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Daily Violence
Quick - what is the most violent country in the world? Hmmm... not sure, but it would have to be a war zone, right? Afghanistan? Maybe Iraq? What if I told you it was Honduras? Followed quickly by El Salvador and then Venezuela. Honduras' murder rate, expressed as the number of murders reported per 100,000 in population, ranks at 86 / 100,000. El Salvador and Venezuela's rates are 75 and 65 / 100,000. In fact, Latin America as a whole, and Central America in particular, virtually owns the title of the world's most violent countries, with a regional average four times the worldwide average. (from Bloggings by Boz) Here are the numbers for 2011:
- Honduras 86 / 100,000 (increase of 15%)
- El Salvador 75
- Venezuela 65
- Guatemala 36
- Colombia 30 (lowest in 35 years)
- Brazil 26
*********I find these numbers illuminating for several reasons. First, I think that most average readers of the news in the US would assume that the majority of violent deaths in the world occur 'over there', i.e. in far away places, rather than in the countries and cities of our shared border and continent. Second, following the US media's focus on the increasing drug violence in Mexico, I imagine no one would guess that Mexico is far behind the levels of violence in much of neighboring Central America. Certainly the violence in the high trafficking zones is real and critical, but it only matches the larger and wider problems of systemically astounding and morally disastrous levels of violence throughout the region. I do not believe it is only a casual association that these same high-violence countries are among the most unequal in distribution of wealth, nor that they are susceptible to the corrosion that the US drug trade brings with it. And while these damning statistics represent very complex underlying problems in these countries, it is the task of every thinking and faithful person to look at how we can be a part of changing these realities. US policy, through trade, drug and military relations, are very real parts of this story. In the coming months, I hope we can connect how these elements of US policy and society directly relate to the levels of regularized violence that permeate the region.
Life in the Doughnut
On David Duncan's excellent blog on development theory From Poverty to Power, Kate Raeworth shares this reflection on living in the doughnut hole. In the genre of Alice in Wonderland's rabbit-hole dreamscapes, Raeworth's doughnut hole is an amazing confluence of planetary limits and social boundaries. That is to say, she asks the question of how do we live when we are caught between the constraints of a planet with fixed, limited resources and the constraints of living humanely with one another? Basically just about everything I find terrifying in this world - transposed on top of each other.
Raeworth discusses "Doughnut Economics" - finding the economic space in between planetary and social boundaries. As an engineer, and as a person of faith, I find each of these limits compelling. And urgent. And addressable.I'm interested in how others find this idea of 'doughnut economics.' Do you find one set of constraints or the other more compelling? More urgent? More or less manageable? Do you find people or organizations working on both sides of the equation - or placing themselves intentionally in the doughnut hole, as it were? I do think that these questions are fundamentally connected by our levels of resource use and control. You cannot disconnect the levels of consumption of folks in the United States from both the tangible effects of poverty, hunger, and deprivation experienced by the world's poor nor from the underlying limits of a finite planet. And so we come back, as we often do, to fundamental questions of fairness, equality, and sharing. These questions will change many of our lives, and they are the same lessons I am working on sharing with our daughter, just as every parent I know does. Why can't we actually learn these lessons? Here is the idea visually: And where we stand on the donuthole indicators:
Thinking Big
Some interesting links from around the web on some of the '30,000 feet subject's' that are often neglected when we think about our work in this world...
- One of my favorite development bloggers takes a look at where religion and development work intersect. It shows how far our sides have drifted apart - he seems to be writing about making the first tentative steps toward an alien race - but historically and on the ground, Development NGO's, people's organizations, and religious bodies have long been steadfast partners.
- What? The world's largest escalator in one of our favorite cities? Medellin rocks! (like the MetroCables, this escalator serves some of the cities most isolated and impoverished neighborhoods. Medellin has a world-class system of public voting on development projects, and this escalator is a prime example of how people want to improve their neighborhoods.)
- There's more to development than ending absolute poverty | Jonathan Glennie | Global development | guardian.co.uk
- [caption id="attachment_2457" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="from brandspankingnew.net"][/caption] What is the population problem? by Claire Melamed. This is from the slew of articles came out when the world's 7th billion person was both last year. A good look at the deeper questions of justice and equity that are raised when one considers the current state of how we use our world's resources instead of only thinking of population numbers.
- A great look at the impacts, both positive and negative, of short-term mission trips, from our friend and Co-Worker in Guatemala Amanda Craft.
What Wedenesday Means
We've talked a lot about the Free Trade Agreement here on the blog. And yes, we know the risks of being a one note band. And yes, we have often thought the vote was just around the corner. But we have not changed our minds - this is still a bad deal. Bad for our partners here; bad for the majority of Colombians in rural areas. But more than that, these types of trade agreements - which will serve to further advance the huge inequities in wealth and power - are bad for everyone in the long run. We all prosper when growth is shared and expanded rather than saved and hoarded. The US will benefit from a more democratic and more just Colombia, just as Colombia will benefit from US lawmakers looking at the long term costs and weaknesses this trade agreement will amplify. And tomorrow, Wednesday, this trade agreement will come up for vote. It is a part of a package of three deals - Colombia, Panama and South Korea - and a program to provide aid to US workers who lose their jobs due to the shifts brought on by these trade deals. While all of the trade deals have their issues, the deal with Colombia is what we know, and so we ask that you too raise your voice against this deal. Below are links to ways to call, email, or fax your representative and senators. There are also other links - closing arguments, if you will, on the case of what kind of future we want to create. Time is of the essence. We encourage you to speak out now. Call Congress. Email Congress. Resources for Presbyterians. Colombia FTA letter - RW & MB Lisa Haugaard has a summary of the problems with the Colombia deal - well worth a read, but here are some highlights: (from Huffington Post)
First, the slaughter of trade unionists in Colombia is far from over. More trade unionists were killed last year in Colombia than in the rest of the world combined -- see this chart, if the words alone do not resonate... Something is deeply wrong when a country leads the world in murders of people who exercise their freedom to organize. Second, the trade agreement will devastate poor farmers who have borne the brunt of the country's brutal conflict. These farm families who have lost husbands, sons and daughters -- and barely eke out a living as it is -- will lose even more... We should care about these families because they have suffered so much already. But we should also care because undercutting their livelihoods would push farmers back into coca production, the raw material for cocaine. U.S. taxpayers have already paid the tab on some $8 billion in aid to Colombia, supposedly with the aim of fighting illegal drugs. Third, the trade agreement will escalate the kinds of investment that are most associated with violence. You may have heard about the campaign against conflict diamonds. Colombia has conflict gold, conflict coal, conflict oil, conflict cattle ranching, conflict ports, conflict dams and conflict African palm plantations for biofuel... Unless paramilitary and other criminal networks are dismantled before the deal is sealed, the FTA will escalate the violence.We have a brief moment to stop this step in the wrong direction. May we all act.
Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Word on the wires is that the Colombia Free Trade Agreement may be submitted soon, as early as Monday, for Congressional approval. I thought it might be a good to time to post our letter outlining our particular reasons for opposition to this agreement. Perhaps you can share it with your Congress person.... (PDF version here Colombia FTA letter - RW & MB), IPC statement about the Agreement here (IPC - Letter against the FTA)
August 17, 2011Honorable Member of Congress: First, we want to thank you for your service to our country and its citizens, and indeed to your service to people everywhere who continue to look to the United States as a beacon of hope, justice, and freedom. We write to you from Barranquilla, Colombia, where we live and serve as Mission Co-Workers with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and our partner church here, the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia. We want to share with you some of our observations from living and working here amongst a Presbyterian church that seeks to follow God's call to serve the good of all people, especially those far from the centers of power. We are writing to urge you to vote against the passage of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement as it is currently written. Our churches, here in Colombia and in the United States, have long worked for trade between countries that serves the good of all people, rather than only a select few. The proposed Colombia Free Trade Agreement, as it is currently written, falls short of the basic principle of fairness for all, and thus as a church we cannot support its passage. There are many reasons for this agreement's shortcomings: the destructive effects on the Colombian environment, the weak protections for Colombia's threatened indigenous peoples and Afro-descendent population, and the threats and violence against Colombian trade unionists. Conversely, there are other negative impacts for US workers and manufacturing. These weaknesses in the current agreement have been well covered by other groups. We want to focus, however, on the destructive effects that this agreement will have on the average Colombian small-scale farmer and how that will have negative consequences for the well-being of US citizens in your district. Small-scale farmers in Colombia make up the majority of the rural population, most existing at a subsistence level or just a step above. They usually farm small plots of land, often with few legal guarantees, harvesting staple crops such as corn, rice, sugar, and other native consumables. Their existence is precarious, depending greatly on market prices, weather, and other forces of nature, to say nothing of the myriad of violence and social conflicts that are particular to the Colombian context. The introduction of US agricultural staples such as corn, rice and sugar, which are all subsidized and produced at much lower costs in the United States than is possible in Colombia will have a highly detrimental effect on the majority of rural Colombians, effectively eliminating the livelihoods of many of these farmers. For that reason alone, this trade agreement is flawed. There are, however, much deeper implications to this drastic reduction of the Colombian rural economy. For years, the United States has worked to decrease the amount of coca that is grown in Colombia, mostly through the aid package of Plan Colombia. Particularly through the social aid in the package, which Congress has emphasized in recent years, the US government, through USAID, has striven to reduce the incentives to small scale farmers for growing coca. We have learned that the only effective programs to reduce coca is by offering small scale farmers other viable options to provide for their families. Through smart and targeted programs we are finally seeing results, and the amount of coca being grown in recent years has begun to decline. These gains are tentative, and the wide- scale introduction of US subsidized crops will obliterate them since the destruction of the rural economy here will effectively make the illicit coca trade the only viable alternative to thousands of small Colombian farmers. We will have worked for the past ten years only to reverse course overnight. Many members of our partner church are these small scale farmers. In our time living with and working among them, we know that they are not the ones who will turn to growing coca to provide for their families. But we also know that given that choice – to grow coca and feed your family, or watch them perish – thousands of other campesinos will turn to coca. That coca will bring with it many tremendous negative consequences as it travels to the United States. We are seeing the impacts on cocaine's trafficking in South and Central America. We know its impacts on the streets of the United States. Those consequences touch all of us through addiction, violence, and the destruction wrought by the drug trade. There are many parts to the drug problem, but it starts with a small, poor farmer deciding how to feed his family here in Colombia. We have a chance to change that decision. We urge you to consider these implications in your deliberations. We understand fully that trade agreements are complex instruments, with many benefits and costs. That is only amplified in Washington's current climate surrounding these trade deals. However, the high costs to the rural Colombians we know and work with form the moral case against this particular agreement; and the significant setback to US interests in working against the spread of the coca trade form the logical case against the agreement. We pray that together, you will find them compelling reasons to vote no to the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Blessings, Rev. Richard Williams and Rev. Mamie Broadhurst Mission Co-Workers, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Barranquilla, Colombia
I'm Gonna Miss Alice Winters
A week or so ago, I had the chance to hear one of Alice Winters' last lectures at Reformed University. Tomorrow, after 35 years of mission service here in Colombia, she is headed back to the United States for her retirement. I would say she is headed home, except she has now lived in Colombia for more years than she ever lived in the United States, so...hard to say what going back means. Alice has done many things since she has been here, not the least of which is teaching possibly every pastor and many elders in the entire Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Her mark is deep and wide, and the mark people here have made on her has been irrefutably profound and transformational. In recent years she has primarily been a professor at the University here in Barranquilla, teaching Old Testament and Hebrew to all who pass through its doors - Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Baptists, Mennonites, and more. She has always been kind enough to spend time with each set of accompaniers that has passed through the North Coast as well, and they have in turn been treated to Biblical study and theological reflection with her. And let me just tell you, she's good. I have always been anxious about leading Bible studies. I don't know why exactly, but I rarely feel I do it as well as it should be done. Sadly sitting with Alice does not just rub the super-impressive-Biblical-reflection-hoodoo off on me, but if it did...dang. I never fail to learn something in listening to Alice, even if it is a reflection I have heard her give in the past. She somehow manages to make closer study of the Bible remain an act of discipleship and devotion, never shunting it off to confines of academic inquiry and yet always replete with intellectual rigor. In one of her last talks at Reformed University, she opened her remarks looking at two reflections on the current economic crisis. One was from comments made by Governor Rick Perry of Texas at the prayer rally in Houston last week and the other a letter written by many Latin American leaders regarding the same concern. Among his remarks, Gov. Perry said:
"I tell people, that "personal property" and the ownership of that personal property is crucial to our way of life.
Our founding fathers understood that it was a very important part of the pursuit of happiness. Being able to own things that are your own is one of the things that makes America unique. But I happen to think that it's in jeopardy.
It's in jeopardy because of taxes; it's in jeopardy because of regulation; it's in jeopardy because of a legal system that's run amok. And I think it's time for us to just hand it over to God and say, "God, You're going to have to fix this."
I think it's time for us to use our wisdom and our influence and really put it in God's hands. That's what I'm going to do, and I hope you'll join me."From Latin American church leaders comes this reflection (you can read the full letter at the end of this post):
As people of faith who have ourselves lived through economic and political turbulence in recent decades, we join with U.S. religious leaders from all Christian faith traditions who are fulfilling their prophetic role by standing in solidarity with the poor. In such times, faith leaders must be true to their vocation and amplify the voices of the vulnerable millions that have been excluded from the heated political debates that have raged in Washington.She went on to look at various Bible passages and to talk about the theologies that seem to be at work behind these two very different reflections. One which says that "personal property" is crucial and that our responsibility is basically to back off and just let God do whatever God is going to do, and one which says that in fact we have a very active role to play as people of faith - to stand in solidarity with the poor and amplify their voices in times of crisis. It seems to me that no matter what we say about separation of church and state, that there is never (nor can there really be) a separation of faith and state. We make decisions and take action and believe things about others based on what we believe about the way the world works - with a God, without one, a God who is most concerned with my happiness, one who is most concerned about justice for all. What Alice did (and does) so well was to lift up the theologies she saw amidst political speeches or legal decisions or church actions and try to see what basis those theologies have (or don't have...) in the Bible. In doing so she kept life sacred - if that is to say that she kept it always pointing toward God, or at least trying to show to what kind of God it was pointing. We wish you the best Alice, but doggonit, we are sure gonna miss you. (more below the fold...) Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We are fellow believers with you in the God who has never ceased reaching out to defend the poor and the excluded. We view with deep concern recent decisions in the United States that will add to the suffering of the most vulnerable members of U.S. society. As people of faith who have ourselves lived through economic and political turbulence in recent decades, we join with U.S. religious leaders from all Christian faith traditions who are fulfilling their prophetic role by standing in solidarity with the poor. In such times, faith leaders must be true to their vocation and amplify the voices of the vulnerable millions that have been excluded from the heated political debates that have raged in Washington. Those who govern should know that the decisions made in your country have consequences for the economies of other nations around the world. In the medium and long term, they will affect the lives of millions of people in the countries of the Global South. It seems to us immoral that politicians, with some exceptions, embrace only the interests of the wealthy, preferring to cut social assistance to those in greatest need. We know the generosity and solidarity of the American people and the assistance programs to the poor that operate through churches and civil society organizations in Latin America. It is therefore inconceivable to us that the wealthy make no effort to take responsibility for the debt generated by the country as a whole. Paying more taxes will not bankrupt them. Cutting social benefits jeopardizes the lives of the retired, the sick and others who are in need. Is this not brutally unjust? Therefore we, the undersigned Christian leaders of Latin America, write to express our solidarity with the people of the United States, especially those who embrace Christianity, who call for a true and just resolution to this crisis — a crisis that is not only economic, but also, and above all, moral. We encourage you to join the efforts of various churches, including those called "Circle of Protection." Our prayers are with you, dear brothers and sisters in the faith. Do not falter in your efforts, although these may be lonely times for people whose prophetic voice the politicians seem not to want to hear. God is watching the politicians and will not stop telling them: "Give justice to the poor!"(Psalm 82:3)
Where Do We Stack Up?
So maybe it is our recent trip to the US, but I've been thinking a lot lately about the differences between living in Colombia and the United States. Of course there are lots of differences, and lots of them completely unquantifiable, but what can you quantify about living in another culture? I came across a really interesting tool a while back which is a great help in thinking about this. It is called If It Were My Home and it uses demographic, health and economic data to compare lifestyles in different countries. First - size. Finally, a wonderful size comparison of Colombia's land size to the lower 48. Again, Colombia is not a small country! It is twice the size of Texas. Second - the stats. What is fun about these is that after being here for a couple of years, I can actually check these out a bit more... 1) Have 2.7x higher risk of dying in infancy. It may be debatable, but I think I'm safe in escaping infancy unscathed. 2) Use 93% less electricity. Great! We can check this one. I looked back at our electrical use in the US and here. We averaged 470 kwh/month in the US; we average 291 khw/month here. That's 38% lower. For reference, electricity here costs about 33% more, so that may account for some of it. But the facts shows that we end up using a lot less electricity here in Colombia, which is a good step for environmental sustainability! 3) Use 90% less oil. My guess is this one is pretty accurate. Without a car, using buses, taxis, and motorcycles as our primary transport, yeah, we probably use 90% less oil. 4) Make 80% less money. Hmm, we do make less money here in Colombia. I hesitate to put a % on it, but 80% is not out of the ballpark... 5) Spend 93% less on health care. Probably accurate... (e.g. I saw a blog post about the average hospital delivery in the US is $40,000. Ours here - about $2,500) 6) See a 30% more of a class divide. My impressions of this would be that the divide here is higher, but I think you are much more aware of class divides in cultures that are not your own. 7) Would be 29% more unemployed. Well, we did come here with a job, and have managed to keep it so far... 8) Have 28.42% more babies. Ahh! We can be concrete on this one! We have had exactly 100% more babies here in Colombia. 9) Will die 3.93 years sooner here in Colombia. We are hoping not to test this one out...
**********So what is the take away? Colombians use much fewer natural resources - electricity, oil - which translates into a much more sustainable lifestyle for the planet. Some of that is due to lower incomes, some to higher costs. Colombia's population, therefore, has less of a footprint on the planet, even as it is growing faster. This is probably no surprise to folks used to high consumption lifestyles; still, it is a clear call for what the planet can sustain over the long haul. And in general, Colombia is a rather average country in terms of income and consumption - clearly not the richest, but also not among the poorest. Another good resource to gauge yourself and the rest of the world is The Global Rich List. Check it out to compare your income to the rest of the world. Surprised? Often by only comparing ourselves to our neighbors we lose perspective of how we stack up in the wide swath of our human family. Beyond any numbers, our time in Colombia has shown us that we are indeed a part of one large, convoluted human family. Like any family, we are in this together, and everyone's actions effect all the rest. But these numbers show just how much those of us in the rich world have to examine our consumption and control before we are equal and faithful members of our larger human family.
...Lord, hear our prayers...
Colombian Catchup – Links
So while we have been radio silent, news from Colombia certainly hasn't... Here's a collection of the most interesting news I've seen...
- An excellent article focusing on the climate of fear around those seeking to reclaim land stolen from them during Colombia's violent conflict. The authors visited several communities that the North Coast Presbytery has been accompanying for the past year. (Leaders of Colombia's Landless in New Peril - from The Miami Herald) (See my earlier reflection on visiting San Onofre and a recent article about the church's involvement here)
- Elizabeth Dickinson, writing in The Atlantic, uncovers many of the most pressing problems with Colombia's new improved violence statistics. The murder rates may be down, but the violence has not gone away, it has just morphed... Buenaventura is on the Pacific coast and far from our area of knowledge, but these same patterns are evident in the areas where the church is active and present... (Colombia's Invisible War)
- Here is a best case scenario from PRI's The World... Interviews with Goverment and USAID people, presenting what they hope for the new Victim's Law. (PRI's Colombian Farmers Regain Land)
- Just how much land was stolen in Colombia? About 10% of the whole country... (from Colombia Reports)
- What might increase from the Colombia Free Trade agreement? Cocaine... (from Jess Hunter-Bowman, Witness for Peace)
- Just a good number to remember about Colombia - particularly as we discuss an "even playing field" for the Free Trade Agreement : "The latest figures... show that in 2009, 45.5% of the population, some 19.8 million people, find themselves in poverty. The same figures illustrate that 16.4%, or 7.1 million, live in extreme poverty or indigence." (from Colombia Reports)
- NPR has a nice piece on Colombian cycling... You didn't think it was all poverty, politics and power here did you?
- In The Guardian, a good article looking at small scale agriculture and it's long term implications - Agriculture, the Food Crisis, and the Environment
- A final image showing the changing landscape of world poverty:
Breaking the Fast
[caption id="attachment_2135" align="alignright" width="258" caption="Banner from Colegio Nazareth for Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia, 2011"][/caption] Sunday was the last day for the ayuno, or fast, that Mamie and I participated in last week. We joined people in the United States and Colombia for this fast - an ancient tradition in the Jewish and Christian traditions - as a sign of protest, lament, and hope. So how does a week of fasting bring about protest, lament, and hope? The Hebrew prophet Isaiah wrote of the type of fast that God chooses in a time of crisis for the Hebrew people, and it is a clear call to us today:
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?Just preceding that passage, there are clear warnings about what type of sanctified religious displays are the opposite of God's desires, and a warning for all of us fasting this past week:
"Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? (Isaiah 58)So do I feel like we loosed the bonds of injustice this past week? Undid the thongs of the yoke? Let the oppressed go free? Shared bread or clothed the naked? Or instead, did we serve our individual interests, continue in the oppression of others, or fail to be humble in this fast... If the measure of a fast is to have stopped the Colombia/US Free Trade agreement, or to have taken the reigns of the debate in Congress, then we certainly did not accomplish that. Yet, I also think those goals would fall more in line with the second text from above, the ways that we humans can misinterpret sacred actions like fasting. Instead, I pray and hope this fast had a different but deeper impact; I am changed for it, and changed for good. After a week of sunup to sundown fasting, I can say that it is very much an exercise of patience and deliberateness. For me there were no revelations, no in-breakings of the Spirit - only the constancy of my hunger. The dull ache of lack that I so often literally quench. But not this past week. This past week that hunger, that lack, was a holy symbol of God's hunger. God's hunger for justice and dignity for all of God's beloved creations. Fasting is not an exercise to force something outside to happen as much as it is to steel your resolve, to examine deeply your commitments, and to fuel the simmering fire for justice that is somewhere in all of us. Many of our readers joined us in fasting, and even more joined us in calling into the White House to voice opposition to the harmful elements of this agreement (and it is not too late for you to call...). I am hopeful about the political impact of this witness. It is important for people who know some of the deeper impacts of these trade agreements to raise their voice in opposition. And thanks be to God, there are times when the political leaders in the US listen to this kind of witness. Raising our voice about this one policy is just the beginning of working for the much broader transformation of our political order, towards a world where the dignity and value of all of God's people, and creation, is the common goal. But in the end, I am also hopeful about a deeper change. A change deeper than the many give and takes that this trade agreement is going through. A change deeper than the hope promised by politicians. I am hopeful for a deeper change in me, and in you. A change that we can truly join in the fast that God chooses. A change to align our whole lives in the work of God. Then we truly change this world.
What will you do? What will you say?
A good message from our friends at the Latin America Working Group:
Today is the national day to call and raise your voice against the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Here are the details. What will you do? What will you say?
If you want more information on the Colombia/United States Free Trade Agreement, here are two links for a very informative discussion on the recent PC(USA) webinar.
I also wanted to include this thoughtful note from Tom Milligan, of the Colombia Mission Network:
Dear friends of the IPC-PCUSA Colombia Mission Network. I write you today in my capacity as the convenor of this Network. Many of you already know of and are planning to participate in events related to opposition to the proposed US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement but I wanted to be doubly sure that all of you are aware and receive my invitation to participate. After years of deliberation and political wrangling, the Obama Administration will now be considering passage of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the United States and Colombia on a fast track. This agreement has gotten fairly positive reviews in the media and in various sectors of civil society. I, myself as a businessman and community leader in Sidney, Ohio was inclined, early on, to see the trade agreement favorably. Yet, in learning more about its specifics, in listening to our brothers and sisters in Colombia and upon reading and understanding the issues at a deeper level, I have come to see the possible grave consequences for workers both here and in Colombia, should the trade agreement be passed. As a matter of conscience, I have come to the conclusion that the FTA must be opposed. Why Presbyterians Oppose the Colombia FTA
The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is taking a leadership role in this movement, which is where you come in. I am ask you to join with our brothers and sisters in Colombia to oppose the FTA in the following ways: -Join the public Fast of Resistance June 5-12, 2011. We are fasting alongside our sisters and brothers in Colombia and around the United States. The Fast is aimed at reaching a deeper spiritual place in our opposition to the FTA while bringing attention to the FTA issue. 160 of our Colombian brothers and sisters have already agreed to participate in this. Even if you cannot fast for the entire week, fasting for a day or a portion of the week would be a significant witness with our Colombian brothers and sisters (Details on the PPF website) www.presbypeacefellowship.org/colombia -Sign the PC(USA) Petition (refer to the PPF website) -Participate in a Call-In to the White House at a time coordinated by the PPF to voice your opposition to the FTA. (refer to the PPF website) -Follow the effort on Facebook and Twitter and promote this to your personal networks to spread the word! (hashtag: #peacefast) Your participation in these actions is critical to the success of this effort and an important show of Christian solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Colombia as a concrete sign of our partnership covenants. In Christ, Tom Milligan, Convenor, IPC-PCUSA Colombia Network
- Our partners in the Presbyterian Church have consistently asked us to support them in their opposition of the FTA.
- The PC(USA) as a body has studied the situation and policies thoroughly, and official church policy opposes the FTA specifically.
- A broad coalition of religious advocacy groups are working together to protect the most vulnerable in Colombia by opposing the FTA.


text:
I am currently writing a growl notification plugin for emesene messenger on OS X. It is nearly working except to when it comes to displaying a message snippet.
The message is passed to growlnotify as a variable, however growl does not accept spaces in the displayed message.
So what i need help with is a script to remove the spaces between multiple words and replace it with a \ then a space.
e.g. Original: This is a message What is needed: This\ is\ a\ message
I have looked around at similar answers but i could not work out how to append the slash.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Date: December 13 2012
FRANCE'S Prime Minister has criticised citizens fleeing the tax on high earners, saying they were greedy profiteers seeking to ''become even richer''.
Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke out after France's best-known actor, Gerard Depardieu, took up legal residence just over the border, in Belgium, with hundreds of other prosperous French people seeking lower taxes.
''Those who are seeking exile abroad are not those who are scared of becoming poor,'' Mr Ayrault declared after unveiling sweeping anti-poverty measures. They were leaving ''because they want to get even richer'', he said. ''We cannot fight poverty if those with the most - and sometimes with a lot - do not show solidarity and a bit of generosity.'' Announcing plans to spend up to €2.5 billion ($3.1 billion) by 2017 to help the poor, Mr Ayrault said poverty affected 12.9 per cent of the population in 2002, but the figure rose to 14.1 per cent in 2010.
France's Socialist President Francois Hollande, who famously once said ''I don't like the rich'', has pledged to tax annual income of more than €1 million at 75 per cent. British Prime Minister David Cameron said he would ''roll out the red carpet'' for any French residents fleeing the tax increase.
Mr Ayrault did not mention Depardieu on Monday, but the star drew fierce criticism from the left wing. The daily Liberation called him a ''drunken, obese petit-bourgeois reactionary''.
This material is subject to copyright and any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.
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This page contains a text in Old Church Slavonic with a modern English translation. This particular text and its translation are extracted from a lesson in the Early Indo-European Online series, where one may find detailed information about this text (see the Table of Contents page for Old Church Slavonic Online in EIEOL), and general information about the Old Church Slavonic language and its speakers' culture.
měsęca dekębr'ja ig vŭ navečerije roždĭstva xrĭstova evang'elije otŭ luky glava v vŭ ono vrěmę izide zapovědĭ otŭ kesarě avgosta napisati v'sǫ vĭselenǫjǫ | se napisanie prŭvoe bystŭ vladǫštu suriejǫ i küriniejǫ | i iděaxǫ vĭsi napisatŭ sę kĭždo vŭ svoi gradŭ | vĭzide že iosifĭ otŭ galileę i grada nazaretĭska vĭ ijudejǫ vĭ gradŭ davydovŭ iže naricaetŭ sę viθleemĭ zane běaše otŭ domu i otĭčĭstviě davydova | napisatŭ sę sŭ mariejǫ obrǫčenǫjǫ emu ženojǫ sǫštejǫ neprazdŭnojǫ | bystŭ že egda byste tu isplŭnišę sę denie da roditŭ | i rodi synŭ svoi prŭvěnecĭ i obity i i položi i vŭ ěslexŭ zane ne bě ima města vŭ obitěli | i pastŭiri běaxǫ vŭ toižde st'raně bŭdęšte i strěgǫšte stražǫ noštĭnǫjǫ o stadě svoemŭ | i se ang'elŭ gospodĭnĭ sta vĭ nixŭ i slava gospodĭně osiě ę i uboěšę sę st'raxomŭ veliemŭ | i reče imŭ ang'elŭ ne boite sę se bo blagověštajǫ vamŭ radostĭ velijǫ ěže bǫdet bĭsěmĭ ljudemŭ | ěko rodi sę vamŭ sŭpasŭ iže estŭ xristŭ gospodĭ vŭ gradě davydově | i se vamŭ z'namenie obręstete mladĭnecĭ povitŭ i ležęštĭ vĭ ěslexŭ | i vŭnezaapǫ bystŭ sŭ angělomŭ m'nožĭstvo voi nebesnyix xvalęštiixŭ boga i glagoljǫštĭ | sla vŭ vyšniix bogu i na zemi mirŭ vŭ člověcěxŭ blagovolenie | i bystŭ ěko otidǫ otĭ nixŭ ang'eli na nebo i člověci pastŭiri rěšę drugĭ kĭ drugu prěiděmŭ ubo do viθleoma i vidimŭ glagolĭ sĭ byvĭšii egože gospodĭ sŭkaza nam | i prěidǫ pod'vigĭše sę i obrětǫ marijǫ i iosifa i mladĭnecĭ ležęštĭ vĭ ěslexŭ | viděvŭše že sĭkazašę o glagolě glagolaněmĭ o otročęti semŭ | i vŭsi slyšavŭše divišę sę o glagolanyixŭ otŭ pastŭirĭ kĭ nimŭ | mariě že vĭsę sŭbljudaaše glagoly sii vŭ srĭdĭci svoemŭ | i vŭzvratišę sę pastyri slavęšte i xvalęšte boga o v'sěxŭ ěže slyšašę i viděšę ěkože glagolano bŭistĭ kĭ nimŭ |
24th of the month December, on the eve of the birth of Christ. Gospel according to Luke, 2nd chapter:
(1) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (3) And all went up to be taxed, every one in his own city. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.


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What Steps Should I Take In Preparing To Talk To A Personal Injury Lawyer
Deciding to consult a personal injury lawyer is an important decision and should not be taken lightly. There are some steps that those considering such a consultation should take before they attend that first consultation.
Check Out Their Credentials
Make sure that the potential attorney has been in practice for a sensible amount of time and is proficient in the area of personal injury law. Make sure they are licensed in the proper state and that they have appropriate qualifications.
Understand The Attorney's Fee Structure
Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they take a percentage of the award their client receives from the court. This type of fee structure is considered to be the "We Don't Get Paid Until You Get Paid" model. Make sure that you understand how much representation will cost you before you meet with the attorney; if you decide you want to hire them, you need to ensure you will be able to afford them.
Are They A Fighter Or A Settler
Find out if they are willing to take your case to trial or if they prefer settling out of court. It is best to take personal injury cases to trial, which will ensure you receive the highest compensation possible. Insurance companies know personal injuries lawyers from working with them repeatedly, and they know which attorneys prefer to settle out of court and which ones will fight for their clients. Attorneys who are willing to fight and go to trial for their clients get more money for the clients than those who prefer to settle without going to trial.
Deciding to hire a lawyer to represent you during your personal injury case is a serious commitment, one that requires a considerable amount of thought and consideration. Make sure that your personal injury attorney is qualified and experienced in the field, that their fee is acceptable to you, and that they are willing to go the distance for you to make sure you get the best outcome possible before taking the time out of your schedule to consult with them.


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On Demand
IHOPKC Onething
IHOPKC Prayer & Prophetic Conference
IHOPKC Fascinate
Focusing on Psalm 119:37, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to Your Word", this event aims to bring revival to the hearts of all who attend and tune in to watch.
IHOPKC Passion for Jesus Conference
IHOPKC Passion for Jesus Series
IHOPKC Onething 2015
IHOPKC Children's Prophetic Equipping Conference
IHOPKC Joseph Company Conference
IHOPKC Michael Brown Symposium
IHOPKC Israel & the Church in the End Times
IHOPKC Daniel Conference
IHOPKC Zechariah Seminar
IHOPKC AAFA Black History Symposium
IHOPKC David Pawson Seminar
IHOPKC Book of Joel
IHOPKC End Times with Mike Bickle
IHOPKC Book of Revelation
Founder: Mike Bickle
Location: Kansas City, Missouri (USA)
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
(Colossians 4:2)
About IHOPKC: On May 7, 1999, the International House of Prayer of Kansas City was founded by Mike Bickle and twenty full-time "intercessory missionaries," who cried out to God in prayer with worship for thirteen hours each day. Four months later, on September 19, 1999, prayer and worship extended to the full 24/7 schedule.
The International House of Prayer is an evangelical missions organization that is committed to praying for the release of the fullness of God's power and purpose, as we actively win the lost, heal the sick, feed the poor, make disciples, and impact every sphere of society—family, education, government, economy, arts, media, religion, etc. Our vision is to work in relationship with the wider Body of Christ to engage in the Great Commission, as we seek to walk out the two great commandments to love God and people.
About Mike Bickle: Mike Bickle is the director of the International House of Prayer Missions Base of Kansas City, an evangelical missions organization based on 24/7 prayer with worship. The International House of Prayer has committed to combine 24/7 prayers for justice with 24/7 works of justice, and also offers full-time training in Bible, music, media, and missions schools.
Series on GOD TV:
Passion for Jesus with Mike Bickle
This half-hour series focuses on themes related to intimacy with the Lord and the end-times, with worship from the IHOPKC worship teams, including Misty Edwards, Justin Rizzo, Luke Wood, Laura Hackett and others.
The Prayer Room – LIVE
Start each day in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and agreeing with God's Word brought to you from IHOPKC's 24/7 prayer room.
Web: www.ihopkc.org


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You may not be able to control the weather on Prom night but you can definitely take charge of how you look if things get a little chilly. Ditch the letterman jacket or the windbreaker you've been rocking since freshman year and cover up with something pretty. Here, some inspiration...--Angel
1.Tracy Reese Space Dye Cardigan, $225 2.Stella McCartney Frill Detail Blazer, $1,721 3.Silence & Noise Sequin Cardigan, $68 4.Floral Pearl Trim Cardigan, $28 5.Suzy Chin Maggy Boutique Flower Applique Cardigan, $58 6.Oxford Flower Capelet, $118 7.Ashish Sequined Boyfriend-Fit Blazer, $1,020 8.Sheer Ruffle Front Jacket, $28 9.Poodle Pink Cardigan, $69 10.Betsey Johnson Starburst Shrug with Chiffon Ruffles, $138


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Loving the Spurs has become a cyclical thing for NBA fans. You love them for a while, but then you forget about them, because they don't have a huge marketable star and they play in San Antonio and they've never really gone after media coverage. Then the playoffs come around again and you remember everything you loved about them.
The Spurs are awesome. This video, which is basically the YouTube equivalent of a giant ice cream sundae for NBA fans, shows highlights from the past few seasons of the Spurs. You get ball movement, you get extra passes, you get interior passes, you get cuts to the hoop, you get more passing. You get so much passing!
The music is epic and the voiceovers, from Magic Johnson and Gregg Popovich among others, is perfect. The moment where Tony Parker gets instructions from Pop, then runs over to the bench as the team huddles around him, gave me goosebumps. And this sideline move from Manu Ginobili, which is a soccer move he somehow repurposed for the game of basketball, made me nearly fall out of my seat.
Cherish every second with this team, sports fans. They won't be around forever.
(Thanks to Krossover.com for sharing.)


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Tonight is the big season four finale of "The Walking Dead" and it is going to be crazy. On March 30, MTV shared big spoilers about this finale that help explain why Terminus is too good to be true. It is one episode that you do not want to miss.
The big spoiler is about Terminus. This place is not all that it is cracked up to be. When they showed up, Mary was cooking food and it looked like a sanctuary. If things are like the comic book, then she is really there cooking people and this is a place that live off of cannibalism. They don't go hungry though. They might even be kidnapping survivors so they have food to eat.
Someone will not survive tonight too. It is unknown who it will be and various rumors are flying around. It will be someone very important to the show that dies tonight and a death that will shock fans of the series At least one death tonight will happen in a very gruesome way as well. Andrew Lincoln even said they might have taken it too far. You can read more at this link.
Don't miss "The Walking Dead" tonight on AMC at 8 p.m. CST in the Oklahoma City area.
Please like Mandy Robinson on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news.


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Chaz Williams Named To A-10 All-Conference First Team For Third Time
March 11, 2014
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Massachusetts senior Chaz Williams was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team as voted on by the league coaches and announced by the league office on Tuesday, marking the third-consecutive year he has earned first team honors.
Williams leads UMass in scoring (15.8 ppg), assists (7.1 apg), steals (1.4 spg), FT made (130, 4.3/gm) and minutes (35.1 mpg). He also ranks among the A-10 leaders in scoring (5th), assists (1st), steals (6th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (t-1st, 2.2).
On Sunday he became the school's all-time assist leader and now has 687 in 100 games. He also sits in 26th place in NCAA Division I history with 825 over his four years of college.
The Brooklyn, N.Y. native is the 56th first team all-conference selection in school history and just the fourth to earn three-straight, joining Al Skinner, Jim McCoy, Lou Roe and Rashaun Freeman. UMass now has 22 first team honorees since the league's inception prior to the 1976-77 season.
Since the A-10 began, there have now been just eight players earn three first team awards - Rodney Blake of Saint Joseph's (1986-88), Mark Macon of Temple (1988-91), McCoy (1990-92), Roe (1993-95), David West of Xavier (2001-03), Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's (2002-04), Freeman (2005-07) and now Williams.
For Williams, it marks the fourth career postseason honor following his selection to the past two year's A-10 All-Conference First Team and the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team when he played at Hofstra during the 2009-10 campaign.
Complete A-10 release...
Jett, Weber, Crews Win Top A-10 Men's Basketball Awards
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Saint Louis senior guard Jordair Jett was voted the 2014 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year and VCU junior guard Briante Weber was voted the A-10's Defensive Player of the Year in the league's annual postseason men's basketball awards. Announced Tuesday, the conference also honored Saint Louis coach Jim Crews as Coach of the Year.
The other major awards announced Tuesday include Rookie of the Year, which was shared by Rhode Island's E.C. Matthews and Saint Joseph's DeAndre' Bembry. George Washington's Kevin Larsen was selected as the Chris Daniels Most Improved Player and the Sixth Man Award went to Melvin Johnson of VCU.
The awards, along with the All-Conference, All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams were voted on by the league's 13 head coaches. The All-Academic Team was selected by a vote of the A-10's men's basketball media relations directors.
Jett led the Billikens to a 26-win season, including a school-record 19 straight wins. He ranked top 20 in the Atlantic 10 in scoring and top 10 in assists (third - 4.7 apg) and steals (sixth-1.5 spg). A native of St. Paul, Minn., he was also named to the All-Defensive Team.
Weber was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year after leading the nation in steals during the regular season. Weber, a native of Chesapeake, Va., averaged 3.6 steals per game (he currently has 111) and he set the A-10 single season and VCU career steals records.
Crews, last year's NABC Coach of the Year, was named A-10 Coach of the Year for the second straight year. He led the Billikens to 19 straight wins and SLU's second straight Atlantic 10 regular season title with a 13-3 league record and a 26-5 overall mark. Saint Louis also has one of the best road records in the nation at 11-1.
Matthews was named A-10 Rookie of the Week seven times this season. He ranked 15th in scoring and was second on Rhode Island at 14.4 ppg. A guard from Detroit, Mich., he scored 20 or more points nine times this season. Bembry led the Hawks in steals and was third in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocked shots. A forward from Charlotte, N.C., he was twice named A-10 Rookie of the Week and played a key role in Saint Joseph's 21-win regular season.
Larsen, a sophomore forward from Copenhagen, Denmark, averaged 11.3 points and 7.1 rebounds during the regular season. This is a jump from last year's 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and one of the reasons for GW's jump to third place at 11-5 in league play and 23-7 overall.
Johnson came off the bench in all but five games this season, but still managed to average 10.5 ppg, making him third in scoring for VCU. A sophomore guard from the Bronx, N.Y., he ranked in the top 10 in the league in 3-pointers made.
Tickets for the championship can be purchased through Ticketmaster, Atlantic10.com, BarclaysCenter.com or at the Barclays Center Box Office.
2014 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Awards
Player of the Year: Jordair Jett, Saint Louis
Defensive Player of the Year: Briante Weber, VCU
Co-Rookies of the Year: DeAndre' Bembry, Saint Joseph's; E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island
Chris Daniels Most Improved Player: Kevin Larsen, George Washington
Sixth Man Award: Melvin Johnson, VCU
Coach of the Year: Jim Crews
First Team All-Conference
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Oct 20, 2010 8:38 AM
Sometimes we love seeing trends on other people, but aren't sure where to start when making the same look work for ourselves. That's how we feel about this whole ankle boots business. Adorable, but how do we replicate without looking too...runway? Let's start with the Black Alimo Heel ($45, on sale). Its sleek and simple lines are reminiscent of a peeptoe heel, but the extra upper leather pushes it just into heeled boot territory. Voilà! Add in a pair of tights and you've got trendy style that works for the everyday gal.
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Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


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From repairs to maintenance, the technicians from our family-owned-and-operated heating and air conditioning contractor in Irving, Texas, offer all the services you require to stay comfortable. Let Long Electric and Air Conditioning, LLC, handle all your heating, cooling, and electrical needs.
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At our heating and air conditioning contractor, we know that you don't have time to wait around for a service technician. When you choose us for service, you don't have to wait around for hours. In fact, we book appointments within a two-hour window so you receive the quality service you need in a timely manner. During the appointment, the technician explains all your options after a complete system evaluation.
Electrical work and lamp repair, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, motion detectors, plug and switches.


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Unfiltered with Miami Dolphins OG John Jerry
It's amazing that new players are always joining the team but the same old names keep surfacing when the annual bar fight question gets asked.
John Jerry, the Miami Dolphins' new starting right guard, didn't even need to hear me finish The Mob's favorite question before he blurted out his answer.
"Channing Crowder," he said when asked the one player he wanted to have his back.
That's right, the lone holdover at linebacker has replaced Matt Roth as the WILD MAN players want to have their back. He's the guy they want to go down a dark alley with.
It's possible that Jerry could be a new entry on the bar fight list based on some of the things his mother had to say about him in this story.
In case you haven't already checked out the story, here are some of the highlights that might interest you….
Jerry's nickname is "Baby J."
Jerry was is naturally big, and always has been. He was born an ounce short of 10 pounds…. and according to his mother he was born with TEETH and never ate baby food.
That's right….your new starting right guard has been a man since birth. His mother said she actually had dentists remove those two front teeth.
Also, even though he's the YOUNGER brother of defensive tackle Peria Jerry, the Falcon's 2009 first-round pick, Jonh's always taken on the role of enforcer in the family, standing up for his brother on a regular basis.
And his mother also said Jerry has an inner rage to him, a nasty streak.
"Don't let him fool you!" Onethia said.
I'm sensing Tony Sparano and the boy picked up on that streak during their week of working with Jerry in Mobile for the Senior Bowl because the Dolphins had him rated fairly high on their draft board, and used a prized third-round pick to select Jerry.
At the time I felt it was a luxury pick considering the need at free safety and tight end was greater, but after watching Jerry work for the first two games I finally understand.
He's a boy playing amongst men, and is holding his own. And after watching the drastic improvement he made from the Tampa Bay game to the Jacksonville game, it's clear that the speed of the game is slowing down to the rook.
I'm not saying he's ready to single block Vince Wilfork yet. But the potential is there.
Here's your opportunity to learn a little more about Baby J.
I also talk about Jerry and the rest of the rookie class – including Koa Misi – during the first of what will be a weekly podcast I'm doing with WQAM.
You can find the link to that breakdown of the Dolphins by clicking here.


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How Does Smoking Affect Us All?
It is widely known that tobacco can harm a person's body in many ways that may lead to disease or death. But have you ever thought of how tobacco impacts our lives in other ways, whether we smoke or not?
Tobacco products negatively impact and damage our environment. Cigarette butts are not just a nuisance, they are toxic waste. They contain chemicals that contaminate our waterways and ground soil and harm our wildlife.1 2 Discarded lit cigarettes can cause fires, which can damage homes and land.3 It is also very costly to clean up cigarette waste - a problem that continues to grow every year.
The state spends more than $9 billion per year on tobacco-related medical costs. Another $8.5 billion per year is lost as a result of reduced work productivity due to increased employee smoking breaks, illness and death.4
Let's preserve California's natural beauty and protect the health of its citizens by eliminating the impact of tobacco.
- Novotny, Lum, Smith, Wang, & Barnes, "Cigarettes Butts and the Case for an Environmental Policy on Hazardous Cigarette Waste." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2009 May; 6(5): 1691-1705.
- Register, Kathleen. "Cigarette Butts as Litter - Toxic as Well as Ugly." Underwater Naturalist Bulletin of the American Littoral Society. 25(20), August 2000.
- American for Nonsmokers' Rights, "Tobacco Environmental Toll." ANR Update, 27(4), Winter 2008.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC)".
- California Department of Transportation, "Please Don't Tarnish the Golden State!"


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Results for "i would never leave the house all winter"
Firing A Supersoaker Filled With Boiling Water In -41°C Temperatures (Plus BONUS Geyser In Subzero Temps)This is what it looks like to shoot boiling water out of a Super Soaker in -41°C (-41.8°F) temperatures. I'm sorry, but that is just too f***ing cold. Any of you live in places that get that cold? Here's what I want you to do. Look outside. What do you see? "Snow." Anyth... / Continue →


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Gossip From The Other Side Of The Pond: Doherty To Wed Moss, Hurley Shows Son Who's Boss
kate's soul mate
"Honestly I am the most important rock star now."
These are the words of pop "f***wit" Pete Doherty, whose musical oeuvre plays a forgettable second fiddle to his criminal record.
And then there is Doherty's relationship with Kate Moss, without whom he would be as noteworthy as cheese.
Having split up, Doherty now says that he and the model plan to marry. Addressing the masses in an Austrian porn club, Pete told his loyal fans of his the plans.
"We are going to marry. It's going to happen somewhere between September and November. A posh Scottish castle. That's gonna be so cool."
If Moss is embarrassed by that, she should look away now as Doherty goes on to talk about how terrific sex with his on-off-on girlfriend is.
"Drugs or sex — they are both great," says the singer. "The best is a combination of them both. I really love sex on substances — nothing beats that."
Not even recording a hit song.
a soupcon of loveThe name Naomi Campbell is synonymous with loving, giving and generosity of spirit to a degree that few can even dream of attaining. Truly it is.
Why, no less a person than the supermodel says so. Accused of assaulting her maid Ana Scolavino — if found guilty of second degree assault she faces up to seven years in choky — Campbell has much to say.
"You can't stop people from thinking what they want to think and there is always two sides to every story," says the London-born supermodel, who in early 2000 pleaded guilty to forcing her unique brand of love on personal assistant Georgina Galanis.
She continues: "I'm someone who is very loyal. I will never take from anybody or want anything of anybody else's. I just want to live my life honestly and one day at a time and be honest and giving and loving to the people that are giving and loving."
Beauty like hers is not only skin deep...
eddie and pam: taking precautionsLiving in the fast lane is all well and good, but precautions must be taken.
Good then that ex-Formula One racing driver Eddie Irvine has taken to stepping out with a pair of airbags. Known to the world at large as Pamela Anderson, these inflatables have been accompanying Eddie ever since he first spotted them at the Chateau Marmont hotel in L.A. a month ago.
A friend of multi-millionaire Eddie tells a British newspaper they have never seen Eddie looking so happy. "They're like a pair of love-struck teenagers spending every single minute they can together."
And taking safety precautions...
Madonna's haunting her kids with The Sound of Music and Liz Hurley's son is mummy's little angel...
Have a question? Get it answered by AskMen's guyQ.


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Hand-picked favorites from our sponsored team of professional athletes.
Gain peace of mind during inverted poses with this fuss-free tank that's crafted with a built-in internal bra for medium support. Side stretch panels improve the range of movement of the moisture-wicking fabric as you flow through poses. Made with over 82% recycled content (pre- and/or post-consumer sources), the material in this product helps divert waste from landfills and saves valuable resources.
VaporWick® is a moisture-management technology of The North Face® that allows perspiration to wick and move from the skin to the outer surface of the fabric where it can readily evaporate. The evaporation process is accomplished through the use of specifically engineered, high-performance fibers; yarn types; fabric constructions; and finishes. The removal of moisture helps keep the wearer cool, comfortable, and dry during aerobic activity.


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Tools For You
Welcome to the Integrated Marketing and Communications Toolbox, where you will find tools to help you as you work on projects that involve elements of our brand and visual identity. We are happy to provide these resources. Please contact us if you need assistance using any of the tools provided.
The more we use the University's brand consistently across campus, the more successful we will be in moving the institution forward. We appreciate your help in building the UW Oshkosh brand.


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This book contains a compilation of the pictures I took in Egypt early 2006. After a few days in Cairo I left the hectic city-life for the nearby majestic pyramids on the Giza plateau. I then continued my journey South to Saqqara with its intriguing step-pyramid of Zoser. After that I visited Memphis, the ancient capital, and the enormous rock temples of Abu Simbel near the Sudanese border. From there I travelled back North via Aswan to Luxor where Tutankhamen's tomb is and where the amazing temples of Luxor and Karnak are. After returning to Cairo I explored the lively Birqash camel market and finally I revisited the Giza plateau during a violent sandstorm.
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The Green World Published October 04, 2008
Cambodja Published February 11, 2008


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|Vaso Elefsiniotis
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|Announced on LINGUIST :
Waranygu Bayalgu - Digging for Food
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This dress was purchased at a Saks Fifth Avenue Sample sale but never worn. Original tags attached. The gown features a full skirt with satin faced organza and an overlay of tissue organza. The skirt features additional side panels of gathered organza. Small leaves of matching organza adorn the right strap. The gown fits true to size, if not slightly smaller. Beautiful condition. Photo 1 shown with straps tucked in. Email for more photos.
- Alterations:
- Preservation Method:
- Terms of Sale: All Sales Final
- Original Owner:
- Has Original Receipt:
- Location: Stonington,
- Will Ship to: Anywhere at Owner Expense
- Payment Methods Accepted: Other
Please read our BUYER'S GUIDE before purchasing a dress online.


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Jan 10, 2010 8:05 AM
We need to work off some of our holiday weight before we can even begin to think about squeezing into a pair of these smokin' hot jeans. The Current/Elliot The Crop Skinny with Studs ($488) is certainly not your most comfortable pair of denim, but it just may be your coolest. Something tells us that we'll be working on getting into our pair for a while.
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Business growth information
STEP TWO: Growing Your Business
Once you have the infrastructure of your company, you will need to develop your business. You will probably have some sales, but there is still much to do.
The hard work is just starting. This may include many of the following:
- Refine market niche
- Branding the company
- Establish a track record
- Identify business partners
- Networking to expand customer/client base
- Match staff to volatile needs
- Increase operational financing
- Forecast sales
- Automate payroll processing
- Review insurance requirements
- Revisit your business plan
- Recruiting the right employees
- Find an accountant and lawyer
|Listed below are some links to help you if you are in this stage of development.
|Business Opportunities
|Procurement Registrations
|Other Resources