name stars.
The Greenbrier Classic Concert Series started Thursday night in Farilea with Country Music Superstar Kenny Chesney.
A crowd of fans from all over were treated with a loud and fun Fourth of July performance that started in true Independence Day fashion with an honor to the troops.
Chesney faithful from Ohio and as far as South Carolina tailgated in the parking lot hours before the 8:30PM show.
Some were interested in the golf but blasting "Feel like a rock star," on their way to the concert was what all the riders of one red, white and blue graffitied van cared about.
"We're here for the Kenny, nothing else," said one fan stylized in denim short-shorts and leather cowboy boots.
The fans made their descent onto the lawn area while others walked to their reserved seating closer to the stage.
Lawn or not it's hard to believe there was really a bad seat at the venue considering the monstrous screens projecting Chesney's ever-present cowboy hat and sleeveless shirt as he sang into the Fourth of July night.
The show wrapped up just after 10:30PM and fans that decided to stick around were further entertained by a fireworks display to cap off the night.
Show number 2 for The Greenbrier Classic Concert series will feature "The Bad Boys from Boston," Aerosmith on Saturday July 6.


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Tiger Woods is coming back to the PGA next week to play in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, according to a tweet from the man himself:
Feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week. Excited to get back out there!
Two things: first, it's hilarious that he got the name wrong of the first tournament in which he's competing in months. Hilarious. For a guy who's had such a carefully crafted public image for so long, and who's desperately trying to gain back some sponsors, this is an A-plus slip-up, even though it's completely excusable considering how close he was.
Second, it'll be good to have Tiger back. Rory McIlroy's magical run at the U.S. Open was enough to briefly capture the golf world's imagination, but once he was out of the running of the British Open, folks went right back to not giving a damn about golf. Next week, that will change.


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|Shape: Square; Rectangle; Circle
|Color: Natural Wood
|Country of Manufacture: Canada
Questions & Answers
J.B. Poitras Laminate Top Classroom Table2
Exceptionally sturdy and well made.
RFB from Virginia– Verified Buyer
This table is for my grandson for Christmas. It is very high quality and is made like things in the "good old days". You could order the leg height you wanted which was one of the reasons I picked this specific table. I'm sure Sam will enjoy it. [...]
Anonymous from Washington
In 1986, the family business continued its growth and adapted their floor area to the needs of major chain stores. The acquisition of a CNC Wood machining center in 1995 has allowed J.B. Poitras to diversify their range of products and to meet the demands of the early learning market.
Germaine Poitras, the current president of the company, outlines J.B. Poitras' unwavering commitment to producing quality children's furniture:
Our mission:
Our products:
Our policy:


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EYEWITNESS LOCAL NEWSFamily Loses Mobile Home, Cat In Putnam County Blaze
from Eyewitness News Online
Reported: Apr. 8, 2014 8:55 AM EDT
Updated: Apr. 8, 2014 12:42 PM EDT
LIBERTY, W.Va. (Bob Aaron, Jeff Morris) -- A woman who lived in a trailer that was destroyed by a fire in Putnam County said she had left the residence to drop her 3-and-half-year-old son off at day care.
Becky Lane said someone else spotted the fire that occurred Tuesday morning in Liberty. She said she believes the family cat died in the blaze.
Meanwhile, Route 34 in in Liberty was shut down for a period due to the fire at the mobile home. Putnam 911 said the roadway has reopened.
Firefighters from Jackson, Kanawha and Putnam counties responded.
Send email to email@example.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.
Copyright ©2014, WCHS-TV8. Portions are Copyright 2014 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.
WCHS ABC 8 provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of events and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for Charleston and nearby towns and communities in the Tri-State area, including Huntington, Dunbar, Marmet, Montgomery, Nitro, South Charleston, St. Albans, Cedar Grove, Chesapeake, Clendenin, East Bank, Glasgow, Pratt, Cross Lanes, Elkview, Pinch, Sissonville, Big Chimney, Cabin Creek, Chelyan, Davis Creek, Institute, Jefferson, Loudendale, Mink Shoals, Pocatalico, Quick, Quincy, Rand, Buffalo, Eleanor, Hurricane, Nitro, Poca, Winfield, Culloden, Fraziers Bottom, Hometown, Red House, Scott Depot, Teays Valley, Danville, Madison, Hamlin, Logan, Chapmanville, Man, Delbarton, Kermit, Gilbert, Matewan, Williamson, Summersville, Richwood, Flatwoods, Gassaway, Sutton, Spencer, Ravenswood, Ripley, Mason, Point Pleasant, Ashland, Pikeville, Ironton, Portsmouth, Gallipolis, and Athens.


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Medieval Name Generator
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