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Soft judges who allow offenders to go on fresh crime sprees should be punished, says Shipley MP Philip Davies.
The Conservative MP demanded "consequences" for judges who fail to send serious criminals to prison when a jail term is appropriate.
During debate on a fresh crime Bill, Mr Davies did not set out exactly how judges should be made more "accountable" for their decisions. But he told ministers: "There should be consequences for a judge who consistently allows offenders to avoid prison if those offenders go on to make others suffer as a result of their continuing crime sprees.
"At the very least there should be some assessment of their ability to perform their role."
The call came as Mr Davies called for a series of measures to toughen up the legislation, including: l Prisoners on early release who are recalled to jail for breaching conditions to be forced to serve their entire original sentence – not just 28 days.
l An end to the "ludicrous position" where time spent on a tagged curfew is deducted from a sentence in the same way as days spent on remand in prison.
l Magistrates to be allowed to sentence people to prison for up to 12 months for one offence, instead of the current six-month limit.
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill creates a series of new offences, including fresh jail terms for prisoners who escape and go "on the run".
Possession of pornography showing rape will be banned and automatic early release from prison for terrorists and child rapists will be scrapped.
Criminals who commit serious offences involving child pornography and supplying class A drugs will no longer escape with a simple caution under the reforms.
And criminals will be forced to pay part of the cost of their court case, while offenders will also pay to appeal against any court decisions if they then lose that appeal.
Mr Davies said: "Despite these omissions, the Bill can still be seen as a substantial step forward for the criminal justice system in this country."


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The Phoenix Pastificio, aka Phoenix Pasta, makes Fresh Pasta, Sauces, Handmade Ravioli, Bread, and Pastries, using organic ingredients daily on their premises.
Sheet Pasta:
Egg pasta made with organic semolina flour in 10"x13" sheets, has various thickness: Regular, Thin, Extra Thin, Thick, & Extra Thick. To fit your cooking or baking needs, they can be cut to 4 different width: Pappardelle, Fettucine, Linguine, and Angel Hair. Whole Wheat sheet pasta is eggless.
Eggless Extruded Pasta: Vegan
Eggless extruded pasta: spaghetti & bucatini are made with organic semolina flour and water. Various flavors include: Plain, Whole Wheat, Meyer Lemon, Spinach, Garlic Parsley, Porcini, Spelt, Sun Dried Tomato, Squid Ink, Stinging Nettle…etc.
Handmade Ravioli:
Our ravioli are handmade, using our extra thin fresh sheet pasta. Showing in the photo are Spinach Pasta, Sweet Pea Pasta, and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta used to compliment ravioli fillings. Vegan ravioli available
All our pasta sauces are made in our kitchen with fresh ingredients. Organic tomatos are used in our red sauce and Slow Roasted Tomatoes.
Baked Goods:
We use organic flour, organic sugar, organic walnuts, organic pecan, organic raisins, and Belgian chocolate in baking our pastries. Whole Kalamata Olives from Greece are used in our Rustic Olive Bread.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
KEXP Reviews
|Browse by one of the following:
- (self-released)
This young New York band debuts with a remarkable album of adventurous, dynamic indie-rock steeped in classic indie bands like early Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Pavement and Yo La Tengo. The band's epic, expansive songs are imaginatively arranged, often unexpectedly shifting gears and heading off into an entirely different direction. They have a gift for distinctive melodies and catchy song hooks, but they also aren't afraid to bring the noise. With nearly every song on it being something special, Why There Are Mountains isn't just one of 2009's best debuts, it's one of the year's most impressive rock albums, period. 4/2/2009 - Don Yates
Other Cymbals Eat Guitars album reviews:
Lose - 8/22/2014


text:
Event to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...
For a great selection of film, comic and TV action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, ZoloWorld.com, MonkeyDepot.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
For a great selection of film, TV and pop culture t-shirts and apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with our sponsor Collectibles Insurance.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, LEGO and Lucasfilm are inviting fans and families to participate in a three-day collaborative build of an eight-foot tall, 15-foot wide LEGO mystery mural to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The mural will be constructed by attendees of Star Wars Celebration V and a LEGO Master Builder at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center from August 13-15.
Fans who help the LEGO Master Builder to construct the mural will receive one of 10,000 limited edition white Boba Fett LEGO minifigures. Additionally, for every LEGO plate a fan builds and adds to the mural, LEGO Systems and Lucasfilm's The Empire Gives Back program will donate 330 LEGO System and LEGO DUPLO bricks to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to encourage imagination and creative play and support the patients of St. Jude. In total, more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks will be donated.
Star Wars enthusiasts will also be able to see new LEGO products on display, have their picture taken with life-sized LEGO STAR WARS models and check out fan created LEGO models. A second LEGO Master Builder will be doing a live build of a 6-foot tall Boba Fett model.
The LEGO Store will have products available for purchase and will feature an exclusive Celebration V STAR WARS CubeDude set, designed by fan and Pixar animator, Angus MacLane, who will be on-site to sign boxes. To purchase the set, a raffle ticket must be drawn. Tickets will be pulled at the LEGO booth each day at 11 a.m.
Source: Edited LEGO PR


text:
[Col. 191]
10. Misnagdim in both Yiddish and Hebrew. Trans. Back
11. Quotation marks mine. Trans. Back
12. This means the Master of the Good Name and refers to Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer born in 1690 and died in 1760. Trans. Back
13. This literally means the genius of Vilna. Trans. Back
14. Nowadays more commonly known as Lubavitch . Trans. Back
15. This means Keepers of the Faith.Trans. Back
16. This is a Hebrew acronym which stands for adoneynu moreynu v'rabeynu , our master, teacher and rabbi, the traditional title of a Khassidic rabbi.Trans. Back
17. As was mentioned, the Bal HaTanya had a great influence on the Jews of Svintsyan. Back
18. Among the most interesting of his students in Svintsyan at that time was Reb Itshele the Tailor. In his tailoring workshop, he would study his great rabbi's articles with his workers. Back
19. Three tractates of commentaries all having Bava in the titles.Trans. Back
20. Quorum of ten men.Trans. Back
21. The Rabbi's House.Trans. Back
22. A follower of Khassidism .Trans. Back
23. My quotation marks for emphasis.Trans. Back
24. There seems to be an error in the text concerning this date. If the Rashbats was born in 1829 and he was 19 when he arrived in Lyubavitch, he left in 1848.Trans. Back
JewishGen, Inc. makes no representations regarding the accuracy of
the translation. The reader may wish to refer to the original material
for verification.
JewishGen is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in the original work and cannot rewrite or edit the text to correct inaccuracies and/or omissions.
Our mission is to produce a translation of the original work and we cannot verify the accuracy of statements or alter facts cited.
Svencionys, Lithuania Yizkor Book Project JewishGen Home Page
Copyright © 1999-2017 by JewishGen, Inc.
Updated 14 Feb 2008 by LA


text:
Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Feedback Area | Testing Zone' started by Darkwriter77, Aug 13, 2009.
Was the problem fixed? I have not seen any of those ads since this morning.
I have.
I want to punch a freakin' Zwinky right now. I don't know why I seem to get that ad so much more than the Classmates.com or Chili's ads.
I have only been getting the classmate ad. Haven't got any of the other ones.
Nothing so far today
I've gotten them too...started about the time we upgraded vB
Just got a Zwinky ad
Sooooooo ... is this something we've just gotta get used to seeing?
I just got another classmate ad. Seems to be once or twice a day for me.
If you are in Firefox, press Ctrl+U (view page source) and when it pops up the new window, let us know what it says for source of: http://somesite.com. I'd be thinking it's some sort of malware/spyware infection that hasn't been detected by your scan program(s). If someone uses some tricks from one spyware, and some from another, it'll often go under the radar since it doesn't meet enough criteria of each to get pulled up.
If you're a windows user, also take a look at your hosts file, in your Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC folder. Typically, it'll have a couple lines commented out at the start, and have a few lines about 127.0.0.1 and localhost. If the size of the file is 500k+, you've got some sort of infection that is redirecting a lot of traffic, most often all the spyware/virus scanners and in doing so, prevents them from downloading/updating.
If thats the case then why is it that they only pop up on this site?
Again, this is NOT A MALWARE ISSUE, as I have ran multiple checks with multiple programs and come up with nothing, and this ONLY HAPPENS ON THIS WEBSITE. And, again, if you'll look back a few posts in this thread, you'll see that I have already posted up the URL from where this is originating (some Tribal Fusion site). I don't know how much clearer I can make this.
Maybe we're being punished for something?
Haven't gotten them in the past two days...
yeh i havent got one this week.
What are you guys doing different? I still get 'em all the time. Got them this morning and later on this evening.
I am sooooooo never going to Chili's again.
Yup, get them too and its only this site. Really f'n annoying. Just got one before I posted this.
Here ya go.
yeh i got teh classmates one last night.
I got my first one today
It's weird how this whole thing is almost selectively occurring, and only with certain people. Lynn insists she hasn't come across a single one yet, and we're sitting here right next to each other clicking all around on the same damned website. I'm thinking it has something to do with HOW one browses the site and not so much where one goes on the site.
Well, I came on the site after not being on for quite a while. Read two threads, went to post to one and got the stupid popup. lol
Sometimes I can go thru many many pages and not get it, but then I can come on and only go to a few and get it.


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Finding a bullish stock chart in the semiconductor space these days is no easy task. Chipmakers are scrambling to find alternate revenue sources as demand for personal computers continues to wane. In recent months, cloudy fundamental outlooks have resulted in nasty selloffs in widely held chipmakers such as Intel (INTC), Texas Instruments (TXN) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
While times are challenging for the chipmakers, a couple of fabless names are well-positioned for growth, including ARM Holdings (ARMH) -- a U.K.-based chip designer with a strong presence in the smartphone and tablet market. This company could care less about a weak PC market. ARM licenses its technology to scads of large-cap tech names, Apple (AAPL) among them.
Last week, CEO Warren A. East started off the company's third-quarter earnings conference call by saying, "Royalty revenues are at record levels, volume shipments are at record levels and licensing and backlog are at record levels."
Investors cheered the report after the company said earnings rose 29% from a year earlier to $0.18 a share. Sales growth accelerated sequentially, rising 24% to $233.5 million. Strong growth is expected to continue, as well, with full-year profit expected to rise 21% this year and 24% in 2013.
ARM continues to gain share in non-mobile markets, such as digital televisions and set-top boxes, as well as microcontrollers and smartcards. The company signed 29 licenses in the quarter for a very broad range of end applications, from embedded microcontrollers to image processors and digital cameras and mobile phones. About one-third of the licenses were brand-new, with many coming from Asia.
Even though major averages remain in a distribution phase, recent price and volume trends in ARM point toward a stock under accumulation. It's exactly the type of technical setup to target in the early stages of a new market uptrend. A look at its weekly chart shows the stock is in the early stages of breaking out from a long base.
Technical support is strong in the $28 area. The only way the stock will get down to that level again is if major averages suffer another leg down, so the stock should be able to hold above that area for now. When the stock reaches its gap-up area on Oct. 23, it may or may not fill the gap. A common misperception is that stocks always fill gaps, but plenty of market precedent shows this is not always the case, especially when it comes to really strong stocks.
Keep in mind that major averages remain in technical downtrends until proven otherwise. It's tough for most stocks to make headway when the market tide is flowing negative. If major averages can follow through with conviction in coming days, a stock under accumulation like ARM, with its strong fundamentals and technicals, has a solid chance of outperforming.
Away from ARM, audio chip designer Cirrus Logic (CRUS) is a big supplier to Apple. However, I'm less keen on this name, which is scheduled to report earnings after the close Wednesday. The consensus estimate calls for profit of $0.71 a share, up 115% from a year earlier, with sales seen up 78% to $180.8 million. That would constitute solid growth, but I don't like the fact that Cirrus is heavily reliant on Apple for revenue. If growth starts to slow at Apple, which is a distinct possibility at this point, it won't be good news for Cirrus.
Frankly, both stocks look vulnerable to me. Shares of Apple have been under distribution for weeks now. Keep in mind that the stock has risen nearly 600% since the start of bull market in March 2009.
Cirrus isn't under distribution, but a look at its daily chart below shows the stock is starting to meet with resistance at its 50-day moving average. "Tired" stocks often show this type of price action, so there's a risk for more downside here. The company should deliver strong numbers after the close, but will strong earnings be enough to lift the stock out of its doldrums? I don't think so. To me, the risk for more downside in Cirrus outweighs the potential for gains in the near-term.


text:
Lil Links: Showcase Your Child's Chalk Art!
Lil Links: Showcase Your Child's Chalk Art!
- Way cool blackboard wall — Smorgasbord
- Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel Welcome Son! — Celebrity Baby Scoop
- Nicole and Keith take Sunday for a stroll — Celebrity Baby Blog
- How do you spend your time alone? — CafeMom
- Adorable shark fest first birthday — Twig and Thistle
- Baby hotels give mom and dad a break — ParentDish
- My Life as a Bipolar Mom — Health
- Man jumps in a river to escape nagging wife — The Laughing Stork
- Is your kid afraid of the dentist? — Momversation


text: Offshore tax havens cost W.Va. $106 million, report says By Paul J. Nyden February 20, 2013 Story Share Read "The Hidden Cost of Offshore Tax havens: State Budgets Under Pressure from Tax Loophole Abuse" report here.CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- American corporations using offshore addresses to avoid paying domestic taxes cost West Virginia $106 million last year, according to a national report released Wednesday.The report -- "The Hidden Cost of Offshore Tax havens: State Budgets Under Pressure from Tax Loophole Abuse" -- was prepared by the national nonprofit group United States Public Interest Research Group. The report was released locally by the West Virginia Citizen Action Group at the state Capitol on Wednesday."Tax dodging is not a victimless offense. When corporations skirt taxes, the public is stuck with the tab. And since offshore tax dodgers avoid both state and federal taxes, they hurt everyday taxpayers twice," said Dan Smith, PIRG's tax and budget advocate. "West Virginia should be using that money to benefit the public."Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has asked many state agencies to cut their budgets by 7.5 percent."Before politicians in Charleston and Washington cut critical education, health-care and public safety programs they need to first make sure that millionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of taxes," said Gary Zuckett, CAG's executive director."That means closing loopholes that allow them to hide income and profits in overseas tax havens where they dodge paying U.S. taxes," Zuckett said. Ted Boettner, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, said West Virginia "collects less in corporate taxes last year than it did two decades ago. In 1990, the business franchise and corporate income taxes made up almost 13 percent of our general revenue fund. Today, they are less than 5 percent."Businesses receive great benefits from our collective investments in public structures -- including an educated workforce, basic infrastructure like roads, and police and fire protection -- and they need to pay their fair share," Boettner said.He said that in West Virginia, personal income taxes increased by 227 percent and consumer sales taxes rose by 161 percent between 1990 and 2011. During those same years, corporate net income and business franchise taxes dropped by 15 percent, according to the state Budget Office and the U.S. Census Bureau. Last year, states across the country lost nearly $40 billion in taxes from offshore tax loopholes -- close to the amount spent by all state and local governments on firefighters in 2008, according to the PIRG report.Companies using offshore tax havens, PIRG reported, include Alcoa, American Express, Bank of America, IBM, ConocoPhillips, Dell Inc., ExxonMobil Corp., McDonald's, Sears, Apple, Cisco Systems, Kroger, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Coca-Cola and FedEx.The federal Government Accountability Office reported that 83 of the top 100 publicly traded companies in the country used offshore tax havens in 2008.The PIRG report cited specific examples of tax loopholes, including:* Google cut its tax bills by $3.1 billion from 2008 to 2010, by using accounting techniques nicknamed the "Double Irish" and "Dutch Sandwich" -- two subsidiaries in Ireland and one in Bermuda. * Wells Fargo paid no federal income taxes between 2008 and 2010, despite making profits in all three years, largely through using 58 offshore subsidiaries.* Microsoft avoided paying $4.5 billion in federal income taxes over three years by using accounting schemes that artificially shifted company funds to tax-friendly Puerto Rico. Microsoft sent 47 percent of all revenue generated by domestic sales to its Puerto Rican subsidiary.By the end of 2011, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 290 of Fortune's top 500 companies reported they were holding $1.6 trillion in profits offshore, according to PIRG's new report."Working people don't have the means to invest in offshore tax havens. They barely make enough to survive. Average citizens are disenfranchised by our current tax law," said Kris Mallory, executive director of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees in West Virginia.Reach Paul J. Nyden at email@example.com or 304-348-5164. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Facebook founder visits Charleston restaurant 2 Innerviews: Dual-identity surgeon riding high in horse racing world 3 Gazette editorial: Capito has second chance to do the right thing 4 You calling me a dotard? Well, you're full of covfefe! 5 WVU seeking improvements during off week New Coalfields Expressway route heads to Virginia panel Previous Story State bill proposes Hatfield-McCoy license plates Next Story


text:
BRIGADE chiefs are urging people to buy takeaways tonight instead of cooking in the kitchen as firefighters prepare to stage a 12-hour walkout.
The Fire Brigades Union will start the second of three national strikes at 2pm today in a long-running dispute over pensions and service cuts.
A five-hour walkout yesterday afternoon passed without major incident.
Essex County Fire and Rescue bosses say arrangements are in place to cover during the industrial action.
But they are urging people to take extra care by staying out of the kitchen and buying a takeaway instead.
A spokesman said: "The public should be reassured that Essex has strong resilience arrangements in place to keep communities safe.
"But it might be worth treating yourself to that Saturday night takeaway and keeping out of the kitchen, where a significant number of fires start, particularly after a night out."
People should still dial 999 in emergencies.


text:
Step 1
This style works best if your hair has a little texture. Use second day hair, or apply a texturizing spray like Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray to clean hair. Brush hair back and sweep to one side, smoothing any bumps with your brush. Separate it into two equal sections and hold both sections low, behind your ear.
Step 2
Twist the front section towards your face. Cross the front twisted section over the back section—you may need to switch hands at this point. Start twisting the new front section (formerly the back section) toward your face.
Step 3
Cross the new front section over the back section and continue twisting the front section towards your face. Continue crossing and twisting until you reach the end of your hair.
Step 4
Secure your hair with an elastic like twistband™'s Lace up Collection. Smooth layers with a lightweight hair serum or cream like Sedu®'s Anti-Frizz Polishing Treatment with Pure Argan Oil to get rid of any sticky out bits.


text:
Two people were displaced after a fire in the ground-floor unit of a duplex on the 700 block of Crystal Lane on Monday afternoon.
About 4 p.m., a man was moving items stored near a stove in the ground-floor unit, said Central Fire spokesman Mike DeMars. The man apparently bumped the stove or accidently turned it on with an object, and flames from the stove caught items on top of it, firefighters said.
The man tried to put the fire out himself before he evacuated. Someone called 911 and firefighters arrived, DeMars said.
The man suffered from smoke inhalation but was not taken to a hospital, DeMars said. Most of the damage was contained to the kitchen of the ground floor unit, but there was heat and smoke damage throughout the duplex.
Authorities had to shut down power to the building, which displaced the man and another person from it at least through Monday night.
Santa Cruz Fire was the first unit to respond, and American Medical Response also responded, authorities said. The duplex did not have smoke alarms, and DeMars asked residents to install smoke alarms in all homes and routinely check their batteries.


text:
COTSWOLD Flyball Club are on the hunt for a sponsor as they prepare to embark on the most exciting season in their history.
Flyball is a team sport for dogs, in which teams of four, plus up to two reserves, compete in a relay race over four jumps to retrieve a ball from a box. It is the fastest growing dog sport in the country.
The Cotswold club, the holder of two national titles, now boasts almost 50 dogs and have recently invested more than £1 000 of their own funds on an electronic flyball timing and light system imported directly from America to help boost training and performance for 2014.
The outdoor season starts with a nationally accredited tournament at Acremead, Didcot, this weekend, with Cotswold sending more than 30 dogs and six teams to compete, including eight making their debuts.
The event will be the start of the build-up to the National Championships held over three days in August.
They will be spearheaded by the club's top team, the Cyclones, featuring dogs Rocky, Tammi and Poppi, Flynn and Dexter.
The team recently gave some of the country's top teams a fright in a recent indoor tournament, only losing to the country's third-ranked team.
The Typhoons include dogs Cerys, Rona, Reuben, Dylan and Scrumpy, while the Zephyrs feature Boo, a whippet returning from a broken leg, Woody, Mist, Lexie and Mopp.
The Sciroccos boast Evie, Jasper, Chops and Pera, while the Sundownershave Kelli, Jack, Heckla, Moss and Lexie.
Cotswold's Novice team includes Darragh, Rosie, Belle, Poppet and Poppy.
The Cotswold club currently train on Thursdays at 6.30pm at Dairy Farm, Long Newnton, just north of Malmesbury. See cotswoldflyballclub.webs.com for more information.


text:
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=1/3, Mature Content=1/3. Project Gert is a puzzling platformer with an awesome story, featuring voice acting from Mad TV's Dan Oster and Battleground's Lindsey Payne. The second installment in this series serves partly as a reboot, and mirrors the developer's latest novel, 'Project Gert,' rel. Dec 2012.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


text:
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
I had a hysterectomy at age 27 with the ovaries left intact. The only way I knew I was menopausal was througth blood tests. How do I know when it`s over? I`m on an ERT drug every other day (two years now). My breasts still swell every now and then, for a week or so, which makes me think I`m not done yet. I`ll be 55 in October.
It is not clear what you mean by "when it is over". Do you mean when your symptoms like hot flashes are over or when your ovaries stop making little surges of estrogen that can cause breast tenderness? If it is the breast tenderness, that may or may not be related to estrogen from your ovaries. Some women far beyond menopause still get episodes of breast tenderness that could be unrelated to estrogen.
If you are referring to hot flashes, some women have an occasional hot flash forever, even when they are still taking estrogen. Women who had hot flashes at menopause may find that they return when they discontinue hormone therapy. Hopefully they are not so intense when they return. You can try decreasing your estrogen dose and see how you feel.
Margery Gass, MD
Formely, Professor, Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati


text:
The 2009 vintage in California had a mix of weather conditions that kept growers busy all year long, but in the end resulted in an average-sized crop of very good wines. Ripe, rich, and full, rounder and more supple in their tannins than the 2008 and a notch under 2007 — but the best are excellent.
A slow start to the year was mitigated by good conditions through the summer; a couple of hot spells in August and September allowed the grapes to catch up.
The harvest started just ahead of normal, and things looked great until the 13th of October, when almost 4 inches of rain fell in a day. Fortunately, the rain was predicted well in advance, and many growers accelerated picking and were able to bring in much of the crop before the rain, especially Pinot Noir and other earlier-ripening grapes. The weather after the rain would be critical, as the risk of rot and dilution of flavors became a major concern for grapes not brought in before the rain. In most regions the weather improved and dried up the vineyards, extending hang-time into late October, and the majority of growers reported post-rain fruit coming in healthy and in good shape.
Colgin, simply put, is one of the most impressive wineries in the valley — a "Grand Cru" Napa estate. It sits high in the Vaca Mountains, just down the road from David Arthur Winery, in the area known as Pritchard Hill. From one look around, it's clear that there is nothing that hasn't been carefully thought out. The winery's beautifully decorated rooms, immaculate and efficient winemaking facility, and impeccably maintained vineyards all reflect an amazing attention to detail. If you've been lucky enough to pop one of these corks, you know what I mean.
The founder and proprietor of the winery is Ann Colgin. She began her career a world away, working in the art department of Christie's Auction House in London. While at Christie's, her interest in wine developed daily, mostly because of all fun the folks in the wine department seemed to be having! Eventually tiring of her role in art, Ann switched sides and joined the wine team. She quickly discovered that she had an excellent palate, and was much more suited to working with wine. Not long after, she was hired by Serena Sutcliffe, the head of Sotheby's, to oversee the newly established West Coast wine department in Los Angeles. Aside from the day-to-day responsibilities of expanding and developing the auction market, Ann began spending time in Napa Valley. She met and became friends with John Wetlaufer, who educated her on the nuances of Napa and tasted her on wines from various appellations and terroirs. Finally, in 1992, with her feet firmly on the Napa ground, Ann decided to make wine herself.
Having tasted some of the very best wines in the valley (and in the world, at Sotheby's), Ann knew what she was looking for. She wanted a great site that wasn't full-on mountain terroir, but not valley floor either — she wanted a location that had elements of each. In 1995, she found it in the Herb Lamb Vineyard. Sitting just under the Howell Mountain elevation line, it was exactly the right spot. Ann made her first vintage that year, from a 2-acre block at the vineyard's highest point. The winemaker was none other than super-star Helen Turley. She made enough wine for only 450 cases, but when Robert Parker reviewed it, along with the following vintage, he was totally struck. He marveled, "I realize perfection in wine, like perfection in anything, is in the eyes of the beholder, and there are those who believe perfection is simply unobtainable. But in my mind, the 1996 and 1995 come close to perfection." As you might imagine, with that endorsement, Colgin was off to the races.
In the following years, Ann and her husband, Joe Wender, built rapidly on their initial success. They purchased the historic Tychson Hill Vineyard in Saint Helena in 1997, and later secured a multi-year contract with David Abreu for fruit from his superb Madrona Ranch, Thorevilos, and Howell Mountain vineyards. The last, and possibly most significant property that Ann and Joe acquired was the IX Estate, a stunning but undeveloped 125-acre tract owned by the Long family (David Arthur Winery). The Long's called it "parcel number nine," which is in part how the estate got its name. The 20-acre vineyard at IX is planted with 16 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties, and 4 acres of Syrah.
In all, Colgin owns or controls 35 acres of vines and produces four wines. They are the IX Estate Proprietary Red, the IX Estate Syrah, the Cariad Proprietary Red, made from David Abreu's fruit, and the Tychson Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinification originally took place at the Napa Wine Company, but was later moved to Laird Estate. In 2002, a new winery was completed at IX Estate, where all wines have been made since.
Allison Tauziet is the current winemaker at Colgin. Her background in the trade dates to her days at UC Davis, where she majored in fermentation science and French. After graduating, she interned at Domaine Chandon in Yountville and then at the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux. She returned to Napa to work as an enologist at Farniente, where she stayed until 2005, rising to the position of assistant winemaker. She was hired to be the estate manager/assistant winemaker at Colgin, but it didn't take her long to earn a promotion to head winemaker.
Allison's wines are built around terroir, expressed in the classic Colgin style — elegant, powerful, and precise. For those who can afford them (they are like Grand Cru in more ways than their world class quality!), these are some of the very best made in Napa, year in and year out.
Area Under Vine: 20 Acres
Wines Made: Cabernet Sauvignon Cariad, Cabernet, Sauvignon IX Estate,Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill, Estate Syrah
Terroir: Various
Cabernet Sauvignon has been the flagship red grape of the California wine industry for decades, and its popularity shows no sign of abating. Napa Valley is the heart of Cabernet Sauvignon production and is clearly an ideal region for creating world-class wines. If any Cabernet-based wine is capable of giving Bordeaux a run for its money, it's Napa Valley's examples. However, due to the extremely high cost of purchasing and developing vineyards in California, and the cachet of Napa Valley on the label, this has largely become a category for the well-heeled wine lover.
At their best, Napa Valley's Cabernets are characterized by fruit notes of cassis, black cherry, and licorice and sweet oak notes of chocolate, mocha, cedar, and tar. Today, most of the best wines are aged entirely or almost completely in French oak barrels, which tend to produce somewhat more refined wines than do most American barrels. (These latter barrels often introduce exotic and pungent suggestions of scotch, bourbon, tar, coconut, and dill.) But the use of expensive French oak is no guarantee of a good bottle: too many wines today, due to high crop levels or insufficiently ripe fruit, do not have the stuffing to support their oakiness and can quickly be dominated or even dried out by their wood component. The best California Cabernets mellow and soften with five to ten years of bottle aging, developing more complex and less fruit-dominated notes of tobacco, leather, and earth, with mellower wood tones. Compared to the top Bordeaux, however, many California Cabernet Sauvignons merely endure in bottle rather than truly become more interesting. There are no shortage of quality producers, even if these wines are rarely values. And it remains to be seen if today's outsized showstoppers, made from superripe grapes and undeniably impressive on release, will reward extended bottle aging or will turn out to have been best suited for drinking in their youth.
Many wines labeled Cabernet Sauvignon contain small percentages of other so-called Bordeaux varieties -- chiefly Merlot and Cabernet Franc but also Petit Verdot and even Malbec (varietally labeled wines in California must contain at least 75% of the variety named).
Cabernet Sauvignon also flourishes in Washington State, Australia and even Chile. In Washington, prices have been creeping up at the high end, with some producers aiming to compete with cult wines from the Napa Valley. Consider Chateau Ste. Michelle and Woodward Canyon. In Australia, look to the Coonawarra and Margaret River regions. Chile can reveal excellent bargains to those who know where to look: Montes makes a strong range of quality bottlings, as does Casa Lapostolle.
As Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and assertive on the palate, it pairs best with foods like grilled red meats. Taken together, the proteins and fats in the food neutralize some of the stronger tannic qualities of the wine, leading to a harmonic combination that enhances both partners.
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Banacol backs sustainability push
Coral Gables, Fla.-based Banacol Marketing Corp., one of Colombia's largest banana producers, is supporting a Colombian and Dutch government declaration that aims to make the banana sector more sustainable by 2015.
According to the document, released in June, Colombia is the world's fourth largest banana exporter, with more than 10% of the global banana market and foreign sales generating around $700 million. About 95 million boxes of bananas exported annually.
The declaration advocates environmentally responsible practices that protect the country's soil, water and biodiversity, along with fair compensation for workers.
It also aims to align certification standards in order to lower costs and increase efficiency, said Bill Sheridan, executive vice president of sales.
In return, the government promises to improve infrastructure and technology to increase competitiveness in the banana sector and promote the sale of sustainable bananas through commitments with importers and supermarket chains and consumer campaigns.
By 2015, Colombia expects to produce 36 million boxes of sustainable bananas.
Dole's FreshPack gets warm initial reception
Dole is encouraged by consumer and retailer response to its new FreshPack bag, said Bil Goldfield, communications manager for Westlake Village, Calif.-based Dole Fresh Fruit.
The microperforated 3-pound bag, divided into two pouches, was introduced in 10 Texas communities over the summer.
It's designed to extend the life of bananas up to six days, Goldfield said.
Bananas from one pouch can be opened and enjoyed while the other side "sleeps" in an atmosphere of increased carbon dioxide.
Based on the bag's success, Goldfield expects retailers and markets will soon be adding the new pack to their produce lineup.
New Del Monte bag extends shelf life
Coral Gables, Fla.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce NA has designed a 3-pound bag using its proprietary Controlled Ripening Technology to extend the shelf life of bananas up to three days.
Dennis Christou, vice president marketing, said the new bag will help retail customers increase banana sales and improve the fruit's appearance and quality because of moisture retention and less handling.
Del Monte's banana bag means labor savings for retailers, fewer deliveries and reduced shrink, Christou said.
Organics Unlimited adds acreage
San Diego-based Organics Unlimited has added 143 acres to its banana plantations in Colima, Mexico, for a total of 390 acres, said president Mayra Velazquez de Leon.
Production began in early summer and will help supply organic bananas to two new accounts, Whole Food Market stores in Texas and Kroger supermarkets in the Los Angeles area, said Velazquez de Leon.
"I've received e-mails from consumers in Texas saying they're happy we're in their stores," she said.
The company also sells Fair Trade-certified organic bananas.
Organics Unlimited has also freshened-up its website and created a separate website for its GROW bananas, which raise funds to improve the lives of farm workers, their families and communities in Ecuador and Mexico.
Sales of GROW bananas have been strong for the past three years, she said, and now represent about 80% of the company's organic bananas.
"I think the numbers are increasing because people know our program, especially on the West Coast, and we invite them to come down as volunteers to see what's being done first-hand," she said.
Velazquez de Leon said Organics Unlimited's back-to-school promotions focused on bananas as a healthy snack for kids and adults.


text: News Back Thursday, March 13, 2014 - Walsh College Economic Sentiment Survey Reveals Increased Confidence in Michigan Economy Walsh College alumni's confidence in economic conditions continue to trend in a positive direction, with Michigan's longer-term economic prospects exceeding that of the country as a whole. According to preliminary findings of the seventh semi-annual Walsh College Economic Sentiment Survey, conducted during the first quarter of 2014, economic confidence in the state of Michigan has increased 94 percent over the past six months, versus 18 percent increase for the country as a whole. The Walsh Economic Sentiment Ratio©, a weighted ratio of positive-to-negative responses, with a value greater than 1.0 representing a relatively optimistic stance and a value less than 1.0 denoting a relatively pessimistic outlook, was 1.68 for the country (up from 1.42) and 2.04 for the state (up from 1.05). The sixth round survey, conducted in the third quarter of 2013, indicated that expectations for the respective U.S. and Michigan business climates were closely aligned, although new data suggests a slight divergence in opinion. Survey respondents are moderately more optimistic in respect to the state's business conditions over the next 12 months, with the Walsh Business Sentiment Ratio improving from 0.59 to 0.80. In contrast, the near-term business outlook for the country dipped slightly, from 0.69 to 0.52. [See Table] Confidence in household finances is moderately high, remaining steady over six months, with 62 percent of respondents expecting their household condition will be "Excellent" or "Good" 12 months from now, and only eight percent concerned that personal finances will be "Not so good" or "Terrible." This round of the survey included a Special Module on the City of Detroit's Economic Recovery. Seventy percent of our alumni respondents indicated they either live, work, or visit the City of Detroit. When asked to rate the level of Detroit's recovery over the next five years, the responses were mostly neutral to slightly positive with 42 percent saying recovery would be "Okay" and 30 percent expecting the recovery to be "Good." Respondents reported spending time in Detroit dining out, participating in cultural and artistic activities, and attending sporting events. When asked about factors expected to stimulate economic recovery, Walsh alumni cited private investment to be of foremost importance, followed by fiscal transparency and political leadership. Overall, respondents believe that a modest recovery is possible over the next five years for both the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. For video commentary by Walsh College's finance faculty, visit: www.walshcollege.edu/EconSurveyVideo. The survey is designed and implemented by the Walsh College Finance and Economics faculty. Participants include a representative sample of alumni.


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Scrambled eggs with Mimolette cheese
Cut the top of the eggs as you would do for a boiled egg. Scoop out the eggs, conserving the four shells. You will need these later.
Cut the cheese into thin slices.
Melt the butter in a pan. Add the eggs, stir slowing with a wooden spoon on a slow flame. Once the eggs start to harden add the cream and season to taste.
Allow to be cooked a few more seconds, stirring constantly. Refill the eggshells and sprinkle on the Mimolette cheese.
Replace the top on the eggs, the surprise is all the more exciting. A great way to start the day!
Ingredients :
100 grams of Mimolette cheese
4 fresh eggs
30 grams butter
2 soup spoons of thick cream
Salt and pepper
Mimolette 24 months old


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Suite 1800
Rochester, New York 1461
United States
|Areas of Practice
|1) Civil Litigation.
|Syracuse University (B.A., 2003)
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|Relin, Goldstein & Crane, LLP
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Assistant Attorney General, Bureau of Internet & Technology (BIT_NYC_AAG_3121)
USA-NY-New York City
Division of Economic Justice Bureau of Internet and Technology Assistant Attorney General – New York City Reference No: BIT_NYC_AAG_3121 The New York State Office of the Attorney Genera...
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Attorney NJ/NY
USA-NY-New York City
A premier plaintiff's personal injury law firm seeks a high-energy Associate experienced in litigation cases in New York and New Jersey. The attorney will gain hands-on litigation experience with a to...
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Associate Attorney: Federal Consumer Litigation
USA-NY-New City
Associate Attorney: Federal Consumer Litigation Interested in: federal and state litigation; helping consumers in their dealings with financial companies; growing professionally with our firm includi...
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A. Harrison Barnes is a well-known attorney throughout the United States. As a member of the Malibu community, Harrison is committed to serving the needs of Malibu residents and businesses in legal matters.
Benjamin P. Smith is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Litigation Practice. He is a trial lawyer with a particular focus on high-stakes disputes in the biotechnology, medical device, and internet industries.


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Peter Falk Photo 343x512
Peter Falk
Peter Michael Falk (September 16, 1927 – June 23, 2011) was an American actor, best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo. He appeared in numerous films such as The Princess Bride, The Great Race and Next, and television guest roles and was nominated for an Academy Award twice (for 1960's Murder, Inc. and 1961's Pocketful of Miracles), and won the Emmy Award on five occasions (four for Columbo) and the Golden Globe award once. Director William Friedkin, when discussing Falk's role in his 1978 film The Brink's Job said that "Peter has a great range from comedy to drama. He could break your heart or he could make you laugh.".
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Get It Together: How to Prepare for a Cumulative Final
- When:
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- Academic Center
- Room:
- 103
- www.ubalt.edu/alc
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Freaking out about finals? Learn a proven system for approaching a cumulative final. No matter the course, you'll gain strategies to help you approach your finals with confidence.
- Contact Name:
- Achievement and Learning Center
- Contact Email:
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- Contact Phone:
- 410.837.5383
If you need accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the person listed above at least 10 days prior to the event.


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1980?s round toe western boots. Pull-tabs at either side. Our vintage buyer hand selected this collection of round toe boots because they all have an awesome fit.


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Available for the first time in North America from Shout! Factory...
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with our sponsor Collectibles Insurance.
For a great selection of film, comic and TV action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, ToyDorks.com, MonkeyDepot.com, and Sekaido.com.
For an amazing selection of original sculptures, statues, prints and DVDs be sure to check out ShiflettBrothers.com.
This summer, loyal fans and collectors can finally bring home a new installment of the ongoing animated saga of Transformers as Fortress Maximus, Scorponok and rest of the Headmasters make their U.S. home entertainment debut in TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION – HEADMASTERS 4-DVD set from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro.
The Transformers - Headmasters is the first part of the rare Japanese trilogy that followed the popular "Generation 1" animated series. Available for the first time in North America, this collectible 4-DVD set features the complete action-packed episodes from the Headmasters series and contains the original Japanese language tracks along with updated English subtitles, a rare art gallery and more. Poised to attract an audience of pop culture enthusiasts, kids and parents who grew up with the American animated series, Transformers: The Japanese Collection - Headmasters is priced to own with a suggested retail price of $29.93 and will be in stores everywhere on July 5, 2011. Pre-orders are currently being accepted at ShoutFactoryStore.com.Optimus Prime lives again, the energy of the Matrix has been released and peace reigns on Cybertron . . . but all that is about to change with the startling arrival of the newest breed of Transformers warriors - the Headmasters!
Bonus Features Include:
* Original Japanese Audio
* English Subtitles
* Art Gallery
Source: Edited Shout! Factory PR


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Streatham-Croydon coach Jeff Greenleaf described his team's Surrey Two performance as very poor after they relinquished a two-year unbeaten home league record.
Saturday's 18-25 defeat at the hands of Old Tonbridgians was all the more disappointing as the visitors had mustered only eight points in their previous two games.
However, despite his proclamation, Greenleaf also cited a common phenomenon of lower league rugby in defence of his side.
He said: "We didn't turn up on the day and a combination of things just contrived against us. It's not an excuse but we were missing eight regular starters and that is not going to help.
"But that is all part of rugby at this level. We were understrength because players were either working or had other commitments. In the same vein, Old Tonbridgians will field a strong or weak side depending on what their players are doing.
"You never know how strong your opponent, or indeed your own team, is going to be from week to week."
He added: "But that said, we were very poor and we should have won this game."
Getting in on the scoring were Kai Casemiss and Charlie Crewe with a try apiece while Danny Markevics kicked eight points.
Streatham turn their attentions to the National Junior Vase this weekend with a trip to Old Caterhamians on Saturday.


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'A Panda Suit, Pythagoras, and Plenty of Puns' Set for FRIGID Festival, 2/21-3/3
Based on the art of punning, this fun, off-beat and witty one-man stand-up comedy show includes the story of a panda suit, and winds from a reverent discussion of Dr. Dre to an irreverent discussion of the dating lives of Plato and Pythagoras. Through a multitude of topics and presentation techniques, Nikhil Tilwalli demonstrates that Woody Allen's and Steve Martin's, non-observational approach to generating humor, first writing a punch line and then writing a premise to match, is alive and well.
Nikhil Tilwalli is a writer and comedian who lives and performs in New York City. His Twitter feed is funny, and can be found at http://twitter.com/NikhilTilwalli. His website can be found at http://www.nikhiltilwalli.com.
Thursday, February 21, 10:15 P.M.


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If anyone watched the Texas race from last night (Sat) they probably know exactly what I'm talking about. Simona de Silvestro's car hit the wall in a rather undramatic fashion (as wall hits go at 200MPH +) and skidded along the wall and a small fire broke out. The car finally came off the wall and slid down the track to a stop but that small fire had now turned into a rather scary looking fire that was clearly not going out on its own.
The TV camera was focused right on the car as the flames grew and the driver was trying to unhook herself and get out. I'm sure the director thought we were going to see an example of the famed safety team going to work and turn this around quickly. Instead, we watched the flames grow higher at a rapid rate and had to start wondering if we were seeing a tragedy live on television.
For whatever reason it seemed like plan A was a firehose from the safety truck that I didn't even know was there... and one that must've malfunctioned because they were fiddling with it as the flames grew higher and things were not looking good for the driver. You'd think there would be a Plan B with fire extinguishers but it was slow coming. Fortunately, one of the safety workers went to help the driver out (getting burned himself) and finally a lone fire extinguisher appeared.
This was as bad as I can remember Indycar safety crews looking. I'll admit, we don't see fires like this in Indycars these days normally (thankfully). Usually, at worst in an on track accident there will be an oil fire that pops up if a line is broken in a crash and it quickly burns itself out. But this wasn't that... I'm assuming maybe it was an oil fire initially but as it slid along the wall for that extended period of time it must've set the bodywork on fire.
Normally, Indycar safety crews are the best... not some of the best... THE best. But clearly this was far from their best moment.
In any case, Indycar needs to have a loooooong look at their response and preparedness for this type situation (and figure out exactly what and why something went wrong). This could've been a whole lot worse (she ended up with burns on her hand and the safety worker had burns on his face according to Indystar.com).
Kudos to the Indycar safety team member who went directly to the car to help the driver even though it became clear he wasn't going to have the immediate backup/safety of a firehose or extinguisher.


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Contact Information
DeGraff Memorial Hospital
445 Tremont Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
- (716) 690-2170
- Map & Directions
Blood Draw - DeGraff
DeGraff Memorial Hospital Laboratory Services provides inpatient, STAT outpatient, long-term care, clinics and Emergency Department laboratory testing. The department is staffed 24 hours a day with clinical laboratory scientists, licensed by the New York State Department of Education, who are able to perform all lab functions as needed.
A board certified pathologist is available to examine surgical specimens, and performs frozen sections as necessary. Specimens are sent to Buffalo General Medical Center for further testing.
DeGraff Memorial Hospital Laboratory Patient Service Center is staffed by qualified phlebotomists who perform outpatient blood draws and collections of urine. Patients must present with a valid doctor's prescription for blood draws and collections.
Outpatient Blood Draw and Collection Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.


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Personal Advising
The Department of Student Services offers advising and counseling to students and spouses for personal matters. The staff and faculty below are available to meet with you. To set up an appointment please contact the Student Services Office (214-887-5360, firstname.lastname@example.com).
Kelly Cheatham Director of Counseling Services
Joe Allen Chaplain
Robert Garippa Dean of Students
Lynn Etta Manning Advisor for Women Students
Carolyn Hannah Advisor for Seminary Wives in Ministry (SWIM)
Terry Woodson Advisor for African-American Students
Rachel O'Brien Advisor for International Students / Students with Disabilities


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This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. Unstoppable Chopper is out of control and he is going to crash, that is unless you can guide him past all other air traffic out there. Collect coins on the way to increase your score. With 24 levels to get through Unstoppable Chopper is a great game for the whole family. Includes online highscore tables and friends highscores.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


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The salary cap will grow in 2009.
Because teams didn't spend as much as they were supposed to under the collective bargaining agreement the past three years, teams were notified Wednesday that the salary cap will increase over $4 million to $127 million for this coming year, according to sources with two NFL teams. The collective bargaining agreement calls for cap adjustment down if teams spend over the cap in cash and adjustment up if they don't spend up to the cap.
It defies the recession and logic, but just before free agency, teams actually will have more flexibility and salary-cap room. This is tremendous news for teams such as the Colts and Panthers, who are pressed against the cap, and not such good news for teams such as the Buccaneers and Chiefs, who were way under the cap. Now their advantage is somewhat compromised.
Teams believed they would see a mild increase in the salary cap, but this is bigger than teams expected.


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Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in Managed Services, Backup and Recovery, and Networking news, Unitrends acquires PHD Virtual, Datto introduces a new partner marketing tool, MegaPath launches a data breach risk calculator, N-able announces N-Central 9.3, Kaseya presents BYOD Suite, and SYNNEX enhances its rebate management application. Also The ASCII Group can take advantage of a Passportal password management system, and CompTIA adds three sales playbooks to its educational curriculum.
Unitrends Acquires PHD Virtual
Unitrends, a provider of all-in-one backup, archiving, instant recovery, and disaster recovery solutions, has signed an agreement to acquire PHD Virtual Technologies, a virtual backup and disaster recovery assurance solutions provider. Both companies have primary investments from Insight Venture Partners, a global private equity and venture capital firm. The acquisition will give Unitrends the ability to leverage PHD Virtual's technology platform and data protection products, especially to meet the demands of SMBs. Combined, Unitrends and PHD Virtual serve more than 10,000 customers worldwide and have more than 8,000 global channel partner representatives.
Datto Introduces New Partner Marketing Tool
Datto, a global provider of hybrid cloud-based backup, disaster recovery, and intelligent business continuity solutions, has launched a customizable marketing playbook. The materials are available through Datto's Partner Portal to help managed services providers (MSPs) and VARs convey the value of a hybrid cloud-based solution and the ease of transitioning from one platform to another.
MegaPath Launches Data Breach Risk Calculator
MegaPath has launched its Data Breach Risk Calculator to help organizations — especially SMBs — better understand the probability of a data breach. Based on responses to a 10-question survey, the calculator provides participants with benchmark information that can be used to assess potential data breach exposure for their companies. The calculator provides the estimated cost of a data breach, as well as a detailed report that explains directions for interpreting the results and tips for reducing risks.
The Data Breach Risk Calculator is powered by The Ponemon Institute, an independent research and education firm. The calculator is based on a Ponemon Institute study, "Data Security in Small Healthcare Organizations," commissioned by MegaPath, which includes data from interviews with more than 700 healthcare organizations with 250 or fewer employees. The study found that almost all of the small healthcare organizations surveyed had a data breach within the 12 months leading up to the survey and that businesses often underestimate the financial and reputational consequences of a data breach.
N-Central 9.3 Now Available
N-able has announced the general availability of N-central 9.3 service automation platform. New features and functionality include Security Manager antivirus (AV) integrated with AV Defender, which protects Windows devices from current security threats. N-central 9.3 also includes Maintenance Windows, enhanced reboot options that feature scheduling of Security Manager installations, updates, and upgrades on a per-device, per-rule basis and scheduling when reboots can occur on a per-product basis. The platform also now offers an integrated RSS feed and the N-able MSP Runbook integrated into N-central online help.
Passportal Offers Password Management To The ASCII Group Members
The ASCII Group announced that Passportal, an online password management system designed specifically for managed services providers (MSPs), will provide a free user license to group members. Passportal is a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) product featuring four tiers of protection and encryption for passwords. MSPs that maintain the passwords and credentials required to support and manage their clients' IT systems will benefit from this product. Information on Passportal is available online at The ASCII Group Partner Portal.
Kaseya Presents BYOD Management, Security Solution
The Kaseya BYOD Suite is now available. It is an enterprise-class platform that extends corporate data sources to mobile users' smartphones and tablets. With this solution, organizations can configure and manage security architecture for employee-provided mobile devices. Kaseya BYOD Suite offers a containerized approach — installable apps that create a corporate "container" on the employee's device — that separates corporate access and protects the user's privacy. If an employee leaves the company or a device is compromised, administrators can wipe the enterprise data on that device without impacting the employee's personal information. The solution also provides AES 256 encryption on top of SSL encryption, and the solution is HIPAA-compliant as well as meeting requirements of other privacy standards including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2. Kaseya purchased the technology for the solution last year in its acquisition of Rover Apps.
SYNNEX Enhances Rebate Management Application
SYNNEX has released an enhanced version of its PROMOCentral application. The application is a single location for marketing incentives, SYNNEX Exclusive Rebates, and manufacturer rebates. The application now has more than 500 manufacturers and more than 1,000 rebate programs. Enhanced functionality allows resellers to search for promotions by manufacturer, product category, SKU, or other relevant information or search a manufacturer or SYNNEX SKU to see available programs. Resellers can also subscribe to the programs relevant to their businesses and manage promotions with MyPROMO. A trial of the application is available to resellers who are not SYNNEX customers.
CompTIA Adds 3 Sales Playbooks To Training Curriculum
CompTIA added new sales playbooks to its Winter 2014 Channel Training Catalog. The playbooks combine workshop sessions with templates and training materials designed to help IT sales teams with prospecting activities and sales campaigns for emerging technology solutions. The three new playbooks are these:
Playbooks on cloud-based storage and cloud-based backup and recovery are also available, as well as a portfolio of live workshops, printed and downloadable training guides, business credentials, and other training options for channel companies.


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Free Halo:Reach poster, exclusive figure, more...
For a great selection of action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, SmallJoes.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, ZoloWorld.com, MonkeyDepot.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
For a great selection of pop culture t-shirts and apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.
McFarlane Toys won't have a booth presence at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, but their product and CEO, Todd McFarlane, will be everywhere. Here's the rundown of signings, panels, exclusives and first looks Comic-Con attendees can look forward to:
* Noble Seven
McFarlane Toys and Toys "R" Us have teamed up to bring you the very first Halo: Reach action figure. "Noble Seven" is exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con 2010, personally designed by Halo game developer Bungie Studios, and available only from Toys "R" Us. Convention attendees can get their hands on one at the Entertainment Earth booth (#2343); limited quantities will also be available online at toysrus.com/collectibles. The SDCC Halo: Reach figure will be selling for $20 (tax included) and subject to retailer limits.
* 38 Studios Visionary Signing: McFarlane, Schilling, Salvatore and Rolston
Thursday, July 22
Sails Pavilion autograph area
Video game fans may also know Todd McFarlane as the Art Director of game design company 38 Studios. Join the game visionaries McFarlane, R.A. Salvatore (New York Times Best-Selling Author), Curt Schilling (38 Studios Founder and Chairman, and former Major League Baseball World Series Champion), and Ken Rolston (Lead Designer, Big Huge Games and Lead Designer of Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion) at their first-ever public signing. Tickets for the signing will be made available that morning on a first come, first served basis in the Sails Pavilion. Autographs limited to one panel poster available free to the attendees of the 38 Studios panel (see below for more details.)
* Haunt Creative Team Signing
Friday, July 24
Image Comics Booth #2729
Meet the creators of Haunt, the hot new comic book series from Image Comics. Creators Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible) are signing at Image Comics' booth #2729 on Friday, July 24. Limited to 100 people, two signatures per person: one Haunt comic and one additional item.
* Toys "R" Us Halo: Reach Figure Signing
Friday, July 23, 5:00 - 6:30pm
Entertainment Earth booth #2343
McFarlane Toys visionary, Todd McFarlane, will be available to autograph the Toys "R" Us Exclusive San Diego Comic-Con Halo: Reach "Noble Seven" action figure. Event is limited to 150 tickets. One autograph per person, limited to the SDCC exclusive figure.
* Tor/McFarlane Toys Halo: Reach Action Figure Poster Giveaway and McFarlane Signing
Sat, July 24, 10:30 - 11:30am
Tor Publishing booth #2301
Stop by the Tor Publishing booth on Saturday to pick up this free, exclusive Tor/McFarlane Toys Halo poster (pictured top), featuring The Fall of Reach on the front and McFarlane Toys' Halo: Reach action figures on the back. This will be a limited one hour signing for the first 75 people. Autographs limited to one free poster, designed by McFarlane and Tor, and one additional item (i.e. toy or comic).
* Image Comics Partners Signing
Saturday, July 24
Image Booth #2729
If you prefer the earliest Image titles to the latest ones, don't miss the Image Partners signing. Todd McFarlane joins his fellow Image Partners, Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), and Jim Valentino (ShadowHawk) for a special autograph session at the Image Booth #2729 on Sat., July 24 from 4-5PM. Limited to 75 people, two autographs per person.
* Halo: Reach Action Figure and Vehicle Display
Wed, July 21 - Sun, July 25
Diamond Distributors booth #2401
Throughout the convention, comic book and action figure distributor Diamond will feature a display containing a selection of products from Halo: Reach Series 1. Stop by booth #2401 to get an up-close and personal first look at these new figures, as well as the first-ever showing of the highly-anticipated Covenant Ghost and UNSC Warthog vehicles.
* The World Premiere of "Project Mercury" the First Title From 38 Studios and Debut of First Game Trailer, Directed by Todd McFarlane
Thursday, July 22, 2010
1:15-2:15PM Room 6A
EA and 38 Studios will reveal details from the highly anticipated RPG, codenamed "Project Mercury." The special panel and Q&A session will be moderated by Spike TV's Geoff Keighley, and will feature 38 Studios' esteemed group of visionaries, including Todd McFarlane, R. A. Salvatore, Ken Rolston and 38 Studios' Founder and Chairman Curt Schilling. Attendees will receive a limited-edition number upcoming video game poster designed by Todd McFarlane. Autograph session to follow panel (limited to 500 ticketed attendees).
* Stan Lee Panel, Special Guest Todd McFarlane
Friday, July 23
Room 6BCF
When comic book legend Stan Lee asked Todd to moderate his Comic-Con panel, how could he refuse? See Stan and Todd on Friday, July 23 from 2:00 to 3:00PM in Room 6BCF for a Spotlight on Stan Lee. The comics legend discusses some of his latest projects at POW! Entertainment and the future of comics and new media distribution, including challenges today's writers and artists face. Join Stan and company, including Gill Champion (COO POW! Entertainment) for this special panel, which includes a Q&A with "The Man" himself.
* Partners in Image Comics
Saturday, July 24
Room 9
Image Comics partners Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), and Jim Valentino (ShadowHawk) get together for a boisterous discussion of all things Image. Join the partners as they talk about ongoing and future projects, and become part of the discussion during a Q&A session.
* Halo Universe Panel
Sunday, July 25
Room 32AB
Frank O'Connor (343 Industries) hosts this panel of renowned Halo creators, including appearances by authors and representatives from long-standing partners such as McFarlane Toys and Weta. And as Todd announced this week on Waypoint, during the panel, one lucky attendee will walk away with a McFarlane Toys produced Halo: Reach Legendary Edition statue, signed and personalized by Todd, himself.
Source: Spawn.com


text:
Kindle edition now available here!
Paperback here!
Hello friends,
Americans are waking up to the reality that our once free republic is in serious trouble. They are searching for answers to what seem like unsolvable problems: economic depression, unending war, political corruption, and vanishing liberties. What if there were just one answer – freedom? The American republic was founded upon that principle, yet few suggest it is the solution to any of our problems, much less all of them. But if freedom is the answer, we first must know what it is. Sadly, most Americans do not. That is why I wrote this book.
I hope you enjoy the Introduction and Chapter One: What is Freedom?, which I am making available for free below. The subsequent chapters discuss how freedom can solve the many challenges we face.
To read the rest of this book, you can get the Kindle Edition here.
I look forward to fighting with you to restore our liberty. – Tom Mullen
"Thomas Mullen is a knowledgeable and passionate libertarian and A Return to Common Sense is a valuable addition to the libertarian literature. Those new to the freedom movement will benefit from Tom's introduction to both the practical and moral arguments for freedom. Long-time activists will benefit from Tom's explanation of why strict adherence to principle is vital to the future success of the liberty movement."
– Representative Ron Paul (TX-14)
Congressman and author of The Revolution: A Manifesto and End the Fed.
"A well written primer on economics, liberty, and government that even avid Austrians will enjoy. If you have been blinded by government and Wall Street propaganda, A Return to Common Sense will help open your eyes. I not only recommend that you add this book to your freedom library, but that you buy a few copies for your friends."
– Peter Schiff, President of Euro Pacific Capital, Inc and author of Crash Proof: How to Profit from the Coming Economic Collapse.
Tom Mullen has written a thorough and useful book. Those for whom a discussion of liberty is a new experience will discover in A Return to Common Sense a clear, easy to understand guide to the nature of freedom, and why it is essential to our fondest hopes for a civil society of opportunity, peace, and prosperity. For those who already share these values, it's a welcome resource for perfecting our own knowledge and advancing our cause.
– Charles Goyette, author of THE DOLLAR MELTDOWN: Surviving the Impending Currency Crisis with Gold, Oil, and Other Unconventional Investments and RED AND BLUE AND BROKE ALL OVER: Restoring America's Free Economy
Free Chapters
The American Crisis
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
– Thomas Paine (1776)1
America finds itself in a time of crisis. For several generations we have expressed dissatisfaction with government, whether with the Viet Nam war, the energy and economic crises of the 1970's, the scandals of the 1980's and 1990's, or the present wars in the Middle East. While a little dissatisfaction with the status quo is healthy, it has gone far beyond that now. For anyone remotely in touch with the state of our republic, there is a growing sense of dread that whatever is wrong is getting much worse much faster. They realize that what was once a desire for change has now become a dire need for change. Yet, in as much as the voting public clamors for it, does anyone think for a moment that the majority of people in America actually know what changes are necessary, or even what changes they want?
The United States emerged from the 19th century during the most innovative period in the history of mankind. The industrial revolution had wrought miracles that could barely have been imagined 100 years before. After thousands of years of traveling on foot or on the backs of beasts of burden, automobiles carried Americans wherever they wished to go. Steamships freed travel by sea from the vagaries of the four winds, and the telegraph and telephone made communication with distant locations instantaneous, when just a few decades earlier weeks or even months might be required for a single letter to arrive. Electric light replaced gas lamps, and man's most ancient dream was realized by Wilbur and Orville Wright.
With the explosion of technology came an explosion of wealth and prosperity. Mass production and other improvements made manufactured goods cheaper, increasing their availability beyond the affluent to the common man. Indeed, as significant as the fortunes that were made by famous captains of industry was rising living standards of the growing middle class and even of the poor. For the first time in history, the common people were the prime market for the output of society's production. After thousands of years, children no longer had to toil with their parents just to ensure that the family had enough to eat. The average American lived comfortably on the income produced by one member of the family and that family's standard of living was constantly improving. No challenge seemed too formidable for a people that had harnessed the power of lightning, conquered the air and seemingly made a servant of Mother Nature herself. Finally, the end of poverty and want were in sight.
At the dawn of the 21st century, no such optimism prevailed. The technology-fueled prosperity of the 1990's had hit a serious stumbling block with the crash of the NASDAQ index. A recession was just getting underway when America welcomed a new president. In the midst of economic doldrums, socio-political disaster occurred. Commercial airplanes exploded into the World Trade Center as a nation and world looked on in horror. The buildings fell down and the War on Terror began.
Over a decade later, the United States finds itself quagmired in that war beyond anyone's expectations. Despite the fact that the Democrats won the White House and the House has changed hands twice since 9/11, there is still no end in sight to the wars in the Middle East. President Obama began his campaign as an anti-war candidate, but has made it clear that he will continue the U.S. government's policy of military intervention in the Middle East. As the budget deficits and loss of lives mount, Americans are left to wonder if we will be at war forever.
At home, we find ourselves in economic crisis. The stock market has experienced another historic crash, and for the second time in the past century we are told that we face a Great Depression. While 50 years ago, the average American family was comfortably supported by one income, both parents in that family typically work today, and a second job for at least one parent is not uncommon. While doctor bills were once only a concern for those with unusual medical needs, the typical American family is more and more being forced to choose between healthcare and other basic necessities. While past generations saved for a comfortable retirement, the average American today is deep in debt.
How could a century that started with such promise end with so much doubt? Where did we go wrong? Since her historic founding, America has been known as the "land of the free." Yet, the answers proposed for each of our problems involves Americans giving up some of that freedom. However, if freedom is what made America great, why would less freedom make things better now?
We are told "the world changed on September 11, 2001." Is this true? Is the world fundamentally different than it was? Do evil people really hate us enough because of our freedom and prosperity to commit heinous acts of murder against us? Or are there other reasons? Do we really have to surrender some of our freedom in exchange for security against this new threat? What if the threat continues to increase?
Similarly, we are told our economic crisis was caused by too much laissez faire capitalism and too little regulation. Can too much economic freedom really harm us? Will the massive new government programs and "reregulation" promised by our new President solve our problems? What if they don't? Will even less freedom be the answer then?
This book will set out to answer those questions. In order to do so, we must take a sober look in the mirror. In order to know what has put America in decline, it is necessary first to understand what made her great. At a time when most people are confused and searching for answers, we must shine the light of clarity on every aspect of our society. At times, that light may reveal truths we are not ready to face, including the part each of us has played in bringing about our nation's decline.
We must question institutions we have long ago come to think of as unquestionable. The past 100 years in America has been a time of significant change. Of course, the 20th century was a time of astounding technological advancement. However, we have also made ideological changes that have made America into a much different kind of society than the one our founders built. Were those changes improvements, or have we moved away from the principles that made us great? Are we still the "land of the free?" Are we still the "land of opportunity? Do we really know what those cherished words mean?
During the past few decades of apparent prosperity, very few of us wished to be bothered with the endless partisan bickering of our politicians, despite our frequent expressions of dissatisfaction with them. While we may not have agreed with much about the direction in which our leadership was taking our country, we did not connect what was happening in Washington, D.C. with our own lives or the lives of our families. We have been in a kind of slumber, believing that a free and open society of opportunity and prosperity is guaranteed in America, regardless of the decisions of politicians that determine what kind of society we are.
One thing is certain. We are out of time. In past decades, we have talked about issues we feared may present significant problems for the America of the future. That future is here. It is no longer enough to wistfully talk about the America we will leave to our children. Everything we hold dear about America is in jeopardy, and the time has come to act.
Chapter 1
What is Freedom?
"And what is this liberty, whose very name makes the heart beat faster and shakes the world?"
– Frederic Bastiat1 (1850)
If there is one thing uniquely associated with America, it is freedom. From the moment Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, America has been a symbol of liberty to the entire world. Since the end of World War II, when the United States assumed a worldwide leadership role, it has been the leader of the "free world." At sporting events, standing crowds begin their ovation when the vocalist singing the national anthem gets to the words, "O'er the land of the free." Even in everyday conversations, scarcely a day goes by that one does not hear someone say, "Do what you like, it's a free country."
Although we all agree that America is the "land of the free," there are questions about freedom that might be more difficult to answer. What is freedom? How is it defined? What makes America the land of the free? How would we know if we were to lose our freedom? What is it that our soldiers die for and our politicians swear to defend?
We have been told a lot of things about what freedom is not. From the end of World War II until 1991, most Americans understood that freedom was not communism. For almost three generations, Americans lived in the "free world" during its cold war with the communist Eastern Bloc. Without further thought or instruction, many children of the 20th century think of freedom merely as the antithesis of communism. In some ways, this is not completely untrue, although it hardly provides a complete answer to our question.
Certainly, the mere absence of communism doesn't necessarily guarantee freedom. The 18th century British monarchy wasn't communist, but the American colonists nevertheless considered it tyrannical enough to rebel against. Likewise, the Royal House of Saud may be an ally of the U.S. government, but most Americans would not regard Saudi Arabia as a "free country."
In addition to monarchies, there are plenty of dictatorships around the world that don't enforce a communist system but are nevertheless oppressive. While they also may be allies of the U.S. government, they certainly aren't free countries, either. So, a society is not free merely because it is not communist.
On the other hand, monarchy doesn't seem to necessarily preclude freedom, either. Great Britain has been a relatively free country throughout much of its history, even when the monarchy was much more than a figurehead. The American Revolution notwithstanding, Great Britain was at that time one of the freest societies in the world. Therefore, rather than conclude that no freedom is possible under a monarchy, one might instead conclude that monarchies neither guarantee nor necessarily exclude freedom. Freedom or tyranny seems possible under almost any system of government.
Perhaps we can define freedom more easily by looking at its antithesis. Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists slavery among antonyms for freedom. Surely, we have found a start here. Most people would agree that slavery is the complete absence of freedom. Who can we imagine that is less free than the slave? This is helpful in beginning to try to frame an answer, but freedom cannot be merely the absence of slavery. Surely our founding fathers bled to give us a higher standard than this!
If we are told anything about what freedom is, it is that freedom is democracy. If you ask most Americans, this is the answer you will get. This is reinforced ad nauseum by politicians, media, and teachers in our public schools. When Iraq held its first elections after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, politicians and journalists universally celebrated the Iraqis' "first taste of freedom."
Certainly, democracy is a vast improvement over the autocratic rule of a dictator. But does democracy automatically mean freedom? If democracy is rule by the majority, what about the minority? What if 51 % of the people voted to oppress the other 49%? Would that society truly be free?
Most Americans would be quite surprised to learn what our founding fathers thought about democracy. Any objective analysis would conclude that their feelings lay somewhere between suspicion and contempt.
James Madison said, "Democracy is the most vile form of government … democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention: have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property: and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths,"2
In a letter to James Monroe, he also said,
"There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and which, therefore, more needs elucidation, than the current one, that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong."3
While often extolling the virtue of majority rule, Thomas Jefferson nevertheless wrote,
"…that the majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society."4
Can this be true? The founding fathers were ambivalent about democracy? For many people, this is tantamount to sacrilege. More shocking still is what the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution say about democracy: nothing. Nowhere in our founding documents will you find the word "democracy" or the assertion, implicit or explicit, that our government is a democracy. How can this be?
Despite what we are taught virtually from birth, the United States of America has never been a democracy. As only contrarians point out these days, it is a constitutional republic. We choose our leaders using the democratic process of majority vote, but that is the extent to which the United States involves itself with democracy.
Like monarchy, democracy neither guarantees nor necessarily prohibits freedom. Our founders actually feared that democracy poses a danger to freedom. Apart from the pure heresy of the idea, it leaves us with a problem. We are no closer to defining freedom. If even democracy is not freedom, perhaps freedom doesn't really exist! If we are not to find freedom in democracy, where else can we look?
We certainly won't learn what freedom is from our politicians. While terrorism, healthcare, unemployment, gay marriage, and a host of other "major issues" dominate public debate, freedom is just too quaint, too academic, or too forgotten to get any airplay. Yet, as we shall see as we explore the different subjects of this book, freedom is the fundamental issue. In fact, despite what we perceive as a myriad of different problems facing the United States of America today, freedom is actually the only issue. That may be hard to accept, given the decades of shoddy history, obfuscation, and plain old bad ideas we've been bombarded with. Nevertheless, our greatest challenges and their solutions revolve around freedom. If freedom is really that important, we'd better be absolutely sure we know what it is.
In order to answer the question posed by Bastiat at the beginning of this chapter, we will have to go back to the beginning. Our founding fathers faced no such quandary about the definition of freedom. They knew exactly what it was. They were children of the Enlightenment, and derived their ideas about freedom directly from its philosophers, especially John Locke. While these philosophers were powerful thinkers and their ideas were (no pun intended) revolutionary at the time, the principles of liberty are relatively simple. They are, as the namesake of this book concluded, common sense. It was an understanding of these revolutionary ideas by average American colonists that inspired the revolution that gave birth to a nation.
The idea that opens the door to the true meaning of freedom is individual rights. Despite the emphasis today on the "general welfare" and the "common good," the American tradition of liberty has nothing to do with either. Instead, the founders believed each individual was born with natural, inalienable rights. The Declaration of Independence states,
"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights," 5
This passage is quoted widely in popular culture. Invariably, the words emphasized are "that all men are created equal." Certainly, these are fine words and worthy of veneration. However, the rest of this passage is equally important. Every human being, because of his equality with all other human beings, has rights no earthly power can take away. These rights are "unalienable," so that governments, even democratically elected governments, have no power to revoke them. To the founding fathers this was self-evident. It was true based purely upon man's existence itself.
This idea is drawn directly from the philosophy of John Locke, who wrote,
"A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another; there being nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties, should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection,"6
While these rights are endowed by a Creator, the founders did not specify who the Creator was. Too often, those arguing for the ideals of our republic make the fatal mistake of basing the natural rights upon belief not only in God, but specifically upon the Christian God. While the founders were by no means opposed to Christianity, belief in it or even in God is not a prerequisite for the existence of the natural rights. The beauty of this idea is that it transcends religion and thus welcomes members of all religions, and those with no religious beliefs at all. Therefore, the first building block of freedom, individual, inalienable rights, can be claimed by Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, by every person on earth.
So what are these inalienable rights, which cannot be taken away? The Declaration goes on to say, "That among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."7
At first glance, this statement might be a bit deceiving, maybe even a little disappointing. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? Is that all? Surely we have more rights than these! Of course, the Declaration says "among these," so it does not limit the natural rights to these three. But these three are important. It is worthwhile to determine the meaning of each.
The right to life is pretty easy to understand. Most civilized societies have laws against murder. Each individual has a right not to be killed by another human being, except in self-defense. So far, so good. What about the other two? We are in the midst of trying to define liberty, or freedom, so let us put that aside for the moment. The third right listed is "the pursuit of happiness." What does that mean? Does it mean nothing? Or does it mean everything? What if it makes me happy to steal cars or blow up buildings? Surely, I don't have a right to pursue happiness like that!
No. There is a natural limit on liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Again, we can find the answer in Locke,
"To understand political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man." 8
While people are free to do what they want, they must do so "within the bounds of the law of nature." What is the law of nature? Locke goes on to tell us,
"The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and Reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions…" 9
Finally, we have some indication of what freedom is, rather than what it is not. Liberty is not the unlimited ability to do whatever you want, nor is it confined to the arbitrary limits placed upon people by governments. Contrary to the spurious argument that unfettered liberty would result in chaos, we see that the law of nature, Reason, very clearly and unambiguously prohibits some actions, even for people in a state of absolute liberty. They are:
1. Initiating the use of force or violence
2. Infringing upon another person's liberty
3. Harming them in their possessions.
This last limit upon the actions of free individuals is important. Locke spends an entire chapter of his Second Treatise talking about it. It is related to property, which is arguably the most important right, while at the same time the least understood. Property is important enough that we will spend the next chapter examining the subject. To do this we will have to come to a clear definition of property, including how it is acquired, how it is exchanged, and what right the owner has to it.
More importantly, we have arrived at a definition of liberty. It is the right of any person to do as they please, as long as they do not violate the equal rights of anyone else. The latter half of this definition is generally referred to as the "non-aggression principle." Political activists associate this principle with libertarians, while intellectuals associate it with Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. Certainly both movements recognize and venerate it, but it is important to realize that neither is its source. In fact, the non-aggression principle has been articulated with very little variation by all writers in the liberal tradition, including Locke, Jefferson, Paine, Bastiat, Mill, and later Rand and other 20th century writers and thinkers.
By applying this principle, the most complicated societal issues become astoundingly simple. The ambiguous becomes unambiguous. The answers become clear. Virtually every problem facing America today can be solved by applying the principle of freedom.
There are a few points we should review for emphasis. First, the rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence and drawn out of Locke's philosophy are inalienable. They cannot be taken away by any power on earth, including a majority vote. The reason the founders were suspicious of democracy was because of their fear that the majority would oppress the individual by voting away the individual's rights, especially property rights. This was the reason for the separation of powers and the limits on government authority. Even a majority vote can be a threat to freedom.
The difference between a right and a privilege is a vital concept to understand. A right is something you are born with, that you possess merely because you exist. A privilege is something that is granted by another person, group, or a government. Our country was founded upon the principle that all people have inalienable rights that cannot be taken away, not privileges granted by their government. As John Adams so eloquently put it,
"I say RIGHTS, for such they have, undoubtedly, antecedent to all earthly government, — Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws — Rights, derived from the great Legislator of the universe."10
There is no need to be "thankful for the rights we have in America." All people have those rights and gratitude is neither necessary nor appropriate. Rather, people are justified in demanding their rights, and any violation of them should be recognized as an act of aggression.
Second, in any conflict between individual liberty and the will of the majority, individual liberty prevails without compromise. The majority has no right to violate the rights of the individual. This is to some extent merely making the first point in reverse, but it is important enough to say in more than one way. Society doesn't have rights; individuals do. Society is nothing more than a collection of individuals, so protecting each individual in society protects society.
Despite these seemingly undeniable truths, individual liberty is today under constant attack because of its perceived conflict with the common good or "the needs of society." While living together and agreeing not to initiate aggression against each other seems astoundingly simple, our politicians would have us believe there is something incredibly complicated about it. They create a world in which civil society is a maze of moral dilemmas that only their astute guidance can lead us safely through. Once liberty is properly understood and applied, all of these supposed dilemmas disappear.
End Notes
Introduction: The American Crisis
1 Paine, Thomas The American Crisis "The Crisis No. 1" December 19, 1776 from Paine Collected Writings edited by Eric Foner Literary Classics of the United States, Inc. New York, NY 1955 pg. 91
Chapter 1: What is Freedom?
1 Bastiat, Frederic The Law 1850 from The Bastiat Collection 2 Volumes Vol. 1 Ludwig Von Mises Institute Auburn, AL 2007 pg. 79
2 Madison,James Federalist #10 http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fedi.htm http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fed10.htm
3 Madison, James Letter to James Monroe October 5th, 1786 James Madison Center, The http://www.jmu.edu/madison/center/home.htm Phillip Bigler, Director, James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA http://www.jmu.edu/madison/center/main_pages/madison_archives/quotes/supremacy.htm
4 Jefferson, Thomas To Dupont de Nemours from Jefferson Writings edited by Merrill D. Peterson New York, NY: Literary Classics of the United States, 1984 pg. 1387
5 Declaration of Independence, United States 1776 National Archives and Records (website) http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
6 John Locke Second Treatise on Civil Government from Two Treatises of Government C. and J. Rivington, 1824 (Harvard University Library Copy) pg. 132
7 Declaration of Independence, United States 1776 National Archives…
8 Locke Second Treatise pgs. 131-32
9 Locke Second Treatise pg. 133
10 Adams, John A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law 1765 Ashland Center for Public Affairs (website) Ashland University http://www.ashbrook.org/library/18/adams/canonlaw.html