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White People Goggles and Trayvon Martin
When I attended the Justice For Trayvon Martin Rally (or the $1644.38 Rally) in City Park in front of the Martin Luther King monument, I came to terms with something that I hadn't *fully* comprehended until that day: black citizens are so very far from obtaining equality and justice, it isn't even funny. And this is because of white acceptance – and *ignorance* – OF WHITE PRIVILEGE.
At the rally, black men and women spoke about how they should remember to rely on one another in the community and NOT to involve the police because the justice system cannot be trusted. The police cannot be trusted. The courts cannot be trusted. The truth of the matter is that our system as a whole can NOT be trusted to take good care of the black community. It cannot be trusted with their CHILDREN, their FAMILIES, their WOMEN, their MEN or their BOYS.
Black speakers asked of the white persons in attendance that they might act as an intermediary between the communities and speak out against the demonization of blacks. They asked that we speak up on behalf of Trayvon Martin and others who are slandered and caught in the line of fire of white anger against the existence of black people and their constant uphill struggle.
I'm always fascinated by this white indignation which defies logic. The ironic part about this white anger is that, though it's directed at blacks, I believe it really derives from a very deep feeling of shame over the actions of our white ancestors. This is what many racist whites and non-racist whites have in common: white guilt and white shame. The difference is how we deal with that guilt and shame. Some whites, in a desperate attempt to relieve their own personal discomfort, try to deny accountability for past transgressions by claiming that racism is not currently alive in today's world; therefore, they can not be personally "held accountable" for sins committed by ancestors long dead and now everyone should just shut up about it because no white people are harming blacks nowadays; I mean, after all, these white people and their friends haven't burned a cross in anyone's yard this week or hanged anybody for no good reason in their tree out back. And besides, they have black friends, which is clearly indicative of an absence of a psychotic drive to kill or maim blacks – and, even further, proves their desire to "include" black people in their daily lives.
Some whites go so far as to try and turn the tables, proclaiming that whites are now subject to "backward racism" and therefore this is proof that whites and blacks are systemically on equal footing – or worse, they claim that blacks have the upper hand since they "have" things such as affirmative action and black scholarships. Don't bother examining why these things had to be put into place in the first place. Don't bother contemplating the potential fallout were these things to be removed. Don't bother researching the severely lopsided percentages of blacks in colleges, in prisons, or unemployed altogether.
But-but-but… Surely, the fact that blacks aren't in college reflects their lack of intellect, skill or interest and almost *certainly* not their disenfranchisement. Surely, their overwhelming presence in prison reflects the inordinate number of criminals among them and not police profiling, unnecessary searches, and bias within the court systems. Surely their numbers of unemployed citizens reflect their laziness and delinquency and not an unjust hiring and firing process or racism in the workplace. Surely. These are the kind of promises that some white people tell themselves to help ease the guilt and shame of NOT standing up against what they KNOW to be wrong.
Because, hey, it can get uncomfortable standing up for black people. They might not even WANT your help. You might inadvertently say something offensive. Or racist. And then you look like an asshole.
Yeah, I know. It's no fun and it can get uncomfortable. It's not easy, like "Like"ing Facebook posts about patriotism or talking about how great mothers are. It can get messy and you might even discover horrid things about your own racism and prejudice along the way. It can be shaming. It can be frightening. But it needs to be done. It's our responsibility.
Ask yourself this question and this question alone: is it right for a grown man to confront an innocent 17-year-old kid and shoot him in the chest as a result of an altercation that he himself pursued? If the answer is NO, STAND UP FOR TRAYVON MARTIN TODAY. Tell someone you know that they are full of shit and tell them WHY. Don't let your friends get away with distracting from the horrific wrong that has been done here. In THIS case. THIS time. Forget about the politics and the colors and the arguments. Think of that teenage boy who was not beaten, not pistol-whipped, but SHOT in the chest after being NEEDLESSLY stalked by a grown man. Take off your White People Goggles and reach out to the black community and defend the innocent when they are slandered. Because the black community is YOUR community. When it comes down to it, we ALL share the SAME ANCESTRY. We are ONE PEOPLE. Don't let curly hair or blue eyes fool you into thinking otherwise. Trayvon Martin is OUR son and EVERYONE'S responsibility.
Why Do We Still Need Feminists? I'll Tell You Why
When Sandra Fluke testified at the Women's Health and Contraception hearing before Nancy Pelosi and members of Congress, she began by specifically stating that her testimony was "on behalf of the women who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act contraceptive coverage regulation," thereby making clear that she was not there to address any sort of personal grievance or request. She was not there, for instance, to ask members of Congress that she be "paid for having sex." She was there to praise the President's new proposal that insurance companies take care of women as well as men. To promote access to birth control. To stand up for women's rights to full healthcare.
It's a wonder that we are still discussing such an antiquated topic as "equal insurance coverage for women," but, here we are, talking about the gender-dividing stuff that the "humanists-not-feminists" regard as outdated issues. And while they go on about how advanced our society is now and how many rights we should be grateful for, after-all-we-don't-live-in-Saudi-Arabia, and how feminism is now rightly deceased since we no longer need it, the Republicans gleefully chime in with, "Why are you having sex in the first place?"
Despite the common knowledge that Republicans are no fan of science or evolution, most should at least be capable of recognizing that sexuality is quite the permanent and relentless component of our human DNA, without which our species would die off. But instead, without the guidance of evil, feminist science books, they insist that abortion is the one act likely to cause the extinction of the human race.
The follow-up question might then be, "But who needs abortion when you have full access to reliable birth control methods?"
And the unnecessary-but-informative feminist replies: Unfortunately, even 99% effective birth control pills and latex contraceptives can sometimes fail, not to mention the fact that miscarrying mothers may need abortive services along with victims of molestation, rape and incest — but the compassionate, Christian God already knows that darn well, so let's move on.
So. There are Republicans and then there is Rush Limbaugh. Amirite? Um… unfortunately, no, not really. Rush Limbaugh represents the majority of Republicans and it's obvious by the tepid Republican response to Limbaugh's offense against Fluke that they agree with him in some way or another. The "well-I-wouldn't-have-used-those-exact-words" schtick is reserved for when someone you admire and agree with is taking heat and you simply can't politically afford to full-on agree with them right now. Amirite? Yeah, I'm right. Moving on.
So, as I was saying, there are Republicans and then there is Rush Limbaugh, their glorious, fat-headed (meaning idiotic, not in reference to his body weight) leader, who thinks it makes perfect sense to whine and cry about "Obama's" gas prices and the hefty penalty he pays just to take his Hummer out for a spin meanwhile slandering college students for daring to request health services from their own insurance plans. Rush Limbaugh preaches that sexual abstinence is the answer to Fluke's financial difficulties; however, the idea that he might ride a bike or take the bus to avoid higher gas prices has never occurred to him. And, without reminding our audience that Fluke specifically addressed at length several other medical conditions which require hormonal birth control pills to regulate (such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome), Rush has absolutely no idea how birth control pills work anyway.
Rush: She's having so much sex she can't afford her birth control anymore!
Rush: She gives the numbers – three thousand dollars worth of birth control pills worth of sex!
Rush: Not one person says, "Well, did you ever think about maybe backing off the amount of sex that you have?"
Obviously, without a Feminazi© to guide him, he has no idea that women do not, in fact, take a birth control pill each time they engage in sexual intercourse. Birth control pills are actually a preventative measure that women take to regulate their periods, govern their hormones and ward off cysts. Oh yeah, and rapist's babies. Because the reality is that you never know when you could be raped, no matter how high your morals , or your neckline, may be.
We need feminists to remind us of these kinds of things from time to time.
We need feminists to start protests and circulate petitions, like the one circulated by Ms. Magazine that helped pull sponsorship from Limbaugh's show.
We need feminists to piss people off and rile them up and to speak out against injustice and to applaud measures for equal rights. Like Sandra Fluke did.
Because the only people who are being quiet now are the Republicans. And that's how I like them.
Feel Free to Sign a Petition or Two:
Remove Rush Limbaugh From American Forces Radio
Tell Clear Channel: Cancel Rush Limbaugh
Tell the FCC: Remove Rush Limbaugh From the Air
Call on Republican Leaders to Denounce Rush Limbaugh's Anti-Women Tirade
And Tweet Your Thoughts on the Big Jerk: #FlushRushNow
and Thank The Sponsors Who Stood Behind Women and Flushed His Show:
FeministMajority.com Link To Thank Them All At Once
@JohnDeere, @Allstate, @AOL, @Sears, @ProFlowers, @Carbonite, @LegalZoom, @QuickenLoans,@Geico, @JCPenney, @Netflix, @CapitalOne
and more!!
The Latest in Victim-Blaming: Treating Addiction Like a Choice
Indiana Rep. Jud McMillan (R.-Brookville) recently sponsored and then withdrew a welfare drug testing bill which would have mandated testing for individuals 18 years of age and older who receive assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. There was a small hitch when South Bend Democrat Rep. Ryan Dvorak responded to McMillan's proposal with an amendment that would additionally require elected officials to undergo drug testing. As a result of this amendment, McMillan withdrew the bill. However, he reportedly plans to reintroduce the bill on Monday.
The hypocrisy and victim-blaming is at an all-time high within the Republican party. If you don't have insurance due to a lay-off or unforeseen financial struggles, they cheer for your death. If you don't have a job due to the sad state of the economy and rampant outsourcing, they tell you to take a bath and shut up. And, most certainly, you are at fault for any personal weakness you may have and you should be either indifferently discarded or righteously punished for such weaknesses.
But apparently not all recipients of government money are created equal. As Assistant Minority Leader Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told the Huffington Post, "I don't see anyone in the Republican majority demanding drug testing for folks who receive oil and gas subsidies."
This bill is merely one of many manifestations of the too-common, bipartisan practice of victim-blaming frequently directed at addicts. It's so easy to do – much easier than looking closer at the issues, concerning yourself with the fallible human factor, experiencing empathy or compassion for your fellow Americans, and creating progressive policies based on effectiveness. Blaming addicts for their addictions is the latest trend in political band-wagoning.
Addiction, whether or not you consider it to be a disease, certainly has the criteria. According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, disease is described as "a harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism. A diseased organism commonly exhibits signs or symptoms indicative of its abnormal state." And, whether you believe it or not, no one intentionally sets out to incur an addiction.
People have weaknesses and are susceptible to irrational behavior, especially when distraught. Some of the major risk factors for drug addiction are mental illness, anxiety, depression and loneliness, according to research by the Mayo Clinic.
Do we blame those who suffer from bipolar disease for their distractability, rapid speech patterns, insomnia, impulsiveness, delusions and irritability? Do we demand that these people "stop being bipolar" in order to merit our sympathy or care? (The answer is no.) Fortunately, sufferers of bipolar disorder currently have the option to take medication (that is, if they can afford insurance or qualify for medicaid). Unfortunately, there is no reliable method for treating addiction.
Statistics show that 19.5 million people over the age of 12 use illegal drugs in the United States (Mayo Clinic). 12-step programs such as N.A. have failure rates of between 90-95%, depending on the source of the statistics. It's easy to blame the participants in the program; it's easy to claim that they're not trying hard enough or that they don't really want to quit. But the reality is that addicts have little to no control over their impulses and actions; their brains are, in most cases, physically impaired by chemical dependence on the substance. Even cigarette smokers have a nationwide 90-95% failure rate for quitting, regardless of their methodology.
These are things that most people don't want to hear. People want to believe in the success story, like all those 80's movies where babysitters become fashion designers overnight, or the mailboy makes corporate partner in a week. It makes them feel better about their life. It gives them hope.
Unfortunately, the facts are not very cheery and sometimes there's no way to climb back out of the gutter.
Family members, spouses, and friends of drug addicts (if they're not drug addicts themselves) often go the route of "tough love"; in other words, the shunning and alienation of their struggling loved one. This method of encouraging recovery through ostracism is firmly anchored in victim-blaming. It's also unrealistic. Without a support system, a person is unlikely to acquire enough emotional strength to rip themselves away from their sole source of solace. Additionally, an addict lacks realistic perspective and they need a trustworthy confidant of sound mind who cares enough to help point them in the right direction. Occasionally, a person gets their life together and beats their addiction despite their growing despair and isolation from friends and family, but more often, people fall deeper into the warm, comforting arms of their addiction instead.
Punishing those who struggle with addiction is a backward and harmful policy. The fewer resources and loved ones an addict has to conquer their addiction, the less likely they are to recover.
Not everyone can be helped, either. Some situations are irreparable. It's not pretty, but it's true. And the sooner we face it, the sooner we can move forward and make changes that might actually help addicts instead of kicking them while they're down. "Tough love" policies may be convenient and quick ways to ease our feelings of guilt and responsibility for those in need, but they only make matters worse. Victim-blaming makes people feel better about themselves and their inaction. It's time to end this cycle of behavior. It's time to find ways to make things better.
No Shave November: It's Not Just For Dudes
Come one, come all, ladies, and join in this festive sharing of furry overgrowth and joy!! No Shave November (sometimes referred to as "Movember" or "Noshember") has come once again! Take pictures and fend off the itchies as we take the plunge together in a fight against clean-shavenry. (Ok, you caught me; I'm totally making up some of these words.)
When I first heard of it, I was on Twitter. #NoShaveNovember was trending, so I got curious. I thought, "Oh, 'No Shave November,' huh? I might try to do that. Could be fun. Wonder what it's about." I then noticed a tweet in my feed from the lovely ladies of Ms. Magazine; they claimed that Twitter was going absolute batshit with misogynistic crap on the topic. I thought, 'Nah, really? It doesn't seem like something an entire internet community would get up in arms about. Sometimes these gals are sensitive. Maybe there were three or four things they didn't like and now they're pissed off. Best to check for myself.' I clicked on the trend, and this is what I found:
Aaaand so. The message was clear. Women who do not shave their leg/armpit/pubic hair are seriously disturbing the order of the universe and should be punished thusly.
Interesting, I thought. While men can choose whether or not to sport a face-full of wool (meanwhile cultivating lengthy leg/pubic/arm hair all year round with no complaints from outsiders), women are relegated to the "undesirable" discard pile of life if they do not conform to the social demands of the mandatory depilatory duties.
Even on Noshember.com's website, they encourage men and women alike to "unite in the height of laziness," but still refer to body hair as something horrid that one wouldn't want to reveal to the general public:
"Plus, it is cold enough to wear scarves or jeans (respectively) to cover that unsightly hair."
Why is body hair so scary? We were born with it; it is a natural, normal part of our bodies, like our eyelashes or our earlobes. And yet… it horrifies so many people. I've never heard anyone protest that if a guy walked in the room with a beard they'd literally run the other way, but I have heard that said about female body hair. Female leg hair, facial hair, pubic hair and armpit hair is apparently inappropriate in all situations at all times.
Yeahh, ummm… I don't think so. I say fuck em. You can't simply decide for me whether or not I will grow hair on my body.
Yes, but no one will EVER want to have sex with you in your entire life if you never shave!
Well… #1. That's bullshit and #2. We'll never get anywhere with that attitude. If everyone simply complies with the status quo and shaves their body hair all the time (or becomes embarrassed when they are caught unshaven, or brands the women who don't shave as "unkempt" or unattractive), why would anyone else bother to reconsider their narrow viewpoint of beauty? If, once in a while, people bumped into beautiful women with body hair, they might reconsider their "hairless-only" policy. So let's fight this where it lives! No Shave November for all!! One of our biggest obstacles as a gender is that we allow ourselves to be shamed into submission. There are few who dare cross the line, since the social ramifications are swift and harsh.
In fact, I recently saw a scathing article about Mo'Nique, who was on the red carpet, showing off her unshaven stems. The article began like this:
She may have won a Golden Globe to Best Supporting Actress this week, but larger-than-life actress Mo'Nique won't be winning any awards for her personal grooming.
Fortunately, fans flooded the comment section, rushing to her defense. If there were more celebrities like her who refused to be shamed into compliance, maybe more people would open their eyes to the ridiculous nature of these social demands.
Now, don't misquote me or twist my words. If you don't want to shave, don't shave. (Don't worry; you will still get laid!) But if you do enjoy shaving, please do. Just know that, regardless of your level of hair growth, someone will screw you and someone will love you. And you are not, in fact, disturbing the balance of the universe.
On a more personal note: I'm a pretty hot, fun, sexy chick and I guaran-fucking-tee that I'd be able to get 50 guys to fuck me despite my body hair within 20 minutes. And… Gimme a break, ladies. You're really going the extra mile when you're chiming in with the misogynistic bullshit these guys are piling on. Feel superior for five seconds, enslave your gender for another century. Whatever floats your boat, I guess… but I'd really appreciate it if you stopped helping. Thanks.
Apple's Anti-Gay Agenda
It's iPhone madness here in the virtual world of gay-bashing. [Edit: This week, news broke that Apple was getting a little heat from receiving commission from links to anti-gay organizations. But that's really no surprise.] The one and only rainbow-clad-fruit company has found ways to approve several hurtful, stereotypical and derogatory apps aimed squarely at the GLBT community. Their Manhattan Declaration app was intended to encourage a community cult comprised of people who are anti-women's rights, anti-gay-couple-adoption rights, anti-extramarital sex and anti-gay marriage to sign an inner-circle petition which expresses these tenets. In this "declaration," they also voice their disregard for man's law in favor of "God's law."
They respect laws, they say, as long as they go along with their personal Christian dogmas:
"Through the centuries, Christianity has taught that civil disobedience is not only permitted, but sometimes required… Unjust laws degrade human beings. Inasmuch as they can claim no authority beyond sheer human will, they lack any power to bind in conscience."
As an example of "inspiring" civil disobedience, they cite the abandonment of orphaned children by a Catholic Charity… as a good thing:
"After the judicial imposition of "same-sex marriage" in Massachusetts, for example, Catholic Charities chose with great reluctance to end its century-long work of helping to place orphaned children in good homes rather than comply with a legal mandate that it place children in same-sex households in violation of Catholic moral teaching."
In regards to proponents of gay marriage, they state, "They [couples who fall outside of the heteronormative categorical] fail to understand, however, that marriage is made possible by the sexual complementarity of man and woman, and that the comprehensive, multi-level sharing of life that marriage is includes bodily unity of the sort that unites husband and wife biologically as a reproductive unit… If [marriage were redefined], it would lock into place the false and destructive belief that marriage is all about romance and other adult satisfactions, and not, in any intrinsic way, about procreation…"
I mean, if this ain't a forward-thinking, positive, socially-mobilizing app, I just don't know what is!
But that's not all! If you liked the Manhattan Declaration, you'll LOVE Exodus' "Gay Cure" app. This app is for unsatisfied cocksuckers and rug-munchers who wish they could pray away the gay! The Exodus project is described as "a therapeutic, clinical process that operates under the premise that men and women dealing with same-sex attraction are attempting to restore broken familial relationships in an insufficient, unhealthy way." Right. I probably like vagina because I was breastfed as an infant. Or something.
Back in the real world, even schoolchildren can check biology texts for more cohesive facts. Thankfully, these morally reprehensible programs were pulled off the market once those iGeniuses realized that one rotten app could spoil the whole barrel.
In response to their app being pulled, Exodus International's Senior Director stated, "We want to ask that there would be fair and equal representation of religious belief on this platform as is already existing. We would like the spirit of diversity and tolerance that is so valued within the LGBT community." Yes, of course. All they want is the spirit of tolerance that will allow them to freely condemn innocent people as hell-bound sinners for their sexual orientation and brainwash them to feel irreparably-destructive guilt about their natural sexuality. I mean, isn't that what Jesus would want?
Who's Whipped?
I was just sitting in a massage chair with my toes soaking in the deliciously-warm whirlpool below me and flipping through a People magazine when I was suddenly slapped in the face. Ok, not literally, but that's definitely what it felt like. I stared at the ad, blinking a few times just to make sure I wasn't imagining things. An attractive guy was holding an armful of white towels while talking on his cell phone in the foreground; in the background, a female was enjoying a leisurely soak in a bubble bath. Okayyy, I thought. So….? Then I read: "Reason to get him whipped #8." Pinnacle Whipped Vodka.
Seriously?? So… what are they trying to say here? Let's say your boyfriend does the laundry (and mine does – well, actually, we both do it). Does that automatically make him "whipped"? Or does it only make him "whipped" if he does the laundry *while* you're doing something enjoyable, such as taking a bath? In which case… are you supposed to immediately scamper into the kitchen to find some kind of household chore to do as soon as he extracts the first few items from the hamper? Well, fuck it. I guess I'm just one of those stereotypical, humorless feminazis who doesn't understand why the portrayal of a helpful boyfriend would include the insinuation of utter female domination.
Is this supposed to let men know that whenever they dare step out of their role as the stereotypical lazy-slob bachelor, they might as well check their testicles at the door?
And what does this say about women? What do you call a woman who does household chores? Anyone got a punchline for that one??
Is it pathetic to do household chores period? Are women everywhere being tricked into thinking they're doing something to help out when, in reality, they're being laughed at and seen as broken, manipulated fools? If so, what's the "cute" name for a female idiot like that? Is it "housewife"? No, it can't be that – we've heard over and over again that to be a housewife is a choice that we'd better respect because it's just as dignified as having a career outside the home.
So… what's so hilarious about a guy doing laundry while talking on his cell phone?
I checked out the Pinnacle Whipped website and… omg I have to try some of these. There's actually a Cotton Candy flavor (!!!) as well as a plethora of other tastebud-tempting flavors such as: Cake (you can't be serious!!), Butterscotch, Gummy (as in, gummy fish!), Chocolate Whipped, Espresso, Root Beer (sheesh!), and, of course, plain old "Whipped", featuring a huge dollop of whipped cream on the front. These amazing flavors alone are enough to have their clearly-female demographic racing to the liquor store even before they give their partner's testicles a final, parting cigarette burn.
There are so many ways this product could have been marketed seductively toward women without harming men in the process. It's hard enough for a man to find self-respect and dignity in a world of must-watch football, must-drink beer, must-lift weights, must-have muscles, must-drive sportscars and everything else that is counterproductive to a man's self-esteem and individuality. The gender binary oppresses both genders and forces each into little boxes from which they dare not stray.
I call bullshit and remind these marketing assholes that REAL MEN can do laundry, REAL MEN can cook, and REAL MEN can iron clothing. For fuck's sake, leave the guy alone.
Other "Whipped" ads from Pinnacle include:
If You Try To Use My Potty, I'll Kill You.
Chrissy Polis, a 22-year-old transgender woman, decided to go to McDonald's one night. Following Chrissy's use of the ladies' restroom, McDonald's employees looked on amused she was repeatedly kicked in the back, face and head, pummeled with fists, spat upon, had her hair pulled and her earrings torn out. These heinous abuses were doled out by two teenage girls, one 14 and one 18. One good Samaritan, an older woman, attempted to intervene and demanded that the assailants "get off of her," but she herself was struck in the face. The seemingly-endless, three-minute long beating was recorded by a McDonald's employee, Vernon Hackett (who has since been fired), while the other employees watched, laughed and rooted for the abusers. The assault ended only after Chrissy suffered a seizure near the front door. Seeing this, the employee who'd been recording the crime actually encouraged the criminals to leave immediately since the victim was bleeding and the police would be on their way. Yeah… wouldn't want anyone to get arrested for brutally assaulting a helpless victim or anything.
So why did this happen? According to various news sources, including the Huffington Post, it had to do with Chrissy's attempt to use the women's restroom.
Polis told the newspaper that after she used the restroom, "They said, 'That's a dude, that's a dude and she's in the female bathroom.'"
Does it matter what it's about? Well, WMAL Radio Host Chris Plante had plenty to say on the matter. He blathers on about the nature of transexuality and complains grievously about the term's flexibility. He has a big problem with the idea that this incident is considered a hate crime since, in his astonishingly-enlightened mind he believes that if this were "simply a matter of" two black girls destroying a white girl, the incident would not be labelled as such. His mind-broadening commentary of course being due to his extensive life experience as a transgender, African-American female… oh, wait… he's cissexual, white and male. One YouTube commenter, Nirvanfan4ever, prefers to refer to Mr. Plante as a "fucktard," and I don't think it's really my place to disagree with him.
Worse still is yet another well-informed intellectual who calls himself RedBaiter, who begins his article regarding the tragedy as follows:
Nothing excuses the behaviour of the animals responsible for the McDonald's beating, however it is necessary to dispel the widely held misconception that the victim was a white girl. The victim has been identified as Christopher Lee Polis and a male of Arab or Indian descent who dressed as a woman. Its debatable that such a person has any real right to enter a women's toilet [emphasis mine].
Chrissy is, in fact, half white and half something else. Why this is relevant to whether or not she should use a toilet… I can't quite figure that one out. But some people will attack from any angle they can muster when it comes to GLBTQ injustices.
And, yes… it does matter what it's about. When the level of violence exacted at an individual is escalated to the point of potentially fatal actions due to their personal identity, it DOES MATTER, and it MUST BE RECOGNIZED AND PUNISHED AS EXACTLY THAT. Some people contend that "all crime is 'hate crime'" since a person would not commit a crime against someone they were fond of. This is missing the point. Identifying an act of violence as a "hate crime" is important because there is an extra element at play here. An element which has NO place in civilized society. This element is the act of the "-ism." Scholars refer to it as "othering." When you "other" a group, you dehumanize them and find ways to justify violence and other injustices committed against them. This is no simple error in judgment and it is unacceptable in a society which purports to value equality. Had it been two black girls thrashing some white girl due to her skin color, it would most definitely be a hate crime as well. (Not to mention, Plante's example proves his egregious underestimation of the eagerness with which the legal system prosecutes African-Americans in general.)
But go ahead and take a good look at this video and you tell me what you think. How much would you have to despise a person in order to inflict this type of violence on them?
Click here to watch the beating. >>CAUTION: IT IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH… YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE A PAPER BAG HANDY. AND A VALIUM.
Unfortunately, there has been longterm fallout; since the incident, Chrissy has been concerned about the result of this unwanted publicity. She lives in a smaller town and is concerned about obtaining employment and living a normal life. She, in fact, has been hesitant to leave her house altogether due to the mental trauma she has suffered from this brutal incident. She spoke out about the injustices served and the unnecessary fearfulness that transgender individuals experience every day in an interview with the Baltimore Sun.
What the FUCK is wrong with people?
Transgenderism. I am only recently learning the ins and outs of how the terminology is perceived in the trans/queer community and attempting to educate myself on protocol. As with any group, there are diverse preferences in how individuals prefer to be viewed and treated, but one thing I'm pretty sure about: TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE HUMAN BEINGS. Is that a concise enough definition for you, Plante?
Or, here's a tip: stop trying to stuff everyone into a category. There are too many of us and there are endless variations of individuals. It's a futile project at best… and a terrifyingly harmful one with dire consequences at worst.
And here's the 18 year old ****'s mugshot:
Teonna Monae Brown, 18 years old,
One of the assailants who administered a brutal beating to Chrissy Polis…
at the McDonald's located at 6315 Kenwood Avenue… has done it before. At the same McDonald's…
To a mother and her children. Read more on this at TSG.
"Female Audiences Don't Want To Watch Porn," and Other Ridiculous Statements
I was recently reading an article about Eva Longoria's lesbian love scene in a new comedy, "Without Men." My blood really started pumping when I thought about Eva and some other beautiful woman trading lipstick in the name of old-fashioned, gratuitous, girl-on-girl, softcore-for-the-mainstream visuals… but then my lady-boner was knocked down with this statement from the Huffington Post:
"It was a little difficult as the two girls are both straight so they were very nervous and laughed a lot," the film's director, Gabriela Tagliavini, told Fox News. "But I think that just made it even lovelier. [Female audiences] don't want to watch porn, so it was all very sensual, both are very beautiful women aside from being incredibly funny."
First of all, I don't see how two straight women kissing is lovelier than two women who might actually want to kiss each other. Secondly, what?!? I'm a woman and I find myself absent-mindedly browsing the web for naked ladies and fantasy material on a regular basis. Besides, the Internet makes porn so readily accessible that it's practically impossible not to get sucked in (no pun intended) to look at something naughty, even when you're not really looking for something naughty. When a person says something like this, what are they really saying? Are they saying women don't have a sex drive? Are they saying women don't masturbate?
I keep hearing how "men are more visual than women." Since I am neither a scientist nor an omnipotent being, I can't attest to the validity of this statement. However, I do know that when I'm staring at a dick (or a vagina, for that matter), or even when I'm looking at someone attractive who has clothes on, I'm usually revved up and ready to go. I refuse to believe I'm the only female on the planet who is sexually stimulated by visual input. Besides, how do you explain all of these women who fall for good-looking jerks? Obviously, women are sexually aroused through visual stimulation. Why aren't they watching porn? Who says they aren't?? A scientific poll?
Many women don't want to be seen as "sluts." Because of this, they are less likely to explore something like porn for fear of being caught… and if they do explore porn, they probably don't fess up to it.
Do women watch porn? YES. Don't be naive. Do they constantly broadcast it or wear t-shirts and buttons that advertise their appetites? Um, no… well, unless they're me 🙂


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Determine Your Facebook Page's Value [APPS]
Social media management company Vitrue has released a free tool today, the Social Page Evaluator, designed to help marketers get a better understanding of a Facebook Page's value.
Just submit a Facebook Page URL and the app will come up with a valuation based on factors like number of fans, number of posts per day, number of interactions and so forth.
It's a cool — if not completely scientific — way to gauge the potential value of your Facebook Page to advertisers. The formula used by the Social Page Evaluator is related to the formula that Vitrue released last month to estimate the relative value of Facebook Fans to big brands. The tool, which was built over 63 hours in a Startup Weekend-style project, is adjustable and interactive. For instance, the base rate of Earned Media Value (or CPM in more traditional terms) is $5, but this can be adjusted to a higher or lower value depending on the brand in question.
Likewise, there is a "Fan-tasize" section that lets you manipulate other features like number of posts per day, engagement level and Fan count to see how that affects the valuation.
You can also compare a Facebook Page with up to three other brands at a time and view a Page's value history. In addition to the valuation data, there is also a list of best practices for getting the most out of your Facebook Page.
So how accurate is this tool? It's difficult to determine, as it is based on a formula that, while derived from a study of large brands, is obviously not going to be applicable to all companies. Still, it's a fun, easy way to get an idea of the factors that impact a Facebook Page valuation. It's also a good stepping stone for marketers to start thinking about the potential advertising power of a Facebook Page.
What do you think of the tool? Let us know!
[img credit: Photos8.com]

subset: commoncrawl


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What's New
Supporting iPad(3rd generation)
App Description
Extremely cute, well polished puzzle game.
All you have to do is draw lines to connect Eggs of the same color.
You can play with friends online via Game Center!
Let's Do Do EGG!
***[How to play]***
Just connect same colored Eggs.
You can break the Eggs by putting any 2 other Eggs between the first and the last Eggs.
To make a chain, add 2 more Eggs and connect the line to the same color again!
Return the line to the first Egg and get a bonus score!
That's Stake Out!
Make a chain while another chain is happening!
That's Active Chain!
***[Game Modes]***
《Single play》
-Time Trial
Aim for 100,000 as quick as you can!
-Score Attack
Get a higher score than your rival!
-Turn Based
You will Break Eggs in turn.
When it becomes impossible to break Eggs in your turn,you lose!
***[Fun things]***
-Universal application!
Play on iPad as well as iPhone and iPod touch with beautiful graphic!
-Game Center
Multiplayer, online leader board!
Various ways to enjoy the game!
This application supports Japanese,English,Chinese,French,German,Spanish and Italian.
Presented by PONOS
App Changes
- March 16, 2012 New version 1.0.1


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Current Monthly Charges are as below (Demand Generated every Half year)
| Residential Usage
| Commercial usage
Water Supply Provision of House Service Connections (HSCs) at Rs.1/-. G.O Copy
Water Supply- Water Charges for House Service Connections G.O Copy
Download Water Charges G.O issued by Government
The water tap connection and taxation is dealt by Revenue and the Engineering Section of the ULB. The citizens apply for water tap connections and all the water connections are charged at specific rates decided by the ULB. The major processes for water taxation are as follows.


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Browsing The Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change (Conference Papers) by Subject "Ryanair business strategies"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
The Internet, A Creator of Electronic Markets for Airline Tickets? (2003)In 1987 Malone, Yates, and Benjamin proposed that the use of information technology would alter market structures, the result of which would be more use being made of electronic markets. One of the primary examples given ...


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A United Nations panel has urged Ireland to investigate allegations that for decades women and girls sent to work in Catholic laundries were tortured.
The panel said the government failed in its obligation to oversee the nun-run laundries "where it is alleged that physical, emotional abuses and other ill-treatment were committee." It has asked for compensation for the victims.
Human rights groups say young women were abused after being sent to the so-called Magdalene Laundries, a network of 10 workhouses that operated in Ireland from the 1920s to the mid-1990s. Many of the victims were teenagers who arrived as punishment for petty crimes or for becoming pregnant out of wedlock.
The Geneva-based U.N. Committee against Torture said the Irish government "should institute prompt, independent, and thorough investigations into all allegations of torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that were allegedly committed" at the laundries.
Although such abuses were publicized in films such as "The Magdalene Sisters," Ireland has been slow to confront abuse within Catholic dioceses and church-run institutions.
The U.N. panel's report, published Monday, recommended that the Irish government "in appropriate cases, prosecute and punish the perpetrators with penalties commensurate with the gravity of the offenses committed."
It also called on authorities to ensure all victims received the right to demand compensation.
An Irish campaign group called on the government to respond swiftly to the U.N. recommendations.
"This is a population of women who are aging and elderly," said the group Justice for Magdalenes, which campaigns for the victims and has demanded a formal apology from the Irish government.
"Having suffered torture or ill-treatment, in which the state directly participated and which it knowingly failed to prevent, the women have the ongoing right to an investigation, an apology, redress and treatment with dignity," said rights expert Maeve O'Rourke, who presented the group's submission to the U.N. panel last month.
The panel made similar recommendations about alleged abuses in boys' institutions.


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The latest version of the Gyrator series of VLF receivers (first developed in the 1990s) is the Gyrator III, a revision of Arthur Stokes' Gyrator II by Guglielmo Di Filippo (observer A-93).
Circuit diagrams and wiring for the Gyrator III are available here in Microsoft Word and PDF formats: .doc, .pdf
When the ultraviolet rays from the Sun hit the Earths atmosphere the energy they possess work to knock electrons off of the atoms and molecules that the atmosphere is made up of. These free electrons make up a region of the atmosphere known as the Ionosphere. The region is strongest on the daytime side of the earth since it is dependant on the energy from the solar ultra violet rays.
Station Station Frequency Radiated
Site ID (kHz) Power
U.S. Navy
Cutler, ME NAA 24.0 1000
Jim Creek, WA NLK 24.8 250
Lualualei, HI NPM 21.4 566
LaMoure, ND NML 25.2 500
Rodney Howe, Solar Section chair & SID leader
So, what are we looking for? Here are a couple references of SID events and their influence on the ionosphere:


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- Granada
- 7 updates
Stuart Hall cleared of raping two young girls
A jury at Preston Crown Court found Hall, 84, not guilty of a string of historical allegations involving two under-age girls, dating back to the mid-1970s. He was found guilty of one count of indecent assault of a girl aged under 16.
Live updates
Lancashire police statement on Stuart Hall
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Essen from Lancashire Constabulary said: "I respect the verdicts reached by the jurytoday and I thank them for giving these matters their consideration.
Whenever anyone comes forward to the police to report allegations of a sexual nature it is absolutely right that we carry out a professional investigation, which is what we have done in this case. We have recognised and considered the views and needs of the victims throughout this investigation.
We have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout and all of the evidence was subject to careful scrutiny before a decision was taken to charge, in the belief that there was a realistic prospect of conviction.
Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating allegations of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter who the alleged offender, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward."
Victim support warning after Hall verdicts
Following the Stuart Hall case Adam Pemberton, assistant chief executive at Victim Support, said: "It takes tremendous courage to come forward and make a complaint about historical sexual abuse, and huge strength to give evidence in public before a packed court.
Victims are scared they won't be believed and will be failed by the criminal justice system. It would be a tragedy if anyone decided not to seek help or justice because of a single case, verdict or incident, however high profile.
Victim Support helped the women who testified against Stuart Hall through its Witness Service. We are committed to ensuring victims of historical sexual abuse everywhere get the help they need to give the best possible evidence in court."
Crown Prosecution Service - we respect the verdicts of the jury in Stuart Hall case
Timeline: fall from grace of broadcaster Stuart Hall
January 1, 2012 - Hall is appointed OBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to broadcasting and charity.
December 5, 2012 - Hall is arrested and questioned on suspicion of historic sex offences. The following day he is charged with three counts of indecent assault
December 7, 2012 - first appearance at Preston Magistrates' Court to plead not guilty to the charges. His solicitor issues a statement: "Stuart Hall is innocent of these charges."
January 22, 2013 - Hall is re-arrested and charged with more offences, 14 of indecent assault and 1 of rape.
February 7, 2013 - Hall appears at Preston Magistrates' Court facing the additional charges. After the hearing he vows to fight these "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious allegations".
February 19, 2013 - Hall's lawyers approach prosecution offering guilty pleas.
April 16, 2013 - Hall pleads guilty to 14 charges of indecent assault against girls as young as nine, between 1967 and 1985.
May 2, 2013 - Reporting restrictions lifted on his guilty pleas after Crown Prosecution Service decide not to pursue an allegation of rape.
May 6, 2013 - BBC announce investigation into his activities while working at the corporation.
June 17, 2013 - Hall is jailed for 15 months.
July 26, 2013 - His sentence is doubled in the Court of Appeal on the grounds it was too lenient.
September 26, 2013 - Lancashire Police confirm they are investigating new sex allegations.
October 23, 2013 - He is re-arrested at HMP Leyland and later charged with further sex offences.
February 28, 2014 - He denies 15 sex assault charges when he appears at Preston Crown Court.
May 6, 2014 - Hall goes on trial at the same court. He admits a single indecent assault charge but denies 15 specimen counts of rape and five indecent assaults.
May 16, 2014 - Hall is found not guilty of 15 counts of rape and four of indecent assault. He is convicted of one indecent assault.
Stuart Hall 'impassive' as verdicts delivered
Disgraced veteran broadcaster Stuart Hall cleared of raping two young girls
A jury at Preston Crown Court found Hall, 84, not guilty of a string of historical allegations involving two under-age girls, dating back to the mid-1970s. He is serving a 30-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 13 other young girls over a period of nearly 20 years.
At the beginning of his trial last week he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting one of the new complainants when she was aged 13.But he was cleared of 15 counts of rape and four of indecent assault today by the jury which convicted him of just one count of indecent assault.


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We are now able to provide customers with more than 60 international destinations Chance, order and buy clothes online; details, including transportation costs, delivery time and see the final destination of the shipment, see our information wink.
How will my item delivery?
All our items are right at your door in the morning between 7h00-20h00 to delivered Saturday, Monday.
If I do not receive delivery?
Our courier will try to deliver the package, it is within reach. If you want to leave your transportation with neighbors or in a safe place, please let us know when you place your order - can you tell us at the bottom of the summary page of the order, in the delivery of the comment box. We will map falling through the door and let you know that we have to leave your package.
If you do not, as we work with you to make the delivery, we will leave a card to tell you that we have been called. Generally we offer again the next day. If this is not convenient for you, call the paper, we will arrange an alternative delivery date.
Once we ship your package to your account, automatically update the status of your order. Track your order online, go to "My Account" then "My story right."
If you choose to UK next day, we will confirm a text message to the delivery date and estimated delivery time.
Unfortunately, we do not deliver to PO Boxes and BFPO addresses, we can we reduce other postcode in our eyes, will let you know before buying.
Delays in the delivery:
We are committed to deliver your order on the day you want. Unfortunately, sometimes an inevitable situation means it's unlikely. We promise that we will always try to make contact with you and you know if there is a problem.
If you have any questions about the delivery, please contact our customer service


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Barack Obama and the date-rape of America
Posted: March 05, 2010
1:00 am Eastern
© 2010 WorldNetDaily
The spectacle of a far leftist president literally forcing socialized medicine down the throat of an unwilling center-right America is reminiscent, perhaps more than any other contemporary metaphor, of date rape.
A man determined to have his way with a woman may start off seducing her with lies, flattery and the usual pretense of caring about her. But at a critical moment, when she says, "Stop, I'm not comfortable with this and don't want to go any further," he has a choice: Either do the right thing and back off, or abandon all prior pretensions and take her by force.
As president, Barack Obama courted us with sweet talk, but America grew increasingly uncomfortable with his advances and firmly said, "Stop" – in fact, screamed bloody murder for months. Yet Obama remains obsessed with forcing himself on America.
Put aside for the moment the fact that Obama is single-handedly destroying the Democratic Party for years, perhaps decades, by maniacally pursuing Obamacare as though it were Moby Dick and he Captain Ahab, leading all the Pequod's hapless Democrat crewmen into political destruction.
Rather, let's focus on how to truly understand what we're seeing – something virtually unprecedented in the American experience, at least in our lifetimes.
America is not, after all, a place like Cuba or Zimbabwe where corrupt dictators get their way through sheer ruthlessness, intimidation and naked arrogance. We're accustomed to the rule of law, to civility, to due process, even in the most difficult and contentious of times. When Hillarycare was soundly rejected by Americans during Bill Clinton's first term, he wisely backed off and stopped trying to force socialized medicine on us. (And Bill was a guy with his own date-rape problems, but that's another story.)
Find out why Sean Hannity says of David Kupelian's latest blockbuster "How Evil Works": "This is a powerful book … I couldn't put it down." Order your autographed copy today from WND's Superstore!
Thus, here are a few useful prisms through which we can examine this disturbingly un-American drama riveting our attention day after day:
The Ideological Prism: Obama is America's first truly "radical leftist" president – something worlds apart from merely "liberal."
Quick review: Abandoned by his father, Obama as a teen was mentored by father figure Frank Marshall Davis, a card-carrying member of the Communist Party USA; at college, he admits (in his book "Dreams From My Father") to having been attracted to the "Marxist professors"; then he went into "community organizing," the radical political agitation system created by Chicago Marxist Saul Alinsky; he later launched his political career in the living room of another Chicago Marxist (and Weather Underground terrorist) William Ayers; his pastor and spiritual mentor for 20 years Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a Marxist ("Black Liberation Theology" is Marxism disguised as Christianity). As president, Obama appointed as close advisers a self-proclaimed communist named Van Jones, and Anita Dunn who publicly claimed her hero was communist genocidal mass murderer Mao Zedong. All this and much more earn Obama the label "leftist radical" or "socialist" – many say "Marxist."
And according to Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" (which as I point out in my new book "How Evil Works" was dedicated to Lucifer!), all the lies, deceit and corruption in Washington currently marshaled to help pass Obamacare are noble and moral.
The Psychological Prism: There's a lot of talk about Obama's "narcissism" these days, with everyone from radio giant Rush Limbaugh to Pulitzer-winning columnist (and former psychiatrist) Charles Krauthammer referring frequently to the president's extremely narcissistic behavior.
A few weeks ago I interviewed a top forensic psychiatrist – a medical professional who makes his living evaluating and providing expert testimony regarding the mental condition of people in court cases. He asked me not to disclose his name, but he's well known and has served as an expert witness in thousands of such cases. I asked him, "Does Barack Obama have Narcissistic Personality Disorder?" Mind you, this was not about whether the president is "narcissistic," which everyone already knows. Rather, Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a serious mental illness or personality disorder with a broad and disturbing symptom picture.
The forensic psychiatrist's response to my question: "Yes, that's a fair assessment, maybe even Malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder" (which crosses over into criminality). We went through a few of the major symptoms, including: 1) a grandiose view of one's achievements (everything with Obama is "historic"), 2) utter inability to handle criticism (everyone criticizing him or his policies is attacked as a radical or extremist, even Fox News was attacked), and 3) lack of genuine empathy (in his televised speech immediately after the Fort Hood shooting – while the entire nation was reeling in shock – he engaged in small talk and "shout-outs" for two full minutes before mentioning the worst terror attack on our soil since 9/11.)
The Moral-Legal Prism: Obama is a product of Chicago politics, the most corrupt political cesspool in the nation, as a recent study from the University of Illinois at Chicago's political science department once again attests. The blatant healthcare bribes ("Louisiana Purchase," "Cornhusker Kickback," special deals for unions and other powerful interests ad nauseam) are the tip of the iceberg. "Corruption" is synonymous with "business" for the crowd currently in power.
How do corrupt politicians think and feel? Imagine you just met someone who was unusually arrogant, greedy and selfish, who considered himself far superior to everyone else, above the need to be truthful, above the law (and willing to break any law he could get away with), who was contemptuous of others and utterly impervious to criticism or self-reflection – and who also harbored an overwhelming urge not only to take your money, but to control you, to exert power over your life! You might understandably conclude that person is mentally deranged or even a criminal. But there's another group of people that think a lot like that: our current crop of leaders in Washington.
Now, regardless of whatever level of validity you ascribe to any or all of these views (they're not mutually exclusive, far from it), we're still left with a haunting question: How can an apparently decent man like Barack Obama – who undoubtedly loves his daughters and probably reads them bedtime stories, has a good sense of humor, and is highly intelligent and likeable – justify lying and deceiving all the time, pretending to care about Republican input, about transparency, about controlling costs, and so on? Further, how can he justify using such dishonest means to force his will on an unwilling American public? In other words, how can he countenance, in effect, date-raping America?
What we need to understand is that, between his hate-based ideology (Winston Churchill called socialism the "gospel of envy"), extreme narcissism and long-internalized political corruption, Obama and others like him, literally drunk on power, live essentially in a state of delusion: Down is up, truth is cruel and impractical, corruption is just "conducting business," morality is repression, lying is a creative force.
Those on the far left regions where Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid dwell regard free-market capitalism as irredeemably evil, exploitive and unjust – and therefore in need of destruction to make way for the creation of something more noble and just. Likewise, they look at influential conservatives not simply as "old-fashioned," "selfish" or "religious nuts," but as evil. (Remember, Dick Cheney was "Darth Vader" and Karl Rove "the emperor.") If you think I exaggerate the monumental, self-righteous rage with which the left abhors conservatives, watch MSLSD for 15 minutes. I rest my case.
Thus, the left thinks of their constant lying and deceiving the way you and I might regard lying and deceiving were we German undercover operatives in the Nazi army plotting to kill Hitler, as in the true-life Operation Valkyrie. Col. von Stauffenberg and the other courageous patriots in the German army were lying and deceiving all day long. After all, war is deception, and they were operating behind enemy lines, trying to slay a monster and end a terrible war. Their deceptions were indeed noble.
That's how Obama and company think of their daily depredations that endanger the very existence of America as a land of liberty and light among the nations.
Any way you slice it – psychologically, ideologically, politically, morally – we are talking about people in the grip of dark forces and delusion, hell-bent on leading the rest of us downward, which they see as upward. The fact that they may not be fully conscious of the evil they do may make it easier for us not to hate them. But hate is not what we need, anyway. What we need is to vote every single one of Obama's congressional collaborators out of office this November, and to do it so decisively that even "the anointed one's" gigantic fortress-life shell of denial is shattered into a million pieces – as the bells of freedom ring once again throughout America.
David Kupelian is an award-winning journalist, managing editor of WorldNetDaily.com, editor of Whistleblower magazine and author of the best-selling book, "The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom." His newest book is "How Evil Works: Understanding and Overcoming the Destructive Forces That Are Transforming America."


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Toots & The Maytals
While they never achieved the commercial success or cultural impact of the Wailers, Toots & the Maytals were nearly as important in the history of Jamaican music; like the Wailers, the Maytals thrived as ska gave way to rocksteady and then evolved into reggae, they boasted one of the island's finest singers and most charismatic frontmen in the great Toots Hibbert, and they worked with many of the most important producers and sidemen on the island. The Maytals were also the band that most clearly demonstrated the links between Jamaican sounds and American R&B (Hibbert's rich, emotive vocal style was informed by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and other soul icons), and the group's catalog contains a number of crucial, frequently covered tracks, most notably the classic "Pressure Drop."
Toots & the Maytals were founded by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, who was born in May Pen, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica in 1945. Hibbert was the youngest in a family of seven children, and first took up singing as a member of the church choir. In 1961, Hibbert set out for Kingston, and struck up a friendship with Nathaniel "Jerry" Matthias and Henry "Raleigh" Gordon, a pair of singers with a smattering of recording experience. The three formed a vocal group, and in 1962 they were discovered by producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, who signed them to his Studio One label. After releasing a debut single, "Hallelujah," under the name the Vikings, the trio became known as the Maytals, and beginning with "Fever," they issued a number of singles that were compiled into the 1963 album Never Grow Old. The Maytals' Studio One sides featured accompaniment by the legendary Jamaican band the Skatalites, and were dominated by strong, gospel-influenced close harmonies and Hibbert's soulful lead vocals. After two years with Studio One, the Maytals briefly worked with producer and ska pioneer Prince Buster before signing on with another Jamaican record man of note, Byron Lee, in 1965. The Lee-produced material showed the Maytals were developing a more mature and polished approach, but the group hit a serious roadblock in 1966, when Hibbert was arrested for possession of marijuana; he was convicted, and would serve a year behind bars.
In 1967, Hibbert was a free man, and he reunited with Matthias and Gordon, renaming the group Toots & the Maytals. Hibbert's stay in prison coincided with ska fading from the musical landscape in Jamaica as the proto-reggae sounds of rocksteady took its place. The new style suited Toots & the Maytals, and they signed with producer Leslie Kong, with whom the group would record some of its biggest hits, including "Pressure Drop," "Sweet and Dandy," "Monkey Man," "54-46 (That's My Number)," and "Do the Reggay," the latter often cited as the song that gave the new style of music its name. When "Monkey Man" became a British hit in 1970, Toots & the Maytals began enjoying success outside Jamaica for the first time, and in 1972, "Pressure Drop" and "Sweet and Dandy" were featured on the soundtrack of the film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff. The movie was a smash in Jamaica and became an art house sensation in the United States, as the film and its soundtrack album helped make American listeners aware of the growing reggae phenomenon.
In 1971, Leslie Kong died, and Warwick Lyn, Kong's primary recording engineer, took over as the group's producer; Chris Blackwell, whose Island Records label was enjoying success releasing reggae material in the U.K. and U.S. (particularly Bob Marley & the Wailers), also joined their production team, and before long he would sign the group to Island, releasing a revamped version of the album Funky Kingston in the United States in 1975. That same year, Toots & the Maytals made their American concert debut opening a tour for the Who, though their stateside audience gave Toots a cool reception. With the 1976 album Reggae Got Soul, Island hoped to open up Toots & the Maytals to the R&B audience in America, but while the album was well received, their American following remained little more than a lively cult. Toots & the Maytals focused on pleasing their Jamaican and British fans with their next two albums, 1979's Pass the Pipe and 1980's Just Like That, and they made their way into The Guinness Book of World Records with their next release, Live; recorded during a concert at London's Hammersmith Palais, an early limited-edition release of the LP was available in shops within 24 hours of the performance it captured. By this time, a new generation of fans was discovering the Maytals after the Clash covered "Pressure Drop" and the Specials included "Monkey Man" on their debut album.
Following the release of the 1981 album Knock Out!, the trio split up, and Matthias and Gordon retired from the music business, while Hibbert continued as a solo artist. While Hibbert stayed busy as a live act, he didn't record again until 1988, when after playing a well-received set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, he was approached by the head of Mango Records about cutting an album of American soul and R&B classics. Toots in Memphis paired Hibbertwith the powerhouse Jamaican rhythm section of Sly Dunbarand Robbie Shakespeare and members of the Hi Records and Stax Records studio bands. The album was enthusiastically received by critics and earned Hibbert a Grammy nomination. In the mid-'90s, Hibbertassembled a new version of Toots & the Maytals without Gordon and Matthias, and toured extensively while recording a handful of albums for various reggae specialist labels. Toots & the Maytals made a high-profile comeback in 2004 with the album True Love, in which Toots re-recorded a number of his best and best-known songs with a stellar collection of guest stars, including Eric Clapton, No Doubt, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, and the Roots. After this Grammy-winning collection of duets, Hibbert stepped back to the spotlight on his own for 2007's Light Your Light, and in 2012 his latest edition of the Maytals set out on a global acoustic tour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their recording debut. A pair of concert albums, Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill and Live! appeared that same year.


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- Home
- Town Government
- Departments
- Community Services
Community Services
The Community Services Office was established in 1976 to provide information,
Concurrently, the Village of Mamaroneck operated these same programs until January 2009, when the Town of Mamaroneck and Village of Mamaroneck elected officials agreed to consolidate these programs under the Town of Mamaroneck Community Services Office. This greatly improved the coordination and administration of an array of services to the residents of the three municipalities.
Special Programs and Services
The Town of Mamaroneck currently receives federal funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services through the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services to administer various nutrition programs and transportation services for senior citizens.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development contracts with the Town of Mamaroneck annually to provide funding to administer 647 Housing Choice Vouchers. Housing Choice Vouchers allow recipients to live in any market rate apartment, where the tenant pays approximately 30% of their income toward rent, and the voucher pays the remaining rent directly to the landlord.
The Town of Mamaroneck also handles the eligibility determination and ongoing income certification for eight 1-bedroom and two 2-bedroom Workforce Housing rentals at The Cambium, 13 units at Hommocks Park Apartments which are set aside for Housing Choice Voucher holders, and other affordable housing units in the Village of Mamaroneck.
The Community Service Office also helps coordinate annual holiday gift‐giving projects, in partnership with the American Legion Post 90, local schools, and other community groups for individuals and families in need. Families selected are asked to submit a "wish list" to Community Services and an anonymous list is then shared with the congregants of several religious organizations and employees of the Town of Mamaroneck who participate in the effort by purchasing, wrapping, and donating new clothing, toys, gift cards, and gift baskets for local families and senior citizens to ensure these families enjoy a festive holiday season.
Community Services also loans out walkers and wheelchairs to local residents recovering from a recent illness or injury. Items may be borrowed for up to 90 days. The office does not accept donations of hospital beds, commodes, or scooters,


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Please click the search button to visit BeAScout.org where you may learn more about Scouting's various youth programs and to find a unit and meeting location nearest to you.
Cub Scouts
For over 80 years, Cub Scouts have been having the time of their lives making new friends and learning new things in an environment designed to help them succeed. From building their own pinewood derby® car to learning how to roast the perfect marshmallow with their best friends at a family campout, your child will LOVE being a Cub Scout. So if he/she in the kindergarten through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years old, then it's time for them to have some fun … with the Cub Scouts.
Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA prove themselves in an environment that challenges their courage and tests their nerve. After they've been given the proper guidance from those with experience and know-how, they take their own lead, going places they've never gone, seeing things they've never seen, and diving into the rugged world of outdoor adventure, relying on teamwork and character to accomplish what everyone else thinks is impossible.
Sound fun? If you're a boy or girl age 11, or at least 10 and have completed the fifth grade, or have earned the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award, to 17 years old, the time for a real adventure is now.
Do you like to squeeze every last drop of adventure out of life? Enjoy exploring new and far-off places? How 'bout hanging out with your closest friends? Well then, you'll LOVE Venturing. From experiencing the thrill of zip lining and the accomplishment of rock climbing, to the heart-pounding charge of whitewater rafting, you'll have the time of your life with your best friends in Venturing.
If you're ready to travel to new places, meet new friends, and go on high-adventure excursions, then Venturing is the place for you. It's a coed program for teens and young adults ages 14–20 (or 13 and have completed the eighth grade) who are just like you.
special thanks to Corning Incorporated and its employees for generations of support to Scouting
special thanks to the Corning Foundation for its continued support of Scouting through the Employee Matching Gifts and Dollars for Doers Programs
Five Rivers Council is supported by


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Review: Epic Fit Meals Co., Metropolitan Damansara Perdana
>> Monday, June 29, 2015
Overall comment: Pocket-friendly, delicious, fresh & healthy meals! It's not "rabbit food"! :D
Halal: Pork-free
Motto: Made by day, gone by night!
Epic Fit Meals Co. is the pioneer of fit meals, offering essentially delicious, wholesome and balanced everyday meals that meet your eat-to-live needs while also indulging your live-to-eat spirit. The eatery's concept is Melbourne-inspired, offering the same multicultural range and quality cuisines using only best and most fabulous ingredients. They are all about simple, tasty food that you will love to eat everyday! All ingredients & dishes are delivered & prepared the very same day, ensuring that the food served is fresh; no sauces prepared nor meats marinated the night before. Every item is made to order - no cooking in large batches, nothing pre-cooked/reheated, not even their fruit juices!
- Damansara Perdana
- Mutiara Damansara
- Taman Tun Dr. Ismail
- Bandar Utama
- Damansara Kim
- Tropicana*
- Kota Damansara*
Are you not impressed? Hahaha...looks super delicious, right? I felt that office workers could tap into their variety of wraps for lunch as well!
Apart from the above, they have combo meals from RM15.80 - 21.00/set as well as Epic Classics of Hurry Curry, Home-Style Beef Stew, Herb & Lemon Crusted Fish, & Oyakodon. They also have Buka Puasa/Raya combo meals starting from RM48.80 (combo for 3 pax) - RM178.80 (combo for 15 pax).
Ah, Epic As Usual! Love the variety, the freshness & the flavors! Give it a try & you'll know what I mean.
Epic Fit Meals Co.
E105, Block E, East Wing
Metropolitan Square
Jalan PJU 8/1
Damansara Perdana
Petaling Jaya
Tel: (+603) 7733 3375 (orders)/ (+6017) 9380 000 (Watsapp)
Business hours: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. daily
URL: http://www.epicfmco.com.my/
Hands up for Epic!


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Monday, January 9, 2012
Vin Scully is getting a Bobblehead!
I know it's huge news when my wife sends me a text and tells me that Vin Scully is getting a bobblehead!
It's finally here. This is great news! I was driving when I got the news. I guess the Dodgers were able to convince Scully. :)
From the Dodgers -
The Dodgers unveiled today the final three collectibles in the Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series which will be given away as part of the 2012 promotional schedule and now features the first-ever bobblehead of Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully. The complete set of ten includes Eric Karros' first Dodger Stadium bobblehead on June 28 (vs. NYM), Kirk Gibson on July 31 (vs. ARI) and Hall of Famer Scully on August 30 (vs. ARI).
The unprecedented Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series pays tribute to some of the most unforgettable Dodgers in Dodger Stadium history. The collection also features Don Drysdale with Maury Wills on April 28 (vs. WAS), Orel Hershiser on May 15 (vs. ARI), the historic Dodger infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey on May 29 (vs. MIL), Mike Scioscia on June 12 (vs. LAA), Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda with Hall of Fame Manager Walter Alston on July 14 (vs. SD), Sandy Koufax on August 7 (vs. COL) and Fernando Valenzuela on Aug. 21 (vs. SF).
The all-time Los Angeles Dodgers home run king Eric Karros will be featured on the club's fifth bobblehead night on Thursday, June 28 when the Dodgers face the New York Mets. Karros blasted 270 home runs over his 12 seasons in Los Angeles and won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1992, starting a streak of five consecutive Dodgers to take home the honor. This marks Karros' first Dodger Stadium bobblehead.
The National League's 1988 MVP Kirk Gibson will be featured on the Dodgers' seventh bobblehead night on Tuesday, July 31 when Gibson will manage Arizona against Los Angeles. Gibson played just three seasons with Los Angeles, but as the heart and soul of the 1988 World Champions, provided one of the greatest moments in baseball history with his dramatic walk-off home run to win Game 1 of the Fall Classic. This is the second Dodger Stadium bobblehead for Gibson.
Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully will be featured on the club's final bobblehead night on Aug. 30 when the Dodgers take on Arizona. Entering an unprecedented 63rd season broadcasting the Dodgers, Scully's 62 years of consecutive service with the Dodgers is the longest of any sports broadcaster with one team. This marks the Hall of Famer's first Dodger Stadium bobblehead.
The best way for fans to collect the entire Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series, to purchase Opening Day tickets and to participate in all other 2012 promotions, is to purchase season tickets which start at $5 per ticket and $16 per ticket for Field Level seats. The collectible series is also included in a 10-game mini plan. Several 15-game mini plans that include Opening Day and two bobblehead games from the Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series are also available. The 25-game Pick 'Em Mini Plan is another way to buy Opening Day tickets and to secure collectible bobbleheads. Mini plan pricing starts at $8 per seat. Information on season ticket options including mini plans is available at dodgers.com/tickets.
The full promotional schedule is available at dodgers.com/promotions.
Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series
Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series
Date Opponent Bobblehead
Saturday, April 28 Nationals Maury Wills with Don Drysdale
Tuesday, May 15 Diamondbacks Orel Hershiser
Tuesday, May 29 Brewers The Infield: Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey
Tuesday, June 12 Angels Mike Scioscia
Thursday, June 28 Mets Eric Karros
Saturday, July 14 Padres Tommy Lasorda with Walter Alston
Tuesday, July 31 Diamondbacks Kirk Gibson
Tuesday, August 7 Rockies Sandy Koufax
Tuesday, August 21 Giants Fernando Valenzuela
Thursday, August 30 Diamondbacks Vin Scully
4 comments:
- MarcoS. said...
I never stopped believing, not for one moment.
- January 9, 2012 at 1:09 PM
- ANDY! said...
WOW....how awesome!!! I can't wait to put it at the top of my bobble head collection! Thanks for the GREAT INFO!
- January 9, 2012 at 1:19 PM
- DDGRDUG said...
AWESOME AWESOME NEWS!!!! Thank you Vinny for finally allowing this to happen!!!
On a more "somber" note, I wonder why no Piazza bobblehead? Karros is cool and all, but a Piazza bobblehead wouldve been sick!! I'm wondering if he really just has no desire to ever set foot back in Dodger Stadium. It seems like he has basically disowned his Dodger days since he hasnt participated in any sort of Dodger alumni reunion since he retired. Heck even Raul Mondesi pops up at The Ravine here and there.
- January 9, 2012 at 1:36 PM
- White Devil said...
I'm so glad I already purchased the 10 game pack. I'll need to try and get a few more tix to that game as well!
Selfishly, I hope is that this isn't to honor him in his final season behind the mic. I want a Vin Scully-less Dodger season to be in the distant future!
- January 9, 2012 at 1:50 PM


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Hit Series Delivers 3.28 Million Viewers,
Series Steams to Number One in All 16 Weeks of Season 7
(Silver Spring, Md.) Tuesday night's DEADLIEST CATCH season finale earned a 2.30 HH / 1.99 P25-54 AA% making it the #1 primetime (8P-11P) cable program for P/M25-54 ratings and delivery and propelling Discovery to the #1 Tuesday primetime (8P-11P) cable network for Men 25-54 and Men 18-49 ratings and delivery.
DEADLIEST CATCH repeated its ratings feat from last year, ranking as the #1 Tuesday non-sports primetime cable telecast among People 25-54 and Men 25-54 ratings and delivery, for 16 weeks in a row. The Tuesday, July 26th episode "Mohawks & Madness, Goodness & Gladness," airing 9pm � 10pm e/p delivered 3.28 million viewers P2+.
During Season 7, premieres of DEADLIEST CATCH averaged a 2.38 HH / 2.13 P25-54 AA% Live+SD; and delivered an average 3.45 million viewers P2+.
"Mohawks & Madness, Goodness & Gladness" also out-delivered most broadcast programs, for Tuesday 7/26/11 prime delivery in key demos. Among Men 25-54, DEADLIEST CATCH was the #4 program in all of television. Among Men 25-54, Catch out-delivered:
- ABC's 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show
- ABC's Wipeout
- ABC's Combat Hospital
- CBS' 48 Hours
- CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles
- NBC's It's Worth What?
In addition, DEADLIEST CATCH: BEHIND THE SCENES at 10PM was also a top-performer, finishing #3 in all of cable among Men 25-54 delivery. The special delivered 2.19 million viewers P2+, earning a 1.50 HH / 1.27 P25-54 AA%.


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The Learner App in Captivate Prime is completely widget based, helping you traverse through the various features in one or two clicks.
In Captivate Prime web application, after you log in as a learner, you can see the following widgets in the Home page:
My Learning: You can view and click the learning objects by type and by deadline. Click the circle in the My Learning widget to directly go to the learning object type, or to view the learning objects by deadline.
My Skills: You can also view skills map at the upper-right corner of the page. Refer skills map feature for more information.
Learning Object widget: This is right below My Learning, and it displays the learning objects for the user. Below My Learning, you can view all the courses, learning programs and certifications that are enrolled by you or assigned to you. You can directly Start consuming a learning object, or revisit a learning object from this widget.
Learning Calendar: This widget displays the list of upcoming and planned learning in your organization, for every quarter. The enrollment status against is Enrolled, if you have enrolled for a specific course.
Recommended Learning: In this widget, you can view all the courses recommended for your profile by the administrator/manager of your company. You can click these links to navigate to the course pages.
My Achievements: You get badges after completing courses. These badges are displayed adjacent to your profile at the top of the page. Click Badges to get specific information. For more information on badges, refer to badges feature.
This widget also displays the Gamification points for the learner. Click the Gamification link to see the detailed points, and other features in Gamification. For more information on gamification points and leader board, refer to Gamification feature.
If you are accessing Captivate Prime using an iPad or Android tablet, refer to the iPad and Android Tabs app topic section in this page.
In Captivate Prime app on iPad or Android tablet, after you log in as a learner, you can see the information in Home tab as follows:
Access the app off-line
You can access the Captivate Prime app off-line in iPad and Android tablets. Download and take courses in off-line mode, and synchronize the content back with online app when you connect to the network.
- Tap Menu drop-down at the top and tap Learning option. A list of all the available courses is displayed in tiles.
- Tap the download icon at the bottom of each learning object tile, to download the learning content.
- When you are online, a prompt appears in a bar at the top of the app to check if you want to synchronize your content online. Tap the red-colored bar if your answer is yes. A green colored bar indicates your content is in sync with the online app.
Track device storage
You can monitor your device storage periodically.
Tap the profile icon at the upper-right corner of the app and tap Device Storage menu option.


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Snowden submits request for temporary asylum in Russia
MOSCOW – A Russian lawyer says that National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden has asked for temporary asylum in Russia.
Anatoly Kucherena said that Snowden submitted the asylum request Tuesday to Russia's Federal Migration Service. The service had no immediate comment.
He said Snowden made the move following their meeting at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
Snowden has been stuck in Sheremetyevo's transit zone since he arrived from Hong Kong on June 23. He said Friday at a meeting with Russian rights activists and public figures that he would seek at least temporary refuge in Russia until he could fly to one of the Latin American nations that have offered him asylum.


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The health and wellbeing of our community is what matters most
With things changing by the minute, we are making some important changes.
Effective immediately until further notice:
As a community we can work together to take the steps required to minimize the duration and impact of this global crisis.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we all work through this unprecedented situation together.


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You can't get more festive than these glittery Christmas tree hair band ponies, with little star decorations and a pom pom at the top.
This design is also available as hair clips.
Not suitable for children under 36 months due to small parts.
NB. There is no upper age limit for these gorgeous festive treats!
Delivery & Returns Policy
We only send parcels in the UK and currently use Royal Mail.
Standard shipping is £2.95. Free UK delivery is given on all orders that are £25 and over.
Please note our standard shipping and free delivery is sent out second class which will take 2 to 5 working days to arrive after despatch. This is not tracked.
We do offer some other delivery options should you require them. This is regardless of the size or weight of the parcel.
1st Class delivery which will take 1 to 2 days after despatch - £5.50. This is not tracked.
1st Class 'signed for' which will take 1 to 2 days after despatch, if ordered before 3pm - £6.50. This is not tracked.
For Special Delivery Guaranteed - these are trackable and will require a signature:
- if you need a parcel guaranteed by 1pm the next working day (Monday to Friday) order before 3pm - £9.95.
- if you need parcel guaranteed by 1pm on a Saturday, order before 3pm on Friday - £15.00.
Please note some of these options may take slightly longer during the festive period.
If you have any further special requirements, please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Refund Policy
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchases from The Crazy Bee. We work hard to offer up the 'best of the best' products with accurate descriptions and high quality images, so hopefully you should always get what you expect. However, if unfortunately this is not the case, we offer a refund or exchange within 14 days of purchase.
Please contact us at email@example.com in the first instance.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. Once your return is received and approved your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment.
Sale items
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded.
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Postage details for return and exchange
To return or exchange your product, you should post your product, with your name, to: The Crazy Bee, Glentop, Legion Lane, Kings Worthy, Hants. SO23 7RA.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning or exchanging your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.


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- Company
- Investor Relations
- Press
- Procurement
- Contact
- World
As the global market leader in the field of defensive fire and disaster protection, Rosenbauer demonstrates a high degree of innovative strength. To a very great extent this is based on the group's more than 3,000 creative and highly qualified employees worldwide, who with their considerable inventive potential and powerful implementation capabilities do much to make Rosenbauer a technology leader.
For Rosenbauer, international success also means promoting intercultural thought and action among its workforce. Accordingly, Rosenbauer is just the right company for those who wish to gain international experience through cross-border cooperation, possess enthusiasm for technology and wish to contribute to the development of trendsetting products. Therefore, seize your opportunity.
Rosenbauer is looking for people who get things moving!
Every new employee brings something unique to the company with his/her individual potential, working performance, knowledge, learning capacity and above all, social commitment. Motivated employees, who jointly promote progress, constitute Rosenbauer's most valuable resource. Rosenbauer is looking for personnel who enjoy challenging assignments and exciting projects. At Rosenbauer one meets colleagues from differing nations and a diversity of interesting professions. Moreover, irrespective of whether you are a school-leaver, student, graduate, experienced worker, specialist or skilled production worker, what counts are your knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. With Rosenbauer you can look forward to national and international career opportunities and freedom to contribute your own ideas and talents.
In order to retain its leadership in years to come, Rosenbauer continually improves its processes, creates new structures and constantly pushes ahead with technological progress. This demands the efforts of every individual as changes can only be mastered by motivated employees.


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Wirefly helps you save on cell phones and plans by offering innovative comparison tools so consumers can make educated choices. Start saving today with Wirefly!
Wirefly helps you save on Internet service by offering innovative comparison tools to compare Internet providers in your area.
Test your current internet connection with our speed test and see what services your provider can handle. Find out your download speed, upload speed, latency, and more.
Test Your Internet SpeedInternet Speed Test
It is important to secure the best mortgage rate when you are trying to buy a new home or refinance. Wirefly simplifies the process of determining the most reasonable home loan rates in Secor, IL by providing helpful information and tools. By thoroughly researching and comparing mortgage interest rates, you can save money in the long run by ensuring that you are not paying a higher interest rate than you should be.
If you are looking to purchase a new home in the Secor, IL area, you will likely need some sort of a loan in order to finance this large purchase. Nowadays, even the least expensive homes are valued at over $50,000. This makes it nearly impossible to purchase a home using cash. The question is, then, what do you need to do to obtain a home loan? And what factors are taken into consideration when determining your interest rate? When you are looking for a mortgage you will, of course, want to find one with the lowest interest rates that you possibly can. These are a few of the steps you will need to take when looking for the best mortgage with the lowest rates. When you finally locate your dream home, your real estate agent will probably have a few recommendations for you in the way of lenders. These will usually be described as "preferred lenders" that they have worked with in the past. You should always take this referral with a healthy dose of skepticism. Keep in mind that your real estate agent's job is to close the sale as quickly as they can, not get you the best deal on a mortgage. Finding and securing a home loan is a long and arduous process that should not be rushed. This is especially true if this is your first time buying a house. Your priority should be on finding the best rates.
Check out both small, local lenders and big name, national companies when looking for a mortgage. Compare their rates online so you can truly be sure you are getting the best deal. Wirefly offers great mortgage tools that will let you easily compare rates from a variety of lenders in Secor, IL. The main determining factor of your interest rates is your credit score. Before you apply for any home loans, try to boost up your credit score as much as possible. This way you can be sure that you are being offered the best rates.
Mortgage loans in Secor, IL are designed for all types of buyers. Some individuals may be purchasing their home for the first time, and others may be refinancing to receive a lower interest rate. When a person goes to shop for a loan, they will find two main categories: conventional loans and government-backed loans. Conventional loans can be set up so that a person pays a fixed rate or a variable rate.
Fixed rate mortgages are typically offered in time spans that equal 30 years or 15 years. When a person decides to use a 30 year fixed-rate loan, they end up paying a fixed amount for the mortgage every month for the next 30 years. Their payment will go towards both principal and interest. Their interest rate will also stay fixed for those 30 years. In contrast, a 15 year fixed-rate loan has a time span that equals 15 years. This type of home loan will have a lower interest rate, but it will also have a higher fixed payment each month. An advantage of choosing a 30 year fixed-rate loan is that it makes a mortgage more affordable due to the lower monthly payments. However, a disadvantage is that a person will carry this type of loan for twice the time of a 15 year fixed-rate loan. A person must decide which is best for their budget.
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is another type of conventional loan that is chosen by some individuals. It is easiest to show how this type of loan works with an example. A 3/1 ARM is a popular adjustable rate mortgage that is offered in Secor, IL. If a person chooses this option, they will pay a fixed rate for three years and pay a variable rate for the next 27 years of the loan. This option is usually a wise choice for individuals who will not be staying in a house for an extended period of time. If a person thinks that they will be living in the home for longer than five years, they may want to consider a fixed-rate loan as interest rates could continue to rise year after year. They would be stuck with higher mortgage payments if they initially chose an ARM.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers government-backed loans to help people in Secor, IL be able to afford a new home. These loans are insured by the federal government, so they are safer for lenders. With these loans, borrowers do not need perfect credit to qualify, and they can purchase a home with only making a 3.5% down-payment. Anyone, not just first-time homebuyers, can apply for an FHA loan. With an FHA loan, mortgage insurance is required, increasing the monthly payment amount.
There are other loans that the federal government insures as well. The Veterans Affairs offers VA loans to people who have served in the United States government. The VA provides 100% of the financing, so borrowers will not need a down payment, and the closing costs are minimal. In addition, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) insures loans for people who live in rural areas and make less money. The fees involved with this loan are minimal.
Borrowers also have the option of a conventional loan. This mortgage is not insured by the federal government, so borrowers will need good credit and a higher down payment amount.
Before refinancing your Secor, IL mortgage, you first have to understand that you're basically applying for another home loan. When you are refinancing your home loan, you might be forced to settle all closing costs and any additional charges if your application happens to gain approval. Another factor worth your consideration is as to whether or not a refinanced mortgage will help you save some money in the long run. If refinancing your home loan proves to offset most or all of your financial savings, then that means that you are subject to losses. Therefore go for loans with the lowest interest rates. However, interest rates increase whenever you refinance your home loan from fixed-rate mortgages to adjustable-rate home loans. For the best home loans rates in Secor, IL, ensure that you keep your credit score as high as possible. A high credit score builds confidence amongst lenders since it proves that you are an individual with a little risk due to your ability to repay loans on time. In this case, your credit score acts as your collateral. You can achieve the best credit scores reducing your overall debts, and by you only applying for mortgages with fixed interest rates only. With fixed interest rates, you can repay your debts in time. Although the standards of acquiring home loans in Secor, IL are strict, people with low credit scores are also able to gain access to these loans.
Wirefly offers great deals on a large selection of smartphones, cell phones, tablets, mobile hotspots, and other wireless devices for the nation's most popular carriers. Use Wirefly's innovative cell phone and plan comparison tools to ensure you are getting the best deal on the market. Shop with confidence knowing that Wirefly wants to help you find the best prices on cell phones, cell phone plans, TV, and Internet service.


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'Biron is basically a butterfly goalie, which means his game develops from strong positioning and lateral mobility. True to his style, Biron cuts off the bottom of the net by dropping to his knees and kicking his feet toward the goalposts in a maneuver that makes him resemble a butterfly. He covers cross-ice passes by following the puck from side to side on his knees, and relies heavily on a quick glove hand to snag top-shelf shots. When Biron is playing well, his ability to anticipate shooters' moves will draw a lot of pucks directly into his midsection. Biron uses his stick mainly to poke-check and protect the corners of the net, but he also likes to play the puck behind the net. Biron is a better puckhandler than Hasek, but he showed in the preseason that he still hasn't perfected the art of acting as a third defenseman. If the Sabres start the season strong, expect Biron to get more adventurous in this area.'
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