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MNQ | Monday's Noontide Query for September 19, 2011
Earlier last evening, some friends were over at my place for gaming night, involved in a dinner and role-playing session, and the subject of the power of belief on organic diseases came up, particularly on such illnesses as terminal, or at the time, seemingly terminal cancer.
Well, long story short, that discussion ended with an agreement to disagree on the matter, but it presented itself as a perfect bloggable moment on a subject I don't often touch on directly and some other things in previous discussions that bear clearing up: The effects of our personal worldviews on our assessment of various sorts of evidence, and the value afforded certain concepts, such as faith and evidence, by those same worldviews.
Yes, I'm an argumentative bastitch, but as Dave Hume said, 'Truth springs from argument amongst friends,' and even when that argument is annoying, it is still intellectually healthy when done constructively.
How much worth should we give belief in terms of performing seemingly miraculous events? How much worth should we give personal accounts of mysterious (to us) happenings? Are we being unimaginative, overly dismissive, too rational for our own good in not affording them great value as proof of something beyond what we really know? Is it dismissing personal experience as at all valid to be cautious of anecdotes without some other data to corroborate them? Is it closing our minds to new and wonderful things, against our best interests?
I do not consider myself particularly rational. For the above though, my responses would be that the first two require us to be very cautious, no to the third, no to the fourth, and absolutely f**k no to the last.
I deny the possibility of nothing that is true in any knowable, and thus in any showable sense. But I require that certain truth-criteria be met before I concede to the claimant that it is.
And I really shouldn't have to, but I'm occasionally forced to point out that requiring evidence before accepting a claim is in no way the same thing as denying the very possibility that the claim could be true…neither logically nor semantically the same thing…not even close…
…After all, if you were on trial in court for a serious crime, and I mean really serious, wouldn't you rather the jury need the prosecution to meet certain standards of evidence to establish reasonable grounds for your guilt rather than assuming it on faith just because it's possible you might be guilty? Or at the other extreme, refusing to convict a defendant despite evidence?
My money's riding on the jury seeking evidence for the conviction and accepting what it demands.
Well, that's how skepticism works. If something is true, show it. And if you can show it, then you know it.
But what is experience anyway, and why is it such a powerful motivator for belief?
We are prone to thinking about things, about reasoning our way, maybe not as logically as we might, from point to point, from A to B, from factoid to conclusion, however hasty.
But we do not think in a vacuum. We need input for our thinking, and we get most of that from experience. Whether it's things we directly see, hear, feel, taste or smell, or any of our other sensory channels, or second-hand experience, no less useful, consisting of what we read and hear from others, experience gives us most of the data we process with our thinking.
Everything we can say we know, we know through some form of experience, and we can convey that experience to others, not directly from our own minds, of course, but by demonstrating our claims to them through the same sensory channels, or if needed, others, that we came to know something, such as playing a recording of something we heard, showing the text of an article in a medical journal, or even directly showing the item of discussion itself for the examination of an unbeliever, as close to 'proof-positive' as there ever was.
It would be foolish to reject such direct proof, but often the availability of this is lacking, and we must resort to less direct means.
One way we try to convince is by giving accounts of what we believe happened. But because our minds can deceive us, even when working properly, our senses mislead us under unfamiliar viewing conditions, and our memories fade and distort with time, we must be careful to have something more than personal testimony as our proof. If we do have other evidence with which to verify our claims, testimony can be useful, and even without it, it can still be a good starting point for inquiry. It gives us a reason to say, "That's pretty neat, let's look into it further and find out if it really happened, and why," or, "Let's see if we can examine this closer and explain it."
But anecdotal accounts cannot serve as evidence on their own, not without some other form of data to support them. Twenty anecdotes are no better than one in the court of science, much less a court of law, and 400 anecdotes are no better than 20. Even in a court of law, there must be corroboration of eyewitness testimony by other forms of evidence.
I've learned to give anecdotal accounts a wide berth, as they are notoriously unreliable as proof of anything by themselves, no matter how compelling they seem in the telling, no matter how sincere, honest, and reputable the one telling them.
I believe many things, rationally and not so, and have a worldview which can accommodate any phenomena that offer good reasons to accept their existence, to fit them within my 'reality equation' with few problems.
But as a skeptic, I'm aware of many ways we can be misled by our experience, and though I'm no more immune to being fooled, I'm more alert for those instances in which I may be fooled. I call it hedging my bets.
My friend's account was certainly interesting, and if it could have been verified independently of what either of us believes, it would certainly be wonderful. If true exactly as related, it would mean that all we need do to cure the most horrific cancers is to motivate people to think positive thoughts, or perhaps artificially induce mystical or religious experiences in patients to induce healing.
We know how to do this last, and reliably too, with trans-cranial magnetic brain stimulation, drugs, meditation, and some neurological conditions can cause these experiences as well. We know how to stimulate what part of the brain to achieve whatever effect we seek to…
…and if this was as effective as often said, it would be standard medical procedure. It would easily, cheaply, and conveniently eliminate the need for expensive, dangerous treatments like chemotherapy if it really worked. It would revolutionize the treatment of malignant cancers.
But if my friend's experience is to be a guide for his beliefs, so must my experience guide me, and my experience, both direct and indirect, has shown me consistently that the world just does not appear to work that way. I've never found even one soundly conducted clinical study that has validated the curative power of pure belief on aggressive cancers, anywhere in the medical literature.
Mind you, I was not always a skeptic, nor a religious non-believer. I became these after my own experiences disillusioned me about the power of faith. Belief can be a powerful motivator, but life has shown me, to much dismay, and much more disappointment, that belief by itself cannot literally work miracles.
My understanding could be wrong. Maybe miracles do happen, but just because someone doesn't know how to explain a horrible disease seemingly vanishing from the one afflicted with it, there is no real reason to suppose that no one can possibly explain it, that therefore it constitutes proof of the power of faith, or whatever.
I don't mean this in an arrogant way, but one must be careful to not commit an argument from ignorance…drawing a positive conclusion from what one doesn't know, in this case, the lack of a mundane explanation, or even dismissing a mundane explanation out of hand.
Anything can be believed…In my experience, everything has been and is, somewhere or at some point in time. There is really no limit to what people can or will believe if the need is strong enough.
But belief should be based on reality, not the other way around, because every belief has its rival, and reality cannot possibly accommodate them all when they are so often obviously inconsistent with each other.
I no longer believe in belief, and giving up that belief was one of the hardest things I've had to do. My worldview currently affords more weight to reason, observational data, and objective standards of evidence, and has not impaired nor handicapped me in the least. My friend gives more credence to the power of belief than I do, and whether rightly or not is not under discussion here, in keeping with his own experiences.
How do your own experiences influence your perspective on the world?
How does this affect your assessment of claims?
What are your own criteria for truth?
How do you yourself judge what is real from what is not?
Do you even care about assessing claims?..
…Or is it enough to just believe?
MNQ is a question that I pose to you, my readers, and is posted each Monday at 12:00 PM. Do feel free to comment, and don't worry yerselves overmuch… I'm not an ogre and I don't bite…much.
Posted on Monday, 12:00, September 19, 2011, in General and tagged Belief, Inquiry, Miracle, Noontide Query, Personal experience, Query, Question, Questioning, Questions. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
I have been reading about alien abduction and specifically the Hill case the last six months. It is often said the Hill case is respected because of the undoubted reliability of the witnesses and the corroborating evidence. But reading through the primary sources, something else emerges:
1) the evidence is almost entirely anecdotal
2) all of the anecdotal testimony for the abduction portion of the case was produced in an altered state (dream, hypnotic)
3) when the psychiatrist did not affirm this hypnotic testimony, the Hills shopped around for a hypnosis "expert" who would affirm it
4) most of the physical evidence was never produced but is merely anecdotal (e.g. there are no photos of the spots on the trunk; the UFO investigators were told of the spots but never looked at them; the friends/neighbours alleged to have seen the spots are never named and never interviewed)
But the best part is that abduction proponents cite the Hill case as a template for what followed, however, the proponents ignore the reported facts of the Hill case to suit their own agenda. For instance, these facts are almost never mentioned in second-hand accounts:
5) the Hills' aliens are not grays. This is clear from reading all the first-hand accounts. In a 1999 interview, Betty affirms this, saying she's never met a gray
6) though initially frightened, the Hills also made positive statements about the experience, clearly expressing awe. Several of these kinds of statements are in Interrupted Journey, published in 1966. In her 1995 book and 1999 interview, Betty says explicitly that she had a good time and the aliens are not interested in harming us
7) Betty thought the modern abduction scenario (a lifetime of recurring abductions, hybrid breeding) was absolute bunk
But you would never know these last three points reading the material written by abduction proponents. They have a fear-based theory of abductions and the facts don't get in the way of the narrative.LikeLike
i had an interesting Sunday evening, playing computer games with Cyndi. We also had the "tube" on. During our play, several episodes of Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman ran on the Science channel. The proposed the following, that C is NOT constant, we HAVE a sixth sense, events LEAK BACKWARDS in TIME, that there is a GROUP MIND for all humanity that KNEW of 9-11 and the Obama election BEFORE they happened, we CAN affect random number generators……. …..OH, and the pre-selection of erotic images behind a random curtain PROVES the need to propagate……… And people ask ME why I play WoW since it is obviously a fictional fantasy……


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Jack in the Box Jumps Into the Cronut Game
For more than a year, the world has gone nuts for the unbelievably delicious Cronut, created by Dominique Ansel. Now, according to a thread on Reddit, fast food restaurant Jack in the Box has joined on the Cronut bandwagon and is testing its own version of the dessert, Croissant Donuts.
Those who can't make it out to New York City and brave the long Dominique Ansel Bakery line can simply hop in their car and drive through to pick up a fast food version for less than a third of the cost of the original. Each croissant-doughnut hybrid sells for 89¢, versus $5 for the original, at select Jack in the Box locations.
Have you tried the Jack in the Box Croissant Donut? Let us know!
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Brighten Up the Easter Holiday with These Zesty Lamb Chops
by Joseph Erdos in Recipes, Shows, April 16th, 2014For this week's Chopped Dinner Challenge, the chefs of Food Network Kitchen chose to feature the basket ingredient Key lime juice. The goal of this challenge was to prove that the citrus juice could be used for more than just the famous Key lime pie. This recipe for Key Lime Lamb Chops with Glazed Carrots turns the juice into a sweet-tart sauce called a gastrique, which glazes the carrots and gets used as the serving sauce for the roasted lamb racks. With its combination of flavors, this dish is the perfect spring awakening for the palate. Plus, it makes a nice addition to the Easter holiday table.
Start by making the gastrique: Melt the sugar with 1 tablespoon water in a saucepan and cook until it turns into a caramel. Then add the lime juice, bring to a boil and let reduce by half. Add the chicken broth and continue to reduce the mixture until you're left with 2/3 cup. Season with salt.
Next, it's onto the carrots: Steam them until tender. Toss them with 3 tablespoons of the gastrique, the chopped parsley and 1 tablespoon butter.
And finally, the lamb: Combine the ground coriander with salt and pepper, and rub the spice mixture onto the lamb racks. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in a large ovenproof skillet and sear the racks until browned on both sides. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the lamb for about 20 to 25 minutes to achieve medium doneness. Let the lamb rest before serving with the glazed carrots and the remaining gastrique.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Lamb Chops with Glazed Carrots
The Chopped Dinner Challenge is a series of recipes showing you how easy it is to cook like a winning Chopped competitor. Every week, FN Dish will showcase a recipe created by Food Network Kitchen that uses at least one of the Chopped basket ingredients from an episode, plus basic grocery goods and simple staples. Consider it your very own Chopped challenge. Just take this frequent tip from the judges: Don't forget to season!
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One mom dishes on her secrets for getting it all done in the kitchen every night....Comments (
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I watch Chopped daily on FN. I am from Minnesota and would love to see a basket with SPAM by Hormel as one of the ingredients in the baskets. I love seeing all the combinations that are made and try at home to do this. My son Joe will bring home 4 random ingredients and then gives me 25-30 minutes to fixthem just like you do. I have to say it is not easy and your chefs make it look easier than it is.
I love watching Chopped. However, the music (?) is frequently so loud it drowns out the judges' comments and the discussion among the contestants while they're waiting on the judging. Tone it down and get rid of that manic drummer! It's really annoying. Why do you have to have those sound effects?
I think Scott Conant is the sexiest man on TV. He can stir my grits anytime!


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Eurex designated as "Qualified Board or Exchange" by US Treasury
Eurex Exchange announced that the US Treasury will publish a revenue ruling in which it designates Eurex as a "Qualified Board or Exchange". This ruling, effective for all contracts entered on or after 1 March 2013, means that US persons that trade on Eurex Exchange may receive "60/40 tax treatment" in the same way when trading at other US futures exchanges.
Irish Stock Exchange's GEM market approved by ECB for Eurosystem Monetary Policy
The Irish Stock Exchange's Global Exchange Market (GEM) has been approved by the European Central Bank as an acceptable non-regulated market for the Eurosystem's monetary policy. As a result, securities listed on GEM can now be assessed under the eligibility criteria of marketable assets set down by the ECB credit assessment framework. They can serve as collateral by counterparties and credit institutions in order to gain access to the Eurosystem's liquidity-providing monetary policy operations and intraday credit.
Johannesburg Stock Exchange and IoDSA collaborate on corporate governance guidelines
As stakeholder interest in the corporate governance of listed companies continues to grow, companies grappling with how to be more transparent about these practices have received guidance from two practice notes issued by the King Committee on Corporate Governance. The drafting of the practice notes has been organized by the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA) in collaboration with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The King committee proposes that companies should report on their application on its corporate governance principles to give stakeholders a more comprehensive picture. This disclosure will allow stakeholders to understand and challenge boards on the quality of their governance.
Shenzhen Stock Exchange issues standards for condemnation on companies listed on SME Board
Recently, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange released standards for public condemnation on companies listed on SME Board. The standards, which will come into effect immediately, further improve the mechanism of discipline punishment, self-discipline, supervision and law enforcement.
Taiwanese regulator authorizes investment in offshore ETFs
In connection with the regulations governing offshore funds, the Financial Supervisory Commission has recently defined the scope of offshore ETFs in which overseas Chinese and foreign nationals are allowed to invest. Overseas Chinese and foreign nationals, however, are still prohibited from purchasing or redeeming ETFs in Taiwan's primary market for offshore ETFs.


text: Bomb Squad NYC Suit Fitting A member of the NYPD bomb squad is fitted with a military-grade bomb suit. Meet Clifford Clifford is one of the bomb squad's explosive detection canines. Canine Kennel The bomb squad's canine kennel, at the NYPD's bomb range. Bomb Squad Office Det. Mike Garcia at the Bomb Squad office, located in the NYPD's 6th Precinct. Bomb Memorabilia A sample of some of the explosive devices the Bomb Squad has recovered over the years. Lucas Sniffs Around Lucas is another one of the Bomb Squad's explosive detection canines. West Village Stroll Det. Pat LaScala walking his explosive detection dog Clifford in the West Village. Clifford Finds a Friend Clifford, an explosive detection canine, may be one of the NYPD's best assets, but he's still a dog. Here, he checks out one of the Squad's four-legged neighbors. Night Shift Sgt. John Ryan and Det. Pat LaScala in the Bomb Squad office during one of the team's long overnight shifts. Ray and Lucas Ray Clair with his explosive detection dog Lucas. Lucas works, and lives, with Ray 24 hours a day. Team Bomb Squad NYC Members of the Bomb Squad's Team B, from left: Det. Pat LaScala, Det. Johnny Coyle, Det. Mike Garcia, Sgt. John Ryan and Det. Ray Clair. Bomb Squad Robot Det. Pat LaScala operating one of the Squad's bomb robots. After the Explosion Det. Mike Garcia posing in front of the wreckage after the Bomb Squad detonated a very small amount of C-4 plastic explosive inside an SUV. Mailroom Bomb Detective Raymond Clair and Detective Patrick LaScala analyze X-rays from a potential bomb in the mailroom of a bank in Manhattan. Training Exercises The NYPD Bomb Squad undergo a training exercise with the Andros F6A bomb defusing robot in their training facility. Mock Bomb Detective Raymond Clair prepares a mock bomb for a training exercise at the NYPD Bomb Squad training facility. 0 comments   Get Livefyre FAQ Sign in + Follow Post comment Link Newest | Oldest


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The Purcell * Gager Home PageUpdated August 8, 2001 |
Elizabeth Gager 517 South 11th Street Paducah, Kentucky 42003 A-United States (270) 575 - 3004 email@example.com |
Edit Your Page |
The Purcell's are from Baltimore The Gager Family has a some history from Sweedon Other surnames names which might help: Off the Purcell ,Harty Line : Punchacar ,Mc Carten ,Beranek , Kenny ,Summers,Luebehusen Off the Gager , Boehm Line : Marozik ,Stenke ,Offenbeck ,Fagerstorm , Morava , Wingren ,Galpin , Cady If you think that you may be a part of the famiely feel free to E-Mail me. I am Glad to share any info. I have . Thanks, |
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Yes! It is true! The era of compact sports cars is almost here! The latest reports from the Japan's Best Car Magazine indicate that Toyota is planning a new vehicle based on the iQ city car which will make its debut next year. According to our sources the upcoming car will be fun to drive and will carry a 1.3-liter gasoline engine, which in our opinion, will be more than enough to enjoy the small convertible.
The new car will come with a price tag of $20,300 (2 million Yen). But this is not the only good news we have: Honda is also planning a successor for the old Beat! Now we have to wait and see the response from Mazda! More details to be revealed!


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text: Ecstasy So Many Choices A close-up of Ecstasy pills in assorted shapes and colors. MDMA, (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), AKA ecstasy, is a synthetic drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Taken orally in tablet or capsule form, MDMA effects brain cells' utilization of serotonin, a chemical transmitter that plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and sensitivity to pain. MDMA has a similar chemical structure to serotonin, and when it enters brain cells, it causes an excessive release of that chemical. As a result, users experience feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth, and distortions in time, perception, and tactile experience. Baggies Full of MDMA MDMA tablets in baggies among other drugs. MDMA was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as an intermediate stage compound that could be used to synthesize other pharmaceuticals. During the 1970s, however, some psychiatrists began using MDMA as a psychotherapeutic tool, even though at the time it had not yet undergone any clinical trials or been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in humans. Nevertheless, it gained a small following among mental health practitioners, some of whom called it "penicillin for the soul" because it seemed to enhance communication in therapy and help patients to achieve insights. Doling Out Drugs The sharing of MDMA, AKA ecstasy, tablets by users. About the same time that psychotherapists began their unsanctioned experiments with MDMA in the 1970s and early 1980s, the drug also began to show up in the street. Ecstasy initially was popular primarily among white adolescents and young adults in the nightclub scene, particularly among participants in dance parties known as raves, where DJs played techno, trance, and other forms of electronic dance music, and utilized light shows and smoke machines to create a dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere. Dancers sometimes took MDMA to augment the experience at a rave. Since then, the drug has spread to other ethnic and demographic groups. Handful of Molly MDMA (ecstasy) tablets in hand. Many users, especially young whites in the club scene, prefer to snort a powder made from the pills. The street name for this is 'molly' and once ingested it takes about 25-90 minutes to take effect or 'come up.' In the inner city, MDMA users still tend to ingest the pills orally, though they also will combine the powder with marijuana and smoke the mixture. Another new variation is combining MDMA with harder drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or even heroin. These hybrid highs go by various names, including "e-pills," "thizzies," and "smackers." Rare Tree Oil Sassafras oil, the base chemical for ecstasy, is poured into a bowl. Over 200 rare Sassafras trees have been felled to create this oil. The environmental website Tree Hugger reported in 2009 that illicit logging to produce oil for MDMA is endangering the increasingly rare Mreah Prew Phnom tree (Cinnamomum parathenoxylon), which is found in the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia. Cambodian officials said that poachers were chopping their roots into small blocks and shredding them to create a pulp that they cooked in large metal vats for five days. The illegal Sassafras oil distilleries required the poachers to cut down large amounts of other trees for firewood, and also leached distilled oil into nearby streams, which often were filled with dead fish and frogs as a result. Strong Armed Enforcers Local law enforcement in Cambodia with a machine gun. A New Zealand newspaper, the Mail & Guardian, reported in 2009 that Cambodian authorities, with help from Australian police, planned to destroy 14 tons of confiscated sassafras oil. The oil was made from increasingly rare Mreah Prew Phnom tree (Cinnamomum parathenoxylon), which is found in the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia. "Without the right measures, they would all be destroyed," said Meas Vyrith, a deputy secretary-general of Cambodia's anti-drug committee. Though Cambodian officials have destroyed dozens of tons of illegally harvested and distilled sassafras oil in recent years, illegal logging continues to threaten the fragile forests. Sniffing Out the Stash A sniffer dog on the hunt for the Canada Border Service Agency. Recently released Australian law enforcement data calls into question the dogs' prowess at ferreting out suspects with drugs in their possession. In 80 percent of the more than 14,000 searches conducted after a dog indicated the presence of drugs, no drugs were found. Additionally, a 2009 study by an Australian university researcher found that the majority of MDMA users were undeterred by the use of drug detection dogs by police, even though a majority of them had come in contact with the dogs in the previous six months. Users simply became more adept at concealing their drugs when they were carrying them in public places, the study found. Oil Pot is Over Rangers and conservationists destroy a sassafras oil pot in South Western Cambodia, in the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, supports more than 80 of the world's most threatened species including Asian elephants, Indochinese tiger and Siamese crocodiles. Over 250 acres of this pristine forest are cleared each year by illegal distilling operations, which cut down from increasingly rare Mreah Prew Phnom tree (Cinnamomum parathenoxylon) for its roots. Authorities believe the same international criminal syndicates involved in production of the oil for making MDMA also are involved in wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, drug smuggling and illegal weapons trading. Tree Tripping Looking up at a rare Mreah Prew Phnom tree (Cinnamomum parathenoxylon), which is found in the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia. The tree often is felled illegally so that the roots can be chopped up and distilled into sassafras oil, a precursor for making MDMA, or ecstasy. (The oil also is used in the manufacture of cosmetics.) The sanctuary, one of the few wilderness refuges in southeast Asia, is critical to the survival of Asian tigers and elephants, and officials say that MDMA users are helping to drive these animals to extinction by giving criminals an incentive to destroy forests to produce the oil. Nosing Out the Drugs A dog sniffs cargo for drugs with a Canada Border Services Agent. Use of MDMA seems to be broadening to include younger and younger users. In the U.S., the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that between 2001 and 2005, annual ecstasy use decreased by 52 percent in eighth graders, 58 percent in 10th graders, and 67 percent in 12th graders. Rates of lifetime MDMA use decreased significantly from 2004 to 2005 among 12th graders. The survey also found in 2005 that eighth graders were less likely to view occasional MDMA use as a potentially harmful problem. Among high-school seniors, 3.9 percent of white students admit to using MDMA, while three percent of Hispanics and 1.4 percent of African-American students used it. Miami Nightclub A mirror ball at a nightclub in Miami. The devices, which reflect lights and create geometric patterns on dance floors, harken back to the 1970s disco era, when champagne and cocaine snorted in nightclub bathrooms helped fuel nights on the town. Today, the music is different, and the party drug of choice for young dancers is MDMA, which some say produces a euphoric feeling of connectedness to others in the crowd. But just as cocaine abuse produced its share of health emergencies, hospitalizations and deaths, MDMA endangers the health of those who are out for a good time. Lights Flashing Emergency lights are flashing while this ambulance goes on a call. A 2003 article published in Annals of Emergency Medicine documented how MDMA abuse can trigger heart attacks. The case report described a 27-year-old man who sought emergency treatment after taking half a tablet of MDMA, along with drinking a bottle of whiskey, and then suffering chest tightness and discomfort for several hours. Doctors found that he had suffered an acute myocardial infarction. A 2008 study of people who died after using MDMA found that the drug interferes with the body's ability to self-regulate its temperature. In some cases, ecstasy caused users' temperature to rise as much as five degrees Celsius above its normal reading of 37 degrees C, which led to severe brain damage. It's an Emergency Miami Fire/Rescue Ambulances arrive back at the hospital. A 2010 British study, which reviewed stimulant-related deaths in the UK, found an alarming recent rise in death rates among young MDMA users. Between 2001 and 2007, MDMA users accounted for 42 percent of all stimulant deaths. The researchers, however, were even more concerned because the MDMA fatalities typically were young, otherwise healthy individuals. Other studies have linked MDMA to heart attacks, dangerous increases in body temperature, and the possibility of structural brain damage in long-term users. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Pharmacology, for example, found that subjects who took MDMA and similar drugs experienced a prolonged increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, accompanied by bradycardia, or an abnormally slow heartbeat. Forest Fire Smoke emitting from a Cambodian rainforest fire. The sassafras oil distilled from endangered trees in Cambodia is 90 percent pure, the highest quality available to illicit MDMA manufacturers. The market for MDMA in the United States and other developed countries is so lucrative—a pill that costs 25 cents to produce can be sold for $20 to $30 at a rave—that criminals are willing to hike deep into the rainforest to cut down the trees and process their roots to produce the oil, and then to smuggle the oil to the labs in western Europe that are the main source of MDMA for the U.S. market. Ecstasy Effects City of Miami Fire Rescue Paramedics treat an ecstasy user suffering a panic attack after he took two ecstasy pills at a Miami rave.. In addition to altering serotonin levels, MDMA also can cause a potentially problematic increase in both heart rate and blood pressure, and after the initial euphoric experience, users may have lingering feelings of confusion, depression and anxiety, and suffer from sleep disturbances as well. Drug Money Drug money being counted by an electronic counter. According to the U.S. government, MDMA sold in the U.S. is manufactured mostly in the Netherlands and Belgium, although clandestine labs have been discovered in the U.S. and Canada as well. The European-made MDMA is smuggled into the U.S. by Israeli, Russian and western European drug-trafficking organizations, often by couriers who travel on commercial airlines and by the use of express package carriers. It costs as little as 25 cents to manufacture tablets containing between 70 and 120 milligrams of MDMA , which then can be sold in the U.S. for $20 to $30 apiece. A 2000 seizure in Los Angeles of a shipment of approximately 2.1 million tablets—with a street value of more than $50 million—shows the scale of MDMA trafficking. Drug Destroyers Cambodian law enforcement officers destroy an illicit MDMA production center. In 2009, after a ranger team from the Cambodian Ministry and Environment discovered ecstasy distilling facilities during a routine foot patrol through the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, aerial surveillance and further patrols uncovered an extensive network of the labs. A antidrug task force was sent deep into the jungle to root out the operation. They used landmines provided by the Cambodian military to blow up the ecstasy labs and distillation equipment used to produce the sassafras oil from which MDMA is made. Colorful Clubbing A 'clubber' dances in a nightclub while a light show goes on behind him. In Scotland, according to recently declassified government documents, officials became so alarmed about an apparent boom in MDMA use in the 1990s that they considered authorizing a study in which urine samples would be obtained from people who attended raves, so that they could be tested for traces of the drug. In addition, officials considered giving volunteers legal dispensation to attend raves and purchase samples of MDMA for testing in government labs, so that government agencies could monitor the trend. The plan for the investigation of raves was abandoned after advisors decided that backfire and result in political problems for the government. A Feeling of Ecstasy Sue Stevens lies in a bed while she undergoes MDMA therapy. Administered by an experienced MDMA therapist, MDMA induces an inner calm that enables patients to confront memories and emotions that are otherwise too painful to deal with. None of the other forms of usual therapy have aided Sue in overcoming the suicide of her sister. Before it became a popular party drug, MDMA was utilized in unauthorized experiments by psychotherapists who thought it would help patients to have breakthrough insights, and recent authorized studies suggest that MDMA, when used in a controlled, clinical manner, may have potential to help patients struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and from dysfunctional social skills. 1 comments   Get Livefyre FAQ Sign in + Follow Post comment Link Newest | Oldest Dustin Pitts 5pts What is the geographic location of MDMA


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Fellowship that touches souls…
Community Outreach is the festive arm of the Community Ministries coalition. Reaching out into the community in many different ways, our most notable festivities are the Annual Thanksgiving Street Banquet and the Christmas Street Banquet.
Each of these banquets provide meals to the homeless, poor and needy, but more importantly, allows the community to fellowship together to meet each others needs.
The Mission typically serves between 1,500 to 2,500 traditional holiday meals at each banquet. Music and testimonies present the Gospel Message while guests enjoy their hot meals.
Food… Fellowship… Gifts… And more…
Additional outreaches such as, football bowl game parties, 4th of July celebrations, etc. are provided throughout the year for the homeless men, women and children who are guests in our facilities.
Raising Awareness
If you would like to help and get others involved throughout the year here are some other opportunities available:
Shoe, Food & Shelter Necessities Drives
This is an opportunity for youth and community groups or just a group of friends collect needed items. All items that are donated are given freely to those in need. For more information on how you can start your own drive or what is needed, please contact Suzanne at (520) 740-1501 x7032. During the month of July you can get involved with our Christmas in July Drive!
My Night in a Box
Students can get in touch with the reality of homelessness in their community and make a difference at the same time!
My Night in a Box is an interactive overnight experience where a student and friends can touch the reality by spending one full night away from life's luxuries, and minister to the need by recruiting ten sponsors each who will give to the cause locally.
This event achieves these outcomes:
- Students learn about the issues of poverty and homelessness through interactive learning experiences, targeted teaching, small group discussions, and theme oriented games.
- Students help address the issues of poverty and homelessness by participating in a simple Sponsor My Night in a Box Fundraiser.
- Students collect clothes for GRM
- Students get the chance to maximize and transform the traditional "event model" of youth ministry by implementing this transformational night of worship.
If you would like to participate in this event, you will receive a full curriculum that includes small & large group activities & lessons, ideas for breakfast in keeping with the context of the event and wrap-up options and ideas. There are also variations built-in for small and large churches.
For more information, contact Suzanne (520) 740-1501 x7032


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The IRELAND family has roots in the Philadelphia, PA, and Atlantic City, NJ areas. Surnames of interest are: IRELAND, PECK, TODD, BINNS, KITCHING, SAGE, and CORRELLO. The Todds, Binns, and Kitchings were fairly recent immigrants (late 1800's) from West Yorkshire, England. They either settled in Philadelphia or moved on to New Jersey. The Pecks, Irelands, and Sages have deeper roots in Atlantic County, NJ. I have followed some of them back to the early 1800's in NJ. The Irelands were very numerous in the mid-1800s in Atlantic County, especially the Egg Harbor area. I would like to hear from anyone who may have some connection to any of these families. Good hunting! |
The Anthony A. Ireland Family Home Page
Updated September 5, 2000 |
Anthony August Ireland 4664 Weston Hills Dr Eagan, MN 55123 United States 0449 firstname.lastname@example.com |
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The content shown on this page has been submitted by a Genealogy.com customer, and is not subject to verification by Genealogy.com. Neither Genealogy.com nor its affiliates are responsible for the accuracy of any information contained on this page. The opinions expressed on this page are the author's alone and not the opinions of Genealogy.com.
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quote:Exactly. Those games are expensive and for the avg family, they aren't going. They get stuck with Furman. Don't like it.
quote:"Marquee OCC game in Neutral site can make $$$ for a team an give increased exposure. This game would allow Houston Tiger fans who maybe can't make it to many home games see a game in their backyard."
quote:LSU vs Wisky set for 2014 opener in Reliant Stadium
quote: And there goes another home game. Damn bro. This is a good thing. Really good.
quote:Beats the hell out of a home game few care about vs directional state U, and empty the stadium by halftime.
quote:my two favorite squads going head to head


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There have been a lot of new movies about monsters lately that have been pretty mediocre, but upcoming movie "Priest" is going to be a vampire movie blockbuster. It's a post- apocalyptic adventure film, headed up by star Paul Bettany and directed by Scott Charles Stewart ("Legion"), and is about a special order of priests who battle vampires for the human race but are not appreciated for their efforts. Movie Picture "Priest" is going to do pretty well at the box office, as it's in competition with "Fast Five," "Thor," and the movie most worth of competition, "Bridesmaids." Eventually it'll be found in releases on DVD for those who enjoy monster movies.
Priest is played by Paul Bettany. Priest is a priest turned ditch digger in a society of the future where the church runs the world like an overlord. When Priest is asked by an outlander by the name of Hicks, played by Cam Gigandet, to help find Priest's niece Lucy, played by Lily Collins, Priest goes against the church to find the vampires that have kidnapped Lucy. Once the church finds out what Priest is up to, they send a gang of priests, including a priestess, played by Maggie Q, with whom Priest has had an intimate relationship in the past.
New movie release "Priest" is the vampire version of John Ford's The Searchers, a classic western. Directors Stewart and Cory Goodman have used a little bit of an original comic by Min-Woo Hyung, but for the most part, "Priest" is an update of Ford's film. They, like Ford, are good at describing what happens when civilization is impacted by savage hordes, this movie is really an action movie.
Some of the movies' dramatic momentum is cut short because some scenes come too early and some too late. Bettany has constant nightmares about a vampire hive so his return to that hive should be at the climax of the movie, not randomly stuck in the middle. With this mistake, Goodman and Stewart make the movie seem insubstantial. The film needs more action after an assault on a moving train but the movie ends, as does the action.
Paul Bettany is a good bet as an action star with his tall, charismatic good looks. Covering him in black and hiding his feelings seems silly. He's only in his element when playing against Maggie Q., whose sinuous physicality seems meant for this kind of a role. The two of them give depth to the longing that flickers between the characters. Priest's biggest mistake is that it takes itself too seriously – the characters are way too unhappy.


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Comfort Suites 695 Peppers Ferry Road Wytheville, VA 24382 Phone: (276) 228-1234 Fax: (276) 228-4533 |
Arts & Museums
»Thomas J. Boyd Museum
Providing an opportunity to learn about the history of the people and places of Wythe County, this museum's collection includes Wytheville's first fire truck circa 1855, early farming equipment and tools, military uniforms, Civil War displays, photographs of early schools and churches, and artifacts from the mining industry.
»Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum
The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum...Heritage, History, and Romance. These three words describe the story inherent to the life of First Lady, Mrs. Wilson, wife of President Woodrow Wilson. This is a story that embodies heritage; a proud, prominent Virginia family, direct descendants of Pocahontas. The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum is located on the first level of the Bolling Home at 145 East Main Street in Wytheville, Virginia. Seasonal pre-renovated tours of the Bolling Home are available April-October.\
»Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum
Located just 15 minutes south of Bluefield on I-77, at exit 58. this re-constructed, palisade village was built to duplicate archaeological records of an Indian Village that was carbon dated 1215. Visit the Artifact Museum and the re-created Indian Village, where guides trained in primitive skills give hands-on tours. Admission is charged. A museum gift shop and covered picnic area are also available. Open daily 9am to 5pm.
»Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Museum
Housed in the Pulaski Railway Station, which was constructed in 1886, this museum contains exhibits that depict the history and culture of the Pulaski area, including historic photographs, items from the founding industries and the Town's railroad past, newspapers chronicling important events locally and nationally, and a model railroad display.
»Fine Arts Center
Founded to foster and furnish activities, programs, and facilities that increase the understanding and enjoyment of the fine arts, this center offers a wide range of exhibitions, poetry and literary readings, musical programs, and lectures.
»Buddy's Country Store & Museum
See thousands of pieces of memorabilia at this museum that depicts a coal camp house. Open May through September by appointment only, this museum charges no admission.
»Bluefield Area Arts & Science Center
The Arts and Science Center houses an art gallery with monthly changing exhibits and the Science Center of West Virginia. The Science Center (304-325-8855) is a 10,000 square foot gallery that features world class exhibits on sound, motion, gravity, and other subjects.
»Science Center of West Virginia
Home to the largest Tesla coil in West Virginia, the over 10,000 square-foot Science Center of West Virginia features hands-on exhibits and such weekly programs as Starlab planetarium presentations and electricity and lightning demonstrations.


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Blood of the Martyrs: Christian Man Tortured, Beheaded in Kirkuk Comments
On Monday, May 16, 2011, a 29 year old Christian husband and father of three children was kidnapped by Islamic militants in Iraq. His mutilated body, showing signs of extreme torture, was found by a bridge. His head had been severed and his eyes gouged out. Continue Reading
11 - 20 of 26 Comments
3 years ago
Rafaelmarie is absolutely spot on. Islamism is a far bigger danger and threat than any other ism. The communist sought to ban faith in God and every thinking person knows this cannot be done. The religion of peace seeks to pervert people away from belief in Christ and towards a belief in a god who approves of hate and violence. The atheists in the USA and UK and Europe have no understanding of how humanity works, they really believe they can create a new world order by sacking Christianity they literally do not understand what is waiting in the shadows to take its place. Merciful Jesus have mercy on all who suffer for your holy name and grant the rest of us currently not under persecution the grace to remember them and their families in our thoughts and prayers and every time we go to vote.
3 years ago
Why don't the muslim leaders condemn such acts???
3 years ago
The 'religion of pieces' proves true to its values again. Violence, violence and more violence and intolerance against anything that is not islam, is routinely proclaimed in the mosques.
When will these people, all God's children, come out of the stone age? This continuous vicious circle of evil cannot go on for ever. If islam is truely peaceful where is the condemnation for such acts of barbarism? The silence is deafening!
God will watch over the widow and orphans of this valiant Martyr of the Christian Faith - this is what TRUE Martyrdom is all about - dying for your faith not murdering for your faith - somewhere along the line the muslims seem to have got it wrong on this issue.
Jesus Christ is the One, True author of the book of life and His Gospel is THE only Gospel of Life. -
3 years ago
It is said that there are more martyrs today than ever before and that "the Blood of Martyrs is the seed of Christians." God knows, how much we need our martyrs today! But it is, nonetheless, heart-breaking to "see" nothing being done about this.... Everyone (governments) stands back and washes their hands. Absolutely amazing!
3 years ago
To "GG"
Actually, this was on the Fox News website. they have much more on there than on tv. this does not lessen the need for it to be made known through every media outlet, just thought you might like to know it was covered by Fox. We have to keep praying for Christians everywhere who are being persecuted, especially the Middle East and now Vietnam. God knows it is happening, we know it is happening, doesn't matter if the media covers it, because they can't stop it. Pray for the religious (priests, bishops, nuns, etc) who are in these places and all over the world. They need all the prayers we can give them. -
3 years ago
The middle east is not gonna be solved by politics,but by prayer and definetly fasting for these demons to leave.Remember the Church has more power than the all the governments in the world put together.I do believe that its gonna have to be a direct an act of God by now to make this world more humbled.
3 years ago
it's only the radical muslims.
3 years ago
Very well said, "G.G." The media is part of the problem in the fight against the persecution of Christians wherever it exists. The media do not care.
3 years ago
Are There any Decent Moslems in the world who would try and end or speak up against this torture and murder of Christians? Surely they know that this is wrong.This behaviour is barbaric inhuman and worse than wild animals. Moslems in our countries are allowed to walk about freely, worship freely and have no fear that that anyone will hurt them. But this savage behaviour of militants could easily arouse a hatred towards moslems. It could create violence towards them as a consequence.
3 years ago
Thank you G.G. for your beautiful and true words. Our prayers need to be constantly with these suffering Christians. We sometimes still like to think of America as the "good protector nation". But how can a nation who kills 50 million of its own children in the name of freedom be good?
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Phil Cook
- Interstellar Feat. Lonnie Haze
- Outta This World
- 01First Song
- 02Track Number Two
- 03Third Song
- 04Composition #Four
- 055th
- 06Song
With the ability to blend many genres into his own unique style, Phil Cook is set to not only take over hip hop, but change how we all listen to music. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Phil Cook already stands alone with his flow and charisma on the mic. During his very short but promising career in music, he has already been able to work with some of music's other rising stars. From rockin' shows with 2009 XXL Magazine 'Freshman 10' hipster Mickey Factz to gracing tracks produced by exclusively by ID Labs, a frequent collaborator of Wale and Mac Miller, the sky is only the beginning for this young artist. Hardwork, dedication and pure love for his craft helped him to create his long awaited first solo project "Love,LIFE," also known by its code name "Project 0," was conceptualized from the pain felt over a spoiled relationship and the triumph felt after overcoming it. His 1st single "Interstellar," featuring Lonnie Haze, is steadily gaining momentum in Ohio's State Capital and has already been featured on several local blogs such as "The Double O" and national websites (grapevyn-ent.net). With the drive and fire to be a music stalwart, Phil Cook is "blasting off" with a head full of steam, fire in his eyes, passion in his heart and courage in his soul. Ladies and gentlemen, please prepare yourselves for "take off!"


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Shopbop.com is downright dangerous. Just when you've convinced yourself to be a frugal fashionista, you start ogling the website's offerings and every item becomes a need-it-right-now situation. Especially this time of year when I can't seem to find my summer clothes (I swear there's a troll hiding in my laundry room that eats my favorite pieces) – or I'm just over absolutely everything in my closet.
There are so many precious little babies on Shopbop that I want to adopt. These LuLu Frost necklaces would look so amazing with the open neckline of a simple sundress. I'm not really a short shorts kind of girl (I prefer a modest pair of Bermudas), but these Joe's Jean shorts might be just the incentive I need to Zumba it up a little more often. And every girl deserves some sweet arm candy, like these 3.1 Philip Lim handbags, right?
If you had a $100 Shopbop gift card, what would you buy?
Think hard…because this isn't just a hypothetical question. I'm really giving away a $100 Shopbop gift card!
To enter, visit shopbop.com and find an item that you love. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me what you'd spend your gift card on. The contest is open to U.S. residents only. Contest ends on Thursday, May 17 at 5pm ET. I'll announce the winner then.
In the meantime, be sure to become a Shopbop Facebook fan, to stay on top of the hottest trends.
Bonne chance, beauties!


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Propofol is a sedative hypnotic anesthetic agent frequently used in the induction of general anesthesia. This application note presents a sensitive, selective, and robust method to determine Propofol in biological samples using Propofol d-17 as an internal standard. It is shown that GC Quadrupole Ion Trap MS/MS analysis has the potential to solve the current Propofol analysis problems facing forensic laboratories.
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Future fertility is often a primary concern for those newly diagnosed with cancer. Options for fertility preservation vary by age and sex, but cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes and embryos is an effective alternative for post-pubertal patients.
New technologies have made endoscopic management of BE-related dysplasia and early cancer the standard of care for many patients, who return home the day the cancer is removed, eat a regular diet and have a normal quality of life.
Research shows that a less invasive procedure known as sentinel lymph node surgery successfully identified whether cancer remained in lymph nodes in 91 percent of patients with node-positive breast cancer who received chemotherapy before their surgery.
Xenografted cells generate tumors that maintain morphological, molecular and histopathologic features of human tumors Mayo laboratories were one of the first to implant human tumor specimens directly in animal models to generate in vivo cell lines. Its researchers have developed more than 50 glioblastoma xenograft models.
Gene expression profiling identifies women in whom breast cancer tumors will return A research team led by oncologists at Mayo Clinic in Florida discovered 27 genes significantly associated with a good outcome with concurrent use of trastuzumab and chemotherapy and five genes linked to poor outcomes.
Diabetes drug metformin shows promise for treatment of ovarian cancer Researchers found that patients with diabetes and ovarian cancer who took metformin for their diabetes had a better cancer survival rate than patients who did not take it. Metformin has also shown promise for treatment of other cancers.
Individualized Breast, GYN, and Colon Cancer Management Feb. 15-16, 2013, in Jacksonville, Fla. Subtitled New Data and Updates Relevant to Patient Care, this course focuses on screening, diagnosis and treatment, management guidelines, molecular diagnosis, and individualized therapy based on molecular profiles. A special session on supportive care emphasizes optimal surveillance after treatment for malignancies.
Mayo Clinic Oncology Review July 20, 2013, in Minneapolis Invited speakers discuss abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology June 2013 annual meeting and their clinical relevance to the practice of oncology. Additional topics include recent advances in the treatment of various oncologic malignancies.
See all Hematology & Oncology Continuous Professional Development courses
New Grand Rounds presentations are available online
Martin Bues, Ph.D.Radiation Oncology in Arizona
Stephanie K. Childs, M.D.Radiation Oncology in Minnesota
Thorvardur R. Halfdanarson, M.D.Hematology/Oncology in Arizona
Prashant Kapoor, M.D.Hematology in Minnesota
Arleigh McCurdy, M.D. Hematology in Minnesota
Robert W. Mutter, M.D.Radiation Oncology in Minnesota
Deanna H. Pafundi, Ph.D.Radiation Oncology in Minnesota
Steven I. Robinson, MBBSOncology in Minnesota
Mustaqeem A. Siddiqui, MBBSHematology in Minnesota
Stephan D. Thome, M.D.Oncology in Minnesota
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First look at Papo & Yo developer's new game Silent EnemyHaving recently brought Papo & Yo to Steam, developer Minority Media is starting the cycle over again with its next game, Silent Enemy. In this atypical behind-the-scenes promotional video, the studio talks more about the message of this title than, say, raw gameplay details. This time around, the theme relates to bullying. It's hard to say much more than that in this early, abstract state. While not every game needs to have a message, I can respect those that do. The folks working on Silent Enemy really put themselves out here, which is, again, commendable. Comments not appearing? Anti-virus apps like Avast or some browser extensions can cause this. Easy fix: Add [*].disqus.com to your software's white list. Tada! Happy comments time again.
Did you know? You can now get daily or weekly email notifications when humans reply to your comments.
Chiptuner team elix make the Super Nintendo do things I never thought it could 12:00 AM on 02.23.2015 |


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By now, every human being has visited a net web-site that makes use of Flash multimedia within of its layout. Mainly because 1996, the use of Flash has grown in recognition thank you to its potential to incorporate animation and interactivity to websites.excel to jpg
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Curiously, the up coming version of Flash will have two new features meant to make specified on the world-wide-web marketing and advertising will get noticed.
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The 2014 answer to Lyfe Jennings, August Alsina, is letting it be known that he isn't here for former collaborator / playa partna Trey Songz allowing the recipe for bourbon chicken to not only swell his chest but also head.
"I don't really fuck with Trey right now. We don't get along right now," August revealed to Rap-Up while promoting his upcoming album 'Testimony' due in stores next month.
"We ain't on the same page. He did some other shit and we just don't rock. If you show me that you this person day one, you should always be that person. We were supposed to have a show together or some shit and it just went left."
The New Orleans native continued: "Cause I can't deal with niggas' egos and attitudes 'cause I'm just a real nigga coming through and I'm rocking. And once niggas go to talking a certain type of way, that shit ain't gonna fly with me. And I just had to not do the show because I can't stand on the side of a nigga if I really got something that I feel in my heart. It just ain't gonna work with me."


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Jennifer Aniston is no stranger to changing her lovely locks. The star has a well documented history of switching it up when it comes to her hair, and it seems she has done it again by going back to brown for her role in the upcoming 'Horrible Bosses 2.' How do you like Jennifer's chocolate hair? Tell us below!
Jennifer Aniston went from blonde to brown for her upcoming role in Horrible Bosses 2. Though she may play a crazy dentist in the film, there is nothing crazy about this star's beautiful brown locks. But, while we love this new color, we want to know what you think! Is this star better off blonde? Tell us below!
Jennifer Aniston in 'Horrible Bosses 2′ — Swaps Out Signature Blonde Look For Brunette 'Do
Jennifer may be a natural brunette, but it has been years since anyone has seen the star with anything but blonde hair.
For a celeb whose haircut was at one point just as famous as she was, her changing hairstyles and color are definitely something that makes us take notice.
Jennifer has changed up her locks over the years, going from long to short, and layered to sleek many times over the course of her career. But, no matter how many changes she makes, Jennifer seems to favor a warm golden blonde. So, imagine our shock when she debuted dark brown locks in Horrible Bosses!
Though this look was definitely a change of pace for this actress, we think that she totally pulls it off, especially because it looks so natural and healthy! (To be fair, it's probably a wig.)
Watch the funny trailer for Horrible Bosses 2 right here!
How To Maintain Dyed Locks
Though Jennifer is probably wearing a wig, we have some tips for those of you who are thinking about switching color for real.
We know keeping dyed hair healthy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible.
First, do not wash your hair every day. Over-shampooing hair can cause a loss of the natural oils needed to preserve a natural shine. Instead, try washing every other day and using a dry shampoo in between washes.
Second, avoid over-brushing. Though brushing is a great way to remove tangles, it can also strip away essential oils and lead to split ends.
Finally, try at-home hair treatments, like a homemade avocado mask.
By taking a page from Jennifer's book, you too can go seamlessly between colors and still look fabulous!
What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Does Jennifer pull off her chocolate brown locks, or is she better off as a blonde? Tell us what you think below!
– Sage Baisden
More Jennifer Aniston News:
- Jennifer Aniston At 'The Leftovers' Premiere: Get Her Flawless Skin
- Jennifer Aniston's Fresh Hair & Beauty Look In New Smartwater Ad
- Jennifer Aniston — Perfect Hair & Long Lashes For 'Glamour'
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Posted at 3:30 PM on July 2, 2014
If you people don't hate me yet. I mean REALLY hate me, then you will very soon. Because I've had it with all of you. I won't break any laws but I will expose the bunch of you for what you truly are. A sold-out pack of liars heII-bent on keeping America STUPID for the purpose of getting our money.
I will inform millions. This is just the beginning.
"TheseRidiculousEventsAreStaged" Look it up. Then again tomorrow. (The many tricks used by the entertainment industry to keep America STUPID.)


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One of the protestors aganist the Little Dunham substation plan outside Breckland Council offices before the plan was refused in 2010.
By Sophie Wyllie
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Villagers in a mid-Norfolk community feel "outraged" and "dismayed" that a second public inquiry into a controversial electricity substation started today (Tuesday).
The proposal for the substation off Necton Road, near Little Dunham, was originally submitted to Breckland Council by green energy company Warwick Energy.
But in October 2010, Breckland's planning committee rejected the plan for the substation, which would link the 560MW Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm to be built off Cromer, with the national grid.
Simon Fowler, Little Dunham Parish Council chairman, said during the opening of the hearing at Great Dunham Village Hall: "We are a village of under 300 people. We were mystified in November 2009 when the parish council received a letter from the appellant (Dudgeon) asking about a place for a public meeting. It was not until a night at Necton Village Hall in November 2009 that we became aware of the scale of what was proposed."
The inquiry is being led by planning inspector John Watson and will continue tomorrow at the village hall. It will be resumed at the Ecotech Centre in Swaffham on Thursday, November 15, and Friday, November 16.
Mr Fowler added the villagers mounted a "vigorous" campaign against the plans after they were put into Breckland a few days before Christmas 2009.
Following the council's refusal, a two-day public inquiry was held in June last year and Breckland's decision was upheld by the planning inspector and the secretaries of state for energy and communities in September.
However, the High Court ordered the ministers to reconsider their decision in April this year after ruling the planning inspector had considered the issue of alternative sites without allowing Dudgeon to make representations.
Mr Fowler added: "We received another Christmas present from the appellant in 2010 when they said they would lodge an appeal. There is outrage and dismay in the village.
"We feel let down by the part of the system designed to protect the underdog so we are now facing a second appeal. We also feel very much alone."
Despite Little Dunham always being Warwick's preferred site for the substation the company submitted plans to Breckland for the substation to be built off the A47 near Necton, which was approved last month.
At the beginning of the hearing Mr Watson said he would have to consider the Necton plans because there could be a possibility that both substations are built.
Richard Kimblin, for Dudgeon, said the original plans for Little Dunham have been refined, there would be less electrical buildings and more natural screening because the substation would use an alternate power supply to connect to the national grid.
"The substation is an essential element of the scheme. The appellant has gone to great lengths looking at sites for connection to the national grid. The number of realistic possibilities is very small. The Little Dunham site is preferable, which has always been the case," he added.
Residents laughed when Mr Kimblin said the substation would have a "minor" impact on the village.
Mr Fowler said the proposed bund around the site would be an "alien feature" and the revised plans breached Breckland's planning policy.
Michael Horn, Breckland's solicitor, said the authority would be commenting on the original 2010 plans, rather than the revised plans, because they had not come before the planning committee.
The Dudgeon project, previously led by Warwick, was taken over by Norwegian renewable energy companies Statoil and Stratkraft last month.
1 comment
The majority owners of Statoil and Stratkraft are the Norwegian government...The Norwegian government are not going down the same road for the destruction of sea views and countryside in their own country. However, they're very keen of ruining ours and making a vast fortune for themselves, whilst securing employment for their own countrymen.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012


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Two cats rescued from Norfolk house fire
Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, Norfolk Fire-Rescue crews responded to a structure fire.
Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, Norfolk Fire-Rescue crews responded to a structure fire.
One person has been displaced after a fire at an eight-unit apartment building Thursday evening.
Norfolk police confirm a vehicle crashed into a local thrift store Thursday evening, and then left the scene.
The Wall That Heals is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
Long-time owner of the Norva, Bill Reid, gave 10 On Your Side a behind the scenes tour of the popular Norfolk music venue.
Suffolk's new state-of-the-art city hall is open for business.
Suffolk's state-of-the-art new city hall is open for business.
Old Dominion University has announced indefinite suspensions for three players from its basketball programs.
Bryan Lowe, who suffers from PTSD, watched the child's father testify Thursday in court.
A Virginia Beach elementary school was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon when a vehicle chase ended up on school property.
It's his first interview since the news broke. One of the Norva's long-time owners, Bill Reid, sat down with 10 On Your Side Thursday.
A replica of the Vietnam Wall is in Williamsburg this weekend. It pays tribute to the more than 58,000 men and women who died in the Vietnam…
Police are asking for assistance in identifying someone who might know something about the business break-ins around Norfolk.
Just one day after the market had its best day of 2014, it had its worst day of 2014.
Despite the fear of contracting Ebola, a Hampton Roads doctor is heading to Africa Friday to help stop the spread of AIDS.
He allegedly told the teller he had a weapon and demanded cash.
The Minnesota Vikings running back allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana while he is awaiting trial on a felony child abuse charge.


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- Will there be jobs? Are these jobs going to go to Hempstead residents?
- Will my taxes be affected due to this redevelopment?
- What is RDUA's position on PILOTs? (Payment In Lieu of Taxes)
- What is RDUA's priority regarding existing local businesses? Will existing businesses be forced to close?
- Will RDUA be paying their development fees to the Village of Hempstead and not be receiving any tax breaks?
- Will there be any affordable housing?
- What housing options will current renters have as property values start to improve?
- Are you going to improve the sewers?
- How long will it take for this redevelopment to be completed?
- How will this redevelopment affect transit?
- How will this project benefit the youth?
- What will a project of this magnitude cost homeowners in additional taxes?
- Will the infrastructure be repaired before you begin building?
- Will you use Eminent Domain?
1. Will there be jobs? Are these jobs going to go to Hempstead residents?
The redevelopment of Downtown Hempstead will provide thousands of construction and permanent jobs, including preference for local residents where possible. Renaissance Downtowns-UrbanAmerica (RDUA) is working with the Village and local organizations (such as EOC and ABBA amongst others) to create programs that are designed to ensure significant local representation within the jobs created by the redevelopment.
Discussions with these organizations along with information gathered during RDUA's community meetings has led the effort to detail in writing RDUA's commitment to local job creation through the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). The CBA provides assurance to the community that the redevelopment will indeed provide careers for Hempstead residents in a process that will be overseen by RDUA as well as the Village. Mayor Hall has emphasized the importance of creating a CBA as a contractual obligation, and RDUA's Development Agreement with the Village states that there won't be any construction without the promise of local job creation formalized through the written CBA.
2. Will my taxes be affected due to this redevelopment?
By creating a vibrant and sustainable mixed-use environment in downtown Hempstead, there will be significant additional tax revenues that will reduce the tax burden on residents and business alike. While it is preliminary to know just what the net tax benefit will be, the Village estimated nearly $7 million per year during their previous planning efforts.
As the plan is finalized over the coming months, independent studies will determine the expected net tax benefits, and this information will be available for the community to review.
RDUA is well aware of the concerns of local residents considering the significant number of parcels that are off the tax roles. Within the redevelopment area, over one-third of the properties are not currently contributing any tax revenue to the Village, creating an additional tax burden on residents and businesses within the Village. RDUA will provide the ability for mixed-use development throughout the downtown, including on those parcels that are not currently on the tax roll, resulting in significant economic benefits to the Village, the School District and the community.
3. What is RDUA's position on PILOTs? (Payment In Lieu of Taxes)
RDUA has not asked for any such assistance and has emphasized their dedication to creating a development framework that will result in significant net positive benefits to the Village and the School District. While the administration of PILOTs is beyond the developer's control, by creating a comprehensive redevelopment vision, including input from local residents to ensure the right mix of uses are created, an economic basis will be created that will lessen and ideally eliminate the need for PILOTs in the future, including efforts that have nothing to do with the downtown revitalization.
Currently, over 33% of properties in the downtown are off the tax roles. That presents a tremendous burden for home and property owners who must carry that burden, and it also prevents new businesses from opening because they can not afford to pay the tax bill. The redevelopment of downtown will provide an influx of tax revenue, decreasing the existing tax burden while making Hempstead more attractive for businesses who want to invest in the community.
4. What is RDUA's priority regarding existing local businesses? Will existing businesses be forced to close?RDUA would like to meet with all current business owners to ensure that their needs, goals and ambitions are considered throughout this development process. Small locally-owned business is the cornerstone of the American economy and the cornerstone of the successful revitalization of a downtown. These businesses hire local employees support local organizations and enhance the local economy. To further understand why it is such a priority to RDUA, please read "Why the Triple Bottom Line Is So Important to Hempstead's Economy and Local Businesses". RDUA will help all existing businesses to remain in business find temporary or permanent relocation opportunities and identify possibilities for additional funding for expansion if desired.
5. Will RDUA be paying their development fees to the Village of Hempstead and not be receiving any tax breaks?RDUA will be paying for the entire planning process, without any burden to the Village nor its taxpayers. RDUA has not asked the Village for any tax breaks and is committed to providing the Village and the community with a revitalization vision that, when implemented, will provide millions of dollars in net annual tax relief to the Village, the School, Residents and Businesses. In regard to development fees, the acquisition methodology for Village owned will be laid out in the Land Disposition Agreement that will be created and signed by RDUA and the Village in the coming months.
6. Will there be any affordable housing?The goal at RDUA is to provide a true mixed-income residential environment, providing mixed-income market rate residential options to address the needs of a full range of Hempstead residents. Most government-subsidized affordable housing is determined by access to local state and federal subsidies and tax breaks which are becoming less available as the Nation's economy worsens. Developers are now taking a different approach called "affordability by design" to address the mixed-income environment.
RDUA believes that downtowns are places that belong to everyone including residents and visitors of all economic strata. This philosophy, coupled with RDUA's principles of the Triple Bottom Line Statement will help ensure that there are residential options built to suit the needs of Hempstead residents that span the full economic spectrum, including those who need attainably-priced units.
7. What housing options will current renters have as property values start to improve?
The best way to provide current renters with the means to afford living in a revitalized downtown hinges upon two key items.
– The first is the necessity to ensure a full range of mixed-income housing to tend to the needs of residents at all income levels. For those who are looking for attainably-priced units, the best manner in which to provide rental and for sale units that are affordable is to utilize proper planning principles. For example, smaller units that offer common amenities and are located within a vibrant downtown can cost as much per square foot as a more expensive unit but by designing the units in a more efficient manner, they provide the same quality of housing (or better) at a lower monthly rental rate. Also, by utilizing shared parking principles and other shared infrastructure, the cost for each unit per month can be dramatically less than a traditional apartment or condo found on Long Island.
– The second aspect to ensuring that Village residents are afforded the opportunity to rent or own within their revitalized downtown are the immense economic benefits that local residents will enjoy through the creation of a mixed-use community. The thousands of construction and permanent jobs, with priority where possible for Hempstead residents, will provide local individuals and families with well-paying careers, enabling them to participate in the revitalization not only in the workforce, but as residents as well. Simply put, by creating thousands of new jobs while uplifting current and future businesses (retail and office alike), many current residents will have more money to spend, including the ability to afford rental or for sale units within a revitalized downtown.
8. Are you going to improve the sewers?
Renaissance recognizes that there is a significant need for infrastructure upgrades in the Village, including the sewer system, that affect not just downtown, but many neighborhoods. The reality is, if the system is not able to handle the additional residential units and businesses that would be created by the development of downtown, construction will not occur.
The need for sewer repairs was a theme echoed by a number of community leaders, stakeholders and residents. As a result, RDUA worked diligently to gain access to sewer funding, resulting in a $5 million grant for sewer repairs and upgrades that was awarded by New York State – the largest grant awarded to a single redevelopment project. RDUA will look to leverage this initial batch of funding with additional state and federal dollars in an effort to continue to full its promise of upgrading the sewer system which will benefit not only the downtown, but the entire community.
9. How long will it take for this redevelopment to be completed?
RDUA, in partnership with the Village, has made tremendous strides over the last year. The project is on schedule, with development-ready status expected sometime in 2012. Sewer repairs could commence as early as the summer or fall of 2012.
The redevelopment of downtown Hempstead will take place in phases that, in total, could last 7-10 years in total, although initial phases would be completed within the next 3-5 years providing a vibrant and economically sustainable downtown environment in the near-term future.
10. How will this redevelopment affect transit?
The key to transit, be it rail or bus, is ridership. The key to ridership is having people live and/or work near transit lines. Hempstead happens to have one of, if not the best intermodal transit system in the region with its LIRR station and the Hub for Nassau's bus system.
By providing for significant mixed-use development in close proximity to these transit lines ridership will increase, providing a rationale for increased/improved service. Renaissance has already conducted high level meetings with the MTA and the LIRR and this partnership will benefit the Village its residents and its businesses as a true Transit Oriented Redevelopment is created in Downtown.
11. How will this project benefit the youth?
There are numerous ways in which the redevelopment of downtown Hempstead will benefit the younger generation. For those of working age, thousands of jobs will be created – retail, entrepreneurial, front office and back office amongst others. This will provide career advancement opportunities for many of Hempstead's young workforce.
In addition, there will be multiple public amenities available for youth, including public squares, entertainment options and cultural offerings.
Another benefit will be the creation of a safe, walkable neighborhood that fosters a true sense of community for those living downtown, and other Hempstead residents that will utilize a revitalized downtown as a true amenity for youth and adults alike.
12. What will a project of this magnitude cost homeowners in additional taxes?
The redevelopment of downtown will be of no cost to homeowners in additional taxes. To the contrary, by creating a sustainable mixed-use environment that includes significant residential and commercial components, there will be a reduction in the tax burden felt by current homeowners. In addition, mixed-use redevelopment results in significant increases to property values, which will benefit homeowners throughout the Village.
13. Will the infrastructure be repaired before you begin building?
Simply put, if the infrastructure that exists is not able to support the redevelopment, building will not occur. So yes, where it is necessary to improve/fix the infrastructure, it will be done before building commences. It should be noted that by planning and implementing a large scale redevelopment in downtown Hempstead, the community gains a significant advantage in attracting State and Federal funding, offering residents a real opportunity to garner much needed infrastructure dollars that would not be available without such a redevelopment effort.
In fact, as stated above, RDUA was instrumental in the Village's procurement of a $5 Million grant from New York State to begin sewer and infrastructure upgrades which will commence in 2012.
14. Will you use Eminent Domain?
RDUA takes a partnership approach whereby we work with existing property owners rather than looking to buy them outright nor use Eminent Domain. It should be noted that as a private entity, RDUA does not nor ever will have the power of Eminent Domain, however by working in this partnership approach, we feel that the potential for Eminent Domain is nearly eliminated because there will be clear economic benefits for current property owners to work in conjunction with RDUA and the Village to implement a well conceived mixed-use vision for downtown.