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Sweet Pumpkin Fritters
While I was enjoying my pumpkin and feta fritters, thoughts of making a pumpkin pie with grated pumpkin were dancing through my head. I realized that all of the fritters that I had made recently were savoury fritters; Why not try a sweet fritter? Why not a sweet pumpkin pie like fritter? I immediatly set about writing up a recipe. I added a bit of sugar so that the fritters themselves would be on the sweeter side, followed by some cinnamon and spices and how could you go wrong with some raisins and nuts? The sweet pumpkin fritters turned out so well! In fact I have already made them two times. The first time I topped them with honey (Just look at the honey dripping down that stack of fritters!) and the second time I made a spiced citrus honey syrup based on the syrup that I used on the baklava french toast that I made a while ago and they were even better! They are just perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch.
Sweet Pumpkin Fritters
(makes 2 servings)Printable Recipe
2 cups pumpkin (grated)
1/4 cup walnuts (chopped)
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup flour
1 egg
2 tablespoons oil
1. Mix the pumpkin, walnuts, raisins, sugar, spices, flour and egg in a bowl.
2. Heat the oil in a pan.
3. Spoon the pumpkin mixture into the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
Spiced Citrus Honey Syrup
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon lemon rind
1 teaspoon orange rind
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick)
1. Simmer everything until it takes on a syrupy consistency and then let cool.
Similar Recipes:
Pumpkin and Feta Fritters
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
Pumpkin Pie
Baklava French Toast
Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Fritters
Apple, Cheddar and Bacon Fritters in Caramel Sauce


text:
Horse Health Free Reports
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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a noninvasive modality used to stimulate healing.
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An established human therapy helps horses as well. Learn about FES and its possible equine applications.
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Fear in Horses
Learn about what horses experience when they feel afraid and how to manage their fear reactions.
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Horse Relocation Checklist
October 08, 2013
Use this handy guide next time you move your horse to a new home.... Read More
Horse Health Parameters Form
April 05, 2013
Use this comprehensive form to evaluate your horse's well-being from nose to tail prior to a vet visit.... Read More
While You're Away Checklist
November 30, 2012
Use this handy form to leave your horse and house sitters all the information they need while you're away. ... Read More
The Yearly Cost of Keeping a Horse
August 01, 2012
Use this chart to create your own budget for major horse care items, fences, veterinary care, etc.... Read More
Biosecurity Agreement
March 13, 2012
Show or event managers might want to include an agreement requiring a signature on a compliance agreement.... Read More
Horse Identification Halter Tags
May 01, 2010
Use these identification tags to keep your contact information on your horse in case of emergencies.... Read More
Horse Identification
April 02, 2010
Keep track of your horse's distinguishing characteristics and all emergency information in this one-page form.... Read More
Trailer Safety Checklist
March 16, 2010
Keep this handy safety checklist in your trailer, tack box, or towing vehicle as a reference for safe hauling.... Read More
Horse Medication Log
November 02, 2004
Keep track of your horse's medication history with this printable medication log.... Read More

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Internet Retailing in Poland
Internet Retailing in Poland
Published: March 2014
Publisher: Euromonitor International
Product ref: 200502
Pages: 48
Format: PDF
Delivery: Immediate download
Internet retailing in Poland is experiencing dynamic development with a growing number of consumers shopping online on a regular basis. In general, consumers are attracted by the convenience of shopping (being able to shop 24-hours a day, 7 days a week), competitive prices as well as home deliveries. The core target group comprises busy urban residents as well as mothers, both groups lacking the time for shopping at bricks-and-mortar stores.
Euromonitor International's Internet Retailing in Poland report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry. The report examines all retail channels to provide sector insight. Channels include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounters, convenience stores, mixed retailers, health and beauty retailers, clothing and footwear retailers, furniture and furnishing stores, DIY and hardware stores, durable goods retailers, leisure and personal goods retailers. There are profiles of leading retailers, with analysis of their performance and the challenges they face. There is also analysis of non-store retailing: vending; homeshopping; internet retailing; direct selling, as available.
Product coverage: Apparel and Footwear Internet Retailing, Beauty and Personal Care Internet Retailing, Consumer Appliances Internet Retailing, Consumer Electronics and Video Games Hardware Internet Retailing, Consumer Healthcare Internet Retailing, Food and Drink Internet Retailing, Home Care Internet Retailing, Home Improvement and Gardening Internet Retailing, Housewares and Home Furnishings Internet Retailing, Media Products Internet Retailing, Other Internet Retailing, Traditional Toys and Games Internet Retailing.
Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.
Why buy this report?
- Get a detailed picture of the Internet Retailing market;
- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
- Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands;
- Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.
Euromonitor International has over 40 years' experience of publishing market research reports, business reference books and online information systems. With offices in London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai, Vilnius, Dubai, Cape Town, Santiago, Sydney, Tokyo and Bangalore and a network of over 800 analysts worldwide, Euromonitor International has a unique capability to develop reliable information resources to help drive informed strategic planning.
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text:
Well for ICH10 you should get a distro with kernel 2.6.26 or newer. Should be no problem.
I am in the process of changing my PC, my AMD64 3500+ has served me long enough and it's time to give it to my wife
That PC will be a dual boot between XP and probably the upcoming FC10.
It will get some Raptor, 4 GB of RAM, a Q9550 and a GTX260 (+ or not depending on availability).
As the title suggests after some browsing, I have decided I would go for either Gigabyte EP45 DS4 or ASUS P5Q Deluxe.
What can I expect of Linux compatability on both these motherboards ? Network, sound, SATA and so on?
Well for ICH10 you should get a distro with kernel 2.6.26 or newer. Should be no problem.
Would be very curious, because for example the P5Q runs Linux by default with an even very old kernel 2.6.20 (only legacy mode for SATA) called Express Gate (SplashTop)... You can be sure network does work. Also many new distros will use 2.6.27. Sound could be a little problem, but you can always update kernel or just update alsa - in most cases an alsa kernel option should be enough in case of problems.
You know that if a given distro works it doesn't prove anything especially when it's made by the constructor
P5Q and P5Q-Pro for instance have issues with most (all?) current distributions:
ASUS forum
Ubuntu forum
Sure one can make it work, but I would like first hand experience on these boards
Overall gigabyte seems better equipped and less troubled.
But I heard bad things about Gigabyte boards only supporting ACPI 1.0b. Power management may be worse than with Asus.
As long as you don't OC the board EIST does work with Gigabyte. That means the cpu will slow down in idle mode when for example powersaved is installed.
Well as a user of Gigabyte EX38 I may add that EIST works even when using the automatic overclock setting, that dynamically raises FSB under load.
And frequency still changes if you tweak CPU voltage.
But if you tweak FSB manually, it doesn't.
Nut sure what ACPI regulates. There has to be something...
When you raise Vcore with Gigabyte EIST is useless because the Vcore has to be lowered too to save energy. Did not try that automatic oc - if I oc i want full control over it...
Don't know why but my answer to Kano has been moderated.
Basically I was giving links to forums that show people have issues with recent kernels and the ethernet controller found in P5Q and P5Q-pro. That's just an example of why I would like *first-hand* experience on these boards
As far as ExpressGate is concerned it obviously works, but that doesn't prove anything for general distros


text:
"Perfect!" (E530)
"perfect for agility drills, bag makes it easy to transport and store. ladder is a good length for use with U13" (E8869)
"Very good net. I've used them in a high profile area on a college field and the nets have performed very well. " (E3362)
Holloway Collegiate Florida Gators Rookie Jersey [E35361]


text:
bio | website | pterandon.blogspot.com |
location | Poughkeepsie NY | |
age | ||
visits | member for | 1 year, 11 months |
seen | May 9 '13 at 20:48 | |
stats | profile views | 2 |
COMPUTER BACKGROUND: Experienced (enthusiast) animator in blender and povray, interested in applying skills to iphone game dev. I'm fluent in using povray's "C-like" scene description language to make complex projects, and have been studying Objective C tutes like mad for months.
DAY JOB: Semiconductor failure analysis.
RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND: Raised in LC-MS Lutheranism. Currently member of evangelical (Chinese) congregation. Religious influences: Luther's theology of the Cross, the "free grace" sermons of Tullian Tchividjian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, Ron Sider's Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger.


text:
Award winners
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) offers six literary awards to honor the best books for teens each year.
- The Alex Award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust. Edwards pioneered young adult library services and worked for many years at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Her work is described in her book Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts. The Alex Awards are named after Edwards, who was called "Alex" by her friends. The ten 2013 winners are:
- Caring is Creepy by David Zimmerman, published by Soho Press, Inc
- Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross, published by Richard Ross
- Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, published by Abrams ComicArts, an imprint of Abrams
- One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard, published by Hyperion
- Pure by Julianna Baggott, published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
- The Round House by Louise Erdrich, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
- Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt, published by Dial Press, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.
- Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple, published
- The Margaret A. Edwards Award, established in 1988, honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. The annual award is administered by YALSA and sponsored by School Library Journal magazine. It recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world.
Tamora Pierce is the recipient of the 2013 Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens for Song of the Lioness quartet and The Protector of the Small quartet.
The four books in the Song of the Lioness series, "Alanna: The First Adventure"; "In the Hand of the Goddess"; "The Woman Who Rides Like a Man"; and "Lioness Rampant", all published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, focus on Alanna's journey to accept herself both as a woman and a warrior.
Also set in Tortall, two decades later, is the Protector of the Small quartet, "First Test"; "Page"; "Squire"; and "Lady Knight"; all published by Laurel Leaf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books. Keladry of Mindelan goes through struggles, from her First Test, then becoming a Page, a Squire and eventually a Lady Knight. While set in a fantasy world, Pierce's heroines face realistic challenges that resonate with teen readers.
- The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, since 2009 honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. The award's namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. The William C. Morris YA Debut Award celebrates the achievement of a previously unpublished author, or authors, who have made a strong literary debut in writing for young adult readers. The work cited will illuminate the teen experience and enrich the lives of its readers through its excellence, demonstrated by: 1) compelling, high quality writing and/or illustration, 2) the integrity of the work as a whole, 3) its proven or potential appeal to a wide range of teen readers.
Seraphina written by Rachel Hartman, published by Random House Children's Books, a division of Random House, Inc. is the 2013 recipient of the William C. morris YA Debut Award.
When the death of a royal prince threatens the fragile peace between humans and dragons in Goredd, court musician Seraphina is drawn into the murder investigation. But even as she aids Prince Lucian in his mission to uncover the murderer, Seraphina conceals a dangerous secret of her own—her half-human, half-dragon heritage.
- Since 2008 the Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production has been jointly given and administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and YALSA, and is sponsored by Booklist.
Brilliance Audio, producer of the audiobook, The Fault in Our Stars won the 2013 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production.
The Fault in Our Stars written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd, perfectly captures the mercurial characters of Hazel Grace and Augustus, teens whose chance meeting in a cancer support group, surprises them both as they embark on an emotional roller coaster of a journey.
- The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas, school librarian who was a long-time active member of YALSA. The award is sponsored by Booklist.
In Darkness by Nick Lake, published by Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers, is the recipient of the 2013 Michael L. Printz Award.
Fifteen-year-old Shorty awakens beneath the ruins of a crumbled hospital in Haiti, where his weakening mind begins flashing back through his own violent history, the loss of his twin sister, and his mystical connection to Toussaint Louverture, the nineteenth-century revolutionary who helped liberate his country.
- The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18).
The 2013 award winner is Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, written by Steve Sheinkin and published by Flash Point/Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.
In this suspenseful combination of science and history, Sheinkin masterfully exposes the international race to develop an atomic weapon and bring an end to World War II. This true-life spy thriller features an international cast of characters and will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Period photographs of key players and an abundance of primary sources bring this well-researched story to life. Sheinkin gives readers insight into what happened with all of the major players after the end of the war. A thought-provoking epilogue on the long term implications of atomic weaponry reminds readers that the results of scientific inquiry have long term implications for everyone.


text:
Top Definition
1) An item available in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 that allows a player to choose a spot to respawn. 2) Painting one's penis in a camo design and proceeding to have stealthy intercourse
John: I was playing call of duty last night, and then my girl came over, so i performed a tactical insertion, if ya know what i mean...
Steven: Nice! You get some easy spawn kills?
John: ...you dumbfuck
Steven: Nice! You get some easy spawn kills?
John: ...you dumbfuck
Por ablahblah
10 de enero de 2010
13 more definitions
when you penetrate your lover while they're sleeping and they wake up and like it.
After Jeremiah performed a tactical insertion he went back to sleep.
Por PrivatePyle420
23 de enero de 2010
When riding an elevator up or down, right before the door opens, you release a massive fart. You then quickly leave the elevator and avoid eye contact or conversation with anyone boarding the elevator as they will soon discover the rude deed you have committed.
Dude I left a knarley tactical insertion for like 10 old people a minute ago.
Por Kandy Kane Lane
18 de abril de 2010
When you are having sexual intercourse with a women, and you suddenly pull out and stick it into her anal cavity, then claim it was an accident. Not to be confused with the term from, "COD:MW4"
Rhett: "Shit man, my girl won't let me do anal. Time for a little "Tactical Insertion."
Por vantheman
23 de noviembre de 2009
Having sex with a girl wearing full camo.
Why are you dressed like Rambo?" "Tactical Insertion, bitch
Por TallyNasty
25 de agosto de 2010
The act of inserting a straw into two throbbing penis's and then proceed to rub each other off. Who ever makes the other ejaculate is the winner and shall celebrate with the oozing winnings of the other opponents dick milk.
Cock blocking isn't cool man, you owe me a tactical insertion.
Por Thisngadoog
28 de agosto de 2011
The act of gently pushing your way towards sex with a female who is way higher class than you. Typical uses are with both money and lies.
Time to lay down the tactical insertion.
Por plain goldfish
19 de enero de 2011


text:
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Phone Number: (315) 864-2000
Fax Number: (315) 292-6060
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Current Attorney Staff:
- J. Williams:Assistant Attorney General In-Charge and Public Integrity Officer.
The Utica Regional Office serves the counties of Oneida, Herkimer, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Montgomery, Fulton and Otsego. The office handles cases that include Consumer Frauds and Public Advocacy, Charities and Not-for-Profits, State Counsel and Litigation, and the Sex Offender Management Unit.


text:
One Nation, with Liberty and Justice for Who?
I remained seated. I, and a few of my friends, endured the nasty comments from other students. I actually called some of those other students friends. I did not always remain seated for the Pledge of Allegiance. Honestly, I had trouble ignoring other students telling me that I had to stand up.
So I developed several versions of the Pledge, for example: "I pledge allegiance to the Republic of El Salvador, and to the dictatorship for which it stands, one nation under Me, with liberty and justice for about six people," or, "I pledge allegiance to the Iron Fist of America, and to the corporate oligarchy for which it stands, one nation under Pat Robertson, with liberty and justice for Fundamentalists." In other words, I was destined to never be the Homecoming King. But my smallish act of defiance got me thinking: Why should I have to skip over a part of the pledge to my country? Why should there be a de facto establishment of the existence of a god (which everyone assumes to be the Christian one) every day in my public school?
The clear answer is that I should not have to skip a part of the Pledge any more than I, or anyone else, should have to have a government-sponsored deity shoved down our throats each morning at school. What is worse than having to either remain seated or skip over parts of the Pledge of Allegiance is that most students have no idea that they cannot require other students to stand up and pledge to the flag. In my AP English class, one fundamentalist student was almost screaming at me for not doing so. I had never seen someone get so close to a self-induced coronary. Lucky for both of us we were good friends and had been so since grade school. I replied to his beseeching that there was no law saying one had to stand for the Pledge and that the Supreme Court had actually ruled against any such laws. Because we respected each other, this tit for tat never amounted to anything, but most people do not have the luxury of growing up with someone who turns out to be an opponent. Many people, otherwise lacking any common interests, view those of another faith, a different version of one's own faith, or of no faith, as enemies. Healthy discussions degenerate into vituperative attacks and disgusting rumors. Enmity emerges from the ashes and we soon have another holy war, Inquisition, Crusades, or Salem under humanity's proverbial Bible Belt.
First, religion does not belong in public schools because it is divisive. It engenders a smug, holier-than-thou attitude that makes students, teachers, and administrators believe it is okay to violate the rights of others. And what hasn't been done in the name of God? Hitler based his anti-Semitism on the Bible, even going so far as to state that killing the Jews would make him a doer of the Lord's work. The website of the Ku Klux Klan is so blatantly Christian that I'm waiting for them to get Pat Robertson's Pious Award. Osama bin Laden seems like a religious individual. Maybe Congress should ask him to open the legislative sessions with a non-sectarian, non-proselytizing prayer. Perhaps the Catholics and Protestants of Northern Ireland could teach us a few things about church/state separation. What about Waco or Jonestown?
All this may seem out of proportion to having to say the Pledge every morning. But think about it: The goal of Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, et al., is not to force people to say "under God" each day, or to keep "In God We Trust" on our money. Their goal is a Christian version of Iran. Total theocracy. In no uncertain terms the Religious Right does not care about the family, liberty, freedom, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, the free market, or anything remotely ensconcing the rights of man above the rights of a god. They crave souls. Like any addict, any path to the drug is acceptable. Saying "under God" now means one may be under someone's version of God's iron fist later. Step up the dose little by little. Tax exemptions, Blue Laws, post office closings, ceremonial deism (God on coins, Pledge, etc.), vouchers, "faith-based partnerships," political meddling, blasphemy laws, direct funding of churches, and finally our nation becomes the Religious Right's wet dream: Welcome to the Christian States of America.
That is why it is important to say that religion most certainly does not belong in public schools. That is why church/state violations of any kind must be fought. Students should not have to skip over the words "under God"; those words should not be there. Period.
In addition, religion should not be in public schools because it is false. As atheists, we frequently ignore or do not even consider that point. Religion is false. Evolution should be taught in biology classes, creationism in humanities. Evolution is a fact, creation is a myth. Public schools should be neutral about the existence of a god, even if everyone were to agree that a god existed. This is not to say that lively debate should not occur in public schools. Far from it, I discussed the non-existence of God as part of a presentation I did in my AP English class on Dante's Inferno. I argued with my fundamentalist friend in class as well. But the government did not sponsor my presentation, nor my discussions with my friends. I did not borrow the band's sound system and announce during football games that God was a fiction. I did not force people to remain seated during the Pledge of Allegiance or tell everybody to say, "one nation, without God . . . "
When someone asks me the greatest reason for not having government-sponsored religion in public schools, perhaps the best answer would be because there should not be government indoctrination in something as important a topic as God. Would a Christian want government-sponsored atheism? Then I say get the State out of the metaphysics business all together. Religion is divisive, false, and far too important a topic to trust to the government. Forget the metaphysical, it can't even fix the physical. That sounds like a ringing endorsement for keeping religion out of public schools.
Eric Breitenstein graduated at the top of his class (out of approx. 330) from Gulf High School in New Port Richey, Florida. He attends the University of Florida in Gainesville and will major in journalism. He enjoys photography, biking, writing, and reading. His favorite author is Bertrand Russell.
You Won't Believe You're Reading This
Pizza Extremists. The Ava Maria School of Law, MI, bankrolled with $50 million by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, opened for biz in August with 77 students. Combining legal theory with staunch Catholic theology, the law school--whose governing board includes Henry Hyde and Catholic officials, and whose staff includes Robert Bork--is expected to train a cadre of antiabortion lawyers. Source: Associated Press, 8/25/00
Making Gays Latter-day Lepers. At its 170th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City, tens of thousands of Mormons twirled handkerchiefs and gave a "Hosanna Shout" at the dedication of a new church conference center, as LDS Church officials promised to continue active anti-gay lobbying attacks. Source: Salt Lake City Tribune, 10/9/00
Not A Good Day. Police arrested the parents of a 17-year-old Bronx youth for severely beating their gay son with a lead pipe while yelling, "God will punish you for your lifestyle." The parents' answering machine greets callers with the salutation: "God bless you. You have a good day." Source: New York Daily News, 8/13/00
Muslim Wife-Beating Urged. A Spanish Koranic scholar's book Women in Islam describes how to bring rebellious women into line: hit without leaving marks. Blows should be administered to feet and hands with a rod that "is not too thick," writes Mohamed Kamal Mostafa. Source: The Telegraph [UK], 7/23/00
Ditto, Turkish Handbook. The Muslim's Handbook by cleric Kemal Guran, published by a state-funded religious foundation in Turkey, prescribes wife-beating and polygamy, shuns contraception and even music, which is sinful because it "arouses sexual desire." It advises readers "not to strike the woman's face" but to hit her "gently" elsewhere "just as a warning." Source: The Telegraph [UK], 8/12/00
Bishop Blames Rape Victims. As a Mexican state debated a proposal to jail rape victims who have abortions, Guadalajara Bishop Juan Sandoval Iniguez blamed women for rape "because the way they dress is provocative. Women must be more decent and not encourage it." Source: Reuters, 8/17/00
Polygamy USA. It is not unusual for a single family in Colorado City, AZ, home to the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to have 50 members, according to Ben Bistline, a local historian. Prophet Rulon Jeffs, 92, whose recent order caused a mass exodus from public schools this fall, reportedly has 16 wives and as many as 90 children. Source: Los Angeles Times, 10/10/00
Muscular Christianity. A grandmother, 63, was the second person in her parish to be arrested in connection with homophobic harassment of Rev. Neil Follett, the vicar of St Paul's, Knightsbridge, who fled in fear of his life last summer. Source: [London] Times, 8/18/00
One Can Believe This. Arizona's House Chaplain, the GOP-appointed Rev. Charles Coppinger, 36, explained he realized he is gay last spring, but it took him half a year to work up the courage to tell lawmakers. Source: Arizona Republic, 10/11/00
Colorado Freethinker Charged with "Desecration"
Rodney Lyle Scott is a thirty-four-year old mechanic who works for United Airlines. He travels daily to and from Denver International Airport on Interstate 70, which is the main east-west highway in Colorado. Rodney is divorced and has joint custody of his three-year-old daughter.
In recent years, private citizens have erected a number of Christian crosses and other religious memorabilia along the median strip of Interstate 70. These displays mark the spots where loved ones died in traffic accidents although, in one case, a cross marked the area where a murdered woman's body was thrown from her assailant's car. So many crosses have been erected that Rodney Scott has likened it to driving through a graveyard. This phenomenon has not been restricted to Interstate 70. Crosses are cropping up on other highway rights of way all over Colorado and, we understand, in other states.
With all due respect to the grieving families, about two years ago FFRF's Colorado Chapter asked the Colorado Department of Transportation, commonly known as "CDOT," to stop this use of State highways to promote Christianity. This led to a program whereby CDOT, upon receiving a complaint, would first offer the family which had erected the memorial an opportunity to remove it. If that was not successful, CDOT would remove and dispose of the display itself.
Although a number of religious objects were removed under this program, it proved to be unsatisfactory primarily because, usually within days, the object would reappear at the same location. For this reason, the Colorado Chapter filed a written request with CDOT asking (1) that fines be assessed against the party or parties who erected a display and (2) that CDOT's maintenance crews routinely remove these objects regardless of whether their presence had been brought to official attention by the Colorado Chapter.
Ironically, just about the time this request was made, a Colorado State Trooper noticed Rodney Scott's pickup truck sitting in the median strip one evening alongside Interstate 70 about 25 miles east of Denver. He also noticed some religious paraphernalia in the back of the truck and questioned Scott. Satisfied that nothing was wrong, the Trooper left but not until he had made a note of the license plate number on Rodney's truck.
Things get a bit fuzzy after that. However, it appears that several people complained to the authorities that their Christian crosses had been removed from the Interstate 70 median strip and an investigation was initiated by the local sheriff's department. The State Trooper who had taken Scott's license number heard about the investigation and contacted the sheriff, who then questioned Scott. In the course of this questioning, Scott was not advised that he had a right to say nothing, that anything he said could be used against him and that he had a right to consult with a lawyer. This is the Miranda warning that is so often ignored by the authorities.
It was determined that Scott was probably the culprit who removed the crosses. An effort was first made to charge Scott in Arapahoe County because that was where he was originally spotted by the State Trooper. However, the Arapahoe County District Attorney refused to file charges, so Scott was charged in Adams County. The District Attorney in Adams County is a mean-spirited, politically ambitious person and undoubtedly saw this case as a career stepping-stone.
Curiously, Scott was not charged with theft of a roadside memorial. Instead, he was charged under a little-used law making it a crime to "desecrate an object venerated by the public." This has all the indicia of a crime against religion. The word "desecrate" means to destroy the sacredness of, and "veneration" is synonymous with worship. Our legal system has a long history of rejecting crimes such as blasphemy and heresy, so a major issue in the case will be whether the law violates the Constitutional principle of church/state separation.
At the arraignment, Scott was offered a plea bargain whereby he would only be fined $50 if he pled guilty. Scott refused and the case has been set for trial in early December.
We are now in the "discovery" phase of the case. This means that Scott is entitled to receive all documents relating to the case that are in the hands of the prosecution. One such document is a letter written by CDOT about two years ago advising a private citizen to remove a roadside cross which he complained about. On the basis of this, we asked that Scott's case be dropped, but the District Attorney refused. The prosecution's position on this issue is that the authorization was limited to the person to whom the letter was written and no one else. Odd, to say the least.
We are now in the "discovery" phase of the case. This means that Scott is entitled to receive all documents relating to the case that are in the hands of the prosecution. One such document is a letter written by CDOT about two years ago advising a private citizen to remove a roadside cross which he complained about. On the basis of this, we asked that Scott's case be dropped, but the District Attorney refused. The prosecution's position on this issue is that the authorization was limited to the person to whom the letter was written and no one else. Odd, to say the least.
The trial promises to be interesting. Assuming for the sake of argument that Scott did remove the roadside crosses, does this constitute "desecration"? What is an "object venerated by the public"? Will a survey be taken to establish this? What about those people who find roadside crosses repulsive? Will this be taken into account in determining whether the public venerates them? How can CDOT give one citizen authority to remove a roadside memorial and then have the government turn right around and file criminal charges against another person who did the very same thing? What gives people the right to erect private memorials on property owned by all the taxpayers? And what recourse does a citizen have if the government does not fulfill its responsibility by seeing to it that public property is not used to promote religion? If the government refuses to take a patently unconstitutional display down, doesn't the public have the right to do so?
At the arraignment, the presiding Judge insisted that the trial should not take more than one day. He reluctantly set it for a two-day trial but we believe that it will take the better part of a week. This could create some friction with the Judge so, thankfully, under our system of justice, Scott is entitled to a jury trial. Empanelling the jury to make sure that there are no jurors who are biased in favor of religion or opposed to separation of church and state could take an entire day.
Meantime, we have filed a motion with the Judge to dismiss the case on two grounds: first, that the criminal statute has the effect of unconstitutionally endorsing religion and, second, that the statute is unconstitutionally vague because it does not set an objective standard against which an alleged wrongdoer's actions can be measured. That motion is pending before the Judge and we are not optimistic that it will be granted. The usual response from a Judge is to allow the case to go to trial and let the jury decide.
After the case has been tried or in the unlikely event the Judge dismisses it, we shall do a follow-up on the results.
Attorney Robert R. Tiernan is a Foundation member who directs the Denver FFRF chapter. He is representing Rodney Scott pro bono.
Tennessee Schools At It Again
On behalf of a family in Dayton, Tennessee, the national Freedom From Religion Foundation is protesting pervasive religious influence in the town's public schools, including:
bible study in the classroom, conducted during school hours by an outside group of fundamentalist Christians from Bryan College
distribution of bibles in classrooms by the Gideon Society
morning bible reading over the intercom followed by a moment of silence; and
the posting of overtly religious messages by some teachers on the walls and doors of classrooms
The school board more than a year ago voted not to stop the bible classes.
Dan Barker, a spokesperson for the Foundation, which has members in the Dayton area, as well as throughout Tennessee, and in every state, sent an official letter of complaint to Superintendent Susan Porter, Rhea County Schools, enumerating the various prevailing Supreme Court decisions which the practices violate.
Under McCollum v. Board of Education, 333 U.S. 203, 212 (1948), religious instruction in the public schools is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand two lower court rulings barring distribution of Gideon Bibles on school property: Tudor v. Board of Education of Rutherford, 14 J.N. 31 (1953), cert. denied 348 U.S. 816 (1954), reaffirmed in Berger v. Rensselaer, 982 F.2d, 1160 (7th Cir.) cert. denied, 124 L.E. 2d 254 (1993). A moment of silence with religious intent was halted as unconstitutional in Wallace v. Jaffree, 472 U.S. 38, 72 (1985). Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S. 39 (1980) outlawed the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools because they are religious.
The Tennessee Constitution also forbids such entanglements, stating that: ". . . no human authority can, in any case whatever control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship." (Article I, Declaration of Rights)
In his letter, Barker noted that the family complainants object to "the indignity that their children (as young as kindergarten!) experience while being forced to sit through the indoctrination of someone else's religion in their own public school system."
The Foundation called for assurance that these blatantly illegal practices will be halted immediately.
"Seventy-five years after the Scopes Trial, is this where the Dayton public schools want to be--illegally promoting religion and violating the law?" Barker asked.
"The Dayton schools need to evolve," Barker added.
Chattanooga radio stations have been covering the story, as well as the Chattanoogan. After a story about the issue ran in the Dayton Herald-News (which is editorializing in favor of the bible classes), a second family with children in the Dayton schools contacted the Foundation to join the complaint.
As of press time, no formal answer to the Foundation's September 27 letter has been received from the school board, although Superintendent Porter has reportedly told the media that she is not afraid of a lawsuit, asserting that 99.9% of the community supports religion in the schools.
Bryan College is the bible school in Dayton that was founded in the name of William Jennings Bryan, who debated Clarence Darrow during the famous 1925 Scopes trial in that town.
Tennessee Schools At It Again
On behalf of a family in Dayton, Tennessee, the national Freedom From Religion Foundation is protesting pervasive religious influence in the town's public schools, including:
bible study in the classroom, conducted during school hours by an outside group of fundamentalist Christians from Bryan College
distribution of bibles in classrooms by the Gideon Society
morning bible reading over the intercom followed by a moment of silence; and
the posting of overtly religious messages by some teachers on the walls and doors of classrooms
The school board more than a year ago voted not to stop the bible classes.
Dan Barker, a spokesperson for the Foundation, which has members in the Dayton area, as well as throughout Tennessee, and in every state, sent an official letter of complaint to Superintendent Susan Porter, Rhea County Schools, enumerating the various prevailing Supreme Court decisions which the practices violate.
Under McCollum v. Board of Education, 333 U.S. 203, 212 (1948), religious instruction in the public schools is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand two lower court rulings barring distribution of Gideon Bibles on school property: Tudor v. Board of Education of Rutherford, 14 J.N. 31 (1953), cert. denied 348 U.S. 816 (1954), reaffirmed in Berger v. Rensselaer, 982 F.2d, 1160 (7th Cir.) cert. denied, 124 L.E. 2d 254 (1993). A moment of silence with religious intent was halted as unconstitutional in Wallace v. Jaffree, 472 U.S. 38, 72 (1985). Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S. 39 (1980) outlawed the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools because they are religious.
The Tennessee Constitution also forbids such entanglements, stating that: ". . . no human authority can, in any case whatever control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship." (Article I, Declaration of Rights)
In his letter, Barker noted that the family complainants object to "the indignity that their children (as young as kindergarten!) experience while being forced to sit through the indoctrination of someone else's religion in their own public school system."
The Foundation called for assurance that these blatantly illegal practices will be halted immediately.
"Seventy-five years after the Scopes Trial, is this where the Dayton public schools want to be--illegally promoting religion and violating the law?" Barker asked.
"The Dayton schools need to evolve," Barker added.
Chattanooga radio stations have been covering the story, as well as the Chattanoogan. After a story about the issue ran in the Dayton Herald-News (which is editorializing in favor of the bible classes), a second family with children in the Dayton schools contacted the Foundation to join the complaint.
As of press time, no formal answer to the Foundation's September 27 letter has been received from the school board, although Superintendent Porter has reportedly told the media that she is not afraid of a lawsuit, asserting that 99.9% of the community supports religion in the schools.
Bryan College is the bible school in Dayton that was founded in the name of William Jennings Bryan, who debated Clarence Darrow during the famous 1925 Scopes trial in that town.
Clarence Reinders: Freethinker of Year
Foundation Life Member Clarence R. Reinders was named "Freethinker of the Year." He was unable to attend the Foundation's 23rd Annual Convention in person, but sent this acceptance speech.
I wish to thank the Freedom From Religion Foundation for naming me "Freethinker of the Year." I am delighted to accept this award. It is like receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for fighting and being wounded in a fierce war in defense of the First Amendment to the Constitution. After all, that's what I really am, a defender of the first clause of the Bill of Rights, i.e., the separation of church and state.
I am honored to have fought and prevailed in keeping the church and state separate because it is between these two powerful governing forces, one "sacred" and the other secular and profane, that freedom of the individual is given a chance to survive and thrive, where free men and women can think and believe and act freely. What a privilege to have been given the opportunity to be a foot soldier in service to such a noble cause.
On June 19, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court, by a vote of 6 to 3, handed freethinkers everywhere a huge victory. Like the successful appeal, by a 3 to zero vote, of the Jesus idol in the Marshfield Park, it was a strong decision in upholding the first clause in the First Amendment of the Constitution which bars government from establishing religion.
The Santa Fe Independent School District in suburban Houston, Texas, had a policy which allowed an elected student representative to deliver a public prayer before home high school football games. The Supreme Court banned this student-led prayer. You all probably remember reading about this. But what you may be unaware of is that this suit was not brought to the court by a bunch of us "immoral" atheists attacking religion in public life. Irony of ironies, it was brought by a Catholic family and a Mormon family, two Christian minorities bobbing in a sea of the majority Southern Christian Baptists in the very hostile buckle of the Bible Belt.
But what most people are unaware of is that these two families--one Catholic and one Mormon--had their identities sealed by the courts. That fact speaks volumes about their fear of reprisals from their loving Southern Baptist Christian friends and neighbors and the courts' concern to protect their lives, limbs and property from the depredations of their fellow Christians. So much for Christian love.
Yet in order to challenge the statue of Jesus in a Marshfield public park a named citizen of Marshfield had to step forward, identify himself and sign his name on the dotted line of the legal complaint.
Freedom From Religion needed someone with legal standing, a foot soldier on the frontline to be shot at and I gladly agreed to be that sitting duck. In fact I volunteered. My Christian wife who had supported me in my beliefs, i.e., disbelief of all religious belief systems, had died. My career as a motel owner/operator in Marshfield was near its end. I was in my late sixties. If I didn't finally take a stand for liberty of conscience and do it now, when?
Anne Nicol Gaylor had asked me many years ago when I first became a member of Freedom From Religion to sue the city regarding the Jesus shrine in the Marshfield park. But I could not do it at that time and she understood. I was fearful about how this basically Christian community and my Christian wife would react. But conditions change and become ripe for ideas whose time has come. And we as atheists, agnostics, skeptics and humanists--our time has finally come.
I knew it wasn't going to be any cake walk and that I would be the target of much Christian hate. So I bought a telephone answering machine and a tape recorder to record the calls and settled in for the inevitable hostile reaction to the lawsuit. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty but was totally unprepared for the violent and vitriolic ad hominem attacks on me as the mere messenger. After all, I only said, "The emperor has no clothes." And the good loving Christian community was really steamed at me for having said it. They never addressed the issue of the unconstitutionality of a religious statue in a public park.
Instead I was called all kinds of names and invited to leave this god-fearing country if I didn't like it here. One fellow knew of an island in the ocean where I could go. A doctor's wife from the Marshfield Clinic said I would be lucky if I didn't get my house egged. And so on. All recorded on tape. I even had a news reporter and a policeman together listen to some pretty nasty threats. Naturally after it was reported in the Marshfield News-Herald that their phone messages were being recorded the volume of phone calls trailed off.
I did however receive three anonymous phone calls from supporters who were fearful of giving their names and phone numbers. Two upfront outspoken supporters called, one of whom was Bernie Ehrman, a Freedom From Religion member who has since died. The other was a very sharp local lady. I also had three or four supporters drop by in person at the motel to give me encouragement, one of whom was my doctor from the Marshfield Clinic. So we as atheistic and agnostic individuals are not so alone as we may seem. Definitely a despised minority but definitely not alone.
Whenever there would be some report in the newspaper as the lawsuit progressed there would be a flurry of letters to the editor. Sometimes four or five letters on this issue dominated the comment section. I clipped and saved them all. The vast majority of them, like 20 to 1, were in favor of keeping the idol in the park. They thought that the majority in Marshfield should rule and that I as part of the minority should just accept it and when I drove by the idol I should just look the other way. They just didn't get it that the Bill of Rights is not about majority rule but about the protection of the minority within the majority.
They thought that Anne Gaylor and that atheistic organization in Madison should keep their noses out of the way they ran the parks in Marshfield. They just didn't understand that to protest an egregious violation of the First Amendment is everyone's secular civic duty and that the benefits of the defense of the First Amendment accrue just as well to them. The day is fast coming when, because of projected future demographic multicultural changes, the Christian majority will become the Christian minority and then they will be most thankful for the religious protections secured by the First Amendment.
As soon as the lawsuit had been filed against the city of Marshfield, the city immediately knew that it was in an indefensible position and was in violation of the First Amendment. First it put up a disclaimer sign saying that it did not endorse any particular religion. Then it quickly sold 15 hundredths of an acre of the public park to the Praschak Memorial Fund and smugly thought it was off the unconstitutional hook. Then Freedom From Religion sued the city and the Praschak Memorial Fund as still being in violation of the separation of church and state because the shrine would still appear to be in a public park. Judge Shabaz found otherwise and the case was appealed to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago where, to my wonderment and surprise, it found 3 to zero in our favor.
I never in my wildest dreams ever thought we would get more than one vote on our side. Three to zero! What a victory! The Jesus idol was found to be in violation of the First Amendment. We were vindicated. That's what we had claimed all along and we were right. The emperor did indeed have no clothes.
Now a final delicious irony. The Praschak Memorial Group in collusion with the City of Marshfield fought to keep the statue in its present high visibility and prime location on Highway 13 as a welcoming figure to travelers entering and exiting Marshfield on the south side. All north and south traffic is funneled on that one road only. You had to drive by the idol unless as a native of Marshfield you knew of one back street to avoid it. I was several times counseled to use this detour since I was so offended by the sight of their precious Jesus. What a juicy propaganda location to display their cherished idol for all to see.
Even with a fence around it and two disclaimer signs, the city and the Praschak Memorial Group think that they have nevertheless won. After all, they did not have to move the idol which still commands its high visibility location. For, as they say in real estate, the three most important features of a property are location, location and location.
However, the State of Wisconsin is building a bypass around and through the city. Guess what? That bypass will become Highway 13. And the street ahead of the idol will no longer be the official Highway 13 but just plain South Central Avenue. The upshot will be that the vast majority of the traffic that enters and leaves the city will no longer be forced to travel past the idol. What delicious just deserts!
We did not succeed in moving the religious statue out of the public park but benevolent and capricious fate intervened and moved the highway away from the shrine, thus effectively negating the propaganda value of its prized location.
And they say there is no god!
Overheard - Religion & Politics
"Holy Joe," get out of the pulpit and come back to earth.
That's the message for Joe Lieberman, the religion-drenched Democratic veep candidate who talks as though God were his campaign manager.
And it goes for George "Dubya" Bush, Al Gore and any other tub-thumping pols who hammer their religion as a cheap campaign ploy.
Cool the gospel singing, guys, and climb off the sawdust trail.
Sandy Grady
Philadelphia Daily News, Aug. 31, 2000
This is a presidential campaign. Not a holy war.
If it doesn't stop soon, the Constitution doesn't have a prayer.
Philadelphia Daily News Editorial
Aug. 30, 2000
The time has come for all the candidates on the national tickets to reaffirm their belief in the constitutional separation of church and state. . . .
When it comes to religion and the campaign, one might ask: "Which side is God on?"
The same question might be asked of the defiant students and parents, urged on by some pastors and Christian broadcasters, who stood in the bleachers in high school stadiums across the South last weekend to recite the Lord's Prayer before the opening kickoff.
All the candidates have to do is look around the world to see how well religion and politics mix.
The Founding Fathers certainly knew and protected us from the combination.
Reporter Helen Thomas
"Keep the Wall Between Church and State"
New York Times, Aug. 30, 2000
The president is not the moral leader of his people, no matter how often he prays or mentions God's name. He was never intended to be the moral leader, and it is unhealthy when candidates for president present themselves or are regarded in this way, especially when they think they have a pipeline to God. . . .
Religifying politics tempts politicians to messianic delusion. And politicizing religion cheapens and corrupts the spirit. If we return to the wisdom of the founders on this point, excessive public expressions of religious piety will be regarded with suspicion. Our motto should be: 'By their deeds shall we know them.'"
Former Senator Eugene J. McCarthy & Keith C. Burris
"The Singular Piety of Politics"
New York Times, Aug. 31, 2000
When religion controls government, it is not a pretty sight. . . . When the government gets involved [in religion], someone's rights inevitably are going to be trampled.
Rev. Brian Harbour
Oct. 1, 2000 D.C. sermon (President Clinton in audience)
Those who would use government to push religion on their fellow citizens dishonor their political heritage as Americans, and belittle the freedom of conscience granted to each and every one of us. They need to go into a nice quiet closet and think about that.
Columnist Jay Bookman, Atlanta
New York Times, Sept. 1, 2000
For a man with one divorce under his belt, Lieberman [has shown] a distressing tendency to cast stones at a man whose marriage lasted.
I am reminded of President Truman's warning about people who pray too loud in church. The old Missouri Baptist said that loud prayers always made him think "you'd better go home and lock up your smokehouse."
Robert Reno, Newsday
Arizona Republic, Sept. 1, 2000
I believe Lieberman slept through his Yale Law School classes on the First Amendment. Americans as individuals are among the most religious people on Earth. But America as a country has no religious mandate. . . . And the First Amendment does indeed protect us from government-fostered religion.
Columnist Lars-Erik Nelson
N.Y. Daily News, Aug. 30, 2000
. . . Lieberman's words suggest that the doubters, skeptics and old-fashioned village atheists are somehow less worthy than others in what has become a faith-based democracy. . . . They may not be a potent voting bloc, they may not be targeted by the Democratic ticket, but nonbelievers have an equal claim to the First Amendment.
Columnist Walter Shapiro
"Freedom isn't only for the believers"
USA Today, Sept. 1, 2000
Politicians who invoke God's name insult those of us who recognize no establishment of religion in our personal lives. . . .Lieberman, Gore and Bush aren't likely to become ayatollahs, but I wish they would give us some freedom from religious sermons.
Columnist Rob Morse
"Let those without sin cast votes"
San Francisco Examiner, Aug. 30, 2000
One danger of piety on the campaign trail is that it equates faith with good citizenship. . . . The argument that religion is essential to moral behavior is insulting and dangerous. A second danger is that this campaign will make religion a credential for public office.
Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial
"Holier than thou"
Aug. 31, 2000
The Host and Hostess with the Mostes'
Early in August I received a phone call from an FFRF member in Brownsville, Texas, telling me that the big news down in the valley was that a German high school exchange student had been booted out of the host family's home. The reason? The German student was an atheist. Horrors!
The weird thing about the story was that the student had plainly filled out the required papers and had put a-t-h-e-i-s-t in the space for religious preference. The host family (C-a-t-h-o-l-i-c) was given that information before the student was assigned to them and had expressed no alarm or displeasure.
The coordinator for the local chapter of SHARE! High School Exchange Program had been quoted as saying, "We exist so that we can help people from other countries learn about Americans, to develop an understanding and a tolerance."
It wasn't quite clear to me who was to develop the tolerance, but the American family certainly flunked it bigtime. As for learning about Americans, the German student learned very quickly that "tolerance" meant control. When invited to attend Mass with them, Martin demurred politely. The host family quickly called Yvette Coffman, Texas State Director of SHARE! High School Exchange Program, and told her that things were not working out because the German boy would not attend Mass with them, thus exhibiting a distinct disinclination on his part to partake in the exchange of tolerance.
Of course I do not know the full story of what was said, or how much time elapsed between the opening of the door of the Catholic family's home to the exchange student, and the slamming of it behind him (about a week, I think). Nevertheless, it put Ms. Coffman in a terrible fix, but, in her unflappable manner, she found the student a temporary home until she could find a more stable host family for this sixteen-year-old pariah.
News of this act of American tolerance reached the ears of a reporter at the McAllen newspaper. He wasted no time in spreading the story, which resulted in Ms. Coffman being bombarded with offers from families wanting to take in the homeless student. He was placed . . . take a deep breath . . . with another Catholic family! However, they had read the whole sad tale and were eager to remove the stain of intolerance from the Catholic escutcheon. So far as I know, the family and the exchange student are getting along peacefully.
On September 20, I received a phone message from Ms. Coffman, requesting I return her call so that we could discuss something that was on her mind. I wasted no time in doing so. She had been delightful when I had called her last August to express concern from the freethought community, and our wish to help with the placement of the evicted student.
I was now further delighted when she said that she had been thinking about foreign students and host families and realized that the program's contact for these families was largely through the churches. Since many of the foreign students were atheists, she felt that they were not given a wide enough option regarding host families. Did my heart jump for joy? Right out of my mouth.
Ms. Coffman suggested that perhaps atheist groups should be informed of this fact and would be inclined to volunteer as hosts. I assume that terms such as freethinker, humanist, rationalist, etc., would also be welcome designations. However, do remember that the word atheist is not, in more enlightened countries, the big scary horned beast that it is here in the United States.
Knowing many freethinker folk, of one designation or another, I feel confident that many of them have hosted a foreign exchange student at one time or another. This program is the sort that would be appealing to them. However, I think that, possibly, these nontheist families never registered their true religious nonpreference in the space provided, maybe daring to go so far as writing the word "none" as a response. I know that in civic activities we have all learned that it is better not to advertise.
I am aware that British and European citizens do not regard religion with the same adolescent fanaticism as do a vast number of Americans, but it never entered my mind that in one mainstream activity, the exchange student program, our nonbelief category would be wanted, needed and welcomed!
There's a big push here in Texas for host families for the 2001 spring semester. Wear your religious dis-preference proudly and print your preferred freethinker designation on the forms you may request from:
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
United States Department of State
475 Washington Blvd. Ste. 220
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Tel: 1-310-821-9977 or
Fax: 1-310-821-9282
In Texas, contact:
Yvette Coffman
TX State Director
1-972-727-7966 or 1-800-941-3738
Waste no time; go for it
The writer is a long-time Foundation activist and officer who lives in San Antonio, Texas.
"Exorcism" in the News
Chicago Archdiocese Hires Exorcist
The Archdiocese of Chicago secretly appointed a fulltime exorcist nearly a year ago, whose task is to "heal those afflicted by the Evil One," according to a page one story in the Sept. 19 Chicago Sun-Times.
The archdiocese's "spokesman on exorcisms," the Rev. Robert Barron, told the newspaper there is a "world of angels and devils, fallen angels."
The Rev. James LeBar, an exorcist for the Archdiocese of New York, appointed by the late Cardinal John O'Connor, says there has been a "large explosion" of exorcisms (from zero to 300) over the past decade in New York.
"As people lose their respect and reverence for life, spirituality and human beings, the devil can move in," LeBar warned.
Among the Catholic Church's ten warning signs of possession: "aversion to all things spiritual" and "hidden insights into a person's private life, or past sins."
Both LeBar and the Chicago exorcist agreed the newly re-released 1973 movie, "The Exorcist," accurately portrays the exorcist ritual. LeBar added: "In one or two cases, there was an extraordinary amount of gagging."
Pope Fails in Exorcism
Pope John Paul II carried out an impromptu exorcism in September upon a teenage girl, after the church claimed she began "screaming insults in a cavernous voice" during a general audience in St. Peter's Square.
The pope's chief "Satan-buster," Father Fabriele Amorth, told Italian media that when Vatican guards restrained the 19-year-old, she displayed "a superhuman strength" in trying to free herself. The pope then "exorcised" and prayed over her, but later admitted failure.
"She Was Possessed"
Police found the lifeless body of seven-year-old Aaren Dunn, who had been baking cookies with her sister, on the kitchen floor of her home in Manitou Springs, Colorado, after her father sliced her throat from ear to ear, slashed her carotid artery, stabbed her chest and fractured her left upper arm.
Robert Walter Dunn, 51, who faces first-degree murder charges for the June 26 killing, turned himself in to police, his hands soaked in blood, saying: "I killed the devil. She was possessed; I killed the devil."
The Denver Post (June 28) reported the little girl liked to play dress-up, read books, eat macaroni and cheese, and would have entered the third grade this fall.
Foundation Protests Court's Catholic Bias
Divorcing parents in Washington County, Wisconsin, are being ordered by the Court Commissioner to take a seminar conducted by Catholic Charities, and to pay a $25 fee to the Catholic organization. The court describes the program as "nationally licensed" and in use in Milwaukee and other counties.
"Divorcing parents should not be compelled by our courts to go to a Catholic organization and pay them for a seminar," said Anne Nicol Gaylor, Foundation president. "This program should be conducted by a neutral facilitator with payment, if necessary, to the county or the state.
"This particular state/church entanglement is especially troubling for parents who regard the Catholic Church as destructive in its attitudes toward women's equality, reproductive rights and divorce," Gaylor said.
On Oct. 4, the Foundation, on behalf of a local complainant, wrote the Honorable Jeffrey Jeager, Assistant Family Court Commissioner, State of Wisconsin Circuit Court, Branch II, Washington County, asking that he halt this "illegal, unconstitutional abuse."
"The Wisconsin Constitution (Art. I, Sect. 18) says that no person shall be compelled to support religion. Yet this is what is what is happening as your court is now administering the program," Gaylor wrote.
The Washington County complainant who contacted the Foundation was given no comparable secular counseling alternative. Parents must attend the seminar under penalty of contempt of court.


text:
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The shipping industry has long been one of the most important economic forces in the UK. Today, our shipping industry consists of more than 100,000 vessels, crewed by more than 1.5 million professional seafarers from nearly every country in the world. The volume and diversity of goods and merchandise transported by shipping routes is astounding, and establishes essential economic connections between the UK and nations all across the globe.
Of course, the industry is based in coastal regions and those easily accessible by river systems, and so the majority of work is centered in London, Essex, Kent, Gwynedd, and Merseyside. Recruitment agencies commonly list career opportunities in the areas of freight forwarding, dangerous goods handling, ships, crew, and dock management. Positions in the shipping industry do not typically require many qualifications, certifications, or degrees. Training is usually given on the job, and physically able individuals are needed for the often-strenuous work.
Salaries start at about £16K annually for entry-level roles, and the average shipping professional earns approximately £24K. The top five percent of workers make upwards of £40K. In London, average wages are slightly higher than elsewhere in the UK, and the average income there is about £33K.
Low Pay: | £15,717 |
Medium Pay: | £26,750 |
High Pay: | £55,000 |
Sample Size: | 1,180 |


text:
LINE 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan to form handles. Grease foil.
MICROWAVE unsweetened chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar; mix well. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and nuts; mix well. Spread into prepared pan.
BAKE at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Immediately drop marshmallow creme by spoonfuls over hot brownies; spread evenly over top of brownies. Cool in pan. Lift out of pan onto cutting board using foil handles. Remove foil. Place on serving tray. Drizzle melted chocolate over marshmallow creme to create a spider web design. Cut into 32 brownies just before serving.


text:
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Garden of Life believes that healthy soil provides healthy food which leads to healthy people. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Florida, the company's principles of whole organic foods, fermentation and probiotics can be found in every one of its products. Garden of Life nutritional supplements deliver whole food nutrition with the power of fermentation, probiotics and soil-based organisms. Garden of Life products available from Swanson Health Products include raw meal replacement powders such as Organic RAW Meal, Vitamin Code multivitamin formulas, the popular enzymatic joint support supplement Wobenzym'N and more.
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39 Gorgeous Photos of Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is beautiful. Ogle away via this Angelina Jolie photo gallery now.
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- Angelina Jolie
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Angelina Jolie Biography
Angelina Jolie is mind-numbingly gorgeous. She also likes adopting kids and taking her clothes off in movies. We approve of both those...
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- Born
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- Los Angeles, California
- Full Name
- Angelina Jolie Voight
Angelina Jolie Quotes
I'm very happy. Unlike most women, I love being pregnant... You just feel like everything about your body is there for your baby.
Angelina Jolie
- Permalink: I'm very happy. Unlike most women, I love being pregnant... You...
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Yeah, yeah, we've confirmed that already.
Angelina Jolie [after being asked if she's having twins]
- Permalink: Yeah, yeah, we've confirmed that already.
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A dirty, or contaminated mass airflow (MAF) sensor can cause the engine to run poorly. There may be a Check Engine Light with trouble codes relating to the MAF sensor. In some cases, carefully cleaning the sensor element will fix the problem, but replacement may be required.
1997 Mazda B2300 Problem Reports
Newest 1997 Mazda B2300 Problem Reports
If the engine cranks but does not start, it may be caused by a tripped inertia switch. Switch the key to "ON" and the fuel pump should be heard running for a second or two. Listen at the gas filler if necessary. The inertia switch is located on the firewall and can be tripped when the parking brake is set too hard and then released. The inertia switch should be reset, and will click when it is reset.
The Check Engine Light may come on with a trouble code for the Cam Position Sensor (CMP), P0340. This can be caused by the negative battery cable being too close to the sensor. The cable should be repositioned, clear the trouble code, and verify that the cable is causing the problem.
The engine may fail to start due to an electrically shorted sensor. Some of the sensors may internally short and not blow any fuses. A technician may find no spark and no operation of the fuel injectors in the diagnosis. One way a technician may isolate the defective sensor is by disconnecting sensors one by one to see if the engine starts.
Water intrusion into a connector (X309) located under the cab, beneath the driver's seat, can cause a rough idle, ABS Light and Check Engine Light illumination, and automatic transmission shifting problems. If needed, connector repair parts are available from Mazda dealers, and possibly some Ford dealers.


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- too low for too long (1) (remove)
- (Un)anticipated monetary policy in a DSGE model with a shadow banking system : [Version 21 Juni 2012] (2012)
- Motivated by the U.S. events of the 2000s, we address whether a too low for too long interest rate policy may generate a boom-bust cycle. We simulate anticipated and unanticipated monetary policies in state-of-the-art DSGE models and in a model with bond financing via a shadow banking system, in which the bond spread is calibrated for normal and optimistic times. Our results suggest that the U.S. boom-bust was caused by the combination of (i) too low for too long interest rates, (ii) excessive optimism and (iii) a failure of agents to anticipate the extent of the abnormally favorable conditions.


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5995 Arapahoe Ave,
Boulder, CO 80303
Boulder's Own / Boulder's Best
At our greater Boulder new and used Subaru dealership your satisfaction is our primary concern. With a knowledgeable sales team, large inventory and everyday low prices, Flatirons Subaru is the first and last place you will need to shop for a new or used car by Subaru. We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of each individual that walks through the dealership's door. Due to our high level of customer service and elite Subaru care we've earned the honor as a Subaru Stellar Care Award recipient. The staff at
At Flatirons Subaru we strive to maintain a complete inventory of new Subaru cars. Select from all of the latest Subaru models including the new Subaru models:
Outback | Legacy | Forester | Impreza | WRX | BRZ | XV Crosstrek
Plus, if you are interested in driving a hybrid car in Colorado, the new Subaru XV Crosstrek hybrid is now available. Talk to one of our experts about all your hybrid car options in Boulder today. Just 30 miles outside of Denver, Colorado Subaru has been voted Boulder's Best Dealership for the past 14 year! Come and find out why.
Of course, you can also select from special trim like the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. In fact, the new 2015 WRX STI will be on its way to Boulder alter this year. So personalizing your ride is simple. As your Boulder area Subaru car dealership, our goal is to make the process of buying your next used or new car as enjoyable as it can be.
Here at Flatirons Subaru our focus is on your needs. So, if it makes sense for you to buy a used car, then we want to make sure that you get the right one. In our Boulder used car we offer a wide variety of makes and models. This means that you don't need to feel hemmed in by the choice to buy a pre-owned SUV or car. Instead, you have a world options right at home in Colorado.
Of course, if you don't see the particular used car in Boulder you want on our website or in our lot, we will find it for you. Go to the online CarFinder form to start that process right now.
The finance staff at
Thank you for visiting our website, and we hope to see you soon at our Boulder dealership. You can learn more about Flatirons Subaru on our About Us page, but there's no better way to get to know us than to come visit us in person.
Start by calling (888) 349-3954, or follow these directions from wherever you are to 5995 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303. Use these step by step directions from Denver, Golden or Longmont. We're happy to help you in any way we can. Flatirons Subaru, proudly providing quality Subaru vehicles to Boulder, Colorado.


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Hey, I was wondering if it is possible to get this ring with a slightly larger center stone, and if so, what the price would be! please email me as soon as possible!
I love all your product they are very nice
A phenomenal floral filigree design surrounds a round-cut center diamond that is accented with 22 side stones to create this unique ring she's sure to love. Crafted with 14k white gold, this beautiful engagement ring shines with a highly polished finish.
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The most brilliant of all cuts, round diamonds are the traditional choice for all occasions and are preferred by many connoisseurs. White gold is often plated with rhodium, a very hard, durable, silvery-white metal to give it a whiter appearance.Center stone
- Center cut: Round
- Diamond: One
- Weight: 2/5 carat
- Color: H-I
- Clarity: I1-I2
- Setting: Prong
- Side stone cut: Round
- Diamonds: 22
- Weight: 1/10 carat
- Color: H-I
- Clarity: I1-I2
- Setting: Pave, bezel
- Metal: 14k white gold
- Finish: High polish
- Style: Side stones
- Ring setting: 10.5 mm wide x 10.3 mm long x 7.25 mm high
- Band: 1.85 mm wide
Diamond total weight: 1/2* carat TW
All weights and measurements are approximate and may vary slightly from the listed information. *T.W. (total weight) is approximate. 1/2 carat T.W. may be 0.45 to 0.57 carat. Treatment code N. See Treatment Guide for further information.
Click here for ring sizing guide
Available in an array of extended sizes for the perfect fit.
The Bonus Item: one of four stylish designs. This bonus necklace features a mother of pearl pendant with 14k white gold accents attached to a sterling silver 16-inch cable chain.
Features | |
Metal | Gold |
Stone | Diamond |
Diamond Color | H-I White |
Total Diamond Weight | .5 to 1 Carats |
Ring Style | Side Stone |
Diamond Cut | Round |
Gold Karat | 14k |
Center Diamond Weight | Up to .5 Carats |
Band Width | 1-2 mm |
Birthstone Month | April |
Clarity | I1-I2 |
Cut Grade | Good |
Jewelry Setting | Prong |
Metal Color | White |
Product Features | Made in USA |
Dimensions | 10.5 mm wide x 10.3 mm long x 7.25 mm high. Band: 1.85 mm wide. |
Materials | 14k White Gold, Diamond |
Model Number | 31044RD-40ENG |
Customer Reviews
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14k white gold I love all your product they are very nice
Read Morecrazy44 Mar 1, 2015 - Helpful 0
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Misrepresentation My son ordered this ring for his girlfriend as a engagement ring. I made him send it back. It would have been ok as a fashion ring, but unless you look really close you cannot tell that there are even diamonds in it. It looks very cheap. This was my second and last ring purchase from overstock. Both times the actual product looked entirely different from the photo. The photo is certainly enhanced and is a misrepresentation of the product.
Read MoreAllison G Dec 13, 2014 - Helpful 0
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Absolutely Perfect Several months before my fiance' proposed, his mother asked me what sort of engagement ring I envision for myself. I told her I had no idea; the truth was I'd never though about it much at all. But her question got me wondering... so I looked on Overstock on a whim. I scrolled through pages of rings and didn't see anything that stood apart to me....until I got to this ring! Its striking individuality instantly caught my eye and I fell in love with its vintage details. A few weeks later, my now soon-to-be husband asked me if I'd given any thought to rings since his mom has asked. I showed him this ring once, quickly, and that was that. Much to my delight, roughly 3 months later, my fiance popped the question and I was truly surprised to see that the ring he slid on my finger was the this one! The one he'd seen casually one time, months before. I've never been one to care much for material things, but I tell you I absolutely lit up inside knowing that he remembered what I'd shown him and managed to pick it out from the thousands of rings on Overstock. We have been engaged for almost 10 months now and I swear not a week has passed since where I have not received multiple compliments on the unique beauty of my ring and how extremely detailed it is. We ended up buying the matching wedding band a few months ago and I cannot wait to wear them together in October when I finally get to say "I do" to the love my life. Any girl who's lucky enough to wear this ring will be thrilled with your choice!
Read Moremlombardo May 23, 2014 - Helpful 0
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Wow! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I'm proposing to my girlfriend next week and this is the most perfect ring I could have ever found. Everyone that's seen it loves it! So excited!
Read Morestayseemahree May 5, 2014 - Helpful 0
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Beautiful! I had been looking for a ring, wanted something different for my wedding. I absolutely love it, keep finding myself looking in the box, awaiting the moment I finally get to wear it for life. I love the ring, even more than I had hoped I would. It's unique, and romantic looking. Beautiful!
Read Moregarfield16 Apr 21, 2014 - Helpful 0
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Great choice for non-original people. I bought this ring for my fiancée because she wanted something that was different that the usual diamond ring design. The ring looks a bit like a flower and she loves flowers. She has gotten non-stop compliments over the ring and how creative and different and beautiful it is. I myself have received many compliments myself about my choice in ring. It is a very good ring and I recommend it to anyone who wants a beautiful ring that doesnt have the usual design.
Read Morebrazilbeef Mar 14, 2012 - Helpful 9
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Beautiful! This ring is soooooooo gorgeous! I get tons of compliments on it! It is very high quality and looks like it costs much more than it actually does. The diamonds appear very sparkly, for not being the highest of clarity. I definitely recommend this ring to anyone looking for a unique and beautiful setting. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!
Read Moreroyalbluescrubs Nov 3, 2012 - Helpful 5
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So Gorgeous!!! My fiance proposed with this ring on our 2nd anniversary, and I've received compliments every day since then. People mention the vintage look and classic beauty and I love it!!!
Read Moresara91 Feb 20, 2013 - Helpful 3
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Engagement ring We love this ring, it is unique in style and beautiful on my finger. I have gotten so many compliments from strangers about the look and style of the ring. I originally wanted a halo style and this ring is comparable but much more unique because of its shaping.
Read Morecrazygirlj17 Oct 26, 2012 - Helpful 3
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Love it! This is my engagement ring! When it arrived, I couldn't wait to open it. When I did, OMG! I love, love, love it! I got the matching band with it. The two of them together are so sparkly that I just ordered a second band to go on the other side to make a complete wedding set! My soon to be fiance was extremely happy with the look and quality of the ring. I'm so happy with it! I am greatly surprised. YEAH! It fits perfect, too! Anyone who purchases this will not be disappointed. The pictures do not capture the true bling of this ring! The details and design are beautiful! I look forward to wearing this with the matching bands on my wedding day!
Read Moreannabb62 Aug 11, 2013 - Helpful 2
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Questions & Answers
Hello AaronShaffer, unfortunately, we do not make customer orders. I would suggest item number 13111890, 15329271, or 15365482. Thank you for shopping with us!
The way the ring is made it would not be possible to even take it to a custom jeweler and have a larger stone set in it.
Does it come with a Diamond Certification?
Hello phi5, the ring does not have a diamond certification, however, for a small fee you can arrange certification when ordering the ring. Thank you for shopping with us.
What is the best way to clean this ring? What can I use that will not harm the finish?
Hello dijana21, We recommend ultra-sonic from local jeweler which will give the best result. You may also use hand soap with a small toothbrush to lightly brush off all the residue on the diamonds. There are also some home remedies that you may like to check out on the internet.
is this ring durable ? sleep in, work out, swim in, shower or will it fall apart my girlfriend tends to forget she is wearing rings so she will never take it off haha
Thank you for your question smith72633. Yes, the ring is durable. But, you have to remember, it's a diamond ring. And you want to protect your investment and to take care of it, so that it will last many, many years. Have a great day.
Can you suggest a wedding band that would compliment this ring? Thanks
Please check out item 14217912 and 12506840 for starters. Overstock.com has a great selection of bands that would look great with the ring you have chosen.
Looks like item 15516555 was made to match this!
Shopping Guides
Top 5 Diamond Engagement Ring Styles
Getting engaged and planning a wedding will be one of the most memorable experiences in your life. Whether you are choosing an engagement ring for your girlfriend, selecting a ring for yourself or picking diamond engagement jewelry out together as a couple, you'll encounter many ring styles in the process. In addition to choosing between yellow gold, white gold and platinum bands, you will also have to select the diamond shape, ring setting and accent stones of your choice. Take a look our favorite diamond engagement rings to help you find the right one for popping the question.
Top 5 Colors in Fancy Diamond Engagement Rings
Fancy diamond engagement rings are trendy, but still unique. These rings feature colored diamonds, and they come in a spectrum of hues. Engagement rings with bright, colorful stones add a splash of color to your daily wardrobe. Fancy diamond engagement rings may feature a stunning, highly-saturated center solitaire or colorful accent diamonds and a white center stone. These diamond engagement rings really speak to a bride's individuality with an important dash of personalization.
Wedding Bands History Fact Sheet
Wedding bands and engagement rings have a rich history. Though the rings themselves have changed and cultural meanings have evolved, a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand has long been a way to show the world that you are in love. Wedding rings today can be found in traditional gold, platinum and diamond styles as well as unique gemstone, titanium and stainless steel varieties. Learning a bit about wedding band and engagement ring history can help you decide what type of wedding jewelry is right for you.
Best Diamond Cuts for an Engagement Ring
Shopping for a diamond engagement ring is a thrilling process. The glittering stone on your ring finger that shows the world you are engaged is an important investment. You will wear your engagement ring for a lifetime, so it is important to choose a diamond ring that will represent your personality. For some, that means choosing an unconventional ring with a special cut of diamond. Consider skipping the traditional rings and selecting one of these exceptional diamond cuts for your engagement ring.
How to Choose Diamond Wedding Rings
If you're ready to pop the big question, choose diamond wedding rings for you and your beloved. A simple gold ring has been the standard in wedding bands for centuries, but many modern brides and grooms are choosing wedding rings with more sparkle. Diamond wedding rings allow you to add gems to your wedding jewelry ensemble. These rings draw attention to your prized wedding jewelry. Diamond wedding bands can be matched to your diamond engagement ring, creating a stylish combination. If you feel overwhelmed by the many choices in diamond wedding bands, allow us to help you narrow down the options and select the wedding bands that will delight you and your beloved.
Top 5 Styles of Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings
When you are shopping for engagement rings, you will find many featuring stunning cubic zirconias. Choosing a cubic zirconia engagement ring can give you the style you really want, even if you can't afford the same style in the diamond ring category. Cubic zirconia rings are built to last, especially if you select one with a platinum or gold setting. Whether as a temporary, affordable engagement ring or as an eco-friendly investment ring, cubic zirconia rings make stylish choices.
Choose Your Dream Engagement Ring Setting
When shopping for engagement rings, you will find many variations of the same classic solitaire ring. In today's modern world, unique and artistic engagement rings are widely available. Avoid the carbon-copy rings and select a unique engagement ring that fits your style. Many modern brides choose colored diamond engagement jewelry or unique engagement rings made of industrial metals. Shopping by ring setting is also a great way to find an unconventional engagement ring. These unique engagement ring settings will inspire you to select funky and fashionable wedding jewelry.
Engagement Ring Style Glossary
When you are ready to get engaged, you will likely have many questions about the process and the traditions. Picking out an engagement ring can be a daunting task, whether you are purchasing a surprise engagement ring for your girlfriend or you are selecting a diamond engagement ring together as a couple. Possessing some basic information about engagement jewelry and wedding rings will be incredibly helpful when you are comparing diamond rings and unconventional engagement rings. Consider these common terms when you are shopping for engagement jewelry.
Top 5 Eternity Band Styles
Impress your wife or girlfriend on your next big anniversary with an eternity band. An eternity band is an anniversary ring that signifies your eternal relationship with an unbroken circle of diamonds or gemstones. Eternity rings can be worn next to a wedding band or they can be the perfect right-hand diamond ring. Eternity rings also work well as wedding bands; some brides opt only for an eternity band, skipping an engagement ring entirely. You have many style options when shopping for anniversary rings and diamond jewelry. Use this guide to find the perfect eternity band for yourself or for the woman you love.
How to Buy Colored Diamond Engagement Ring Sets
Break the mold with a colored diamond engagement ring set. Colored diamonds are bold and fabulous in any shade. A colored diamond bridal set will set you apart from the crowd and give you something beautiful and bright to wear every single day. Colored diamonds are valuable, so by choosing them you are not giving up any luxury in your engagement ring and wedding band. Use these tips to shop for engagement ring sets with colored diamonds.
What to Know when Shopping for Princess Cut Engagement Rings
A diamond engagement ring should make you feel like a princess, and a princess-cut ring is the perfect way to celebrate your romance in a regal fashion. A princess-cut diamond is square and has a lot of brilliance. Princess-cut engagement rings are neither too modern nor too old-fashioned; these rings strike the perfect balance and allow you to showcase your commitment in style. Princess-cut engagement rings are available in a range of styles, and these stones vary in quality, size and price. If princess-cut diamonds have caught your eye, use our facts to decide if this gem is right for your engagement ring.
FAQs about Engagement Rings
If you have questions about engagement rings, then you are in the right place. Engagement ring knowledge will help you get the best diamond ring for your money and also ensure that you select wedding rings that will complement your personal style. With so many diamond engagement rings to choose from, it is important to do a little research before shopping for diamond rings. We have gladly done the research for you; check out our helpful answers to frequently asked questions about engagement jewelry.
Top 10 Styles of Unique Engagement Rings
An engagement ring is a much more personal choice than some advertisers want you to believe. It isn't just about picking the biggest diamond and the shimmeriest setting. An engagement ring represents your relationship. Your wedding rings will be something you wear every day, so it is also important that an engagement ring represents your personal style. To avoid becoming a cookie-cutter bride and a run-of-the-mill wife, choose a unique engagement ring. Unique and interesting wedding jewelry speaks for your artistic side. To find the perfect unique engagement ring for your engagement, start with these top 10 unusual engagement rings and choose the wedding rings that speak to you and your partner.
How to Choose a Diamond Ring Setting
Whether you're choosing a diamond ring for yourself or looking for a ring to give as a gift, choosing the diamond setting is just as important as selecting the diamond that fits inside it. The right diamond setting will make a gorgeous diamond sparkle and shine while the wrong jewelry setting can make diamond jewelry look dull. Diamond rings, engagement rings, wedding rings and other diamond jewelry are investments, and choosing a great setting will make the jewelry twinkle for a lifetime. If you are purchasing a diamond engagement ring or a wedding ring, it is important to choose a ring setting that matches your or your bride's personal style. Showcase your diamond in the perfect ring setting with our tips.
Vintage Engagement Rings vs Modern Engagement Rings
The wide variety of engagement rings available today means that you can have the ring of your dreams, but what if you have trouble narrowing down your options? Can you really ignore the stunning round-diamond solitaire and settle on the princess-cut three-stone ring? The first step to making a decision is to choose whether you want a modern engagement ring style or a vintage engagement ring style. Use these facts about both to determine your preference.
How to Buy an Engagement Ring
Few pieces of jewelry are as important as an engagement ring. Whether you are hoping to surprise the love of your life with a stunning diamond or are picking out your own ring, you'll want to put some thoughtful preparation into the shopping process. With these tips, you can choose an engagement ring that will last a lifetime, just like your marriage.
Engagement Rings Buying Guide
Once you've decided you're ready to get married, the next step seems simple: find a ring and prepare to pop the question. However, it's not unusual to feel hesitant once you actually start looking for the engagement jewelry that will reside on her hand until death do you part. From cut and clarity of a diamond to style and size of the band, getting educated about the basics can make investing in the perfect engagement ring easier.
How to Clean an Engagement Ring
When your loved one buys a beautiful engagement ring for you to wear, you'll want to keep it shiny and looking like new for many years. Luckily, it isn't difficult to clean a diamond ring at home. Learn the right and wrong ways to clean an engagement ring to keep it looking beautiful.
How to Care for Your Engagement Ring
You simply adore your new engagement ring and you want it to look this lovely for the rest of your life. Proper jewelry care is important for preserving your engagement ring and wedding ring. Keeping your rings clean will keep them looking their best, but it can also help to protect the stones and settings. Storing your wedding rings properly will keep them safe and secure. Use these tips to ensure that your engagement ring will shine brightly on your 50th wedding anniversary.
Best Engagement Rings for Men
Engagement rings are a symbol of commitment, and they're not just for brides-to-be anymore. Although it's not a common tradition, modern men who want show their devotion prior to the ceremony can take a cue from Brazilian and Argentinian couples who typically have a plain band for both the future bride and groom. Men's engagement rings are also great for same-sex couples who both want to wear a ring.
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Shipping & Returns
Usually leaves our warehouse in 1-2 business days. *
Standard Return Policy for Jewelry:
Items must be returned in new or unused condition and contain all original materials included with the shipment.
Shipping Information:
Our standard shipping method is ground shipping. We also offer expedited shipping for most items. Your final
shipping cost and estimated delivery timeframe will be available at checkout.
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* For your protection, all orders are screened for security purposes. If your order is selected for review, our Loss Prevention Team may contact you by phone or email. There may be a two business day delay to process your order.
** Most Oversize orders are delivered within 1-4 weeks. Some orders may take 6 weeks to be delivered.