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John Furlong's family issues statement in his defence
Editor's note: John Furlong's family issued today (January 23) a statement in response to allegations contained in a statement of defence filed in court by journalist Laura Robinson. Robinson is one of the parties being sued by Furlong over an article published by the Georgia Straight in September 2012. There's a separate claim of defamation against her in connection with an email sent to Own the Podium in November. What follows is the Furlong family's statement.
During the Olympic excitement three years ago, when John Furlong was finishing a decade of service to this country, we would never have imagined this day, stepping forward to defend our father. We, Maria, Johnnie, Damien, Emma, Molly, our mother Margaret, our step-mother Gail and our children -- 11 of them -- feel compelled to make a public statement. Serious, unsubstantiated allegations regarding abuse inside our family have been published. These shocking allegations are without merit and portray a character whom none of us recognizes. We are being subjected to shame and embarrassment by misuse of journalistic privilege and license. Imagine trying to explain to your nine year old child that an adult in a position of power has written that Grandpa is a racist, a wife-beater and a rapist because of what appears to be personal enmity. This is not objective journalism, but self-serving, sensationalistic misuse of the media. Obscene accusations and innuendo have now been printed nation-wide and nothing could possibly undo that. The public should be deeply concerned at the power of a single journalist whose words can smash into a family like a wrecking-ball.
We politely ask that you respect our privacy as this will be our only statement.
The Furlong Family
They claim that the allegations are "without merit". They allege "misuse of journalistic privilege" and "personal enmity" They accuse the original author of "self-serving, sensationlistic misuse of the media" and of "obscene accusations and innuendo".
Unfortunately, until this matter has gone to court - and until the police investigation is finished - the family's "rant" has no value. In fact, it may well come back to haunt them if John Furlong's lawsuit is unsuccessful.
You can't beat name-calling with retaliatory name-calling, folks ... and you certainly can't demand privacy when you make a very public statement.
My advice is that you keep quiet and let the legal system run its course.
Witch hunts (see the Star and its single-minded ongoing vendetta against Mayor Rob Ford), incitement (see CBC fan the flames of INM), slander bordering on libellous, outing, public castigation, unfortunately have become acceptable, and these attention, ratings seeking chuckleheads are not being held accountable.
PS: I live out west and I am not a Rob Ford fan.
"Scurrilous atatments", "unprincipled reporters", "witch hunts", "vendetta", "incitement", "slander bordering on libellous", "outing", "public castigation"
One can only wonder why an internet hero like you shouldn't be sued. Got some liability insurance, hero?
I do not know what the truth is in this case. Allegations were made in the original news reports. Further allegations are made in court documents. Denials have been made in public and in court documents. None of it has been tested in court, through examination and cross-examination. The family members purportedly making this statement today are not part of that proceeding.
I wonder why Mr. Furlong is fighting this out in public beforehand. The downside is that it allows the purportedly defamatory accusations to be rebroadcast over and over again in the form of legal reporting.
Is he hoping the defendants (particularly Ms. Robinson) will make further public statements that are defamatory, to strengthen his case in court? On the other hand, the back accusations against Ms. Robinson may strengthen her counterclaim. It is clever that it is done through non-parties to the court proceeding. The end result depends what is proven in court.
Defamation in Canada now includes a defence of responsible communication, which protects against false statements as long as the writer was diligent, in all the circumstances, in verifying the allegedly defamatory comments.
Winning public sympathy won't win the court case. At present, I would not be surprised if this case turned out like the Dering v. Uris defamation suit, which Leon Uris turned into fiction in his novel QB VII. Dr. Deering proved defamation, yet won only damages of a half penny. He hadn't performed 17,000 surgeries without anesthetic at Auschwitz that he was accused of, but had participated in unnecessary sterilizations and other operations.
It remains to be seen what will happen in this case.
Furlong had a great gravy train job, this is just payback entertainment for the taxpayers.
Here's to you Miss Robinson
Just as there are those who will automatically assume the highly placed white guy is guilty of abusing his power, there are also those who will automatically assume that the Aboriginal people who cry foul are guilty of exploiting the system. Anyone who thinks that Furlong's is the only reputation on the line likely hasn't ever had the experience of speaking up and getting involved in a public dispute.
I've had that experience, and it was because I thought I needed to do the right thing. There was nothing in it for me except the feeling that I'd followed my conscience. I was exposed to ridicule, frozen out at my workplace, denounced by former friends and suffered losses to my professional status and opportunities. All because I had the nerve to speak my truth.
Thank you, 2010 Olympics and your affiliated corporate bodies for the following:
Thank you for blaring those nuclear-strength lasers into the sky, without any warning, on one of those rare clear nights when even I was able to locate the Pleiades with my naked eyes whilst standing right at the edge of the sea. Thank you for drowning out the stars and ruining a minor epiphany, something which the Caligulas and Neros of old were incapable of doing. In the near future, oligarchs will beam high-powered slogans into the night sky on a regular basis, a horror Orwell never imagined.
Thank you for installing all of those surveillance cameras throughout the city and leaving them here. Never again can one just simply loiter under an awning for more than 2 minutes during a heavy rainfall humming a little ditty to oneself without being hassled by an embittered security guard. Suspicious behaviour. Mon Dieu!
Thank you for the security blockades which were set up everywhere, especially near the public library. Thank you to the mob which collectively tittered and hissed as you saw me approaching while I was carrying a stack of overdue library books. Books! Thanks for moving in upon me and thank you to the cop for escorting me through until I found the courage to clear my own path through that gauntlet of morons.
Such things can break one's precious little heart and even worse, divert one's mind to thoughts awfully grave. Why go to that dark place? The most practical solution, I'd say, is to defiantly cultivate a sense of humour about the absurdities inherent in fascism. Like that merry prankster who had the Promethean audacity to "steal" some light from the Olympian flame in Gastown. His time here was so fleeting but it was a life well lived, wasn't it?


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The highly advanced iPhone 5s features the A7 chip with 64-bit architecture, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a new 8-megapixel iSight camera, a new FaceTime HD camera, ultrafast LTE wireless, iOS 7, and iCloud. Yet it's as thin and light as ever.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: SAVE 10% ON THE iPhone 5s 16GB FOR A LIMITED TIME.
1 Requires a FaceTime-enabled device. Availability over cellular depends on carrier policies; data charges may apply.
2 App count refers to the total number of apps worldwide.
TM and © 2013 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


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The pituitary gland is found at the base of the brain. It produces several important hormones that control the production of other hormones made by glands in the body. In panhypopituitarism, the gland produces an insufficient amount of hormones.
This condition is most often caused by damage to the gland. In adults, it is usually a result of pituitary surgery. In children, damage to the pituitary gland may be caused by:
Risk Factors
These risk factors increase your chance of developing panhypopituitarism. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
- Damage to the pituitary gland (eg, trauma, radiation, cancer spread, postpartum hemorrhage )
- Tumor on the pituitary gland
Compression of the Tumor
Compression of the tumor on local structures, especially the nerves of the eyes, can cause:
- Blurred vision
- Loss of visual field
- Poor temperature control
Insufficient Hormones
Insufficient levels of gonadotropins
can cause:
- In premenopausal women: missed menstrual cycles, infertility , osteoporosis , vaginal dryness, loss or reduction in female characteristics
- In men: impotence , reduced size of testes, decreased production of sperm, infertility , breast enlargement, reduced muscle mass, loss or reduction in male characteristics (eg, beard growth)
Insufficient levels of growth hormone
can cause:
- In children: stunted growth or dwarfism
- In adults: weakness, obesity , reduced cardiac output, low blood sugar levels, and reduced exercise tolerance
Insufficient levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones
can lead to:
- Underactive thyroid , which causes confusion, hair loss, weakness, slow heart rate, muscle stiffness, intolerance to cold, constipation , weight gain, and dry skin
Insufficient corticotrophic levels
can lead to:
- Underactive adrenal gland, which causes low blood pressure, low blood sugar , fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, and low stress tolerance—This can be life-threatening.
Excessive prolactin levels
can cause:
- In women: missed periods, infertility, and milk secretion
- In men: reduced facial and body hair, small testes
- Insufficient antidiuretic hormone (rare) can cause:
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Night-time urination
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
- MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
- Blood tests—Blood tests—to measure pituitary, as well as target gland hormone levels
- Stimulation tests—to test the maximum capacity of the endocrine glands, usually of the pituitary gland
- Semen analysis—in males suspected of infertility
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. The goal of treatment is to restore normal blood hormone levels of thyroid, adrenal, estrogen or testosterone, and sometimes growth hormone.
Treatment options include:
- Hormone replacement therapy—based on what types of hormones are missing
- Tumor removal—done if the cause of the damage is a tumor
- Radiation therapy —done if the cause of the damage is a cancer or tumor


text: Ninety-eight round diamonds, at approximately .43 carat total weight, will perfectly highlight the princess cut center stone of your choice at approximately .75 carat in this vintage inspired halo wedding set. These dazzling gems are set in quality platinum with milgrain detailing and a split shank design. Please contact a customer service representative for additional questions regarding your center stone selection.


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Civilization & Its Discontents
Sometimes the lofty are rather low. Paul in writing to the Corinthians enjoins them, and therefore us, to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God." Though the giddy optimism of our Enlightenment fathers has dimmed …Read More
Not of this World
By almost any modern definition, Jan Comenius (1592–1670) was anything but a success. Though Herman Bavink called him "the greatest figure of the second generation of reformers" he is practically forgotten today. Though Andrew Bonar said he was "the truest …Read More
Last Things First
It is a commonly held notion among Christians today that if you want to avoid an argument in polite Christian company, don't talk about eschatology. Well, the sentiment to avoid arguing with a Christian brother or sister may be commendable, …Read More
Forever Mercy
The human condition cries out for mercy. Indeed, humanity is inherently aware of its fallen, sinful condition. Scripture tells us that unbelievers actively repress the truth about their own fallen states. Humanity possesses an awareness of its need for grace, …Read More
God's Rest for God's People
How accurately Saint Augustine expressed the usually unexpressed, but deepest desire of every human heart: "Lord, thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee" (Confessions, Book 1). The restless heart …Read More
Sabbath Rest
The anonymous author of Hebrews found different ways of describing the superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them, which forms the underlying motif of chapters 3 and 4, is that Jesus Christ gives the rest that neither Moses …Read More
The New Day
And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Rev. 21:5). Surely, if this language of the risen, glorified Lord …Read More
The Reversal of the Curse
God promises us "a new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1). Some people leap to the conclusion that God will simply throw the present creation onto the scrap heap, so to speak, and start over again from scratch. But …Read More
The New Creation
Christianity affirms the material order. In creation God made the physical world (Gen. 1) and man with a tangible body (Gen. 2:7). In redemption God effects the incarnation of Christ (Heb. 2:14) and His physical resurrection (Luke 24:39). We should …Read More
"I Believe in the Life Everlasting"
His name is "Beechie." Recently he surprised us with a serendipitous visit. He called to say he was in Orlando with part of his family and asked if he could make an impromptu visit to our home. We responded with …Read More
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text:
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text:
Airport Moscow
Sheremetyevo International Airport is the second largest airport in Russia, its five terminals visited by more than 10 million passengers every six months. Moscow is 29 km (18 miles) away to the south-east, a 35-minute journey by train.
Distance from city centre
29 km (18 miles) north-west of Moscow, 11 km from the MKAD outer-city ring road.
Airport parking
All of the airport's terminals have convenient car parks for short- and long-term stays: the BRK car park at Terminal F allows the first 15 minutes free, and the Terminal C Vinci Park will give you five minutes. Elsewhere, expect to pay anything from 10 rubles per hour (Autosher, Terminal F) to 150 rubles (BRK, Terminal F).
Aerotranservice (Terminal B) offers free transfers between Terminals B and F, while Parking S, Amediaconsul, and Autosher (all at Terminal B) offer free transfers to all terminals.
The Galaks facility at the cargo terminal offers free transfers to Terminals B and F: and parking rates are a bargain at 20 rubles per hour.
Specific airport features
A transit visa is required if your flight connection exceeds 24 hours, or if you are travelling to any destination via Belarus.
Moscow's other international gateway is Domodedovo International Airport. Moscow's three main airports – Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo – share the IATA area code MOW.
Airport code
Airport telephone number
+7 (8) 495 232 65 65/(8) 800 100 65 65. Dial 8 if calling within Russia, or if calling from any number with a "499" Moscow code.
Airport website
KLM operates out of Terminal E, with flights bound for Dutch destinations. Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol to connect with long-haul and pan-European flights.
No. of terminals
Five – terminals B, C, D, E and F.
Transport between terminals
Shuttle buses transfer passengers free of charge from Terminals B and C to Terminal E, while a further electric walkway takes passengers from Terminal D to E. Take official claims of short transfer times with a pinch of salt: delays of up to two hours have been reported.
Terminal B
Terminal B (formerly Sheremetyevo-1) handles domestic flights and destinations in the former Soviet Union.
Terminal C
A limited number of short-haul regional and European flights operate from Terminal C.
Terminal D
Terminal D (formerly Sheremetyevo-3) handles domestic and international flights.
Terminal E
Terminal E handles long-haul and international flights.
Terminal F
The majority of international flights operate from Terminal F (formerly Sheremetyevo-2).


text:
The perfect 'grab it and go' travel piece, the Square Organizer from Trina allows you to carry bottles, makeup and much, much more. No need to bother with shoving your products into tiny bottles - who needs the hassle? Jet-set with ease, knowing your beauty essentials are locked down and under control!
Brand: Trina
Origin: Imported
With over 60 years on the market, TRINA knows bags. Founded at the intersection of fashion and function in the 1940s, the brand has built a reputation on beautiful and innovative cosmetic accessories, re-emerging in the last six years to become the industry leader in couture design in cosmetic bags and travel organizers.


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THE COMBO PAK – 5 HAT TEARS & 5 PETE'S PURSES Handmade in the U.S.A. Due to popular demand, we are now making available "THE COMBO PAK" (5 Hat Tears and 5 Pete's Purses). The basic effect: After you tear the paper and produce the hat and place it on the spectators head, take the unused paper from the spectator and it transforms into a "PURSE" which is also given to the spectator. A Hershey's Kiss®, $1.00 bill, or any small object can then be produced from the purse. Ideal for adult and kid shows. Performed by the likes of Peter the Near Great, Mac King and others. Pete's complete routine is included. A five minute routine of audience participation and fun. Enough hats and purses for five performances – all for only $14.95. Handmade in the U.S.A. Colors may vary.
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Processing Time - Orders typically ship in 2-5 business days. Transit via UPS Ground can take up to 6 business days. Braided and custom-made products may take 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Free Shipping to Contiguous United States - We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii or the Caribbean Islands at this time.
Oversized items - Orders that ship freight may take up to 2 weeks from shipment date to be delivered. You will be contacted by the trucking company to schedule a delivery appointment.
Shipping to Canada - Orders shipping to Canada will be subject to a 15% shipping surcharge fee. The shipping surcharge does not cover duties, customs, taxes or brokerage fees which may be charged to you by the shipping courier at time of delivery. At this time we are not shipping to Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Canada.
Pin It | Houzz |
Ligne Vitalize 185001 Hibiscus Rug
Item #: 366185001100-P Add to Wishlist
Features: This product has the following features:
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- Brand: Ligne
- Material: 100% Wool
- Weave: Hand Tufted
- Styles: Contemporary Rugs
- Available in the following sizes: 2' x 3' 11", 4' 7'' x 6' 7'', 5' 7" x 7' 10", 6' 7'' x 9' 10'' and 8' 2'' x 11' 6''
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Beautiful rug - outstanding quality. However, the picture color is not even close to the real thing. The picture shows as a pale green, even though the color is listed as "Ivory". I had seen this rug in several pictures on the manufacturer's own website, so I took a chance that Ivory did not mean Green. RugsUSA should find a new image immediately, as the image they use is flat out WRONG. Finally, the rug is more of a multi-toned light greyish-beige with ivory highlights. It works fine where I have it at home, but be aware it is only part ivory.
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text:
Dr. Phil wrote:Thanks RSM, I put a lot of work into these levels (most of them) and this thread. It is always a shame that older levels get swept under the rug and new FC users never get to experience them. Not just mine, but everyone's older levels. I havn't solved many of them, so maybe some day I will go back and do that.
Yeah, I never post my levels in my own set without solving them first. I gave tennis a level today because I couldn't solve it myself


text:
Madeline Weinrib - Allemande Wallpaper - $650 per set (Each set contains two rolls that are each 27"w x 180"l (10 yds total in a set). Black and white hand painted floral brocade design)(above)
She is known for her line of high end rugs, furniture, pillows and textiles...now the grand daughter of the famed ABC Carpet & Home founder Max Weinrib has her own wallpaper design. This is Madeline Weinrib's first wallpaper - it is called Allemande. It is handpainted and inspired by French brocade patterns.
Could possibly work well in a bedroom or hallway or bath or on a feature wall. A neutral brocade design of sorts. Lauren from Madeline Weinrib is sending me a photo of it once it is up in the store...can't wait to see!
What do you think of this new Madeline Weinrib wallpaper design?
P.S. Visit the COCOCOZY FACEBOOK PAGE and give it a "like" if you do like. Also please suggest to friends! Will do a special giveaway for Facebook fans only when we reach 1000. Also, see Cococozy Facebook extras and weigh in on what you think of the latest decor and design finds!


text:
What happens when the disaster strikes the father? Who then gives out the securing hugs and reassuring smile?
For Marvin Davis, 39, of Renova it has been his lovely wife Vanessa and their unconditional love and faith which has held their family together while Marvin has been going through renal failure.
Because of the circumstances surrounding Marvin and Vanessa along with their children Tia, 15 and twin daughters Tamera and Tia, both 10, concerned citizens of Bolivar County will sponsor a benefit program at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 at the United Baptist Church in Cleveland.
The kidney foundation will assist each patient only once a year financially with $100.00. Wherever Marvin has his transplant, he and his wife will have to stay in a hotel for several weeks. Therefore they are in need of financial support.
A special bank account has been set up at Regions Bank in Cleveland for Vanessa Davis/The Davis Family Fund. You can also mail you donation to Davis Family Fund, P.O. Box 1721, Cleveland, MS 38732.
"The benefit program is something that God laid on the heart of Ola Kirk who is a member of St. Peter's Rock Church. Her idea went hand in hand with Delores Johnson, Johnnie Ruth Stewart and Mary Williams who were all thinking about the same thing. They had a discussion and the Holy Spirit agreed and so they're all coming together with others to try and raise funds to help our family," said Vanessa.
Before experiencing renal failure, Marvin was a very active man in the community. He was employed with Cleveland Crisis Intervention, but due to his condition he is no longer able to maintain his job. Marvin undergoes dialysis treatment three times a week for 4.25 hours each visit.
Currently Davis is on the transplant list in New Orleans and waiting to be called. He is in the process of being listed in Jackson, Alabama and Nashville.
For Davis life changed on Aug. 29, 2010 when he visited the doctor and found that what he thought were flu like symptoms was actually something more serious.
He was hospitalized on Sept. 23 at Bolivar Medical, but prior to that he had kidney scans done, but because his insurance wouldn't pay for it he opted to self medicate instead of going back to the doctor.
"I tried to avoid it, but you know your body. I couldn't lie down and sleep, I had to sit in chairs and go to sleep. Honestly I was in denial, scared and just didn't want to believe it. When I saw my regular doctor and he told me there wasn't anything he could do for me I wanted to give up," said Marvin.
Although the news for Davis was devastating, the faith he and Vanessa walk in kicked in immediately and they knew to turn to God.
"It was tough because Marvin didn't want to leave his job. Any real man doesn't want to be a burden on his family. He wanted to provide for his family and with him having to leave the job he didn't want to burden us. I told him that there's no I in team and that we're in this together," said Vanessa.
While dealing with his renal failure, Marvin and Vanessa have never stopped operating in faith and prayer.
"The first thing that kicks in when you find out something like this is fear, but when you are a family of faith the next step is understanding that you have to trust and believe in God. I have seen a lot of people just give up. I've heard them say, 'I'm tired and I can't go through this' and they do. At 39 I have to believe I can get a kidney, you have to believe that God will make a way for you," said Marvin.
Throughout the ordeal, Marvin said he understands now that he had to go through this.
"I look at it like this. I love my enemies and I haven't done anybody wrong so I know God is putting me through this for a reason. I feel like Job. If God is putting me through this I know he will see me through it," Marvin said.
For Marvin life has always been about being as positive as you can and helping as many people as you can, so it comes as no surprise as that as soon as he walked through the doors of Cleveland Renal Care he was named the patient advocate and the Network 8 representative for the center.
"I represent a region," said Marvin. I don't feel like it's a job, I feel like God placed me in this dialysis unit for a reason. I'm here to help people. Each and every day I go I try to encourage somebody to do the time and get clean and to keep going. If God can do it for me I need to make sure I do it for someone else," Marvin added.
Vanessa said looking at how her husband has handled his situation makes her proud.
"He gives me strength. Some days he's tired and he gets weak. When there are people who sit next to him during dialysis and he gains close relationships with them and they die, it puts a damper on his spirit and I have to be there for him to let him know that you're here and until your mission is complete you're not going anywhere," said Vanessa.
Marvin believes that the family is prepared to deal with any and every obstacle that comes their way and he believes that helping his wife when she was ill help prepare him for what he's dealing with now.
In 2006 Vanessa was diagnosed with Chiari malformation decompression and had two vertebrae removed along with a portion of her cranium.
"A portion of my brain had scooped into my neck socket. They said the surgery was successful, but I'm still dealing with the migraines headaches," said Vanessa.
To deal with Marvin's health issues and Vanessa's, Marvin suggests that you have to be in control.
"You can't just put it in auto-pilot, you have to be in control. My happiness will always outweigh my unhappiness, but in order to do that you must stay prayerful and trust God. You have to have a solid foundation. We are not going to let the devil in our circle because we are in control," Marvin pointed out.


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Pope Benedict XVI gave this speech to the United Nations' General Assembly on April 18, 2008.
Speaker: Pope Benedict XVI
Published April 18, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI gave this speech to the United Nations' General Assembly on April 18, 2008.
Maximalist finds lessons in the past that anticipate and clarify our chaotic present, revealing the history of U.S. foreign policy in an unexpected new light. More
This clear and authoritative book presents a sweeping account of China's global resource quest and the unrivaled expansion of its economy. More
The story of the tragic and often tormented relationship between the United States and Pakistan, and a call to prepare for the worst, aim for the best, and avoid past mistakes. More
Rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries are increasing faster than in wealthier countries. The Independent Task Force outlines a plan for collective action on this growing epidemic.
This Independent Task Force asserts that elevating and prioritizing the U.S.-Canada-Mexico relationship offers the best opportunity for strengthening the United States and its place in the world.
Pope Benedict XVI's gave these remarks at his final General Audience on February 27, 2013, at St. Peter's Square.


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Capel Sherwood Forest 980 Pine Wood Rug
Item #: 1520980150-P Add to Wishlist
Description: Capel sturdy wool blend is inspired by the ruggedly beautiful mountain country. Beauty, warmth and carefree enjoyment. 100% reversible. Vacuum regularly. Surface shampoo. Dry flat. Made in the USA.
- Collection: Sherwood Forest
- Brand: Capel
- Material: 50% Wool, 45% Nylon, 5% Misc.
- Weave: Hand Braided
- Styles: Casual Rugs
- Origin: USA
- Available in the following sizes: 3' Round, 5' 6" Round, 7' 6" Round, 8' 6" Round, 9' 6" Round, 3' x 5' Oval, 4' x 6' Oval, 5' x 8' Oval, 7' x 9' Oval, 8' x 11' Oval, 9' 2" x 13' 2" Oval, 11' 4" x 14' 4" Oval, 2' x 8' and 2' 3" x 9'
The colors are beautiful and the rug is soft and well-made. I was excited when arrived in time for the holidays
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RECOMMENDED: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.Fast delivery; product as described. One loose spot of yarn, but shouldn't hurt the integrity of the rug.
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Received two of the Bear Creek rugs in the hunter green. They arrived very timely and are exactly as described. The rugs layed down right away and look great!
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Set and match.
wat a fucken moron
If hes President i should be a fucken god
Bush in Drag - Middle in White - Yale
There are those who said this day would nerver come...What are they to say now ?
I pledge allegiance...
bushisms.. gotta love them.
laughing at Katrina victim
Fly's open
squeezing the life out of a turkey
The missing link!
good caption
Bush is a sexy bey-atch!
miserable failure
talking on the phone
W - Proving every stupid liberal who voted for John Kerry wrong by winning the majority of the vote. Put an end to all those talks of "he was never voted into office".
George W. Bush looking very presidential
Bush looking through binoculars with lens cap off.
Bush reading right-side-up (un-tampered version)
What Bush thinks of the general public
George W. Bush - President of the United States
Deja Vu?
Europeans Understand!
A grateful turkey shows its appreciation after Bush granted it clemency.
George Talibush Laden
A popular shirt in my town.
Like father, like son.
Bush Reading Upside Down
Dumbass Dubya
take the lens off stupid!
too lame to be lazy...
george is cool...
George W. Bush


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Join Bill Kurtis weekdays from 2 PM to 7 PM on Waly 103.9!
Be part of THE AT-WORK NETWORK with Bill Kurtis weekday afternoons. Just let Bill know that you're listening wherever you work during your workday, whether it's just you or the whole gang! Bill would love to give you a "shoutout" throughout the year and enter you into contests for members of the At-Work Network!
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At 2:15, don't miss "The Daily Dish" with the most delcious celebrity dirt of the day! "The Daily Dish", ...because gossip is best served hot on WALY 103.9!
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At 4:15, It's "INSIDE THE MUSIC" with Bill Kurtis, as he shares a deeper look at a song and artist from the 80's, 90's or today! You'll hear some unique facts and trivia about the song and/or artist, which you'll enjoy sharing with your family and friends! Bill often has a chance to win some terrific prizes as well, so don't miss it!
At 5:00 It's "Five for 5 ...On The Drive!" ...five great songs in a row for your drive home with THE #5 Flashback Song ALWAYS a great surprise! Bill will accept your requests and suggestions for the #5 Flashback song via email at: email@example.com. Let Bill know too if you have a special Birthday or Anniversary coming up. Remember to provide your first name, where you are from, the song and artist you are requesting and a very short line or two as to WHY you want to hear the song. Give him this info. well in advance as Bill will use these for future dates!


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/ Masala Chai Tea Concentrate, Organic
Masala Chai Tea Concentrate
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*PLEASE NOTE* Due to the weight of Chai Concentrate, the cost to ship it is very high. We must limit orders to a maximum of 5 boxes purchased per order.
An energizing and rich blend of fresh spices and real vanilla, slow brewed with a full-bodied organic wild-grown black tea.
Ingredients: An infusion of (filtered water, organic black tea, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, organic black pepper, organic cloves, organic ginger), organic dried cane syrup, organic blackstrap molasses, organic vanilla extract, organic lemon juice.
Additional Info: Organic • Kosher • Wild-grown, Single origin tea • Micro-brewed • Fat free • Gluten-Free • Vegan
32 Ounces; 8 Servings in each carton.
Stovetop: Shake well. Mix equal parts of Masala Chai and milk in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and enjoy!
Iced Chai: Shake well. Mix equal parts Masala Chai and milk, pour over ice and enjoy!
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By Dawn on August 31, 2012
Toronto, ON Canada
I have never been a tea drinker. A friend suggested I try this tea with vanilla flavor soy milk.. it's incredible. Drink hot or cold. Can't go a day without one!! Enjoy!
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By Leigh D on September 13, 2012
Boise, ID United States
I had this Chai at a coffeehouse in Milwaukee and it blew me away! So flavorful & spicy. I purchased a carton of the concentrate on the spot to have for the rest of my visit. Sadly, I could not take it home with me on the plane! I hope I can find some locally to my home in Boise. It's hard to go back to Tazo or Oregon Chai after tasting Rishi.
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By Sarah on October 23, 2012
Milwaukee, WI United States
I bought a chai tea from the coffee shop on my campus, it was so good I asked them what they used and it was this. Best chai I have ever had.
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The best chai
By Maria on January 16, 2013
ann arbor, MI United States
I love this chai. I buy cases and cases of it because it's so delicious. Too bad it's hard to find...
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Iced Chai
Shake well. Mix equal parts Masala Chai and milk, pour over ice and enjoy!
Chai Shake
(Yield: one serving)
1/2 cup of Rishi Masala Chai Concentrate
3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
dash of cinnamon for garnish
Combine Rishi Masala Chai Concentrate and ice cream in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass, sprinkle cinnamon on top and serve.
Chai Ice Cream
5 Cups (10 Servings)
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup granulated sugar
pinch salt
2 cups heavy cream
10 tablespoons Rishi Masala Chai Concentrate
In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer on low speed or whisk to combine the milk, sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream and Rishi Masala Chai Concentrate. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours, or overnight. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and let mix until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.
We Also Recommend
Vanilla Mint Chai Tea Blend
Green Tea Chai Blend
Masala Chai Tea Blend
West Cape Chai Caffeine-Free Tea Blend


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This is a medium weight cotton poly satin with a light stretch. Great for dresses and other structured garments.
Color: CHOCOLATE 10
Width: 58"
Content: 60% COTTON, 3% LYCRA, 37% POLYESTER
Learn about fabric careHOW TO CARE FOR POLYESTER FABRICS: Machine wash warm or cold, tumble-dry low. If ironing is needed, iron on a low temperature. Mood strongly recommends test-laundering a swatch, if you plan to wash your garment or home furnishings yourself.


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Go ahead, try to stump Peter Whitely, bartender extraordinaire for the Cà d'Zan Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Algonquin? No problem. Caribbean Cowboy? Coming right up. The affable 45-year-old has been tending bar since his college days, and when he ran out of cocktails to memorize, he started concocting his own. An avid mixologist, Whitely invented most of the Cà d'Zan's specialty martinis and is currently compiling a book of martini recipes.
Drink me. His award-winning chocolate martini comes in a Swiss chocolate-rimmed glass filled with vanilla Stoli, two Godiva liqueurs and a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream for a frothy top layer-which he garnishes with messages ("Happy Anniversary!") written in Swiss chocolate ganache. Shaken not stirred? Au contraire, Mr. Bond. Traditional martinis should be stirred with a metal spoon-16 times counter-clockwise, if you want to be a stickler. Shaking supposedly "bruises the gin"-damaging the spirit's delicate molecule-but mostly, he says, it makes for a watered-down martini. Don't cut corners: Good cocktails require high-quality ingredients: top-shelf liquors, homemade mixes and extremely fresh garnishes. He makes the bar's sour mix from scratch, and his homemade blue cheese-stuffed olives are Cà d'Zan favorites. No jigger needed: To free-pour with precision, know the speed of your spout, the viscosity of the liquor, and practice, practice, practice. "I can pour to one-quarter ounce. My elbow is calibrated daily," says Whitely. It's personal: "Take care of your guests, and they'll take care of you." When he's behind the bar, Cà d'Zan regulars have their drinks before they get to their chairs. Listen up: Bartenders should be first-class confidantes. "I've seen just about anything you can imagine." But don't ask for tales-his lips are sealed.
Growing up "disconnected from agriculture" in suburban Coral Gables, Fla., Eva Worden grew fascinated with the origins of food when her parents planted a fruit grove. In 2003, she and her husband started Punta Gorda's Worden Farm, one of just a few certified organic producers in Southwest Florida. Through farm memberships, newsletters, workshops and the downtown Sarasota Farmer's Market, Worden, now mother of a toddler, works tirelessly to bring people closer to the things they eat.
Education: M.S. in horticulture from University of Maryland; doctorate in ecosystem management and agri-ecology from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Got that wrong: "Some people think organic farming is basically neglecting crops-'Oh, they don't use fertilizer, they don't use pesticides, they don't control the weeds.' Organic farming often requires more intensive management than conventional farming, because we're not relying on chemicals to do the work." Setbacks: Hurricane Charley destroyed the Wordens' new barn in 2004. They rebuilt it, following the example of Eva's parents, who "did what they had to do" to recover after Hurricane Andrew ravaged their grove in 1992. And weather is "major," she says. "We get frosts and we're out at 3 in the morning running the overhead irrigation. Healthy hint: "Plan meals seasonally based on what's freshest. You'll get the best product and the best price, and you'll also get the connection to the natural world." Ask your produce supplier: "When was this harvested? What's the best way to store this?"
Inspired by the classic Italian enoteca, or casual wine café, chef Cliff Whatmore, owner of Southgate Gourmet, sees his restaurant/market as an epicurean experience "without the formal pretense." Having pursued his culinary passion around the globe-even studying tribal cooking in Indonesia-the one-time philosophy student preaches simplicity as the path to perfection. "I don't want to make it look fancy," he says. "I want to know how your grandmother does it."
Under pressure: Among Southgate Gourmet's featured techniques, sous vide (literally, "under vacuum") enhances flavors by sealing ingredients in an airtight bag and cooking them at a low temperature. Cutting edge: A stickler for good knives, Whatmore prefers the precision of a Nenox with custom-blended steel and a custom-fabricated handle. "We're not in hack-and-chop mode here. I like delicate work." Simplify: Buy ingredients in season. "Get the best price you can, cook them simply, try not to screw them up." Worst trend: Additive overuse. "I don't want to go into a restaurant and hear about someone experimenting with transglutimase." Real organic: Acquiring organic certification can be prohibitively expensive for small farms-and certification still allows for a variety of farming techniques. Whatmore researches his suppliers, certified or not. "I can talk to them, see what they're doing, and I trust their definition [of organic]." What's the beef? Black Angus beef is becoming the gold standard, but a cow whose hide is 51 percent black can be certified Angus, he warns. Without a trustworthy supplier, your Angus steak might actually have come from a predominantly black Holstein.
Though Jeff Rubin boasts a palate with a "photographic memory" and is on a first-name basis with the top vintners in Napa, the owner of the Rosemary District's Vin Cella and founder of the Florida Wine Club is no snob. "If you want to put ice in your Bordeaux, that's fine," he insists. "Wine is supposed to be fun."
From Napa with love: Having visited California extensively, he created the Florida Wine Club to bring top, hard-to-find California wines to Floridians. "It's very costly to have a great selection of wines from all over the world. [The club offers] high quality in a more focused grouping." Tasting 101: "Trust your palate. If you like a wine, it's good." Don't forget to take notes. Pet peeve: "People thinking wine is some kind of pompous exercise." Good timing: Wine that's spent too long in the bottle tastes oxidized-"no electricity, no verve." Immature wine tastes tannic and astringent. Err on the side of opening a bottle too soon; just airing it out "will have the same effect as letting it sit in your cellar for 10 years." Pairings: "I wouldn't drink a $200, 1982 first-growth Bordeaux at the family barbecue; I'd drink that young zinfandel that's a fraction of the price but just as good. You need to match the wine to the setting, to the meal, to the company, to the mood that you're in." Best corkscrew: The "fool-proof" Rabbit. Most controversial trend: The screw top. "People need to get over the idea that it's inferior." Someday he'll sip: The Domaine De La Romanee Conti Romanee Conti. "It's my golden fleece. If someone wanted $3,000 for it, I'd have to break the piggy bank."


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Oldrich Muller
VP, Business Governance and Operations
Oldrich joined AVG in 2002 and is currently responsible for business governance, program management, risk management, and production prioritization. His responsibilities also extend to heading M&A operations, IT operations, information security, and facilities management. Prior to this position, Oldrich served as Chief of Staff to the CEO for 2 years. Oldrich has a deep knowledge of the industry and environment, as well as a strong background in commercial and technical product management and program management. Oldrich's credo is: "Focus on what matters and always establish an environment in which your colleagues can succeed."


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Friday, June 27, 2014
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Wednesday, January 28, 2015 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Girl Awards
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts. Come learn about the requirements, council procedures, and tips on making your Gold Award experience successful and rewarding. This workshop is mandatory for anyone...
Thursday, January 29, 2015 | 10:00am - 12:30pm | Training
Prerequisite: Must have completed Basic Leadership Training.For more information, please contact the Training Department at email@example.com.
Friday, January 30, 2015 | 10:00am - 11:00am | Girl Awards
Leaders and Co-Leaders, learn about the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout Cadette can earn from, the comfort of your own computer screen. You will learn the requirements, council procedures and tips on how...
Saturday, January 31, 2015 | 10:00am - 12:00pm | STEM | FULL
Brownies! Put your engineering skills to the test as you learn the function of gears, pulleys, levers, and motors to build working motorized LEGO machines. You will work with partners to build a remote-controlled hrose and...
Saturday, January 31, 2015 | 1:00pm - 3:00pm | STEM | CLOSED
Juniors! Put your engineering skills to the test as you learn the function of gears, pulleys, leavers, and motors to build working motorized LEGO machines. You will work with partners to build a loop-de-loop roller coaster and...
Saturday, January 31, 2015 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Healthy Living
This Brownie program will stress the importance of awareness and setting appropriate boundaries in a fun, interactive, age-appropriate way. You will be able to practice your techniques against a mock bully and mock stranger, begin...
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Camp Hoover
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Scoot: The battle for Benson's billions, in perspective
by Scoot
posted Jan 23 2015 5:22PM
As the battle over the Benson billions heats up, let's take a moment to put this in perspective.
Tom Benson, the 87-year-old owner of the Saints, the Pelicans and other business entities, announced this week that his wife, Gayle, will inherit the Saints and the Pelicans upon his passing, which is not imminent. Benson's granddaughter, Rita, had been placed in a position with the organization that made her appear to be the heir apparent. So the announcement was a shocker.
After Benson's shift in the succession plan, his wife and daughter filed court papers requesting that Benson be declared mentally incapacitated and unable to made sound business decisions. The court papers included a letter written by Tom telling his daughter and his grandchildren that he wants nothing to do with them and they were all banned from the facilities of the Saints and the Pelicans. It is easy to imagine how tense the situation must have become for Benson to have taken such definite and drastic measures.
As the battle for billions plays out in full view of the public with public participation, let's put their family battles in perspective.
First of all, it is understood that everyone in the Benson family, even those Mr. Benson is alienating, will be completely taken care of financially and from the outside we can only imagine the size of that number. In other words, even those who are no longer in power with the Saints and the Pelicans are expected to be extremely wealthy.
The Benson family feud continues to spiral into a public discussion inciting deep emotional feelings, but the feud is not about life or death or a family about to lose their home as a result of job loss.
The family emotions Mr. Benson, his wife, his daughter and grandkids, are experiencing are real and must be extremely hurtful. We can all relate to being in a situation where there is a struggle between family and the spouse you love dearly. In families throughout America, there are struggles between children and new spouses or boyfriends and girlfriends. This part of the feud is real to many people.
As Saints fans and people throughout Louisiana react, the conversations have become vindictive at times with strong assumptions about who is right and who is wrong. Participating in what are often "gossip-fueled" conversations is something that humans do, but as tensions with the Bensons and within the public grow and battle lines are drawn, we need to remember that this appears to be a classic story about a family fighting over wealth and power.
We try to hold this in perspective – let's hope the Benson's can as well.
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Tom Benson
Scoot: The Benson family feud
by Scoot
posted Jan 22 2015 7:43PM
Most people can relate to a family feud. It seems logical that any family feud inspired by massive wealth and great power would become even more complicated.
Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson announced that upon his passing, his wife, Gayle, would inherit both sports franchises. The announcement was a dramatic shift from the heir apparent, Rita, Tom's granddaughter, ultimately taking control of the Saints and the Pelicans.
Following the change of succession in the Benson family, attorneys for the family members now left out of the succession plan filed a civil petition asking the courts to declare Tom Benson mentally incapacitated and unable to make sound business decisions.
Family feuds can easily erupt when a new spouse becomes part of the family. Gayle has been Tom's wife for 10 years and his adopted daughter, Renee, her daughter, Rita, and Benson's son, are now battling to be an integral part of the Benson billions.
Court papers filed in December show that Tom Benson signed a letter complaining that his relatives had been "offensive" and failed to "act in an appropriate manner" leading to heartbreaking family situations that he wanted to eliminate.
At its best – it's called "speculation" – and its worst – it's called "gossip" or "rumors" and New Orleans has always been fertile ground for gossip to spread. Often gossip can be vindictive.
The truth is – we don't know the truth – but that will certainly not stop the conveyers of gossip to spread their venom. As one of the richest families in Louisiana that may even have reached the status of royalty endures what will be a very difficult battle over money and power, we should all avoid the temptation to tolerate and spread what can only be described as gossip and rumors at this point.
The temptation to spread gossip as if it is fact will be overwhelming for many and talk radio and social media will become the fields of play. Spreading speculation, gossip or rumors – whatever you wish to call it – will be too tempting for some to resist, therefore, we should all be cautioned about what we hear, how we hear it and who we hear it from. Some will seize the gossip for the purpose of attracting attention.
At times, I have been criticized for attempting to stifle what I can only determine are rumors, rather than fact. For those who are quick to spread and enhance gossip, I am charged with censoring comments in order to protect others. I greatly respect my position as a radio talk show host and I remind those who say that failing to entertain salacious gossip on the air is a form of censorship, that I am on the radio and the conversations on the air must be held to a higher standard than casual, barroom conversations.
Listening to and enhancing gossip before it is passed on have become a spectator's sport for some. Let us challenge ourselves to be more discriminating in the gossip we are invited to accept as fact.
It may turn out that some of the gossip is true – but until that point – I am more comfortable distinguishing between gossip and fact.
For Saints and Pelicans fans – all we should care about is the impact that this family feud will have on the teams we love.
Drew Brees may have given us a hint that the changes taking place within the Saints and Pelicans families will not lead to a negative result when he said he "loves" Gayle.
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New Orleans
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Drew Brees
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Scoot: Why are some so quick to judge others?
by Scoot
posted Jan 21 2015 6:39PM
A woman in North Carolina became irate when she returned to her car to find a note criticizing her for parking in a space reserved for veterans. The note on Mary Claire Caine's car read, "
Maybe [you] can't read the sign you parked in front of. This space is reserved for those who fought for America…not you. Thanks.
" The note was signed, "Wounded Vet."
Mary Claire said the note must have been written by a military veteran who watched her get out of her vehicle in the parking space and assumed she was not a veteran because of her gender. Mary Claire Caine proudly served in the United States Air Force.
In an
article on the FoxNews.com
website, the female Air Force vet is quoted saying, "I think they took one look at me when I got out of my car and saw that I was a woman and assumed I wasn't a veteran and assumed I hadn't served my country." She went on to say, "They have this image of what today's American veteran is and, honestly, if you've served in the United States military, you know that veterans come in all shapes and sizes."
Caine said she waited after reading the note hoping that the person who wrote it would confront her, but no one showed up. She says she deserves an apology.
Since it is not known if there is a sticker, placard or other designation required to park in spaces reserved for veterans, it is possible that the person who left the note might have reacted the same way even if a man had pulled into the space. But it is likely that the person who quickly concluded that Mary Claire Caine was not a veteran did so because she is a woman. It's 2015, how sad that anyone would stereotype veterans as men only.
We have all seen people pull into a handicapped parking space with their handicapped designation in place, but they don't appear to be handicapped. Are you tempted to judge?
Let's remember that often the reason an individual is granted the right to park in a handicapped space is not always obvious. But I wonder how many people have designation to park in handicapped spaces because someone in their family is handicapped, but not with them every time they take advantage of parking in those spaces? I'm sure many justify parking in handicapped spaces even though they are not the ones who are handicapped.
The idea of leaving a note on someone's car is interesting because I'm sure we have all been tempted to leave a note on someone's car because of where or how they parked. In the parking garage I use, I regularly see newer and more expensive cars or trucks purposely taking up two parking spaces in an obvious attempt to prevent another car from parking too closely to their vehicle. I haven't left notes, but I have been tempted.
Of course, we would all like it if no other car parked close to our car, but I always thought that if I did that I couldn't trust how someone else might react to my selfish act of entitlement. Would someone seek revenge against me by doing something to my car? Not worth taking that chance.
The man leaving the condemning note on the North Carolina woman's car raises a few issues. First, we shouldn't be so quick to pass judgment on others and secondly, the majority of us just want everyone to play by the same rules.
Don't take up two spaces because you think your car is better than someone else's and don't park in a handicapped space if you are not handicapped!
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North Carolina
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Mary Claire
Mary Claire Caine
Scoot Blog: MLK Day - Do you have a dream?
by Scoot, email@example.com
posted Jan 19 2015 6:30AM
Everyone should take time today to think about the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - even those who are quick to discredit his life and his purpose. Let's all remember that no man is perfect and even men who are imperfect can bring to the world outstanding messages!
As we look around our own lives we can see that much progress has been made toward equality. But when we witness the tendency to judge so many news stories and events along racial lines, we are reminded that we still have challenges ahead.
Racial segregation in 2015 is not as blatant as it was when blacks were physically segregated with separate schools, water fountains, bathrooms, banned from lunch counters and relegated to the back of public buses, but the progress realized in ending the most obvious aspects of segregation should not make us blind to the continuing, yet more subtle, forms of judgment and discrimination in America.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech should be remembered and celebrated as a message about the promise that in America, everyone should be treated equally. That historic speech focused on the injustices against blacks that contradicted the intent of our Founding Fathers. Today, the message of that speech should be applied to the injustices that still exist and the new injustices that challenge what it means to be a real American.
In remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the dreams he had for America, we can all take inventory of our hearts and minds and realize that we are truly in need of people who have dreams for this country.
I have a dream that...in this increasingly divided America we can all realize that we are human beings first. We are humans before we are Americans. We are Americans before we are liberals and conservatives. Many Americans are willing to identify themselves first, as conservative or liberal before thinking of themselves as Americans - and nowhere is this more obvious than in Washington, D.C.
I have a dream that...all Americans will understand that freedom of speech protects the rights of others to say things they disagree with and that disagreement should be appreciated as one of the unique freedoms of being an American. As a radio talk show host, I witness a growing disrespect for freedom of speech every day when disagreement over issues so quickly becomes a reason to hate.
I have a dream that...all Americans will return to respecting and teaching the importance of personal accountability. We have become a nation that continues to show diminished respect for the concept of individuals accepting responsibility for their actions. Bartenders and wait staff now being held accountable for customers who drink too much and drive home is a perfect microcosm of a society that is willing to blame someone or something else for their mistakes in life. Another excellent example is the trend of blaming violent video games or entertainment for the violent behavior of young generations. There was a time in America when blaming a form of entertainment would never have been considered as an excuse for negative actions - why had it become acceptable today?
I have a dream that...all Americans will come to understand that life isn't fair and that you are not entitled to a job, happiness, money or anything tangible. You are only entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I have a dream that...all Americans that stop instinctively resisting change in this country out of the fear that all change is bad. Change is the basis of everything and change is inevitable. Those who are quick to protest certain changes have reaped the benefits of past changes - so why not embrace change rather than condemn it based on fear.
I have a dream that...parents will once again learn to be parents. You cannot always be your kid's best friend - but you always must be their parent. For all of us to live in a civilized society, every parent must teach their children right from wrong and that there are always consequences for negative behavior. I have a dream that parents who bring children into this world will understand that their child cannot be good at everything and that failures and losses are part of the human existence. But we learn from our failures and losses how to be better at things we can be better at and we then discover what we are best at.
I have a dream that...all Americans will stop blaming the government for everything that is wrong in their lives, when most of their problems result from actions and events that are beyond the control of the government.
I have a dream that...all Americans will understand that the government cannot take away your faith or your religious beliefs and we should be afraid of those who promote the idea of the government being involved in making moral decisions about the private lives of individuals. Any alleged war on Christianity will cause no collateral damage in the faith and beliefs of those who truly have faith and beliefs.
As a society, we are easily herded into groups, which leads to enhancing our differences rather than celebrating what we have in common. Watching, hearing or reading the news on a daily basis, we can be led to believe that our power to manifest positive change is hopeless. We look to the President and other elected officials to change America for the better, when the real power to change lies within each individual American.
What we do in our everyday lives, how we react to others, how we treat others and the dreams and morality we pass on to our children are the things that define America.
Our nation is nothing more than a collection of individuals and we cannot expect our nation to be better than the individuals that make up America. So, rather than look to those we think have power, let us look at ourselves, as individuals, and realize that we have the power to change America!
And that's the message we should focus on as we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Scoot: Do Oscar nominees show Hollywood prejudice?
by Scoot
posted Jan 15 2015 5:30PM
Criticism that Hollywood is prejudiced defies its diverse, liberal image.
An article at the Huffington Post website, a liberal-leaning news site, had an article today titled, "
This Will Be The Whitest Oscars since 1998
Lauren Duca, author of the article, laments that last year's Oscars was a banner year with a Best Supporting Actress award for Lupita Nyong'o and producer Steve McQueen winning the award for Best Picture for "12 Years a Slave." But she criticizes no nomination for David Oyelowo, the actor who played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in "Selma," and points out that "at least one non-white person has been nominated each year in the 4 acting categories since the last whitest Oscars ever nearly two decades ago."
PHOTOS: 2015 Oscar nominees
Is Hollywood prejudiced? That sounds like a ridiculous question. The Oscars are voted on by people in or close to the movie industry and that is a group considered to be among the most diverse and liberal groups in America.
As 2015 begins, racial tension appears to have reached a new high point and with no non-white actors nominated in the 4 acting categories, a charge of prejudice should come as no surprise. But what is disturbing is the notion that everything involves racism.
The judgment of art and entertainment is subjective. Not everyone agrees on good art, bad art or if a piece of work is even worthy of being called "art." Is it fair to at least ask the question: Are the Oscars prejudiced against people of color, or is it possible that the best performances did not include non-white actors this year?
I saw the movie, "Selma," last weekend and raved about the movie on "The Scoot Show." I wrote a very positive blog this week about why the movie "Selma" is an important movie, but I honestly did not think David Oyelowo's portrayal of Dr. King was so outstanding that an Oscar nomination was certain. Oyelowo was excellent in the role, but perhaps it was the general personality of Dr. King that did not lend itself to attracting the attention of an Oscar nomination.
Oscar nominations and awards are based on acting ability and often it is the nature of the character that inspires the greatest performances. This is not, in any way, criticizing the personality and mission of Dr. King, but I think it's fair to consider that his demeanor was not ideal for an actor to give an award-winning performance. In fact, if an actor had used the role of Dr. King to win an Oscar, the performance would not be a realistic representative of the civil rights leader.
Since the judgment of art is subjective, it is difficult to determine if the exclusion of non-white actors in this year's Oscar nominations is motivated by racial prejudice.
But to say that Hollywood is prejudiced is like suggesting that the Klan is not!
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Scoot: Republican criticizes Obama over Beyonce
by Scoot
posted Jan 14 2015 7:33PM
Is calling Beyonce' "mental poison" and telling President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama that they should not allow their daughters to listen to her music a good political stance for a Republican Presidential candidate?
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee says of the Obamas, "I don't understand how on one hand they can be such doting parents and so careful about the intake of everything – how much broccoli they eat and where they go to school – and yet they don't see anything that might be unsuitable" about the lyrics and the choreography of Beyonce' that Huckabee said should be confined to her bedroom. Is this the right political direction for a GOP candidate?
Huckabee recently resigned from the FOX News Channel as he considers another run for the presidency in 2016. The intent of Huckabee's criticism of the Obamas resurrects the mistakes the Republican Party made during the Election of 2012.
The Republican Party witnessed an exodus of young voters, female voters, minority voters and voters that do not subscribe to the ideology of the extreme right, and condemning the parental decisions of the First Family when it comes to pop culture is not going to win back the voters who refused to support the GOP.
As we have discussed on "The Scoot Show" on WWL – the Republican Rout in the mid-term election of 2014 was fueled by focusing on being the party that opposed President Obama – not the party that wanted to infringe on the private decisions of individuals. Social issues were essentially missing from the campaign that was more about political philosophy.
Huckabee may be signaling a return to the social rhetoric that has chased voters from the ranks of Republicans. This could only be seen as positive news for the Democrats.
Mike Huckabee is a member of the Baby Boomer generation – a generation that defined itself by their counterculture trends in music and fashion. There was no question that the song, "Let's Spend the Night Together" by the Rolling Stones in the mid-60s was about young people having sex. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Stones - left little to the imagination. The mini and the micro-mini skirts and hot pants were overtly sexual and worn by even suburb American youth for the sole purpose of expressing sexuality.
When compared to the more vivid and direct lyrics in some music today, it is easy to defend the sexually driven music of the past as benign, but one must compare the content of pop culture in the context of the world in which it thrived.
In the mid-60s, the music, fashion and hairstyles of a young generation was wild, outrageous and believed to be symptomatic of a sexually charged young generation that was out-of-control.
Interestingly, that wild generation of the 60s is today's new Establishment, which is Mike Huckabee's generation. Huckabee is making a mistake by reaching for campaign talk that promotes the concept of the "moral police."
For all those members of today's Establishment who are quick to condemn the entertainment supported by young generations today, your generation was as foreign and frightening to the Establishment at the time as today's young generation is to you.
Rather than appear as a hypocrite – I continue to define myself as a "hostile witness to the Baby Boomer generation!" Care to join me?
Whether the Republican candidate wins the White House in 2016 is dependent on whether the Republican Party is smart enough to divorce itself from any mission to be the "moral police" of America!
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Scoot: Slavery was a long time ago, but Selma was not
by Scoot
posted Jan 12 2015 6:33PM
Do not read this blog unless you are willing to read it with an open mind.)
If I had been old enough and politically aware in 1965 – I would have wanted to join the march from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL. I would have at least sympathized with the reason for the march.
The movie, "Selma," which opened nationwide this past weekend, captures a defining moment in the battle for civil rights in America. "Selma" was co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, who also has a role in the movie. The acting was excellent and the casting brought an authentic feel to the movie. The directing successfully conveyed the tense subject matter and the soundtrack took the audience through the mood changes.
But this blog is not a movie review – it is about the importance of the subject matter at a time when race relations are hitting a new peak in America.
Imagine if you are a conservative and the governor of your state identifies your political affiliation and then proceeds to make it nearly impossible to vote for the sole purpose of making certain that your conservative vote never counts in elections. No one argues that the Constitution guarantees your right to vote – but the governor of your state uses local county (or parish) official to keep you off the voting rolls. Would you demand change?
"Selma" forces us all the face the reality that harsh and violent discrimination against Black Americans is part of our recent history – not our distant past.
On February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified prohibiting federal and state governments from denying any citizen the right to vote based on "race, color or previous conditions of servitude." However, in 1964 in the South, Black Americans were essentially barred from registering to vote fearing that the black vote could affect the outcome of elections. Tim Roth, who plays Governor George Wallace, summed up the attitude of the South in a conversation at the White House with President Lyndon Johnson when he said to the President; there is a "certain way we (the South) like to do things."
Five months after the march from Selma to Montgomery, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was federal legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. That legislation demanded the enforcement of the voting rights guaranteed in the 14th and 15th Amendments.
"Selma" seemed more motivated by a quest for authenticity than by Hollywood's instinct to lean on sensationalism. At times, the movie was focused on the content of conversations in meetings, but the nature of the content still kept the audience riveted on the screen. I don't remember going to a movie where the audience was so quiet during an entire film. People were watching and paying very close attention.
The march from Selma to Montgomery took place in 1965 – one year after The Beatles hit America. Every member of the Baby Boomer generation – today's Establishment – witnessed the time in our history. Parents and grandparents, today, grew up during that time and many had personal experience with being physically and emotionally beaten by white police officers representing the government.
Those parents and grandparents have shared their personal view of being black in America with their children and grandchildren and they have shared that perspective with their children. Generations of Black Americans from Baby Boomers to today's youth have been touched by America's unjustified and inhumane past.
Is it any wonder that so much of Black America – and White America – is extremely reactive to the images of white police officers oppressing young black males?
As a radio talk show host on WWL, I often hear listeners demonstrate their lack of understanding of Black America's perception of race relations by saying, "they need to get over it – slavery was over a hundred years ago and I've never owned a slave!"
Slavery was prohibited nearly 150 years ago and Americans today did not own slaves and were not owned as slaves, but the truth that may be difficult for many to accept is that physical and emotional oppression was witnessed by today's Baby Boomers.
Slavery was a long time ago – Selma was not.
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Scoot: Is it wrong to use the term "Muslim terrorists?"
by Scoot
posted Jan 9 2015 9:48AM
Former presidential candidate and the former head of the Democratic Party, Howard Dean, objects to referring to the Paris massacre attackers as "Muslim terrorists." Dean said, "They're about as Muslim as I am. I mean, they have no respect for anybody else's life, that's not what the Koran says." Dean went on to tell MSNBC, "I think ISIS is a cult. Not an Islamic cult. I think it's a cult."
Is it fair to call the gunmen who killed 12 people in Paris in a targeted attack against a satirical publication for mocking the Prophet Muhammad "Muslim terrorists?"
In September, Secretary of State John Kerry used the phrase "Islamic radical groups" when talking about ISIS. He immediately corrected himself by saying, "Islamic is the wrong word – radical religious extremists." The Obama Administration and top administrative officials essentially skirt around using the term "Islamic terrorism" in an effort not to offend Muslims in America and around the world.
It is important to make the distinction between "Islamic terrorists" and Muslims, but there should be nothing wrong with designating the known religion of the radicals or terrorists. Unfortunately, many Americans have been quick to judge all Muslims as terrorists because all of the 9/11 terrorists were Muslim, but if some Muslims are radical terrorists – then shouldn't their religion be a legitimate description?
Does this definition accurately describe Muslim radicals? "Re-orientation towards the root truths of discipleship and may include theological ideas that are considered subversive or extreme and unacceptable to the mainstream religion and the state." That definition is actually a definition for Christian radicalism!
If radical extremists within the Christian faith are designated as "Christian radicals," then it should be acceptable to designate radicals within the Muslim world as "Islamic radicals" or "Muslim terrorists."
Failing to use the word "Muslim" to describe radical terrorists is done to protect all Muslims by pretending that there are no radical terrorists within their religion, but we know that is simply not true.
The cases of Christian radical terrorists include tragedies, like Timothy McVeigh bombing a federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995 to the 2012 Wisconsin Sikh Temple massacre when a Christian radical killed members of the Sikh temple believing they were Muslims by their clothes and beards. But Sikhs are NOT Muslims.
In 2008 in Knoxville, Tennessee, a Christian Right sympathizer walked into the Unitarian Universalist Church and opened fire during a children's play – killing 2 and injuring 7 others. It is rarely disputed when the individual responsible for such an act of violence is referred to as a "Christian radical."
If you are a Christian I hope that you do not feel included in any group referred to as "Christian radicals." As a Catholic who defines himself as a Christian, I never allow myself to be offended when any Christian group or Catholic group is labeled and condemned for certain negative behavior. I make the distinction between Christians or Catholics and the use of the word "Christian" or "Catholic" to describe any group or individual that defies my values.
It is important for Muslims and Muslim leaders to feel they are not included in those described as "Islamic radicals" and the only way to assure them that they are not included is for us, Americans, to understand the difference between Muslims and "Islamic radicals."
The Americans whose ignorance leads them to condemn all Muslims is a group I never want anyone else to consider that I am part of that group. That's a perfect example of why it's unfair to judge a group by the behavior and attitudes of a few.
Those who use what little they have heard about the Koran from extremely biased sources and condemn it as a book that promotes evil should look at the Bible and consider how someone not familiar with Christianity might interpret the book they follow!
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Scoot: Paris and the war on freedom of expression
by Scoot
posted Jan 7 2015 5:59PM
A well-planned terrorist attack in Paris today that killed 12 members of a satirical magazine's staff is the latest attack of freedom of expression.
The publication, Charlie Hebdo, featured the Prophet Muhammad and Islam in politically charged cartoons. In a 2011 cartoon, the publication depicted Muhammad as gay. A more recent cartoon showed a member of ISIS beheading Muhammad.
The controversial nature of the cartoons is certainly not in question – but the retaliation against the staff of the publication is condemned.
For the record, the magazine also published satirical cartoons critical of Catholics, Jews and French politicians that regularly sparked heated controversies.
While many will argue that it was irresponsible for any publication to use the sensitive subjects of a religion in a whimsical cartoon, no one should argue any publication has the right to freedom of expression.
There have been controversies in the past involving various depictions of the Prophet Muhammad that led to threats of violence. The magazine, Charlie Hebdo, had been threatened in the past; in fact, a bodyguard accompanied one of the staff members killed today.
It is the precise calculation of the attack that has attracted so much attention. Three heavily-armed, masked gunmen called out the names of those they targeted for execution and demonstrating the narrow focus of their rage, they allegedly carjacked an elderly man's car without harming him in the process. Was he considered a civilian in the battle against the creators of the controversial cartoons?
This bold daytime attack in the middle of Paris sent a subtle shockwave through the world's media. Most in the media do not feel directly threatened, but the reason for the attack did cause at least a momentary pause to ask questions about what should and should not be published.
The threats of attacking any movie theater that dared show the controversial movie, "The Interview" was another recent attack on freedom of expression that led to many in the entertainment industry to, at least, ask if any content is off limits.
Fighting from freedom of expression in other countries is a little different from fighting for the First Amendment in America, but the free world is affected by attacks on this precious freedom.
Even in America, freedom of expression is often denounced because of offending content. A skit on Jesus on "Saturday Night Live" is a great example of a lack of appreciation for freedom of expression. Condemnation and vocal protests are a far cry from executing the creators of controversial satire, but in theory, we need to consider how sensitive this nation has become to the use of humor to make social and political statements. If you support a French publication's right to present content considered insensitive to some, then you would logically support the freedom in America to the content you may find insensitive.
How do we stop attacks on freedom of expression? We, as a nation and a world community, could decide to stop creating controversial content, but the inherit problem stems from the reality that freedom of expression carries with it the probability of being offensive. There is only a very thin line that divides the acceptable from the unacceptable in the minds of individuals.
It is fair to say that there is a war on freedom of expression and the creators and the audiences that support controversial expression are the soldiers - and the casualties of that war. They should all be honored and revered.
I hope the audiences that consume, and thus, inspire controversy, whether a cartoon, a television show or a movie, will continue to accept their role in the war on freedom of expression.
Will you?
Scoot: New Year's resolutions for America
by Scoot
posted Jan 5 2015 5:25PM
The fresh start to every New Year invites the opportunity for all of us to think about changes we would like to make in our lives in the New Year and so the tradition of New Year's resolutions was born.
Today, Monday, January 5, 2015 begins the first full week of the New Year after the chaos of the holidays.
Americans tend to look beyond themselves when criticizing the condition and path of our country. As we think about our individual New Year's resolutions, let us remember that America is nothing more than a collection of the individuals that make up this nation and as a nation we cannot expect to be better or worse than the individuals that make up America.
If every American considered making a few New Year's resolutions – we would become a better America in 2015! So, here are some thoughts on resolutions every American should make – and keep!
Every American should resolve to be open-minded on issues, like freedom of speech. It is a challenge to think before we use stereotypes and preconceived ideas when judging the speech and expression that so many have been conditioned to judge as wrong, when in actuality, it is simply speech or expression we disagree with. If you support the First Amendment – then you also support the speech and expression you do not agree with.
If we do not want to be judged as individuals – then we must not judge – even when the stereotypes created by the media inspire instinctive judgment. Each of us can be categorized as members of various groups with individuals whose actions and behavior could be used to taint the entire group. It's easy to justify the general judgment of every member of any group through the rationale that so many within a particular group behave a certain way and that makes the assumption of guilt of the entire group fair.
Many Americans believe that we, as a nation, are manipulated by the news media. If we are manipulated by the news media, then we have allowed the media to manipulate us! Every American should make a New Year's resolution to understand that the news media is a business with a goal of getting ratings and we cannot allow our personal feelings and opinions to be shaped by the words and images presented by the news media. That require an effort on our part and for many, it is easier to follow a flock.
Every American should resolve at the beginning of this New Year that they will also stop and think before blindly supporting any politician – even the politicians with the political party they are aligned with. The degree of political hypocrisy in America has reached an epidemic level and it is the result of alignment with a group, rather than having the confidence as an individual to form opinions.
But the greatest New Year's resolution every American can make at the beginning of this first full week of 2015 is to accept and demand personal accountability. The one thing we have lost as a nation that is directly related to so many issues, including crime, is a continuing erosion of the concept of personal accountability.
Americans, in general, have become too willing to blame something or someone else for any negative things that happen to them, when in reality, many are responsible for the negative outcomes.
Parents have become quick to blame video games, television shows, movies, music or other outside influences for the negative behavior of their children.
Blaming something or something else for negative outcomes is one sure way of controlling self-esteem. If it isn't my fault – then I can feel better about myself. Blaming outside influences for negative behavior defies what is written in the New Testament – nothing from the outside can make you evil – evil comes from within.
As convenient as it is to play the popular "Blame Game," in most cases individuals are responsible for the things that happen.
Obviously, sometimes something or someone else is to blame – but the tendency to reflect blame has continued to grow in America over the past few decades.
Chances are you reject the idea that you need to make any of the aforementioned New Year's resolutions – but an honest assessment of your initial judgment of others or the temptation to blame others for the negative things that happen may cause you to realize how many times you, too, are in need of making individual changes that will lead to America becoming a better nation in 2015!
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Throughout the event, on the live coverage feeds, the moderators continued to ask one question. "How do we make this better?" The answer is simple: MORE! As a long time CCG/TCG/LCG guy, I've seen the good, and the bad in many of the games and here's my two cents:
MORE COVERAGE: Every one of the FFG games are loved, and so deserve their own focus. As such, each game needed it's own channel so each round and each 'feature match' for each game could be watched by the players who love them.
MORE TIME: There has already been discussion about expanding Worlds to be one day longer. As one of a myriad of people who play ALL of your games, having to pick and choose which events to play in is heartbreaking. Expanding every event (not just Worlds) to allow for players to participate in every game is critical to ongoing OP success. The more games you add, the harder it will be, but it will be worth it.
MORE INFORMATION: The world hates a net-decker. However, information about decks, decklists, deck-construction, deck-strategy, game-strategy, card interactions, metagames, and everything else that pertains to a game is absolutely critical to build a stronger and broader player base. People don't want to make a trip to an OP Event if they don't have enough experience or enough information to compete at the level they expect. Take a lesson from Magic/Wizards of the Coast. Publish decklists, hire writers, put time and money into match commentary. What you do is fine, but from a competitive perspective, theme decks and chapter pack overviews are not enough.
The nay-sayers will argue that this just creates a group of players who do nothing but build the 'deck of the week'. But the benefit is a metagame. Players learn to deck-build in response to metagames. Players learn to deck-build from the lists played by 'pros'. This is coming from a guy who has played and play-tested with some of the best play-groups from Magic, Vs System, and WoW. Knowledge is power. Some of the most innovative decks in those games came from widespread metagame knowledge. Heck, many of the games changed mechanically because of metagame interactions that would never have been identified had there not been widespread knowledge of the games.
You can look at your own current hall of fame members and world champs for confirmation of these statements. Why are these players the best of the best? Because they have large play-groups in which they are able to test, strategize, and learn about their game. Players from areas with small or NO support systems will NEVER succeed, and so the games will not grow.
FFG wants to improve their OP and to have their games to grow in popularity and player base? Here are your answers to helping that happen. That and continuing to develop and produce some of the best games on the planet. But they've got that covered . . . .