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Scholars Are Quietly Offering New Theories of the Koran
By ALEXANDER STILLE
Published: March 2, 2002
To Muslims the Koran is the very word of God, who spoke through the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad: ''This book is not to be doubted,'' the Koran declares unequivocally at its beginning. Scholars and writers in Islamic countries who have ignored that warning have sometimes found themselves the target of death threats and violence, sending a chill through universities around the world.
Yet despite the fear, a handful of experts have been quietly investigating the origins of the Koran, offering radically new theories about the text's meaning and the rise of Islam.
Christoph Luxenberg, a scholar of ancient Semitic languages in Germany, argues that the Koran has been misread and mistranslated for centuries. His work, based on the earliest copies of the Koran, maintains that parts of Islam's holy book are derived from pre-existing Christian Aramaic texts that were misinterpreted by later Islamic scholars who prepared the editions of the Koran commonly read today.
So, for example, the virgins who are supposedly awaiting good Islamic martyrs as their reward in paradise are in reality ''white raisins'' of crystal clarity rather than fair maidens.
Christoph Luxenberg, however, is a pseudonym, and his scholarly tome ''''The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran'' had trouble finding a publisher, although it is considered a major new work by several leading scholars in the field. Verlag Das Arabische Buch in Berlin ultimately published the book.
The caution is not surprising. Salman Rushdie's ''Satanic Verses'' received a fatwa because it appeared to mock Muhammad. The Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz was stabbed because one of his books was thought to be irreligious. And when the Arab scholar Suliman Bashear argued that Islam developed as a religion gradually rather than emerging fully formed from the mouth of the Prophet, he was injured after being thrown from a second-story window by his students at the University of Nablus in the West Bank. Even many broad-minded liberal Muslims become upset when the historical veracity and authenticity of the Koran is questioned.
The reverberations have affected non-Muslim scholars in Western countries. ''Between fear and political correctness, it's not possible to say anything other than sugary nonsense about Islam,'' said one scholar at an American university who asked not to be named, referring to the threatened violence as well as the widespread reluctance on United States college campuses to criticize other cultures.
While scriptural interpretation may seem like a remote and innocuous activity, close textual study of Jewish and Christian scripture played no small role in loosening the Church's domination on the intellectual and cultural life of Europe, and paving the way for unfettered secular thought. ''The Muslims have the benefit of hindsight of the European experience, and they know very well that once you start questioning the holy scriptures, you don't know where it will stop,'' the scholar explained.
The touchiness about questioning the Koran predates the latest rise of Islamic militancy. As long ago as 1977, John Wansbrough of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London wrote that subjecting the Koran to ''analysis by the instruments and techniques of biblical criticism is virtually unknown.''
Mr. Wansbrough insisted that the text of the Koran appeared to be a composite of different voices or texts compiled over dozens if not hundreds of years. After all, scholars agree that there is no evidence of the Koran until 691 -- 59 years after Muhammad's death -- when the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem was built, carrying several Koranic inscriptions.
These inscriptions differ to some degree from the version of the Koran that has been handed down through the centuries, suggesting, scholars say, that the Koran may have still been evolving in the last decade of the seventh century. Moreover, much of what we know as Islam -- the lives and sayings of the Prophet -- is based on texts from between 130 and 300 years after Muhammad's death.
In 1977 two other scholars from the School for Oriental and African Studies at London University -- Patricia Crone (a professor of history at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton) and Michael Cook (a professor of Near Eastern history at Princeton University) -- suggested a radically new approach in their book ''Hagarism: The Making of the Islamic World.''
Since there are no Arabic chronicles from the first century of Islam, the two looked at several non-Muslim, seventh-century accounts that suggested Muhammad was perceived not as the founder of a new religion but as a preacher in the Old Testament tradition, hailing the coming of a Messiah. Many of the early documents refer to the followers of Muhammad as ''hagarenes,'' and the ''tribe of Ishmael,'' in other words as descendants of Hagar, the servant girl that the Jewish patriarch Abraham used to father his son Ishmael.
In its earliest form, Ms. Crone and Mr. Cook argued, the followers of Muhammad may have seen themselves as retaking their place in the Holy Land alongside their Jewish cousins. (And many Jews appear to have welcomed the Arabs as liberators when they entered Jerusalem in 638.)


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Hard Drive Size Options:
The SRD-850DC-1TB is a Coaxitron, Smart Viewer 3.0 DVR that is manufactured by Samsung which consists of a combined VGA/HDMI and BNC video output, a max capacity of 5 internal HDD, plus 8 channel audio inputs and 1 channel audio output for higher performance. This DVR weighs 7.5kgs (16.6lbs) while also featuring a H.264 compression method, an Embedded Linux Operating System, a HDD and DVD SATA interface, multiple protocol support, 704 x 480 NTSC of video resolution, and event notifications by email. The SRD-850DC-1TB also comes with a record rate of 60fps @ D1, 120fps @ Half D1, 240fps @ CIF, a 500GB hard drive and DVD R/W back up device, plus an inbuilt web viewer for real time surveillance.
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subset: commoncrawl


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KIME email@example.com_county.london.london_free_press 2007-12-27 published
IVEY also a very respected businessperson
Former London member of provincial parliament Dianne CUNNINGHAM says Beryl Ivey was 'a role model for many.'
By Joe BELANGER, Sun Media, Thurs., December 27, 2007
Beryl IVEY, whose philanthropy touched the lives of countless, was also an astute London businessperson, her acumen admired by many.
Accolades continued to pour in yesterday for the London icon who died Christmas morning and will be buried in London tomorrow her birthday -- following a private family service.
A memorial service will be held January 11 at Saint Paul's Cathedral in London.
"Most of us know her as a business woman," said Dianne CUNNINGHAM, a former London member of provincial parliament, Ontario cabinet minister and now director of the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management at the Richard IVEY School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
"We were all involved in raising money and there was always a business plan in place. She always asked the questions… She was a role model for many of us."
CUNNINGHAM, who has known Beryl and Dick IVEY for more than 30 years, was devastated by the news of IVEY's death three days before her 83rd birthday after suffering a heart attack on Sunday.
"She taught us to ask questions, be generous and to always say thank you," said CUNNINGHAM. " She was a great advisor for everybody, who would give you her best ideas. Has London ever known a family like this? No. I'm going to miss her very, very much."
Another London icon, Don SMITH, who founded Ellis-Don Ltd., Canada's second-largest construction company, said he lost a "close friend."
SMITH said Beryl IVEY, president of Beehive Investments Inc., sat on many boards, including corporations, but not just in an honorary capacity.
"Her judgement certainly was respected," said SMITH. " She brought to boards an intelligent, female point of view. She'll certainly be missed."
Through her company Beehive, IVEY contributed $1 million toward a $9-million partnership fund for London's National Centre for Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery.
Born Beryl NURSE in 1924 in Chatham to a Canadian army lieutenant-colonel, IVEY was a gifted high school athlete who received a full scholarship to Brescia College at University of Western Ontario in 1943.
It was at school that she met Dick, whom she married in 1949, becoming part of a wealthy family that co-founded the Empire Brass Manufacturing Co., now known as Emco.
It was Dick's father, Richard G. IVEY, who in 1947 incorporated the Ivey Foundation that became such a big part of the couple's lives.
Beryl IVEY is credited with the business-like approach to philanthropy the family adopted in the 1970s. She and Dick passed along control of the foundation to their four children in 1997.
Beryl and Dick IVEY moved to Toronto from London 18 months ago to be closer to their children. In June, Beryl was named to the Order of Canada.
She is survived by her husband, Richard, four children, nine grandchildren and a brother, Robert NURSE.
It's estimated the IVEYs donated about $150 million to philanthropy over several decades.
While much is known about the IVEYs volunteerism and philanthropy toward education, medicine and the arts, not so well known is their wide-ranging interest and support for the environment.
The World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Talbot Land Trust are but a few of the IVEY's benefactors.
Judith RODGER, former chair of the London Community Foundation, said Beryl and Dick IVEY "had a sense of the importance of protecting biodiversity.
"If you ever needed good, sensible advice, Beryl was a good person to turn to," said RODGER.
"She was very astute and cared deeply about the environment. And she had a real business sense."
John KIME, former chief executive of the London Economic Development Corp., said the IVEYs didn't give blindly.
"She put discipline into managing their philanthropy," he said.
"They supported things they felt were truly worthwhile. They did wonderful research and then backed those causes or projects strongly, with commitment. She was an extraordinary person in terms of her commitment to this community. It's a huge loss."
In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to Foundation Western at University of Western Ontario or the London Community Foundation. Online condolences may be posted at www.harrisfuneralhome.ca
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KIMEL firstname.lastname@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-07-18 published
COOK, Roger▼ Malcolm▼
Passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15th, 2007, aged 62 years. Beloved husband of Milka, loving father of Elizabeth, dear brother of Michael, Josephine and Jane. A funeral service will be held in Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street, on Thursday, July 19th, 2007 at 11: 15 a.m. Interment to follow immediately after the service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Plot G, Lot 237. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Roger Malcolm Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund would be appreciated. Please direct your donations c/o Estate Executor, Jack LECHCIER- KIMEL. 3 Hyde Park Circle, Toronto M3B 3M7. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com
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KIMEL email@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-07-19 published
COOK, Doctor Roger▲ Malcolm▲
It is with enormous sadness that the family of Doctor Roger Malcolm COOK announces his passing at Toronto General Hospital on July 15th, 2007. Doctor Roger Malcolm COOK passed away aged 62 years, peacefully in his sleep after a courageous struggle with cancer. Beloved husband of Milka, loving father of Elizabeth and dear brother of Michael, Josephine and Jane. A distinguished scholar, eminent and renowned scientist and researcher and honoured alumni of Corpus Christi, Oxford United Kingdom, Doctor COOK made a conscious effort throughout his life to apply the principles of his academic training into his professional endeavours. Roger will always be remembered as a man of dignity, honour and integrity. A funeral service will be held in Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street on Thursday, July 19th, 2007 at 11: 15 a.m. Interment to follow immediately after the service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Plot G, lot 237. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Roger Malcolm Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund would be appreciated. Please direct your donations, c/o Estate Executor, Jack LECHCIER- KIMEL. 3 Hyde Park Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 3M7. Condolences and memories may also be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com
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KIMELMAN firstname.lastname@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-10-08 published
REZNICK, Dora
Courageously at home on Saturday, October 6th, 2007. Dora, beloved wife of Sam, devoted mother of Sidney and Randy REZNICK, Linda and Harold KIMELMAN, Louis and Marla REZNICK, cherished Bubby of Marnie (of blessed memory), Stacey and Terry, Jason and Jody, Jordan and Yona, Lindsay, Marc, Lauren, Shauna and Jeremy. Loving great-Bubby of Kylie and Max. Dora will always be remembered for her love of family and her kind and gentle soul. She will be sadly missed and always loved by all who knew her. Special thanks to all those who gave her support and care. Funeral service was held Sunday, October 7th. Shiva will be held at 158 Palm Drive, Toronto. Donations may be made to Marnie's Rainbow Lounge, Hospital for Sick Children, 416-813-5320.
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KIMMINS firstname.lastname@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-08-07 published
KIMMINS, Warwick Charles
Age 66 of Halifax, Nova Scotia passed away peacefully at home on August 5, 2007. Warwick was born in London, England, son of the late Charles Horace KIMMINS and is survived by his mother Eileen May KIMMINS of Hounslow, Middlesex, London, England, his wife Ruth KIMMINS, children Eliot and Sarah and grand_son Eric. Warwick was a dedicated scientist and academic who graduated with a Ph. D. in Biology from the University of London in 1965. Warwick was appointed as a professor of Biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia the same year. As a Professor, he is remembered for his enthusiasm, humour and ability to motivate students in areas of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. From 1981 until 1990, he served as Chair of the Biology Department, then as Dean of the Faculty of Science from 1995 until 2000 and as Acting Vice-President from 1997-1998. After leaving Dalhousie University, Warwick became a co-founder in the successful Halifax Biotechnology company Immunovaccine Technologies for which he served as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2001-2006, then recently as Chairman on the Board of Directors. It was in these later years of scientific research by Warwick and colleagues that led to the development of a vaccine for marine mammals, then the possibility of a vaccine platform with wide reaching health benefits for treatment of human diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases. As a Father he was an involved and loving parent, coaching soccer, cross country running, and a longtime Cub and Scout leader. Warwick was a skilled sportsman and enjoyed spending his downtime with family and Friends sailing in the waters surrounding Halifax, playing tennis, skiing, running and golfing. He enjoyed travelling with family and Friends to Europe for hiking and skiing holidays. In recent years, he experienced a return to the faith of his youth which was a source of support, comfort and strength as he struggled with cancer. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, August 8th, 2007, 10 a.m. at Canadian Martyrs Church, 5900 Inglis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Celebrants will be Father James Mallon, Archbishop T. Prendergast, and Archbishop J. Hayes. Reception to immediately follow the Mass at Dalhousie University, the Arts and Administration building, the Lord Dalhousie Room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca or by phone 1 888 939-3333.
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KIMPEL email@example.com_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2007-09-28 published
SKINNER, Stanley Wilfred
Passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with Leukemia, on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, in his 70th year. Beloved husband of Paula (n�e KIMPEL.) Dear father of Paul and his wife Roslyn of Cambridge, Glen and his wife Gayle STEVENS of Kitchener, and Guy of Cambridge. Lovingly remembered by five grandchildren Patrick, Aaron, Jessica, Jamie and Matthew and four great-grandchildren Hope, Amber, Kayla and Emile. Survived by brothers, sisters, and in-laws. Predeceased by his parents Ernest and Rita SKINNER. Mr. SKINNER was born in Owen Sound and had been a resident of Cambridge for the past 50 years. He was a member of St. Clement's R.C. Church and was retired from Babcock and Wilcox. At Stan's request cremation has taken place. A Memorial visitation will be held at the Barthel Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Road, Cambridge on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Clement's R.C. Church, 745 Duke Street, Cambridge on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 10: 00 a.m. Parish prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Sunday at 3: 45 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Tributes may be made online at www.mem.com
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Jobs Report May Show Improvement
For the Aug. 7 employment report, Action Economics expects nonfarm payrolls to show a drop of 320,000 (the median forecast is 330,000) in July. This would mark the best jobs reading since August of last year, as the monthly swings continue to claw their way back toward zero while gross domestic product growth posts a third-quarter swing back to positive territory. The jobless rate should rise to 9.7% (median forecast is 9.6%) from 9.5%, the workweek should hold at 33.0 hours (median 33.0), and hourly earnings should post a 0.1% (median 0.1%) gain.
On Aug. 5 the ADP Employment payroll survey revealed a 371,000 drop for July. The prior monthly drop was 463,000. The July ADP figure corresponds to a decline in payroll of 361,000, if we assume a 10,000 rise in government payrolls. The ADP industry breakdown for July showed a 169,000 drop for jobs among goods producers with a 99,000 decline at factories that almost exactly matched our assumptions, alongside a 202,000 drop for services that accounted for the downside headline surprise.
In July midsize companies posted a hefty 159,000 drop in jobs, following a 203,000 drop in June, and an average monthly drop in the six months before that of 274,000. Small business payrolls fell by 138,000 in July, following a 169,000 drop in June, and a drop of 233,000 per month over the prior six months. These payroll categories are declining at rates that considerably exceed the 2001 recession peak rates of 190,000 for medium-size firms, and 128,000 for small firms.
In contrast, large firm payroll declines this time around are short of the 110,000 peak rate from 2001, with a 74,000 drop in July, a 91,000 drop in June, and an average monthly decline over the prior six months of 108,000.
Hourly Earnings Numbers Hourly earnings were flat in June and are expected to bounce by 0.1% in July, while the drop in the nonseasonally adjusted year-over-year earnings figure to 2.3% in June, from 3.0% in May, should be followed by a rise in July to 2.5%. The June figure marked the lowest rate since December of 2004, and we expect these lows to be extended later in 2009 to the 1.5% to 2% range, as weakness in the economy and a high jobless rate continue to weigh on wage figures.
Real earnings have posted a sharp bounce since the third quarter of 2008, thanks to the big commodity price free fall. We saw real earnings surge from a 0% annual rate in October to the current figure of 4.7% in May, as prices used to deflate the nominal earnings measure posted a big drop. Last year's big declines will scroll off the annual calculation through the second half of this year, hence allowing recent gains in real wages to be partly reversed.
Economists had underestimated the deterioration in the labor market in the September to January period, and then the median payroll estimates caught up with the reported payroll data through February to April. We wonder if economists are underestimating an improvement in payrolls now.
Good News for Payrolls? On a seasonal basis, July is second only to January in terms of net job attrition on the year. As such, this could be supportive for payrolls for the month as they aren't facing aggressive expectations regarding seasonal-based hiring. In addition, there could be less job loss this July given the lack of ramp-up in hiring over the spring and the pull-ahead of normal July auto industry job loss into May and June.
In total, the monthly payroll figures should continue to post moderating declines through the third quarter, and we expect to see a flat or positive payroll figure by the fourth quarter. The moderating rate of job loss should track the improving trajectory for U.S. GDP growth. We see the GDP posting a positive reading in the 1.8% area in the third quarter, following the 1.0% rate of decline reported for the second quarter, the 6.4% peak-rate of decline in the first quarter, and hefty 5.4% rate of decline in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the jobless rate should continue to rise through yearend, as payrolls continue to fall short of the typical 100,000 to 120,000 monthly labor force gain, leaving a peak for the jobless rate that we still peg at 10.2%.


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The Biffy, better know as the Privy, was located about thirty yards from the back door of the dwelling. The standard size of this building was large enough to accommodate two holes and was commonly used during the depression era, before indoor plumbing. Occasionally a deluxe model was available on the more pretentious farms as there was a third hole which was at a lower level for small children.
The setup was. very tolerable in spring, summer and fall, but winter time was another story entirely. The first path to be shoveled after a snowstorm was to the Biffy, and I must say that trips to that little house were made only because of extreme necessity, with no lingering or loitering thereabouts.
Summertime had its hazards also. Several species of spiders had a tendency to seek out the dark recesses up under the seat. Probably ninety percent of these species were non-poisonous, but that did not contribute to one's feeling that the black widow spider might be hiding down there.
One amusing "spider" incident comes to mind and it happened as follows: my younger brother and I discovered a small hole on the outside just below seat level and large enough to accommodate a rather stiff pointed wire. One day we hid nearby and waited patiently until our older brother entered the Biffy. When we were certain he was seated comfortably, we sneaked up and stuck the wire through the hole, delivering a sufficiently hard jab with it. Such a commotion inside, and out he came, swearing he had been bitten by a spider. Of course we were laughing hysterically, which gave away what had actually happened and we all had a good laugh.
Indoor plumbing has all but eliminated the useful little building, and if I do occasionally see one in someone's backyard in the country, I wonder if it is still in use for its real intended purpose, or if it has been relegated by default to a spider factory.
Francis E. Hager Phoenix, Arizona
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper's Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper's readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
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This thread (and motley) ... really funny. BE careful out there.
Sentiment: Sell
If one were to take notion of such a device to its extreme and couple it with the open source 3D-printed robots we know are already being made, it's not difficult to envision a robot that creates robots operating in the not-too-distant future.
And while the idea of a robot that can autonomously design and manufacture nearly anything that can be 3D-printed may sound outlandish to some, in truth, what iRobot has patented may actually amount to a 21st century cotton gin. That late 18th century invention revolutionized manufacturing and labor, and eventually led to the rise of the anti-automation group known as the Luddites in 19th century England.
If iRobot's patent eventually turns into a real machine — and there's no reason, given current technology, to think that it won't — we could find ourselves on the verge of yet another Luddite-style uprising from waves of unemployed human workers who no longer have even a toe-hold at major manufacturing plants. So while the grey goo of nanotechnology is probably far off, the "pink goo" of angry human workers around the world displaced by machines is definitely coming, it's just a matter of how long it will take machines similar to one described in iRobot's patent to arrive and take enough human jobs to start the Luddite ball rolling. You can read the details of iRobot's patent application here.
above is quote from article. Can't quite figure out what this patent is all about. Sounds like something which is far, far away in time.
This description makes it clearer what iRobot wants to do:
"While some 3D printers can make many of the parts needed to make a copy of themselves, most need human help to assemble the final product. Not for much longer: machines could soon be making machines if Roomba maker iRobot gets its way.
The Bedford, Massachusetts, firm has filed a US patent on a way to rid 3D printers of the need for pesky humans, allowing robots to do all the post-printing work to make a complete product. The firm notes that the output of 3D printers still needs a lot of human intervention: removing unwanted material such as burrs on plastic and metal parts, or removing powdery dust from internal voids that need stuffing with, say, circuit boards and batteries. And final assembly is done by hand, too, pushing together connectors and fasteners, for instance.
Enter iRobot's do-it-all robotic fabricator, comprising a twin-armed robot allied with a 3D printer, a milling machine and a drill, all on one platform. The platform is peppered with sensors so that a computer can choreograph all stages of manufacture, using the additive technique of 3D printing or the subtractive ones of milling and drilling, as needed. Both robot arms have dextrous grippers with six degrees of freedom, so one can hold a newly 3D-printed piece while the other secures another piece to it with glue, connectors or fasteners.
"Since no human intervention is used product design is simpler and production is more efficient," claim the inventors. It's clear is that if anyone thought 3D printers might spawn a new wave of employment they had better think again: it looks like any such benefit could be short-lived."
In an irobot presentation, Colin Angle mentioned that he would love to develop a robot that can fold your laundry but they aren't quite there yet. Seems like a laundry folding robot would be easier to make then the one being proposed in the patent.
Flying under the radar but not for long. If investors think DDD is a hot stock, IRBT is going to dwarf the stock price gains of that company. The IROBOT 3D printer will put IRBT over 70 bucks PPS.
Sentiment: Strong Buy
I forgot to mention: IRBT has no DEBT!!!!!!
This is a long term hold for the serious investor and at a cheap price.


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[Skip the Intro - Take me to the Prompts!]
Welcome to Free Write Friday 101!
One of the most useful ways I have found to release my muse is to simply write. And I challenge you to do the same. Each Friday I will post a quote, poem, image or thought for you to ponder. It's time to free yourself and all of those brilliant words trying to escape your brain; without fear, without worry of criticism, without that little editor devil on your shoulder telling you it's not good enough. Grab a pen, open your notepad on your computer or use whatever tool it is that fits you best and let's get writing! [Read a Review of FWF]
You may write in any form you choose for the prompt as I will never discourage your pen, but I encourage you to try your hand at free verse for the exercise.
Here's how it works:
- Turn off your editor! Do not over-think your work. Just keep writing.
- Embrace the flow! Allow your mind to run free with the ideas the prompt has dancing in your head. (no matter how far fetched or off the beaten path it goes,…Let. It. Go.
- Do not stop! Keep penning until you find yourself forcing your words or trying too hard to complete a thought. If you have to think too hard, you're done.
Once your pen is dry, read over what you have written. You may be surprised to find that you have created a masterpiece! And you are free to tweak and edit at a later date. But at this point, for FWF, you want to leave it uncut and raw.
Want to join my group of writing bandits? It's as easy as 1,2 3…
- Post your work on your blog. (Please link back to the FWF post your are writing for)
- Leave a comment on the FWF post with your link.
- MY ONLY RULE: Be courteous and comment other participants. Especially if they did it for you. You can subscribe to the comments for each FWF to stay updated on new replies.
- FWF prompts never expire! Write for past or present prompts ANY time.
- We're On Twitter! Join the bandits & tweet your link using the #FWF hashtag,
Ready, set...Write! [View All Free Write Friday prompts here]
What is free writing?
Free writing — also called stream-of-consciousness writing — is a pre-writing technique in which a person writes continuously without regard to spelling, or grammar. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism. It is used mainly by prose writers and writing teachers. Some writers use the technique to collect initial thoughts and ideas on a topic, often as a preliminary to formal writing.


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Year of Award: 2007
Publication Information: Math Horizons, Feb. 2006, pp. 6-9
Summary: The author showcases optimization's utility by describing some applications in the area of art.
About the Author(s): Robert Bosch is Professor of Mathematics and the Robert and Eleanor Biggs Professor of Natural Science at Oberlin College. He specializes in optimization, the branch of mathematics concernedwith optimal performance. Since 2001, Bosch has devotedincreasing amounts of time and effort into devising and refiningmethods for using optimization to create pictures, portraits,and sculpture. He has had pieces commissioned by mathematics departments at Colorado College, Western Washington University, Occidental College, Spelman College, and the organizing committees of several academic conferences. He operates a website, www.dominoartwork.com, from which it is possible to download free plans for several of his domino mosaics.
The author showcases optimization's utility by describing some applications in the area of art.


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Every once in a while I take the time to go over my testbeds and see if anything can be changed to make them better. Earlier this year my main video card testbed went from a GIGABYTE X58 and i7 920 setup to an ASRock X58 and i7 980X. At about the same time I started to test more and more memory kits and a ASRock P55 system came into the mix along with an i7 860.
Recently I looked at the G.Skill Flare series kit which was designed to work on AMD X6 systems and thought it was the perfect opportunity to build a third testbed while also taking the time to see if some modifications could be made to the others.
As soon as some new hardware upgrades come into a test system it renders previous results really useless, so I also took the time to look at the benchmark line-up and see if some new games could be added.
Ultimately what you're looking at today is a rundown of the parts I've chosen, why I chose them and a little look behind the scenes of how everything runs here in the West Australian TweakTown lab.


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I don't know how others consider charitable giving, but I am honestly confused about it. Year after year, questions continue to gnaw at me like: What is the right amount for a gift? Should I support Jewish organizations first and then donate to other charities, like my alma mater, only after I have made my Jewish gifts? Why am I giving in the first place? Does it need to hurt for my gift to be meaningful? Am I willing to give up something -- a dinner out, theater tickets, a trip -- to make a more substantial contribution this year?
Tzedakah, the Jewish commandment to give, has been a quintessential Jewish value since the beginning of Jewish time. The Torah teaches: "If there is a needy person among you, any of your brethren in any of your cities in the land that God has given you, you shall not harden your heart or close your hand against him. Rather, you shall open your hand and lend him whatever he is lacking" (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
Tzedakah is the counterpart to tikkun olam, the Jewish obligation to repair the world. Both affirm our responsibility to distribute a part of what we have in order to take care of others who are less fortunate. Both are grounded in the idea that individual wealth is neither a right nor a privilege but a form of stewardship for which we are charged, as agents of God, to care for the world in which we live.
These obligations operate in concentric circles -- originating within our own home and family, extending out into the Jewish community and then the world. Jewish law specifically recognizes that any needy person who lives in peaceful coexistence with us is a worthy charitable recipient. The Talmud teaches that we should help support the poor, even outside our own community, because of the "ways of peace" (Gittin 59 b).
Jewish law is fairly specific in its answer to the question of what we should give. Ideally, we are expected to give what is needed to help restore a poor person to his or her former position. If a man has lost all of his clothing in a fire, we should help him purchase clothes. If he has lost his job, we should provide him with employment either directly or indirectly by helping him find work.
The Jewish sage Maimonides established specific parameters for giving, with the average acceptable gift as 10 percent and the ideal gift as 20 percent of our possessions. Jewish law is both practical and realistic in its demands, because it never requires us to become lacking or poor ourselves as a result of giving.
The critical questions we each need to answer are: Why do I give? What makes me want to give? Is it because of peer or professional pressure, social recognition or a genuine commitment to the cause?
I am inspired by the words of Moses when he told the Israelites to bring gifts to build the Tabernacle, saying: "Take from among you gifts to the Lord: everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring them...." (Exodus 35:5). When we give, Jewish tradition asks that we open, rather than harden, our hearts -- because it is from our hearts, not our heads, that we are more inclined to see the needs of others and give willingly, meaningfully and generously.
During our lives we will have times when our resources and income may be limited. Some of us will struggle more than others. An unexpected tragedy or illness can make it nearly impossible to give. But Tzedakah is an equal opportunity mitzvah and applies to everyone, no matter how great or small our portion.
If we are unable to give of our money, we can give of our time, talents and wisdom. Our sages assured us that we are all capable of giving, even one who receives tzedakah, when they said: "To the one who is eager to give, God provides the means."
Amy Hirshberg Lederman is a nationally syndicated columnist, Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney. She can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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I have a bit of advice for you.
4) Don't expect an apartment to be self-cleaning. The kitchen looks disastrous, and my laundry needs done, but Christmas doesn't leave a lot of free time for cleaning quests.
3) If you schedule an appointment to get your car looked-at/worked-on, don't expect them to get to it for at least a day. My drive to work tomorrow now depends on the mercy of the Volkswagon Engine Gods. I'd call Pizzo, but I haven't heard from him in at least three months.
2) Don't drive off without removing the gas pump nozzle from your gas tank.
1) Don't slam an apple martini. However benign it may look and taste, the vodka will slay your ability to function for the next 2-3 hours.
Something you should do — Listen to good acoustic songs about life lived. It's relaxing. I'd suggests "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against, "Autobahn (Acoustic)" by Anberlin, and "Memory (Acoustic)" by Sugarcult.


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With the summer coming to an end there are many celebrations and recognition to JCTC faculty, staff, and students. Recently the college has started a faculty/staff/student "shout-out" to recognize those achievements.
Faculty member Joe Carhart, along with colleagues from Assurex Health, Inc., will have research published in the academic journal, Pharmacogenetics and Genomics. The publication relates to some of the content Carhart teaches in his psychology classes at the Carrollton Campus.
The Family Ties Resource Center will be sponsoring their annual Ready Fair from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Cartmell Elementary School.
Ready Fair 2013 is open to all students enrolled in Head Start, Kathryn Winn Primary and Cartmell Elementary. A parent or guardian must accompany children.
After-school programming will now be available for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Carroll County Schools received a second 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, totaling $637,500 over the next five years. The grant is worth $150,000 per year for the first three years, $112,500 in year four and $75,000 in year five, and the school district can apply for continuation funding after five years, Director of Public Relations Jeff Fremin said in a Jan. 30 News-Democrat article.
Noah William White of Carrollton, a 2013 graduate of Berea College, having earned his bachelor's degree in history and Asian studies, has been accepted into the highly competitive Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, which is administered by the Japanese government, in cooperation with 38 other national governments, and is the world's largest exchange teaching program.
White will be an assistant language teacher in two public junior high schools, (seventh through ninth grades), in Oji, Japan, which is in the larger Nara Prefecture.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center held its first session of summer camp July 8-19. The second session began July 22 and will end Aug. 2. The children kept cool on the last day of camp by taking turns on the water slide and eating popsicles.
Clifton graduates magna cum laude
Cody Clifton, formerly of Carrollton, graduated magna cum laude from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in art.
Clifton is the son of Perry and Donna Clifton of Carrollton and the grandson of George and Eva Ingram of Carrollton and the late Leslie and Shirley Clifton.
Two local students graduate from EKU
Time 2 Invent Club held its first meeting Monday, July 7, at Cartmell. Meetings will be held Mondays and Wednesdays until July 24. Students in fourth through eighth grade will come from 1-2 p.m., while students in kindergarten to third grade will come from 2-3 p.m.
Carroll County is one of 58 Community Early Childhood Councils in 91 counties to receive grant funding to promote school readiness for children.
Gov. Steve Beshear announced Monday $1.2 million in funding as a part of his office's continuing commitment to improving education and health services for Kentucky's youngest citizens.
Copyright © 2016
The News-Democrat is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Carroll County, KY and the surrounding area.


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Building permits back on track in CB
- Details
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:53
- Published on Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:47
- Hits: 2450
Colonial Beach offered temporary agreement with Westmoreland County
Town staff has been trying to iron out details to comply with new mandates concerning soil erosion and sediment control measures that were put in place prior to March of 2012.
Changes occurred when the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) combined the Chesapeake Bay Act, the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program (ESC) and the Stormwater Management Program
over a year ago.
Colonial Beach builders were notified that as of April 1, the town could not issue full building permits for any construction project requiring the disturbance of soil of 2,500 or more sq. ft. The town has now been offered a temporary solution by Westmoreland County, allowing builders to once again obtain full permits from the CB Building and Zoning Office.
Last year, on March 19, 2012, the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board passed a resolution, finding that CB's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Program did not fully comply with Chesapeake Bay Act regulations.
The DCR notified the town shortly after, that it was currently non-compliant, due to the lack of an appropriate and current Erosion and Sediment Control Program. An ESC program sets the rules for builders to follow to avoid erosion of land while soil is being disturbed during construction projects, and to ensure that chemicals don't runoff into waterways that could reach drinking water supplies.
Even though they could, the DRC would not impose fines at the time, but the town had a December 31, 2012 deadline to comply with the mandate by updating the ESC program.
The town ultimately updated their Erosion and Sediment Control Program. However, indecision from the council prevented the town from hiring a qualified individual to carry out the program, or to come to an agreement with Westmoreland County to utilize their inspector more than on a part-time basis.
At the March 2013 council work session, Building and Zoning Director Gary Mitchel told council that as of April 1, the Town of CB could no longer issue building permits that proposed to increase an impervious area larger than 36%, OR that disturbed more than 2,500 square feet of soil. This put many potential building project in the town on hold
Mitchel also told the council that earlier in March, the town had been contacted by R. V'lent Lassiter, Principal Environmental Planner for the VA Department of Conservation & Recreation. Lassiter said in an email that, without an employee to oversee the program, the town had not developed a program consistent with Virginia state requirements, and the program could not be submitted for review to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Lassiter also said stated that, "The Town does not have authority to review and approve erosion and sediment control plans at this time, and therefore must submit all ESC plans to Westmoreland County until they have a program adopted by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board. Staff recommends that the Town be granted an extension until September 30, to develop an ESC program, and submit it for review to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board."
On April 1, notices were sent out to all known builders who work in Colonial Beach, stating that builders would be required by the town to seek a portion of their permits at the Building and Zoning office in Colonial Beach. The builders were then instructed to proceed to Westmoreland County Land Use Office for environmental permits and approval.
During the March council work session, Town Manager Val Foulds was finally given solid direction from the council to pursue an agreement with the County of Westmoreland to use their inspector.
Foulds sent out a request to Westmoreland County requesting the county assist them with implementation of the Erosion and Sediment Control, as well as other stormwater management programs for an unspecified period of time.
Westmoreland County had previously explained that in order to help the town, the two localities would have to enter into a memorandum of understanding. It was also stated that the county did not have the resources to continue the agreement for an extended period of time.
Rasavi proposes a solution
Westmoreland County Administrator Norm Rasavi replied on April 15, saying, "There is not yet a memorandum of understanding between the town and the county in place to achieve this purpose [to assist the town]. It will likely be some time before such, and before the understanding has been approved by both governments. During this time, development and enforcement of codes in the town will be delayed, unless a way can be found to allow for the necessary permit reviews."
Rasavi has proposed a temporary solution. He suggested that CB Building and Zoning should accept all necessary applications and paperwork, and to collect all the appropriate fees, bonds and other material for the development review.
The town will then issue such approvals, decisions and permits as provided under its ordinances, and keep all required records related to these actions.
Rasavi then said the county will provide the town with appropriate staff to assist them with plan, review, inspections, enforcement and program administration, as needed.
The county will document its travel expenses and the time spent by its staff assisting the town, including travel time, and will invoice the Town of CB on a monthly basis for the expenses and time.
Foulds said in a phone interview, that by collecting all the paperwork and funds at the CB office, and having a county inspector come to the Beach to review and approve the permits, the town will eliminate the possibility of losing paperwork, and the process will be more convenient for the builders seeking permits.
Westmoreland County has not given a schedule disclosing how often their inspector will come to the Beach but this eliminates the need for builders to go to the County Seat for portions of their permits.
Linda Farneth


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Kids will love dressing up as the characters in the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad Wolf for Halloween or for creative play throughout the year. Crochet them in easy care yarn and you'll have them to pass down to many playful children.
pattern details
Required Supplies:
small amount of stuffing; two 12mm brown buttons for eyes. 1 1" diameter red button.
RED HEART® Super Saver®: Wolf Hat: 1 Skein each 886 Blue A, 316 Soft White B, 312 Black C and 319 Cherry Red D; Red Riding Hood Cape: 2 Skeins 319 Cherry Red
- Crochet Hook: 5mm [US H-8]
- Split-ring stitch marker
- yarn needle
small amount of stuffing; two 12mm brown buttons for eyes. 1 1" diameter red button.
|Pattern Number:
|Designed By:
|Michele Wilcox
|Project Type:
|Baby / Child ,Seasonal ,Toy / Kid ,Halloween
WOLF HAT GAUGE: 14 sc = 4"; 14 rows = 4". CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
Step 1.
Choose your size
Hood is 32" around front edge.


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Technical Guidelines
Development Committee (TGDC)
Human Factors and Privacy Subcommittee (HFP)*
1. Administrative updates
2. Discussion of usability benchmark white paper revisions and additional
reproducibility research (
3. Review VVSG HFP to-do list for final revisions by John Cugini. (See Below)
4. Other issues
The next HFP teleconference is scheduled for Friday July 20 at
Attendees: Alexia Scott Morrison, Allan Eustis, John Cugini, John Wack, Mark Skall, Nelson Hastings, Sharon Laskowski, Wendy Havens
Administrative Updates:
· The agenda for the July 3rd plenary meeting has been re-scheduled for August 17. 2007 (). The reason for the change in date was to allow NIST to more fully examine some open issues in both security and human factors to insure the best outcome for the plenary. Want to discuss today to make sure we are on the same page and approach closure.
will be a new version of the draft VVSG available well in advance- probably by
the end of next week (
Usability benchmark white paper revisions update and additional reproducibility research:
· In a review of the benchmarks and white paper, the NIST team consensus determined that it was important to articulate the methodology and expand with an executive summary that explains in layman's terms the meaning of the benchmarks. The white paper is going out to usability experts in the Federal government for a technical review.
NIST team discussed performing additional usability
studies to confirm benchmarks. The plan is to conduct additional testing in
· Updated paper will be re-circulated after peer review. Expect 2-3 week turn around.
· MS asked for time frame on additional testing. SL gave best case scenario for completion at the end of September. The paperwork reduction act paper work may need to be updated.
· MS noted the suggestion to change the "shall" requirements to "should" for the benchmarks since the testing will not be complete when the VVSG draft is scheduled for delivery. The benchmarks could be updated during the public review process after the research is complete and the 'shoulds' changed to 'shalls'.
· SL noted questions from WQ on interpretation of definition of "should' in the benchmark context. MS noted that his understanding is that you cannot fail a manufacturer on a testing benchmark until the "should" is changed back to a "shall". However, the testing is mandated.
· JC asked for clarification from an editorial standpoint WRT twin requirements. The VVSG requires reporting efficiency as a 'shall' in a completely different section of the VVSG. "You shall conduct tests and report efficiency". There is no efficiency benchmark. So what we are really saying is that we will make the effectiveness benchmark a 'should' but keep the number there until research is complete.
· SL noted parallel to efficiency benchmarks in confidence in voting which are reported.
· ASM felt comfortable with this approach if WQ and SL are in agreement. SL will discuss with WQ.
· MS noted that EAC indicated it would be appropriate to change the "shoulds" to 'shalls" in the public review process. The TGDC adoption resolution could so specify the intent here.
· SL noted the need to do further testing to ensure that benchmarks are correct.
JW noted need to send out an e-mail to entire TGDC
on any outstanding issues from their perspective. NIST needs to know them
quickly. First, we will address WQ's concerns.
Review VVSG HFP to-do list for final revisions by John Cuguni. (See Below):
Current editing to-do list for HFP VVSG Draft
Reconcile repetitive sections 184.108.40.206 and 15.4.5 duplication of Maintenance requirements.
Proposal is to delete 188.8.131.52 and put in a pointer to 15.4.5.
Comment from David Wagner:
- 184.108.40.206E voter inactivity time different for blind/ low vision?
Analysis: 2 minutes is plenty we think. we don't think they would take any longer finding the button to push on the tactile controls at that granularity.
It might be worth clarifying that the 2 minute period starts after the prompt has finished (not from the last voter action). Would need to re-define "voter inactivity time" -- small fix but worth doing.
AE noted concern of B. Williams for voter time requirements. (will send out). U.S> access board noted that 2 minutes was a lot of time. SL noted that we will leave it for now, pending further comment, and will be the same as for audio ballot.
Comment from David Wagner:
- 3.2.2D notification of ballot casting, which now has new wording from after the plenary. Wagner notes a similar issue for poll workers: can the poll worker tell if voter successfully cast? Any need to change wording further?
This also may be worth clarifying - it probably was the original intent. We have to think about scenarios, however -- VEBD vs. PCOS -- and the preservation of privacy.
Check wording and measurements in accessibility figures e.g label for fig. 3 says 254 mm, but diagram says 255 and inches and mm are not numbered in the figures. JC will change to be consistent with reference to U.S. Access Board for hard conversion.
Resolve all references - both to external sources and internal XREFs.
Meeting adjourned at .
[* Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the TGDC is charged with directing NIST in performing voting systems research so that the TGDC can fulfill its role of recommending technical standards for voting equipment to the EAC. This teleconference discussion serves the purposes of the HFP subcommittee of the TGDC to direct NIST staff and coordinate its voting-related research relevant to the VVSG 2007. Discussions on this telecon are preliminary and do not necessarily reflect the views of NIST or the TGDC.]


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Hello! I hope you are all having a wonderful week!!
Fifi asked me to share a peek into the next issue of her beautiful Prairie Style Magazine, and so I am :)
Here is just a sampling of what is ahead in the new issue:
The magazine is 144 pages of beautifully photographed stories and 9 homes from coast to coast and Canada {all different takes on Prairie Style}!
The magazine costs $9.99 and will be available in stores in May, but you can also go *HERE* to order your copy! For bulk orders, go *HERE* {for 10 or more copies, at $4.99 each}.
All photos courtesy of Fifi O'Neill and Prairie Style Magazine
Have a great night!


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Noah has been nominated for five Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards: from 1997-2001 he was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his work on ER. He won in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
One of Noah best friends since high school is actor J. P. Manoux. They both attended the Thatcher School in Ojai, California.
Noah met make-up artist Tracy Warbin in 1996. They were married on May 6, 2000, and have two children: son Owen, born November 9, 2002; and daughter Auden, born October 15, 2005.
Noah has a dog named May to remind him of his wedding anniversary.
Noah has been nominated for a Saturn Award twice: once in 2005 for his role in The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, and once in 2007 for his role in The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines.
He devotes much of his free time to his work as a member of the Human Rights Watch Council and to the international non-profit organization Doctors of the World.
He dated Sherry Stringfield, his fellow ER cast member, during the first season of the series.
Noah was the spokesperson for the national campaing "Cover the uninsured week" in 2004.The object was to decrease the number of Americans without health insurance.
Noah's all-time favorite ER scene was when he stood in a dark room and read to legendary actor/acting coach Sanford Meisner, who portrayed a terminally ill patient in the Season 1 episode "Sleepless in Chicago."
He has been nominated for five Emmy awards.
Noah cited the desire to spend more time with his family as the reason he left ER.
According to the Guinness World Records 2005 Special 50th Anniversary Edition, Noah Wyle ostentated a "Highest paid TV drama actor per episode" record during the 2003/04 season, earning approximately $400,000 per episode.
Noah is a vegan.
His fencing skills were displayed in the ER episode "Secrets and Lies."
He is an Artistic Producer at the Blank Theatre Company in Los Angeles, California, and also serves on its board of directors.
He bought Bo Derek's ranch in San Ysidro, California in June 1999.
He is a fairly good fencer and horse rider.
His least favorite scene on ER was one in which he performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a dog.
Noah collects baseball cards, antiques, and any bric-a-brac pertaining to the Biblical Noah's Ark.
Noah is 6'1".
Noah was the only original starring cast member of ER to remain on the show for all of the first eleven seasons.
Noah Wyle: (on his fame) It's funny. Some days I don't even notice it. Most of the time, people are complimentary. And I'm an actor who loves compliments, so I find it very gratifying. And then there are days when you just don't wanna be the guy on the TV show. You just want to hide. (Cosmo, 1997)
Noah Wyle: (Comparing himself to his ER character John Carter) Carter has a strong moral backbone and is sweet, romantic, funny and self-effacing. I'm sure a lot of people think, "What an ideal guy. Love to find a guy like that." Noah Wyle ain't him. He's trying. But he's just a different guy. At the end of the day, John Carter is going to be in the television archives and Noah Wyle is still going to be walking around the earth. And I hope when that day comes, I'm ready to be me.
Noah Wyle: I made a vow that I won't be gone for 80-hour weeks.
Noah Wyle: (about the sitcom Scrubs) They've got the great benefit of having eight years of our storytelling to make fun of. I wish that I could sort of slip them some story lines because I know I've got some good ones for them.
Noah Wyle: It's weird, I actually like doing interviews now. Ever since I gave up therapy, it's my only time with a captive audience.
Noah Wyle: We've got goats, chickens, horses, dogs, cats, two emus and five pot-bellied pigs. We just keep collecting these animals. I think when you are named Noah, you are destined for a certain way of life.
Noah Wyle: I'm a guy who never wanted to hold a steady job, because I was worried about the monotony.
Noah Wyle: Boy, oh, boy, people get jaded fast. I got nominated for an Emmy.
Noah Wyle: I've learned that it's everything I ever wanted but never knew I did. It's the best. I know [my son] will have struggles in his life, get hurt or teased. But my dream for him is that he retains the spirit he has right now. It's so beautiful.
Noah Wyle: I'm thinking about naming my first son Emmy so I can say I've got one. I want Emmy, Oscar and Tony - and my daughter Grammy.
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Hi All,
I'm going to attempt to work this little old site back into my life.
I'll think about it and update more later.
Good to see you again, Ijustmadethatup, and really excited to see what has changed.
Me too... nice to see this name pop up on one of my first log-ins in months!
What these two have said -- it's good to see you back.
Thanks guys
Yay for everyone!
I am also glad that you're thinking of posting more often, I knew your blog briefly and then you were gone. For shame!


text:
Definition of spectacle in English:
1A visually striking performance or display: the acrobatic feats make a good spectacle the show is pure spectacle
More example sentences
- Heather Taylor and Amy Chu produced and performed in the spectacle.
- A handful of other artists staged theatrical public spectacles, performances grounded in the sociologies of place and personality.
- Everywhere amazing spectacles were being performed, as crowds gathered and applauded the snake charmers, coal-walkers, and fire-eaters.
display, show, pageant, parade, performance, exhibition, extravaganza, spectacular
1.1An event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact: the spectacle of a city's mass grief
More example sentences
- But the unseemly scenes provided an entertaining spectacle for those drinking in the evening sun outside the pub.
- The two of them whooped and hollered some more; their wives sighed at the spectacle and regarded each other with love.
- It would be an odd spectacle, for two friends of opposite sex parading through the town on horses with no saddle.
sight, vision, scene, prospect, vista, picture
make a spectacle of oneself
- Draw attention to oneself by behaving in a ridiculous way in public.Example sentences
exhibition, laughingstock, fool, curiosity
- It could be us falling over and making a spectacle of ourselves in public.
- I was shy and preferred to not make a spectacle of myself in public places.
- I would like to try novel-writing, but I don't think I've got the confidence not to make a spectacle of myself.
Middle English: via Old French from Latin spectaculum 'public show', from spectare, frequentative of specere 'to look'.
For editors and proofreaders
Syllabification: spec·ta·cle
Definition of spectacle in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
Comments that don't adhere to our Community Guidelines may be moderated or removed.
= trending


text:
Watch a preview of episode two of All Access: Canelo vs. Lopez – the unscripted series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Saul Alvarez-Josesito Lopez fight –before it premieres on Showtime, tonight (Sept. 21) at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Alvarez and Lopez delivered one of the most-watched fights of the year on Sept. 15th. Now, Showtime Sports takes boxing fans behind the scenes of fight week and inside the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for a never-before-seen look at the WBC junior middleweight title bout.


text:
Man arrested with women on drug charges twice in 3 days
Published: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 3:50 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 3:50 p.m.
SARASOTA COUNTY - A 72-year-old man was arrested twice in three days — both times on charges of possession of cocaine — with two different young women.
Robert Lee and Gabrielle Jenkins, 23, were arrested at 7:30 a.m. Friday in the 4000 block of Tamiami Trail.
Lee, who has a Venice address, was charged with possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to his arrest report. He was released from jail on bail that afternoon. Jenkins, who is listed as homeless on her arrest report, remains in jail on $1,620 bail on charges of possessing crack cocaine and driving with a suspended license.
Lee was arrested again late Sunday, this time with Alicia Sportelli, 25, who identified herself as Lee's girlfriend and listed the same Venice address.
A deputy approached the couple at 11 p.m. when Lee improperly parked at 7-Eleven, 5754 Clark Road. The deputy spotted a needle and small bags in a console. Inside the vehicle, deputies found three crack pipes and drugs. A crack pipe was later found in Lee's back pocket, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
Lee, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, cocaine and ecstasy, was released on bail Monday. Sportelli is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and cocaine, as well as resisting arrest without violence. She remains in jail on $2,500 bail.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


text:
+1 908 359-2882
Fax: +1 908 359-6717
Email: Email
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249 Homestead Road - Bldg 5, Unit 3,Hillsborough,NJ,08844,United States of America
PartSource International is the complete source for European Spare Parts used in the processing, packaging, printing, textile, pharmaceutical and confectionery industries. PartSource offers original replacement and spare parts including motors, clutches, switches, gearboxes, power transmission, pneumatics and hydraulics directly from manufacturers in Europe. An international buying service based in the United States, PartSource ships components from Germany, Italy, Sweden, France, Great Britain, Denmark and many other European countries. More agressive lead times than OEM's ensure you get the right part faster. PartSource is the most dependable source for all European industrial components and spare parts.
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text:
EAST PRAIRIE -- Joel M. Savell, 88, died at 5:25 p.m. Feb. 10, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Born April 18, 1918, in Nashville, Tenn., son of the late James and Bessie Savell, he was raised in Tennessee until the age of 12, when he moved to New York City. On July 15, 1941, while on vacation back in Nashville, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps, serving during World War II in the Pacific Theatre of War. After his discharge from the Marines, he joined his father and moved to East Prairie, purchasing The East Prairie Eagle from his brother-in-law, Art Wallhausen Sr. He was the former owner/editor of The East Prairie Eagle. He was a member of the East Prairie Board of Aldermen, Police Judge and Law Enforcement Assistance Council. He organized the Auxiliary Police and was Civil Defense Director. A member of the Lions Club, he served as secretary. He was a charter member of the East Prairie Housing Authority board and a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge No. 384. He was a member of the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent and Sunday school teacher.
In December 1948, at the Lilbourn Methodist Church, he married Harriet Riley, who survives of the home.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Julia Elizabeth Savell Harter and her husband, Glen, of Cape Girardeau, and Jean Riley Savell Thresher and her husband, Gene, of East Prairie; three grandchildren, Breanna Jean Harter Munoz and her husband, Alvaro, and Dominique "Nick" Harter, all of Cape Girardeau; and Brittany Jean Thresher of East Prairie; and one great-
granddaughter, Camryn Lea Munoz; half brother, Bill Vernon of Franklin, Tenn.; and his adopted sister, Mildred Savell Wallhausen of East Prairie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Flora Mae Crosby.
Visitation is from noon Tuesday until service time at 2 p.m. at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie with the Rev. Dan Usher, pastor of the Nelson United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial will follow in the Riley family plot in Memorial Park Cemetery at Sikeston.
Pallbearers will be: Mike Hogan, Bill Brewer, Ed McWilliams, Joe Sorrells and Alvaro Munoz.
Paid obituary


text:
January 13, 2010
WASHINGTON (AP) -- New research shows that sleeping in on Saturday is no real cure for the chronically sleep deprived.
Scientists found that the extra sleep may help people feel fresher and function better when they first wake up. But as the day wears on, those with long-term sleep loss experience steadily slower reactions times.
Roughly one in six Americans regularly get six hours of sleep or less, while the National Institutes of Health says adults need seven to nine hours for good health. Regularly getting too little sleep increases the risk of health problems, including impaired memory and a weakened immune system.
But the immediate effect is on reaction times.
The study's lead researcher says staying awake for 24 hours impairs performance on a level comparable to a blood-alcohol content beyond the legal limit to drive. And, Dr. Daniel Cohen adds that when a chronically sleep-deprived person pulls an all-nighter, "the deterioration is increased tenfold."
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


text:
Losing ego is the only way to reach enlightenment. How does one lose ego? Existence is continuously changing. If you trust that existence changes and you also change, you can never get settled with your ego. Your ego is nothing but a rigid mechanism, a definite pattern.
Only a person who is ego-less can trust that the universe is changing and he is also changing. The man who sells his time will never understand that the universe is changing because he is caught in a routine. Not being caught in a routine is a basic discipline for enlightenment!


text:
By Jody Hope Strogoff
Call it a political lovefest.
Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, former U.S. Senator for Colorado, state Attorney General before that and fifth generation Coloradan from the San Luis Valley, was honored Oct. 23 by friends, supporters, elected officials and family members at a party fundraiser in downtown Denver.
The Sherman Events Center was filled with admirers who paid $100 for a ticket to mosey with the Democrats in Colorado's congressional delegation and other officials and pay tribute to Salazar.
Gov. Bill Ritter told the crowd that it's been "one of my greatest benefits in life to have known Ken Salazar at the beginning of my political life." Salazar, Ritter pointed out, was on the committee that actually appointed him as Denver district attorney.
Ritter then introduced Michael Bennet, whom he had appointed to replace Salazar in the U.S. Senate.
"I had the dubious distinction of having to fill Ken Salazar's boots, which is an incredible challenge," Sen. Bennet said. "Coming from the San Luis Valley as Ken did, a place I've visited numerous times since the Governor appointed me to this job, you realize just how hard life can be, just how challenging life can be, but just how indomitable the American spirit can be in overcoming these challenges and fulfilling the aspirations that everyone in our state has for their kids and their grandkids. They're the same.
"But Ken Salazar didn't just leave his boots for me to fill; he left them for all of us to fill, a legacy that said we're going to put people first in our state. We're going to put people in front of special interests when it comes to health care, when it comes to education, when it comes to the way our economy works for working people."
Bennet next introduced Congressman John Salazar, the Secretary's older brother, who shared some family stories from the past. One was about his brother "Kenny" sitting on top of an ant pile with ants all over his back because "I had gotten mad at him" during their youthful days in the Valley.
Years later both brothers were elected to federal office and ended up in Washington, D.C. "And we have just so much fun because we can actually talk about the issues every night and live together in this condo. Oh man, this is an awesome time," the older Salazar brother reminisced. "We can talk about (what's going on) in the House and we were very productive because of that.
"Then all of a suddden," John Salazar recalls, one day Ken tells him, 'You know, I think I'm going to go to the Administration. And I said, 'Well sure, I'll support you, whatever you want to do but were going to miss you in the Senate."
"He didn't tell me we were going to get a divorce… And so he moved out and left me all alone.
"But I'll tell you, it's been a joy serving in Washington with my little brother who really is the the true spirit of America, someone who has dedicated his entire life to public service, always putting people ahead of himself and sometimes even putting them ahead of his big brother," the Congressman acknowledged.
"Actually, Ken is one of the most unselfish, one of the most wonderful human beings that I have ever met. And I think, to many of you, we can actually consider Ken as the godfather of the Colorado Democratic comeback," the 3rd District Democrat said.
U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, who served 16 days as the junior senator this year before being elevated after Bennet's appointment, credited the Salazar team for helping him get elected last year. "Ken Salazar went to the mat for me day in and day out. And those of you that campaigned with us know that he was fond of calling me a true son of the West and I was deeply honored by that characterization," Udall said.
"But I've got to tell you, that man there is a true son of the West. It just comes out of every pore, his love of the land and the water and the people who make up our wonderful part of the United States of America."
Salazar said his journey has been intertwined with all the people in the room and said the work is not complete…"We have a lot of work ahead of us with the same values that led me to make the decision to run for public office are still values that I get to exercize.
"The Democrat Party is on the side of the people and that's what it is when President Obama sits with his cabinet, sits with me and we talk about where we're taking the country, we believe it is time for a change," the Interior Secretary said.
"I will forecast to you that when the judgment comes in on the President and his agenda… they will say that we were able to change the world. We were able to change the country as we are to change our communities. And we will have found the solutions that make our world a much more peaceful and much more secure world. It will be a much more peaceful and much more secure world not only for us who are here, but even more importantly for our children and for our grandchildren for generations to come."
— firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
By Martin Carney
As well as providing perspective and context, history informs us.
Some cold statistics have emerged since the introduction of the Qualifiers in 2001. Of the 12 All-Ireland senior football titles won;
- There have been seven different winners.
- Six have been won by teams coming through the 'back door'.
- Kerry are the only team to have retained their title.
- Galway, Dublin, Donegal and Tyrone all have a 100% success rate in finals, with Tyrone winning on each of their three appearances.
In attempting to predict a likely All-Ireland winner it is hard to look beyond the prospects and credentials of teams from the top two divisions.
Favourites tag firmly with the Dubs
Bookies are seldom wrong. On the back of their league success Dublin are already installed as 5/2 favourites to retain the title on 22 September.
Blessed with a beguiling mix of youth and experience - the wisdom of Stephen Cluxton, Bryan Cullen, Ger Brennan and Bernard Brogan has fused seamlessly with the wit and energy of Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey. I expect them to win Leinster.
There is no doubting their skill and depth of talent. If they can react positively to the relentless pressing style of the Ulster teams in the latter stages of the Championship they can win the double.
A sobering fact is they have only reached one final since 2001. The tendency, for whatever reason, to repeatedly fall at the penultimate hurdle will exercise Jim Gavin's mind later in the year.
Positive vibes emanating down Kingdom way
Things are stirring in the Kingdom. Their drop-defying sequence of wins in the latter stages of the league sent strong signals that Kerry have rediscovered an appetite for combat that was absent last year.
The emergence of Mark Griffin coupled with the displays of Johnny Buckley will have encouraged Eamonn Fitzmaurice. Colm Cooper and the Sullivans have found form.
I get the feeling that this is a last hurray for some of the greatest footballers who have graced the game.
If they can stay free from injury (they lost Eoin Brosnan and Brian Sheehan at a critical juncture in last year's tie with Donegal) and avoid issues of ill-discipline I believe they will be crowned champions.
Tough start for Jimmy's troops
Donegal are the current Sam Maguire holders. Defending their crown will require the cussedness, appetite and performance standards that they consistently displayed last summer.
Their principals – Paul Durcan, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden, Karl Lacey and Rory Kavanagh need to reprise the levels of excellence that brought Sam to the Hills.
The squad lacks the required depth to offset an injury crisis were one to occur.
There was little by way of injury to derail them last summer. Lacey's protracted absence this winter will worry Jim Mc Guinness.
Without his leadership Donegal struggle and if he plays his match sharpness will be questionable.
From a Donegal perspective, I think the broader expanse of Clones would have been preferable to the tight confines of Ballybofey for their tie with Tyrone.
The memory of their victory there last summer still chimes. The outcome of this encounter will be critical to Donegal's summer.
Rebels must show more desire
A team with Cork's talent should have won more than one All –Ireland in recent years. Admirably consistent in the league, their 2010 All-Ireland result does little justice to their collective talent.
On too many occasions they have been betrayed by a sense of entitlement allied to below-average work rate.
The loss of Colm O'Neill is compensated by the expected return of Ciarán Sheehan.
With Ray Carey and Don Cotter absent, much of the defensive responsibilities will be shouldered by Michael Shields and Noel O'Leary.
Too often the defenders renege on their defensive duties in order to attack. A more conservative approach at the back would benefit them.
The Graham Canty / Aidan Walsh axis in midfield provides good balance and, provided they get quick ball, their forwards are accurate and dangerous.
Cork are capable of regaining the big prize and taking the shortest route offers the best chance.
Faith in Tyrone is justified
Mickey Harte knows a big challenge awaits Tyrone in Ballybofey. Equally he has seen evidence that his team are in the mood.
The influence of Matthew and Mark Donnelly has grown. There were flashes in the latter stages of the league that their suffocating defensive system is in good order.
Provided they stay healthy, Seán Cavanagh and Stephen O'Neill can influence games like few others.
The 'back door' route will be enthusiastically navigated if required. Odds of 10/1 are generous and I think their form will worry prospective contenders.
Potency in attack an issue for Mayo
Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo travel to Salthill on Sunday in the knowledge that some of their better performers are unavailable due to injury.
Mickey Conroy's absence is a big blow and coupled with the likely unavailability of Jason Doherty this robs the team of their best finishers.
Two goals scored (one by corner-back Keith Higgins) since the All-Ireland quarter-final is a worry, as is the absence of a genuine match-winner in the attack.
The team will be well prepared, ambitious and won't lack belief. Midfield can provide a winning platform and provided the defence is disciplined they are good enough to overcome this hurdle.
Mayo's odds of 11/1 for Sam contrast sharply with the 33/1 odds being offered on Galway.
Very soon Galway are going to awaken from the slump in which they find themselves, but as of now Green and Red have the upper hand.
What of the rest?
There is little to separate the claims of Down, Derry, Kildare, Westmeath, Armagh, Laois and Monaghan.
Of these I think Derry and Kildare will have extended summers. Down will struggle in Celtic Park as too many influential players are absent, whereas Derry have progressed.
A win in Leinster would do wonders for Kildare, Westmeath or Laois but the Dublin juggernaut looks too menacing right now.
It appears that history will repeat itself with the winner coming from the ranks of the recently crowned.
I'd love to see a 'Wiganesque' moment with a new team shattering predictions and creating a fresh page of history.
Alas, I live in dreamland!
Live television coverage of Cavan v Armagh and Galway v Mayo on The Sunday Game Live from 13:15 on Sunday 19 May on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only).
Live radio coverage of all the day's action featuring Galway v Mayo from 14:00 on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ RnaG and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Highlights and analysis of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game from 21:30 on Sunday 19 May on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only).


text:
MEGAPOLIS Group's primary activity is the distribution of tobacco products.
The company's clients include some of the world's leading tobacco manufacturers: Reemtsma (Imperial Tobacco Group) – since 1999; Gallaher-Liggett-Ducat (Japan Tobacco International) – since 2000; and Philip Morris International – since 2007.
MEGAPOLIS tobacco structure enumerates 258 regional offices, including 85 C&C throughout Russian Federation*.
Far East Federal District: 20 offices
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Northwest Federal District: 38 offices
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Urals Federal District: 41 offices
Central Federal District: 58 offices
Southern Federal District: 39 offices
*as of December 2014
Key highlights:
- Over 3,900 sales agents and CBL (Cross-border logistics).
- DSD coverage of over 160,000 points of sale, including national and regional chains
- The company's JTI portfolio consists of such global brands as Winston, Mevius, Camel, Sobrianie, Glamour and LD and some Russian brands "Russkiy stil", "Petr 1", "Troika" and others. (1)
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text:
Left Masthead
August 25, 2016
Alan Grayson Tells It Like It Is
Posted on Jul 21, 2011
(Page 4)
Greg Carey: I think Madison's on to something important when he describes civil religion, because the sexual ethics you often hear preached as being, you know, the biblical teachings are really the Victorian ethics of the 19th century. They can't be found in the Bible. And yet they became the norm at the same time that civil religion really began to flourish in this country, before and after the Civil War. And I think that's a critical point; it's not a matter of going to our theological sources and saying, you know, what are our core convictions; it's more a matter of justifying those convictions by picking and choosing verses from different parts of the Bible to make them fit.
Madison Shockley: I'd love to get Greg's reaction to the part of the marriage vow that was recently stricken but was in its original form, where the proprietors of the pledge said that slavery had a disastrous impact on African-American families, yet sadly, a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA's first African-American president. He talks in one of his other articles about Christianity and slavery; what these folks forget to point out is that slaves didn't live in a two-parent household, not in America, and that the father of many of these slave children was the slaveholder. And so that was an interesting error on their part. But talk about, if you would Greg, about how Christianity and slavery don't have as great a history as we'd like to think of it.
Greg Carey: Well, sure. I grew up in Alabama. And that part, that preamble to the pledge that you're describing … we have a saying in the South: You just can't argue with logic like that. [Laughs] It's beyond [a] logical sort of refutation. For one thing, as you pointed out, in the South slaves didn't even have rights to their own bodies. And they didn't have rights to control their own sexuality. So the idea that you'd have these happy nuclear families in slave households is just baffling to begin with. More baffling is the thought that someone in 2011 could look back at slavery and describe it as somehow a better state than things that are going on now. And you're right to ask the question about Christianity's implication in slavery. The Bible was written in a world where slaves were everywhere. In the New Testament world, in some cities, slaves may have made up as much as half the population. And so it's not rare to see references to slaves or slave owners in the Bible. And unfortunately, it's not clear that the Bible ever directly opposes slavery, or encourages slave owners to set their slaves free. So when we had slavery debates in the United States in the 19th century, those debates divided the major denominations; the Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists all split along slave lines, and those unions weren't affected until well into the 20th century. But the problem is that the advocates of slavery could argue persuasively to many people that they had the Bible on their side. The Bible's a big book; it's diverse, and there are passages of the Bible that early Christians used, and American abolitionists used 18 centuries later, to resist slavery. You know, there's the case of a slave named Onesimus who seems to have run away from his owner Philemon, and Paul says I want you to treat him like a brother, not like a slave. What does that mean? But ...
Madison Shockley: But Paul did send him back. He didn't tell him to …
Square, Site wide
Greg Carey: That's right.
Madison Shockley: … he basically complied with the runaway-slave rules that governed in ancient Rome and governed in the early colonies.
Greg Carey: That's exactly right. And it's a case where, when I'm teaching this material with students, I often say, "It would be great if Paul had said what we wish he'd said." And it's possible to read Paul optimistically, but it's not obvious …
Kasia Anderson: I've got a question along those lines. I'm sorry to jump in in the midst of your discussion, but you just picked up on something that's anticipating my next question, which is whether both or either of you has a feeling about these types of reading strategies in which, for example, you have a more fundamentalist stance which kind of picks and chooses, maybe, certain scriptural passages and highlights them, perhaps, above all others to point to and say look, it says right here in the Bible that X, Y and Z—that gay marriage is not allowed, that this is what marriage is, this is what celibacy is. Do you have a feeling about kind of a reading style, whether it's based on your own denomination or just your own personal take on the Bible, that would either condone kind of a close reading strategy like that, or do you prefer to say, OK this is a big book; there's a lot of history in there; ultimately, men had something to do with writing it, and we've got to take it in context?
Madison Shockley: Well, I think you're right to connect this question to the slavery question. Because what most modern and mainline Christians, and even in the abolitionist movement in this country, have done is found those passages that indicate that human dignity—that indicate that human freedom which was God's original purpose in giving a moral capacity to human beings—can be found in the Bible. And you still have, you know, Exodus, where God speaks from the burning bush and says "Set my people free." You know, God is against that kind of human bondage. And so we also need to understand that Christianity doesn't have all the answers. And that's what the slavery discussion tells us; that we can find some impetus, but it was clearly the Enlightenment and the social movement of that period that gave us the abolitionist movement in its full form. And so even today, the discussion about marriage—we have to decouple it from a strictly Christian conversation. And that's why recognizing the opposition is really coming from an American civil religion perspective, and not a Christian perspective, is helpful in that debate. So that we can say, well, that's one of your sources, but that's clearly not the beginning and end of the conversation.
Greg Carey: My columns with Huffington Post were really aimed at people who are Christian and care about what the Bible teaches, care about what the churches are teaching them, and may experience that as dishonest or even harmful. But the reality is that over the centuries, Christians of almost every stripe have looked at aspects of the Bible and said, you know what? Times have changed, culture has changed; we can't simply drop these ancient texts into our modern context without some process of critical reflection. And Robert had raised the issue, before we began talking, about usury, or lending at interest. You know, the Bible is overwhelmingly negative about lending at interest. It's a way to keep the poor poor, and make them even more dependent. And until well into the Middle Ages, Christians, at least in the Western churches, weren't allowed to participate in the banking industry. But you know, as the Renaissance developed and global trade started happening, and Christians started to see, wait, lending at interest is also one of the ways that you can generate wealth—it became very normal for a Christian to participate in the banking industry, right? I think that Madison's correct that the same is basically true with slavery. It just wasn't acceptable, and so Christians started reading the Bible differently, and …
Madison Shockley: And that same impulse for human freedom that allowed us to abolish slavery can now allow us to establish marriage customs, and marriage laws and marriage practices and marriage definitions, that allow gay and lesbian and bisexual and transgender people to live freely and to form relationships that are recognized by the society and by the government.
Kasia Anderson: I should just check in right now and say this is Kasia Anderson; you're listening to Truthdig Radio with Robert Scheer, as well. And we're speaking with professor Greg Carey and the Rev. Madison Shockley. And let me toss it over to Bob here, because I know he wanted to expound a little on this usury question, or perhaps just economics in general.
Robert Scheer: [Laughs] No, I think it goes to the selective quotation. And I know, Madison, you were involved, or still are involved, with the Jesus Seminar. And I go to you all the time for wisdom on this. But what can we … because the question is raised, "What would Jesus do?"; I think it's an interesting question for discussion. And yet, the economic-justice aspect of Jesus'—the writing that's attributed to Jesus, the sayings attributed to Jesus—are never brought up, it seems to me. And I don't want to be one of those who selectively picks. But doesn't it seem, in the main, that whatever can be attributed to Jesus does have a component of concern for the poor and social justice?
Madison Shockley: Absolutely. I mean, there's no way to look at Jesus—you don't even have to be selective [Laughs], in looking at Jesus, to understand that his core message was "Blessed are the poor," but it can also be read as "Bless the poor." That if you are not poor, God's preferential option for the poor requires you to be a blessing to them, because God has blessed the poor. So you don't have to be selective in reading Jesus. And if you really dig into—one of my favorite passages is in Luke where Jesus, in my view, endorses a minimum wage. He talks about workers—day-laborers, actually—who start at the top of the day and work for 12 hours, and those who show up at the last minute and work for one hour, and they're all paid the same. And you never hear that talked about either.
Greg Carey: Not that way. I would add that I entirely agree about the emphasis on the poor in Jesus' ministry. I'd also add, a special interest for me is in the emphasis on Jesus' embrace of a group that the Gospels call sinners. And again, I'm highly motivated by the role of the churches in society, and I'm concerned that churches are so concerned with being respectable that they don't know how to relate to the rest of society sometimes. But the Gospels describe Jesus as simply keeping company with sinners. He doesn't scold them, he doesn't force anything upon them; in fact, the Gospel of Luke even says sinners liked to hear Jesus. And what would it be like if religious communities responded to people in society rather than trying to impose these 19th century values on them? I think all of that is thoroughly present in the Gospels that you don't hear much, and part of my job is to try to get that message out there.
Kasia Anderson: Well, and you do it well on Huffington Post's Religion section. And we've been speaking with professor Greg Carey and the Rev. Madison Shockley, who is a contributor to Truthdig. And that's all the time we have for today's discussion, but I'm sure these questions will continue to be discussed on our site. So thanks, guys.
Madison Shockley: Thank you very much.
Greg Carey: Thank you.
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By dedacherry, July 24, 2011 at 11:58 pm Link to this comment
I really appreciated having Grayson's influence in Congress.
By behopi, July 23, 2011 at 5:23 pm Link to this comment
Grayson is my hero, I have also contributed to his campaign, and written back to him, he is a honest fighter with Thatchers. There are not many like him, but hopefully he is just the beginning.
By eridonis, July 22, 2011 at 12:38 pm Link to this comment
I hoped immediately after the last election that Alan Grayson would run again. And I thought that I didn't know of anyone else who did, so that it was probably futile to wish this. I should have known that one of the most couragous advocates of the people during the heathcare reform fight would not be like others. Thank you for doing this, Congressman Grayson! I will support you too.
Let's get our congress back from the crazies!


text:
July 18, 2011
Showgirl Or Supplier Sales Rep?
Filed under: Best Places to Work Road Trip 2011
From Counselor's Melinda Ligos, as she hits the road for the 2011 Best Places to Work Summer Road Tour …
Big Surprise Greets The Road Tour Crew
We spent yesterday driving through the Mojave Desert, braving 100+ degree heat made worse when we unwisely stopped at "The Tallest Thermometer in the World," which was unimpressive and caused Andy and Joe to sport matching, instantaneous sunburns. So when we headed to the lobby of the Palazzo Hotel on the Vegas strip this morning to meet Lisa Surber, a sales rep for Seaena, a supplier who specializes in awards, we surely wouldn't be blamed if we spotted a mirage.
Indeed, as we rounded the lobby corner that led us to the lobby fountain, there stood in front of us a Vegas showgirl in full regalia, blue-feather headdress and all. This was no mirage, however, nor was it an ordinary showgirl. It was Surber, who immediately thrust a bag at us containing a bejeweled Elvis costume and said, "Are you guys ready to have some fun?"
Despite the fact that it was 9 a.m., we said yes, and Surber hopped into full gear. First, Joe put on his Elvis costume (Andy was very deft in volunteering Joe, which of course meant that he didn't have to take his britches off and don the polyester spectacle), and we headed for the Palazzo's garage, which held Surber's Mini Cooper. We were loaded down with bags at this point (after meeting with Surber, we had to get to the airport), but Surber, despite the fact that she was in little more than a sequined bikini, happily put the car's top down, buckled us all in, and then handed all of our luggage to us, bag by bag, while regaling us with fun facts about the small Las Vegas-based company.
Seaena is like a family environment, Surber tells us. Indeed, the company's two owners, Chris Robbins and Allison Fruetel, are engaged, and Surber's brother also works there as a graphic designer. As she navigates her mini out of the garage and into the blazing Nevada sun, Surber tells us about the antics that she and her co-workers participate in to blow off steam and keep their creative juices flowing. One example: The company's employees often collect gnomes and then proceed to steal them from each other, photographing their whereabouts. (One recently attended a Minnesota Vikings game.) But all of this shoptalk, while interesting, is hard to focus on as Surber expertly navigates down the strip, sparkling like a blue disco ball and waving at passersby and repeatedly yelling out to all of us, "Are y'all ready for some fun?"
We are, despite the fact that Andy and Elvis are quickly wilting in the backseat as they huddle underneath the bags, loaded down with 70 pounds of dirty clothes from our cross-country trip. So Surber pulls off at one of the top tourist attractions in town—the famed Las Vegas sign—where we prepare to take photos of one another and Big Bird, who has inexplicitly stationed himself at the front of the attraction as well.
Surber's a great sport—she even poses with tourists who mistake her for a real showgirl—and it becomes crystal clear that this is a gal her loves her job. We're sorry to say good-bye as she rolls the Cooper toward the airport, while telling us about an upcoming "cannonball run" style race she's about to participate in, which will take her from Vegas to Boulder, CO.
In Vegas, with a showgirl and Elvis, the car-riding portion of our trip has come to an appropriate end. Now onto The ASI Show Chicago, along with one more stop on the Best Places to Work Road Tour in the Chicago area tomorrow.
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