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About ChrisWaines : Just your average guy. Love to skateboard with my friends and have a good time.
ChrisWaines's FML badges
I agree, their lives suck
200 votes confirming that their life is crap. It's what the website is all about.
I moderated this!
In "Moderate the FMLs", you voted Yes on a story that was subsequently published. Well done!
You've now voted that they totally deserved it more than 100 times.
ChrisWaines's favorite FMLs
Today, I wanted to try seducing my boyfriend by having nothing but a t-shirt on for when he'd get back from work. He came home, saw me, apologized bashfully for failing to knock first, and went back outside. FML
by oops / 03/27/2014 at 7:10pm / United States (California) / Love
Today, my dad decided to shave his beard. I told him I wanted him to keep it, so he took the shavings, put them in a jar, and left it in my room. FML
by Anonymous / 03/22/2014 at 7:07pm / United States (California) / Miscellaneous
Today, my friends hired a male stripper to give me a lap dance for my birthday. It was all pretty nice until he let rip one of the most nauseating farts I've ever encountered, right in my face. Hours later, I can still smell it. FML
by polebitch49 / 03/14/2014 at 4:45pm / Canada (Ontario) / Intimacy
Today, I was out with my girlfriend at a club. As a slow dance began, a guy approached and asked, "May I cut in?" My girlfriend surprised me by saying, "Sure!" As I was about to protest, the guy cut me off and said, "Sorry miss, I was asking him." FML
by Anonymous / 02/13/2014 at 8:31pm / United States / Love
Today, in the very middle of the night, my kitten started rubbing against my face. Thinking I saw her face in the darkness, I decided to kiss her before going back to bed. My lips made contact with her butthole. FML
by Anonymous / 02/13/2014 at 10:20am / United States (Nevada) / Animals
Today, me and my boyfriend were having sex. As we were getting into it, his cat came into the room, sat, and stared us down with what looked like disapproving eyes. After 5 minutes had gone by, we stopped completely. A cat just cock blocked me. FML
by CatBlock / 01/31/2014 at 1:16am / United States (Georgia) / Intimacy
Today, my cousin thought it would be cool to put a firecracker in an abandoned birdhouse. Before I could tell him not to, it exploded and about 30 wasps came after me like the wrath of God. FML
by EpicJman2828 / 06/27/2013 at 12:27am / United States / Animals
Today, I was caught "experimenting" with my friend at his house. His parents called mine, and my dad came to drive me home. On the way back, he tried to cheer me up by saying, "Son, don't be ashamed. When I was your age, I sucked a few dicks myself." Thanks for the info, Dad. FML
by ugh / 03/11/2013 at 7:33am / United States (Massachusetts) / Intimacy
Today, I went with my dad to Starbucks. There is this really cute guy who works there and he kept looking over at me, so I went over to say hi. He ended up asking if my dad was single. FML
by lonely girl / 03/11/2013 at 12:17am / United States / Love
Today, my boyfriend and I were in bed making out. He then tried to unhook my bra. After a full minute of trying unsuccessfully, he shouted "Fuck you, bra!" before hiding his face in the pillows. FML
by Anonymous / 07/01/2012 at 7:08pm / Intimacy
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Sure Maria Sharapova is an attractive lady, but wouldn't she be more attractive with Stacy Kiebler's legs and Jenn Sterger's rack? You bet she would.
Imagine you could create the ultimate sports hottie by Frankensteining all the best parts these ladies have to offer. Honestly, it might end up kind of freaky, but we're young so let's just experiment.
Sports hotties in this instance does not include WAGs. Yes, many of them are exceptionally hot, but they are really a category unto themselves and shouldn't ever get mixed in with actual athletes or broadcasters who have jobs.
Just a note, the best rack is the very last slide so you have to commit.
Now let's head down this freaky road together and cobble together the hottest hottie ever.

subset: commoncrawl


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TV On DVD: 'Treme: The Complete First Season' [Blu-Ray]
Today, HBO Home Entertainment releases the first season of the critically acclaimed Treme on both DVD and Blu-Ray. Here's a look at what's inside the four-disc Blu-Ray edition.
The Show
I've been a fan of David Simon's work since he was a Baltimore Sun beat writer who penned the book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. Everything he's done for TV - Homicide: Life on the Street, The Wire, The Corner - has been fantastic, and Treme is no exception.
This series, set in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina, boasts an impressive cast. There's Khandi Alexander (The Corner, CSI: Miami, NewsRadio), John Goodman, recent award winner Melissa Leo (Homicide, The Fighter), Wendell Pierce (The Wire), and Steve Zahn amongst the lineup. There's not a weak performance in the bunch.
If you don't get choked up at some point during this story of ordinary people trying to survive in extraordinary circumstances, I venture to say that you might not have a heart. After all, as we've recently been reminded of with the tragedy in Japan, their story is a lot more universal than we might think. The specific disaster might change, but wherever you live, something devastating could happen to any of us at any time. And that's what makes Treme so compelling. It's not that hard to identify with one or more of the characters, and in turn, take stock of our own lives. Much like The Wire had its own messages about Baltimore and the people who lived there, Treme does the same thing for New Orleans.
The Blu-Ray Discs
The packaging for Treme resembles a DVD set more than a Blu-Ray set. It slides out from inside a cardboard case and the interior set folds out to reveal all four discs. The interior container has episode titles and credits, but no summaries and more importantly, no references as to which episodes the commentary tracks are on. (There are music commentaries within each episode, but only five standard commentary tracks.)
Also, the back panel - which details all the specs and special features - is just a cardboard overlay that comes off very easily. The only thing holding it in place is a small bit of adhesive on the front, under the Blu-Ray banner. The information on that panel is not duplicated on the physical back of the box, though, so you can either live with the cardboard flap, or get rid of it and look at a map of New Orleans. It depends on how much you need that list of special features and technical specs.
The disc menus also seem to be built more for looking good (and they do look good) than for functionality. Navigating them can be mildly difficult. The actual menu options reside in a small box in the lower left hand corner. Upon selecting "Episodes," you can choose either "Play All" or "Episode Index." But unlike most releases, choosing "Episode Index" doesn't give you a full menu of episodes on the disc - instead, you get the summary and options for the first episode on that disc and must use the arrows on your remote to navigate back and forth. There's no scene selection, but you can access a recap and commentaries, if any, from the episode menu.
It gets a little more confusing when you can access summaries for all ten episodes on each disc menu, not just the ones available on that disc. Once you've poked at it for a minute or two, you'll figure it out, but it's not the most user-friendly interface I've ever seen.
Technically speaking, however, this is an impressive release. It has the largest selection of available audio I've seen on any home release (for the episodes only, however). Audio tracks consist of English, French, and both Latin American and Castilian Spanish, all of which are at least surround sound (the English audio is HD). The subtitles are just as plentiful, with English, French, the two kinds of Spanish, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish. HBO has really made an effort to make this set accessible to the widest possible audience. The video comes home in widescreen hi-def. It's readily apparent, too: the musical performances sound great, especially if you crank the volume a few notches, and Treme is shot beautifully. If you have the option to do so, I would recommend the Blu-Ray upgrade.
One caution: this set comes with an insert that warns optimal performance may require you to have the latest software for your Blu-Ray player. Obviously, such a thing wouldn't be included if it wasn't important, so those of you who don't have the latest software might have to do some upgrading before this set will play.
The Special Features
Treme has an impressive array of special features. Two of them are Blu-Ray exclusive in-episode features (similar in function to the U-Control feature found on some Universal films):
Down In The Treme: A Look At The Music and Culture of New Orleans - An in-episode viewing option that sheds light on all aspects of New Orleans culture, from the landmarks to the cuisine. As someone who's never been to New Orleans personally, I found this particularly informative, because it helps fill in small details that enrich the viewing experience.
The Music of Treme - Another interactive viewing option which focuses specifically on the musical performances within the series. Music is a huge part of this show, and it's great to learn more about the truly beautiful songs and artists that we get to listen to.
Here are the features which are available on both DVD and Blu-Ray. As I don't have HBO myself, I can't say for certain, but I suspect that the first two are the two specials which aired on the network in March and April of 2010. (At least, they have the exact same titles, and it wouldn't make sense not to include them, to me anyway.)
The Making of Treme - This is the fairly standard "making of" feature that includes interviews with the cast, crew, and historians. It's one of the better such featurettes that I've seen when it comes to a TV series release.
Treme: Beyond Bourbon Street - Focusing on the specific neighborhood in question, you'll get a primer on the area's history, and why music and dance are so important. If you're not familiar with the music featured in the series, it might help to watch this one before you use the "Music of Treme" feature.
Five audio commentary tracks - A pretty neat gathering of people over five of the show's ten episodes. (Episodes 1, 3, 8, 9, and 10.) You'll hear from Simon, fellow producers Eric Overmyer, Nina Kostroff Noble and Anthony Hemingway, writer George Pelecanos (yes, the same one that's a successful novelist), actors Wendell Pierce, Khandi Alexander and John Goodman, and TV critic Alan Sepinwall. The inclusion of a critic on the set is a bit different (at least I've never seen it on any other sets I own), and I'm not sure that it was totally necessary, but at least it brings a more outside perspective to the table. Personally, I could listen to the actors talk about this show all day. There's something about John Goodman that's calming to me. Probably since I grew up watching Roseanne.
Music commentaries - Within each episode, two music personalities (WBGO's Josh Jackson and NPR Music's Patrick Jarenwattananon, who wins for one of the longest single last names ever) talk about select musical performances. Since we also have the "Music of Treme" feature, this is a bit of content overlap (if you're like me and not musically inclined, these may not be of particular interest to you), but it's nice to get a different perspective.
All in all, this is a very thorough set of special features, that not only provide insight into the series and how it was created, but the real New Orleans and its culture. If you're like me and you consider television an experience that goes beyond your entertainment, you'll really sink your teeth into this set.
The Bottom Line
Highly recommended. This is a great show, and the special features are both interesting and educational. Not only did I feel like I'd watched a piece of great drama, I felt like I'd learned something about American culture that I didn't know before. If you love TV that makes you think, this is worth the blind buy.


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Rice Krispies Treat Penguin Lollipops
Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treat bars
melted and tempered pure semi-sweet chocolate
or melted Dark Cocoa or Black Confectionery Coating/ Candy Melts*
orange food coloring
2 candy eyes for each penguin (I used 3/8 inch eyes)
tall glass
parchment paper lined baking sheet
non-stick mat
fondant rolling pin
pizza wheel
I only made three of these pops, and it took me less than 20 minutes from start to finish. They are that easy.
Thanks for sharing this on Pinterest, Facebook, your blog, etc. by using the share buttons at the end of this post..
and link back to Hungry Happenings.
to share in the Readers' Gallery
Items used to create this project that are available on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales)
More Rice Krispies Treats
Polar Bear Rice Krispies Treats


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|Not mine, merely related.
My good dear friend Mr Big Bear Butt enjoys regaling his readers with tales of his son in The Cub Report (latest episode can be found here.) My son has recently returned to the game: this is his Death Knight. He's twelve, and in his first year of Grammar School, and that's pretty much all the information I'm happy giving about him. We're a private family, and its always been this way, and I work on the theory that if he wants to tell anyone that he plays Warcraft, that's his job at his age and not mine. I wanted to use him as a basis of a quite specific blog post, and as a result if you're reading this it will be because he's said he's okay with me highlighting him an as example of the type of player Warcraft could do with right now.
Yes, I said the game needs more twelve year olds, with some very specific caveats.
Our son's watched a lot of game-time in eight years, in one form or another. He understands the basic mechanics of Warcraft not simply by playing himself, but often by osmosis. He has had impressed upon him the need for a mature outlook when communicating with other people. Most importantly of all, he grasps that this is a game, and not a badge of honour or a means to impress. Entitlement is a non-starter too: he knew he'd have to earn the money for Epic Flying, that we wouldn't help him by giving him the cash he craved [*]. There are basic principles in game that reflect life lessons I am perfectly happy for my son to learn in Azeroth. I feel however that there are some key differences between his game time and many other children of his age, and that these are as much an issue in fostering mature gameplay as understanding the way things work.
Our computers in the house are all in one place. Neither of our children have a TV or computer in their room (though occasionally a handheld device or tablet sneaks in at bedtime and is removed unless permission for it has been asked.) This is how it has been since both my kids began to play, and although supervision becomes less and less of an issue as time goes on, I want to try and impress on both kids the 'social' side of gaming isn't just about how they play, but what happens when they're not. Gaming NEVER comes at the expense of doing more important activities: being outside, drawing, playing games and NEVER HOMEWORK (yeah, sorry about that.) Interacting with the Real World is vastly more important, but I cannot escape that the Future, at least in some part, happens on screen. My son has a healthy interest in Minecraft (he loves to mod), most strategy and puzzle games, and I know that his future could well wrap itself around the computing industry. For that reason alone I want to encourage him to not discount anything, but to learn the value of knowing when to stop and walk away.
When my son does play, I feel it is VITAL to teach him what is acceptable by having him in the same room for at least some of the time. There is is of course, an undoubted need for him to explore and learn on his own, but this I think should be tempered with a responsible adult available to him should he need one. Consequences and actions are often discussed, and I like to try and make him think about the people on the other side of the screen as just that, people who can be just as friendly or devious as the classmates he has to deal with every day. He's building his own experiences of LFD (and has no problems doing randoms because he sees them simply as a way to earn points for gear) and the fact he's not accompanied by eight years of baggage like I am makes for an interesting counter-perspective on a lot of issues. It is easy to forget that having played something for so long can have its pitfalls as well as advantages.
What has become obvious in the time since he restarted playing is that the lessons he has learnt in life all contribute to making him a better player. There are areas to work on (getting him to say hello to people, remembering to say goodbye when he logs needs work) and I hope fostering more social time as a family 'playing together' will help with those shortcomings. I hope those parents/carers who are happy to leave kids alone late at night on consoles or computers realise there are consequences for these actions, that the only way to ensure your children get the best chance in life they can is to be involved at every step of their journey. No, I'm not expecting you to wrap your kids in cotton wool, neither am I advocating the opportunity for them to be left to their own devices. Every child has a different balance point, just as every adult does. If you're lucky, you might hit that once a day.
You should never let just one time be enough.
I hope, if you're playing on the EU realms and you run into my son on your travels, you are as proud of him as I am. He is living proof that age on a computer is no guarantee of what you'll get, for all the good and bad connotations that entails. I'd like to think he can stand as an example to players far older than himself too, that being a decent person is far more important than the dps you bring or the utility you provide. As it stands he's got that covered too, but you get the point. Judge the person fairly and objectively, and treat everyone you meet with the respect they deserve.
He is a lesson to me in that regard, and I will always be grateful.
[*] Once he'd done it I refunded him the money plus a bonus for hard work. Incentives work, people.


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Rush's Stack of Stuff
Do Your Show Prep: Everything Rush reads to prepare for the show.
Some of the topics we're loaded with today: EU Rescue Plan Gooses Market || Barry on Leno || Calypso Louie Condemns Obama "Assassination" of Khadafy
Do Your Show Prep: Everything Rush reads to prepare for the show.
Some of the topics we're loaded with today: EU Rescue Plan Gooses Market || Barry on Leno || Calypso Louie Condemns Obama "Assassination" of Khadafy
RUSH: We're always happy here at the EIB Network to help clear up any confusion in political candidates' minds.
RUSH: You can't watch a Hollywood movie without somebody picking up a cigarette a number of times throughout the movie. And you never hear Chris Matthews and the rest of the media elite going nuts over that.
RUSH: The people at Media Research Center sent one of their reporters down there yesterday (Dan Joseph is his name) and he went around and asked them a simple question: "Who do you think is more dangerous to American society, Rush Limbaugh or Al-Qaeda?"
RUSH: I knew it would be the case: Calypso Louie not happy with the death of Brother Moammar Khadafy.
RUSH: Isn't it amazing what happens when Democrats run the show? So here's Obama. I said this was gonna be Jimmy Carter's second term and it's playing out exactly like that.
Vice President Bite Me has warned that murder and rape would increase – if Republicans didn't vote yes. Many observers assumed this was just Joe being a jackass … again.
RUSH: Can you believe this? Day Three of this diaper business, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy declared Diaper Need Awareness Day tomorrow.
RUSH: Obama is telling these kids he's just like them. He didn't come from wealth. He says, "I've been in your shoes. I didn't come from wealth." I see a guy floundering out there.
RUSH: There's always gonna be somebody who has more. There's always gonna be somebody who seemingly has it easier. There's always gonna be somebody that has a better advantage than you do. There's always gonna be injustice. There's always gonna be the sense of unfairness. It's life.
RUSH: Don't doubt me on this. Conservatism is ascendant.
CALLER: My son looked at me and he said, "Mom, am I gonna have to pay a lot in taxes?"
RUSH: The next phase of this Occupy stuff is pretty large civil disobedience.
RUSH: What is this infrastructure crap? We're not building roads? Of course we are! That's another thing that grates me. Obama stands up there, "Roads and bridges and schoolhouses dilapidating." Where? If there is any dilapidation taking place, it's in the inner cities, and it's in cities run by Democrats for generations.
On the Rushwire: ACORN Organizing Protests ... Dept. of Ed. Exposes Student Loan Info ... Snow Greets Obama in Denver ... Muslim Students Say Catholic University is Too Catholic ... Too Much Wind Shuts Down Scotland Wind Farm ... New Poll Finds a Deep Distrust of Government ... NYT: Will Extremists Hijack OWS? ... Rush's Favorite Isley Brother: Rudolph ...


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For starters, this is a fascinating problem. Reminds me of the Collatz Conjecture. I've been trying to formalize your hypothesis and achieve a result, but it is difficult. To review, you have asked three questions that are extremely relevant:
1) For N even, do there exist any "loops" or infinite cycles?
2) For N odd, do there exist any loops other than (1,1,1,...,1,0)?
3) Does the system terminate after at most 2^N-1?
The only solid result I was able to prove is that the range cannot increase. Consider starting with . Define Range(a)=max(a)-min(a). It is easy to see that max(b)<=Range(a). Since min(b)>=0, Range(b)<=Range(a). Therefore the range must be decreasing or constant. The questions can then be rephrased...
1) For N even, are there any sequences whose range stays constant?
2) For N odd, is (1,1,1,...,1,0) the only sequence whose range stays constant?
3) Can Range(a) decrease to 0 in more than 2^N-1 steps?
It's not much, but it's a step in the right direction, I think.


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Seminar with CFA China in Shanghai - Challenges Faced by Chinese Companies in Investing in US (Jun 26)
With Chinese investments in United States skyrocketed to US$14 billion in 2013, it is expected Chinese companies will continue to make significant investments in United States as Chinese economy slows down. Mr Jason Yau (MSGF Class of 2012), Director of McGladrey Limited (HK), offered his insights on the advantages of China companies investing in United States, and also the challenges and pitfalls experienced by these companies. He also shared the best practices in completing deals in United States. Participants exchanged ideas during Q&A session and gained insights from a seasoned practitioner.


text: Dear Mr. Filson, You have asked for my life story. I am a blue checked cruiser. You made me about 1955. I traveled by Alaska Steam to the O. Kraft and Son store in Kodiak, Alaska. I was purchased by Peggy Sutliff. I don't remember what I cost but even then I wasn't cheap. As you will see, I am a great value. Peggy moved to Kodiak in 1940 to marry her husband of the next 61 years. Our life together started on the Flying H cattle ranch where Peggy took her kids for the summer. We hauled water, branded calves, and put up hay. I spent weeks on horse back herding cattle .Before studded tires, we had to put on tire chains. It was no fun laying in the wet snow putting chains on her old '49 Plymouth station wagon. But, I kept her warm. Mr. Sutliff owned a Super Cub so we fished Rainbow trout and Silver salmon every summer. I helped Peggy shoot at least one deer every fall for over 30 years. I spent about a thousand hours in the back seat of that cub. It was noisy as hell. On march 27, 1964, the great Alaska earth quake hit. The town of Kodiak was destroyed by the ensuing Tsunami. Peggy had been a Red Cross volunteer since World War 2. We spent the next month coordinating disaster relief to families that had lost everything. You may not appreciate how miserable the weather is in Kodiak in March. It rains sideways. I was O. K. because you made me out of the best wool in the world. Speaking of the Red Cross, Peggy received the Harriman Award for distinguished volunteer service. I was NOT invited to the reception with Elizabeth Dole in Washington, D. C. When Peggy died, at age 87, I moved in with her daughter in law, Page, a life long Alaskan. Page also flies a cub on floats to hike, hunt, and pick berries; still noisy. My cuffs have been reinforced and buttons re sewn. I'm good for another 50 years. Sincerely, Blue Checked Cruiser P. S. I don't have hand warmer pockets. In my day it was considered lazy to put hands in pockets.


text:
Welcome to the City of Camanche! Throughout the years, Camanche's remarkable sense of community, strong family values, top quality educational system, exceptional Mississippi River recreational
opportunities, and close proximity to commercial and industry sectors continue to provide extraordinary hometown appeal for people of all ages and interests.
One of the earliest thriving frontier towns west of the Mississippi, Camanche is a city with a proud history and bright future…providing its residents and visitors with a warm, friendly Midwestern quality of life.
Community Profile
The City of Camanche offers the best in small town living to all who treasure it's "hometown" charm. Located on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River, Camanche boasts a thriving local school system, friendly neighbors, and an abundance of recreational activities to satisfy all who live and play here. Couple that with Camanche's proximity to Clinton, and residents are able to participate in all the events and activities of a larger community, while still living the small town life!
Quick Facts
Population: 4,448
County: Clinton
Median Household Income: $41,859
Median Home Price: $80,200
Median Age: 40.5


text:
What is in this article?:
- No Room to Increase Corn Consumption
- Exports at 8-year low
More About:
The USDA projects that 13.245 billion bushels of U.S. corn will be consumed during the marketing year that ends on Aug. 31, 2011. That forecast is 60 million bushels below the July forecast but is 179 million bushels above the record consumption in the previous year, says University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Darrel Good.
"Corn exports during the year just ending are projected at a six-year low of 1.825 billion bushels. Domestic feed and residual use of corn is projected at only 5 billion bushels, the smallest use in 15 years," he says.
Declining feed use of corn since 2005-2006 reflects the increasing consumption of distillers' grains and other co-products of ethanol production, he notes.
"Domestic processing use of corn during the current marketing year is expected to reach a record 6.42 billion bushels, 459 million more than consumed last year. The increase reflects an expected increase of 429 million bushels in the amount of corn used for ethanol and by-product production," he says.
Based on the current USDA projection of the magnitude of old-crop corn supplies on Sept. 1, 2011, and the projected size of the 2011 crop, corn consumption may have to be reduced by a small amount during the 2011-2012 marketing year, Good says.
Stocks of 940 million bushels, imports of 20 million bushels and production of 12.914 billion bushels provide for a 2011-2012 marketing year supply of 13.874 billion bushels. The projected supply is 311 million bushels less than the supply for the current marketing year, he says.
"Assuming that marketing year ending stocks cannot be reduced below 5% of consumption, projected supplies would limit 2011-2012 marketing year consumption to 13.213 billion bushels, leaving year-ending stocks at 661 million bushels," he says.
The actual supply of corn that will be available for use during the year ahead may differ from the current projection. The size of old-crop stocks on Sept. 1 will not be known until the USDA releases the quarterly Grain Stocks report on Sept. 30. The size of the 2011 corn crop will not be known until the USDA releases the final estimate in January 2012, says Good.
New forecasts, however, will be available in September, October and November. Historically, the October forecast has been reasonably close to the final production estimate, he adds.
"Assuming that available supplies will limit corn consumption during the year ahead, two important issues emerge. The first is: How will available supplies be allocated among the major consumption sectors? The second is: What price of corn will be needed to limit consumption to the level of available supplies?" he says.
The USDA's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released on Aug. 11 projected a further decline in exports and domestic feed and residual use of corn during the year ahead. Domestic processing use is projected to increase as ethanol production continues to expand modestly, he adds.


text:
A People of Peace
"Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. 7 I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war." Psalm 120:6-7 NIV This psalm is a song of ascent, sung or spoken by weary pilgrims making their way to the holy places of Jerusalem. They were going to a [...]
- January 17th
- No Comments


text:
Many of the trust while alive and legally competent. Major medical insurance provided by the lender more than what you earn (revenue) and what policy would be refused service and tech support so you can get reviews of the death benefit policies, as well handicap you for life protection. The premium amounts to be able to you! The above techniques besides established methods, but. (Mixed; you can bet the sticking point on time throughout your life insurance coverage for your children's education to be more costly, but it's a wise decision involves studying, comparing, and contrasting prices, make sure you're happy with your spouse disagree on a whole life) Insurance.
Using the CPI as calculated by matching the offers directly or through the day. And those wishing to the household income & in turn, allow you to understand how the insurance part only of death to see in the form of social relationships but the average worker. Look closely at your place of employment or future health insurance plans as it sounds harsh.


text:
As your employees increasingly use a mix of applications from the office or the road, measuring and quantifying end user experience has become nearly impossible. Endpoint Agents track performance and user experience of browser-based internal and external apps, including SaaS applications such as Salesforce and Office 365. You can even monitor virtual desktops in your environment. Sign up for a free trial to see Endpoint Agents in action.Sponsored Listing
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PortableApps.com: Portable Software/USB
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How to keep those choke rods, starter rods etc. looking new!
Tips and tricks on repairs to your Cub's structure.
Moderators: Barnyard, Team Cub
1 post • Page 1 of 1
- 5+ Years
501 Club
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:44 pm
- Zip Code: 07461
- Tractors Owned: 1957 Cub, 1951 Cub, 198? JD 500C, 1954 Oliver OC3
- Location: NJ, Sussex County
How to keep those choke rods, starter rods etc. looking new!
Hey Folks!! Billy Maze here (name changed to protect the innocent (me)) with another new product. Forget the "Kaboom", "Super Putty" or "Hercules Hooks", we know offer the amazing new "Waller Wonder". This is not your ordinary shrink tubing that you can get at Radio Shack . This is our own special material .
Are you tired of metal on metal rubbing in vital areas and causing the unsightly "Wallered " out holes. Have you or are you restoring a tractor and don't want paint on paint rubbing?
Does your dash now look like this and you want that patched up hole to stay round?
Here is the amazing "Waller Wonder" in clear and red. We will use the clear on this Cub!
Cut your pieces to the desired size
"Waller Wonder" can be tough to slide around corners so wet it and apply a little liquid soap. Then make darn sure to remove the soap and any moisture before securing it in place. Here are the 3 locations where we will use "Waller Wonder" on a throttle rod.
Now go and fetch your favorite heat gun and put it to work on "Waller Wonder"
Now look at "Waller Wonder". You can barely tell it is there but it will protect against that horrible rubbing (at least until it wears out and needs replacing )
Smaller versions of "Waller Wonder" even work in other places like this!!!
Ofcourse this product will be great on starter and choke rods as well!! So folks, don't forget to order your "Waller Wonder", do it today and we will double the quantity absolutely free (just pay ridiculous shipping and handling).
I know a little about everything and alot about nothing....
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By Kathy McCabe, Editor and Publisher, Dream of Italy, The Insider's Guide to Undiscovered Italy
Villa Vignamaggio
If you've watched the Kenneth Branagh film of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, then you've already seen Villa Vignamaggio, where the movie was filmed. Vignamaggio is also famous at the birthplace of Mona Lisa in 1479.
Two miles from the town of Greve in Chianti, Vignamaggio is centrally located among the local wineries producing Chianti Classico. In fact, Vignamaggio produces its own award-winning wine and olive oil and hosts tours and tastings for guests and visitors alike. Vignamaggio's wine was actually the first red wine in the area to be referred to as "Chianti," in 1404.
This agriturismo, or "tourism farm" is a particularly good choice for families as it offers two swimming pools, a tennis court, mountain bikes, fitness center, a playground and a pool table. Guests can choose among 20 rooms, suites and apartments housed in several old farm houses. The Tuscan villa itself, surrounded by a stunning Renaissance garden, has suites only. The room we stayed in was filled with antiques, but also had a kitchenette creatively built into an old wardrobe. Even the apartments have daily maid service.
Vignamaggio hosts special dinners twice a week, otherwise guests cook for themselves in their apartments or visit one of the many fine restaurants in Greve. It's best to have a rental car when visiting the area. Driving the winding road up to Vignamaggio at night may be daunting for some, so the hotel can also arrange for taxi service.
Via Petriolo 5
Greve in Chianti
(39) 055 854661
Open: Mid-March through the end of the year.
Rates: 180 to 285 euros per room, suite or apartment per night. Optional breakfast is 10 or 15 euros per day.
Locanda dell' Amorosa
It's no mistake that the name of this Tuscan villa means, "Lover's Inn," as this place exudes romance from the moment guests enter the impressive, cypress-lined drive. An hour-and-a-half by car from Florence, Locanda dell'Amorosa resembles the small town it once was, a 14th-century medieval village. The property has changed ownership only once in 700 years. In 1873, the Piccolomini family of Pienza (family of Pope Pius II) sold the property to Fiorella Favard, whose descendants still own the estate.
The town's lovely old church, the site of occasional weddings, sits in the middle of the main square. Next door, an old farm building has been converted to a wine bar where breakfast is served as well. On the side, former lodging for the farmers has been converted into large guest rooms with equally spacious and airy bathrooms, a rarity in Italy.
The former stables are now home to Amorosa's excellent restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, where guests can enjoy the estate's tranquil setting while indulging in Tuscan specialties. Behind the main square are the rest of the converted farm buildings and accommodations. The hotel's infinity pool sits in a quiet field overlooking the countryside.
The hotel offers small touches such as a computer with Internet access in the lobby and complimentary refreshments poolside. It makes it hard to leave to explore the surrounding towns, but at Amorosa it's just fine to stay and enjoy the beauty at hand.
Localita' l'Amorosa
(39) 0577 677211
Open: Early March to early January.
Rates: A standard room is 234 euros per night, including breakfast. A suite is 365 euros.
Now it's time to let us create an unforgettable Tuscany vacation for you! Call today 800.955.4418, or use our quick online quote request.
Yes! Please send me my FREE Insider Italy Vacation Checklist with all the insider travel secrets I'll need for a perfect Italy vacation.
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"We couldn't have asked for a better honeymoon!"
The trip was absolutely amazing. We couldn't have asked for a better honeymoon!!!! I would recommend all of the hotels to family or friends. I will recommend your services to anyone looking to travel to Europe, and should we ever have the opportunity to travel there again, I will certainly be...
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Spain Honeymoon Vacation, June 2013


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Today, girls and boys across the nation are stepping into the workplaces of their parents.
But did you know the day is actually rooted in feminism? Take Your Child To Work Day originally started as Take Our Daughters To Work Day in 1993. Read More »


text: Obituaries 9-18-2013 Posted on September 18, 2013 by webmasterMarch 28, 2014 Stanley Bruce Memorial services for Stanley R. Bruce, 74, of Lovington were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Larry Bricker officiating. Burial was in Camfield Cemetery in Sullivan. Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story. Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterGoogleTumblrReddit Related


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Thursday, February 25, 2010
CEE Undergraduate Erica Spiritos Receives American Bridge Leadership Award
Erica Spiritos
CEE undergraduate Erica Spiritos (Class of 2011) was named the recipient of the American Bridge Leadership Award at the American Society of Civil Engineers Pittsburgh Section's Annual Engineers Week Awards Banquet. The award recognizes scholastic achievement, extra-curricular activities and honors and awards. Erica is interested in water quality engineering and is active in the Carnegie Mellon Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. As part of her work with Engineers Without Borders, she led a student group in a water project in Ecuador.


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Today, my dad was driving me to college. I'd cracked a joke about how old people like him shouldn't be allowed to drive, and I guess he took it personally, what with him speeding straight up to the parking lot wall, and only braking after I started shrieking in terror. FML
by Emma Five / 03/13/2012 at 11:22pm / United States (Massachusetts) / Transportation
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PopeWatch: Martians
Pope Francis raised a very intriguing question at his homily at Mass yesterday:
"That was unthinkable. If – for example – tomorrow an expedition of Martians
came, and some of them came to us, here… Martians, right? Green, with that
long nose and big ears, just like children paint them… And one says, 'But I
want to be baptized!' What would happen?"
Peter understands his error
when a vision enlightens him to a fundamental truth: that which has been
purified by God cannot be called "profane" by anyone. And in narrating these
facts to the crowd that criticized him, the Apostle calms them all with this
statement: "If then God gave them the same gift He gave to us when we came to
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder
"When the Lord shows us the way, who are we to say, 'No, Lord,
it is not prudent! No, lets do it this way'… and Peter in that first diocese –
the first diocese was Antioch – makes this decision: 'Who am I to admit
impediments?' A nice word for bishops, for priests and for Christians. Who are
we to close doors? In the early Church, even today, there is the ministry of the
ostiary [usher]. And what did the ostiary do? He opened the door, received the
people, allowed them to pass. But it was never the ministry of the closed door,
Again Pope Francis repeated, God has left the guidance of the
Church "in the hands of the Holy Spirit." "The Holy Spirit – he continued – as
Jesus said, will teach us everything" and "remind us what Jesus taught
"The Holy Spirit is the living presence of God in the Church. He
keeps the Church going, keeps the Church moving forward. More and more, beyond
the limits, onwards. The Holy Spirit with His gifts guides the Church. You
cannot understand the Church of Jesus without this Paraclete, whom the Lord
sends us for this very reason. And He makes unthinkable choices, but
unimaginable! To use a word of St. John XXIII: it is the Holy Spirit that
updates the Church: Really, he really updates it and keeps it going. And we
Christians must ask the Lord for the grace of docility to the Holy Spirit.
Docility in this Spirit, who speaks to us in our heart, who speaks to us in all
of life's circumstances, who speaks to us in the Church's life, in Christian
communities, who is always speaking to us."
Go here to read the rest. Hmmm, baptizing non-humans? All sorts of questions are raised:
1. Would the Martians have a soul?
2. Did Christ die for them, or has God arranged another method for their salvation, assuming they have souls?
3. Should we assume that aliens with intellects like ours have souls? What about artificial intelligence entities?
4. What moral teachings of the Church should be imposed upon prospective alien converts?
5. What if the aliens do not have male and female sexes, could any of them be ordained?
6. Would the aliens be subject to original sin?
7. What if they have no concept of sin?
8. Are they the sheep who are not of this flock who Christ was referring to?
9. If they have religions of their own, would ecumenicalism be applicable to these alien faiths?
10. What if the aliens decide that blogging is the true sign of the anti-Christ?
Inquiring minds want to know!
47 Responses to PopeWatch: Martians
Um, I'm more concerned about the language of progressivism:
"Who am I to admit impediments?' A nice word for bishops, for priests and for Christians. Who are we to close doors?"
The Holy Spirit moving the Church forward, beyond the limits. Making unthinkable choices, updating the Church. . .
I don't know, maybe its because I just finshed reading an article on Communion and remarried . . . I'm just seeing red flags all over the place. . .
Our ever generous and humble pope earnestly seeks to widen that Narrow Gate! No gatekeeper he, nor should we be. Who are we to close doors!?
John Paul II thought it important to cross a threshold, to enter through the ancient door. ppfff. A new model of the Church to add to Cardinal Dulles' list – no door at all! No floor or ceiling either. The Church won't just be invisible! It will cease to have life.
O, the things that can be ascribed to the Holy Spirit! No limit!
Free personal interp! What could be more Protestant than to claim a more developed or evolved conscience than the Teaching Mother herself. That magisterium has been holding back our understanding of love for too long! Real generosity is to encourage free form religion. The primacy of Francis' conscience trumps Tradition.
Karen: My thoughts exactly.
Anzlyne: Exactly. .
"To use a word of St. John XXIII: it is the Holy Spirit that updates the Church: Really, he really updates it and keeps it going."
"I AM WHO I AM". It is the Holy Spirit WHO, WHO, WHO updates the Church. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of God.
That said: My job.
Ever in love with aliens as ourselves returning after a long hiatus in outer space, (Einstein's theory of relativity; the green comes from solar radiation) I respond thusly:
The aliens asked for baptism. Therefore, they have free will. Since Pope Urban V baptized arabica bean coffee, an alien or an artificial intelligence, baptized conditionally will hurt no one except the devil.
Since Thomas Aquinas defined the human being as an individual substance of a rational nature, and it appears that the alien has a rational nature not only capable of grasping the Catholic Faith, but desiring the Faith, the alien would understand our Constitution and freedom of religion. (You cannot blame aliens for the totalitarianism going on in America today)
If this is only a ploy, a Trojan Horse, to deter mankind from the truth, the devil is behind it. Baptizing the devil would be the devil's just deserts.
"1. Would the Martians have a soul?"
Martians would have Martian souls.
"2. Did Christ die for them, or has God arranged another method for their salvation, assuming they have souls?"
Martians evidently need salvation because of their choice of Baptism to enter into the Church of Christ. Since Baptism is the door to all salvation, Martians will be applying for the same salvation as people.
"3. Should we assume that aliens with intellects like ours have souls? What about artificial intelligence entities?"
Again, Martians would have Martians souls and are asking for salvation through the Catholic Church.
"4. What moral teachings of the Church should be imposed upon prospective alien converts?"
All. Since this is the Faith and the Faith is embraced and it is the Faith that the aliens are requesting.
"5. What if the aliens do not have male and female sexes, could any of them be ordained?"
NO. Acting "in persona Christi" is not possible for the alien without manhood.
"6. Would the aliens be subject to original sin?"
If the aliens were not subject to original sin, they would not be asking for baptism but would be walking around in paradise, in innocence.
"7. What if they have no concept of sin?"
If aliens have no concept of sin, then they would be irretrievably innocent or guilty and not asking for baptism. Only the human being needs baptism. They would be angels or demons, and both above our grasp, intellectually and spiritually.
"8. Are they the sheep who are not of this flock, who Christ was referring to?"
Jesus said to test everything. The aliens might be asked as happens during the Sacrament of Baptism.
9. If they have religions of their own, would ecumenicalism be applicable to these alien faiths?
Tolerate the atheist, alien. Atheism is unconstitutional. If they are seeking the true Faith, then, they already know.
10. What if the aliens decide that blogging is the true sign of the anti-Christ?
Then, the alien knows Jesus Christ to make such a slanderous remark. The alien violates Christ's admonition to love one another. If we and the aliens are not brothers, then again, baptism is not what they really are asking for, but some kind of power over people. But it is not sovereignty. Sovereignty makes of man a servant of all. Sovereignty is that which makes us all brothers, loving one another as Jesus instructed us to do.
Inquiring minds want to know!
Jesus said to test everything.
"But it was never the ministry of the closed door. Never."
All are welcomed. All are asked to sin no more. To repent. To convert. To follow. Follow.
If we are following the Christ who never changes, who is was and will always be, than might it be prudent to follow His teaching and the centuries of understanding put forth by acclaimed theologian's who's proof of indwelling of the Holy Spirit had been scrutinized by fellow theologian throughout history?
Holy Spirit vs. snakey spirit
What spirit won the better of Martin Luther?
Careful Pope Francis. Discern the spirit.
I hope he doesn't pull the tiller to hard in one direction. The sails luff. The ship slows. The course changes.
The ship will make it's destination…eventually. 🙁
Mary De Voe brings up an interesting point:
"6. Would the aliens be subject to original sin? If the aliens were not subject to original sin, they would not be asking for baptism but would be walking around in paradise, in innocence."
Pope Pius XII states the following in paragraph 37 of Humani Generis:
"When, however, there is question of another conjectural opinion, namely polygenism, the children of the Church by no means enjoy such liberty. For the faithful cannot embrace that opinion which maintains that either after Adam there existed on this earth true men who did not take their origin through natural generation from him as from the first parent of all, or that Adam represents a certain number of first parents. Now it is in no way apparent how such an opinion can be reconciled with that which the sources of revealed truth and the documents of the Teaching Authority of the Church propose with regard to original sin, which proceeds from a sin actually committed by an individual Adam and which, through generation, is passed on to all and is in everyone as his own."
By definition aliens – extraterrestrial sentient beings – do not originate from Adam's line. Therefore, they are not subject to the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. Thus, they are innocent of that sin and the plan of salvation – redemption through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the Cross – does not apply to them.
That said, these aliens may have in the past committed their own original sin, and there may be an entirely separate plan of salvation for them. The Bible is silent on this simply because it deals exclusively with God's plan for us. It may indeed be that because we have demonstrated so little comprehension of and obedience towards God's specific plan for us that He deems us incapable of understanding what He has planned for other intelligences. In other words, it is none of our business.
Personally, I believe that the Universe, being so vast, is filled with life and intelligence. After all, God is supremely life and supremely intelligence. I also thing that if these sentient extraterrestrials have even a modicum of intelligence, they would do well to avoid the barbaric, violent and backward inhabitants on our little planet, leaving to God what is best left to God.
Thankfully God has established a universal speed limit – 186,282 miles per second or 299,792 kilometers per second – which makes radio communication with such intelligences on planets light years distant problematic at best, and travel almost non-feasible. This provides an effective protection against contamination not for our benefit but for the benefit of such alien intelligences, and barring the development of the Alcubierre warp drive (yes, that is a real concept – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcubierre_drive) or something similar, we will remain isolated to fulfill our destiny in God's plan.
What fun! I want to play! And no, it's not sarcasm.
3. Should we assume that aliens with intellects like ours have souls? What about artificial intelligence entities?
Yes, aliens "with intellects like ours" would have souls – the more 'worrisome' issue is those that have different intellects. A.I. entities would not be created by God and so would not have souls.
4. What moral teachings of the Church should be imposed upon prospective alien converts?
Perhaps none. "Laws are made for men, not men for laws". Aliens might get their own set. At a minimum, though, aliens should be expected to adhere to human law in their treatment of humans.
5. What if the aliens do not have male and female sexes, could any of them be ordained? Hehe. The easiest speculation on this would involve some role reversal, such as we see with seahorses, but with more ambiguity. Then again, the issue would only come up if they wanted ordination.
6. Would the aliens be subject to original sin?
Aliens "with intellects like ours" would be subject to original sin. That subjugation is a core component of out intellects. Our world is inherently imperfect, and we sense ideals of perfection (sometimes we call that God). It is hard to imagine "intellects like ours" that would differ.
7. What if they have no concept of sin?
Again, aliens "with intellects like ours" would have a concept of sin. See # 6.
9. If they have religions of their own, would ecumenicalism be applicable to these alien faiths?
Of course ecumenicalism would be applicable. Why not?
OK, now I'm going to post something that starts more 'religious' arguments than any other: there probably are no aliens.
There are no extraterrestrial UFOs. There are hundreds of thousands of astronomers worldwide, and they almost never make any UFO reports. Why do the people most familiar with the sky make the fewest UFO reports? Either because astronomers are aliens, or in cahoots with them, or because there are no extraterrestrial UFOs.
So without evidence all we have are logical arguments. Here they are:
1) The Copernican argument: the universe is so vast, so many galaxies, stars, planets, etc. If life began on earth due to natural processes it should also happen again and again.
This is an obviously thumbs up argument.
2) The Rare Earth argument: to get life started on a planet that planet may need a large moon in orbit to stir up the tides. As we find more planets in 'Goldilocks' orbits and develop the instruments to view their gasses we will get a better idea of the validity of this argument. But it should be noted that we have our moon due to a very low probability chance collision. Thumbs down.
3) The Evolutionary argument: evolutionary theory and natural history tells us that when organisms need something for survival that something evolves rather quickly. For example, organs for vision have evolved many times. Our brains have evolved only once, as far as we can tell. Put it this way, if anyone on this planet before us developed nuclear fission the fallout would still be measurable, so we know that didn't happen. Evolutionary theory tells us our brains are not necessary for survival as a species, since so many (sea cucumbers, cockroaches) have done so well without them. Thumbs down.
4) The Galactic Merger argument: galaxies interact and merge throughout history, and most end up in a state in which life cannot evolve. The majority of mergers result in the loss of spiral arms (so-called elliptical galaxies), and the spiral arms are the recycling process that forms new planetary systems out of supernovae ejectra. Life on earth could not exist without that ejectra. So, if a galaxy goes elliptical too soon it will never develop life as we know it. Thumbs down.
5) The Artificial Intelligence argument: Enrico Fermi and John von Neumann showed in the 1940's how self replicating robots can take over the Milky Way galaxy within 3 million years of the first one being built. These machines would not be much more advanced than our present technology (which means we are within a century or two of pulling this off), and so our technology should detect this activity in our galaxy, at least on our side of it. Since we don't, the conclusion is they are not out there, or at least we are the first. (Since the history of technology on earth shows that culture is a factor, the counterargument that all aliens leapfrog to a higher technology we cannot detect is illogical. Somewhere someone must be too dull to figure out wormhole 101 and so would launch these robots)
OK, no evidence to weigh 5 arguments, so they are all equal. This gives us 80% odds that they are not out there. I'm glad I don't post my home phone, it would never stop ringing after this post.
Just bizarre. There are no alien life forms from another planet. Period. Who says so? The Church. Christ is the Redeemer of all men. To entertain the possibility of "aliens" is to insult the revelation of Christ and the uniqueness of man and the incarnation of the God-man. Original sin? Non-existent "aliens" would not have it because they are not children of Adam. Even the angels are not "members of the Body of Christ" although they are "saved" by Christ, not from sin, but from a finite everlasting happiness that would be short of the beatific vision. Angels had to believe in the Incarnation prior to their elevation into eternal bliss. Lucifer and his rebels refused to obey the command: "Let all the angels of God adore Him."
I strongly disagree with Keslo. The Church has never formally declared the intelligent life elsewhere throughout the physical universe to be non-existent. That would be making the same mistake as was made during the case of Galileo, and even there the Church did not declare in her most solemn, formal way.
There is an interesting discussion on the Drake and Seagar Equations at the following web link. These are used for assessing the probability of intelligent life throughout the universe. It is a given that this planet demonstrably lacks such intelligence. 😉
Given the extreme vastness of the universe in both space and time, the chance for intelligent alien life is non-zero. It may be small, but the universe's vastness in space and time makes it almost inevitable that God, being supremely life and supremely intelligence, would have so populated it. Why do we not see evidence thereof? Simple: the restriction imposed by the universal speed limit of light: 186282 mps or 299792 kps.
I will repeat what I wrote above. Sentient extraterrestrial life by definition did not arise from Adam, and as such is not subject to Adam's original sin. Thus, the plan of salvation that God offered mankind does not and cannot apply to such sentient beings. Any original sin to which they are subject is completely their own, and any plan God has for their salvation is strictly for them and not us. We cannot even comply with His plan for us, so why should He tell us about His plan for them?
This Pope devastates me daily. Baptize non-human aliens? Really? and who is he to admit impediments? Should we baptize elephants or chimpanzees? I am afraid that we are about to reap a very bitter harvest. Pope Francis seems determined to throw the doors open – even to encourage – real discussion of many issues that have been long closed. It is not healthy to throw everything open for discussion. Some things are settled and should stay that way. Pope Francis and those close to his heart clearly feel otherwise.
To get an idea of the scale of the universe, please go here:
Forgive the advertisement and music. Using this on a tablet or phone may result in problems, but it will work on a PC.
Note that the size of a man is almost in the center between the smallest thing – Planck length – and the largest thing – diameter of the physical universe. I had known that before and I still find that interesting. Man's life time is (I am given to understand) also in the middle between Planck time and the age of the universe.
In all this vastness of space and time, the most incredible thing would be the solitary, single occurrence of sentient life, that being on this planet Terra or Earth. It is possible that this may be the case, but I doubt it.
Pope Francis seems unfamiliar with these passages of the New Testament:
2 John 9-12 "Anyone who is so 'progressive' as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works."
Titus 1:10-11 "For there are also many rebels, idle talkers and deceivers, especially the Jewish Christians. It is imperative to silence them, as they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what they should not. "
2 Timothy 4:1-5 "But understand this: there will be terrifying times in the last days. People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious, callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of religion but deny its power. Reject them."
PS, I agree with Don the Kiwi. If we admit that chimpanzees or dolphins are sentient (possible in the case of the latter – we still do not know), even then the plan of salvation would not apply to them because they are not born of Adam and hence are not subject to Adam's original sin. This is implicit in paragraph 37 of Humani Generis.
Furthermore, even if chimpanzees or dolphins are sentient, God gave man dominion over (stewardship of) them in Genesis. Their sentience would entail even more responsibility on our part to be faithful stewards of God's creation, to exercise care and love for God's gift of life and intelligence. (We have NOT been doing a good job in that regard). Baptizing non-human sentient creatures is simply illogical and wrong.
"If there are no aliens than God went through the trouble of making a very big universe, perhaps a very big multi-verse, for us alone, which strikes me as disproportionate. We shall see in God's good time."
Hi Don. Yes it may seem disproportionate. I personally believe that the existence of the multiverse can be inferred (though not proved), and so there are likely a huge number of parallel universes, although most probably disappear very quickly. But it would stand to reason that a God who wanted to create a species like us for the purposes that the Church claims and with the gift of free will would need to create a multiverse which such huge possibilities. Free will requires that God not be too obvious about his handiwork, otherwise faith would be too easy. So, I have little problem with the idea that we are alone.
As someone once put it, either aliens are out there, or they are not. Either way, the answer is profound.
Opps, I meant to say I agree with Don. Don the Kiwi has a different ID. Sorry!
I don't believe in humanoid beings from another world. We 're the only ones period. The only other forms of intelligent life are God, the angels, and the demons.
As for the encounters some people have with UFO's and reputed aliens, I've come to believe that these are encounters with demons. For when you compare UFO encounters with stories from the Bible and other world literature about encounters with angels and demons, they are remarkably similar. Even the USAF Project Blue Book said many of the UFO stories they collected fell into the realm of psychic phenomena, not physical phenomena.
"I don't believe in humanoid beings from another world."
It is exceedingly improbably that sentient life elsewhere would have taken the same developmental path to produce humanoid beings. Much more likely is the chance that such life would be completely alien and by definition non-humanoid. Alien beings may have more limbs than we, being constructed like insects. They may be cold-blooded reptilian in nature vice warm blooded mammalian (we have plenty of so-called humanoids on this planet that fit that description!).
Alternatively, their life chemistry may be completely different. A planet cold compared to ours may have life based on methane and ammonia and various petro-chemicals instead of water, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. A planet hot compared to ours may have life based on silicon and arsenic and gallium and lead. In any of those cases, the rise of a humanoid being is very, very unlikely. Indeed, this is implicit in name "alien." We cannot limit God's creative power because after all God is infinite, He is supremely life and He is supremely intelligence.
"As for the encounters some people have with UFO's and reputed aliens…"
Because of the universal limit of light speed, I consider the chances of UFOs being alien spacecraft to be very, very small. Besides, sentient aliens would do well to avoid this little planet with all its warring factions. If they have the intelligence to cross interstellar space, then surely they have the intelligence to stay the heck away from a burning house.
"Alternatively, their life chemistry may be completely different. A planet cold compared to ours may have life based on methane and ammonia and various petro-chemicals instead of water, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. A planet hot compared to ours may have life based on silicon and arsenic and gallium and lead."
Probably not. It is hard to imagine life without a solvent of some kind. Ammonia seems to be close enough to water to do the trick, but it has a problem that every other solvent but water has: it sinks when frozen. Any global ocean of ammonia would tend to freeze solid or nearly so. This is not to say that is can't be the basis of life, but it does make it statistically less likely.
The same goes with other alternate chemistries. For multicellular creatures oxygen is the ideal energy transport – other elements are too reactive or not reactive enough. The carbohydrate-hydrocarbon complex of molecules has more diversity than any other analogue. And most of all, the further down the periodic table you go, the lower the abundance of elements become. I'm not going to say that alternate biochemistries are impossible – that would be foolish. But it is statistically more likely that alien life would have biochemistries more like ours than not. Of course, that also does not mean that our particular amino acids, RNA, and DNA are predetermined, but something similar would need to exist, even in alternate chemistries.
It would be the easiest thing in the world to tell if Martians have souls.
As Wittgenstein said, "the human body is the best picture of the human soul" (Philosophical Investigations, , II, iv, 178) and "My attitude towards him [another human being] is an attitude towards a soul. I am not of the opinion that he has a soul" (Ibid.)
We are not (I hope) Cartesians, who believe we encounter other bodies and have to infer that other souls or minds are somehow located "inside" them, and that the bodily behaviour of human beings is merely a fallible external indicator of hidden mental processes. "Just try in a real case – to doubt someone else's fear or pain" (Ibid., I, § 303)
Thanks for the response Don. The Church knew of the vastness of China, for example, before the age of exploration. Dominicans were there in the late 1100s. There are also Catholic remnants (crosses, etc.) that have been dated back to post apostolic times. Saint Thomas preached in east India, some say perhaps even part of China. Missionaries were in America before Columbus, ruins have been found, with Christian inscriptions in certain parts of the Ohio Valley. I do not have the sources now in front of me. Brendan the Navigator came to our shores with missionaries, but they were not successful at all. I think it was Church historian John Gilmary Shea who devoted pages to these early expeditions.
My main point is centered on the Incarnation. Was it only our planet that needed a Savior? Are there other Incarnations of Christ in this "vast" universe? Other Mothers of God? Yes, the universe is huge. And yes, it is for our contemplation, to give us a sense of the Almighty power of God, who, as you know, went through no trouble at all in creating. Perhaps, if man had not fallen his intelligence would have enabled him to travel to other galaxies. I just do not see why the speculation is entertained. It poses to many theological problems. And, it's all a guess based on probabilities, and indeed they are next to zero. That fact, too, shows men God's wisdom, in creating a world that would not be able to be a home for man were it even a slightly bit further from the sun or closer, etc. etc. as Tom D argued above. Of course God could create whatever worlds He willed, and that includes rational material beings. But, it is the idle word to speculate on such things while the gospel is still not preached in its fullness in so many places here on earth. Thanks to the new thinking on salvation outside the Church and the ensuant loss of the missionary spirit.
I agree Don. The thing is, this pope baptized the child of a known lesbian couple who did not hide the fact that they are not practicing Christians, much less Catholic. To me this indicates he has no respect for the sacrament. We have always had infant baptism based on the faith of the parents. The child can not give assent or accept Jesus and reject the devil and all his pomps, but the parents can. And they are responsible for teaching the child the importance and validity of the indelible mark that has been placed on his soul.
This pope is essentially questioning the need for any requirement for baptism. Aliens.
And what about respect for the sacrament of marriage?! 50 % prob not valid! Priests torturing people in the confessional. What an invitation to come for reconciliation.
Concerned and sad.
I agree with Kelso's reasoning. I don't know that the Church has officially said anything about it, but I agree with Kelso's logic and intuition.
Read the first paragraphs of this post again.
What about this- the pope talks about Peter recognizing his fundamental error (which is believing the traditional teaching of the law concerning diet) and Peter's need to be more open to complete change.
"Peter understands …: that which has been purified by God cannot be called "profane" by anyone-" "who was I to be able to hinder God?""
It just seems to me that the pope is identifying with Peter in this story in being the bearer of the new vision of change.
"And in narrating these facts to the crowd that criticized him…" Again Pope Francis repeated, God has left the guidance of the Church "in the hands of the Holy Spirit." "The Holy Spirit – he continued – as Jesus said, will teach us everything" and "remind us what Jesus taught us":
"The Holy Spirit is the living presence of God in the Church. He keeps the Church going, keeps the Church moving forward. More and more, beyond
the limits, onwards. The Holy Spirit with His gifts guides the Church. You
cannot understand the Church of Jesus without this Paraclete, whom the Lord
sends us for this very reason. And He makes unthinkable choices, but
The first pope relayed his vision and the teaching changed… How does this relate to the statements and vision outlined by this pope?
Is the Holy Spirit similarly guiding this current pope and we should be getting ready for changes ?
I expected this to be an 'Eye of the Tiber' lampoonery: but not, this is the new status quo of the Speculator-Pontiff.
He is just taking a page from Karl Rahner who also eerily began speculating (1981) about other worlds and other alien life forms about which he wondered if they could exist ("Natural Science and Reasonable Faith," Theological Investigations n. 21), and if so, therefore God must be in relationship with them. (This was a man with too much time on his hands.)
Rahner: "We would move towards the idea that the material cosmos was a whole, whose meaning and goal is the fulfillment of freedom, will one day be subsumed into the fullness of God's self-communication to the material and spiritual cosmos, and that this will happen through many histories of freedom which do not only take place on earth" (near the end of Foundations of Christian Faith).
Which makes it a shame that Barbara Marx Hubbard, Rahner and this pontiff can't all three fulfill together their Teilhardian search for some other life forms to love, since it seems they were/are all somewhat related in their boredom with the creation that God has presently "disclosed" to us.
But on a darker and more mordant note, Don McC. is [as usual] right on target: the Pontiff-Revolutionary is letting us know that more changes in "his" church are on the way, as he, in perfect tune with the Holy Spirit, keep "…the Church going, keep the Church moving forward. More and more, beyond the limits, onwards."
I do believe that if PF thought that Chalcedon needed to be changed "beyond the limits, moved forward", he would just.. change it!
"And in narrating these facts to the crowd that criticized him…" Again Pope Francis repeated, God has left the guidance of the Church "in the hands of the Holy Spirit." "The Holy Spirit – he continued – as Jesus said, will teach us everything" and "remind us what Jesus taught us":
"The Holy Spirit is the living presence of God in the Church. He keeps the Church going, keeps the Church moving forward. More and more, beyond
the limits, onwards. The Holy Spirit with His gifts guides the Church. You
cannot understand the Church of Jesus without this Paraclete, whom the Lord
sends us for this very reason. And He makes unthinkable choices, but
Jesus Christ, in The Real Presence is in the Tabernacle on the altar. Where Jesus Christ is, so is God, the Father and God, the Paraclete. There can be no Holy Spirit in the Church without Jesus Christ and Him, Crucified. Pope Francis is the Vicar of Christ. When Pope Francis speaks of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis must absolutely be speaking Jesus Christ's words as Jesus Christ did when Jesus walked the earth, and Pope Francis must absolutely acknowledge Jesus Christ in the Real Presence.
Jesus Christ said: "I am with you for all time."
Pope Francis' grasp of the Holy Spirit as though Jesus were not really present is entirely according to his (Pope Francis') opinion.
The lake on Mars was found to be alcohol. hicup.
If aliens come to earth seeking baptism, they are searching for Jesus. Searching for Jesus, the aliens are children of the Father and brothers of Christ.
Anzlyne: "The thing is, this pope baptized the child of a known lesbian couple who did not hide the fact that they are not practicing Christians, much less Catholic. To me this indicates he has no respect for the sacrament. We have always had infant baptism based on the faith of the parents. The child can not give assent or accept Jesus and reject the devil and all his pomps, but the parents can. And they are responsible for teaching the child the importance and validity of the indelible mark that has been placed on his soul."
We have always had infant baptism based on the faith of the parents and the Godparents, especially the Godparents, who are called to assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith. Evidently Pope Francis chose to sponsor the child himself. Good going.
HI Mary 😉 Is that tongue-in -cheek?
No Anzlyne, but it does leave the infant with all the baggage of his parents' sins, but that they brought him to baptism is a reasonable doubt. Priests and nuns are not forbidden by canon law to be Godparents, but it is still rather difficult for all concerned.
The Pope, baptizing the child, does not give his assent to their way of life, only to the innocence and sovereign personhood of the infant.
Don, I love your articles on history. On this question your speculation and the head of the Vatican Observatory's speculation, intriguing as they may seem (I could get more intriguing myself with all kinds of plausible speculations, hey the Mormons do) they are a waste of time. Why? because, unlike the question of people's inhabiting other regions of the earth yet unexplored, they are not based on ANY reality. Every intelligent person knew and long prior to Columbus, that the earth was not flat, but global. I just do not get the point. Theology has plenty to work with here and now, like defending the deposit of Faith. Aliens? Other intelligent life forms? Material beings undescended from Adam. THAT IS PROBLEMATIC. That makes original sin a local event. And, you have not addressed the problem, except to say that it is "intriguing". This looney tune Brother who heads the Vatican Observatory must be a Jesuit.
Nothing wrong with an observatory, per se. But Pope Leo did not even hint that there could be intelligent life on other planets. That is a non-sequitor. Most of the craters on the moon, I read somewhere, were named after Jesuit astronomers. While they were "observing" non-Christians were dying without the Faith. Hardly what Jesus intended for the MISSION.
I know you are right Mary about the mercy for the child. But in our knowledge of this event, the pope has only communicated the baptism itself, and has given no catechesis to us or exhortations or catechesis for the lesbian parents, or shown any teaching about how priests who may make the decision to baptize in a similar situation can look to follow-along in the child's or the parent's lives.
No mention about their repentence, reconciliation, effort to live the Faith—nothing. He also does not indicate that he will take godparent responsibility or make sure that someone does. We don't get to know that the parents want to accept the baptism because of the meaning and power of the sacrament, or if it is a social/cultural enactment.
If this is a catechesis about mercy, it starts out with a merciful idea, but wouldn't real catechesis before and after be mercy? Wouldn't considering his modeling of respect for the teaching for the whole Church, seeing that he is a role model be an act of mercy for all of us. He makes statements by his words and by his behavior that are confusing. Baptism is our first step through the "Narrow Door" the "narrow" implies stress or difficulty. We need help for the journey.
Matthew 28:19-20 says :"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'
As you know my family situation and the looming possibility of two SSA "married" parents adopting a raising a child is around the corner. I might be over=sensitive in some people's eyes about acting like this is all just fine.
Anzlyne: I know of no genuine person who is not heartsick over family and especially children who have not willingly accepted Catholic principles for the peace of their souls. The child is baptized. (I comfort myself knowing that God loves our children more than you or I know how to love them.)
Steve Phoenix wrote, "I do believe that if PF thought that Chalcedon needed to be changed "beyond the limits, moved forward", he would just.. change it!"
Which is precisely what the Fifth Ecumenical Council did do: in the 8th canon, those are anathematized who say "one Nature incarnate of God the Word" – the Chalcedonian teaching, which they then qualified: unless they "accept it as the Fathers taught, that by a hypostatic union of the Divine nature and the human, one Christ was effected."
Has the Pope been visited? Or is he trying to be hip? The latter invariably fails when a person in an authority position such as his tries. What's next, an interview in Rolling Stone?
CAM: All that stuff in national magazines is made up by the writers. Do not worry yourself except for the gullible who take it for "real".
Well, God made ALL the planets (which means Martians…and Borg, and Klingons, and Vulcans…), so "IF" said Martian (or any other space ET alien) "knew" about Jesus and what entails and everything, so why not?


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June 2007
Eyes Wide Open
Mack Avenue Records
It was eight years ago that DownBeat named him Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of the Year and three years ago that he earned semi-finalist status at the Thelonious Monk Institute Competition. In between, Chicago-born Sachal Vasandani (which, to stray off-topic, has to rank alongside Eden Ahbez and Ahmet Ertegun as one of the coolest names in music) briefly abandoned jazz for a stint as a Wall Street investment banker. Fortunately for us, he quickly returned to the fold and has now delivered his debut disc. It's a cunning collection of a dozen tracks, mostly covers, that serves as a sort of sampler to demonstrate Vasandani's impressive versatility.
With a voice like polished granite (veined with sparkling hints of the young James Taylor) and an invitingly easygoing demeanor, he's as comfortable turning up the heat under a swinging "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" as he is paying homage to Shirley Horn with petal-soft readings of "I Could Have Told You" and "You Won't Forget Me." His scatting on a robustly upbeat "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" shows tremendous promise, and it's impossible not to like the joyful lilt of his "September in the Rain." Crafting a tune about a bitter struggle to grant forgiveness as a breezy samba, as Vasandani does on the self-penned "Send 'Em Up to Heaven," takes guts, but, with considerable assistance from vibraphonist Stefon Harris, he makes it work. Another Vasandani composition, "Please Mr. Ogilvy," a presumably semi-autobiographical examination of a neophyte artist's need for mentorship, is oddly appealing. And the album's third original, "Storybook Fiction," ably demonstrates his ability to stylishly shape a traditional love song.


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Thousandth Night (ebook)
Thousandth Night, the genesis for the epic novel House of Suns, is quintessential Reynolds. A visionary account of intrigue, ambition, and technological marvels set within a beautifully realized far-future milieu, it combines world-class storytelling with a provocative meditation on the mystery, grandeur, and inconceivable immensity of the universe.
From Locus:
"Part of what makes Reynolds so effective—what makes his version of space opera New—is his ability to work at both ends of the scale, from the intimate to the very very large."


text:
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DyStar Group Pte Ltd., a leading provider of sustainable products and services for the textile and leather industries, has seen its business' rapid growth outstrip its IT help desk system. As a result, the time had come to make a change and upgrade for the future.
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text:
The $796 million Texas Trust Credit Union of Mansfield opened its 13th branch last week in Arlington.
Mansfield, Texas, credit union opens 11th branch.
Metroplex credit union buys new headquarters, plans to hit 100,000 members, $1 billion in assets by 2016.
Minge has been senior vice president of Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, succeeds 20-year CEO Jim Gray.


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James River Wildlife Management Area
James River Wildlife Management Area is a protected area located in Nelson County, Virginia, near the town of Wingina. 1,213 acres (4.91 km2) in size, it consists of hilly woodland and more level bottomland along the James River, and ranges from 350 to 500 feet (150 m) above sea level in elevation. It fronts on the river for a little over one mile (1.6 km). About 200 acres (0.81 km2) of property, once used for pasture and the growth of crops, are open land, although the older fields have reverted to Virginia pine. The rest of the land is forest, a mix of pine and hardwood, mainly oak and hickory. Various techniques have been used to enhance the upland habitat, including the development of annual and perennial plantings, hedgerows, and other methods. Eight acres of marsh have also been developed to encourage food for waterfowl. The James River WMA website tells that hunting opportunities range from deer and rabbit to wild turkey and quail.[1]
Coordinates: 37°40′36.5″N 78°43′40.1″W / 37.676806°N 78.727806°W
|This article related to a protected area in Virginia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
|This Nelson County, Virginia state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.


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Dems: Boost school funding before tackling reforms
Published On: Jan 17 2013 01:55:44 PM CST
Democratic lawmakers say they want to determine a general level of state support for schools before they take up Gov. Terry Branstad's education reform plan.
That could lead to a confrontation with the governor because Branstad maintains he won't discuss that funding until he gets approval for his plan to boost starting teacher salaries and make other reforms.
On Thursday, Senate Democrats proposed a measure that would increase state aid to school district by 4 percent, or $134 million, for the school year starting in September.
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