text:
Skip to comments.The Five Guns Every American Has To Own
Posted on 11/08/2012 3:13:27 PM PST by Berlin_Freeper
Every American should have, must have and needs to have these five weapons. With the American right to own and protect themselves with firearms it is important to know which weapons you must have in your collection.
(Excerpt) Read more at liveleak.com ...
I am unable to view that due to my slow connection so I have no idea what those guns are.
When I was growing up just about every farm had two guns. A .22 rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun. Some also had a handgun, usually a .38 special.
Daddy had an old Essex single barrel. It was a cheap gun but was surprisingly easy to hit with. He did have a high quality .22. It was a Remington 513 targemaster and it really did shoot with great accuracy.
Daddy brought 3 handguns home from WWII including a Luger but by the time I was old enough to remember them, he had sold them all.
A person can get by just fine with the .22 rifle and a shotgun.
Um, "honestly" means, "I'm telling the truth." I figure you might not be familiar with the word.
Glock 19 9mm
Ruger 10/22 with BX-25 magazines
Mossberg pump 12 gauge with two different barrel lengths
Bushmaster XM15-E2S
Mosin M91/30
Not only do I agree with their picks, but by a strange coincidence these are all weapons I used to have - before that tragic boating accident, that is.....
(I had a Yugo made SKS instead of the M4.)
Glock 19
Ruger 10/22
Mossberg 500 12 Gauge
Mosin Nagant Rifle.
Mosin cultist ping ;)
Don't own any of them. Well, an old Ruger 10/22, but overall I disagree with their choices.
Many have found it difficult to argue with a 12 ga.
I was going to say 10/22 Ruger but the video beat me to it.
Yes, but you can do better than a Mossberg 500.
I agree...yawn.
Ruger 10/22 with bull pup barrel
Benelli M4 Super 90
Sig P226
The other stuff is just for fun...like the Colt Commander and the SW-High Power, bird guns, hog guns, wheel guns and just fun plinkers. Ah, sigh... all lost in a boating accident now only a memory.
The US Marines are using the Mossberg 500.
No, no guns in my house. No way, really, I'm not kidding. I promise.
If I did happen to have some guns 5 would be a lot number. But, of course, I don't. Really. I swear.
Thanks, not a bad choice but I would change a couple. I definitely would rather have Winchester Classic in 30-06 than the Mosin and I would take a Colt H-Bar and Remington 11-87.
Also a Sig P226 over the Glock but for all practical purposes his list is OK, well except for the Mosin.
Let's make this more interesting....
Sig 220 in .38 Super
Mossberg 26T "Targo Trap" (The 1942 takedown model)
Winchester Model 12 in 16 gauge, or a cut-down Browning B2000
Stoner 63A1 MK23 Mod 0
Rigby double in .416
The 500 is a fine gun, but you can do better.
The Marines also used the M50 Reising on Guadacanal... ;)
Ruger 10-22. (I actually have the SR-22 with a noise suppessor, along with the 10-22 I've had since I was 8.)
Various 12 guages, but I prefer the Benelli Supernova tactical pump because of the big trigger guard.
AR-15. I own several and have made several, including 80% receivers that have no numbers, at al.
FNAR .308 with night scope
.357 that I would use to fight my way to my rifle. (Can also use .38 obv.)
Have lots more but those are my essentials.
I lost mine in a poker game.. DAMN THE LUCK.!! :)
I don't own any of those.........
I really have no idea why people have this fetish with a rifle designed to be carried, used and serviced by illiterate peasants (the Mosin).
I've heard people rave and bluster about them... and I remain completely unimpressed.
For a bolt gun, people could do far worse than to pick up an old Springfield 03A3.
As for the Mossberg 500... it works OK, I guess, but it's a really cheap piece of crap. The plastic trigger guard and the balanced springs in the trigger group (a real potential for failure there after detail stripping & reassembling it), plus the fact that they're covered in burrs on all the machining... makes it one of the least impressive shotgun offerings, IMO.
In a pump gun, I'd much rather have a Winchester model 12, or a 97, or a Browning A5 (or clone).
Don't feel bad, it's hardly the "bucket list" of firearms.
The five guns I have to own are the five that the government doesn't know about.
Just my thoughts...anyway.
The '03A3 is great, and I recently saw a Gibbs Rifle Co. repro of the '03A4 WWII Sniper that was very nice (complete with a knockoff of the Weaver scope) for $825.
You're right on shotguns too. I'm a big fan of the 12 in 16 gauge, the '97 is a true workhorse, and the A-5 is a brilliant piece of design. I have one from 1914 that works great.
You got that right... if you can tag the bad guy with it, he's not going to care what it was.
The thing that people don't seem to realize is that:
a) most military guns will be 2 MOA and under,
b) most people, when not shooting off the bench, can't shoot 1 MOA,
c) most modern rifles under $1K are, quite frankly, of poor quality.
When I look at what a 03A3 can do with a two-groove barrel and ball ammo... it's quite respectable. The rifle is durable as a rock and there are parts galore for the thing... available all over the place.
You and I sir are in agreement.
BTW, the tube fed Marlin and Winchester rifles are excellent substitutes. The Mossberg plinkster is a copy of the Marlin 60 .22lr action but uses a detachable magazine. The lever action tube fed .357 rifles are excellent home defense weapons. Believe it or not, the High Point 9mm pistol is a very reliable shooter and very inexpensive to own. The Maverick 88 shotgun in 20 or 12 is also very inexpensive and reliable. I think you can still get the Maverick 88 12 gage with two barrels, too. The 18 1/2 is great for home defense and the longer is great for hunting ... and shotgun shells are easy to reload if you have powder and shot or slug. The plastic wadding inserts are cheap and a good item to stock for future use if needed.
Although, with the accutrigger and accustock, some of the sub $1K Savages are capable of producing decent accuracy at practical distances.
I have a .223 Predator Max with a Nikon M-223 3-12x on it that is (with my current eyes) pretty good.
5 most important firearms that r must haves
mossberg 500 12g
ruger 10/22
ar chambered 5.56 (not .223)
semi auto pistol chambered in either 9mm or .40cal
high power rifle chambered .308
your shotgun is #1, best home defense and great tool for hunting for food from birds to large game.. i like the 24" ported accu choke barrell for everything but large game which i prefer a 24" rifled ported barrel open fiber optic sights. Ammo ranges from birdshot to slugs. If u dont have a rifled barrel choose rifled slugs
For the 22 buy up as many milk carton federals as u can no less than 5000rds
223's are varmit rds nice for that but 5.56's mean business. Also a NATO rd , therefore there will always b a supply
I prefer the 40 over the 9 but again ammo supply. 9mm does have light recoil easier to shoot for the women and children
.308 I think its the perfect caliber for hunting unless you are goin real big game. It another common rd so supplies will be there. Best of all the 168 gr Seirra hpbt over 42gr Reloader15 can consistantly put holes in milk jugs at 500yds and is quite effective out to distances of 1000 yds
Sorry about the long post but sittin here recovering from a deviated septum operation this afternoon. Aim Small Miss Small
Mossberg 930 spx tactical. With recoil reducing handgrip stock. If I had a wish.
Now I'm not sure if its winchester or mossberg. I think its winchester.
Sold the .270 for $400 with a nice 3x9-50 scope...yeah it had nicks and such on it...but I hunted with it. Didn't just keep it a case and look at it. : )
The nice thing about the Savage rifle design (with the barrel nut) is that any mechanically adept person with a set of go/no-go gages and a barrel nut wrench can change his barrel. You don't need to have the kind of equipment I use to change a barrel (lathe, fixtures, gages, reamers, etc).
When he was close to dying...he asked me if I wanted one of his guns...I chose the WingMaster over the more $$$ A-5....but one of his son's had already claimed the WingMaster. Ha!! I ended up with a nice double barreled .410....
As things happen....my wife's step dad gave her a very nice A-5 12ga..with a slug barrel too a couple three years ago. Funny how things work.
I used to have Mel Tappan's book SURVIVAL GUNS. He had several gun experts tell what they would have back in 1976.
Jeff Cooper, Elmer Keith, and others all had their personal favorites listed. The book fell apart years ago and I no longer have the lists.
I do remember that SHOOTING TIMES handgun editor Skeeter Skelton said that if he had only ONE handgun it would be a model 19 S&W .357 with a 5 inch barrel.
My personal favorites.
.22 Remington nylon 66.
S&W .357, Dan Wesson, or Ruger.
Rifle, what ever shoots well.
Glock 22 .40 cal
Glock 23 .40 cal (common ammo for a primary handgun and backup)
Ruger 10/22......okay. I can live with that.
Wilson Combat 870 Pump action Shotgun with 14 inch barrel. (Load 1 1/2 inch slugs first them 8 pellet 00 Buck.)
Daniels Defense M4 with EOTech sight...FAR superior to the Bushmaster.
M-14 EBR - Enhanced Battle Rifle in 7.62
I'd add a H&K UMP in .40 cal to effectively use my pistol rounds in a 59 round magazine..
I have all but the Ruger....
Trust me...I know what I'm talking about.
That fat finger error should read "50 round magazine".....long day.
Is it more interesting to think about this in terms of the types of ammo rounds we like/have? We all have a favorite gun. Mine are:
.22 - I think I got one of these before my first diaper change. Very versatile meat getter.
.38spl - hammerless revolver. My carry gun. I really have no other use for this round.
.40 - I have a S+W MP40. Love this round. Cheap and good for home defense.
.44 Magnum - I have a Marlin 1894 w/ peep site and a S+W model 629 revolver. I deer hunt with this pair. Either this or a shotgun for me.
.45ACP - Gotta have this round and a 1911. Never fail home defense.
12ga - Remington 1100 and 870. Foul and small game.
.556 Nato - I have Ruger mini-14 with Holographic site. Home defense weapon and round.
In terms of ammo, my big stock pile is .40, .45ACP and .556 Nato.
I usually buy a firearm of some kind as a consolation purchase when a major election goes the wrong way for us. Maybe a shotgun this time.
Nice list, back to the top.
.22 Rifle, you could do a lot worse than the 10/22.
12ga pump shotgun, the Mossberg (or 870) defines the category. Auto shotguns are great, but you pay to play.
Sport utility rifle, can't beat the AR15 in 5.56. If you only have one gun, this should be it.
The Mosin is the odd choice, better off with a Springfield or Mauser in mil surplus, or a modern Remington 700 in .308.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
A dead body police described as badly burned was discovered Wednesday near the Pueblo Memorial Airport two days after the Pueblo Fire Department extinguished an early morning fire in the same area.
A crew with the PFD put out a fire early Monday morning near Paul Harvey Boulevard and West United Avenue just south of the airport.
When the fire crew went back Wednesday during the day to check the area where the fire was handled they observed the remains of a dead body.
The Pueblo Police Department responded to the area and confirmed the discovery of the body, which they said was badly burned, at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Detectives and a large contingent of law enforcement personnel responded to the scene to conduct an investigation which is ongoing.
Due to the significant burning of the body, a visual identification of it was not possible, according to Pueblo County Coroner James Kramer.
He said the identity of the body will have to come from other means such as fingerprints.
An autopsy will be performed today and the results will come out in a couple of days, according to Kramer.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is being asked to call Pueblo police at 553-2502 or Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 542-7867.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Topic: Testing radio buttons...
Does anyone know of a good way to test that the proper radio button in a set is selected? Test::Rails::ViewTestCase adds some custom assertions, but these don't seem to include anyway to easily add extra options/parameters to the the input tag. There also is the assert_tag_in_form "primitive" that I could probably hack up, but that seems like over kill.
Anyone developed a useful way for testing this?
Last edited by NielsenE (2006-09-06 21:09:23)


text:
Jennifer Aniston Gossip
Jennifer Aniston gossip, latest news, photos, and video.
First Class Jennifer Aniston
As mentioned a few weeks ago, Jennifer Aniston is now repping Emirates Airlines (click here for a refresher). The first commercial has now been released online. Jen's in a bathrobe on the plane looking for the shower. She asks for help from some crusty airline employees who offer her nuts. Full Story
Jennifer & Justin's first married red carpet
C Flanigan/ Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images
The Leftovers season 2 premiere in Austin on Saturday – Jennifer Aniston was there to support her husband on their first ever red carpet as a married couple; it happened exactly two months ago today. Two month anniversary? That's wrong because an anniversary is annual. I once asked a smartass friend what the word for "month-iversary" was and she told me there isn't one because it's a stupid thing to celebrate. Full Story
Justin talks about his wedding
FameFlynet, Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic/ Getty Images
Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston got married last month. Guess what? He's doing press now for season 2 of The Leftovers, premiering on HBO and HBO Canada on October 4. Convenient! As expected, he's being asked about the wedding and the honeymoon and their friends joining them in Bora Bora. Full Story
Jen & Sandy's double date weekend
As you know, Sandra Bullock was at Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux's wedding last month. That's when we found out that Sandy had a new boyfriend. At the time, he was just identified as a "photographer". But for Sandy to bring him to an event that was that locked down, it had to have been serious…as is the friendship between Sandy and Jen. Full Story
Smutty Social Media, Thursday September 3, 2015
Bret The Hitman Hart. Is Drake working his way through an athlete wish list or something? He seems to have every sport covered, except for maybe cricket. @brethitmanhart 🏆💯🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦💰💰 Full Story
Jennifer Aniston…by request
FameFlynet, INFphoto.com/ Ryan Turgeon/ Splash News
The last time I posted photos of Jennifer Aniston on the set of Mother's Day, mentioning that Timothy Olyphant is playing her ex-husband in the movie, I got yelled at. Some of you were pissed that I didn't include photos of him. OK but there were no photos of him that day. There are now. Full Story
Jennifer Aniston's newlywed Mother's Day
FameFlynet, AKM-GSI/ Splash News
Fresh off her wedding and honeymoon, Jennifer Aniston is back at work, seen here in Atlanta on the set of Mother's Day, directed by Garry Marshall. You'll recall, Garry Marshall also directed Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve. It's almost like he doesn't know that holidays are already schmaltzy. Full Story
Gossip Nostalgia: Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn
FameFlynet, Chris Whittle/ Splash News, Michel Dufour/ JACK GUEZ/ Getty Images
Earlier this week, after attending the premiere of She's Funny That Way, Jennifer Aniston was at the Sunset Tower for dinner. And so was Vince Vaughn, apparently having dinner with Jake Gyllenhaal. According to US Weekly, the two were happy to see each other, almost 10 years after they split. Full Story
Jennifer Aniston's married jumpsuit
Gregg DeGuire/ Jon Kopaloff/ Steve Granitz/ Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Jennifer Aniston made her first post-wedding appearance last night at the premiere of She's Funny That Way. I've attached shots of her wedding band below. The wedding dress remains a mystery. Earlier this week people were freaking out about it being this: Full Story
Justin's ring and Jen's dress
MONEY$HOT/ VLUV/ Splash News
Justin Theroux was papped at LAX yesterday, first shots of him after the honeymoon. As you know, he and Jennifer Aniston spent it with friends in Bora Bora. They came back a few days ago and he's now off again for work wearing his new ring and a ballin' gold watch. Under some light it actually looks rose-gold, at least to me. Full Story
Jen & Justin take a lot of pictures
Thank you, Howard Stern. Howard Stern will keep your secret BEFORE the wedding, but afterwards, you're not going to be able to tell him what to say, or not to say. Even if you're Jennifer Aniston. Howard talked on his radio show yesterday, giving details about Jen and Justin Theroux's wedding last Wednesday. Full Story


text:
The track
"Better Days" is an uplifting feel-good track with handclaps, acoustic guitars, ukulele and an electric bass. On top of the overall happy rhythm sits a "boogie woogie" piano that gives the track a little "dirty" edge. This track is perfect for commercials, video projects, corporate videos, Youtube videos, any other purposes that need a high dose of good vibes and uptempo groove.
Similar Items
Boldtrax Quicksearch
Dear Videohive authors:
Please feel free to use this preview track for your projects. The only thing I ask for is that you provide a link to this track in your item description. Please let me know that you have this track in your item so I can relink the project in my desription. Thank you, Boldtrax.


text:
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size ¼ recipe
Calories 220
Calories from Fat 0
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 40 mg
Total Carbohydrate 63 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 46 g
Proteins 1 g
Vitamin A 0% DV
Vitamin C 100% DV
Calcium 0% DV
Iron 0% DV
Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Servings and Times
Servings 4
Preparation Time 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cups of Fruits and Vegetables Per Person: 1.0
Ingredients and Preparation
Ingredients Measures
Ruby red grapefruit juice 2 cups
Sugar substitute ¼ cup
All Fruit red raspberry jam 2 tablespoons
Corn syrup 2 tablespoons
- In a small saucepan, bring ¼ cup of grapefruit juice and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Stir in remaining grapefruit juice and corn syrup.
- Pour mixture into an 8 or 9 inch square pan and freeze for 1 hour, or until frozen 1 inch around the edges.
- Stir well with a fork to break up large pieces of ice.
- Cover and freeze 3 hours, or until completely frozen.
- Once frozen, let stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften, than scrape with a large metal spoon, creating coarse pebbles of ice.
- Serve in chilled bowls or glasses. Microwave raspberry jam until just pourable and drizzle over top of each serving.


text: Agricultural economics, with a concentration in applied agricultural economics, prepares graduates to apply economic and business principles for banks, farm credit institutions, grain companies, farm equipment and fertilizer manufacturers, and food processing firms. Graduate schools, governmental agencies, and consulting firms seek individuals with a strong background in quantitative methods, advanced courses in applied economics, and strong credentials in economic theory. Applied agricultural economics graduates are highly trained to analyze management problems and possess the technical skills in mathematics, statistics, and economic theory to give themselves an edge in any market.


text:
The only tires you should consider getting .
ITP Holeshot XC ATV Front Tire
ITP Holeshot XC ATV Front Tire
$78.15 $95.31
18% Off - Save $17.16
5.00 5 2
DescriptionItem #ITP000V
Read More
2 Reviews
5 Star 2 4 Star 0 3 Star 0 2 Star 0 1 Star 0
Write a Review
Write your review and you'll automatically be entered in our monthly drawing. Include an image or video to DOUBLE your chances to win!Write Your Review
All Reviews
Over 4 years ago Corona ca
One and only
Over 5 years ago
Hella good tires
these tiressteer good on hard dirt or loose sand.well worth the money.
4 Questions
Answered: 4
Not Yet: 0
Q: What do these tires measure installed?
1 year 9 months ago
MotoSport Staff Expert1 year 9 months ago
A: These tires run true to size.
Q: If there not in stock can we still place an order 4 them?
Over 6 years ago
A: yes, but they will not ship until they come into stock so be prepared to wait
A: yes you can.. i ordered a set of rear tires 3 weeks ago.. they are still back ordered. i now wish that i didnt order them
Q: How many tires are in this package?
Over 7 years ago
2x fronts 2x rear?
MotoSport StaffOver 7 years ago Location: Tualatin
A: this is not a package, this is just a single tire.
MotoSport Staff ExpertOver 7 years ago Location: Portland, OR
A: Tires are sold individually (1).
A: no.. there is one front tire. if you want 2 you have to bump up the quantity
Q: What is the ply on these tires? ex: 2ply, 4ply or 6ply?
Over 7 years ago
MotoSport Staff ExpertOver 7 years ago Location: Portland, OR
A: 4-ply front rating.
6-ply rear rating.
6-ply rear rating.
1-4 of 4
See all bikes that this part fits...
See Fitments


text:
1. I read on another site that wine bloggers should use press photos if they can't take a good photo. Umm. Really? Who cares. Most of us do this because we're nerds and we like wine. We aren't into photography (at least I'm not), so fuck off. I don't have time for light boxes. Plus, I like my pictures. I kind of think they have character--they always have random stuff in the background, although more often than not, they show my surfboards and crap on my kitchen counter. Character is more important than technical proficiency anyways.
2. Risotto. Why don't more people make risotto? It isn't that hard (despite what people say), and it's great. Very versatile. People take it too seriously. You don't really have to constantly stir. That's bullshit--I'm no Thomas Keller, but my risotto is fairly good. I learned from an Italian. Mario Batali has said the same thing (although I didn't learn from him).
3. Punctuation, grammar, spelling. Have we all lost our taste for convention? Seems like the more mobile and "real-time" we become, the less we care about rules. Just a thought. I know that I am not perfect by any means, and I don't necessarily want to be perfect, but it is interesting what a pervasive effect the internet has had on the English language.
4. By the way, when was the last time you saw someone use a semi-colon? Now that's a thought that's good for some LOLZ!
This wine came about in my quest to try some different stuff. Feeling a bit stagnant, and my significant other isn't all that into wine. That means that if I say "Hey, let's go to a tasting," I get met with a glazed over stare. Anyways, love Riesling, haven't had too many from Alsace. 16$. This is from the Glintzberg Vineyaard, whcih is right next to the Grand Cru Vineyard "Altenberg de Bergbieten." This is a good demonstration of the limitations of my knowledge. Once we start getting into Grand Cru, my knowledge starts to fall apart since they tend to be expensive and I haven't had them. I probably should start to seek some of them out. Just some food for thought. Completely dry. No residual suagr. A little on the austere side. Lots of quince, citrus, and a definite mineral streak--smells a lot like chalk or wet stones to me. Also a lot of acid. The wine has great structure, and clearly has good balance. Nice finish that is minerally with melony, almost peachy over-tones. I like it, it's well-made and intersting, but it's not really blowing me away. Was a great compliment to a butternut squash risotto. B


text: Where are you sitting? Maximize your concert experience with Live Nation Premium Seats. Concerts are unforgettable experiences and we invite you to combine some of the most sought-after seating in the house with privileges like access to a VIP lounge and premium parking. Are you a corporate decision-maker looking to close that next big business deal? Are you a manager in need of incentives to motivate your employees? Perhaps you are an avid music lover who attends shows with family and friends? Whatever your needs may be, we have a venue near you with a variety of concert packages and options. Live Nation Premium Seats – the best concert experience in the house.


text:
Maui Jim Classic Kahuna Polarized Sunglasses
Product Information:
The Maui Jim® Kahuna Sunglasses are designed with a high gloss finish which will keep you looking sleek. Monel frames are made using nickel, silver and zinc and feature built-in, non-slip nose pads for comfort and functionality. SuperThin (ST) glass lenses are treated with PolarizedPlus 2® technology to block glare from all angles and deliver unmatched color, clarity and contrast. Adjustable Metal Core Temples create a personalized fit.
Click here for additional information relating to the Manufacturer's Warranty.
- PolarizedPlus® technology blocks glare and UV rays from all angles while managing blue light and boosting colors, clarity and contrast
- SuperThin (ST) glass lenses are 20 percent lighter than conventional lenses while still maintaining durability and scratch-resistance
- Monel frames are composed of various metals which include nickel, silver and zinc, making them strong and easy to adjust
- Nickel/Silver alloy hinges provide strength, easy movement and corrosion resistance
- Adjustable Metal Core Temples create a personalized fit
- Saltwater Safe
- Case and Cleaning Cloth Included
- Maui Jim
Click here for additional information relating to the Manufacturer's Warranty.
Country of Origin: JapanWeb ID: 11643866
Customer Reviews:
Rated 5 out of 5�by 2 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5�by Pops Super glasses Just bought these yesterday after wearing Rayban for 10 years. When I walked out of the mail the clarity and color was unbelievable. Super comfortable May 8, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5�by Bob Best Sunglasses I have ever owned Awesome lenses; little heavy July 9, 2012
1-2 of 2


text:
The safety of Highway 83
Thanks to a recent letter in the paper, I see it's time for another mini-rant about too-high speed limits and inadequate safety signs on North Dakota roads, particularly Highway 83.
Fern Skarphol described driving on cruise at the speed limit of 70 and pulling into the passing lane when her daughter Andrea said she thought "there was a semi coming at us in the wrong lane." It was.
She pulled back in just in time. Her comment should be repeated: "Taught me a lesson that even if I need to pass I will wait until I can see clear passing as there are a few hills on the highway and had I been on one of those we would be history."
Exactly. Highway 83 is not a freeway. But with its inadequate signage, it poses as one, giving drivers a false sense of safety. There are no blind hills or knolls on real freeways. Driving on an actual freeway, you can see far ahead with unobstructed vision.
Freeways also have wide shoulders, off and on ramps, no cross traffic, no U-turns and, in most states, no vehicles (including combines) below 40 MPH.
At the very least, 83 needs better signage, including no passing zones and lower speed limits where there are blind hills or knolls, and warning signs where there is cross traffic or U-turns. And at entry points to four lane traffic, the reminder sign: THIS IS NOT A FREEWAY. OBSERVE CAUTION SIGNS.
(James Lein is a community columnist for The Minot Daily News)


text:
New Markdowns
view full screen
Dotted Tropic Lush Green PJ Crop
Style: 6570075688
Out of Stock
Cropped pajama pants in caressingly soft Cool NIghts knit give you a comfy night's sleep and invite lounging in the morning. With pockets, silky ribbon sash and tabbed cuff. Pair with the Short Sleeve Top in this summery print.
- Embraceable pajamas are the softest, most luxurious in the world.
- Our exclusive Cool Nights knit stays cool and dry.
- Contoured elastic waist. Jacquard ribbon drawstring is attached at the sides to prevent losing in the wash.
- Side-seam pockets.
- Stitched-down cuff with faux button tab.
- Non-cling knit retains shape and silky drape, even after countless washings.
- Inseam approximately 22.5".
- 93% Rayon, 7% Spandex. Machine wash. Imported.
Read more… Read less…


text:
Upcoming Events
Past News Items
(July 21, 2010) UTD program challenges the best and brightest young mathletes (Dallas Morning News)
(April 9, 2010) Math Team's Performance Adds Up
(July 2009) Department of Science/Mathematics Education Hires Assistant Professor and Math Educator
(March 24, 2009) Prof Helping Kids With Learning Differences Study Science
(February 3, 2009) Seminar for Life-Long Learners: Dr. Barry Fraser (Feb. 10).
(October 28, 2008) Science Building Begins Moving from Theory to Reality
(October 27, 2008) Building to Kick Off New Science Education Era
(October 20, 2008) Projects to Change Look and Feel of UT Dallas
(October 10, 2008) U.S. Culture Blamed for Lack of Girl Math Experts
(October 2, 2008) NSF Grant Supports Teacher Training Initiative
(June 20, 2008) Girls + Physics Summer Camp = Energy + Fun (Women in Physics)
(May 29, 2008) UT Dallas Team Ranks 95th Percentile at the national Putnam Mathematical Competition
(December 19, 2007) Dr. Robert C. Hilborn Appointed Program Head of the Department of Science/Mathematics Education
(June 7, 2007) New UTEACH-DALLAS program invited to compete for a National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) grant for up to $2.4 million
(June 4, 2007) UT Dallas Lecturer Develops Earth Science Training Program for Elementary School Teachers
(May 29, 2007) Drs. Rebekah Nix and Cynthia Ledbetter win the UT Library Director's Award for Excellence in Library Resource Integration
(March 29, 2007) UT Dallas Team Ranks 95th Percentile at the national Putnam Mathematical Competition
(January 29, 2007) Awesome Math Program Makes X Y Z as Easy as 1 2 3!
(November 16, 2006) Nobel Laureate Russell Hulse of UT Dallas Named Director of Science, Technology Firm
(September 21, 2006) Change in Pluto's Status Opens Door To Teach Students about Scientific Study
(September 18, 2006) Metroplex Math Circle Kicks off Sunday September 24
(August 11, 2006) UT Regents OK $27 Million for Specialized Math, Science, Engineering Education Building at UTD
(July 19, 2006) University of Illinois Physicist Dr. Myron Salamon To Become Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at The University of Texas at Dallas
(May 2, 2006) 2006 Online Mathematics Meet Co-Sponsored by UTD and UWW: A Success
(April 18, 2006) Nobel Laureate to Pitch Science as Fun To 1,000 Metroplex High School Students
(March 22, 2006) Using LEGO bricks and Robotics--education for all; Tufts University guest lecturer Dr. Chris Rogers on April 4, 2006.
(March 7, 2006) UTD Science/Mathematics Education Department Head, Recipient of the 2006 Unsung Shero of the Year
(February 7, 2006) Lifelong Learners Series Present: Mathematical Induction, an Elegant and Powerful Method on Feb. 13
(January 31, 2006) Three School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Professors Featured in the "Super Women & SuperScientists" Exhibit at The Science Place
(January 19, 2006) Mathematical Reflections, Online Publication for High School and Undergraduate Students Interested in Mathematics, Launched by UTD Mathematics Education Professor
- Updated: July 22, 2010


text:
Confirmed! Capitol Albums Volume 2 available April 11
by Bruce Spizer, Beatles author and historian
I can now confirm that Capitol Records will be releasing The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2 on April 11, 2006.
The CD box set contains stereo and mono versions of the four Beatles albums released by Capitol in 1965, namely The Early Beatles, Beatles VI, the Help! soundtrack and the American version of Rubber Soul. These albums were mastered from the original Capitol tapes by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound using 24-bit digital technology. As was the case with The Capitol Albums, Vol. 1, the discs sound superb and capture the magic of the original Capitol albums.
The Early Beatles marks the stereo debut on CD of nine early Beatles classics, including Please Please Me and Twist And Shout. It also contains the first CD release of the fake stereo mixes of Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You prepared by George Martin for the stereo version of the group's first Parlophone LP. Nine of the eleven mono tracks are unique Capitol stereo-to-mono mixdowns appearing for the first time on CD.
Beatles VI marks the stereo debut on CD of five Beatles recordings, including cover versions of Kansas City and Words Of Love, as well as Lennon and McCartney's What You're Doing, Every Little Thing and I Don't Want To Spoil The Party. The stereo album also contains the CD debut of Capitol's unique duophonic mix of Yes It Is. The mono album also includes many CD firsts: the appearance of four songs in their original 1965 George Martin mono mixes (You Like Me Too Much, Bad Boy, Dizzy Miss Lizzie and Tell Me What You See) and five songs in their unique Capitol stereo-to-mono remixes with added echo and reverb (Kansas City, I Don't Want To Spoil The Party, Words Of Love, What You're Doing and Every Little Thing).
The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2 marks the first appearance on CD of the Help! soundtrack album. Six of its tracks have never been issued on CD in mono or stereo, namely the edit of Help! with its James Bond-derived introduction and five instrumental tracks from the film, including From Me To You Fantasy and Another Hard Day's Night. When the British Help! LP was issued on CD in 1987, it contained George Martin stereo remixes of the songs, which have been used on subsequent CD compilations. The Capitol soundtrack album marks the CD debut of five songs in their original 1965 George Martin stereo mixes (The Night Before, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, I Need You, Another Girl and You're Gonna Lose That Girl). The stereo album also contains the CD debut of Capitol's unique duophonic mix of Ticket To Ride. The mono album marks the mono debut on CD of five songs (The Night Before, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, I Need You, Another Girl and You're Gonna Lose That Girl), which appear in unique Capitol stereo-to-mono mixdowns.
The Capitol version of Rubber Soul contains the CD debut of twelve songs in their original 1965 George Martin stereo mixes. When these songs first appeared on CD in 1987, they were stereo remixes of the songs prepared by George Martin. The album's twelve songs are also making their mono debut on CD, this time with George Martin's original mono mixes from 1965.
Because the 46 songs on The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2 appear in both stereo and mono mixes, the box set contains 92 total tracks. Out of this number, 82 are versions not previously available on CD.
The box set's packaging is similar to that of The Capitol Albums, Vol. 1. Each of the four CDs is housed in a cardboard sleeve featuring the album's original cover artwork. The labels to the CDs mimic each album's original Capitol rainbow label. The box set contains a colorful 56-page booklet full of rare photographs and quotes from the Beatles. I wrote the essay contained in the set's booklet, and I also served as a consultant on the project.
The full details regarding the Beatles records issued by Capitol are referred to Bruce Spizer's books "The Beatles Story on Capitol Records, Part One: Beatlemania & The Singles" and "The Beatles Story on Capitol Records, Part Two: The Albums," which may be ordered directly from the author at http://www.beatle.net.


text:
Stamina InMotion E1000 Elliptical Trainer
NOW: $119.99 (40% off!)
Was: $199.99*
Product Information:
Use one of the most popular gym machines at home or in the office with the Stamina® InMotion® E1000 Elliptical Trainer. This extremely quiet elliptical trainer burn just a much calories as if you were jogging, but the design allows for a low-impact workout that is easy on your back, knees, hips and ankles. The InMotion® E1000 Elliptical Trainer is perfect for any environment with little to no disruption to those around you.
- Compact and lightweight elliptical trainer perfect for home or office use
- Made of durable, steel frame with large non-slip pedals and feet
- Features electronic fitness monitor (number of strides per minute and total strides, time, calories burned and scan all stats)
- Provides extremely quiet, low-impact workout to help prevent injuries
- Offers adjustable tension control to increase or decrease resistance levels
- Targets lower body with forward and reverse foot pedal movements
- Maximum User Weight: 250 lbs
- Assembled Product Dimensions: 24.5" L x 17" W x 11.38" H
- Product Weight: 24 lbs
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 year frame, 90 days parts
- Model: 55-1610
- Stamina Products
Country of Origin: ChinaWeb ID: 11884790
Customer Reviews:
Rated 3.5 out of 5�by 19 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5�by PedalingPat Very stable - great for any age Into 2nd week and still enjoying - I have taken a kitchen table chair to the family room and pedal while watching TV. Between 1 1/2 - 2 hours, my knees start to hurt, so I rub them while pedaling. I have yet to read the instructions, so no telling what I will find out about variations in cycling. I was going to buy one for work, but it doesn't fit under my desk (furniture desk) which was a disappointment. I feel very fortunate to now have an exercise machine that I don't hang clothes on. August 24, 2016
Rated 3 out of 5�by Btrfly It is ok The product does not move with ease after you put it together I thought it would move a little smoother the little tough even with adjusting the tension March 2, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5�by DaisyDolce AWESOME!! I love this little machine... it is quiet, easy to use.. I'm actually using it right now as I type. I have told many people about it already, some of which are purchasing it immediately. I use it at work, many of my co-workers ask to use it when I am not at my desk.... If you are thinking about getting it, GET IT!! Just a few screws to put it together and start using. January 20, 2016
Rated 4 out of 5�by Gummbie Good deal Love it! Only issue is it's kinda complex to put together and weighs a ton!! I only have one hand to use and it's not in the best shape, wishing it had a wheel to pull it, but once I'm on it, it's perfect! January 16, 2016
Rated 3 out of 5�by LoriH This product is mostly awesome I got this product thinking it was different from the stepper I have that broke. But, it turned out that I got the same thing all over again! I really like this product and it works really well and provides for a great portable workout. It's really perfect for getting a workout in at home and able to move it around with little effort. My only complaint about it is a bearing broke and the elliptical wheels of my old one won't stay on track of the rolling surface of the machine now. That is why I got a new one. I thought it didn't last as long as it should have in that regard. If this new one lasts a little longer, I will be happy. If it does not, then next time I will get a different elliptical stepper brand. October 26, 2015
Rated 4 out of 5�by Vet Workouts it fits perfectly Fits in my workout room helps on those rainy days gives me the cardiovascular and core workout I want. October 11, 2015
Rated 2 out of 5�by JMS13902 Good concept but too small The size is great - easy to fit in our already crowded room (it even folds down and fits under the bed). Unfortunately, having a compact size limits its function. Without handles to hold it's difficult to use. The small "stride" you get while using also seems to impact the attainable workout level. Rather than return it, my husband has opted to use it while sitting to get a bicycle-type workout. Probably would work pretty good if you have something you can hold onto while working out - or if you have exceptional balance. PROS: SIZE, PRICE CONS: REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY June 19, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5�by hammer23 Great elliptical for small spaces I received this product in a short timeframe after I placed my order. While surprised at it's weight, I found it easy to assemble (not many parts) and easy to use. It can be used either standing or by sitting, you just need to turn the equipment around 180 degrees. A great alternative for rainy days where you can't get outside to excercise. June 3, 2015
Rated 1 out of 5�by Kat Previous Reviewer--Update I had this product for less than six months when it broke. Alright, I contacted Staminaproducts (the warranty holders) and they sent me a couple parts, broke again. They have made it difficult to communicate, difficult to fix this product, and have been absolutely terrible between the poorly made product and their customer service. I understand it was only around $200. But for that value, I got 19 minutes per dollar I spent. Not a good value, not remotely. March 11, 2015
Rated 2 out of 5�by NLBound Keep in mind the range of motion Keep in mind the range of motion in comparison to other elliptical machines. Yes, this one is compact and a space saver, but you're taking tiny little steps. If you're looking for longer strides in a machine to get a good cardio, I did not find that in this machine. It works well, but limited. February 11, 2015


text:
List of Characters
Orsino—the Duke of Illyria, who is madly in love with Olivia.
Olivia—the countess with whom Orsino is in love and who rejects him.
Curio—one of the Duke's attendants.
Valentine—another gentlemen attending the Duke.
Viola—the female of a brother–sister pair of twins who enters Illyria disguised as Cesario and finds love.
A Sea Captain—a friend to Viola who comes ashore with her.
Sir Toby Belch—Olivia's uncle who drinks a lot and marries Maria.
Maria—Olivia's lady-in-waiting.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek—Sir Toby's friend who thinks he is a potential suitor for Olivia.
Feste the Clown—servant to Olivia who sings and provides entertainment.
Malvolio—steward to Olivia.
Fabian—another servant to Olivia.
Antonio—another sea captain who is friend to Viola and who comes ashore with Sebastian.
Sebastian—Viola's twin brother.
First Officer—officer in the service of the Duke.
Second Officer—also in the service of the Duke.
A Priest—marries Sebastian and Olivia.
Musicians—playing for Duke.
Sailors—come ashore with the Captain and Viola.
Lords, Attendants


text:
iHerb Customer Reviews
Savings of: $16.79 (28% off)
Click here to see the full line of AnneMarie Borlind System Absolute Series.
Click here to see the full line of AnneMarie Borlind Beauty Essentials.
Worth the cost
Posted by Reviewer1080515 on Dec 04, 2007
For years I have tried so many other skin care products. This cleanser is so delicious and non drying. It is worth the cost. I don't work for Borlind. I am a fan and I know a good product. Good skin care makes a difference as you age.
AnneMarie Borlind, System Absolute, Cleanser
Posted by Reviewer2721842 on Aug 21, 2011
This cleanser goes a long way, all you need to use a small amount to clean your face.
Posted by Reviewer1386613 on Sep 24, 2008
This line of cosmetics is wonderful. I've used a number of them and this is the best!!
AnneMarie Borlind, System Absolute, Cleanser, 5.07 fl oz (150 ml) (BOR-01210
Posted by Reviewer1418521 on Jan 07, 2009
Very rich.
Posted by GallaChiro on Mar 15, 2009
Nice smell, rich cleanser, I will buy again. Lasts quite a while.
Absolute Line
Posted by Reviewer2279970 on Apr 11, 2011
Best I've ever used.
good cleanser
Posted by 4614738597460785173 on Nov 20, 2013
AnneMarie Borlind, System Absolute is a good cleanser. I thing it's better than xxx brand
Did not do nothing
Posted by YuliiaYuliia on Aug 17, 2015
Did not like it. I did use it half and throw it in the garbage cause I did not see anything good after using it.Overpriced defenately !!! Do not spend your time and money. There are so many cleansers that does their job much better
Items 1-8 of 8 total


text: Slip into pure elegance and glamour in one of these stunning pleated evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or formal halter top dresses by some of the best prom dress designers. Pleated dresses in short homecoming or party lengths or enchanting ball gowns are popular for 2017 pageants and proms. If your looking to camouflage a wide hip chose a knee length style with halter top or add fullness and shape in a strapless mini or elegant couture dress. Stroll into prom or float across the stage in a lovely pleated dress from PromGirl.


text:
Now it's the bills that stink
By TOM MARSHALL
Published March 3, 2007
SPRING HILL - The smell wafting through the school fell somewhere between bleach and ammonia on the nausea scale, students said.
It made some of them vomit. Others complained of breathing problems and headaches.
Administrators at the Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics erred on the side of caution on Jan. 26, evacuating all 1,475 students and calling for help. Hazardous materials crews from both Hernando and Pasco counties responded and took 36 children to hospitals.
More than a month later, officials say they still don't know what caused the mystery smell. And now parents are getting the medical bills.
"I don't think any of the parents should pay," said parent Michael Eberts, who has received about $1,400 in ambulance and emergency room bills so far. "I feel the school is responsible for my kid from the time they step off the bus to the time they get home."
Hernando County school officials say they can't be held liable for a smell of unknown origin, and their insurance administrator has refused to pay claims on that basis.
"You don't just assume liability off the bat," said Deborah Bruggink, the district's finance director. "If they fell and broke their arm, that was an accident. You can't look to us to get your arm fixed."
Across Florida, there's widespread confusion over just how much liability school districts are responsible for assuming.
It might be time for legislators to craft a solution, said Bill Montford, a member of the state Insurance Reform Committee and chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
"At what point do you assume that expense?" he asked, "and at what point does that child's own personal health insurance pick it up? It's a philosophical question, and it might be something the state should address."
* * *
There are lots of rumors about what caused the smell at Challenger, a magnet school that draws a relatively affluent population.
Spilled hand sanitizer, cleaning fluids or perhaps an ammonia capsule have all been suggested as possible culprits, but school and emergency officials say they might never know what caused the stink.
"My child and another vomited from the odor," said parent Carol Pickersgill. "They sent them down to the clinic. I think that's when the chaos started."
Administrators cleared the building about 1:30 p.m. and set up a treatment area outside for affected students. Pickersgill's daughter had an asthma attack and low blood-oxygen levels and was transported to Oak Hill Hospital.
"She was treated very well. She was not washed down with a hose in a tent," Pickersgill said. "Our hospital bill was $400."
But Michael Eberts said his daughter went through a full decontamination tent at Brooksville Regional Hospital, getting "stripped down to her underwear and scrubbed with Dawn dish washing liquid and a car brush." He said he was told by a billing representative that medical tests she received might cost $8,000 or more, a cost he hopes insurance will cover.
Parent Tara Carollo said she and her husband, an off-duty paramedic, told school officials that they wanted to evaluate their daughter rather than send her to an emergency room. Then she got a phone call.
"The guidance counselor told me, 'We are aware you don't want her transported, but as a precaution, the principal wanted her transported regardless,' " Carollo said. "My bill was over $1,000, just for the hospital. I'm just paying a co-pay because I have insurance. But I don't think any of us should be responsible for those bills."
It may be more of a struggle for Heidi Johnson's family, which is self-employed. She is facing a hospital bill of $797 for her daughter, who experienced a headache.
"It will have to be some kind of payment schedule," Johnson said. "When they made that decision to send them to the hospital, did they not take the liability in their hands?"
* * *
Challenger may have gotten off easy.
In 1998, a Tennessee high school was evacuated twice in five days when students and staff members smelled fumes. About 170 people went to hospitals.
State and federal officials never found the source of the smell, and in 2000 a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine attributed the panic to "mass psychogenic illness" - an epidemic of hysteria.
"It smelled like more of a petroleum odor to me, but different people described it in different ways," said Jerry Hale, superintendent of Warren County schools. "There was something there. At least, we think there was."
Real or imagined, Hale said, his school board paid the bills, and the county gave them a discount on ambulance trips.
Things may be headed in that direction in Hernando. One fire department that responded to the scene, Spring Hill Fire Rescue, has canceled its ambulance bills.
And a School Board member said he hopes for a similar attitude from his colleagues when the issue of who should pay comes before the board next week.
"Some would say if you do that you're admitting liability," said Jim Malcolm. "But I don't think that's an unreasonable expense."
Tom Marshall can be reached at email@example.com or (352) 848-1431.
Fast Facts:
Legal conundrum
Across the state, school districts are wondering how much liability they must assume in cases such as the Hernando County mystery smell. Some believe it may be time for state legislators to step in.


text:
Topic: How to allow users download the search results
I have an application which has 2 parts. One is Application maintainance where only certain users can CRUD the application data. The other part is where all the users can search for the application related data. I want to provide the users the ability to download teh search results say in CSV format. How would I do that on rails?


text:
Hewlett-Packard: Leading the Way in Social, Mobile, and Search Marketing
February 8, 2010
Scott Berg, director, global digital strategy and HP.com, Hewlett-Packard Company, discussed Hewlett-Packard's strategies for the website, social media, and mobile.
Members Only Content
This content is available to ANA Members only. Please login below or create an account.
You may already be a member. Find out if your company is already an ANA member.


text:
Place your order by 4 PM EST Today and we will ship it by Wednesday, February 15.
This simple yet elegant mounting has a thin, high-polished bezel surrounding the center diamond with a proportionate high-polished shank. It is minimalism at its best, showing off the diamond of her dreams. "This design is often custom tailored to the exact size and shape center diamond you select. In those cases, production times may increase."
|general information
|14K White Gold
|1.8 mm
|can be set with
|0.10 - 8.00
|Your Order Includes
- Quality Packaging- Diamond Certificate- Free FedEx Shipping- Free Inscription
- 30-day Returns- 100% Refund- Lifetime Warranty - Free Returns (US only)


text:
1 posts tagged with Medicolegal.
Displaying 1 through 1 of 1. Subscribe:
81 words
Being gay was considered a mental disorder by psychiatry - until 1973 - when the battle lines were drawn. Reporter Alix Spiegel continues the gripping story that spurred a radical rethink. It's the story of a closeted cartel of powerful, gay psychiatrists; of confrontations with angry activists; a shrink dressed in a Nixon mask, and a pivotal encounter in a Hawaiian bar. [more inside]
Page: 1


text:
Browsing Clark Honors College by Subject "Evidence, Expert"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Expert witnesses in the courtroom: the impact of the role of the defendant and expert witness type on evaluations of procedural justiceHudson, Karen Alice (University of Oregon, June , 2008)[more][less]Hudson, Karen Alice 2009-11-13T18:07:59Z 2009-11-13T18:07:59Z 2008-06 http://hdl.handle.net/1794/9961 vi, 67 p. A THESIS Presented to the Department of Psychology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, June 2008. A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number:SCA Archiv Hudson 2008 People tend to cooperate with and defer future decisions to authorities when those people perceive the authorities as fair (Tyler, 2003). In the current experiment, the effects of expert witness type (adversarial, neutral court appointed, biased court appointed) and class of defendant (individual, corporation, government agency) on perceived fairness were explored. Participants were given a pre-trial questionnaire to control for the trial experience, provided with a court transcript, and then filled out a post-trial questionnaire composed of procedural justice evaluations. Neutral observers rated cases with adversarial testimony as more procedurally fair than cases with court appointed testimony, and found cases against corporations to be more procedurally fair than cases against government entities. As hypothesized, perceived fairness judgments were lowest when the plaintiff lost to more "powerful" entities and when the loss was coupled with testimony by court appointed expert witnesses. The present research continues to highlight the concern about the use of court appointed experts in the courtroom. Advisor: Dr. Robert Mauro en_US University of Oregon University of Oregon theses, Dept. of Psychology, Honors College, B.A., 2008; Witnesses Evidence, Expert Expert witnesses Expert witnesses in the courtroom: the impact of the role of the defendant and expert witness type on evaluations of procedural justice Impact of the role of the defendant and expert witness type on evaluations of procedural justice Thesis
Now showing items 1-1 of 1


text:
Share Your Orders Thread
I've just placed my very first Teavivre order. :D With that, and the Butiki Teas order yesterday, that'll conclude my orders for this month. (unless I break my rule, which I'd better not xD)
100g Golden Monkey
100g Bailin Gongfu Black Tea (though I'm a rebel and will be brewing it western)
Free sample Yun Nan Dian Hong Black Tea
Sample size Lapsang Souchong
So it's not June..but it wasn't exactly a tea order. :) My other half approved it but we picked up 4 cups from verdant – 2 as a gift for my parents :)
I just bought my birthday present (it's less than a week away) from Verdant:
Jingdezhen Tall Lotus Gaiwan
Jingdezhen Red Lotus Tea Cup
Earl of Anxi sample
Laoshan Black Chocolate Genmaicha sample
Oh man. I'm so tempted by that Gaiwan and cup. But I keep backing out since it's my first gaiwan and I'm unsure about it. Lol.
I should just get them call it a birthday present for myself too since mine's at the end(ish) of the month. XD Though I was eyeing this owl teapot and cup set. /ponders/
It's my first gaiwan also. I've been wanting one for months, and I'm super excited to receive it and brew some finer teas. Also, the design appeals to me waaaay much more than what I've seen so far, and I've done quite a bit of searching.
Happy purchase is happy <3
Ok, so I know I'm in Vegas and supposed to be partying and what not..but I saw the teawares come up on Verdant and I have been waiting for a gaiwan for sooo long! So yes, I just placed an order from my hotel room :P
Jingdezhen Tall Pond Gaiwan
Eight Treasures Yabao – 1 oz
Laoshan Black Chocolate Genmaicha – 7 g
Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black – 7 g
Ahaha, I read that as "so I know I'm Vegan and supposed to be partying and what not"… was wondering what special vegan holiday was going on that I was unaware about… until I reread it.
Also, way to buy tea on vacation :P
@Kittena I did the exact. Same thing. xD
Hmm, now I should look up their teaware. It seems everyone's buying, I must admit I'm curious.
Edit: Pout-arama! Those jars were so beautiful! I would've loved to have had one of each. But alas they're all sold. I knew I should've looked sooner! Dx
@kittena and chizakura, haha woo vegan party! Lol nope, in sin city buying tea, that's me! :)
The teawares are gorgeous and so hard to resist!
My first order from Silver Tips Tea:
1/2 lb Makaibari 1st Flush 2013 Darjeeling
Yippee! More tea on the way:
Simpson & Vail – Lilac Bouquet, Toasted Nut Cafe, Victorian Early Grey, Vietnam Black
Kusmi – Anastasia
Davids Tea – Coffee Pu'erh, Read My Lips
Can't Wait!
I'm on vacation in a cabin, huddling in the only corner that has a wifi signal, so I can order some spring laoshan green from verdant, as well as an adorable tiny fish and lotus tea cup! Squee! :)
Tea buying hiatus has officially been busted.
From Amazon
Sun's Tea Glass Tea Tumbler
From Mandala Tea
4 oz of Special Dark pu'er—not on the site yet but Garret took pity on me.
oooh, curious about that pu'er!
Me too! I have been obsessing about it since Garret mentioned it on Facebook.
I am on a tea buying hiatus, BUT…I needed this to brew up all the iced tea I'm drinking.
So, I wasn't planning on buying anything, but teapot1 got me interested in that flash chill iced tea steeper and someone else on here ordered a nice bonavita variable temperature kettle, and I didn't have either, so I went for it! I also finally ordered a tin of Nina's Paris grand amour tea while I was at it! Woohoo!!
I saw great comments on this pitcher in a discussion thread HERE, and the Amazon comments are solid…I can't wait to make my first pitcher of iced tea in it!!! Woohoo:)
What color did you choose?
Ya, the comments did look good, and I wanted something super easy. I got the raspberry one. So cute!
Hope you love the kettle, I'm digging mine! Make sure you do at least three pots full of boiling water first to get some of the factory smell out of it (they recommend it in the instructions) After three I didn't taste anything weird in the water.


text:
listen...i saw the whole thing. that moose was all dolled up. and obviously lied about it's age. and i have to say...it wasn't a bad looking moose.
anyone know if it has a sister?
i'm not sayin', i'm just sayin'.
Moderator: Mike
Paperback Writer wrote:Well, I will tell you - H Atom, Chris (and others) are ruining a once excellent McCartney Funsite.
In the name of McCartney/Wings fans they show ZERO class, humor or intellegence. If you don't respect yourself, McCartney, or his fans here - at least show some respect for the creator of the webpage, Mike.
I have not participated in a long time, but I do read up on Macca here, but it's currently a sewer because of you guys.
Notice how the number of participants are dwindling - in proportion to the number of dumb, vulgar and ANGRY posts you guys write? (My apologies to the remaining others that come here for fun and info - not to rant-scream-snide away.)
No need to call me out, I won't respond. If you have any reaction - make it in a positive way and clean up your act - or go away - VERY far away.
Mike wrote: I like to think of all of you as my friends and hope that you would accept my hug or handshake if we met in person. Until then . . .
james1985 wrote:Mike wrote: I like to think of all of you as my friends and hope that you would accept my hug or handshake if we met in person. Until then . . .
Aren't you coming to London next year?
*prepares Abbey Road crossing hug*
Return to MACCA - all discussions
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


text:
Print This Page
Anti-Abortion Strategy in the Age of Obama
By Frederick Clarkson
It didn't turn out like they had planned. Two decades of political investment by the antiabortion movement and the Religious Right did not result in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Even conservative Chief Justice John Roberts acknowledged during his confirmation hearing, "Roe v. Wade is the settled law of the land." Then the rising prospects of the Democratic Party, and the historic election of the prochoice president Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress, seemed to have secured Roe for the foreseeable future.
But due to the success of the notion of "abortion reduction," the general approach driving the politics of the antiabortion movement for at least two decades, all has not been lost. [1]
A broad strategy to reduce the number of abortions performed in the United States has been pursued by most of the movement, although there are disagreements about how to do it, notably over violence and other criminal acts. The tactics employed fall under three broad categories: erecting legal obstacles to abortion at the state level such as mandatory waiting periods; preventing the use of public funds for the provision of abortion care at all levels of government; and political, legal, and extralegal interference with obtaining and providing abortion care, which includes harassment of patients and clinic staff, violence and threats of violence. A goal of the last tactic is to get doctors to abandon the practice and discourage new doctors from including abortion as part of standard ob/gyn practice. "We have opportunities before us which if properly exploited," declared militant strategist Mark Crutcher, of Life Dynamics in 1992, "could result in an America where abortion may be perfectly legal, but no one can get one." [2]
In the mid-90s, the mainstream of the anti-abortion movement found itself in crisis in the wake of a high profile assassination of doctors and clinic staff in Florida, Massachusetts and Canada; an escalation of death threats, bomb and anthrax threats as well as actual bombings and arsons. Movement leaders were beset by an unflattering media circus in the wake of the incendiary claims of some that the murder of abortion providers was "justifiable homicide." [3] What's more, many proponents of anti-abortion violence shared the anti-government ideology and revolutionary rhetoric of the Christian Patriot and militia movement of the era. They saw legal abortion as violence waged against the people by an increasingly secular and tyrannical government. [4]
Then, as now, there was a prochoice Democratic president, and the end of legal abortion was nowhere on the horizon. In the wake of the 2009 assassination of prominent abortion provider Dr. George Tiller by a veteran of both the Patriot movement and militant antiabortion activism, and a dramatic escalation in militant antiabortion activism and violent rhetoric, the movement finds itself in an analogous situation today [5] As in the 1990s, steady efforts to reduce access to abortion provides a viable, incremental, way forward for the movement as it copes with the climate as well as actual violence promoted by their co-belligerents in the war on abortion.
But there is also an important difference.
Battleground Democratic Party
The anti-abortion movement could not have anticipated that elements of the prochoice Democratic Party would promote policy in their direction just at the moment of the Democrats' political ascendance. Although there had been rumblings and debate, [6] the first real indication of this move was during the election campaign of 2006, when the centrist, business-funded think tank Third Way advised Democratic candidates to try to neutralize the issue by saying, "We must reduce the number of abortions while protecting personal liberties." [7] They claimed to want to appeal to anti-abortion Roman Catholics and conservative evangelicals as part of the party's various "faith outreach" efforts. However this approach to finding common ground required turning a blind eye to the reality that access to abortion care in the U.S. is receding, and that their approach mainstreams a fundamental concept of anti-abortion strategy and related terminology. They did this by recasting contraception and sex education as if their primary purpose was to achieve the goal of reducing the number of abortions.
Further, this approach to common groundism accompanied by an effort to "dial down" the rancor of the so-called culture, led the Democratic Party and its presidential candidate to seek if not a reduction in the number of abortions, a reduction in the "need" for abortion through public policy that supports women so that they are less likely to become pregnant, or so they enjoy support if they do become pregnant. [8]
This notion of "abortion reduction" and its close variants were at the heart of a number of Congressional legislative proposals in 2009, none of which gained much support. The bill most favored by Democratic advocates of "common ground" on abortion, "Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act," (best known as the Ryan-DeLauro bill) was introduced with much fanfare and enjoyed the support of leading prochoice organizations, and some prolife groups and individuals – but it attracted not a single significant prolife advocacy group or any major prolife religious leaders or organizations. As if to underscore the lack of political viability of this approach, prolife Congressman Tim Ryan, the Ohio Democrat, says he was "booted" from the advisory board of Democrats for Life for taking the lead with the prochoice Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut in sponsoring the bill. [9]
What's more, with some minor exceptions, the large Roman Catholic wing of the anti-abortion movement would not sign on because, while some conservative Protestant evangelicals view contraception as an acceptable way of preventing unwanted pregnancies and thus abortion, few Roman Catholic leaders take that view. Douglas Johnson of the heavily Catholic National Right to Life Committee, for example, has repeatedly called the president's efforts at finding common ground on abortion a "scam." [10]
If, as seems likely, given the 2009 legislative standoff, there will be little in the way of change in abortion policy coming out of Washington any time soon, the public policy action for the anti-abortion movement will be in the states, where it has most been for two decades. What's more, the issue of "conscience clause" exemptions from acknowledgment, let alone provision of abortion in reproductive health care, will continue to be vigorously pursued by the anti-abortion movement both in federal policy and in the states. This will likely remain a serious fissure in "common ground" conversation in the current and likely ongoing efforts to reform the health care system in the U.S. Indeed, at this writing, anti-abortion advocates are seeking to expand the opportunities for health care providers to opt out of providing, and even health insurers from covering, abortion care.
What's Past Is Prologue
The standoff over the Ryan-DeLauro must have been a disappointment for advocates of the "common ground" abortion reduction agenda that emerged in 2009, sponsored jointly by Third Way and the liberal think tank Faith in Public Life, an offshoot of the Democratic Party oriented Center for American Progress. Their paper was titled: Come Let Us Reason Together: A Governing Agenda to End the Culture Wars (CLURT). Ostensibly moderate evangelicals David Gushee, formerly of Southern Baptist Seminary; Reverend Jim Wallis of Sojourners, and Ron Sider of Evangelicals for Social Action played important roles in the development of the manifesto. CLURT highlighted sexuality education (with an emphasis on abstinence) and access to contraception, in addition to economic supports for women and improved adoption options as areas of "common ground" on abortion. All these elements, though, were missing from its landmark predecessor, the anti-abortion, bipartisan but Republican-oriented manifesto from the 1990s, The America We Seek: A Statement of Pro-Life Principle and Concern, of which Gushee was the principal author. [11] (See sidebar.) This was the mainstream antiabortion leaders's effort to salvage the movement's focus and credibility, partly in response to the public backlash against the assassination of doctors and other violence.
CLURT represented a certain hybrid of traditional progressive approaches and elements of the 1990s anti-abortion agenda – but its signature approach was the idea (and borrowing the language) of abortion reduction as a policy goal on which both sides could supposedly find common ground. [12] But CLURT avoided discussing issues of access, and barriers to abortion care, key areas where the anti-abortion movement has gained ground since the 1990s through its state and local-level incremental political strategy of forcing waiting periods and the like on those seeking abortions.
"Public policy has its limits," David Gushee declared at the January 15th press conference announcing CLURT, which was hosted by Faith in Public Life and Third Way. "We call for abortion reduction. I support this because I believe that one of the things that must not be done to human beings is to abort them; and yet those facing crisis pregnancies need help to create the conditions in which they can sustain and protect the lives for which they are now responsible." [13] Rachel Laser of Third Way summarized the point on behalf of the group:
Reducing abortions through addressing the root causes of abortion. The policies in our shared agenda prevent unintended pregnancies and support pregnant women and new families; they do not ban or even restrict legal access to abortion in any way. They include but are not limited to comprehensive sex education, increased access to contraception for low-income women, expanded health care coverage for pregnant women and children, and support for pregnant and parenting students, and for adoption. [14] [Emphasis in the original]
The CLURT authors had, as shown above, blurred the careful wording of the 2008 Democratic Party platform position on abortion that rejected language emphasizing reducing the number of abortions in favor of emphasizing the right to choose and reducing the need for abortion. The platform also called for greater support for women who seek to carry their pregnancies to term and for better adoption options. The White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (OFBNP) embraced this general thinking in its mission statement posted on the White House web site: "It will be one voice among several in the administration that will look at how we support women and children, address teenage pregnancy, and reduce the need for abortion."
Gloria Feldt, a past president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, warned that the anti-abortion, abortion-reduction agenda was being further enshrined by the courts.
This won attention from Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America, (formerly a militant leader in Operation Rescue) who misleadingly (but perhaps understandably so), claimed that the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships "is now tasked with reducing the number of abortions – something that pro-life groups have very good experience in accomplishing." She then restated a key element of the abortion reduction agenda, "Pregnancy resource centers and regulations on abortion have a terrific track record in helping women choose alternatives to abortion. Funding abortion or abortion providers is one of the worst things that could be done." [15]
Meanwhile, Gloria Feldt, a past president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, warned that the abortion-reduction agenda was being further enshrined by the federal courts. "A cascade of more than 30 post-Roe Supreme Court decisions—starting with 1980's Harris v. McRae (upholding the Hyde Amendment's prohibition on Medicaid abortion coverage) through Planned Parenthood v. Casey (allowing legislatures to restrict abortion in any way that does not create an "undue burden")—laid a smooth path for 2007's Gonzales v. Carhart decision, which upheld the first ever federal abortion ban (misnamed the Partial Birth Abortion Act). The Roberts Court reversed its often-reaffirmed precedent that women's health is paramount in abortion law, and it used anti-abortion code language to signal that it will likely allow states and Congress to limit women's reproductive rights further." [16]
Roman Catholics and "Common Ground"
The spectacle of about 70 Catholic Bishops denouncing the decision of Notre Dame to invite president Obama to speak –solely because he is prochoice – may be a bellwether.
While Gushee and some prolife evangelicals can accept targeting federal funds for improved family planning and sexuality education on the prevention side of pregnancy – key parts of the common ground strategy – few Roman Catholic leaders will ever go along. The U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, (USCCB) has opposed legislative efforts to enhance access to contraception even though it is well established as the most reliable way to prevent unintended pregnancies. Deirdre McQuade, assistant director of policy and communications at the "pro-life secretariat," of the Bishops' Conference told U.S. News and World Report: "The phrase 'reducing the need for abortion' is not a common-ground phrase. We would say that there is no need for abortion, that abortions are signs that we have not met the needs of women. There is no authentic need for abortion." [17]
Pushing the divide even wider, ever larger numbers of Catholic Bishops are taking aggressive stances against prochoice politicians, refusing communion, publicly declaring their stances on abortion, stem cell research and LGTB civil rights as not only at odds with Catholic teaching, but "anti-Catholic." The most recent elected official to receive such treatment was Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. But the spectacle of about 70 Catholic Bishops [18] denouncing the decision of Notre Dame to invite president Obama to speak last year – solely because he is prochoice – may be a bellwether. Several American Cardinals and a third of the American Bishops are due to retire in the next few years, providing the opportunity for Pope Benedict XVI to set an even more profoundly "theologically orthodox" direction for the American church for a generation. [19]
Religious Supremacism, or You Can't Be Prochoice and Religious
David Gushee himself later aired doubts about the entire Democratic common ground project.[20] What's more, he indicated to journalist Sarah Posner, he has not abandoned the long-term goal of criminalization, stating that "the principles articulated [in The America We Seek] still reflect my own views." [21]
Integral to the approach of a wide swath of the movement is their embrace of religious supremacism. This aspect of ideological anti-abortionism, which is even held by such supposed moderates as Gushee, may pose an unbridgeable chasm in ever finding any actual common ground. This is evident in Gushee's subtle, but ominous, warning on the op-ed page of USA Today soon after President Obama took office. The occasion was Obama's expected lifting of the Bush-era executive order barring federal funding of international family planning groups that support abortion and embryonic stem cell research. [22]
"I do confess," Gushee declared, "that my desire to retain good relationships with the Obama team has tempted me to give what was asked in return for the big payoff of a serious abortion-reduction initiative that I could wholeheartedly support." Gushee wrote that he does not want to sacrifice principles in order to ensure access to power and he found himself struggling with what he saw as the reality that his side might lose on other aspects of abortion policy "for a long time to come." He is worried that taxpayer funds might be used to pay for abortion services in violation of the "sacred beliefs" of his movement's members. He is also worried that tax-exemption or taxpayer subsidies for religious institutions and anti-abortion health professionals could be jeopardized if they are "required as a condition of accreditation, or employment, or contact with federal dollars, to actively facilitate or perform deeds that their conscience forbids them from doing."
"And if we lose there," he dramatically concluded, "then the entire relationship between religious faith and American society will move into a period of profound crisis." [Emphasis added]
Gushee has neatly expressed, here, the religious supremacism that remains a distinguishing feature of the anti-abortion movement. We can hear it in their refusal to acknowledge that the vast majority of Christians, Jews and others – as well as clear majorities of Americans, see abortion as a moral choice. [23] Their unambiguous implication is that anyone who is prochoice cannot be religious. [24] We increasingly hear such expressions not only from well known leaders of the Religious Right, but from ostensibly moderate and liberal Roman Catholic and evangelical abortion opponents. Two liberal Roman Catholic advocates for abortion reduction gave us a high profile and exceptionally clear example in a 2009 op-ed in The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Secular progressives who view access to abortion as a fundamental right" are, in their formulation, pitted against "religious Americans who believe it is a profound threat to the sanctity of life..." [25]
Underscoring the stark distortion of such views is the fact that most of the major institutions of mainline Protestantism and the major bodies of Judaism, among others, are officially prochoice and are members of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). The conflation of anti-abortionism with religion itself, and the prochoice view as inherently nonreligious, or "secular," sets the stage for a one-sided conflict that goes far beyond matters of incivility, or "rancor."
This situation has had consequences far beyond the issue at hand. As we have reported in The Public Eye, for example, there has been a quarter century of organized assault on the prochoice mainline Protestant churches. [26] Rightwing outside interests, working with conservative dissident factions, have used abortion and homosexuality as wedge issues to keep prochoice, progressive Protestant denominations in turmoil and headed for schism. This has widened the opening for conservative Catholicism and evangelicalism to increasingly displace them at the center of American culture. These efforts have been led, in part, by some of the same neoconservative Catholic leaders behind The America We Seek. [27]
Public Financing of Abortion
Another stumbling block for the common ground alliance is the anti-abortion movement's opposition to public funding of organizations with expertise in birth control and sexuality education but that also provide abortions, even if the funded project has nothing to do with abortion.
As journalist Adele Stan has detailed in The Public Eye, a wide swath of the anti-abortion movement, Catholic and non-Catholic, is ratcheting up its longtime campaign against Planned Parenthood by seeking to thwart public sector grants and contracts at all levels, no matter what the grants and contracts are for. [28] This revived coalition was sparked by the opening of a new clinic in Aurora, Illinois after a bitter battle. But the war of attrition has also had successes. In Orange County, California a $300,000 health and sexuality education grant to the local Planned Parenthood was cancelled by a unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors. County Supervisor John Moorlach told The Los Angeles Times, "I personally have a problem with government funding of an organization that provides abortion services." [29]
The looming intertwined issue of public financing of abortion and services deemed to be related to abortion is not new and dates back to the 1970s and the Hyde Amendment, which barred Medicaid and other federal funding of abortion in 1976. In fact, you could call Hyde the first volley in the abortion reduction strategy.
Before the Hyde Amendment, about a third of all abortions performed in the United States were for poor women on Medicaid. "No other medical procedure was singled out for exclusion," the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) reported. "Today, 33 states have followed suit, prohibiting state Medicaid funding as well." All but one of these states (South Dakota) follows the Hyde exceptions of rape, incest, or life endangerment. The report details the disproportionate burdens placed on disadvantaged women, and observes that "women of color disproportionately depend on such coverage, making abortion funding a matter of racial justice as well as economic justice and women's rights." [30]
But the federal restrictions did not stop there. Over the years, Congress has also legislated against access to abortion services for women in the military and Peace Corps, disabled women, residents of the District of Columbia, federal prisoners, and women covered by the Indian Health Service. Indeed, it could be fairly argued that except for the legal right to an abortion, federal policies constitute the greatest abortion reduction program of all. "Prior to 1996," states the NNAF report, "legal immigrants and U.S. citizens were equally eligible for Medicaid." But the 1996 welfare reform law signed by President Clinton required a five-year waiting period before most new legal immigrants could even apply. Less than half of the states fill in the five year gap with their own funds, and nine states permanently deny Medicaid coverage to noncitizen residents.
As of this writing, House Democrats passed a health care reform bill that would extend the principles of the Hyde Amendment to proposed overhaul of the health care system, and further block federal subsidies for private health insurance that covers abortion care. While President Obama reportedly opposed the move, he told Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News in July that there is a "tradition" in Washington "of not financing abortions as part of government funded health care." [31] Obama's approach to common ground on abortion in the health care debate has been advanced under the rubric of seeking to keep the legislation "neutral" on abortion. But but anti-abortion legislators in both parties argue that some funds might go to subsidize abortions covered under private insurance. A spokesman for the USCCB told The New York Times, "The concerns are kind of intractable." [32] Prochoice leaders point out that without the subsidies, private insurers, which already cover abortions, might no longer do so. Obama and others, perhaps gulled by their efforts to find common ground, were taken by surprise that Hyde operating as the default principle guiding public programs does not go far enough for the USCCB and many antiabortion Democrats who support universal health care. All appeared willing to sacrifice it over arguably minor issues of the commingling of private and public funds that might touch on abortion.
Defenders of abortion rights might rightly worry that "conscience clauses" could also be said to have a venerable history. The original conscience clause legislation passed in 1973 in the wake of Roe "states that public officials may not require individuals or entities who receive certain public funds to perform abortion or sterilization procedures or to make facilities or personnel available for the performance of such procedures if such performance "would be contrary to [the individual or entity's] religious beliefs or moral convictions." [33] This provision has allowed even major medical facilities such as Roman Catholic hospitals to refuse to deal with abortions without jeopardizing their ability to receive public grants and contracts or affect their tax exempt status. A new rule promulgated late in the Bush administration expanded and particularized the exemptions, stating that health workers may even refuse to provide information or advice regarding abortion. The Obama administration has rescinded the Bush rule, but says it plans to leave some kind "reasonable" exemptions in place.
What we see now is a far ranging effort on the part of anti-abortion forces to use conscience clauses as a wedge, pitting religious supremacist notions of religious freedom against the civil, human, and even religious rights of others.
What's missing?
Anti-abortion leaders know that state-level barriers to access have reduced the number of abortions, and that any advance in abortion coverage in the current health care reform debate or improved access in any way would be a reversal of their fortunes. Abortion services are unavailable in 87% of the counties in the United States, according to a study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute. [34]
Prochoice leaders recognize the situation as well. NARAL reports that "more than 500 anti-choice measures have been enacted in the states since 1995" and that in effect these measures, all legal under Casey, are "essentially rolling back this fundamental right for many women." Such laws are known as TRAP laws (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers). These include, among others, abortion bans after 12 weeks, counseling with an antiabortion slant, mandatory delays, insurance prohibitions for abortion, and allowing health care providers such as hospitals to refuse to provide medical services and referrals.
In 2009, improved access was nowhere on the national political or legislative agenda in Washington, apparently so that fighting over abortion would not derail health care reform. Even some prochoice groups and legislators went along with this. The key piece of prochoice legislation is the Freedom of Choice Act, (FOCA) which has been introduced in every Congress since 1989. FOCA would codify Roe v. Wade, and eliminate the legal barriers to access. That is why the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and leading antiabortion groups waged a vigorous preemptive lobbying campaign before the new Congress was seated in 2009. All year (and as recently as December 2nd) the conservative weekly Human Events issued screeching fundraising letters signed by Mike Huckabee warning about "this EVIL law" (sic), which he described as "the most radical piece of pro-abortion legislation ever proposed." In fact, the bill was not even introduced in the 111th Congress – even though President Obama had previously said he would sign it if it reached his desk.
But the reality of the Washington moment does not alter anyone's understanding of the stakes.
Matt Bowman of the Alliance Defense Fund, (the leading legal strategy group of the Religious Right) said: "FOCA will strike down other laws, state and federal, that reduce abortions," he declared, "and will force states to facilitate abortions.... 125,000 children that were not killed this year because we have these laws, and 125,000 children (added to the existing 1.3 million abortions) who will be killed in 2009 and every year after if FOCA is passed. FOCA is indeed a staggering expansion of abortion, both in principle and in actual lives lost." [35]
The Feminist Majority Foundation's annual survey on clinic violence found that in 2008, "one in five clinics experienced severe violence."
A 2009 Washington Post story on post-Casey abortion reduction policy battles in the states underscored the effectiveness of the TRAP laws. The article focuses on Mississippi as an example of "one of the most restrictive states in the country and a model for antiabortion forces elsewhere." Women seeking abortions "must go twice to the clinic, at least 24 hours apart." This can be significant in terms of travel time and costs since Mississippi, which used to have six clinics, now has only one. The Chicago-based Americans United for Life, a key anti-abortion legal strategy center, takes credit for "helping state after state become more pro-life every year." "The greater goal, even in legislation, is to influence the culture," said Terri Herring, head of Mississippi's Pro-Life America Network. "This is a major culture war that isn't going away." [36]
All this is occurring in a hostile and sometimes violent environment for abortion providers. The Feminist Majority Foundation's annual survey on clinic violence found that in 2008, "one in five clinics experienced severe violence. The most common severe forms of violence reported in 2008 include blockades, facility invasions, and stalking. They list a host of harassments faced by patients and staff in 2008 from death threats and bomb threats to vandalism, home picketing, and break-ins. Unsurprisingly, the Feminist Majority Foundation also reports that the number of abortion providers has dramatically declined: from 739 in 2005 to 683 in 2008. [37]
In short: Barriers to access are up; the number of abortion providers is down; and the only legislative remedy is stalled in Congress with its future uncertain.
As a practical matter, militants like Mark Crutcher and advocates of incrementalism via policies that advance abortion reduction do not disagree on ends so much as means. But it should be noted that Crutcher and his ilk are not going to "dial down" their rhetoric or their activities just because some people would prefer that they do so.
"Obviously, we cannot look for common ground with these people;" Crutcher declared in 2006, "without giving the impression that even we believe their position has at least some moral legitimacy. It would be no different than if representatives of the Jewish people would have agreed to sit down and look for common ground with the Nazis while the ovens at Auschwitz were burning day and night. The Nazis would have loved it because it would have given moral credibility to their position."
"When we agree to look for ways to reduce the "need for abortion," he continued, (making the same point at the spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops quoted above,) "by definition we are conceding that such a need exists. After all, rational people don't go looking for something unless they believe it actually exists. In other words, when we engage in common ground discussions we reinforce one of the abortion lobby's fundamental arguments." [38]
The strategy of the antiabortion movement, which like any other movement is never homogeneous, has nevertheless changed little since the 1990s when abortion reduction became, in all of its variants, a major thrust of the movement. Political realism on the part of both militants and pragmatists, the reality of the steady decline in the number of abortion providers, and the increase in state level obstacles make Mark Crutcher's aphorism of the 1990s as true today as it was in 1992.
Frederick Clarkson is the editor of Dispatches from the Religious Left: The Future of Faith and Politics in America (IgPublishing),and cofounder of Talk2Action, the group blog about the Christian Right. He is a member of the Public Eye editorial board.
The America We Seek and the Origins of Abortion Reduction
The general approach crystallized over several months in early 1996 when 45 antiabortion and religious right leaders, organized by the neoconservative Ethics and Public Policy Center, formally adopted abortion reduction as a series of related tactics short of criminalization. [39] Their manifesto, The America We Seek: A Statement of Pro-Life Principle and Concern was published in the flagship journal of Roman Catholic neoconservatism, First Things.
The writers were inspired by the 1992 Supreme Court decision in Casey v. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, which ratified the state level laws seeking to discourage abortion by making the procedure more difficult to obtain. [40]
"Now, as pro-life leaders and scholars," they declared, "we want to propose a program of action…" And the core of that program was abortion reduction via the erection of barriers to abortion access "in all 50 states" while also creating incentives for women to carry unplanned pregnancies to term. While they understood that the legal obstacles upheld in the Casey decision "do not afford any direct legal protection to the unborn child," they stated that "experience has shown that such regulations—genuine informed consent, waiting periods, parental notification—reduce abortions in a locality, especially when coupled with positive efforts to promote alternatives to abortion and service to women in crisis." [Emphasis added]
Under the gun to distance themselves from the anti-abortion violence of the era, anti-abortion leaders had found a way to hold to a credible political strategy that conveyed a sufficient urgency. Nevertheless, they struggled with the emotional and political disconnect between the demagogic, if heartfelt, "bloody shirt" type rhetoric (i.e.: abortion is "murder" or a "holocaust") and the moderate, incremental policy ideas of abortion reduction. They declared, for example, that abortion "has killed tens of millions of unborn children," but that they were nevertheless committed to abortion reduction and providing "the infrastructure for "alternatives" to abortion via a national network of 3,000 "Crisis Pregnancy Centers."
More consistent with their sense of moral urgency, was their referencing bills then being considered in Congress that would involve "criminal sanctions" for abortion providers, and demanded that Congress "recognize the unborn child as a human person entitled to the protection of the Constitution." The America they seek is one whose politics and public policy advances reduce abortions while seeking to build political clout sufficient to criminalize abortion forever. But they recognized that while criminalization was unlikely in their lifetimes, they were not then, and are not now, without options. But of course, the tension remains, and the state level campaigns aimed at constitutional declarations of fetal personhood and thus challenges to the constitutionality of Roe, are ongoing.
The authors of The America We Seek were a bipartisan group of significant leaders led by host George Weigel of the Ethics and Public Policy Center (the official biographer of Pope John Paul II) and included Roman Catholic legal scholars Robert P. George of Princeton and Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard (whom George W. Bush would appoint as Ambassador to the Vatican), Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life; Clarke D. Forsythe of Americans United for Life; James Dobson of Focus on the Family; Ralph Reed of the then-powerful Christian Coalition, Beverly LaHaye of Concerned Women for America; William Kristol, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Dan Quayle; Phillip E. Johnson founder of the theocratic think tank of the "intelligent design" theory, Discovery Institute; Jean Bethke Elshtain, a political philosopher at the University of Chicago, and currently a cochair of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life; and former Gov. Robert P. Casey, (D-PA).
Three of this group later played pivotal roles in the development of Third Way's Come Let Us Reason Together document outlining an abortion reduction plan for the Democrats: David Gushee, then of Southern Baptist Seminary; Reverend Jim Wallis of Sojourners; and Ron Sider of Evangelicals for Social Action.