text:
The timeless original text; required listening for anyone interested in strategy. This is a work of subtlety and paradox that shows the way to a clean and aesthetic triumph. Sun Tzu insisted that a skilled warrior observes, calculates, outwits, and outmaneuvers an adversary, and in doing so averts the destruction of battle.
Public Domain (P)2012 Trout Lake Media
"ok for price, would do without the pipes"
while I love the accent of the narrator I can't help but to be baffled buy the 10 chapters of Music at the end
"Stop the Music"
it was a really great book until it broke into music for the last 7 chapters.
"Musical Interlude"
The music that they used to pad out the run time was good, but unexpected. The actual book ended at around chapter 13 or 14.
"Get the shorter version of the Art of War"
I thought 2 hours would be a more comprehensive look at the art of war, but no it's not that. The other half is an hour/longer zen soundtrack with most of the tracks sounding alike eventually.
"Going to just replay it"
The content and reading are amazing. Then the music at the end made me enter into deeper thought about the whole book. What a perfect pair!
"Half the book is music?"
An excellent reading of an excellent book, but half of the "book" was music. Confusing.
"It was good until the last 10 chapters"
I was enjoying it till they filled the last 10 chapters with just music and no story.
"Difficult to follow"
Too much detail and the narrator didn't pause between topics and chapters. Also, the entire second half was just music for some reason.
"40 min of chines flut music"
i got diapointed that the 2h book i bought was 40 min of flut music in the end. it was just 60 cents but still if i pay a 2h book i expekt the book to be 2h. but still it was a intresting book just be awere that the book is just 1h 20 min
Say something about yourself!
"No. NO.. NOOO!"
Mary poppins reading and half book is chinese music.
hated this version.
returning and checking into another version.
"Classic strategy book"
This book is ok, but why are there 12 chapters of pan piped at the end of the book?
"What were they thinking?"
In as much as it's an easy way of getting through it, yes. Although it's a very short book, I was getting bogged down in the details in the translation that I read; now that I've been through the whole text once, I will find it very easy to study properly.
Er, Sun Tzu isn't known for being a prolific author. He *literally* wrote the book on war; he didn't need to do a follow up to establish himself.
I wouldn't be put off, but I wouldn't seek her out either.
Surprisingly yes. It's a very short book.
This was a difficult book to grade. It's an undisputed classic - and no way would I give three stars to such a historically important work. It would be like giving a C+ to Newton's laws of motion or Darwin's Origin of Species.However, I am critical of the way it is presented. I chose this edition because it is much longer than most of the other versions of Sun Tzu, and so I thought there might be some commentary. Instead, roughly half the "book" is taken up with Chinese music. Now it may well be the case that the music has a direct relevance to Sun Tzu and his times, but as there is no spoken explanation for its presence, and frankly it isn't very appealing to the ear of a Westerner who just wants to learn a bit of history, it has no obvious reason for being there.So three stars for "story" as that only takes up half of the time I paid for, and a star knocked off the overall because I didn't get the commentary I hoped for.I might buy another edition and compare it with this.
"this isn't an audio book it's a pamphlet"
the wind pipes, this story is about an hour long, the rest is pipe music.
its no reflection on Sun Tzu,
"About as useful as a fortune cookie"
People who enjoy abstractions, pretend war play and have some time to kill. This is as serious answer as I can bring myself to provide, flower power images come to mind.
Narrator was OK
There are no characters in this book (is this a metaphysical question?)
Don't buy this book - it requires serious help for comprehension. Rather purchase a commented version or one that ventures interpretations such as The Art of War for Women.
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I think its pretty usual for people who feel unconfident and out of place to volunteer to run a group or an event, and that's not a criticism at all-its a good tactic IMO for integrating, and I know I've done it in situations where it would otherwise be much harder for me to be part of a group and get to know people. I guess, we're all human, is all I'm saying.
This is a good point. I volunteer a lot because it seems like that is the way to get into groups, and also because I feel like I should "do my duty" and put in some hours with the group to be nice. That's probably not the best reason to volunteer, but I try to find it enjoyable.
I always felt like I had a hard time making friends too. I would try groups or go to events hoping desperately to make a friend, and it never worked out. What changed everything for me was when I decided that when I went to a social event I would just be present at the event rather than trying to make a lifelong bond. Those happen so infrequently and it's discouraging to be constantly hoping or looking for it. Now I feel totally comfortable in any social setting and I think I project more confidence than before. I chat with people and ask questions and try to learn something about them, but if I never see them again I'm still grateful for the experience. Lo and behold, I've made more friends with this attitude than with the old one! I have friends in my neighborhood, friends at DD's school, friends from work and one friend from an old baby group that I reconnected with at a birthday party.
Another thing I've learned is that I'm naturally drawn to other introverts as friends, and they are harder to make friends with! You have to be persistent even if the other person seems uninterested at first. Of course, you have to use your judgment and not annoy if the person is truly uninterested, but a lot of times the other person is just thinking that you're not interested! One friend from DD's school is very reserved, but I started by texting her a couple times a week with random things in between setting up playdates for our girls, and now we're friends.
-Ecstatic mommy to amazing DD, 2/07 :
I see what you are saying. I definitely should find a balance between trying too hard and giving up altogether. But it's kind of weird how women seem much more friendly when I blow them off. It happened at the mall a few days ago and now we are texting each other. It's just a matter of getting out there and feeling ok as I am (basically friendless).
It's totally weird - I agree.
-Ecstatic mommy to amazing DD, 2/07 :
I understand all these issues. I have a 1 month old, and am debating what to use my limited energy on. Meetup groups? The classes that you pay for, in the backroom at those overpriced baby boutique stores? Going to churches, even if I am not necessarily "ultra" religious, just "kinda"? Or just trying to "pick up" moms at the park or a coffee shop? That is what I call it to my husband, trying to pick up friends.
Sometimes I feel like the people I see out and about, look like people I'd have nothing in common with, and I wouldn't even know where to begin a conversation. I am somewhat young, and most of the moms around here seem much older and more established in life. I am not sure if I should work really hard to find commonalities, or hold out and save the energy when I meet someone that seems to have things in common with me (uh, anything in common!). But then part of the problem, is....do I even know who I am? What am I even looking for in a friend? I guess someone young. And the fact that I stay home is uncommon in Los Angeles, so that makes me an odd ball. I feel like most women here have REAL problems, like trying to balance work and family, and my problem is sitting at home and being bored. :( No one can relate to that. I feel blessed, but it also makes me the weird one.
When I went to the baby prep classes at a local hospital, some of those people seemed like people I would have things in common with (not too rich, not too this or that, down to earth).....but in a classroom setting, it is tough to make friendships, I thought. People tend to just disperse when class is over.
I think I am going to need to put more effort into this. Hubby and I both feel isolated. I think he would like some "daddy" friends too. Not just all these single guys he currently knows!
mnj....I like your advice above.
I guess the hard part is, deciding how to ask someone to actually hang out again. That is the thing I struggle with. Will I sound creepy? But again, it's all about just being grateful for the exeperience of meeting someone even briefly.
Well I will chime in...I have a crappy support system. Divorced for less than a year, no parents, an extended family that cares superficially and now I have had relatives stealing money from my own purse this past weekend. I was really ready to throw in the towel and give up on everyone! I have one person I would call a good friend I see every couple months, super christian. Fine, but I am not, and that has been hard for me to deal with. When I try to be friends with xdh he takes it as I want to get back together so that usually blows up in my face. So a year ago I started going to meetups, not very often and the first ones I went to were social groups as i was going through a divorce. Then the divorce happened and I dated someone for a couple months and it ended badly and i realized i really needed to work on getting some good friends. That was in January...July and still I cannot say that I have made and real friendships from meetups. I started going to more mom/parent meetups and go less to the social meetups for grownups. And it is HARD to make friends chasing 1 or 2 kids around at an event! A couple months ago one of the leaders of the single parents group asked to help and be an assistant organizer. I had my first 'meetup' that I led and it was ok, but could have been much better...At the zoo and people kept showing up later and later, that was the worse part. And I was taking care of two kids...I did get to talk to a few of the moms I thought I may click with but you know part of me doesn't want to seem to eager or desperate to make friends kwim? LOL. There was another event the next weekend and I saw a lot of the same parents again and talked to them and their kids.THere were some new people that showed up and yes I talked less to them, a couple that trickled in later i never even introduced myself to (this was at a drive in movie theatre) I have a 2 year old and a 7 year old, so far I have been the parent with a toddler at these meetups and well, she takes a lot of my attention....I am not trying to be cliquish at all, just that the new people seemed to show up later or have much older kids and gravitated to the opposite side of the group (our group was pretty large) and I just talked to people that were sitting next to me. I would say I am on the shy side but my main issue at these types of things is the fact that i am taking care of my kids.
I go to a spiritual meetup group on occasion and so far that has been the best for potential friends. One lady we ended up hanging out after the event and another one I invited out for my friends birthday party and that was great.
For me it is so hard to find friends because I am single, now a student parent and i am now working. I live off of cs/and alimony and still sahm with my kiddos. It's like I am this rare type of parent really there are not many out there that are doing this, most single moms are working 3 jobs and have no time to socialize. I have time to socialize but not often without my kids.
Another thing I had set out to do is make friends in my new neighborhood, so far nada. I talk some to the next door neighbor but mostly to the husband and 10 year old dd, I try not to talk too much to a married man because i feel it is not appropriate, but all my other neighbors I have no clue about. I take the kids on walks pretty much hoping to catch a neighbor to chat and have yet been able to, lately though i have made a point to say hi to anyone i see.
I live in Tampa, which isn't but a hop skip and a jump from Pinellas Co. I'd love to hangout and chat sometime. :) You can PM me on here. How old are your kids? Mine are home for the summer - ages 4 and 8 so maybe our kids can have a play date too?
I'm having a "girls night out" at my house on July 16th too where there will be other mama's for you to hang out with too.
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There are lots of articles and essays of interest to modern Pagans out there, sometimes more than I can write about in-depth in any given week. So The Wild Hunt must unleash the hounds in order to round them all up.A new documentary produced in Germany, "The United States of Hoodoo," looks like a must-see for anyone interested in Afro-diasporic religion and traditions. Quote: "[Darius James] immerses himself in the fabric of urban creativity where he encounters artists, musicians, writers, spiritual leaders and scholars. He finds out that the African gods have taken on new forms since their arrival on North America's shores. Their spirit now manifests itself in turn-table wizardry, imp … [Read more...]
Unleash the Hounds! (Link Roundup)
What's the Best Way to Protect Our Pagan Past?
Whether revived, re-imagined, reconstructed, or revealed, modern Pagan religions all look to our collective pre-Christian past for inspiration, connection, understanding, and a sense of continuity. Because of this phenomenon, many Pagans follow the world of archaeology very closely, both for new information, and to monitor the preservation of objects and artifacts that reach back to a time when pagan religions were the dominant expression of faith. When the Egyptian revolution started, many Pagans, particularly Kemetics and Greco-Egyptian polytheists, expressed great concern at reports of looting and vandalism of the nations many antiquities. However, there are ongoing debates within modern P … [Read more...]


text:
Supreme Court's Thomas goes 5 years without questions
WASHINGTON Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas hit a milestone Tuesday by not asking a single question during the morning's oral arguments. It has been five years since Thomas uttered a question to a lawyer arguing a case.
Thomas, named to the bench in 1991 by the first President Bush, was generally a silent justice from the start, although he did ask questions on occasion. His last public query came Feb. 22, 2006, in a death penalty case from South Carolina testing when certain forensic evidence should be admitted at trial.
TUESDAY: Court rules against parents in drug vaccine case
SUPREME COURT: USA TODAY's full coverage
CASE LOG: Follow the court's major cases this term
Thomas, 62, has given many explanations through the years for his unwillingness to speak up during the hour-long sessions that supplement the written briefs submitted in a case.
"I had grown up speaking a kind of dialect," Thomas, who was born in Pin Point, Ga., and raised by his grandparents in nearby Savannah, told a group of students in 2000. Classmates "used to make fun of us. ... I just started developing the habit of listening. ... I didn't ask questions in college or law school. I could learn better just listening."
More recently, Thomas said he thought lawyers should be able to do more of the talking during the hour-long sessions, to better explain their legal positions.
"I think there are far too many questions," he said in a 2009 interview with C-SPAN. "Some members of the court like that interaction. ... I prefer to listen and think it through more quietly."
Referring implicitly to how active his eight colleagues are in their questioning, Thomas said, "I think you should allow people to complete their answers and their thought and to continue their conversation. I find that coherence that you get from a conversation far more helpful than the rapid-fire questions. I don't see how you can learn a whole lot when there are 50 questions in an hour."
Racial cases
In earlier years, Thomas, the nation's second African-American justice, often would speak up in cases with a racial dimension. During a December 2002 dispute over whether states could outlaw cross burning, he recalled the Ku Klux Klan's campaign of violence and lynching in the South.
"This was a reign of terror, and the cross was a symbol of that reign of terror," he said. "It is unlike any symbol in our society."
The following April 2003, when the justices ruled 6-3 that states may prosecute people for burning crosses as long as it was shown the burning was intended to intimidate someone, Thomas agreed with the bottom line judgment but wrote a separate opinion saying cross burning should not be protected as free speech under any circumstances.
In a separate 1995 case over a KKK cross, he challenged the notion that it could be a religious symbol that touched on the constitutional requirement for separation of church and state.
Also in 1995, he asked questions in a dispute over when legislatures could look at the race of residents in drawing voting districts. Thomas has long opposed voting districts drawn along racial lines to enhance the political power of blacks and other minorities traditionally kept from the polls.
Financial disclosures
Thomas' silence has drawn curiosity and criticism over the years. (The New York Times recently printed an editorial saying it hoped he would break his record and re-enter the give-and-take.) This five-year anniversary comes at a point when some activists have raised concerns about Thomas' off-the-bench behavior.
In response to a complaint from the liberal advocacy group Common Cause, for example, Thomas in January amended years of financial disclosure filings to include the employment of his wife, Virginia. Thomas had failed to report income by his wife, a conservative activist who has backed Tea Party issues and candidates.
Thomas said the information about his wife's salary sources was "inadvertently omitted." He corrected it back two decades.
Virginia Thomas helped found the conservative group Liberty Central in fall 2009 and until December oversaw its operations. Liberty Central, which advocates limited government, supported some Tea Party candidates in the 2010 election cycle. Virginia Thomas earlier had worked for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank.
Virginia Thomas has made headlines recently for her own activities. In October, she left a telephone message seeking an apology from Brandeis University professor Anita Hill, who had accused Thomas of sexual harassment during his Senate confirmation hearings for the Supreme Court.
As he has continued his silence during arguments, Justice Thomas has declined requests for comment about his off-bench activities or those of his wife.
Posted | Updated


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LONDON (Nov. 19)
A drawing by Marc Chagall is being exhibited in the Soviet Union for the first time since the artist left Russia in 1922, according to information reaching here from Moscow. The small red watercolor sketch titled "Peace to the Huts, War to the Mansions," dated 1918-1919, has been on display in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery for about a week as part of a special showing of revolutionary and civil war posters in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution. Chagall's paintings have been barred from Russian galleries since the Stalin period.


text:
Nomi was out fishing, but the fish weren't biting. She got tired and decided to take a break. She started taking off her clothes and before you know it she was playing with her blonde hairy pussy!
Small Breasts, Upskirt, Masturbation, Hairy Ass, Blondes, Slim, Striptease, Pale
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The Presidency
In pigment and chromosome, the 1980 Democratic Convention was nearly perfect. Television directors were ecstatic as they ordered their crews to zoom in on the U.S. profile spread across Madison Square Garden, from pink cheeks with a hint of baby fat to wrinkles and wattles, from deepest ebony to lily white, female and male.
The Democratic National Committee proudly documented the diversity of the spectacle. Their figures showed that 15% of the 3,381 delegates were black, 49% were women and 11% were under 30. That was probably as finely polished a...
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"The British have officially declared they are an occupying force," said one man whose nephew was killed along with six British soldiers in the town of Majar al-Kabir in southern Iraq on Tuesday.
"As the official occupying force, don't they have duties and we have rights?" he said.
"Aren't they supposed to provide us with security, services, water, electricity?
"What have the British given us?"
Britain's presence in southern Iraq is suddenly looking a lot more shaky.
The commanding officer in the area, Major-General Peter Wall, said the violence appeared to have stemmed from a misunderstanding, but also promised that those who killed his troops would be brought to justice.
The confrontation has raised questions about the number of British troops on the ground and the rules of engagement.
But whether military intervention fails or succeeds depends on more fundamental factors.
Sierra Leone success
"The intervention in Sierra Leone has worked," says Josephine Hazely of the BBC World Service's Africa section.
"The Sierra Leoneans, for some reason, warmed to the British and think the British saved them from the rebels.
"I don't know if it was euphoria, but some people were even saying 'we should be re-colonised'."
The rebels who moved into parts of Freetown in 1999 killed many civilians.
They raped women and girls and cut off the hands and feet of children.
Britain decided to send in a military force in May 2000 and, along with UN peacekeepers have managed to bring security to the country and put rebel leaders in jail.
"It worked because they went there in numbers," Ms Hazely says.
"There was a peace agreement, there was already a legitimately elected government which didn't have to be cobbled together, there was acceptance from the people and the political elite and there was also a clear mandate."
Afghanistan woes
President George Bush's proud boast that America had liberated the Afghan people from tyranny and saved them from starvation is starting to look rather hollow 18 months on.
The food supply is better this year - but only because the worst drought in living memory is over.
Very few Afghans would like to see the return of the Taleban. But many are concerned about worsening security and the failure of the US and UN to restore justice or democracy in Afghanistan.
Insecurity may mean the postponement of next year's elections, the UN warns.
Aid agencies are also worried.
Eighty have warned about their ability to work in many parts of the country, after a sharp rise in attacks over the last two months.
Catherine Hunt from Care International agencies says there have already been temporary pull-outs of staff and travel bans to some areas.
"That's why we're trying to heighten the call to the international community," she said, "so that we don't get to the point where it would be impossible for some of the aid agencies to function at all."
The agencies would like international peacekeepers to venture beyond Kabul, where they have been confined since they arrived in Afghanistan in January 2002.
Such calls have been made repeatedly by the UN, aid agencies, the Afghan president and Afghan civilians, but have always fallen on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, it looks like being another bumper opium harvest this year and attacks by the Taleban are also on the rise.
Security failure
The current government is also falling down on the issue of free speech, the UN says.
The head of the UN in Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, who was one of the main architects of the post-Taleban settlement, has said the international community failed Afghans.
"The rule of law is not there. The Afghan is not secure in his house, he is not secure in his farm.
"I think both the Afghan government and the international community have failed the ordinary Afghan."
Many observers would say Mr Brahimi and the United States should take a large measure of responsibility for the current situation.
Complex process
The US first armed warlords from the Northern Alliance to fight the Taleban, and then allowed them to keep any territory which they seized in the 2001 campaign.
The UN and US both welcomed factional leaders into the Afghan government and have failed to disarm or demobilise fighters even in Kabul.
"The current problems in Afghanistan were very predictable," says Jolyon Leslie, who worked for many years for the UN in Afghanistan and then Iraq. He recently finished a comparative study on peacekeeping for King's College, London.
"You don't carve up a country into a dozen plus factions and then assume it's going to be a seamless process to do disarmament and reintegration of fighters..
"It's a complex process."
Mr Leslie thinks the failures in Afghanistan are part of a wider pattern.
"It seems consistently that over the last four or five large peacekeeping operations of the UN, there has been a failure to acknowledge that you need to fill the justice gap, the rule of law gap, you need to look at the judiciary very quickly, but even before then, you need to look at security reform."
And Afghanistan, says Mr Leslie, is a lot more complicated than Iraq.
Colonial lessons
After the violence of Tuesday, people are starting to wonder how and when British troops might leave Iraq.
UK Conservative leader Ian Duncan Smith has asked Prime Minister Tony Blair what his exit strategy is.
Dan Plesch of the Royal United Services Institute believes the whole British and American approach to military intervention is blunt and far too crisis-driven.
We carry on trading arms, buying oil or diamonds from troubled countries, he says. Then, when violence erupts, we act with the only tool in our box - military force.
"If the riot squad was the only form of policing we had in London or Manchester, they would be out every day.
"In Victorian England, we invented the police because the army couldn't cope; we need to grow up and find other ways of dealing with troubles in the world."
Mr Plesch believes Britain could set up special teams for monitoring and conflict resolution, think about funding public access TV to broadcast to trouble spots and think about forming military police or paramilitary forces, "which were used to some degree in the empire and have a policing outlook on the world."
Activist and historian Mark Curtis - author of the book Web of Deceit - believes there are other lessons to be learned from Britain's colonial history.
Past interventions, he says, were also publicly justified in lofty terms, such as freeing people from communism and tyranny.
Looking at now-released cabinet records concerning the invasion of Suez (1956), the US and British-supported overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq (1953) and the overthrow of the elected government of British Guiana (1953), Mr Curtis finds talk in private only of oil and other strategic interests.
"Britain's role," he alleges, "remains an essentially imperial one - to act as junior partner to US global power".
Whether historians look back on the military intervention in Iraq as benevolent or tyrannical may well depend on American and British actions over the coming months.


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Just as PMC® does, COPPRclay™ metal clay provides an incredible artistic range. And, because it is copper, it is also so economical that you can use it for large pieces—even sculptures—very affordably! Like its precious-metal counterparts, COPPRclay can be pinched, rolled, sculpted, cut or manipulated any way you like. Then fire it, and the binder burns away, leaving a solid, pure copper object. Create jewelry, jewelry components, or custom-crafted specialized tools. You can even practice new techniques or design ideas using COPPRclay, then apply your new skills to precious metals. And because COPPRclay is pure copper, it's great for artists who enjoy applying enamels (make sure to follow the recommended firing schedule included with your COPPRclay and listed on copprclay.com).
Package includes 100g of COPPRclay™ metal clay.
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How To Experiment with Copper Patinas
Mark Nelson shows how to put a variety of patina colors on copper using different chemicals and techniques.
Techniques For Using Copper Metal Clay
Mark Nelson uses a pendant project to illustrate basic techniques for working with COPPRclay™ metal clay.
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Rating the rankings
The U.S. News & World Report rankings of colleges and universities are largely arbitrary, according to a new mathematical analysis.
The single best school in the country is
Each of these schools could legitimately claim to be on top, according to a mathematical analysis, posted recently on ArXiv.org, of the data U.S. News & World Report uses to generate its influential and controversial rankings of American undergraduate institutions. It all depends, the researchers say, on what your priorities are.
The magazine uses seven key factors in its ratings,
including things like percentage of alumni who donate, acceptance rates for
admission, and spending per student. Lior Pachter of the
Techniques they'd developed for a completely different problem — aligning gene sequences to understand evolutionary changes — could be adapted to do just that, they realized. Biologists commonly analyze the differences between the DNA of two closely related creatures in order to understand how they evolved. To do that, researchers first have to decide how to line the two gene sequences up, identifying the segments that are identical and the places where DNA has have mutated or moved around or been deleted. But this alignment requires some guesswork: How likely, for example, it is that a gene will have mutated, and how likely is it that it simply will have been deleted? Biologists have little basis for deciding that, Pachter says, just as U.S. News has little basis for deciding how important one of its factors is for a particular person.
Huggins and Pachter had attacked this biological question using high-dimensional geometry, so they did the same for the educational data. They imagined each university as a point in seven-dimensional space, with one dimension for each factor that U.S. News considers. Although seven-dimensional space is hard to visualize, it's easy to perform calculations on: Each point is represented by a sequence of seven numbers, just as a point in two dimensions can be represented by a pair of numbers. A university's scores in the seven factors provide its particular sequence of seven numbers, and the universities thus form a cloud of points in seven-dimensional space. The researchers could then examine the "space" formed by all the universities by looking at the smallest flat-sided object (called a polytope) that contains them.
A particular set of priorities among the seven factors could also be represented in this same geometric space. Each of the seven numbers of the sequence this time would represent the relative importance of each factor. So, for example, a student who cares enormously about the research funding available at a university might consider that factor to be 70 percent of the decision and all the others to each be 5 percent. If research funding were the first factor in the list, that student's priorities could be represented by the point (70, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5). A student who cared especially about alumni satisfaction, as shown by their donation rates, might have priorities represented by the point (5, 70, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5).
Now imagine an arrow from the origin (the point whose coordinates are all zero) to the point that represents a particular student's priorities. The researchers found something neat: If you extend that line until it hits the polytope, the university whose point is closest to where the line hits will represent the school that, according to that student's priorities, is the best.
Finding the second or third best school, according to a particular set of priorities, required a bit more mathematical maneuvering but the same basic technique applied. The researchers then calculated the range of rankings a particular school could have according to all possible sets of priorities, excluding fluke rankings a school achieved only rarely.
The top schools, they found, were top pretty much regardless
of one's priorities. Harvard and
Schools that were a bit more uneven could vary wildly,
"What we found is that these rankings are kind of arbitrary," Pachter says. "If you care more about student-faculty ratios than alumni giving, you're going to get a different ranking. It's very biased to give only one view." The pair argue that the magazine should release several different rankings, based on choices of a few representative sets of priorities.
"But that doesn't sell magazines," says Kevin Rask, an
economist at
One stumbling block Huggins and Pachter had to overcome is that U.S. News is secretive about some of its data. The magazine releases the precise values for the total score for each university and for three of the criteria, but the values of four of the criteria remain secret. So the researchers had to reverse-engineer what the individual scores for the secret criteria were likely to have been for each of the universities.
The pair point out that their methods can't address another of the fundamental criticisms of the U.S. News evaluations, that the magazine chooses the wrong factors to base their evaluations on in the first place.
These techniques can be applied to any situation that requires ranking according to varying priorities, the researchers say. Similar lists are made, for example, of the best cities to live in, or the best graduate schools. Huggins and Pachter are now applying their methods to voting in elections with more than two candidates.


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Photo: Getty Images
The truth about granola
Don't you love granola for breakfast, granola bars for a snack, and those fun little granola parfaits you can get at fast food restaurants anytime? So wholesome right? Well, actually not. Despite its healthy image, some store-bought granola is so loaded with fat and calories it makes our list of 25 Fattening Foods You Should Never Eat. The solution? Make your own low-sugar, low-fat granola, breakfast bars and parfaits and pair it with fat-free fruit and Greek yogurt. Here are some of our favorite recipes!
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro
Wholesome Morning Granola
This delicious, crunchy granola is sweetened with fruit juice, honey and natural sugars (you control the sweetness) and packs a whopping 5.6 grams of fiber per serving. We toss in dried blueberries but it tastes just as good with raisins or any dried fruit. Make it in large batches to use in other recipes or give as a housewarming gift.
Try this recipe: Wholesome Morning Granola
Yogurt Breakfast Bowl
Indian spices and freeze-dried fruit make this low-fat breakfast full of surprising flavors and crunch. Greek yogurt delivers 11 grams of protein, double what you'd get from a regular granola parfait, as well as calcium and vitamin D.
Try this recipe: Yogurt Breakfast Bowl
Related video: Yogurt Breakfast Bowl
Granola with Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds and Dried Mango
Possibly the easiest granola recipe ever created, this version is perfect for beginners, with a 5-minute prep time and mix-and-match ingredients. This incredibly crispy and hearty cereal gets its fabulous flavor from chopped dried mango, pumpkin seeds, and pecans.
Try this recipe: Granola with Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds and Dried Mango
Photo: Plamen Petkov
Yogurt Crunch Parfait
Granola is the perfect excuse to sneak our favorite source of monounsaturated healthy fat, pumpkin seeds, into breakfast. Pumpkin seeds not only add texture, but essential minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, too! Antioxidant-rich cantaloupe and blueberries add juice, sweetness, and color.
Try this recipe: Yogurt Crunch Parfait
Almond Cereal Bars
Cereal bars aren't usually a dieter's best friend. These are the exception. At only 144 calories each, they pack fiber, vitamin C, and loads of sweet and tart fruit flavor. We love to make them in large batches, then individually wrap them in plastic and freeze. Yum!
Try this recipe: Almond Cereal Bars
Greek Yogurt Sundae
Stock up on Greek yogurt, your own homemade granola and fresh fruit and you can enjoy this fat-burning breakfast every morning. Yes, it looks like a sundae, so you can also enjoy it for dessert. Here's how to make it: In a bowl, layer 1 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup granola and 1 cup sliced kiwifruit. Sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg.
Photo: Leigh Beisch
Everyday Granola
Have you ever noticed how expensive store-bought granola can be? This delicious, nutty version can be made at home for pennies, and it's packed with energizing dried fruit, fiber, and unsaturated fats. Add low-fat Greek yogurt and it's a meal!
Try this recipe: Everyday Granola
Photo: Amy Kalyn Sims
Quick Baked Pears
We can't decide if these baked pears are a breakfast or diet-friendly dessert. Either way, at under 200 calories a serving and 4 grams of filling fiber, you can dig into this sweet treat every day and never feel guilty.
Try this recipe: Quick Baked Pears
Photo: Travis Rathbone
Greek Yogurt Fruit Parfait
Every layer of this skinny parfait, from the cereal to the Greek yogurt to fresh fruit, is filled with energizing nutrients and flavor. With a whopping 23 grams of protein, this amazing breakfast will keep your metabolism humming all day.
Try this recipe: Greek Yogurt Fruit Parfait
Related video: How to Make Greek Yogurt Fruit Parfait
Granola Yogurt Parfait
Parfaits are so inviting they're hard to resist, and this one happens to be super healthy too. You can use your favorite fruit-flavored Greek yogurt to make this delicious breakfast, but if you go for plain instead you'll save 70 calories. Here's how to make it: Layer 6 ounces plain fat-free Greek yogurt with 2/3 cup granola mixed with 1/2 cup puffed wheat cereal or granola, and 1 cup sliced fruit.
Photo: Yunhee Kim
Morning Sundials
This fresh, fruity recipe looks like sunshine on a plate, and can be prepped the night before. Packed with vitamin C, calcium, and a hit of fiber, this treat just might become your favorite way to enjoy citrus fruit.
Try this recipe: Morning Sundials
Jamie's Easy Granola
This easy granola recipe, created by Jamie Oliver, one of our favorite celebrity chefs, tosses together quick-cooking oats, mixed nuts, lot of high-fiber seeds and shredded coconut. Feel free to mix and match the ingredients to suit your taste. Try serving with low-fat milk or yogurt for a quick breakfast or a snack.
Try this recipe: Jamie's Easy Granola
Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Greek Yogurt Parfait
Talk about the Mediterranean diet! This luscious breakfast combines protein-packed Greek yogurt, honey, and pistachios, for a surprisingly low-calorie breakfast or dessert.
Try this recipe: Greek Yogurt Parfait
Maple Date-Nut Oatmeal Breakfast Squares
These delicious granola bars are almost foolproof to make. They are packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and a deep maple flavor. Eat one every morning to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you energized all day.
Try this recipe: Maple Date-Nut Oatmeal Breakfast Squares
Waldorf Parfaits
Parfaits are a fun way to mix up your breakfast or snack routine. This recipe has layers or tart kiwi, loaded with vitamin C, protein-packed Greek yogurt, crunchy, heart-healthy walnuts, and apple and apricot flavors. Sprinkle a little homemade granola on top for amp up the crunch and fiber.
Try this recipe: Waldorf Parfaits


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2014 Airush Retailers Meeting Photos
The 2nd Annual Airush, Starboard, Severne Sails retailers meeting in Costa Brava, Spain was amazing. Retailers throughout Europe, United States, Africa and Asia came to listen in and try out all the 2014 products from the group.
No wind days were spent hanging out on the beach.
Hanging out with the pros like Alex Pastor and Bas Koole; picking their brains about technique, products and life.
Plenty of morning tech talks about the latest product and marketing for the 2014 season. A few secret products coming soon.
Every night ended in amazing events like the Airush COMPACT RAW Competition and Severne Sails Team Video Comp.
And of course, Svein Rasmussen graced us with his insight of the future of the brands and technology.
Master List - https://t.co/qKZqkP0AYc
#throwbackthursday rush randle riding the Airush/Starboard/Jimmy Lewis directional with a foil.… http://t.co/qTGHsA80QP
Check out the http://t.co/8wAWndpMaW mini site to play the Monaro Slalom game! Choose the right gear and player to… http://t.co/cNliZTI7ZH
First in the industry. Limited edition @rezadenicker and landyachtzusa collaboration coming soon!… http://t.co/dnHUDbaXOI
Red Bull King of the Air was insane! Great job Ozzie Smith and hope you recover quickly! #airush… http://t.co/FiKG5aTFFP
@rezadenicker demo day at kitebeach, Cape Town is awesome!! All kites and boards went out just after… http://t.co/8rB1TEvUuT
Watch the interview with @alexpastorkb after being winning the 2013 World Champ title on http://t.co/Pa7BP2z2Yp http://t.co/kw5KvjKMC6
Congratulations to 2013 World Champion, Alex Pastor! Boom. Wish him luck on his Instagram… http://t.co/lIGBoK4OPH
2014 Airush Varial X Video and More! - http://t.co/Hemng9YYIo
Game of KITE between @rezadenicker riders @setteixeira and @alexpastorkb. Located in the world famous… http://t.co/DzD9BiB6wC


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Get an update on changes of the IACR web-page here. For questions, contact newsletter (at) iacr.org. You can also receive updates via:
To receive your credentials via mail again, please click here.
You can also access the full news archive.
Further sources to find out about changes are CryptoDB, ePrint RSS, ePrint Web, Event calender (iCal).
The NC-CCA security proof of the scheme relies on security against substitution attack of a new primitive, ``cross-authentication code\'\'. However, the security of cross-authentication code can not guarantee anything when all the keys used in the code are exposed. The key observation is that in the NC-CCA game, the randomness used in the generation of the challenge ciphertext is exposed to the adversary. This random information can be used to recover all the keys involved in cross-authentication code, and forge a ciphertext (like a substitution attack of cross-authentication code) that is different from but related to the challenge ciphertext. And the response of decryption oracle leaks information. This leaked information is employed by an attack to spoil the NC-CCA security proof of the sender equivocable encryption scheme encrypting multi-bits. We also propose a new scheme encrypting single-bit plaintext, free of cross-authentication code, and prove its NC-CCA security.
- We show that the BSW definition of semantic security fails to reject intuitively insecure FE schemes where a ciphertext leaks more about an encrypted message than that which can be recovered from an image under the supported functionality. Our definition (as O\'Neill\'s) does not suffer from this problem.
- We introduce an orthogonal notion of {\\em setup security} that rejects all FE schemes where the master secret key may give unwanted power to the TA, allowing the recovery of extra information from images under the supported functionality. We prove FE schemes supporting {\\em all-or-nothing} functionalities are intrinsically setup-secure and further show that many well-known functionalities {\\em are} all-or-nothing.
- We extend the equivalence result of O\'Neill between indistinguishability and semantic security to restricted {\\em adaptive} token extraction attacks (the standard notion of security for, e.g., IBEs and ABEs). We establish that this equivalence holds for the large class of all-or-nothing functionalities. Conversely, we show that the proof technique used to establish this equivalence cannot be applied to schemes supporting a one-way function.
- We show that the notable {\\em inner-product} functionality introduced by Katz, Sahai, and Waters (EUROCRYPT 2008) can be used to encode a one-way function under the small integer solution problem, and hence natural approaches to prove its (restricted) adaptive security fail. This complements the equivalence result of O\'Neill for the non-adaptive case, and leaves open the question of proving the semantic security of existing inner-product encryption schemes.
It allows an embedded secure processor known as a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to attest to the configuration of its host computer without violating the owner\'s privacy.
DAA has been standardized by the Trusted Computing Group.
The security of the DAA standard and all existing schemes is analyzed in the random oracle model.
We provide the first constructions of DAA in the standard model, that is, without relying on random oracles.
As a building block for our schemes, we construct the first efficient standard-model signatures of knowledge, which have many applications beyond DAA.
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) invites applicants to a five-year term assistant professor position in SCHOOL OF INFORMATION SCIENCE. The appointee is expected to start her/his academic and educational activities in JAIST on April 1st, 2013.
A primary objective of this position is to promote international research and development activities in Cryptology and Information Security, where candidates have to be highly competent in conducting research work.
Applicants have to hold Ph.D degree, and be qualified for high scientific activities through participating in international research initiatives. The salary is automatically decided depending on your experiences and age (Typical example of annual income is about 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 yen per year (including tax)). Security group in JAIST can research by making full use of the advanced parallel computer system.
Supervisor: Prof. Steven Galbraith
Duration: Approx 18-24 months
Salary: Approx NZ$ 55,000-70,000 (US$ 44K-56K) depending on the experience of the candidate and other factors
Start date: Preferably between November 2012-March 2013
Application process:
There is no formal application process. If you are interested in learning more about the position then please send a copy of your CV by email to s.galbraith (at) math.auckland.ac.nz , preferably before September 8, 2012.
Project Details:
The project will be on the security and implementation of lattice-based cryptosystems. The specific topic of the research will depend on the technical skills and experience of the successful candidate. Some possible projects might include:
The successful applicant will have (or be very near to completion) a PhD in mathematics/computer science/engineering and a research track record in at least one of the following areas:
About the University of Auckland:
The University of Auckland is New Zealand\'s leading university and is the highest ranked New Zealand university in the major rankings of world universities.
The Mathematics Department is the strongest mathematics department in New Zealand and is situated on the main City Campus, located in the heart of Auckland.
The city of Auckland is a wonderful place to live, with a harbour setting, great sailing, mag
Existing succinct argument constructions are, typically, based on techniques that combine cryptographic hashing and probabilistically-checkable proofs (PCPs). Yet, even when instantiating these constructions with state-of-the-art PCPs, the prover needs $\\Omega(t)$ space in order to run in quasilinear time (i.e., time $t \\poly(k)$), regardless of the space complexity $s$ of the machine $M$.
We say that a succinct argument is \\emph{complexity preserving} if the prover runs in time $t \\poly(k)$ and space $s \\poly(k)$ and the verifier runs in time $|x| \\poly(k)$ when proving and verifying that a $t$-time $s$-space random-access machine nondeterministically accepts an input $x$. Do complexity-preserving succinct arguments exist? To study this question, we investigate the alternative approach of constructing succinct arguments based on multi-prover interactive proofs (MIPs) and stronger cryptographic techniques:
(1) We construct a one-round succinct MIP of knowledge, where each prover runs in time $t \\polylog(t)$ and space $s \\polylog(t)$ and the verifier runs in time $|x| \\polylog(t)$.
(2) We show how to transform any one-round MIP protocol to a succinct four-message argument (with a single prover), while preserving the time and space efficiency of the original MIP protocol; using our MIP protocol, this transformation yields a complexity-preserving four-message succinct argument.
As a main tool for our transformation, we define and construct a \\emph{succinct multi-function commitment} that (a) allows the sender to commit to a vector of functions in time and space complexity that are essentially the same as those needed for a single evaluation of the functions, and (b) ensures that the receiver\'s running time is essentially independent of the function. The scheme is based on fully-homomorphic encryption (and no additional assumptions are needed for our succinct argument).
(3) In addition, we revisit the problem of \\emph{non-interactive} succinct arguments of knowledge (SNARKs), where known impossibilities prevent solutions based on black-box reductions to standard assumptions. We formulate a natural (but non-standard) variant of homomorphic encryption having a \\emph{homomorphism-extraction property}. We show that this primitive essentially allows to squash our interactive protocol, while again preserving time and space efficiency, thereby obtaining a complexity-preserving SNARK. We further show that this variant is, in fact, implied by the existence of (complexity-preserving) SNARKs.


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The same year I became Catholic, 1996, I took a trip to visit a friend in Philadelphia. We spent a week visiting the sites in Washington, D.C. One of the places I most wanted to visit was the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which had opened a few years previously to national acclaim.
It was a harrowing experience. We were given "passports" at the door with the life story of a victim told in succeeding pages, which we were to read as we walked through the exhibits. There were ghastly photographs and film footage of emaciated survivors walking through camps that were quite literally strewn with piles of corpses. Perhaps more haunting were the piles of shoes that had been preserved from owners who had been marched off to gas chambers. As we walked through the remnants of a nightmare for millions, we read the personal story of just one victim in our "passport." When we got to the final page, most visitors learned that "their" person had died. A few visitors got the happy news that "their" person had survived the camps.
After that, it was a relief to walk into a light-filled room walled with mirrors to reflect the vigil candles that could be lit in honor of the dead.
The significance of one aspect of the visit did not strike me until years later. It was when I kept hearing pro-life activists defend the grisly images of aborted babies—all too often waved from signage on picket lines, pulled on banners from airplanes, and plastered to the sides of trucks—on the basis that such pictures of the victims were as necessary as the footage preserved of Holocaust victims. It is the pictures of the Holocaust that most definitively refute the Holocaust deniers; why shouldn't we also make public the images of the tens of millions of unborn babies who have been slaughtered in the legal holocaust of our time?
I thought back to that visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. When my friend and I walked through the exhibits, we noticed that the televisions that displayed the most upsetting footage of the victims were not out in the open. They were set inside "pits" with surrounding walls high enough to require that a standing adult deliberately choose to look down inside at the screens. Children could not view the footage unless a consenting adult helped them, and the museum had a suggested minimum age for minors visiting the exhibits.
There were still plenty of relics of the era, such as the shoes that were never reclaimed; there were still plenty of nongraphic photos to be viewed. The museum had other TVs that showed interviews with survivors that had been conducted many years later, after the survivors had recovered sufficiently to share their experiences, that ran on a continuous loop. Those visitors who chose to view evidence of some of the worst atrocities man has committed against his fellow man could do so, but every visitor could make the choice for himself how much horror he could stand.
When graphic images of abortion are waved about indiscriminately by activists hoping to "shock and awe" their unwilling viewers, no such opportunity for informed consent occurs. Perhaps Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life is correct that "America will not reject abortion until America sees abortion," but I would argue that Americans cannot be forced to see something they are not ready for, prepared for, and have chosen for themselves to see. Their eyes will glaze over or they will look away; they will accuse the pro-life movement of manufacturing images; they will do whatever they have to do to protect themselves from a reality they cannot bear.
And if that is the case, if indeed "there are none so blind as those who will not see" (cf. Matt. 9:27-30), then how can we possibly justify "virtually" spilling the blood of the innocent at the feet of the apathetic when there is little reason to hope that such displays will change hearts and minds?
Yes, graphic images of abortion are important, as are photos of any crime victim. But they must be shared in a discreet fashion that respects the dignity of the viewer and honors the dignity of the victim. In my opinion, anything less is unworthy of anyone who considers himself to be "pro-life."


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Establishing (How to Start) a Women's Ministry
Julia Bettencourt
Has the Lord touched your heart with the idea of establishing a women's ministry in your local church? Here are a few helps to encourage you as you begin the process of bringing that ministry to fruition.
Over the years, I've seen and heard several ideas of how to start a women's ministry and they normally all state "prayer" as number one. I do think prayer is important and even essential to starting a women's ministry, but I really think that having a burden for it and for the needs of other women in the church is where to start.
Without that burden you are going to lack desire, and yes, you may start or be influential in developing a women's ministry for your church, but it may turn into a program instead of a ministry.
Burdens are made up of a compassion and desire to do something. In this case, a compassion and desire to teach, encourage, and build up other women in Christ. What a great and wonderful outreach in which to be involved.
Ministering to other women is a fantastic ministry to focus on for Christ. We are all admonished to teach other women, but to want to make it part of an organized ministry for your church is a wonderful passion to have.
When the Lord lays a burden on you to do anything, it makes you unsettled until you get busy and active about it. When the Lord lays the burden and desire for you to start or be instrumental in establishing a women's ministry in your church, it's then that you start seeking answers as to how to go about the task.
Next I think you have to surrender to the Lord to do this thing that He has set upon your heart. Let Him know that you are available to accomplish the task. Let the Holy Spirit work in you and use you. Remember what Isaiah said?
Here am I Lord. Send me
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8
One thing to remember about being available. It doesn't mean that God is going to send you to do the job. He may just want you to be available and dedicated. Remember when Abraham had his son Isaac on the altar? He was willing to give up his son, but God didn't allow Abraham to do that. God sure knew Abraham was available and willing to obey Him though. (Genesis 22)
Even though the Lord may give you the burden to do something about establishing a women's ministry in your church, you have to be settled with the idea that the Lord may not want you to lead that ministry. God may have someone else in mind. There may be someone else more qualified and able to do the task, or they may not even be more qualified than you.
It may just be that's where the Lord wants them to serve. God may have other plans for you too, but you might be the very person that the Lord wants to get the ball rolling for an organized women's ministry in your church. You might very well be the instrument that God wants to use to make this thing happen.
Okay, it's time for that prayer now, not that you shouldn't always be in continual prayer, but I think when you just start praying for something without that attitude that you will do whatever the Lord wants, instead of yourself, you get your prayer direction off focus. You might start praying about what you want to accomplish for the Women's ministry instead of what God wants to accomplish through you.
Alright, so now what do you pray for? First, I think the leading of the Holy Spirit. Of course that doesn't just involve prayer but a willingness and availability on your part to let the Holy Spirit work.
Pray for direction on how to go about doing this task. Pray for your pastor and church leadership that the Lord would burden them for an organized Women's Ministry as well. Pray for your congregation, not just ladies, but that all of your church, men and women, would see the need for women's ministry to be a vital part of your church. Pray for future leaders and helpers for the women's ministry as well.
Plan and prepare yourself for a meeting with your pastor (leadership) concerning your burden for women's ministry. Go over in your mind, the why of the matter. Write that all out and go over it so that you will be ready to articulate that at your meeting with your pastor and leadership. Write out an outline of why women's ministry should be an important part of your church and how it will impact your ladies and community, and above all your church.
Make an appointment to meet with your pastor about your burden and desire to establish a women's ministry in your church. When you make the appointment, you may be dealing directly with your pastor or in most cases a secretary, but be sure to say that you want to talk to the pastor about the
"burden the Lord has given you for the women in the church"
, or something along those lines.
Don't state right off the bat that you
"want to start a women s ministry"
, although in reality, they might be the same thing. Tread carefully.
At your meeting, be articulate and share your burden first. Don't start off with what you want to
. Talk about the needs of the women and how the Lord has impressed that on your heart. Talk about your own desire for more fellowship, encouragement, and bible study with other ladies of your church.
Share a general knowledge of how you envision a women's ministry would be run in your church, such as when you'd meet to start with, where you'd meet, and the general direction you'd like to see it head. You don't want your pastor to think you haven't thought through the logistics at all, even though you won't need specifics for everything.
Don't overwhelm him with programs or events that you want to hold, unless you are asked specifically about that. You are there basically to share your burden, not give a detailed plan on your first contact meeting.
Be sure to include in your conversation how important this is to build up and encourage the ladies within your church. Let your pastor and leadership know if you get approval, you'd like to go ahead and put a women's ministry meeting on the church calendar and have a small meeting and bible study with the women to get started.
I've always found that most pastors I've worked with are more at ease with starting "small". i love all those pastors out there, but face it, some do get concerned that you are going to come in and change the dynamics of the church. As I mentioned before you have to -- tread carefully.
Don't forget before you leave to thank your pastor for his time. It's also a great opportunity to say thank you to him for all he does and how much you appreciate him and his family. Treat this as you would a professional business meeting. Not that I'm implying to lessen the emphasis on ministry, but just be professional, articulate, and courteous.
It all comes back to doing things
"decently and in order"
. When you leave your pastor's office, he will be thinking about what you said, praying about it, and considering the possibility of a women's ministry in your church. You want to leave a good impression.
You may have to wait for approval to proceed with a women's ministry from your pastor or church leadership. Bear in mind that the church leadership may want to go ahead with an organized women's ministry but want to put someone else in the leadership role, so you may have to hand it over to them.
If that happens, don't just go away mad. If you have a burden for the women in your church, the leader is going to need your help. Volunteer. Be available to help.
You may be in a church that runs things with committees and a little red tape that must be crossed over first, so if that's the case, be patient. After all of that is taken care of, and if you've been okayed as the leader, you are ready to proceed.
Before you proceed with planning, I'd start with some research. There are lots of things you can do for Bible study, activities, and meetings, but I suggest doing a little digging first. See what's out there and gather all the tools and helps you can find. There are lots of articles and helps on the website to help you.
Be sure to check out the
Building a Women's Ministry Notebook Page
. You can use the label categories as a guide of things to look out for and collect for your Women's Ministry planning.
In your pre-planning stage, organize a general meeting. It could be held in your church or in a home. Make it a relaxed one to begin with. You are there to find out about what the women of your church want and need.
Give a survey out at this meeting but make sure every lady in the church receives it even if they are not in attendance. Allow a few ideas from everyone to be bounced off during this meeting (no specifics but general ideas). This will give you a feeling for what your ladies want and it will also let you know what you are up against when it comes to proceeding.
Starting first with a survey is great, but doing it along with a first meeting is better because you hear things verbalized so when you go through those surveys, you'll be able to read between the lines. Don't forget to be sure to give out the survey to those ladies who missed the meeting, even if they say they will not be coming or involved. Let them know you respect their opinions and you'd like to hear their input too.
Start planning out your meetings, activities, building leadership teams, and putting all the details into you women's ministry. Use the surveys you've collected as a guide but even more important, get to know your ladies on a one to one level. That will speak volumes more than any survey can.
When you get to know people, you get to know what and how they think. I've grown to learn that is one of the most valuable tools in women's ministry over the years---just knowing the women I'm working with and how they think and what's important to them as individuals.
I know there's always lots said about mission statements when it comes to starting a women's ministry, and I even have a
helps page for it on the website
, but I think it sometimes becomes too narrow when you first establish a women's ministry in your church.
You want everyone to be involved. Also down the road, directions sometimes change because of how your church is made up (ladies grow older, move away, new ones come into the church, go back to work or lose their job, have children, become empty nesters, health changes, etc.).
Those dynamics will have a big impact on your women's ministry and it may push over your mission statement, so I don't think it's one of those big important things you need to worry about. I think that the Lord gave us a great mission statement or motto to use that never changes no matter how the dynamics of the church change, and that is to
teach other women
(Titus 2).
You may want to plan a get together to serve as a Kick-Off as you get going with your women's ministry. There's lots of information for
Kick-Off Planning Page
so please be sure to use that as a resource to help you get your planning in gear. There's also
Promotional Ideas
on the website to help you as you get started.
Move Forward.
Once you've got things off the ground, get moving! There are just wonderful blessings just waiting out there for you as you become involved in women's ministry in your church.
Be sure to read through the
Women's Ministry Helps
on the website. There are lots of articles written from my own experiences over the years in women's ministry and I trust they'll be an encouragement to you.
: Read through the
"Women's Ministry: Is It Really Dead"
article before you begin establishing an organized Women's Ministry.
Copyright ©2011-2016 Julia Bettencourt
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IU Project GO
Project GO (Global Officers) is a collaborative initiative that promotes critical language education, study abroad, and intercultural dialogue opportunities through language study scholarships for ROTC students. The US military needs future military officers who possess the cross-cultural communication skills required for effective leadership in the 21st Century operational environment.
Since 2007, more than 350 cadets and midshipmen from more than 100 different ROTC programs have participated in IU Project GO.
The application for summer 2017 will open November 1 and close January 17. All applicants will be notified of award decisions on February 10. Applicants will be required to respond to offers by February 17.
Who is Eligible?
- Any current ROTC student on track to commission (Must be in good standing with ROTC, AFROTC, or NROTC for duration of participation. US citizenship required.)
- All services — Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marines
- Any year of undergraduate study
- New and continuing language students
- Contracted or non-contracted
- Spring 2017 graduates/commissionees
Scholarship Details
Funding is available for 8- or 9-weeks of domestic study in all levels of Arabic, Chinese, Persian, Russian, and Turkish. In 2017, approximately 38 scholarships are available across all eligible languages.
Contact the IU Project GO Coordinator, Amy Richardson, at 812-855-6721 or firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
Scholarships cover the full cost of participation in the Summer Language Workshop, including:
- All tuition and fees based on language and level
- On-campus housing for duration of program
- A modest stipend to cover travel to/from, supplies for, and meals during the Workshop
Application Process
Students interested in applying for summer domestic study through IU Project GO should:
- Complete the Project GO Workshop application
- Applicants need only complete the Project GO-specific application form.
- Official paper transcripts delivered by mail. Please have the official paper transcript(s) sent the address below.
- Official electronic transcript delivered by e-mail if (and ONLY if) the transcript is sent from the institution directly to the Summer Language Workshop (firstname.lastname@example.com). When requesting a PDF transcript you must enter firstname.lastname@example.com as the Recipient E-mail. Please note that we cannot accept PDF transcripts that are forwarded to us.
- Current or previous IU students do not need to submit IU transcripts.
- Affirm that the student is on track to commission and is otherwise eligible to participate.
- Describe leadership skills with reference to abilities demonstrated in lab or other areas.
- Describe potential to fulfill the goals of this program.
- Provide additional comments on the quality of the applicant.
Letters of recommendation can be emailed or mailed by the recommender to:Indiana University Project GO Attn: Amy Richardson, Coordinator Indiana University 355 North Jordan Avenue Global and International Studies Building, Rm 2054 Bloomington, IN 47405
IU Project GO is funded by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and is administered through the Institute for International Education. All terms and conditions related to the scholarships will be outlined in a formal scholarship offer letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project GO?
Project GO (Global Officers) is a collaborative initiative that promotes critical language education, study abroad, and intercultural dialogue opportunities through language study scholarships for ROTC students. The US military needs future military officers who possess the cross-cultural communication skills required for effective leadership in the 21st Century operational environment.
Project GO is funded by the Department of Defense through the Defense Language National Security Education Office (DLNSEO). Federal funds pass from DLNSEO to the Institute of International Education, which administers the Project GO institutional grants. On behalf of the federal government, IIE has awarded a Project GO grant to Indiana University.
Who is eligible to apply for a Project GO scholarship?
Eligible for domestic and/or study abroad
- US Citizen
- AROTC, AFROTC, NROTC (including Marine Option) student from any university or college in the US
- Any year and major of undergraduate study
- Any level of language proficiency (zero to advanced)
- Contracted or non-contracted
- On track to commission
- Available during program dates
- The following ROTC students are eligible for domestic programs only (CONUS): drilling members of the National Guard or Reserve; newly commissioned officers awaiting active duty
- Other eligibility requirements may apply and situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Who is not eligible to apply for a Project GO scholarship?
Not Eligible for Project GO
- Active duty military (not participating in ROTC)
- Non-ROTC students
Can I apply to Project GO if I am becoming a US citizen?
Applicants must be US citizens at the time of application.
Will late applications be accepted?
Late applications may be accepted pending funding availability. Applicants should contact the IU Project GO coordinator after February 20 for information on available funding.
What are the benefits of doing a Project GO summer study at Indiana University?
There are many benefits to participate in Project GO language programs, including:
- Earn an entire academic year worth of (transferable) IU credits in one summer
- Learn a new language or improve proficiency
- Gain access to funding for study abroad
- Qualify for language incentive pay (consult your service language policies)
- Access unique career & leadership opportunities
- No additional service commitment
What languages are considered "critical?"
The U.S. Government has designated some languages as "critical" because the national need for trained speakers in those languages exceeds the number of available speakers. These languages are also critical for U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.
Nationally, Project GO supports programs & students of the following critical languages: Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Persian (Dari, Farsi, Tajik), Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu, and Uzbek.
In 2017, the Summer Language Workshop and IU Project GO will offer scholarships for Arabic, Chinese, Persian, Russian (Levels 1-7), and Turkish.
Students interested in languages not offered through IU Project GO should consider other Project GO programs.
Would participation in Project GO extend my service commitment?
No, participation in summer language program on a Project GO scholarship does not require any additional service commitments nor will it adversely affect your ROTC scholarship in any way.
Is Project GO part of CULP (Army) or PDT (Air Force)?
No, Project GO is not associated with CULP or PDT programs. Project GO funded summer studies can be done in addition to other summer service-specific training and deployments.
Does IU Project GO offer funding for study abroad?
No, IU Project GO does not offer funding for study abroad. To find a Project GO program that does offer study abroad, please visit http://www.rotcprojectgo.org/ for more information.
Are there other options for funding study abroad during the semester?
Yes, ROTC students are eligible to apply for The Boren Awards for International Study. Please visit http://www.borenawards.org for more information.


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Oversized shirts and knits! :)
Even though personally, I think that shirts and blouses are really pretty and I'm completely in love with them, it *is* getting cold. So I have to say that right now, the ideal is going for one of those chunky, oversized knits. ZARA have really nice ones which I've seen all over Lookbook.nu, for example.
These, below, are two of my picks:
These, below, are two of my picks:
|Knit by Alexander Wang. Shirt
There are a number of ways of successfully pulling off these oversized numbers. I do suggest opting for something figure-hugging and with minimal volume for the bottom part of your outfit. I generally try to avoid looking like an overstuffed soft-toy.
Here are a few of my favourite ways of wearing chunky knits and large shirts:
Here are a few of my favourite ways of wearing chunky knits and large shirts:
1. Worn with a plain pair of leggings, cargo boots and a nude coloured scarf (depending on your colour scheme!). I particularly like this, it comes off in a really cute way.
2. Worn with jeggings/skinny jeans and edgy accessories.
3. With a tube skirt and heels/wedge booties and some pretty jewellery to glam up the whole look.
|from here


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March Newsletter
The March News is now available. The membership meeting is March 20 for lunch at the Empire Room and reservations must be made by noon on Monday, March 17th.
Vance Barron, Jr.
John R. Morgan
Immediate Past President
James W. Bryan
Damon T. Duncan
C. Collins Pickup
Nicholas J. Bakatsias
Richard C. Forman
Afi Johnson-Parris
Kenneth R. Keller
Robert J. King, III
Martha T. Peddrick
Parrish L. Peddrick
Sarah H. Roane
Martha R. Sacrinty
18th Judicial District
President: Vance Barron, Jr.
Vice-President: James W. Bryan
Secretary: Damon T. Duncan
Treasurer: Christina F. Johnson
March Newsletter
The March News is now available. The membership meeting is March 20 for lunch at the Empire Room and reservations must be made by noon on Monday, March 17th.
JD 18 Special Meeting Held
Notice was sent to all members of the 18th Judicial District and 18-H Judicial District regarding a special joint meeting for the election of nominees for the office of District Court Judge pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. and the bylaws of the 18th Judicial District Bar and the 18-H Judicial District Bar. The meeting was conducted on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at 4:00 PM in the Commissioners' Meeting Room (the Old Superior Court Room) of the Guilford County Courthouse at 301 West Market Street in Greensboro, NC, to select five nominees for one seat for a District Court Judge. The Minutes of the meeting are posted.
Resumes of the five candidates that will be submitted to the governor are below:
JD 18 Special Meeting
A special joint meeting of JD18 and JD18H has been called for Wednesday, January 15, 2013 beginning at 4:00 PM in the Commissioners' Meeting Room on the second floor of the Old Guilford County Courthouse, 301 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC. The Special Joint Meeting Announcement contains information regarding candidates/applicants, speeches by candidates, candidate information, voting, and results of the election.
For members of JD18, the by-laws need to be changed to conform to N. C Gen. Statute; details are contained in 2013 Notice of Meeting to Amend Bylaws.
2012 Herb Falk Society Members
Congratulations to the members of the 2012 Herb Falk Society: John Buford, Locke Clifford, Richard Gabriel, Holt Gwyn, Eloise Hassell, Afi Johnson-Parris, Carrie Johnston, Dan Koenig, Jennifer Koenig, Phillip Long, Eric Richardson, and Jim Slaughter.
On May 22, we recognized the 2012 members of the Herb Falk Society with a dinner at the O'Henry Hotel. Justice Robert Edmunds spoke and Justice Henry Frye presented each member with a certificate. Besides the honorees, several members of the judiciary–Chief Justice Sarah Parker, Justice Cheri Beasley, Judge Lindsay Davis, Judge Rick Elmore, Judge Wendy Enochs, Judge Robby Hassell, and Judge Robert Hunter–attended. The 2012 members of the Herb Falk Society each performed more than 75 hours of pro bono service during 2012 with a total of 1305.75 reported.
To become a member of the 2013 Herb Falk Society, a member must document more than 75 hours of pro bono service during the calendar year and report it to the GBA office at the end of the 2013 year. The reporting form will be available through the newsletter at the end of the year.
2013 Distinguished Service Award
At its April 18th Annual Meeting, the Greensboro Bar Association presented the 2013 Distinguished Service Award to Carole W. Bruce. Congratulations for outstanding professional and personal accomplishments! The award was presented by Henry Frye and you can read Frye remarks with this link.
2012 Centennial Award
The North Carolina State Bar Association along with the Greensboro Bar Association chose Vance Barron, Jr. as the 2012 recipient of the Centennial Award for community service. Barden Cooke presented the award to Vance at the February 21, 2013 membership meeting. The full text of his remarks can be found at Barron Recognition.
18th Judicial District Q & A
The 18th Judicial District Bar has been reorganized and administrative functions will now be handled out of the GBA office. How this affects the Greensboro Bar Association member is addressed in the following Q & A. For further questions, contact the office at 378-0300.
"Judge A" Stories
At the February 17, 2010 member meeting, Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson presented a talk about Judge Elreta Alexander. To read a copy of the speech, click here. Justice Timmons-Goodson would like to add to her collection of "Judge A" stories. If you have a story to share with her, please send it to her at Post Office Box 1841, Raleigh, NC 27602.
Technology & Website for Law Practice Management
"30 Tips in 30 Minutes: Technology and Law Practice Management Websites Designed to Help Lawyers Better Serve Their Clients" was presented in a colloquium on October 5, 2010. A copy of the take-away can be found in the About Us tab above under Law Practice Management Colloquium.
Greensboro Bar Association Blog
Check out the GBA blog: greensborolaw.blogspot.com. Send any news or other posts to email@example.com.
Photos from the Habitat Dedication are now available for viewing on the blog. Check it out: http://greensborolaw.blogspot.com/2010/10/now-on-greensboro-law-blog-photos.html.
|Greensboro Bar Association


text:
News Release
For Immediate Release
May 23, 2012
Jane E. Young, Associate Attorney General
Criminal Justice Bureau
(603) 271-3671
Attorney General Michael A. Delaney announces that the status conference scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on May 24, 2012, at the Carroll County Superior Court in the matter of the State of New Hampshire v. Anthony Papile has been changed to a plea and sentencing hearing. Anthony Papile was arrested on May 11, 2011, for the second degree murder of Krista Dittmeyer.
New Hampshire Department of Justice | 33 Capitol Street | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658


text:
|Home | Meet Ray Dodd | Mission | BeliefWorks Mentors | Testimonials | Pressroom
Real Change.
One Belief at a Time.
Listen to Ray Dodd
Read an interview
What are others are
to a Powerful
Ray Dodd
"I have shared the BeliefWorks™ process with hundreds of people. What I've discovered is that when you desire your life to change, shifting through details of what happened, or who said what to whom, never really solves problems. What is incredibly powerful are the underlying beliefs driving everything we do. I'm amazed how quickly the BeliefWorks™ process transforms hidden fears into empowerment. We have so many success stories! In a very short time people find themselves back on track with more energy, passion, and a new sense of purpose."
In 1996, after a chance meeting at the pyramids ruins in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Ray embarked on a 6-year apprenticeship with don Miguel Ruiz M.D. (author of the best-selling book, The Four Agreements).
Now, through his revolutionary process, BeliefWorks™ Ray helps people forge new beliefs and agreements to affect lasting and positive change.
A leading authority on The Power of Belief and author of the books, BeliefWorks and The Power of Belief, Ray is a provocative and inspiring speaker creating instant opportunities for people to rediscover with their natural skills, talents and abilities. (read an excerpt)
In addition to individual mentoring, Ray trains therapists, managers, healers, educators, consultants and coaches in the BeliefWorks process, helping them offer their clients, employees and students a powerful new tool to reach their greatest potential and maximum effectiveness.
Before becoming an author, Ray had careers as a professional musician, an engineer and a corporate executive for a nation-wide facilities company with over one billion dollars in annual sales.
"Ray Dodd's work with belief systems is practical, fascinating and life-changing.."<
-Michael Neill, Radio Host
and bestselling author of "You Can Have What You Want"
"Ray Dodd's BeliefWork
opened many new windows of insight for me. I have been able to leave
behind many of my fears and preconceptions and I can pursue my goals
with more energy, focus and drive
than ever before."<
-Beto Hale
Los Angeles, California
© 2010everydayWisdom. All rights reserved.


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It goes without saying that the US is currently experiencing a rapidly growing obesity epidemic. Researchers from various fields continue to look for possible causes and solutions to such a deleterious medical condition. A recent study conducted by Teegarden, Scott, and Bale seem to have advanced our understanding of obesity just a bit further.
In a 10 day macronutrient choice preference test they found that high fat diet early-exposed mice exhibited a significantly greater preference for a high fat diet later on as adults measured by daily caloric intake. As a control for diet familiarity, mice exposed to a high carbohydrate diet during early life showed no differences in adult macronutrient preferences.
Interestingly, although there was increased proportional intake of the high fat diet within the early-exposed mice, there were no differences in total caloric intake or weight gain during the macronutrient choice preference period compared to a control group. This suggests that exposure seems to impact preference only.
The authors explain that the early-exposed mice exhibited significant changes in biochemical markers of dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens which altered long-term programming of mechanisms important in dietary preferences and reward.
This study makes me think of the countless number of youths I've see chowing down at McDonalds (I was one of them). It's unfortunate that the parents aren't able to see the bleak distant future of their children; lined up at a drive-through eagerly awaiting that first bite of the savory double cheeseburger and one step closer to developing heart disease.
Teegarden SL, Scott AN, & Bale TL (2009). Early life exposure to a high fat diet promotes long-term changes in dietary preferences and central reward signaling. Neuroscience, 162 (4), 924-32 PMID: 19465087


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Iannone Design - Signature 2.0 Console
sleek and beautiful, this console works as well in the chic boudoir as in the sunny dining room. great hidden storage, i love the white lacquer and the contrast with the organic wood grain in the flower motif.
The ultimate Junk Drawer.
Iannone Design - Cork Mosaic Sideboard. Beautiful!Tags: home, furniture, office, modern, interior design, Eco, home decor, decor, sideboardsAdded 9 Years Ago from 2modern


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Kenneth James Churney
Missing since March 15, 1997 from Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada
Classification: Missing
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance
Kenneth Churney was last seen on March 15, 1997.
He was on a snowmobile traveling northbound toward the trail system head at the rear of Pine Crescent.
He never returned from snowmobiling and may have been suffering from mental health issues.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Ontario Provincial Police
Missing Persons and Unidentified Bodies/Remains Unit
1-877-934-6363 - Toll Free in North America
705-330-4144 - Local or outside of North America
Crime Stoppers
Agency Case Number: 20060231
Source Information:
Ontario Provincial Police - Missing Persons and Unidentified Bodies/Remains Unit
Return to the Unexplained Disappearances' Index


text: Sure, let me stop my whole life so I can help you with a complete breakdown. This topic has been covered a number of times in these forums. Show us what steps you have tried and what guide did you follow and then maybe we can help you to help yourself.


text:
Last week, NBC's Meet the Press personality David Gregory displayed a standard-capacity, 30-round, G.I.-issue, STANAG 4179-compatible, aluminum 5.56 rifle magazine on the air as part of a televised gun control harangue. This magazine is ubiquitous in most of the free United States, can generally be purchased for less than ten dollars when in stock… and criminal to possess in NBC's studio's in the District of Columbia.
Violators are subject to a $1,000 fine and/or a year in prison.
The Metropolitan Police Department is charged with the responsibility to enforce the laws of Washington, D.C., and they have direct evidence that David Gregory flargrantly violated this law in a nationally televised broadcast. Furthermore, it appears that NBC knowingly violated this law, as representatives of the network allegedly asked the Metropolitan Police Department for permission to violate the law, was denied a variance, and committed the crime of bringing the magazine into the district anyway.
It has been a week since Gregory blatantly and willfully violated the law.
To date, Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier's Department has refused to do their duty. It cannot be that Lanier is a fool. With multiple college degrees including two Master's degrees, and a long career in law enforcement, she knows the laws of the District of Columbia as well as anyone, and better than most.
Lanier or her deputies should have had Gregory arrested on the spot last Sunday morning during or directly after the broadcast with the evidence still hot in his hands. They refused. they've since launched an "investigation," a government euphemism for "oh crap, let's see if we can stall our way out of this."
You can't blame Lanier for trying. It's worked for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, after all, with a laundry list of dishonorable and criminal activities within the Department of Justice. And yet, Holder is a contemptuous political creature, never really a law enforcement officer. You can't blame a scorpion for being a scorpion.
Cathy Lanier, on the other hand, is a real American, and a real cop. She was a high school drop-out and unwed mother who determined to make her life a success story, and rose to be the Chief of Police of the city that is the seat of the most powerful nation the world has ever known. And yet, her success story may end shamefully.
If Chief Lanier refuses to arrest David Gregory, she has, by common usage and dictionary definition, betrayed everything she's ever stood for by allowing tyranny:
tyranny noun, plural tyr·an·nies. the arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.
Chief Lanier's Metropolitan Police Department appears to be on the cusp of sacrificing their moral legitimacy as upholders of the laws of the District of Columbia.
We can only hope they are not that unwise.