text:
Learn more:New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START)
Today, Secretary of State Clinton, Secretary of Defense Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Secretary Clinton said:
"It is a pleasure to testify along with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, because we share a strong belief that the new START treaty will make our country more secure. This treaty also reflects our growing cooperation with Russia on matters of mutual interest and it will aid us in advancing our broader nonproliferation agenda. To that end, we have been working closely with our P-5+1 partners for several weeks on the draft of a new sanctions resolution on Iran. And today, I am pleased to announce to this committee we have reached agreement on a strong draft with the cooperation of both Russia and China. We plan to circulate that draft resolution to the entire Security Council today.
"And let me say, Mr. Chairman, that I think this announcement is as convincing an answer to the efforts undertaken in Tehran over the last few days as any we could provide. There are a number of unanswered questions regarding the announcement coming from Tehran, and although we acknowledge the sincere efforts of both Turkey and Brazil to find a solution regarding Iran's standoff with the international community over its nuclear program, the P-5+1, which consists, of course, of Russia, China, the United States, the UK, France, and Germany, along with the High Representative of the EU, are proceeding to rally the international community on behalf of a strong sanctions resolution that will, in our view, send an unmistakable message about what is expected from Iran."
The Secretary continued, "But let me turn to the matter at hand, because I think as convincingly as I can make the case for the many reasons why this new START treaty is in the interest of the national security of the United States of America, the relationship with Russia is a key part of that kind of security. And as Senator Lugar said in his opening remarks, during all the ups and downs, during the heights and the depths of the Cold War, one constant was our continuing efforts to work toward the elimination of and the curtailment of strategic arms in a way that built confidence and avoided miscalculation."
Secretary Clinton then provided background on the new START treaty and explained what the treaty is and what it is not. The Secretary said:
"Now, some may argue that we don't need the new START treaty. But the choice before us is between this treaty and no treaty governing our nuclear security relationship with Russia, between this treaty and no agreed verification mechanisms on Russia's strategic nuclear forces, between this treaty and no legal obligation for Russia to maintain its strategic nuclear forces below an agreed level. And as Secretary Gates has pointed out, every previous president who faced this choice has found that the United States is better off with a treaty than without one, and the United States Senate has always agreed. The 2002 Moscow Treaty was approved by a vote of 95 to nothing. The 1991 START treaty was approved by 93 to 6.
"More than two years ago, President Bush began the process that has led to the new START treaty that we are discussing today. Now, it, too, has already received bipartisan support in testimony before this committee. And as the Chairman and the Ranking Member acknowledged, former Secretary James Schlesinger, Secretary of Defense for Presidents Nixon and Ford, Secretary of Energy for President Carter, declared that it is obligatory for the United States to ratify it.
"Today, I'd like to discuss what the new START treaty is and what it isn't. It is a treaty that, if ratified, will provide stability, transparency, and predictability for the two countries with more than 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons. It is a treaty that will reduce the permissible number of Russian and U.S.-deployed strategic warheads to 1,550. This is a level we have not reached since the 1950s. In addition, each country will be limited to 700 deployed strategic delivery vehicles and 800 deployed and non-deployed strategic missile launchers and heavy bombers. These targets will help the United States and Russia bring our deployed strategic arsenals, which were sized for the Cold War, to levels that are appropriate for today's threats.
"This is a treaty that will help us track remaining weapons with an extensive verification regime. This regime draws upon our experience over the last 15 years in implementing the original START treaty which expired in December. The verification measures reflect today's realities, including the fewer number of facilities in Russia compared with the former Soviet Union. And for the first time ever, we will be monitoring the actual numbers of warheads on deployed strategic missiles. Moreover, by bringing the new START treaty into force, we will strengthen our national security more broadly, including by creating greater leverage to tackle a core national security challenge -- nuclear proliferation.
"Now, I am not suggesting that this treaty alone will convince Iran or North Korea to change their behavior. But it does demonstrate our leadership and strengthens our hand as we seek to hold these and other governments accountable, whether that means further isolating Iran and enforcing the rules against violators or convincing other countries to get a better handle on their own nuclear materials. And it conveys to other nations that we are committed to real reductions and to holding up our end of the bargain under the Nonproliferation Treaty.
"In my discussions with many foreign leaders, including earlier this month in New York at the beginning of the Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, I have already seen how this new START treaty and the fact that the United States and Russia could agree has made it more difficult for other countries to shift the conversation back to the United States. We are seeing an increasing willingness both to be held accountable and to hold others accountable.
"A ratified new START treaty would also continue our progress toward broader U.S.-Russia cooperation. We believe this is critical to other foreign policy priorities, including dealing with Iran's nuclear program, cooperating on Afghanistan, and pursuing trade and investment. Already the negotiations over this treaty have advanced our efforts to reset the U.S.-Russian relationship. There is renewed vigor in our discussion on every level, including those between our presidents, our military leaders, and between me and my counterpart, Foreign Minister Lavrov. Now, our approach to this relationship is pragmatic and clear-eyed. And our efforts, including this treaty, are producing tangible benefits for U.S. national security.
"At the same time, we are deepening and broadening our partnerships with allies. In my recent meetings in Tallinn, Estonia, with our other NATO allies, they expressed an overwhelmingly positive and supportive view of the new START treaty.
"Now, there are also things that this new treaty will not do. As both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen will discuss more fully, the new START treaty does not compromise the nuclear force levels we need to protect ourselves and our allies. The treaty does not infringe upon the flexibility we need to maintain our forces, including the bombers, submarines, and missiles, in a way that best serve our national security interest. The treaty does not constrain our plans for missile defense efforts.
"Those of you who worked with me in the Senate know I take a backseat to no one in my strong support of missile defense, so I want to make this point very clearly: Nothing in the new START treaty constrains our missile defense efforts. Russia has issued a unilateral statement on missile defense expressing its views. We have not agreed to this view, and we are not bound by this unilateral statement. In fact, we've issued our own unilateral statement making it clear that the United States intends to continue improving and deploying our missile defense systems, and nothing in this treaty prevents us from doing so.
"The treaty's preamble does include language acknowledging the relationship between strategic offensive and defensive forces, but this is simply a statement of fact. It does not constrain our missile defense programs in any way. In fact, a similar provision was part of the original START treaty and did not prevent us from developing our missile defenses. The treaty does contain language prohibiting the conversion or use of offensive missile launchers for missile defense interceptors and vice versa, but we never planned to do that anyway. As General O'Reillly, our missile defense director, has said, it is actually cheaper to build smaller, tailor-made missile defense silos than to convert offensive launchers. And the treaty does not restrict us from building new missile defense launchers, 14 of which we are currently constructing in Alaska.
"This Administration has requested 9.9 billion for missile defense in FY 2011, almost 700 million more than Congress provided in FY 2010. This request reflects our commitment to missile defense and our conviction that we have done nothing and there is no interpretation to the contrary that in any way undermines that commitment.
"Finally, the new START treaty does not restrict our ability to modernize our nuclear weapons complex to sustain a safe, secure, and affective deterrent. This Administration has called for a 10 percent increase in the FY 2011 budget for overall weapons and infrastructure activities and a 25 percent increase in direct stockpile work. This was not in previous budgets. And during the next 10 years, this Administration proposes investing $80 billion into our nuclear weapons complex.
"So let's take a step back and put the new START treaty into a larger context. This treaty is only one part of our country's broader efforts to reduce the threat posed by the deadliest weapons the world has ever known. And we owe special gratitude to Senator Lugar for his leadership and commitment through all the years on this issue. This Administration is facing head-on the problems of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. We have several coordinated efforts, including the Nuclear Posture Review, the recently concluded Nuclear Security Summit, and the ongoing Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference. While a ratified new START treaty stands on its own terms in the reflection of the benefits in national security for our country, it is also a part of our broader efforts."
Read the Secretary's full remarks here.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
I would offer a little speculation as food for thought in that once this is simultaneously ratified in Washington and Moscow, that the Russian President will be half-way to meeting the friendly challenge I put to him on Dipnote after President Obama recieved his Nobel Peace Prize...that this year is the year for the Russian President to get nominated for one if wants it enough.
Attitude is everything. Then you get results.
Neide in Brazil writes:
this woman is much inteligent!!!!!! God bless you.
John in Greece writes:
@ Eric in New Mexico
..the "Russian President�
I remember that this guy had told us that he would give up his "power†after 8 years of "serviceâ€.
What has become of this pr(e)omise?
A dictatorship.
QUOTE: It took us a hundred years to overcome the economic ideology of slavery before equal rights became reality.
As it was with us it is with the Russians...it's "a matter of mind over manifesto".
This is a people emerging from a long dark age of experiments in bad government, the genocidal whim of dictatorship, and 20 years is not long enough for the ecos of the past to have stopped reverberating in some corners.
Well we know what we're capable of and we know what the Rusasians are capable of, and the Russians know what we are capable of and are very aware of what they are capable of, and frankly what the Russians are capable of scare the Russians just as much as it does anyone else.
Lest an old mindset rear its ugly head at some point in the future.
But then you look at mankind as a whole and I don't see folks generally inclined to live their present in the past, with no future to speak of. END OF QUOTE.
How long will it take for "Russians†to persuade us that ex-Soviet Union changed, or at least changes?
I mean, they had some good "allowence time†already.
(Sorry, Bro), it's one of the few times we disagree. I CAN NOT TRUST THE RUSSIANS. (the old school! Yoy can also call me the romantic school and then... CHUCKLE)
Recently, they sold nuclear technology to Turkey. Turkey 2 Brazil. Turkey & Brazil 2 IRAN..
Brazil (probably will) 2 Venezuela..(maybe in the future)
And it goes..
What's next?
A Nobel?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
BBC News Item;
Iran dismissal
A close adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mojtaba Hashemi Samareh, has dismissed the new measures as illegitimate.
And the head of Iran's atomic energy organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, has said newly-proposed sanctions on Iran will backfire.
"They won't prevail and by pursuing the passing of a new resolution they are discrediting themselves in public opinion," said Mr Salehi, who is also Iran's vice-president and the highest-ranking Iranian official to speak since the proposals were tabled.
"This [UN Security Council draft] resolution is the last effort by the West," he told Iran's semi-official news agency, Fars.
"They feel that for the first time in the world developing countries are able to defend their rights in the world arena without resorting to the major powers an that is very hard for them," he said.
Iran is also preparing a letter for the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, officially notifying them of their deal with Turkey, Mr Salehi said.
@ John in Greece,
If 'lil Kim gave up all his nukes and toy rockets tommorrow, fed his people properly, and announced his intent to unify Korea, dismantling the DMZ, and working with S.Korea to hold elections at some future date to create a unified goverenment, he'd get the Peace Prize for sure. The form of government has nothing to do with walking a path to peace, attitude has everything to do with it.
Given the circumstances, that may be his best bet to keep the peace, if has any interest in that.
The Iranian government still doesn't understand that it can't compare itself with other "developing countries" while it remains the world's leading state sponsor of terror.
It's an insult to all those nations abiding by their NPT obligations and in process of developing the peaceful use of atomic energy without having to create the fuel or the plants themselves.
That way safety standards in construction can be standerdized, and environmental, geological, and site management in conjunction with the end-user nation can be predictable, and institutionalized in keeping with international norms set forth by the IAEA.
In short, Iran is complaining about something that is not reality as it is being implemented in agreements between nations to adress their energy needs into the future.
And a process of on site delivery of services that works to protect populations from tragic accidents, so I see no merit in the posturing, never mind all the things that agreement they signed doesn't address by way of violations of UN resolutions that are ongoing today.
Iran needed to do a policy backflip, instead we're witness to a holier-than-though "face-plant".
I don't know what all the others out there that consider themselves to be leading "developing nations" think, but the one thing that nobody has really remarked upon, is the cost of this distraction to your own development as nations.
Because when it comes right down to it, the money this country invests to counter Iran's agressive posturing in the region could be better spent.
But I think it reasonable to qualify this in that it will require regime replacement therapy to get there from here if sanctions don't convince.
It's good to know what the stakes are.
As a last thought on Russia I did say ratification of NEW START would get President Medvedev "half-way"...
I can't really complain John, it looks for all intents and apperances like he's accepted that friendly challenge.
Along with a "reset button"...
Never underestimate the power of a "reset" of the Russian sense of humor on top of all the other aspects, it's a lot like our's in that it helps handle differences of opinion.
Susan C. in Florida writes:
Sorry, Eric, I totally agree with John. Russia has had long enough to show us that they have "changed". I really question their "new" relationship with Iran, and their nuclear agreements with Turkey and Brazil. I know you have good points about giving them time, but it does seem to me that they are leaning toward "old habits". Time will tell.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Susan,
I'm not sure what "new relastionship" you are referring to. Is that the one where Russia is engaging with the diplomacy of sanctions along with the other members of the P-5?
Or in applying political pressure on Iran through it's membership in the "quartet" to not be the "spoiler" in the peace process?
As far as the deal John mentioned, I'd like to see the source of that info to make my own judgement.
But it sounds like a violation of existing UN resolutions by Turkey and Brazil, and that Russia needs protocols built into in its trading to prevent this kind of transfer, if that's what happened.
In any case, the sanctions proposed will eliminate any and all conventional military hardware sales to Iran, and expanded interdicion of illegal arms and nuclear related shipments in and out of Iran.
The fact that this has been put in blue and tabled means that Russia and China are on board with this, no question.
So if Russia's intent is different, that's a sure way of shooting their arms sales in the foot.
Do you see the slight problem that poses for any further Russian assistance on the nuclear power plant they are building for Iran?
John always hold the opinion that State does a "great job". So do I and there's always room for improvement in human endevors.
But this time Madam Secretary and her team have produced an anticipated miracle of diplomacy in getting all the major players on the same page with respect to dealing with Iran's "standoff with the international community". One couldn't have asaked for more.
Now I figure the better our bilateral relationship is with Russia, the faster Russia will become integrated into International institutions like the WTO, and in doing so will have adequate invcentive to play by the rules, and international law. It's in their own national security and economic interest to do so.
The more we trade ( and I agree with both the US and Russian President's that current trade levels between our nations are just slightly better than pathetic, and "we have a lot of buisiness to do."
As the Secretary put it.
Susan, The Russians are tough negotiators and prone at times to posturing, but unlike in the old days, the relationship goes way beyond the posturing to reap results we can live with as partners in a common solution.
We face too many common problems not to be in this boat together, rowing as a team.
I'm sure we'll be watching each other close to make sure we're pulling equal weight on the oars while we go about it.
I'm not sure if the two of you realize just what US diplomacy has achieved in all of this, including bringing China's mindset in line with what needs doing at present.
If both nations are working constructively to build a more stable and secure world along with us, eventually that will give them both the confidence to build better, nmore prosperous societies as they evolve in peaceful coexistance and "larger freedom" within the family of nations with themselves and everyone else.
That's just going to take time, as the quotation John cited illustrates.
John P. in Greece writes:
@ Eric in New Mexico
I do not disagree with your remarks and I still believe that the President, SD, and the Secretary are doing a FINE and very difficult job! They deserve a BRAVO ZULU!
I wouldn't dare to be against such historical changes and moves that probably will make our world better and safer. However, you know better than me that sometimes what WE do –no matter how well we do it- also depends on what the OTHERS intend to do to help us do it.
Let me clarify that when I referred to this "new†Russian-Turkish-Brazilian-Iranian nuclear collaboration I did not mean a strictly nuclear arm collaboration. They won't sell them guns –at least directly. Maybe I did not express it the right way. Nevertheless, this is absolutely confirmed. I watched the video of the three leaders' meeting concerning their nuclear collaboration in every single TV channel in Greece. So, I do not have a specific source, but it's confirmed. Some days before this meeting, Russia and Turkey signed a 20B€ agreement to construct an electricity nuclear plant in Turkey, plus a nuclear storage facility that will transit "extremely strong†nuclear materials to Brazil and Iran.
And you know: when you have the powder, you can make the bullet!
Until now, we knew that Russia used to sell tech and radioactive materials to Iran. We already had a headache.
Now, Russia becomes a "nuclear supermarket†and various countries have already been transformed to "salesmenâ€. Besides, Russia now can say that it does not sell anything to Iran, although the commercial channel is still open and much more difficult to control and check, since its "products†can come "by pass†from Brazil, or Turkey. Made in Russia, of course.
And whoever thinks that I am against nuclear use for energy needs, I have to say that, on the contrary, I absolutely agree with the President's thesis on the issue. Safe and controlled nuclear use can be extremely useful. (Although I think that some time ago, you Eric, had expressed some very interesting points on this, concerning the danger of an accident, or, even worst, a terrorist attack in such facilities).
So, regardless these dangers, I still believe that nuclear technology can help us in various ways, but the problem is who is selling and who is buying. I don't have a problem, or any fear when the U.S. sell nuclear technology to India, because I trust the American "platformâ€, being sure that everything is under control. However, I am not sure that the fanatic Iran won't sell part of its "shopping†to Sudan, or Brazil to Venezuela, or Cuba. I mean, after all, it's a question of "who is whoâ€.
Moreover, it's an "energy monopoly game†too. Russia makes its best to force Europe become dependable on gas. Now it's expanding its plans to make Europe and Middle East dependable on electricity, powered by Russian nuclear tech and materials.
And here is the point that a pure question comes out straight from my heart: If they do sell such tech to Turkey and others, why don't we (allow me the "weâ€) also sell nuclear tech to Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Bulgaria etc.? We have better nuclear technology than them.
Anyway, I am not an analyst, an expert, or a specialized scientist. Probably I write childish things. I just felt to share some thoughts with you. So, my dear friend, please don't "fail†me. Just give me a D (CHUCKLE).
@ Susan in Florida
I wish you the best with this pollution problem you have to fight in FL, as I watch in breaking news. Take care guys there and do your best. Everything will be OK.
I'd also take the chance to say Best Regards to Joe in TN -- they had the same problem there.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ John in Greece:
You know, it's interesting...seems I shouldn't know what I know because most of the details involving events that play out in international relations are not available through open source media. So what I told you in my last post was simply coming from trends and probabilities, an extrapolation beyond the immediately acertainable, based on gut instinct. And there's no way I could have read this included article (see link below) before I posted the thoughts, because it simply confirms what I said with uncanny timing post-my post.
What's kind of amusing personally is that I've been consistantly beating the experts to the conclusions they get paid to think about and reach, long before members of the public should. Now just what assesments and ideas could I come up with if I had everthing I could get my hands on, classified included? My own government might hesitate to give me that access. Now there's a truly scary thought that should have dictators, terrorists, and ethical infants quaking in their beds at night...(chuckle).
See the way I figure it, we have a war to win. The State dept. for years on end has claimed they have no Earthly ability to read into the minds of these fools...officialy through spokesmen's certainty of experience... and here I've been doing so with remarkable accuracy over the whole time I've been posting on this blog....for sport.
What do you think John... You think the State Dept. has made good use of free advice and analysis, or do you think they're "looking a gift horse in the mouth" with all of it? I'm in a bit of a fix here, like an artist trying to judge his own work, and trying to be objective about it. What's objective in analysing the work, is that I shouldn't be able to do it accurately in the first place, let alone preempt the experts. But here's just the proof you need on this one particular occasion among many previous. gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20100521_1131.php 'lil Kim and Amanidijad haven't let me down yet, as they never fail to prove me correct. Why should the Russians be any different (in a more positive way I might add).
Delving into the minds of madmen and tyrants gets a little old after awhile. There's no creative thought processes bouncing around in the negative space between their ears to calculate their own current circumstance without grave miscalculation. So I've had to go further afield to determine if the minds of the sane have got their act together on an international level to deal with these idiots before they make a total mess of things. Big change 'a comin' John, I can smell it like ozone in the air in a summer storm. Don't ask me how I know these things, I just do, like my bones tell me when the weather is changing. The optimist in me is second only to this, and I don't let it color the end product analysis.
Ethical infants will have their diapers changed at the hands of the combined will of the international community. Whether they like wearing them now or not, the stench of ill intent is all pervasive and serious aroma therapy for the masses is the order of the day. So my "Citizen's NIE" for this year is short and bittersweet: In order to be the change we seek to bring to the world we're going to have to crack a few eggs in order to make the omlette that's got no recipe, just add all the ingrediants on hand including the kitchen sink to drain the swamp, and feed the future. Whatever it costs, because a lack of will ultimately will prove ten times more costly. Alone if we have to, but we won't have to, because folks generally like our cooking. Occasionally it resembles flambe, but I don't know a chef that hasn't singed an entre on occasion and it still proved edible.
-End NIE-
You once called me a "master chef" John. Well I'm not, just the grandson of a "chemist gone wrong". Scuse me momentarily...got a fire in the kitchen to put out...gotta go...now!
Jimmy in South Carolina writes:
Hi @ Eric in Mexico,
My name is Jimmy and I am 13. You are so smart and I was wondering how you got to be so smart. What college did you go to? My parents tell me it is important to go to college so I have to do good in school now. Thats why I read Dipnote and things like that so I know more than other kids.
I bet your right almost all of the time, even though sometimes I can't understand what you're talking about. Do you work for the government? If you don't, why not? I bet they would love to have somebody working for them as smart as you. But if you are right all the time and they are wrong, maybe they are jealous and they don't want you around. But I don't understand that because if you are right then if you were in control we would always do the right thing and everyone would be happy. Sometimes people are so stupid, don't you think?
Maybe if you ran for congress or something you could tell all these people who don't know what their talking about whats right and whats wrong and the world would be a better place for all the kids like me.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Jimmy, When I was your age, I didn't have TV, and read a lot of books.
I'm a music school drop-out and never finished college.
I never went to a formal school for my education in foreign affairs, I was just curious and knew how to do research, and keep an open mind.
That's the most important aspect of any education you may aspire to.
To learn to think for youreslf, critically and without pre-concieved bias as to the conclusions you may reach when investigating a topic of research.
Be it in your science lab at school, or out in the real world dealing with the human condition that surrounds you.
I'm 50 now and have been thinking about these things for a long while. It's not a matter of being smart, it's just a matter of observation.
The key to understanding concepts is understanding the parameters that shape them, and that is an evolving process born of a changing world.
I hate being right most of the time, especially about the ethical infants of the world.
My granmother described my grandad as a "chemist gone wrong" because he became a metalurgist and delved into atomic physics and this government asked him to lead the chemical and metalurgical division of the Manhattan Project during ww2.
So there's a bit of family history involved in my motivational awareness in public discorse to create a better, more peaceful and sustanable world for you, as well as my own kids to grow up in, and everyone else's kids.
As you grow older, you will find your own particular motivation to be all you can be, and it sounds like you are already on that path.
I define "working for" as something you get paid to do for someone, but we all serve in the capacity that one is afforded by circumstance, whether that be a concious choice or not.
So no, I don't work for the government, but I hope they take your kind recomendation to heart, because I am serving the best interests of the nation to the best of my current ability under present circumstance.
The following was written to my government in early 2002;
"In my granddad's day, some of his fellow scientists at Los Alamos had a "pool" going before the Trinity test as to how large the resulting explosion (in kilotons of TNT) would be. Anyone care to guess how many "Los Alamos's" there are today on the planet? How much Gross National Product is invested? To create weapons that cannot be used, and remain civilized. Some 300 billion a year for the last 50 yrs. on defense in this country alone, this is not for me to judge, as I haven't all the facts. I think it unfortunate, however, that it was deemed necessary, and I stress here the biggest "what if?" is what we might have accomplished as the Human species had we chosen to live in peace, instead of fear after WW2. We have lived so long with the reality of imminent destruction that we've become numb to it in ways that are as dysfunctional as the "Simpsons".
One cannot simultaneously plan for the American dream, and prepare for Armageddon.
Anyone who has witnessed the birth of one's child can tell you that yes indeed you create your own reality, the question is what do we wish to create for ourselves as reality on this planet, now and for our children's, and their children's future? Not just in this country, but the world as a whole, as an international vision.
Inherently, change is viewed with suspicion, as a threat to culture and ways of tradition and ethical belief systems. As it applies to developing countries in this nuclear age, the post-cold war aftermath presents a vast paradox that present no easy solutions, and has culminated in the reality of the war on terrorism as it exists today."
Yesterday Chinese State Counciler Dai said this, and you be the judge of whether I just got an official answer to the challenge I posed long ago.
"One year later, as we gather again and look at the world around us, I believe we all view more keenly that we are now at a crucial historical juncture in the development of mankind and China-U.S. relations. Our two countries not only need to answer the question of whether we can build a new type of relationship between major countries in the 21st century, but also face a strategic choice as to what kind of a century China and the United States, together with other countries, will leave to our peoples, to our children, and our children's children."
So Jimmy, if there's something I say that you don't understand, just ask. I'll be happy to try and make it as clear to you as I can.
It's not that I'm right and this government is wrong...we just opperate differently in reaching the same conclusions and motivating others to make those realizations.
Susan C. in Florida writes:
@ Eric in NM -- There is nothing better than having a young person think you are smart. Nice thoughts from Jimmy in SC. I wonder if he understands the great significance of the Manhattan Project. I have been an educator all of my working years, and I'd say that Jimmy is very smart too. In answer to your thought/question about my comment about Russia's and Iran's "new" relationship, I was trying to say that there is nothing new about it. Russia wants more economic power and influence, and is going wherever they can to gain it. I'm sorry, Eric, I am still cynical about Russia's motivations. Interesting about your grandfather and the Manhattan Project. I am a "student" of history, although my actual teaching subject is art. Always appreciate your postings.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Susan, I figure Jimmy is smart enough to google "Manhattan Project" if he wants to know all about it.
But here's a link I'd recomend;
There's a slideshow of photos, in one you'll see Oppenheimer on the right talking with a weapons designer and my granddad, he's the big guy on the left with the pipe.
In doing my own research into family history, I came to find a patent he was involved in for the invention of adding bismuth to steel to improve it's machining characteristics in August '44.
Now I don't know if folks can truly appreciate the magnitude of that discovery, nor the implications for today's modern industrial society.
For we wouldn't have the modern society we do, nor the cars we drive, the planes we travel on, nor all the rest of what we consider modern industrial applications as a result of being able to machine steel alloy parts to tolerances of thousanths of an inch without spalling or cracking.
And to think building the bombs took only 27 months with all the technical hurdles he and his metalurgical group faced along the way.
This should give anyone pause for thought about how close Iran is to having their own.
Susan C. in Florida writes:
What are the reactions/thoughts on the news today that Iran, who is being "helped" by Russia with their nuclear programs, is now officially going to "help" Brazil and Turkey with THEIR nuclear programs. Am I missing something, or does that sound like it is in direct contradiction to what we are trying to do with all these treaties? Please correct me if my impressions are wrong, but it seems to me that these "agreements" are going in the opposite direction of what we, the U.S., had in mind. Comments?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Susan,
France builds nuclear power plants for other nations, we're involved in nuclear agreements with Brazil, The Russians started building the Iranians one when the former regime was in power and I frankly think under these circumstances any plans to start it up have been put on hold...don't quote me, but the Russians are mindful of public opinion as much as our government is and the influence they seek can't be won with a dysfunctional foreign policy that acts like one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, and they know that too.
They may need to work a bit on "interagency coodination" in similar respects as the US has in order to get everyone on the same page. I suspect that may be a factor in taking a more wholistic approach to their NPT obligations. It's one thing to declare unwavering support for a diplomatic solution, nothing wrong in that. But in doing so, one also recognizes that there comes a time when the talking is done. For better or worse. That's the nature of diplomacy.


text:
New Markdowns
view full screen
Short Sleeve PJ Top Edge Black
Style: 8570075686
Out of Stock
A new breed of luxury. Short sleeve pajama top is so soft, it feels positively posh! In a reimagined animal print, with a notched collar and ruffle-trimmed pocket. Add to the Tabbed PJ Crop or Short.
- Our Embraceable pajamas are the softest, most luxurious in the world.
- Exclusive Cool Nights knit stays cool and dry.
- Non-cling knit retains shape and silky drape, even after countless washings.
- Approximately 26.5" from shoulder.
- 93% Rayon, 7% Spandex. Machine wash. Imported.
Read more… Read less…

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Maintenance of Ruby 2.0.0 ended on February 24, 2016. Read more
Raised in case of a stack overflow.
def me_myself_and_i me_myself_and_i end me_myself_and_i
raises the exception:
SystemStackError: stack level too deep
Commenting is here to help enhance the documentation. For example, code samples, or clarification of the documentation.
If you have questions about Ruby or the documentation, please post to one of the Ruby mailing lists. You will get better, faster, help that way.
If you wish to post a correction of the docs, please do so, but also file bug report so that it can be corrected for the next release. Thank you.
If you want to help improve the Ruby documentation, please visit Documenting-ruby.org.


text:
A Fresh Raw Paste Recipe, Jerusalem Artichoke Pasta Noodles with A Mixed Greens Olive Oil Sauce
Contributing Monkie Nadia
Published on September 15, 2011
Photographer: Nadia
I am not a raw foodist, vegan or any one thing, but I have to say, preparing raw recipes is definitely one of my most favorite things to do in my kitchen! For me, raw recipes seem to be especially easy to make and nearly impossible to ruin. Well, not fatally at least. For example this Raw Jerusalem Artichoke Pasta was planned a little bit differently than you see it here in this post. My original idea was to make a raw version of a traditional pasta with a basic italian tomato red sauce. Which should have been easy, right? But unfortunately, when I finished making the sauce, and tasted it, I was a bit shocked. Something important was definitely missing, the flavor! Yeah, not good. I think the problem started with the tomatoes I used. I live here in Bulgaria and the super markets are completely out of stock of local in season tomatoes and the only veggies on the shelves seem come from far far away. Maybe picked before they had a chance to ripen. Whatever happen to them, the result wasn't a good one. They are completely dull and for the most part, tasteless. They reminded me a little of wet paper. Not very exciting.
They are completely dull and for the most part, tasteless.
This means I had to improvise and come up with a new sauce on the spot. I had already prepared my Jerusalem Artichoke pasta, and now I just need to sauce it. I know what your thinking, I should do a Pesto. So was I, but for some reason that too sounded a bit boring to me. Thats when I decided to wing it and came up with my own creation. We will call this new sauce, Nadia's Mixed Winter Green Sauce. The recipe is below. I used a little chicory, radicchio, spinach, arugula and little olive oil with salt. Mmmmmm
Yes, in the end the entire dish tastes divine, I swear! I loved it so much, I made a double portion just for myself. Continue Reading / Additional Photos / Videos


text:
SMSU soccer team signs a forward, 2 goaltenders
Southwest Minnesota State head soccer coach TJ Buchholz announced Wednesday that three student-athletes have signed letters of intent to continue their careers at SMSU.
The list of signees includes a pair of goalkeepers and a forward. The trio will be an addition to eight players that signed in February.
Denae Brooks from Spokane, Wash., and Brienna Dehkes from Elk River will both be looked upon to step in net for the Mustangs. Justine Hauck from Menifee, Calif., is expected to help bolster the team's offense at forward. Brooks is a transfer from Peninsula College and Hauck is a transfer from Cypress College.
"All three have the ability to make an immediate impact on our team in the 2013 season," Buchholz said in a press release. "Denae and Brienna are excellent goalkeepers that have a proven track record of success at their position. Justine is a very fast forward that has excellent ability to get around defenders with her speed. We are excited about adding these players to our team this fall as all three should fit very well into our style of play.
Brooks was named all-region in 2012 after recording eight shutouts with the Peninsula College Pirates, who claimed the programs first Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championship with a 22-1-1 record.
Dehkes is a senior at Elk River High School and was an all-conference performer and team MVP as a senior, recording 90 saves. She is a three-year letterwinner and an all-conference performer in track.
Hauck scored four goals and had one assist in 2012 to finish fifth on her Cypress College team with nine points. She helped lead the squad to a 16-3-3 record and move on to the second round of the region playoffs in 2012.


text:
1955-57 Chevy Engine Block Side Mount Kit
Click image to enlarge
Please note the following about this product:
- This item is sold as a kit.
Reviews (9)
What's in the Box
InfoOn your 1955-57 Chevy car, the front motor mounts are at the front of the block and the rear mount attaches to the bellhousing. This works fine for original use but makes it hard to swap in a different trannsmission or add belt driven accessories to the front of the engine.
Use with engine cushions 910-18012 and transmission crossmember 916-28910 listed below. No welding, but drilling required.
720-4175 Instructions (PDF)
You may also be interested in:
Prothane 7-504-BL Polyurethane S/B or B/B Chevy Motor MountsView$74.99
Quick ViewQuick View Detailsx
These black polyurethane motor mounts for S/B and B/B Chevy are much stronger than OE rubber mounts but still reduce vibration.
- Limits unwanted movement thereby putting more power to the wheels
- Tough like solid metal mounts without the vibration and noise
- Resistant to oil, chemicals and road contaminants that typically deteriorate rubber
1955-57 Chevy Frame AdaptersView$39.99
Quick ViewQuick View Detailsx
Specially designed frame adapters allow professional installation of most Chevy V8 engines into your 1955-1957 Chevy passenger car frame. Designed for use with engine mounts and cushion kit found on this page.Compare
3-Bolt Chevy Rubber Motor Mounts for 90 Degree V6, SB/Big Block V8View$29.99
Quick ViewQuick View Detailsx
These 3-bolt S/B Chevy rubber motor mounts are manufactured to meet or exceed OEM specifications. Fits most 1958-73 Chevy passenger cars with small block V8. Sold as a pair.
- Unique rubber formula provides good abrasion resistance and aging stability
- Ensures maximum life and performance
- Application-specific Durometer (hardness) based on engine weight & torque
- Special Chemlock® bonding agent ensures superior rubber-to-metal bond
1955-57 Chevy Transmission Crossmember KitsView$79.99
Quick ViewQuick View Detailsx
On your '55-'57 Chevy car, the front motor mounts are at the front of the block and the rear mount attaches to the bellhousing. This works fine for original use, but makes it hard to swap in a different tranny or add belt driven accessories to the front of the engine. This mount kit is the solution!
- Uses common mounts.
- No welding, but drilling is required.
916-28910 Instructions (pdf)Compare
Speedway 1955-57 Chevy Car V8 Motor Mount KitView$89.99
Quick ViewQuick View Detailsx
Side-mount motor mounts are a more rugged mount design than the original front mounts found on your Tri-Five Chevy, plus they allow more room for front drive accessories. Our motor mount kit allows you to side-mount 1958-up S/B Chevy 283-400 c.i. V-8 engines into your 1955, 1956, or 1957 Chevy passenger car. Will also work on 396-454 big block engines.
Includes frame brackets, engine brackets, rubber mount cushions, hardware, and instructions.
1955-1957 Chevy Bolt-In Motor Mount Installation InstructionsCompare


text: In layman's terms, Contingency Analysis (CA) is a 'what if' scenario simulator that evaluates, provides and prioritizes the impacts on an electric power system when problems occur. A contingency is the loss or failure of a small part of the power system (e.g. a transmission line), or the loss/failure of individual equipment such as a generator or transformer. This is also called an unplanned 'outage'. Contingency analysis is a computer application that uses a simulated model of the power system, to: • evaluate the effects, and • calculate any overloads, resulting from each outage event. Contingency Analysis is essentially a 'preview' analysis tool. It simulates and quantifies the results of problems that could occur in the power system in the immediate future. CA is used as a study tool for the off-line analysis of contingency events, and as an on-line tool to show operators what would be the effects of future outages. This allows operators to be better prepared to react to outages by using pre-planned recovery scenarios.


text:
|Thread Tools
Mayhem Festival -- Mansfield, MA -- August 3rd, 2012
Mayhem Festival 2012
Mansfield MA Comcast Center
Where to begin well I guess Ill do a walkthrough of the entire day. I woke up around 6:30 am after about 4 hours of sleep just because of excitement. Hung out, left around 9 to pick up/cash my check. Left my friend Mikes around 10 to pick up 2 other guys and head for Mansfield. We stopped at Burger King along the way and feasted like no tomorrow. After that it was a straight drive to the Comcast Center. We got there around 12 and went for the doors. While waiting for them to open Mike saw some guys he used to be in a band with and I knew one of them, so we went over to chill. We ended up chilling with them for most of the day because their seats were in the row behind ours.
Doors opened for pre sale a little after 1, so we headed inside to do whatever. None of the merch tents were open yet, so out of boredom we decided to go up to the Jager stage to watch the opening band, which was Dead Season. They werent as horrible as I remembered from last year, but nothing really all that good.
After Dead Season I went to the Slipknot merch table to grab a shirt and the Metal Blade table to say hi to Chris, who was kind enough to give me some sunglasses for the day. I then went to the Rockstar tent where I grabbed some hydration and then headed back for the Jager stage.
I The Breather was in the final parts of their set now, but damn they were energetic. Their vocalist was all over the place, and their music was getting the place going. During their last song they called for crowd surfers and it was almost too much, but I was able to use the chaos to work my way up to the rail. Despite their energetic live show their music is still pretty damn generic.
Up next was one of the bands I was most pumped for, Whitechapel. Honestly they were sort of a disappointment for me. After the novelty of seeing them open with my favorite song of theirs, Possession, their show got old quick. Their guitar tracks are insaaanely simplistic, I guess it might be because I was on the rail and theyre more mosh music, but I wasnt all that impressed. The fact that I enjoy their studio music helped me through their lackluster live show.
The Darkest Day of Man
This is Exile
I, Dementia
Section 8
Possibilities of an Impossible Existence
After Whitechapel I decided to keep my rail spot through TDWP for As I Lay Dying. The Devil Wears Prada, like I The Breather, was a damn energetic live band. But at the same time, a lot of their music blends together and I can only take so much scream verse/clean chorus/breakdown before I get a little bored. It didnt help that they were playing for 35 minutes, so after awhile I was just standing there staring at them, waiting for them to finish. The songs I knew sounded alright, like Born to Lose, Mammoth, and Dez Moines. Also the lead singers little quip about God and heaven at the end didnt really sit well with me. Also, I dont know if they played that song Constance or not, because Tim Lambesis didnt come out.
Im not familiar enough with their stuff to give a full setlist, but what I know they played:
Born to Lose
Danger: Wildman
Dez Moines
Now for the side stage band I was most excited for, As I Lay Dying. Goddamn, these guys did not disappoint. Condemned was a GREAT track to open with, and the energy never let up. The side stage crowd got the most insane out of the entire day during AILD, and there were times where I honestly thought I was going to lost my rail spot. I sent the entire set headbanging and screaming the lyrics. My rail spot had shifted a bit so instead of being more towards the center of the stage I was more towards the right, but I was right in front of Nick who you could tell was having fun with the crowd. Vocals on all parts sounded nearly perfect, and I couldnt find any faults in any of the other musicians. Fucking awesome show.
94 Hours
Anodyne Sea
Nothing Left
Through Stuggle
The Sound of Truth
About halfway through The Sound of Truth I left my rail spot and went to the center of the action a few rows back to watch most of the song, but before it was over I headed for the rockstar tent to snag a place in line for the AILD signing where I was going to meet my friends. Ended up waiting in line for awhile because AILD was 15-20 minutes later and I had to watch the first half of Anthrax from the line. Jason Bittner did a decent job filling in for Charlie, but there were some obvious mistakes happening during Caught in a Mosh. Went through the AILD signing and talked to Nick Hipa, who is honestly one of the nicest guys Ive ever met. He said he saw me going insane during their set. All the other guys were nice but not quite as talkative as Nick. When I came up to Tim I told him that Alex from Arizona with the Shadows Are Security tattoo says hi, he just sort of stared at me blankly and was like oh, cool . I then asked to get picture with him and he seemed fine with it but he didnt really talk at all and was pretty blank. At the time I thought he was annoyed but thinking about it, it seems like he was just insanely tired.
Ended up getting out of the tent and going over to the revolver tent to grab some programs, and my friends who were completely exhausted said they were headed to get some water and chill in the wooded area where the Sumerian stage was. I stuck them with my Metal Blade bag and fucking BOOKED it to the Jager stage, because Indians was starting. They were the only band I moshed to the entire day, but I moshed HARD. Throughout all of Indians and most of Madhouse I was just running around the entire place belting the lyrics, moshing, and generally having a great fuckin time. Towards the end of the set I chilled out a bit and pushed my way up closer to the stage (although I was already pretty close). Throughout the set there was smoke EVERYWHERE and all you could smell was weed. I saw a blunt being passed around so I took a hit which got me a little high for about 5-10 minutes. I then went insane again during I Am The Law, which Joey tried to do his intro where he chants a word then the crowd does, but we just ended up chanting the entire damn thing. He said fuck it, you guys are too stoned, lets do this, and kicked off I Am The Law during which I went insane yet again. Ended up leaving their set during the end of the song to meet up with the guys and head for the main stage.
Caught In A Mosh
Got The Time
Fight Em Till You Cant
I Am The Law
Im guessing we showed up to the main stage about halfway through Asking Alexandria, it didnt really matter though. Everyone in our area was making fun of them anyways. We just chilled in the seats for awhile, once Motorhead started we went to get food because 1) The 3 of us had already seen them from the rail and 2) The food areas would be empty. I got fries and a Gatorade which cost me $12. Headed back halfway through Motorhead and though they sounded alright they were a bit boring for me. I mean, they were a little on the boring at Gigantour and its even less stimulating seeing them while sitting in an open air seat. I was pissed they cut the one song I was looking forward to seeing from them, Overkill.
Setlist was the usual without Overkill at the end.
Slayer. Slayer slayer slayer slayer slayer slayer. Slayer. Slayer Slayer.
GREAT fucking show. Spent the entire set headbanging, belting the lyrics, air guitaring/drumming, whatever felt good at the time. Everything sounded phenomenal, Gary Holt is a great replacement and is probably even more energetic than Hanneman, Also the stage setup was cool.
War Ensemble
Die By The Sword
Hate Worldwide
Mandatory Suicide
Altar of Sacrifice
Jesus Saves
Seasons in the Abyss
Hell Awaits
Dead Skin Mask
Angel of Death
South of Heaven
Raining Blood
And now the headliner, Slipknot. One of the main bands that got me into metal back in middle school, finally seeing them live. They did not disappoint. The show was raw, energetic, and unreal. Every song sounded fantastic, set highlights being Eyeless, Vermilion, and Spit it Out. During Surfacing we walked down to the rail of the covered seats and watched from there while going apeshit. Great show.
Wait and Bleed
Before I Forget
The Heretic Anthem
Spit it Out
People = Shit
Left when they were done. Messing around with my friends on the way out resulted in me losing the $35 Slipknot shirt I bought. Sort of pissed about that, but all in all it was the best MayhemFest yet.
Dead Season 4/10
I The Breather 6/10
Whitechapel 6/10
The Devil Wears Prada 7/10
As I Lay Dying 9/10
Anthrax 9/10
Asking Alexandria 5/10
Motorhead 6/10
Slayer 9.5/10
Slipknot 9/10
Good review glad you had fun.
1-13 Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals
Sweet review man! I was gonna write a review but since you did such a detailed one I'll just write a quick overview of my time at the show.
I got to the Comcast Center around 4:40. I planned on seeing As I Lay Dying, but we ended up leaving later than expected, so they were ending by the time we got in. I've seen them before though, so it wasn't a big deal. The first band up for us was Anthrax. We missed the first couple songs waiting in line for the ATM and beer, but from what we saw they were awesome. They had a lot of energy on stage, and Joey sounded great. The crowd response was really impressive too. I got a free Rockstar during their set and felt the need to chug it in two sips, which felt great at the time but I started to crash a little later on lol. Had to counter the crash with a Red Bull.
We got water after Anthrax and chilled out looking at all the merch and stuff before heading over for Motorhead. We had pit tickets so we were so excited! This was my third time seeing them and they did not disappoint! Although they don't really move on stage at all, their music speaks for itself. Lemmy is one of the ultimate badasses in rock, everything he does is awesome. I started laughing at one point because they stopped to take a drink and everyone started cheering, even that is badass when Motorhead does it. They sounded great and I enjoyed the set a lot.
Next was Slayer! This was my first time seeing them (not sure how its taken me so long) and they were just as incredible as I could have expected. The stage setup was perfect, with the inverted crosses and flames, I especially liked the flaming Slayer logo hanging in the center. They were a serious assault on the ears, but it was definitely worth it. The crowd ate up the performance. I spent most of the set headbanging near the pit, and decided to jump in for the last few songs. The whole set was super intense and I loved every minute of it, definitely my favorite performance of the day. Song highlights included "Disciple," "Jesus Saves," and of course "Raining Blood," but I really can't single out songs as they were all awesome!
Last up was Slipknot. They are one of my friends favorite bands, so he was pumped to see them. For me, I just wasn't overly impressed. Not to sound elitist, cause I like plenty of mainstream popular stuff, but I just don't really care to hear Slipknot's music anymore. I was never a huge fan to begin with anyway, so I'm not turning my back on them or anything. With that being said, the stage setup was crazy with tons of flames and loud cracks. The raised drums were pretty cool too. The band had a ton of energy on stage as well. people were going nuts for them the entire set. The band sounded good, and a couple times Sid Wilson jumped into the crowd, which was pretty cool. Overall, had a great time at Mayhem this year.
5/21 Weekend Nachos
5/22 Hellshock
5/31 Rotten Sound
6/2 Venom inc
6/18 Deceased
6/24 Sleep
7/8 Nuke
also inb4 people bitch about the formatting
I just figured I should, cuz the guy I was referring to (Alex) hung out with him for awhile backstage and Tim offered to put a picture of the tattoo on the band's twitter.
I agree 100% on Slayer. Holy shit that was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Not going to post a seperate thread, but if anybody wants to read my review here is the link:http://maitlandsmadness.blogspot.com...sfield-ma.html
Another great Mayhem Fest. Slipknot and Slayer were flawless. Proved once again they are two of the best live acts around. Finally got to see Anthrax and Motorhead which was awesome. As I Lay Dying was the weakest I've seen them, but they were still really good. The Devil Wears Prada was meh and Asking Alexandria was probably the worst live band I've ever seen.
2/19 Tove Lo
3/28 Vince Staples
Nice review man
2/19 Tove Lo
3/28 Vince Staples
Section 12. In the Mansfield tour video I'm the really tall sorta chubby guy in a Slipknot shirt on the side stage rail at 1:08
|anthrax, as i lay dying, slayer, slipknot, the devil wears prada, whitechapel
|Thread Tools


text:
Ten years ago, in the federal courthouse in Honolulu, I was among a small group of civil rights prosecutors who had just started trial in the largest slavery prosecution in U.S. history, in which over 300 Chinese and Vietnamese workers had been enslaved in a garment factory in American Samoa. But on the third day of trial, a hammer blow fell on our prosecution team: Paul and Sheila Wellstone's airplane had gone down in northeastern Minnesota, taking their lives as well as that of their daughter and several aides. Senator Wellstone was not just the conscience of the Senate, a voice for the dispossessed and an inspiration to so many, he was the sponsor of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. He was not only a fellow Midwestern wrestler, but had been a champion for what my colleagues and I were trying to accomplish as we sought to update the post Civil War slavery statues for the modern era. And without Sheila Wellstone's activism, women in Minnesota and around the world would have had no protection from their batterers and traffickers. Without her leadership, women's groups in Washington would not have seen trafficking in persons as the human rights issue she recognized.
Although it was a loss for the family, the State of Minnesota, and for the world, our small team felt it personally. At every break, prosecutor Mark Kappelhoff was calling home to Minnesota, dreading the news as it slowly trickled out. At every break, as we learned more, we began to contemplate a world without Paul and Sheila Wellstone. But the breaks would end, and it was time to go back into court. Over the ensuing weeks, we came to realize that their efforts did not end with that tragic plane crash; we were carrying on their work every day in that courtroom.
It was because of Senator Wellstone that federal law allowed us to focus on the psychological coercion that the garment factory owner used to hold his victims in bondage. It was because of Senator Wellstone that the dozens of witnesses who testified -- and the hundreds more who stood ready to tell their story -- were able to remain in the United States through the "T-visa" program for victims of trafficking and get refugee-like services through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the following years, it was because of Senator Wellstone that the survivors were able to bring their families to the United States and begin their new lives.
During the months of trial, a photo of Senator Wellstone hung in our bullpen, reminding us that compassion and toughness are an unbeatable combination. A decade later, that photo sits in my office in the State Department, where the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons carries on his work. And each year, the Freedom Network (a group of anti-trafficking service providers from around the country) bestows their Paul and Sheila Wellstone Award to those who go above and beyond in the fight against modern slavery. As we commemorate the Wellstones' lives and legacy, let us also heed the call put forth by President Lincoln 150 years ago and reiterated by President Obama last month. Let us rededicate ourselves to the fight for a world without slavery.


text:
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks at a reception marking Eid ul-Fitr at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on September 13, 2012. The reception was also attended by the Libyan Ambassador to the United States Ali Suleiman Aujali.
Secretary Clinton said, "Good evening, and although I am many weeks overdue in saying it: Eid Mubarak. No matter how belated we are honoring Eid and the end of Ramadan, this is a cherished tradition here at the State Department. And I would like to thank all of you for being here, including the many members of the Diplomatic Corps.
"Tonight, our gathering is more somber than any of us would like. This comes during sad and difficult days for the State Department family. We lost four Americans. They were good and brave men. They were committed to the cause of building a brighter future for the people of Libya. And we condemn the violence in the strongest terms, the violence against our posts in Benghazi, in Egypt, and now in Yemen."
Secretary Clinton continued, "Religious freedom and religious tolerance are essential to the stability of any nation, any people. Hatred and violence in the name of religion only poison the well. All people of faith and good will know that the actions of a small and savage group in Benghazi do not honor religion or God in any way. Nor do they speak for the more than one billion Muslims around the world, many of whom have shown an outpouring of support during this time.
"Unfortunately, however, over the last 24 hours, we have also seen violence spread elsewhere. Some seek to justify this behavior as a response to inflammatory, despicable material posted on the internet. As I said earlier today, the United States rejects both the content and the message of that video. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. At our meeting earlier today, my colleague, the foreign minister of Morocco, said that all prophets should be respected because they are all symbols of our humanity, for all humanity.
"But both of us were crystal-clear in this paramount message: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind. And we look to leaders around the world to stand up and speak out against violence, and to take steps to protect diplomatic missions from attack."
Secretary Clinton concluded, "So tonight, we must come together and recommit ourselves to working toward a future marked by understanding and acceptance rather than distrust, hatred, and fear. We can pledge that whenever one person speaks out in ignorance and bigotry, ten voices will answer. They will answer resoundingly against the offense and the insult, answering ignorance with enlightenment, answering hatred with understanding, answering darkness with light; that if one person commits a violent act in the name of religion, millions will stand up and condemn it out of strength.
"In times like these, it can be easy to despair that some differences are irreconcilable, some mountains too steep to climb; we will therefore never reach the level of understanding and peacefulness that we seek, and which I believe the great religions of the world call us to pursue. But that's not what I believe, and I don't think it's what you believe either here tonight. Part of what makes our country so special is we keep trying. We keep working. We keep investing in our future. We keep supporting the next generation, believing that young people can keep us moving forward in a positive direction."
You can read the Secretary's full remarks here.
L. Evens in Canada writes:
My condolences for the loss of life – the many before and those yet to fall.
Can people anywhere afford the continued screwup? Havent people payed enough blood for others foolish mistakes?
So many people and countries involke the many names of God -but what do they know? Not much given that in thousands of years this earth has not seen a single day without bloodshed from one war of ignorance or another. That is shameful – there is really no excuse for that level of shame. Why should God care for any of you -when your incapable of caring for yourselves? Cant even feed yourselves.
Stop and think for a moment what chance does any one life, nation or group stand; when they stand against God? The maker of time, space and matter – you stand against that -your dead before you ever know it and everything you do will fall apart.
The way I see things NO NATION is standing on the right side. You ALL make war against something that non of you have a chance of defeating. Think you can trick, wheel n deal, manipulate such a force? Try and you just get screwed.
I have to be frank – certain governments around the world have made monumental mistakes that will prove very costly. Chance after chance – totally blown it. Virtually every nation is in a lousy predicament -but they all think God is on their side -Laugh.
If God was on the side of the British – their empire would still stand. If God was on the side of Israel or any other mid east state -they wouldn't know so much pain, suffering and fear.
If God was on the side of America – America wouldn't be so divided and broken.
If any person believes God stands under a flag or within man-made borders -you dont understand the nature of God. Likewise if you think evil only finds harbor in a single nation or group of people -your a fool. If you think he can only be found in a church or a synagogue or mosque – Ive got news for you – he was her before any of you or your now false houses of worship -he was and has always been-something to remember. You don't get to define him and if you dont know him -you haven't been looking in the right places.
So much missed opportunity by some governments and there endless harassment and ignorance that they cause there own problems -and problems for many others. The current leadership in many countries are not fit to herd goats never mind people.
Self ordained holy people from east to west – have done nothing but fracture their faiths and contribute to death, destruction, ignorance – for a very long time – what do any of them know -many of them dont even know when to close mouth or when to open it.
No matter what country in the world -if they move against God -you will get screwed -you will make decisions that will close doors to the solutions for future problems before the problems happen. Everything that you love will fall apart -until you have nothing left.
The way I see it – you have one last shot to move right – but its along shot.
I would be happy to assist the various people of faith but certain small individuals and governments would need to get clear out the way -you know who you are. (laugh) and certain others will need to get off their ass and stop playing hide and seek -oh how very powerful -the power to hide and creep. Get a spine.
Look me up Secretary Clinton – but I would guess you know who I am. Unfortunately the solution to some very serious problems would depend on an unusual group of people -putting aside none sense and walking instep -since the only common denominator linking these people is the use of the various names of God – beyond that they would slit each others throats – its a good starting point but a long shot. Unfortunately, do to foolishness, interference, pettiness, corruption, arrogance - I am unable to assist in ways that I could have -some of us out there can really move mountains = if the small and foolish get out of the way. Frankly, I think it too late anyway. I personally care little for money, politics or flags (oddly these three things are causing the problems) – saving lives American or otherwise - makes no difference to me, they all matter - its where it counts – trouble is - sometimes it costs more than can be paid and some folks are hell bent on dieing it seems.
Since so many invoke the names of God -better start asking yourself what is his plan - because if its not what he wants – what you want wont matter -not one bit. No army, nation or security apparatus can stand against this force -non. You trick, fool and scam your way out of a future -you get exactly what you fear getting. The faiths of Abraham believe in a messiah -anything that threatens him -the faiths themselves, even -will be destroyed.
Susan C. in Florida writes:
Not to learn from history is foolish. The last Republican president who was wise and intelligent was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He warned us as a nation not to give ourselves over to the military complex, or let our elected representatives be "owned" by special interest groups. It is interesting to note that during the Cuban missile crisis President Kennedy turned to Eisenhower for advise. President Eisenhower told him to stand his ground and not be bullied into war, nuclear war by the way, by the military or others who profited from arms, etc. I am very grateful that Kennedy listened to this advise. I was a child growing up twenty miles from New York City. My question to those who think diplomacy is "weak" or a waste of time, are you willing to send YOUR children or yourself into the line of fire? Or more correctly, are you willing to go where the nuclear bomb will be dropped? Talk is cheap. You go to one of these very dangerous places and "put your money where your mouth is", so to speak. We are living in a complex and dangerous world. The solutions are difficult and long term in coming. "Don't judge until you have walked at least a mile in that person's shoes."
Foreign Service Retirees Association of San Antonio in Texas writes:
We mourn the loss of our four diplomats in Libya, and extend our deepest condolences to their families.
Lance K. in China writes:
To Secretary Clinton.
Please use the life story of Amabassador Stevens to help people in the region better understand the tragic loss brought about by this act of terrorism. Tell his life story, in Arabic and other regional languages. Make him a martyr for peace and global cooperation. His life speaks volumes. We must do better in fighting against the stereotypes that promote hatred. Make a beautiful, moving video about this man's life and what he was working for when he was killed. What a terrible loss. Let's use the media better than we have.
Bjorn Juul H. in Denmark writes:
Dear Hillary... from Denmark we just have to say... keep the good spirit alive !
Donald M. in Virginia writes:
I think we all remember the Gilligan's Island tv sitcom years ago. One of the segments included how a space capsule landed on the island. Gilligan and crew were dressed like bird people. NASA had cameras all over the capsule recording the bird people. They were walking around flapping their wings at the cameras. The experts at NASA thought they were alian space bird people. Compare this to the message being sent to the Middle East regarding the Muslim issues. A disconnect with the method of communications. Consider a compromise in the vehicle used to communicate with the Muslims that everyone can understand. We continue to send the message but the receiver does not understand what it means because its not in the format they can receive the message.


text:
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Ms. Pacman, that's great Norma, you mentioned enjoying the crust, but how did you like the toppings? I would think that, compared to the caliber of pizzas you're using to making, that cheese would almost be inedible.Also, for anyone that frequents MM... is it typical for pie makers to open the dough so awkwardly? I'm not expecting Tony Gemignani skills, but if it's your job and you're doing it all the time, you really should have a little more panache than that. Unless they were nervous in front of the camera.Edit: That pretzel looks gooooood.
Norma.Thanks for posting. I as well just visited the MM here at their new location here in Hilton Head Island SC while on vacation (back to jersey tomorrow ) Same mall new buidlding and much nicer /bigger space. I had never been to a MM but got the thumbs up from locals i spoke to. Also just opened a Gusepies?chain? coals fired pizza (will have to wait til next visit) I also grabbed a few pics as well I checked kitchen carefully as allways, there was a different 5 lbs bag of cheese not grande, but noticed it was low moisture Low fat Mozz. going on, red and green label ending on mo? could not make it out all else looks similar. Topping, I had Pepperoni ans sausage , and a side of meatballs all were very good. I was happy with the taste of crust and will post pics when I get home. Over all as mentioned a cut above the rest of the chains Heavy on the cornmeal !bowls full everywhere used for added crunch and release. but pie was edible for sure.John
Place was brand new as well very clean, fun shroom, decorations , and comfortable space , they know what the people want for sure the salads and dressings were good as well. place was packed! will put up pics asap. John
Scott,I loved the toppings on the MMs pizza. Did you see the picture of the Grande cheese. Grande cheese was the cheese used at the Washington, DCs MMs.This new MMs just opened this past Monday, so the pie makers are only getting started learning to toss dough. Thanks for saying the pretzels looked good. They were and they are made out of he same dough as the pizza. I just reheated one pretzel when I got home and it was still nice and moist.Did you see on the peel handle that it said, "Nom Nom Nom"? I really like how that peel was decorated.Norma
The shop is new. That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying that.I am a big fan of Grande, but barely melted mozz is a huge pet peeve of mine. It always seems to me that the cheese on your pizzas is always well melted, but if you enjoyed the toppings at MM, I'll take your word for it.
Norma,That is a nice pictorial. Thank you for doing it. I am also glad that you and your daughter had a good time and enjoyed the pizzas and other items you had at the DC MM location and the items you brought back home.I have several comments and questions that get more to what we have been doing in this thread:1. Were you able to learn whether the DC MM location uses fresh or frozen dough balls and, if so, were you able to learn anything about their dough management protocol (e.g., fermentation time, temper time, defrost time if frozen dough balls are used, and whether frozen dough balls, if used, are ever defrosted and re-frozen for later use, etc.)?2. Since you did not show any photos of a dough ball in your possession, I take that to mean that the DC MM location does not sell dough balls. Is that correct?3. Were you able to gauge the color of the MM dough balls compared with the MM clone dough balls you have been making? Or even compared with a brown coffee filter?4. It looks like the pizzas you had at the DC MM location were 10 pizzas and that the pizza you took back to PA was bigger than 10. Is that correct?5. Apart from the visual characteristics of the MM crust as shown in your pictorial, can you describe the other aspects of the MM crust, including taste, flavor, sweetness, color, chewiness/crispiness, texture, degree of doughiness (if any), stiffness/droopiness, and also in relation to the MM clone doughs and pizzas you have been making?6. In observing the handling of the dough balls by the MM workers, I concluded that the hydration of those dough balls is in line with what we have been using. In fact, the handling aspects of the dough balls, including the formation of the skins, were essentially the same as I have been experiencing with my MM clone dough balls, even when using the KABF and added vital wheat gluten (VWG). Did you get the same impression? I did not see any real slapping of the skins from hand to hand to open up the dough balls. This is harder to do with a small skin for a 10 pizza, but this leads me to believe that in the videos we have seen the dough balls were perhaps tempered for a fairly long time before opening. Or else, a much higher hydration value was used, which would appear to be inconsistent with the "stiffness" of the dough balls shown in your pictorial and the videos we have seen. 7. You mentioned a bake time of 10-14 minutes. I note the use of the Montague deck ovens but do you know the bake temperature that relates to the 10-14 minute bake time? For comparison purposes, you may recall from Reply 40 at http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,3940.msg151292.html#msg151292 that I was told that a typical bake time was up to 10 minutes (depending on what was in the oven at the time) at a bake temperature of around 550 degrees F, using a Blodgett deck oven. Also, in the video at , Justin mentions a bake temperature of 475 degrees F and a bake time of 20 minutes. I believe that with some tests I can match those conditions in my standard electric home oven but I would either have to use a higher oven rack position, a lower bake temperature than I have been using, or some combination of both, or possibly a combination of two pizza stones with the proper oven rack positioning and bake time and temperature. Unfortunately, we have been trying to divine the MM dough formulation and a proper bake protocol simultaneously. In your case at market, your options are more limited, given that your oven temperature is dedicated to the NY style pizzas that you have been making there. 8. I see that you confirmed the use of the Grande mozzarella cheese. I would say that they are perhaps using the Grande low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese as described at http://www.grandecheese.com/products/Pages/Product_Spec.aspx?ProductMasterID=18. If that is correct, it would make sense if one is interested in keeping things simple. Also, if there is no planetary mixer in the store, there would not be the option of using an attachment with the mixer to do in-store shredding of cheeses.9. Was there anything particularly noteworthy about the sauce? I read that the sauce is made from fresh-pack tomatoes. Were you able to tell if that is the case?10. Were you able to learn anything else that is glaring or that we have been missing in our efforts to reverse engineer and clone the MM dough/pizza?To the above, I would add that yesterday I made a pizza using a dough with 7.5% Grandmas Original molasses, 7% raw cane sugar, and 2.5% Kretschmers ground/toasted wheat germ (plus KABF and VWG). Finally, I was able to get very noticeable sweetness. In fact, if anything, the crust was too sweet. Also, the sweetness seemed less complex than the crusts I have made with more molasses but less raw cane sugar. I am now inclined to raise the amount of molasses and lower the amount of raw cane sugar even if that means a darker dough and finished crust. I may even leave out the wheat germ since 2.5% did not seem to make a material difference. Peter


text:
Event a success
To the Journal editor:
The Marquette Area Public Schools Education Foundation held its first annual Holiday Homecoming for the alums from Marquette Public Schools, Bishop Baraga and John D. Pierce on Dec. 26 at the Landmark Inn.
We want to thank the Landmark Inn, the Marquette County Convention and Visitors Bureau and those who participated for helping to make this event successful.
We want to report to the community that we were very pleased with this first time event. The attendees were very positive about the evening and recommend that we continue this gathering again this year.
The preliminary recommendation of the foundation board is to sponsor this event again next year. We believe this event can become an annual tradition for the community during the holiday season.
Details of time and place will be provided later in the year. If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact us at www.mapsnet.org.
Mark your calendar for Dec. 26, 2013.
Tom Baldini, president
Marquette Area Public
School Education Foundation


text:
Model, muse, fashion and war photographer… Lee Miller is a woman who truly defied categorization, having spent her life evolving constantly, and always remarkably. So we're thrilled that historian Becky Conekin chose Miller's role in fashion as the subject for her latest book—and even took a minute to tell us more about it! "Lee Miller in Fashion" recounts the story of a girl who overcame trauma to become undeniably successful, strong and seductive—Man Ray was just one of many admirers who immortalized her in numerous works. But she immortalized herself as well, primarily through fashion self-portraits that illustrate how her talent defied boundaries.
In a world where models become designers and actresses, Miller's relevance as a woman who moved from model to fashion photographer to war correspondent is apparent, yet she isn't a household name. Conekin's interest in the artist was piqued as she taught at the London College of Fashion and realized "women academically a generation ahead of me… who taught at art colleges used her as an example of a kind of strong artist, assertive beautiful woman who takes her career into her own hands. They were obviously very impressed by her…and that moment seemed to have passed …I just said well, there's more to be known about her."
Filled with striking images of Miller and her own work, "Lee Miller in Fashion" takes us through the journey of a woman whose influence may often be overlooked, but can never be forgotten. "She was a glittering young thing on somebody's arm as well as being feisty and opinionated, an autodidact and funny," Conekin told us. Many designers have based collections on her (like Frida Gianna's very first for Gucci) but we wanted to know what all women could learn from such a remarkable life. Conekin's take away? "No matter what life throws at you, you can probably survive it and keep creating yourself and you'll end up at the end of your life some kind of spectacular renaissance woman even though you feel that's not true when you're doing it."
That's some advice we can get behind.


text:
Select Furniture by Furniture of America*
Select Area Rugs by Safavieh*
Select Home Decor by Christopher Knight*
Select Bedding & Bath by Laura Ashley*
Home Improvement*
Women's Clothing & Shoes*
Men's Clothing & Shoes*
Select Furniture by Bestar*
Area Rugs*
Living Room Furniture*
Home Decor*
Clothing & Shoes*
What a beautiful arrangement of stones and colors. This necklace would look so nice with a spring or summer outfit. Nicely priced also.
Silverplated 'Tribal Rainbow' Turquoise and Jade Necklace
Shop Overstock™ and find the best online deals on everything for your home and your family. We work every day to bring you discounts on new products across our entire store. Whether you're looking for memorable gifts or everyday essentials, you can buy them here for less. Not just anyone's mobile outlet, your mobile outlet.


text:
New Markdowns
view full screen
Dolman Sleeve Tunic Fundamental Colorblock
Style: 1570093482
Out of Stock
Perfection is as simple as this long luxuriously soft tunic to wear over leggings. The perfect coverup for a swimsuit as well.
- Live. Lounge. Wear. Our collection of relaxed separates you'll love spending the day in.
- Cool, lightweight jersey knit has a lush softness that drapes beautifully.
- Contoured stretch fit.
- Short dolman sleeve.
- Approximately 32.5" from shoulder.
- 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex. Machine wash. Imported.
Read more… Read less…


text:
Skip to Content
If you are seeking a world-class educational experience within a vibrant, Christ-centered learning community, Cedarville is the place for you. Step up to the challenge of our arts, sciences, professional and graduate programs, and achieve more than you ever imagined. Be challenged and transformed by professors who are experts in their fields and invest their lives at Cedarville to mentor and guide students like you.
For non-science majors, an introduction to atomic structure, ionic and covalent bonding, stoichiometry, kinetic theory, solutions and equilibria, nuclear chemistry, nomenclature, structure, and reactions of organic compounds. Four lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week.


text:
Jaime Hernandez:
The 1968-D Washington Quarter has the lowest mintage for any circulation strike Quarter struck from 1965 to Date. Although it has the lowest mintage it is still fairly common and examples can still be found in circulation. Uncirculated examples can also be purchased inexpensively up to MS65 grades. In MS66 grades examples are usually pulled from rolls or sold as singles. in MS67 condition they are scarce with about 200 to 300 examples known. In MS68 condition they are almost unheard of with less than a dozen examples available and none being graded finer.


text:
Beloit fire displaces two families
Additional fire crews requested to help battle blaze
BELOIT, Wis. - A fire destroyed a multi-unit building and displaced two families Sunday.
The Beloit Fire Department said it received a report at 9:49 a.m. of a structure fire at 1111 Harvey St.
Heavy smoke and fire were visible from the two-story building when firefighters arrived. Occupants on the building's second-floor unit were able to escape before firefighters arrived.
Fire officials said one person suffered burns to her lower legs.
Units from South Beloit, the town of Beloit, Rockton, Harlem Roscoe and the town of Turtle were called to assist.
The Beloit Fire Department said the fire had gained much headway prior to the firefighters' arrival, and the fire command officer upgraded the alarm level to a second alarm to call for three additional engine companies from Janesville, Cherry Valley and Clinton.
The Beloit Fire Department said the value of the property is $50,000, and the fire caused an estimated $50,000 in structural damage and $10,000 in damage to contents.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The American Red Cross said it deployed two trained workers to assist two families displaced by the multi-unit fire.
The Red Cross said the fire destroyed the upper unit and caused major damage in the lower unit. At the time of the fire, residents of the lower apartment were out of town, according to the Red Cross.
The Red Cross said an adult and two children lived in the upper unit. They were assisted with food, clothing, seasonal garments and lodging, according to the Red Cross.
The Red Cross said that when the two adults and child in the lower unit returned, they were assisted with food, clothing and lodging to cover their emergency needs.
Local And Regional News
- Police: Woman stabbed with scissors in neck by her boyfriend
- Fremont woman accused in boyfriend's fatal stabbing is acquitted
- East Towne Mall employee attacked, robbed
- Woman arrested, suspected of abducting her kids
- ACLU: Youth prison lawsuit prompted by silence from investigators
- UW-Madison chosen to test autonomous vehicles