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Product Backlog Ordering, Sequence for Success
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Historically, some product owners have prioritized backlogs by making pairwise comparison of projected economic return between two items in isolation. Successful Agile teams often take a holistic approach, accounting for risk, dependencies, and the complex interplay among and across backlog items.
An article on the Scrum Alliance site by James O. Coplien, published on August 3rd, 2011, but still drawing comments, addresses changes in the updated Scrum Guide as it relates to product backlog prioritization, or as James explains, ordering.
To prioritize a list means to order its items by their importance relative to each other. Priorities drive pair-wise comparisons (by English language definition) of items on the list. Think of using bubble sort to prioritize the Product Backlog: compare the top two items and interchange them if they're in the wrong order, and then move on to the next pair, and keep cycling through the list until everything is in its place. Prioritization and sorting go hand in hand. All the comparisons are local. This process is analogous to local optimization.
More broadly, the Scrum Team and the Product Owner in particular need to consider the entire backlog when ordering PBIs, to optimize value or ROI. Most people commonly think of ROI as the priority; however, you need to think of ROI as a long-term result of the total backlog ordering rather than just the sum of the ROI of individual items. This is true in part because the ROI of an individual item depends on its position in the backlog.
Arlen Bankston, an Agile Trainer and Consultant, further explains the need to look beyond direct ROI contribution of an item.
The value in individual stories -- especially in early stages of new product development efforts -- is often found more in the feedback they provide about features' fit and fitness to market and customer needs, than in direct contribution to ROI. This makes simple pairwise comparison of individual stories an overly narrow approach, as overall patterns of product and customer discovery must be considered in addition to income generation.
Others in the agile community have used variations on the ordering theme for quite some time. Several years ago, during conversation, Roland Cuellar explained that a better term is sequence to market, where sequence combines business, technical and other factors such as risk and dependencies. Using the word sequence helps because it allows product management to move beyond the concept that everything is high priority by stating, yes, that may be true, but let's determine which high priority item comes next.
So, whether it is called ordering, prioritizing or sequencing, effective product owners look holistically at their backlogs to ensure that items are delivered to maximize both immediate and long term value.
What have been your experiences along these lines?
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I cannot believe people are still ordering their backlog.
Chris Matts
So the message should be simple. Ordering ( or grooming ) yuour backlog is waste. SO STOP DOING IT!.
Instead each time you have capacity, simply pick the next thing to work on. In order to do this, include all stakeholders in the decision.... business and IT. If you do it frequently, it take very little time.
So the first item on the list... Sack whoever is currently ordering the backlog because they do not have any valuable work to do.
Re: I cannot believe people are still ordering their backlog.
David Bulkin
I love comments like this; it stirs the pot to cause conversation!
If I understand your response correctly, you are still recommending prioritization but as a just in time, small batch (one piece actually) process. In some environments that will work perfectly.
But, are there environments where this won't be the best option? What if the other stakeholders are not readily accessible? What if your team has to make external commitments in advance?
Perhaps we can state this. If your team wants a predefined delivery plan (e.g. acknowledging that not all require it) then you should determine the sequence to market quickly, continuously, collaboratively, and the team plus appropriate stakeholders should review just in time when there is availability for working on the next item.
This is similar to the debate about estimation being wasteful (e.g. don't estimate size). My experience has been that estimation can be incredibly wasteful when it is done slowly, and that it can be incredibly valuable when done quickly. Can the same apply to determining sequence to market?
Re: I cannot believe people are still ordering their backlog.
Roopesh Shenoy
In IT projects, stakeholders typically know what needs to be done, and can keep raising Change/Feature requests, but since different stakeholders have different priorities, the project owner needs to decide what things get done first. Again, that depends completely upon benefit/cost with things like Risk also accounted for.
In Product development projects, the company stakeholders normally do not know what needs to be done - people who know are either the customers (because they actually use the product) or the innovators/product designers (whose job it is to decide what should go into the product to make it marketable). You never have sufficient resources to do it all, so it needs to be prioritized based on value (will this create more sales volume? will people pay more for it? is this a feature bug? etc.)
Taking the next thing that comes along ends up being very wasteful - you take up things based on who shouts more, rather than making a concious decision based on what is good for business. It's a different thing whether this prioritization is a full-time job (depending on size of the project, the person might work on multiple projects at the same time or may double up in other roles) but there needs to be a clear owner who is both responsible and accountable for the success of a project (not just the technical success but making sure that the project actually meets business goals).
Re: I cannot believe people are still ordering their backlog.
Shawn Crosby
Sorry, not prioritizing your backlog is bad advice.
Re: I cannot believe people are still ordering their backlog.
Chris Matts
You each seem to be saying a variant on the same thing... If your governance structure and investment decision process is broken, then you need to prioritise the backlog.
My (bad) advice is, If your governance structure and investment decision process is broken, then FIX IT so that you do not have to distort your development process to be sub-optimal for the delivery of value. Get all your stakeholders together in a frequent (weekly ?) and short (5 - 10 minutes) to decide the next investment. I normally piggy back off an existing meeting. The single wringable neck (product owner) allways seemed like a over simplistic solution to a problem that is not that difficult to fix properly.
This structure means that whoever shouts the most does not get what they want... unless they convince everyone else. Also, it is the other stakeholders that tell them they have to wait. It prevents the situation where IT are in the middle telling people what they can have. They need to do it frequently so that they can get good at it. Also it means they do not have to wait that long for the next investment decision and might be convince to drop a requirement (for now).
P.S. Thank you David for your kind comment. Just stirring the pot. :-)
Product Backlog Prioritization Algorithm
Tarun Sukhani
1. Story point totals must not exceed commitment
2. Items must be independent except when there are no other items remaining to be worked on
3. Items on the critical path take precedence
4. Items not on the critical path must be chosen such that those that have the earliest critical path dependencies take precedence, with length/size and business value (if present) following suit - i.e., earliest critical path dependency > length/size > business value
1. Dependency-Ordered Product Backlog
2. Business points attained per release or backlog item cutoffs (optional)
1. Priority-Ordered Product Backlog
2. Release plan (if Input 2. is provided)
Re: I cannot believe people are still ordering their backlog.
David Bulkin
Let's assume that we all agree that frequent, short prioritization meetings, with an extended group of stakeholders, is a good thing. Let's further assume that by having these meetings frequently we get good at them and thus get agreement on what to work on next.
What happens if we need approval from external groups like legal, compliance, security, privacy, etc., and getting this approval is not something that can happen at a short meeting (e.g. if we get them into the meeting it by definition becomes a much longer discussion)?
Or, let's assume that we have many interdependencies with other teams who we must integrate with, and that when we pick the next item, we don't necessarily know what the downstream and upstream impacts are?
In short, are there situations in which you would advocate prioritizing at least a short list of upcoming items so that some amount of work can be done to mature the upcoming items to mature them to be ready to be worked on?
And yes, thanks for stirring the pot!
Greedy Approximation Heuristic for automated backlog prioritization
Tarun Sukhani
Re: Greedy Approximation Heuristic for automated backlog prioritization
David Bulkin
Interesting perspective that goes beyond prioritization to assignment. I look forward to a further definition of second approach.
In respect to the first approach, let me ask about step 3, "Items on the critical path take precedence". This implies (at least to me) that you have a detailed understanding of what you want to deliver, the effort ahead, and the interdependencies. This is a 180 (e.g. mirror opposite) of what I read from Chris's comment.
Looking at this from a slightly different angle, understanding the critical path can imply more of a traditional project perspective (e.g. fixed time, scope and schedule) versus the traditional agile perspective of an evolving product that maximizes value.
I am interested in your input as to if I am reading this correctly, and, if so, what the window of future visibility is that you believe to be appropriate.
Re: Greedy Approximation Heuristic for automated backlog prioritization
Tarun Sukhani
My approach to Agile project management is a fusion of traditional and agile practices. I don't accept that the latter is necessarily a radical departure from the former. For one thing, precedence rules still apply in Agile projects. That's why, in the literature, product backlogs are no longer "prioritized", but "ordered" (revised Scrum guide). Indeed, it should never have been worded as "prioritized" in the first place. I take a more systematic approach to project requirements gathering that ALWAYS organizes requirements into a hierarchy of Theme -> Feature -> Story (different levels of abstraction done via a mindmap) and then uses the features as backlog items. The user story map then lists the Themes as columns and features as lanes for each sprint. In this way, the features that can be done within a particular sprint become the spring goal (I in fact label the sprint goal according to the features for that sprint). This is a form of "Convention over Configuration". By accepting this rubric, benefits such as being able to guide assignment algorithmically become possible, including the identification of sprint goals.
Some may complain that I'm ignoring the "emergent" aspect of Agile development, but in fact I'm not. Rather than focusing on the story level, I'm focusing on the feature level and asking how this feature fits in into the overall software effort. For example, if it's a feature about writing a report of some kind, then we should have a theme about Report Management where it could fit in (SOA approach). Other similar features would probably already be included in that theme. Once we have that information, we can break it down into its composite user stories. However, since the dependencies we're concerned with are at the feature level, we would have a better idea of what order it could be done in. Again, the beauty of this approach is that it's at a level of abstraction that the business can easily understand, and by definition, there would be less (or equal) number of features than stories. In my projects, I found that the ratio is around 5:1 for stories:features and features:themes. A typical project, for example, may have 5 themes, 5 features/theme, and 5 stories/feature for a total of 125 stories. I also don't favor larger projects than this due to my belief that stories are basically a 1-1 mapping to a single series of interactions. In effect, Dunbar's_number applies. Anything larger than 150 stories probably means that the project should be split up. In effect, I feel as if those stories are equivalent to social interactions, and I want to be able to intimately know all of them.
By focusing on the feature level and decomposing, emerging information can be incorporated easier. What you want to deliver, for instance, becomes easier to map out. What effort lies ahead is simply the summation of the story points stories for those features. And the interdependencies are easier to see and grasp because we're looking at a higher level of abstraction. As new information gets added, the input file just gets updated, and the algorithm automatically reads it in and provides updated output. I've set it up so that the program just detects changes in the folder and automatically runs. The wiki then shows the updated dependency diagram and analysis.
So, my answer to the "fog of project completion" is to look at a higher level of abstraction and guide my development through a balanced approach to maximizing value. To me, the goal is to maximize business value while minimizing project risk.


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Maine's independent former Gov. Angus King says he still hasn't decided whether he will align with Democrats or Republicans when he enters the Senate in January.
The former governor, elected to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Olympia Snowe, tells MSNBC he will probably make a decision next week after talking to the leaders of the two parties.
He says he wants to remain as independent as possible but also realizes that aligning with one of the parties is important to getting good committee assignments.
King says he talked to Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Tuesday night, but had yet to speak with Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
Democrats actively courted King during his campaign.
The other Senate independent, newly re-elected Bernie Sanders of Vermont, is allied with the Democrats.

subset: commoncrawl


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The members of the band include Davie Ray, lead guitar, vocals and harmonica; and Richard Greaney, acoustic guitar, vocals and percussion.
Who are the members in the band and what do they play?
The members of the band include Davie Ray, lead guitar, vocals and harmonica; and Richard Greaney, acoustic guitar, vocals and percussion.
Describe your style of music.
Our music is a blend of classic and southern rock with blues and country influences.
How long have you been playing in the area and how did the band get its start?
Davie Ray and Richard have been playing together in the Lake area for more than 11 years. Richard has been at the Lake since 1980 playing with various groups such as Sylencer, Sudden Impact, Hot Beef and Traveling Light. Davie Ray has been performing at the Lake since 1991, first with Tribe, then Terry and the Classics. He performed as a single act for several years before being asked to join Traveling Light. After playing in the band together, Davie Ray asked Richard to join him in creating a duo, adding live percussion as well as vocals and guitar to the mix.
What musicians inspire you?
The band is inspired by many styles of music and musicians such as, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and B.B. King to mention a few.
What do you do in you free time?
In his free time, Davie Ray likes to write songs which he sometimes records and performs with the band. He also likes to camp and fish as time allows. Richard, an avid classic car buff, enjoys photography, creating artwork as well as camping and canoeing.
For a full schedule go to davie-ray.tripod.com/


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Letha Wilson's Distorted American West Settles in Paris
Artsy Editorial
Turning flat images into sculptural objects, Letha Wilson's photographs in relief and site-specific installations draw attention to the relationship between architecture and nature. Shots of American landscapes—reddish canyons, the ocean, lush vegetation—are cut and folded like an accordion into wall-hung pieces whose cavities and slashes possess the physicality of Gordon Matta-Clark's or Lucio Fontana's interventions. With layers of concrete or bases of cement, Wilson's works are a manmade contrast to the natural subjects of her prints, while their final textures also refer back to natural terrains.
American, b. 1976, Honolulu, Hawaii, based in Brooklyn, New York


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Since she was fired from UFC ring girl duty in 2009, Edith LaBelle has popped up here and there, in appearances as rare and glorious as Bigfoot sightings. Frankly, we miss the little knucklehead.
Luckily, the geniuses at MMA Candy — who previously brought us "this chick with the huge cans will teach you how to pass guard" and "why does that blonde girl have the gun from Predator?" — have gotten some quality time with the curvaceous French-Canadian. Watch as Edith and her lovely assistant take us through some kimura transitions that you can turn into finishing moves, as long as your partner isn't putting up much of a fight.
Check out one more video after the jump, and follow Edith on twitter and Facebook.


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David O. Russell Will Direct Jennifer Lawrence in The Ends of the Earth
It will be their third film together.
Jennifer Lawrence is on the fast track to becoming David O. Russell's full-time muse. After Lawrence's Oscar-nominated turn in Russell's Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook, the 22-year-old actress lined up a role (now being termed a cameo by THR) in Russell's untitled film formerly known as American Bullshit. Now Russell has settled on The Ends of the Earth, which Lawrence joined last summer, as his next next film. Set up at the Weinstein Company, the drama is "a fact-based love story about a powerful oil tycoon who has everything stripped from him after he is caught in an affair." Lawrence will play the tycoon's niece. Bradley Cooper will obviously play the tycoon. Maybe.


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Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
27-04-2012, 05:57 PM (This post was last modified: 27-04-2012 06:01 PM by Internet Mullah.)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
Dom, ShirubaDangan, and everyone else, in case if you guys didn't know this, I would just like to inform you that the Islamic laws would not apply to you if you're not a Muslim, even if you're living in a Muslim country. Also, to re-emphasize what I said earlier, the main reason behind the stoning law is to protect society and relationships from the insecurity caused by those who commit adultery by simply deterring the commission of such a crime. Under the Shariah, the benefit of the society is more important the benefit of an individual, hence a stricter code of law is implemented on certain actions of individuals that are deemed harmful to society, so that they happen less frequently in the future. This is an idea that is similar to the prison system. For example, the philosophical basis of secular law is not punishment, but reform. Prisons were initially created with the Christian Puritan notion that if people were isolated from the rest of society, and forced to reflect upon their crimes, they would emerge reformed individuals who are no longer a threat to society. This method would also prevent others from committing crimes as well - i.e. as a means of deterrent - although it is pretty much ineffective in that sense, in my opinion. Similarly, that is the same idea that applies to the reason behind Islamic laws against certain crimes such as adultery and murder, for example, the only difference being that they are more strict and severe. That being said, I'm going to take a break from this whole stoning/adultery discussion for now and I will come back to it later (when I reply to some of the related questions).
Mr. Woof, what you are referring to as "clitorectomy" and oftentimes "killing the child" is not what is done to Muslim females. According to my knowledge, there is no sacred law in Islam that tells us to remove the entire clitoris of a women and thus deprive them of one of the primary mechanisms for sexual stimulation. Rather, what some is done some Muslim females (not all) is that only a minute amount of skin is removed from the clitoral hood, not the entire thing. This is not mutilation, but circumcision. Mutilation has a serious connotation to it. Circumcision, on the other hand, is not something that is harmful to the woman or to her ability to derive sexual pleasure. Also, most Muslim scholars do not consider this practice as compulsory. Circumcision is only compulsory for males, while for females, it is optional. Some think it is recommended according to certain hadiths. But, even those hadiths say that what is slowed is merely a slight 'trimming' of the tip of the clitoral hood. And this is not even practiced in most Islamic countries (i.e. female circumcision). In some parts in Egypt, however, there are women who cut off their entire clitoris, also known as infibulation, or Pharaonic circumcision, and it has been practiced longer than any existing records can show. But, again, such a practice has no authority in Islam.
Mark Fulton, I know that I'm going to be criticized for my beliefs because this as an atheist forum, and I'm okay with being criticized, so don't worry about that. Secondly, concerning your description of Muhammad's charcter, I do not actually agree with you, but I am not offended either, because you are just giving your own honest opinion and I appreciate that. So, thank you for your post. And no, I didn't pick up my bat and ball and head home, nor am I organizing a good squad against you for saying those things. However, I'm going to address your post some time later because that is going to be a long topic and a controversial one. I knew that a discussion of Muhammad would eventually come up in this thread sooner or later.
In your post, some of the things you mentioned about Muhammad are that he was a man who was mentally ill, a tyrant, a pedophile, a warlord, power hungry, illiterate, megalomaniac, delusional and yet cunning, had multiple wives, and a few other things about him. I'm going to discuss each of those points in a separate post in this thread. But, while you're waiting for my reply, I would like you to check out some of the excellent biographies of Muhammad at the links below and then re-consider whether your opinions of Muhammad are well-supported or not:
The Life of Muhammad (by Ibn Ishaq)
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources (by Martin Lings)
Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet (by Karen Armstrong)
NoahsFarce, I have seen the video and I will give my opinions on that in a later post. And thanks for posting that. I won't forget to reply.
Lilith Pride, I will answer your questions at a later post also.
But, first, I'm going to post my replies to some of the questions that were posted days ago. Hopefully in a few hours from now.
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
Nah, dude. Stoning is an exercise of moral will. One must be certain to hold the stone, to use it to such infamous purpose. What you're suppose to stone is blasphemers and false prophets. Women got into the mix because men hate to admit the power of the female to seduce.
The following 1 user Likes houseofcantor's post:1 user Likes houseofcantor's post
GirlyMan (27-04-2012)
28-04-2012, 03:39 AM (This post was last modified: 28-04-2012 03:47 AM by Internet Mullah.)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
The stoning to death punishment are not enforced on women only, though. It applies to any Muslim who has physically participated in the act of adultery (regardless of their gender). And, again, this is not being done as a means of revenge against the adulterer, but only as a means of deterring the action from happening again or to reduce the chances of that happening because adultery has a potential to threaten collective security (as you can see in this article), and it is even viewed as a crime in Islam. And here's a short video that summarizes the main objective behind such severe punishments in Islam (which I just explained right now):
That being said, here are my answers to some of the other questions. And there are still more that I have to answer.
(22-04-2012 08:02 PM)Starcrash Wrote: Do you feel that the Q'uran has been abrogated in the past? If so, do you feel that this is appropriate?
Yes, there are several verses that did get abrogated in the Quran. The essence of abrogation is that it marks the end of the validity of the abrogated verses because their heed and effect was of a temporary or limited nature. In other words, God reveals a new law and announces the end of the validity of the earlier law. Also, considering that Quran was revealed over a period of twenty-three years in ever-changing circumstances, it is not difficult to imagine the necessity of such laws, and that's why I feel that this is appropriate. During the course of revelation, God has changed his own laws from time to time depending on the changing circumstances. Also, as I said in my OP, we believe that the previous scriptures were abrograted as well, i.e. scriptures such as the Bible, Torah, and the scrolls of Abraham, for example, which we believe are the word of God in addition to the Quran.
One should also know that abrogation in the Quran does not indicate a contradiction. There are some verses that were abrogated by later verses, but this is not a contradiction because, as I explained above, the Quran makes it clear that the earlier one was true only for a specific situation and a specific time, and thus being over-ruled by a new law from God. This means that He just updated the earlier verses with something new depending on the situation of Muslims (i.e. to make something easier for them or to lighten their burden on a given task, for example). In that sense, abrogation is analogous to an "over-writing" system in a computer because an old set of information gets replaced with a new set of information. However, none of the abrogated verses are contradictory because one of them is temporary while the other one is for all times. The Quran itself talks about the concept of abrogation, where it says:
"Whichever revelation We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We substitute something better than it, or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?" (2:106)
You can learn more about this at the links below:
Abrogation in the Quran
Some Questions Regarding the Concept of Abrogation in the Quran
(23-04-2012 02:36 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: Why does Allah seem to be a massive dick towards unbelievers?
I do not think that Allah is a massive dick toward non-believers, but He simply does what He thinks is right, and He will give everyone what they deserve according to His Law. We believe that Allah is merciful and compassionate, but not toward everyone all the time, because He will also reveal his displeasure toward the non-believers because of their disbelief. But, when a non-believer converts to Islam and repents to Allah, the Quran says that all his sins will be forgiven. So, this means that even the non-believers are open to receive His mercy any time. In an authentic hadith, it says that Allah's mercy is greater than His wrath/anger:
"When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: 'My mercy prevails over my wrath.'" - Hadith Qudsi
(23-04-2012 02:36 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: Why is context so important when a verse that seems angry and evil is shown but not a verse that appears to be good? It's quite annoying.
That is not true, in my opinion, because context is equally important for every verse in the Quran.
Why is it so important? Because it helps to understand the entire Quran better if you know the historical circumstances in which the verses were revealed. At the same time, we should also try to refer to tafseers (or commentaries) of the Quran written by scholars and those who are knowledgeable about the book because they contain many information that we may not know such as the meaning of certain words, the use of figurative language, the circumstances in which a verse was revealed, the historical context behind them, and other related aspects of the Quran. Knowing those things will help us to better understand the meanings behind the verses. Indeed, the Quran says what it means and means what it says, but again, the extraction of meaning is always a matter of interpretation.
(23-04-2012 02:36 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: What's with all of this metaphorical stuff? Why is some taken literally and others a magical metaphor?
Well, the thing is that almost every word and phrase in the Quran carries an inner spiritual meaning. Just like the Bible (and other scriptures), the Quran is filled with complex metaphors and layers of meaning that go well beyond what we see on the surface. Some verses are literal while others are metaphorical. It's a mixture of the two. I don't know the reason for that, but that's just how it is, and I like it like that, because I think this is one of the things that makes the Quran so beautiful.
Unfortunately, most of the beauty of the Quran is lost in the process of translation. The greatest problem with a translation of the Quran is, of course, the fact that it transforms the Quran as the word of God in Arabic, to the speech of a human in another language. In this destructive process, the linguistic beauty and the uniqueness of the Quran is almost completely lost, as the very words of God are replaced by human substitutions. The perfect choice of wordings, the syntax of the verse, the powerful rhythm of the passages, and the manners of eloquence displayed by the Arabic, are all destroyed. Even the famous Orientalist, Professor H.R. Gibb, said, "An English translation of the Quran must employ precise and often arbitrary terms for the many-faceted and jewel-like phrases of the Arabic, and the more literal it is, the greyer and more colorless it must be." The Arabic language is an extremely rich and powerful language, and it is simply not possible to convey in another language all the meanings that are conveyed in Arabic.
For many Westerners, the Quran is an extremely difficult text to appreciate, especially in translation. However, those who have a good knowledge of Arabic will be ready to admit that the Quran is untouchable in terms of its poetic eloquence and beauty. The text is regarded as one of the most extraordinary ever put down on paper. And precisely because it is extraordinary, it does not have to follow people's expectations as to what a book should be.
(23-04-2012 02:36 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: Do you sincerely believe that the Quran has miraculous claims in it?
Yes, and one of the miracles is known as the challenge of the Quran.
The challenge is to simply produce a single chapter in Arabic which is similar to or better than the Quran, as God said, "And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then bring a single chapter like it, and call your witnesses besides God if you are truthful" (Surah 2:23)". And since that time, for the past 1,400 years, many people have tried to meet the challenge, and even some of the most skilled poets and writers (both Arabs and non-Arabs) have tried to do this in attempt to disprove the Quran. They were among the ones who knew the Arabic language fluently and some of them were even experts in the language. Even Arab Christians and Arab atheists took up the challenge. However, as predicted in the Quran, none of them were able to meet the challenge. They only put themselves to shame. And no one has ever done so yet.
Now, the most miraculous thing about this challenge is not that no one was able to imitate the beauty of the Quran - but that Muhammad was illiterate - an illiterate who lived among the Bedouins in Arabia. There is no historical evidence that he had lessons from someone else on linguistic/literary, historical, theological, and/or scientific fields of study, and yet, he came up with such an extraordinary book that no one could imitate or produce something even similar to it. That is exactly why it is counter-intuitive to think that Muhammad was the author of the Quran.
And when the Arabs of that time heard the revelations being recited, they became overwhelmed, and even jealous, by the literary power and eloquence of the Quranic verses. They couldn't believe how an illiterate man could create something like that all by himself. Even today, most of the Quranic scholars and experts consider the literary aspect of the Quran to be something amazing while knowing the fact that Muhammad was not a trained poet nor was he able to read. If you want to learn more about this topic, here's a good article:
Conclusive Proof that the Quran is the word of God
I do not actually think that the title of the article is appropriate - i.e. the words "conclusive evidence" - because my opinion on the literary beauty of the Quran is that this is something that strengthens the Quran's claim of divine origin, but not a conclusive evidence. Nonetheless, I still like the article because it explains the miraculous aspect of the Quran very clearly.
(23-04-2012 02:45 PM)Mishpul Wrote: How do you choose passages from Qur'an? And if you take Qur'an as a whole, do you represent some of verses differently, or do you just fully believe it, just dont force it on others?
We take the Quran as a whole because we believe that the entire message is from God. We do not reject or skip any passages from the Quran. Well, that's what we are supposed to do, but there are still Muslims who selectively pick out verses from the Quran and ignore other parts of it (although they may not do that intentionally). However, a complete understanding can only be achieved by understanding the whole issue as presented in all the verses and chapters and not by looking at only a part of the Quran (or a single verse). Furthermore, the Quran itself has warned us against cherry-picking the book, i.e. upholding certain parts of the book while disregarding the rest, as it says:
"... Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in, and do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment, they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty, for God is not unmindful of what you do." (2:85)
Fortunately, most Muslims are united on the fundamental teachings of the Quran. It's just that sometimes there is a difference of opinion on matters which are not essentially a part of the core of Islam, but strictly speaking, even these differences are unjustified according to the majority of Muslims.
(24-04-2012 03:28 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: I've never understood the excuse of "It's not mentioned in the Quran" when nearly all muslims follow the Hadiths as well. And the Quran only takes precedence over the Hadiths when there is a contradiction. An absence of a bad thing doesn't mean you can't do it.
Firstly, the important thing to understand is that we Muslims take the Quran as the primary source of our religion whereas Hadiths are secondary. The Quran is a lot more authentic than the hadiths and also more important than the hadiths. However, the hadiths are still important for Muslims and they are used as a complementary source along with the Quran, for learning about additional things, or things that are not included in the Quran. There are only two cases in which we may reject hadiths, which are: (a) if they contradict with a verse in the Quran as I mentioned before and (b) if the authenticity of the hadiths are weak, meaning that the narrators or the chain of narrations are not reliable. So, as in the first case, when it has been established by scholars that a hadith contradicts the Quran (with logical proofs), then it simply has to be discarded.
For the second case, it's not necessary to be 100% certain if a hadith is authentic or not because being close to 100% certain is good enough. Why? Because it is better to accept hadiths with a slight chance of error than to not accept them at all. There are many hadiths which cannot be ignored because they are necessary to know the details behind the fundamentals of Islam such as how to perform the daily prayers and how to perform the Ramadan fasting, for example.
A more important question is: How much authentic are the hadiths, or in other words, what are the chances of them being fallible? As you may already know, all scholars are aware that there is always a potential for there to be slight mistakes here and there in the process of hadith narration. So, that is the reason why hadith scholars carefully study the hadiths – and the elements of hadith such as the narrators, the isnad, meaning, translation, etc. - in order to establish the authenticity of the hadiths one by one. You can learn more about the levels of hadith classification at the link below:
(1) Notes on the Science of Hadith; (2) Rules Governing the Criticism of Hadith
On the other hand, there are some Muslims who believe in the Quran only and they reject hadiths altogether. These Muslims are oftentimes called "Quran aloners," or "Quranites," or sometimes "hadith rejectors." But this is something that has become a little more prevalent amongst Muslim only in the recent years (although they still represent a miniscule amount of the total Muslim population).
(24-04-2012 03:28 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: Also, this "let there be no compulsion in religion" thing is just as annoying. It's the verse that is always shouted at me when I talk about the death penalty. What I also get is that none of the oppressive Islamic countries don't follow Islam properly. Of course, some things will be taken out of proportion when you have the power of a god on your side but why is it so frequent?! I usually see a lot of hate for Iran because that's the worst Islamic country according to some... why? Do they not read the Quran? Or do all of them follow inauthentic hadiths?
The verse "Let there be no compulsion in religion" simply means that we cannot force anyone to accept Islam. The verse is basically a command in the Quran that is being directed toward Muslims to tell them how to behave toward non-Muslims. Secondly, the rulings on death penalty only apply to Muslims who have been proven to be guilty of certain crimes - in other words, those who are already willing to abide by the Shariah - and yet commit crimes. It doesn't have to do anything with the crimes of non-Muslims. Hence there is no contradiction between the said verse and death penalty.
As for your comment that oppressive Islamic countries do not follow Islam properly, that is true, although it is probably not due to whether or not they read the Quran. Rather, the thing about these oppressive Islamic countries is that they have a political theory which is pragmatic and acknowledges that a tyrannical ruler is better than a state of social anarchy. The main examples of such a system of ruling are namely Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. There are also extremist religious groups in those countries who try to take control of the Muslims in violent ways. Take the Talbian for example. At one time, they banned women from working and they forcibly implemented the rural customs of women upon the entire population. However, the vast majority of women in Afghan society already wore headscarves and most of them did not have an issue with the dress-code. They had an issue with not being able to work, especially when over half the population was widowed and unemployment was already astronomically high. Were they oppressive towards women? Yes. Does the Quran approve of the way they were being treated? Absolutely not.
However, there are many other Muslim countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Syria, Indonesia, and several countries in Africa where there are less of these cases of hatred and violence committed between the Muslims as compared to the countries that I mentioned in the previous paragraph.
(24-04-2012 03:28 PM)ALovelyChickenMan Wrote: Oh, when is Jihad permissible?
As I said in my original post, Jihad basically means a "striving" or a "struggle." In a military sense of the word, however, it is essentially a doctrine of self-defense, and thus it can be used only by a Muslim state against imminent and certain aggression by an enemy. In that sense, jihad is equivalent to the doctrine of self-defense in a modern nation-state. It can also be declared in a liberation struggle, as was the case in Afghanistan after the Soviet occupation, for example. However, a jihad cannot be declared against a person or a community just because they belong to a different religion. That's why Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and others cannot be the target of a jihad simply because they belong to a different religion. Neither can a jihad be declared by a group of Muslims against a nation that has peaceful relations with Muslims.
More importantly, the Quran clearly prohibits taking the life of an innocent person, whether they are Muslim or not. Some people point to a small number of verses in the Quran that seem to advocate killing of non-Muslims. These verses, however, must be taken in their correct context and not misrepresented by isolating them from other verses in the Quran. The Quran allows justified self-defense in protecting the safety and well-being of a community which is under attack, while strictly maintaining that if the warring party seeks peace, then the other party must stop military action and seek peace also.
(24-04-2012 12:21 AM)angry-santa Wrote: If I were to draw an image of the prophet mohammad and post it here, What would your reaction be?
I would probably laugh a little, although I know that the image doesn't necessarily have to be an accurate representation of Muhammad at all.
(24-04-2012 03:41 PM)germanyt Wrote: Since you claim the Jews, Christians, and Muslims have the Old, New, and Final Testaments what do you say of Joseph Smith, the golden plates, and the Book of Mormon? Is Jo Smith a newer prophet and the Book of Mormon an update to mistranslated copies of each of the former?
No, I do not believe that the Book of Mormon is an update of any of the revealed scriptures because: (1) The Prophet Muhammad said that there will be no other prophets after him and that the Quran is the last and final revelation; (2) As a work of literature, the Book of Mormon doesn't even compare with the Bible, Torah, and the Quran; and (3) Looking at the history of the Latter Day Saint movement, Joseph Smith comes across as a deliberate fraud to me. None of the Old Testament prophets nor Muhammad gave me that impression.
Post numbers in which questions and/or comments are still pending: #s 34; 38; 40; 45; 47; 49
Approximate time for completion: 24 to 48 hours
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
Firstly, thanks for the responses.
(28-04-2012 03:39 AM)Internet Mullah Wrote: I do not think that Allah is a massive dick toward non-believers, but He simply does what He thinks is right, and He will give everyone what they deserve according to His Law. We believe that Allah is merciful and compassionate, but not toward everyone all the time, because He will also reveal his displeasure toward the non-believers because of their disbelief. But, when a non-believer converts to Islam and repents to Allah, the Quran says that all his sins will be forgiven. So, this means that even the non-believers are open to receive His mercy any time. In an authentic hadith, it says that Allah's mercy is greater than His wrath/anger:Why should he be angry at someone even though he's created them that way? (assuming he actually exists) plus some Muslims I know don't think they have free will because god is all knowing so the future is set in stone. (which does have problems for evil caused by humans) Yet, the Quran does appear very violent towards them... how is that merciful? and how can you have mercy the same time as justice? The two concepts don't make sense together.
Quote:That is not true, in my opinion, because context is equally important for every verse in the Quran.Well that's nice isn't it?
I've had the commentaries recommended to me by someone because I said that I had started reading the Quran. But I don't have time for that. Not many people do. Things based on that level of interpretation lose validity quickly. And rightfully so. How do you see that as a good thing?
It seems to me that the only way to prove god is to assume he exists in the first place. For example, if I ask a question about something in the Quran the response I'd get wouldn't be evidence based but 'god did it' or 'god knows' hence why I don't think i'll ever waste my time talking to an Islamic scholar or anything of the sort.
Quote:Well, the thing is that almost every word and phrase in the Quran carries an inner spiritual meaning. Just like the Bible (and other scriptures), the Quran is filled with complex metaphors and layers of meaning that go well beyond what we see on the surface. Some verses are literal while others are metaphorical. It's a mixture of the two. I don't know the reason for that, but that's just how it is, and I like it like that, because I think this is one of the things that makes the Quran so beautiful.God's pretty silly then. Writing a book in a language that he knows people will find extremely difficult to understand. So much for clarity.
Yet, I'll admit that the Quran probably is a lot more poetic in arabic. I have no quarrels there.
I just don't like jumping through hoops to understand the truth. Philosophy isn't like that, nor is science. Why should the thing that is claiming to be the truth be so convoluted?
Quote:Yes, and one of the miracles is known as the challenge of the Quran.
I've heard of this before. It's utterly pointless. It's as pointless as the Kent Hovind Challenge.
Firstly, no matter what anyone writes, it'll still be seen as inferior because of bias. You'll read it with the intention of trying to show that it isn't superior to the Quran.
Anywho, the rationalizer on youtube had answered some things relating to writing a better Quran. I can't find any of the videos he had on the topic however.
Thanks again for the other responses.
Yet, you do realise that the Quran gets things wrong about science? Dependent on how you interpret the miraculous passages. Just so you know, these claims are not special and should never be thought of as scientific in any sense of the word.
I have another question. If god did ask you to kill an innocent person, would you?
Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own understanding!Take the risk of thinking for yourself, much more happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom will come to you that way.
Enlightenment is liberating.
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Mark Fulton (28-04-2012)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
Yeah I got a question, it's in relation to the 72 virgins thing.
72, seems like a bit of a low number don't you think? I mean, you're in the afterlife for what.. ever? so you have to somehow spread out 72 virgins over the period of infinite, how does one do that? If you were to spread it out over say, 1 every hundred years and you'd still run out in 7,200 years, then what are you gonna do for the rest of the infinite years??
I'm just saying, when you think about it, the reward of 72 virgins seems really low and to be honest a little cheap on Gods part.
So that is my question, why 72 virgins? and why is God a bit of tight ass only giving you 72 that is suppose to last infinite years?
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Mark Fulton (28-04-2012)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
Ok, sorry, but the answer you gave to my comment is not an answer.
A social order is a social order, and if the majority of the people consider adultery to be extremely harmful to society, they can institute measures to prevent it. The argument is not about whether adultery is harmful to society or not.
However, the type of measures is what I am addressing.
Some of the attributes of a civilization that imposes rules in a fair manner are compassion, respect for the individual, equal treatment of it's subjects, concern for the welfare of all citizens.
That means you have to find methods of prevention that do not impose treatment of unspeakable cruelty.
The only reason to impose such extreme measure is the basic assumption that humans are so very evil that the only thing that will keep them in line is to periodically single out individuals and subjecting them to such extreme agony that it horrifies the rest of the people enough to be thoroughly afraid of the action in question.
Making a public display of this, and allowing bystanders to pick up a stone and participate appeals to the most atrocious human attribute - pleasure in torture. I have seen clips of people picking up these stones with big grins on their face.
Such inhumane, cold and cruel punishment fosters a callousness in the bystanders that reduces human life to worthless and human suffering to a source of pleasure.
That is not an ingredient that leads to a compassionate, peaceful , safe world. It is a barbaric custom that dates back to a time when there was no safety for people.
There are plenty of effective punishments that do not cause such indescribable pain and agony.
What this tells me is the following (and here you have the reason why many peoples of the world consider muslims uncivilized, warlike, and without any regard for human life):
1. Onlookers from other civilizations think that Muslims are basically evil and rejoice in inflicting suffering on others
2. Muslims themselves believe that they are basically evil and the measures to keep each other in line must be extreme
3. hence, Muslims are basically evil and are not to be trusted.
That is what you are up against as far as world opinion and prejudice goes. The actions of some extremists don't help, but the basic notion stems from the unspeakable cruelties committed in the name of law and order.
You say you feel sadness for the victim. You should feel outrage. You should feel the need to help. This is a life being destroyed in unspeakable agony. There is no reason for that.
Science is the process we've designed to be responsible for generating our best guess as to what the fuck is going on. Girly Man
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Mark Fulton (28-04-2012)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
(28-04-2012 05:58 AM)earmuffs Wrote: Yeah I got a question, it's in relation to the 72 virgins thing.I live in a house with 3 women. When they get their period, it's hell on earth. Imagine 72 women at the same time! God is actually being very merciful with you.
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
(28-04-2012 08:00 AM)zihuatanejo Wrote:(28-04-2012 05:58 AM)earmuffs Wrote: Yeah I got a question, it's in relation to the 72 virgins thing.I live in a house with 3 women. When they get their period, it's hell on earth. Imagine 72 women at the same time! God is actually being very merciful with you.
N00b. There's no PMS in heaven.
28-04-2012, 06:26 PM (This post was last modified: 29-04-2012 12:08 AM by Mark Fulton.)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
You can wax lyrical about the truth/beauty/complexity of the Koran till the cows come home, but that means little. It does not prove the texts contain great moral truths (they don't) or that they were inspired by god.
The Jews, the Christians and the Mormons do the same by claiming their books are inspired and are great works of literature, and they're neither. If you haven't heard them you haven't been listening.
If people are repetitively bombarded from an early age with the same mantra, some of them (the susceptible ones) will believe it and even fall in love with it. You are obviously a victim of this brainwashing because you repeatedly find excuses for the Koran.
You still think its ok to stone someone. That is sick. There are no excuses.
You stereotype people according to their sex and sexuality. That is unethical.
BTW, I have read many books about Mohammed. At your suggestion, I am rereading Karen Armstrong's "Muhammad," as maybe I missed something first time around. I stand by my conviction that he was nothing more than an evil little tyrant who invented a religion. He was one of the first Joseph Smiths.
Your verbose explanations of this and that are interesting on one level BUT....at the end of the day you have no proof that any of these teachings are anything more than complex man-made waffle.
How about you come clean about yourself? Are you really a Mullah? Why, exactly, are you here? (Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you are, and I hope you stay.) Are you trying to spread Islam? If so, why? Are you hoping to learn something by being here, or is it all about teaching atheists? Do you ever have little glimpses of light shining through when you doubt the dogma?
Do you get an income from promoting Islam?
Have you stoned anyone lately?
How open minded are you? The more educated and the more widely read you become, the less you will dote over the Koran. Have you read "God is not Great...How Religion Poisons Everything," or "The God Delusion?" What about Bertrand Russell?
Are you closeted in an Islamic enclave somewhere? Is someone looking over your shoulder as you write? Just asking.
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cjs (04-01-2013)
RE: Ask a Muslim [split from introductions]
Why do Muslims believe the Illuminati and Freemason is out to get them?
All my Muslim friends (or the ones I am acquainted with) believe that. It gets scary when they believe wholeheartedly that secret societies hates Muslims. How would they know if they are a secret?
Why does the people of your faith get offended so easily by the people who don't even follow your faith?
People criticise Christians and make jokes but they don't all go ape shit and even mellow about it.
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text:
by Matt Getty
Brian Cannon '14 tensed when he saw Peter Zouck '13 knock the ball loose from one of Roanoke College's attackmen. The ball skipped across the grass 60 yards away, but Cannon's body responded as if it were linked to the rubber sphere.
He headed upfield, shifting into fast-break formation as Draper Donley '14 scooped up the ball and sprinted toward him. Opportunity and preparation were seconds away from meeting, and Cannon was ready.
"I love the fast pace of lacrosse," he says, recalling the breakaway during last March's victory over Roanoke as one of his favorite moments on Biddle Field. "Like they say, it really is the fastest game on two feet. The momentum can shift so quickly, and one moment can change the entire game."
A Roanoke defender rushed toward Draper, leaving Cannon open. Draper's pass hit Cannon's mesh perfectly, the embodiment of seamless teamwork.
Cannon has racked up numerous individual accolades. The Baltimore native has twice been named the Centennial Conference (CC) player of the week, earned a spot on the 2013 USILA All-America Lacrosse Team, set the record for CC tournament points and received the 2013 Lt. Col. J.I. (Jack) Turnbull Award as the nation's out- standing attackman. But it's being a part of this tight-knit team he values most, on and off the field.
"I wanted that small, close community feel," the economics major says on his decision to attend Dickinson after hearing about the school from alumni Trip Deeley '05 and Brian Mohler '07. "It told me a lot that alums would go out of their way to talk about how great the school was. And that's what I've found here—the close relationships with faculty and the ability to get involved in activities outside of class."
This semester he's taking advantage of both. To prepare for a career in finance, he's partic- ipating in the Student Investment Group and is enrolled in an independent study on global economics. Through both, Cannon is learning that a future on Wall Street just might demand many of the same elements that made up his favorite play on that March 2013 day on Biddle Field. "There are definitely similarities between lacrosse and life," he says. "You have to move fast, you need solid teamwork and you have to be prepared, be ready to make the most of any opportunity."
Which is exactly what he did.
After snagging the pass from Donley, Cannon cocked back his lacrosse stick. He read instantly that the goalie was leaning away, expecting a shot to the far pipe. No time for a head fake, no time to do anything but react, Cannon flung the ball just inside the near pipe and into the back of the net.
Read more from the spring 2014 issue of Dickinson Magazine.
Published April 22, 2014


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Again, as mentioned before in my blogs ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/08/loss-of-uk-tv-in-spain-more-misinformation-by-iptv-retailers/ ) , these "rumours" are coming from some (not all I hasten to add!) sellers of IPTV / Internet TV systems.
One such incorrect rumour that has been doing the rounds, and even spread on a Expat Radio Stations here in Spain, is that:
"All BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 TV channels etc. will disappear from the SKY platform at end of October beginning November. None of these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite."
This is incorrect.
a) BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 TV channels etc will not disappear from Sky - or Freesat. These UKTV channels will still be on those Digital Satellite systems. Why would these channels be removed from the most popular Digital TV services ?
b) "None of these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite."
This is incorrect.
They will reach Europe mainland via Satellite.
The beams may be more focused on the UK, but there will be satellite signal overspill into other areas, just like there has been signal overspill into Europe for the last 20 plus years
In fact, in some areas of Spain you can and should still be able to receive these UK TV channels (BBC1HD, ITV1HD, C4HD, Channel Five) on a 1m satellite dish from the first new satellite, Astra 2F, that has been operating since December 2012.
Also, the official SES Astra predicted signal footprint map (seen here http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_footprint_map_uk_tv_spain.php ) for the new UK TV satellites says that its beams can be received in most of France on a 60cm dish.
Last time I checked France was in mainland Europe.
So in fact these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite, contrary to what these IPTV / Internet TV sellers claim.
Some IPTV / Internet TV sellers are confusing people by misrepresenting the aforementioned official SES Astra signal footprint map.
The map shows SES Astra's prediction of their new satellites UK beam for users with a 45cm satellite dish and 60cm satellite dish. As you can see the Astra 2E satellites UK beam should be available to more than half of France if you are using a 60cm satellite dish.
However, some IPTV / Internet TV sellers are using this as a basis for their misrepresentations, by saying anyone outside that "60cm satellite dish" contour will not be able to receive ANY signals at all.
This is incorrect.
Just because the map does not show data outside that 60cm contour, does not mean that n signals will be available in those areas.
In fact, this is the same map showing the same data for the first new satellites, Astra 2F.
And like I said before, some areas of Spain can receive this signal on a 1m satellite dish - in areas where these IPTV / Internet TV sellers say it is impossible.
Yes, some areas will be affected more than other areas. Some may find that they can still use smaller 1m and 1.25m and 1.4m satellite dishes in Spain for reception of their UK TV .
Yes, some areas, like the Costa del Sol, may have to increase the size of their satellite dishes, and use 1.8m or 2.4m satellite dishes, just like the Costa Blanca has had to use for the last 10plus years.
Until the new Astra 2E satellite has been launched, expected around the 30th September 2013 ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php ) , tested (which will take place at another location in the skies), positioned at 28 east along with the other UK TG satellites, and is transmitting signals from that location, no-one will know for sure what reception will be like in Spain, and Europe, or what sized satellite dishes you will need to receive these signals in Spain and Europe.


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text:
Sun readers share their views on the USA, guns and congressmen.
Proud to wave flag
Don Lutz (Sun, Jan. 26) has the privilege of speaking with disdain about the USA because of the dedication of many throughout history. Those serving in our military and law enforcement work at great risk so we may enjoy freedoms unknown in many other countries.
Most would agree that improvements can be made to our nation and we should strive to be better. It does, however, say a lot that thousands choose to come to the USA every year from other countries.
Lutz seems to have a problem with people waving the flag. Well, I will wave the flag with great pride and respect whenever I please. I'm pretty sure that most proud Americans will do the same.
I'm also certain that your exit to another country isn't unlawful, so go right ahead. You might find that the USA isn't quite as bad as you think.
Bill Bradley,
Bans don't work
U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho's defense of the Second Amendment is in accordance with his sworn duty to protect the U.S. Constitution. The Sandy Hook incident has sparked a fear-based reaction where too many Americans are suddenly willing to infringe on their neighbor's lawful right to personal security.
Just as alcohol abuse is related to a huge health burden and the predictable "collateral damage" of manslaughter, the 18th Amendment (prohibition) was repealed when it failed to reduce consumption but created a black market for bootleg formulas that could backfire to kill or blind the user.
The best way to guarantee a black market for AK-47s and grenade launchers in America is to allow Congress to infringe on the right to bear arms that are sufficiently dangerous as to deter any more federal tyranny. Americans have already suffered under the Patriot Act, National Defense Authorization Act and more draconian legislation to come.
Harold Saive,
Track guns with chips
Computer chips should be designed to be installed in guns. If they are stolen, they would be easily located. I know the impact of the gun is powerful, but I still believe there should be a way to track guns if they are stolen immediately.
Jane Greene,
Amendment is clear
At the time the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was written, the primary assault weapons used by military infantry units were muskets, flintlock pistols, bayonets and swords. These were the same weapons owned by the common man, who used them to defend his homestead and ultimately to arm the regulars and militias that defeated the forces of King George III and overthrew his government in the American colonies.
The founders of our nation, and the framers of the Constitution, were revolutionary warriors who made no distinction between military and civilian weapons. The Second Amendment contains no language that speaks to the number or type of weapons that the people may possess, nor the number or type of ammunition. It states, in plain and simple language, "... the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
David Jenkins,
Hard-working dogs
Our therapy dogs, Mulligan and Lilly, seemed insulted by Robert Williams' letter (Sun, Jan. 26) that compared dogs to congressmen.
These doodles worked every single week this past year, including Christmas Day, visiting residents and patients at assisted living and rehabilitation facilities. No extended, paid vacations for them! While they do get a lot of attention, they just walk quietly and do their "jobs." They're paw-fect!
Dennis R. Wyant,


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The candidate should send the hiring manager a thank-you note within 24 hours after the phone interview.
Gunter, TX (PRWEB) February 06, 2013
Following up a [Phone Interview with a Thank-You E-mail within 24 hours can set job seekers apart faster in today's highly competitive job market, according to Peggy McKee, renowned career coach and CEO of Career Confidential.
Phone interviews are often the very first step of the interview and hiring process. JobSeekers are not likely to get a call to come in and interview without some kind of conversation on the phone first.
Candidates often wonder how important telephone interviews really are. A resume gets the phone call. Now this one 10-minute conversation is the deciding factor as to whether or not the job seeker will get the in person interview.
Phone Interviews are the gating process companies use to whittle down their list of candidates. There is no second chance to be considered for an opportunity. This is the make-it-or-break it moment that determines whether or not a candidate can be in the running for their dream job.
Job seekers fail in the phone interview for two major reasons: they don't take it seriously enough, and they don't take into account the unique challenges a phone interview poses for them.
Phone interviews, just like other interviews, are really all about communication. Here's the problem: the vast majority of communication between people is visual, not the actual words they say. Think about body language, facial expressions, gestures, all the things that affect how your words are coming across. Those visual cues really do give you an advantage. On the phone, those cues are gone.
If you take the phone interview as seriously as a face-to-face interview, and you learn to work with the unique circumstances of a phone interview, you can succeed.
"Job seekers should follow-up a phone interview just as they would follow-up with a face-to-face interview," said McKee. "The candidate should send the hiring manager a thank-you note within 24 hours after the phone interview—and to do that, they have to send it by email."
Managers are often looking for that follow-up message and are using it as a gauging tool in the hiring process, according to McKee. Taking the extra time to send that message can make a job seeker stand out as the top candidate.
Job seekers can learn more about phone interview thank-you e-mails at Phone Interview Thank You Note Etiquette..
Additional phone interview follow-up tips from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOTeTTpHaGU&list=UUUpIGr7JRwp0h7oieYS967w&index=98&feature=plcp __title__ Career Confidential on YouTube [Career Confidential can be found on YouTube __title__ Career Confidential on YouTube]
Career Confidential is a rapidly growing job search training company based in Texas that specializes in providing job seekers with powerful and customizable tools and techniques to get the jobs they want fast.
Since nationally-recognized recruiting and job search experts Peggy McKee (CEO) and Carl Chapman (CTO) founded Career Confidential in 2009,it has grown from one product, the 30/60/90-Day Business Plan, to more than 30 products to guide candidates through every step of the job search.
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule a coaching session, please call Peggy McKee toll-free at 1-800-691-2562 or e-mail Peggy at Peggy(at)CareerConfidential.com.


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It is interesting that so many people in the United States trace their ancestry back to the 102 passengers on the Mayflower when so few of the Mayflower passengers have any proven ancestry at all. In addition, the statement has been made that "if all the people who have been claimed to have come on the Mayflower to New England in 1620 actually had come on that boat, it would have sunk mid-Atlantic." See Alicia Crane Williams, in American Ancestors, Part II: Who Came on the Mayflower: Separating the Facts from the Myths. These two facts are important indicators of the state of affairs of early American genealogy.
Of these 102 early settlers to America, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants recognizes only 26 heads of families who have proved descendants. See General Society of Mayflower Descendants. This is the case because about half of the passengers died during the first winter in New England. Interestingly, the crew of the Mayflower are mostly unidentified and no family information is known about them.
So how many of our "documented" pedigrees go back to a book or record that was, in the words of the American Ancestors article, "mistaken, imaginary, or outright fraudulent." I have found that this is one of the major challenges of pursuing a documented pedigree back into the 18th and 17th Centuries.
Systematically careful documentation of the early settlers in America began in the 1800s, almost two hundred years after the first settlers arrived. The earliest of these books is acknowledged to be Farmer's Register.
See Farmer, John. A Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England ... To Which Are Added Various Genealogical and Biographical Notes, Collected from Ancient Records, Manuscripts, and Printed Works. Lancaster, Mass: Carter, Andrews & Co, 1829.
But what if you do not have ancestors in New England? Or even the United States? Well, then you have the opportunity to set the stage for all those who come after you. You can provide the sources and documentation so that future generations won't have to wade through fables and frauds.
Those of us with lines that go back into these early American settlers can use as broad a spectrum of sources as is possible to finally document our ancestors and perhaps, at some time in the future, begin to turn the tide of copies of unsupported genealogies.


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American Cream Draft Horses
Colonial Williamsburg's Rare Breeds program was begun in 1986 to preserve genetic diversity in livestock.
Some of the selected breeds represent animals that could have been present in Williamsburg during the 18th century according to historical research.
Rare is defined as having fewer than 1,000 animals registered annually in North America.
The breeds in the foundation's program –American Cream Draft horses, the Leicester Longwool sheep and America Milking Red Devons – have fewer than 200 animals registered annually in North America. Also included are the Canadian horses.
The American Cream Draft Horse
The only modern breed in the program also is the rarest – just over 500 still exist in North America. American Cream Draft horses are the only breed of draft horse originating from the United States and are now bred here.
Breed characteristics include a medium cream-colored coat, pink skin, amber eyes, long, white mane and tail and white markings. These horses mature late at five years old and have an excellent temperament.
Mares stand from 15 to 16 hands and weigh 1,500 to 1,600 pounds. Males stand 16 to 16.3 hands and weigh 1,800 pounds and up.
American Creams pull wagons and carriages throughout Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area.
Canadian Horses
Colonial Williamsburg's most recent addition to the Rare Breeds program, Canadian horses were developed from horses sent from France to Quebec between 1665 and 1670.
They stand 14 to 16 hands. Mares weigh 900 to 1,300 pounds and males weigh 1,000 to 1,400 pounds. Canadians were used for farm work, transport, riding and racing.
Canadian horses are solid and well-muscled with a well-arched neck set high on a long, sloping shoulder. Canadians are primarily black or reddish brown with full manes and tails. They are energetic without being nervous and are adaptable for a variety of riding and driving disciplines.
Originally imported from Canada, Canadian horses now are bred in Colonial Williamsburg
Leicester Longwool Sheep
A long, healthy, lustrous coat which falls in ringlets, ease of feeding, valuable meat supply and quick maturation are the sheep's breed traits. Leicester (pronounced "lester") Longwools originated in Britain and were used as a pioneer breed.
Their use extended to America, Australia, New Zealand and other colonies settled by the Crown.
Today they are quite rare in Britain and North America, but they can still be imported from Australia. Their wool is sold to hand spinners, weavers, felters and dollmakers for hair and beards.
The original herd of Colonial Williamsburg's Leicester Longwool sheep came from Tasmania, but now the sheep are bred here.
Milking Shorthorn and Randall Oxen
Trucks, tractors and bulldozers of the 18th century; oxen are cattle trained to work. In Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, there are two breeds: Milking Shorthorns and Randalls.
Milking Shorthorns originated in England, can be red or white, and are used for milk, meat, and work.
Randalls were bred in a closed herd by a Vermont family of the same name for 80 years. They are also called linebacks, due to the white line that runs down their backs.
Both breeds are rare, classified as a watch breed and a critical breed, respectively. Oxen Emmitt, Gage, Rusty, Red, Bart, Bud, Timer and Tuck can be found working in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area and at Great Hopes Plantation.
American Milking Red Devons
Diversity is the trademark of this breed. Their milk contains a high butterfat content – prized in the 18th century for butter and cheese production.
They are very intelligent and are good work animals that are easy to feed. Their milk is used in the Historic Area Foodways program.
Descended from the Red Devon breed native to Devonshire, England, American Milking Devons now are bred here.
Story Link: Colonial Williamsburg Rare Breeds


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Ready-to-Ship NatureScripts
Each of these ready-to-ship NatureScripts is a proven best seller from Lisa's art and craft shows. There is an option for every person with any décor or occasion. Also visit our create-your-own Our D.I.Y. Designer to custom make a word or name of your own. All photos are 4" x 6" and NatureScripts come in your choice of rustic back or stained brown Amish made frame, which is ready-to-hang.


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NEWARK – New Jersey is among 49 states that announced yesterday they have begun a coordinated multi-state effort to investigate whether mortgage servicers committed consumer fraud by not properly reviewing, verifying and signing foreclosure documents filed with the courts.
In New Jersey, foreclosure actions must be supported by an Affidavit of Amount Due, which establishes the identity of the mortgage/note holder and information concerning the default. Recent reports suggest that mortgage servicers are having employees sign these affidavits without confirming their accuracy.
"This is not a gray area. Either our legal requirements for filing foreclosures were followed or they weren't, and we will hold the companies accountable for their systematic violations," Attorney General Paula T. Dow said.
Ally Financial, formerly known as GMAC Mortgage, announced last month that it was imposing a moratorium on foreclosures in 23 states, including New Jersey, after disclosing that its employees routinely signed off on foreclosure affidavits without properly reviewing them or verifying their accuracy. JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America have since announced similar halts to foreclosure proceedings.
"You have to know the facts before you can attest to them, and that requires review," said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. "Servicers must scrupulously follow the law when they file foreclosures and that includes only submitting affidavits on personal knowledge. Nothing less will do when New Jersey residents are facing the loss of their homes."
The Division of Law is working with the Division of Consumer Affairs on this matter.
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Please Note: By clicking a link to any resource listed on this page, you will be leaving this site.
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)http://www.marrow.org The NMDP is a nonprofit organization that facilitates unrelated marrow and blood stem cell transplants for people with life-threatening diseases who do not have matching donors in their families.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Societyhttp://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is dedicated to funding blood-cancer research, education, and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Call: (914) 949-5213
National Cancer Institute (NCI)http://www.nci.nih.gov NCI provides detailed information about cancer research, various kinds of cancer, and living with cancer. Call: (800) 4-CANCER
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Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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At the release party for his book Projects at Hollywood's legendary Chateau Marmont, photographer extraordinaire Brian Bowen Smith found himself on the opposite side of the camera, with stars (and subjects!) Miley Cyrus, Cindy Crawford, and Cat Deeley celebrating Smith's latest accomplishment. After guests previewed the photographer's most-iconic works on the old-school ViewMaster 3D toys stationed at each table, hosts Emmy Rossum and Marc Jacobs took to the stage to introduce the man of the hour. "I couldn't believe in my whole life that I'd be in this moment," Smith said in a speech. "It's overwhelming, and if I could hug everyone, I would!" The sentiment was shared by Rossum. "The Chateau Marmont is kind of quintessential old Hollywood, and his pictures, a lot of them are black and white and they're very classic," she told us. "I think it kind of all fits." We agree! Pick up the celebrity-filled Projects for $60 at artbook.com, and click the photo above to see more photos from the party.
• See Emmy Rossum's Wizard of Oz-Inspired Outfit
• 30 Years of Marc Jacobs Fashion in 72 Seconds
• Fashion Week's Celebrity Fans, Miley Included!
— Andrea Simpson


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The Basics of Wiping Varnish
Its durability and ease of use make searching out this hard-to-identify finish worth it.
By Bob Flexner
Pages: 70-75
From the November 2005 issue #151
Buy this issue now
Of all finishes available, none offers as much protection and durability with as little difficulty in application as wiping varnish. With wiping varnish you can achieve a run-free, brush-mark-free, air-bubble-free and almost dust-free finish, which after several coats is very protective against moisture penetration, and resistant to scratches, heat and solvents. And you can do this with no more effort than wiping or brushing on the finish, and either leaving it, or wiping off some or all of the excess.
No other finish offers all of these great qualities. The only finish that competes is gel varnish, but it's messy to apply, and it can't be built up as fast on the wood without leaving brush marks. Wiping varnish is arguably the single best finish for most amateur woodworking projects.
From the November 2005 issue #151
Buy this issue now


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DETROIT (AP) — A jury has gone home without a verdict after deliberating for about three hours in the trial of a Detroit-area man who killed an unarmed woman on his porch last fall.
The jury heard closing arguments earlier Wednesday. Theodore Wafer is charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Renisha McBride.
She showed up drunk on his Dearborn Heights porch before dawn on Nov. 2. Several hours earlier, she had crashed her car into a parked car blocks away.
The 55-year-old Wafer says he shot McBride through a screen door in self-defense after hearing severe pounding outside his home. Prosecutors say there was no justification.
The jury asked for the clips that held the screen, but the judge said no because they weren't admitted as evidence.


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Dear Nichole, At digitalARC we strive to set the highest standards in client service and it is something we expect in those who supply us. Having used the services of The Financial Management Centre recently for my bookkeeping requirements for digitalARC, I cannot recommend you highly enough; you dealt with the work quickly, efficiently, professionally and all for a very fair cost. I had slipped a long way behind with my bookkeeping...
Dear Nichole, When I set up business I undertook looking after my books myself and as I started getting busier not only was the monthly bookkeeping taking longer and longer than expected, it was the one job I dreaded. I soon realised that I need to outsource this non-core activity to an experienced and trustworthy supplier. Since then I have used two or three different bookkeepers to help get organised. When I switched to TFMC the d...
Dear Nichole, I would like to personally thank you for your company's customer service and professionalism, the staff at The Financial Management Centre are always friendly and helpful even when I leave things to the last moment. Your services are the most cost effective way I found to run our wages and would not have any hesitation recommending you to any of our clients or friends. Keep up the good work. Yours Sincerely
Dear Nichole, I just want to express my appreciation for the excellent work you carried on behalf of Creative Installations Ltd. Bookkeeping and accountancy work are always at the bottom of my list when it comes to working in the office and as a result get left until the last minute and this year was no exception. So with HMRC and Companies House breathing down my neck I asked if you could come to the rescue. Well you did! And not o...
Mix 'n' Twist Bartending provides a premium and professional bartender and mobile cocktail bar hire service. After two years of dramatic growth it was clear I needed professional financial support and that's when I came to Nichole. As I am extremely unorganised Nichole and her team sorted the confusion of numbers and many receipts out. In the initial meeting Nichole provided advice to ensure we went forward using the correct accounting...
Dear Nichole, At Rattle Media we pride ourselves in being experts in our field. We also believe that, as exerts, we should be able to help our clients understand what we do, making sure they get the most out of our services. As a new business owner, I am not an expert in finance. While I have managed our accounts for the first two years, I have struggled to get to grips with the basic concepts that a financial expert would see as trivi...
Dear Nichole, I am writing to thank you for the excellent bookkeeping service you have provided to my business. Before undertaking your service my accounting was in a bit of a mess as it had been neglected for a few months by my previous bookkeeper. You and your team soon got everything back into place and were able to meet the tight deadline set. On top of this you have already begun the process of helping me to recover over a &pou...
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Building a culture of peace in Africa
Africa's leading decision makers, business leaders, thinkers and artists will gather in Luanda, Angola, from March 26-28, along with representatives from inter-governmental organizations and civil society, to lay the foundations for a continent-wide movement to build a culture of peace.
The Pan-African Forum, Sources and Resources for a Culture of Peace, is organized by UNESCO and the Government of Angola. It will be opened by the President of Angola Jose Eduardo dos Santos, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Diamini-Zuma.
Keynote addresses will be made by the former President of the Republic of Mozambique Joaquim Alberto Chissano and Bineta Diop, President of Femmes Afrique et Solidarite.
Over the three days, participants will focus discussions on Africa's wealth of cultural, natural and human resources and look at ways of harnessing and mobilizing these forces for sustainable peace and development.
Special emphasis will be placed on ways to engage African youth (aged 15-35), who make up 65 percent of the continent's population, and who add 10 million people to the continent's workforce annually.
The Forum will prepare an Action Plan for the prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts in Africa, to be submitted to the African Union Heads of States and Governments Summit in May, 2013. It will also launch a major continent-wide campaign for the promotion of a culture of peace, under the auspices of UNESCO and the African Union, to sensitize public opinion, and particularly young people, on ways to construct and consolidate peace and non-violence in daily life.
The full programme for the Forum is available here
Remote participation is also possible for this event. See details on how you can participate here.
Media contact in Luanda
Sasha Rubel, UNESCO
Tel: +33 (0) 6 31 54 30 36; email@example.com
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October 07. 2013 9:02PM
Police use Taser on man after chase into Mass. from Salem
By ADAM SWIFT
Union Leader Correspondent
— An apparently intoxicated Methuen, Mass., man was Tasered and arrested after he led Salem police on a chase through Methuen and Haverhill, Mass., late Saturday night.
When he was pulled over in Haverhill, Fred Riley, 33, of Methuen appeared "out of sorts claiming the officers were terrorists and people (were) out to get him," according to Salem Deputy Chief Shawn Patten.
Shortly after 11:30 on Saturday night, Salem police officer Mike Verrochi stopped a vehicle on Pond Street. The driver initially stopped, but as Verrochi got closer to the car, the driver took off suddenly, making a U-turn over the lawn and driving at the officer, according to Patten.
Shortly after that, other responding officers located the car and pursued Riley into Methuen and Haverhill, a tactic Riley apparently didn't find fair.
"During this time, the operator called the Methuen police department dispatch and inquired why Salem Police were following him in Massachusetts," said Patten.
The Methuen police department advised Riley to pull over. Riley eventually pulled over at the intersection of Atkinson Road and Route 97 in Haverhill, where he got out of the car but refused officers' commands and tried to get back into the car.
"He was Tasered and after a brief struggle was taken into custody," Patten said. It was at this time that Riley allegedly claimed the police officers were terrorists and that people were out to get him.
Riley was taken into custody by Haverhill police on fugitive from justice charges, but Salem police are seeking charges and extradition for felony reckless conduct, resisting arrest, disobeying a police officer and driving with revoked plates.


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New President of C&MA is CIU Alumnus
The new president of The Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA) is a graduate of Columbia International University. Dr. John Stumbo, who earned a Master of Arts degree in Missions from CIU in 1985, was elected president by the board of the denomination on June 13.
The C&MA is a fellowship of nearly six million evangelical believers worldwide, with more than 2,000 U.S. churches, dedicated to fulfilling Christ's command to make disciples of all nations.
In accepting the leadership position, Stumbo said the vision of The Alliance "is not something to be created. It is to be received. . . . My prayer [is that] God would help me . . . to hear His heart for the future of our movement.
"I've observed the tendency of an organization to consume all its resources to sustain its own survival," Stumbo adds. "The corporate draw is ever inward. Meanwhile, the compulsion of the Spirit is to . . . free us to love and serve others. We do not and must not exist for ourselves."
For more, including a video message from Dr. John Stumbo, visit the C&MA website: