text:
The Innovative Argumentation
As is generally the case for the Middle Ages, the innovative argumentation of the mid-thirteenth-century Christian missionizing effort among the Jews was strongly linked to the legacy of the past. It is, in fact, tempting to accept the medieval view and disavow any genuine innovation. Yet, as the materials are studied and evaluated, a sure sense of something new and different is inescapable.
The heart of this innovation lay in an unwillingness to remain comfortable with the earlier lines of argumentation and a desire to penetrate the Jewish community and its psyche. The commitment to addressing the Jews as they actually lived and thought is what distinguishes the new missionizing and its leaders. The key to this direct assault on the Jewish mentality lay in a growing Christian awareness of the highly developed postbiblical literature of the Jews, its importance to them, and some of its contents.[1] Given the idea that the most efficacious route to missionizing among the Jews lay in scriptural exegesis and given the new awareness of a Jewish tradition of exegesis that ran counter to that of the Church, a sensible procedure was to scrutinize in detail this Jewish exegetical tradition in the hope of neutralizing it or—even better—utilizing it. These important insights clearly reflect the enhanced seriousness of midcentury Christian missionizing. This effort was no longer satisfied with mounting arguments that Christian tradition had found meaningful but that Jews had consistently rejected; it was committed to a better understanding of the Jewish audience and a search for arguments carefully adapted to it.
Utilization of Jewish exegesis itself was a useful ploy from many perspectives. First of all, it promised a better impression on Jewish listeners than most of the earlier approaches. Moreover, beyond its intellectual advantages, it offered psychological benefits as well. The first of these was simply the impact of novelty on audiences long inured to standard and readily rebuffed argumentation; the second was
the distress occasioned by Jewish awareness of Christian knowledge of rabbinic literature and utilization of it. Finally, this new approach offered significant tactical advantages as well. By utilizing Jewish exegesis of the Scriptures, the Christian missionizers in effect obviated any threat of genuine give-and-take, of an assault on Judaism that might turn into a counterattack on Christianity. By focusing on rabbinic exegesis, the new missionizing created the following options: either Jewish exegesis corroborated Christian claims—which would be a positive result from the Christian perspective—or it did not corroborate Christian claims—a circumstance that would in no sense be harmful to Christian truth. Whereas arguments on biblical, philosophic, or empirical grounds could be turned against Christianity, use of rabbinic materials could never result in anti-Christian conclusions. For all these reasons, this innovative turn in missionizing argumentation had to be seen, from the Christian perspective, as a promising and foolproof approach.
Indeed, the notion of utilizing Jewish exegesis led inevitably in another direction. Once awareness of rabbinic literature surfaced, there was no reason to use only Jewish exegesis of the Scriptures; it was possible and sensible to marshal freestanding rabbinic dicta as well and to argue that they also reflect Christian truth. This is a still more innovative approach, which created a wholly new basis for Christian argumentation. In addition to claims drawn from the Bible (with Jewish exegesis), from reason, and from empirical observation, Christian missionizing could now also use arguments drawn from the independent religious literature of the Jews themselves. This new approach had all the advantages associated with utilization of Jewish exegesis. Indeed, the two sets of arguments are intimately related and represent for the Christian side a breakthrough of sorts and for the Jews a serious new challenge.
As we begin our investigation of this new line of missionizing argumentation, it must be borne in mind that such innovations do not appear full-blown. Inevitably, we should anticipate experimentation, trial and error, and increasing refinement of these valuable new missionizing tacks. A set of arguments advanced first in the 1240s and 1250s will require some time before assuming polished form. The same will be true for the Jewish responses. It will take the Jews of western Christendom time before they assess properly the seriousness of the new argumentation and develop a set of effective counterarguments.
The Milbemet[*] Mizvah[*] shows a number of rudimentary references to Christian awareness of rabbinic literature and law. In most instances, these references are neutral; Jewish law is cited and questioned but not attacked in the violent and abusive manner of Nicholas Donin.
The priest asked: "Why do you not place purple thread on your fringes, as is written in your Torah: 'Let them attach a cord of blue to the fringe at each corner.' "[2]
The priest asked: "It is written in your Torah: 'From the day after the sabbath . . . you must count fifty days.'[3] Why do you go to great lengths to explain this verse and to remove it seemingly from its simple meaning, saying that there are only forty-nine days and that the fiftieth day is not included in the reckoning."[4]
The priest said: "What have you to say about that which is written in the Torah: 'He must be given forty lashes.'[5] But you delete one blow, thus the ritual of repentance is not complete."[6]
Indeed, in one interesting instance, knowledge of rabbinic sources is harnessed to a missionizing thrust.
The priest said: "Behold your sages have said that 'falsehood cannot stand.'[7] If so, then how has the faith of Jesus lasted so long, unless it is actually the truth."[8]
Although this is not a very penetrating thrust, it is early evidence of the new argumentation.
Another mid-thirteenth-century source gives us a better early sense of the new argumentation. Rabbi Isaac ben Yedaiah's Commentary on the Aggadot of the Talmud includes the following:
Now I shall indicate further explicitly and openly concerning their [the rabbis'] words that which I responded to one of the Christian sages with regard to the questions which he posed to me. [He asked me] and disputed with me as to why we remain obstinate concerning the King Messiah, who came, in their view, to lead the new faith that has been initiated for them. They argue strenuously through their [the rabbis'] words and all similar statements that they [the rabbis], of blessed memory, foresaw their faith and gave testimony that the Messiah had come and that he led them in the city of Rome, which is a great city devoted to their deity whom they worship. That fellow asked what else their [the rabbis'] intention was and what else they proposed to teach us when they said, concerning the Messiah, that he was created in their days and went to Rome,[9] if not that they foresaw that the Messiah came in their days and inno-
vated for them a new religion and faith, the religion of the Christians. Thus in vain do we anticipate that another will come in his stead to extricate us from this lengthy exile, for we have fallen as a result of the sins of our ancestors and we shall not rise again.[10]
This is a primitive formulation of a case that will be made with increasing sophistication.
The evidence from Rabbi Meir ben Simon and Rabbi Isaac ben Yedaiah reflects the new approaches in a tentative fashion. It is obvious that the decisive figure in the early development of these two new lines of Christian argumentation was Friar Paul Christian. Born a Jew, he converted to Christianity, eventually joined the Dominican Order, played an extremely active role in a number of anti-Jewish programs during the middle decades of the thirteenth century, and introduced major innovations in Christian missionizing argumentation. Because Friar Paul will play such a dominant role throughout this discussion, it seems wise to begin with a few brief remarks concerning this shadowy figure.[11]
It must be noted at the outset that we possess no single source that flows directly from the pen of Friar Paul; all evidence derives from observations about him and his activities made by fellow-Christians or—more frequently—by Jews ranged in opposition to him. These sources are rather extensive. They include (1) royal edicts supportive of his activities enacted by the kings of France and Aragon, along with a letter of papal concern written by Pope Clement IV;[12] (2) recurrent references to Friar Paul in Latin records of the period;[13] (3) a fascinating Hebrew letter ostensibly written to the friar by a Jew who was related to him and tried (clearly unsuccessfully) to convince him of the error of his ways;[14] (4) extensive Hebrew rebuttals of the missionizing argumentation of Friar Paul, the most important of which are the lengthy report of Rabbi Moses ben Nahman of the Barcelona confrontation of 1263 and Rabbi Mordechai ben Joseph's Mahazik[*]Emunah;'[15] and (5) a number of Hebrew reports of his activities.[16] The volume of this material alone suggests that Friar Paul was a man of considerable influence and significance. This conclusion is supported by his success in winning the support of the highest authorities of both church and state for his programs.
Friar Paul was born in southern France, probably in Montpellier, and in all likelihood was a scion of a prominent Jewish family. He undoubtedly studied in one or more of the major academies of the re-
gion; he is identified in a fourteenth-century source as a student of Rabbi Eliezer of Tarrascon.[17] The circumstances of his conversion are unknown. Subsequent to this conversion, he became deeply immersed in activities related to his former fellow-Jews. Some of these involved efforts to impose on them the limitations that he—along with others at this time—felt to be mandatory; in these efforts, he operated along the lines of the slightly earlier apostate, Nicholas Donin. More innovative was his concern with missionizing among his former coreligionists, an endeavor in which he exhibited originality, turning the mid-thirteenth-century missionizing effort in creative new directions. More specifically, according to the letter of his relative, he occupied himself with five particular areas of anti-Jewish activity: (1) an assault on the Talmud, which is documented in other sources as well; (2) an attack on Jewish moneylending, undocumented elsewhere for Friar Paul but well known for this period; (3) an attack on the Jewish prayer service, again undocumented elsewhere for Friar Paul but common during this period; (4) missionizing among the Jews, which was his most significant endeavor; and (5) provoking the disinterring of Jewish corpses.[18] To this must be added involvement in the institution of the Jewish badge in a number of areas of western Christendom.[19] The range of these activities suggests that he saw himself, and was seen by others, as a general expert in Jewish affairs; his success in eliciting support from the highest authorities made him a very problematic figure for the Jews of this period.
Despite the wide range of Friar Paul's activities, it was his missionizing that was probably most significant; in any case, it is the activity directly of concern to us. Our earliest solid evidence for his proselytizing activities comes from the famed Barcelona disputation of 1263. However, at the outset of Nahmanides' report on this crucial confrontation, Rabbi Moses indicates that Friar Paul's use of the new lines of argumentation antedated 1263. In the preliminary sparring that seems to have preceded the actual discussion, Nahmanides notes prior missionizing efforts "in Provence and in many places."[20] The Barcelona confrontation was clearly not the opening expression of the new missionizing argumentation. It had been utilized earlier by Friar Paul and perhaps others as well; Barcelona was, if anything, a testing ground for a rapidly maturing new set of Christian claims.
Before undertaking our analysis of the 1263 confrontation, we must briefly note the sources available for its reconstruction.[21] Two widely divergent sources have survived. The first is a fairly brief Latin
report, whose author is unknown;[22] the second is a lengthier Hebrew account from the pen of the Jewish spokesman Rabbi Moses ben Nahman.[23] While there is important information that is common to both reports, they disagree sharply on many issues, particularly in overall tone and in assessment of the outcome of the confrontation. For the Christian author, the confrontation was a stunning success for the Dominican friar; for the Jewish writer, the friar's ignorance and the rabbi's vastly superior abilities were evident at every turn, and even Christian observers were forced to appreciate the Dominican failure and the Jewish victory.
Not surprising, modern historians, Christian and Jewish, have polarized along the same lines. Christian accounts have tended to adopt the tone of the anonymous Christian report, and Jewish reconstructions have leaned heavily on, and sound much like, the Nahmanidean narrative. In the light of such polarization, one recent investigator has suggested that the event in its entirety ought not to be seen in theological or spiritual terms but must be viewed as a complex political maneuver.[24] In fact, however, it is not necessary to shift the focus of analysis. What must be done is to abandon the polarized views presented in the two conflicting sources and present the events in a more realistic and natural context.
This context is a fairly simple one—the new missionizing techniques and argumentation of the mid-thirteenth century. A new-style argumentation, based on Christological utilization of rabbinic texts, had been introduced into western Christendom. This approach seemed most promising for effective missionizing among the Jews. At a certain point, it seemed useful to afford the new approach a rigorous test. Such testing meant a public confrontation with authoritative Jewish spokesmen, who would be compelled to confront the issues raised by the new Christian claims. At best, such a public confrontation would show that the Jews lacked any serious response to the new challenge and that the new weapons for missionizing were virtually foolproof; at worst, the confrontation might expose a fatal flaw in the new approach, necessitating its abandonment. Somewhere in between best and worst, the public confrontation might support the basic viability of the new tack, with evidence of a need for improvement and refinement. The exaggerated claims of both sources tend to obscure this realistic context, but this is surely the setting of the important Barcelona convocation. For one side—the powerful and aggressive—it represented the testing of a potentially effective new
weapon for missionizing; for the other—the weak and defensive—it meant the development and presentation of adequate responses to a dangerous new challenge.
Any attempt to understand critically the confrontation at Barcelona must begin with recognition of the disparate roles of the Christian and Jewish participants. The former are clearly the initiators and the aggressors; the latter are limited by and large to defending themselves against Christian thrusts.
This discrepancy in roles is revealed first in the convoking of the meeting in Barcelona. Both the Latin and Hebrew accounts emphasize that the discussion was not negotiated by the two parties; it was engineered by the Christian side and foisted on the Jews. More specifically, it resulted from powerful pressures exerted by the Dominicans on King James I of Aragon. Had the king refused to order Jewish participation, the clash would never have taken place. This is indicated succinctly by the Latin text:
Moses the Jew, called "rabbi," was summoned from Gerona by the lord king at the urging of the Dominicans and was present there [at the royal palace in Barcelona] along with many other Jews, who seemed and were reputed among other Jews most learned.[25]
The Hebrew narrative by Rabbi Moses ben Nahman agrees. Rabbi Moses introduces his report by quoting a Talmudic passage that depicts claims and counterclaims on the part of the disciples of Jesus and the Jews. The point of this story is that, because these disciples of Jesus were allegedly supported by the political authorities, the Jews were forced to respond to their pointless questions. Nahmanides concludes:
In the same way I am transcribing those things which I said in reply to the errors of Friar Paul, who exceeded all bounds before our lord the king, his sages, and his advisors, may his glory increase and his reign prosper.[26]
Rabbi Moses then proceeds to a description of the events, beginning, "Our lord the king ordered me to dispute with Friar Paul in his palace in Barcelona, before himself and his advisors."[27] Thus, neither account attributes any measure of initiative to the Jews; to the contrary, both agree that the clash was the result of clerical instigation and royal command.[28]
According to the Latin record, the same disparity carried over to the structuring of the confrontation.
Deliberations were undertaken with the lord king and with certain Dominicans and Franciscans who were present, not that the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ—which because of its certitude cannot be placed in dispute—be put in the center of attention with the Jews as uncertain, but that the truth of that faith be made manifest in order to destroy the Jews' errors and to shake the confidence of many Jews. . . . Friar Paul proposed to the said rabbi that, with the aid of God, he would prove from writings shared and accepted by the Jews the following contentions, in order: that the Messiah, who is called Christ, whom the Jews anticipate, has surely come already; also that the Messiah, as prophesied, would be divine and human; also that he suffered and was killed for the salvation of mankind; also that the laws and ceremonials ceased and should have ceased after the advent of the said Messiah.[29]
According to this report, the truth of Christianity was not to be put in question; rather, the Jews were to be refuted and shaken in their faith. The agenda, as here depicted, was indeed ordered in such a way as to make this possible. This is reflected first of all in the utilization of Jewish sources. As we have noted, this meant that, in fact, the truth of Christianity could not be impugned. Were Friar Paul successful, the Jews would have had to acknowledge Christianity on the basis of their own accepted religious literature. If he were unsuccessful, Christianity would not have been disproved. Only the effort to substantiate Christian truth from Jewish sources would have failed. This tack, through which the Christian side stood to lose nothing while the Jews were profoundly threatened, can only indicate Christian control. In addition, the four specific points chosen for the discussion likewise reflect a Christian point of view. They involve issues through which the truth of Christianity might be proved. No Jewish spokesman, given freedom of choice, would have selected such items for debate. Again, we emerge with a clear sense that the agenda was designed by the Christian side and forced on the Jews.
This image of Christian control of the agenda is altered somewhat in the account of Rabbi Moses. After indicating that he had been ordered to dispute publicly with Friar Paul, Nahmanides attempts to soften the portrait to some extent and to show himself in a less passive light. He recounts the following give-and-take:
I replied and said: "I shall do as the king commands, if you give me permission to speak as I wish. In this matter I request the permission of the king and of Friar Raymond of Penyafort and his associates who are here." Friar Raymond of Penyafort replied: "So long as you do not speak
disrespectfully." I said to them: "I do not wish to stand before your judgment in this matter. However I do ask to speak as I wish concerning the disputation, just as you say what you wish. Indeed I do have the sense to speak properly, but it must be as I wish." They all then gave me permission to speak as I wished.
Then I responded and said: "The dispute between gentiles and Jews concerns many matters of tradition which do not involve the essence of faith. In this honored court, I wish to dispute only about matters that involve essentials." They all responded and said: "You have spoken well." Then we agreed to speak about the matter of the Messiah—whether he has already come, as is the belief of the Christians, or if he is yet to come, as is the belief of the Jews. Afterward we would speak of whether the Messiah is actually divine or if he is fully human, born of man and woman. Afterward we would speak of whether the Jews observe the true law or whether Christians do.[30]
Thus, while acknowledging that he was commanded to appear and debate, Nahmanides tries to picture himself as active in securing freedom of expression and establishing the agenda to be pursued. It should be noted that Rabbi Moses does not actually claim to have suggested the items for the discussion; he merely describes himself as setting the principle that essentials should be disputed. When speaking of the specific agenda, he says only, "Then we agreed to speak about. . . ." However, the items for discussion, while close enough to the Latin report to be recognizable, are couched in terms that mitigate the sense of Christian initiative. Thus, for example, it is one thing to prove, on the basis of Jewish texts, that the Messiah has already come; it is another to debate whether the Messiah has come or not. Moreover, Rabbi Moses omits entirely, at this juncture, the crucial matter of utilization of Jewish texts as proof. As a result, the agenda he describes seems to presage a rather open discussion. The protagonists were to discuss whether the Messiah had come or not and whether Christians or Jews observe the true law. As Nahmanides presents the items of debate, it would seem that either side could win and either side could lose.
On this issue, however, it must be concluded that the Latin account is rigorously correct, while Rabbi Moses has, for a variety of reasons, blurred the reality. This is clear from the rest of his narrative. In the first place, Rabbi Moses blatantly contradicts himself. In the abovecited opening remarks, he insists that only essential matters be debated, and he indicates that, in the light of this principle, it was agreed
to begin with the matter of the Messiah. Yet, in his depiction of the proceedings of the second day, he is objecting vigorously to focusing on the issue of the Messiah, claiming that it is not really the heart of the Christian-Jewish conflict.[31] More important still, while omitting any mention of the reliance on Jewish texts in his description of the agenda, Nahmanides does emphasize this crucial ploy as soon as the discussion is launched.[32] As noted, the use of this strategem radically transformed the nature of the confrontation: the Christian side had everything to gain and nothing to lose. That this device was in fact built into the very foundation of the discussion is reflected at every stage of Rabbi Moses' extensive depiction of the proceedings. From all this, it is clear that the Latin report of the agenda is the accurate one and that the Hebrew account is distorted. Again, the firm sense is Christian initiative and control.
Finally, this same sense emerges from Nahmanides' detailed narrative. While he quotes himself at far greater length than his opponent, he also reports faithfully that he was always in the position of respondent to the thrusts of Friar Paul. At a number of points, Rabbi Moses depicts his efforts to assume a more active role and acknowledges total failure. At the beginning of the second day's discussion, he records the following significant exchange:
I said to our lord the king: "My lord, hear me." He said to me: "Let him speak first, for he is the interrogator."[33]
A bit later on the same day, when Friar Paul complained of the rabbi's lengthy replies, the king admonished: "Be silent, for he is to pose the questions."[34] On the fourth and last day of the clash, after his efforts to halt the proceedings had failed, the Jewish spokesman made his most determined effort to take the initiative, claiming that "justice requires that I pose the questions one day and Friar Paul answer me, since he posed questions which I answered for three days." King James's reply was curt and peremptory: "Nonetheless you must respond to him."[35] Thus, in every way, the picture is clear and consistent. The Dominicans and Friar Paul instigated the confrontation, set a carefully contrived agenda, and maintained the initiative throughout.
What were the strategies employed by Friar Paul in this confrontation? The key was the use of rabbinic literature. As we have seen, Barcelona was not the beginning of such utilization of the Talmud; it was in a sense the end of the first phase of this use. Its use by Friar Paul involves, as we have already suggested, rabbinic exegesis of important
biblical verses, on the one hand, and rabbinic traditions independent of biblical moorings, on the other. Let us examine the early stages of the discussion for examples of each.
Friar Paul opened the formal proceedings at Barcelona by quoting Genesis 49:10. To be sure, this verse had, over the ages, been a source of lively Christian-Jewish polemical exchange.[36] It was not Friar Paul's ultimate intention to become lost in this morass. According to the report of Nahmanides, Friar Paul opened by citing the wellknown verse and drawing its normal Christological implication:
Thus the prophet says that Judah shall forever exercise power, until [the advent of] the Messiah, who will come from him. Therefore, today, when you lack the scepter [of political power] and the ruler's staff, the Messiah, who is of the seed of Judah, must have already come, and he possesses authority.[37]
Rabbi Moses rebuttal was traditional and predictable. He argued that Jacob did not specify continuous kingship for Judah; instead, he foretold that it would never be totally withdrawn.
The intention is that, at all times when kingship will exist among the entire Israelite people, it will be reserved for Judah. If, because of our sins, kingship will be abolished, it will [eventually] return to Judah.[38]
All this is the norm predicted by Jacob. In fact, pre-Christian history, according to Rabbi Moses, already showed a number of exceptions to the rule.
The proof of my views [lies in the fact that] prior to Jesus, there were many periods during which kingship was annulled for Judah and not for [all] Israel and many periods when kingship was annulled for both Judah and [all] Israel. For, during the seventy years of Babylonian exile, there was no monarchy in Judah or [all of] Israel whatsoever. During the period of the Second Temple there reigned from Judah only Zerubbabel and his sons briefly. For three hundred and eighty years thereafter, until the destruction, there reigned the priests of the Hasmonean family and their servants.[39]
Thus, argues Nahmanides, Jacob was foretelling ideal circumstances. Real Jewish history showed gaps in kingship and periods of monarchy in which Judah did not play its predicted role. Therefore, the contemporary reality of lack of kingship was in no sense a testimony to the coming of the Messiah.
It is at this point, in the wake of Rabbi Moses's fairly predictable response, that Friar Paul turns the attack in a new direction by introducing a rabbinic text:
In all those periods [to which you referred], even though there weren't kings, there was political authority. For thus they explained in the Talmud: " 'The scepter shall not depart from Jacob'—these are the exilarchs in Babylonia, who rule the people with a scepter. 'Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet'—these are the descendants of Hillel who teach Torah publicly."[40] Today, you lack the ordination known in the Talmud, you have lost that authority, and you have among you no one worthy of being designated "rabbi."[41]
Introduction of the talmudic passage allows Friar Paul to reject Nahmanides' contention that the Jews had suffered a series of lapses of political authority, for the talmudic statement seems to suggest unbroken Jewish political power. Thus, the obvious lack of such authority in the days of the disputants must point to the intervening advent of the Messiah.
What has happened here is quotation of standard biblical prophecy, eliciting of anticipated Jewish responses, and then introduction of rabbinic exegesis that—it is claimed—substantiates the Christian case and repudiates the traditional stance of the Jews. While rooted in the venerable tradition of Christian use of prophetic predictions, this new tactic is creative, innovative, and challenging. It imposes a second layer of authority on the initial Jewish reverence for the Bible; it suggests to the Jews that their own esteemed teachers read the biblical text in a Christological mode.
Let us adduce yet a second example, again involving a biblical passage long disputed by Christians and Jews. On the first day of the confrontation, not long after the discussion of Genesis 49:10, Friar Paul introduced the famous passage in Isaiah which speaks of the suffering servant of the Lord and suggested its standard Christological interpretation, ending with the question, "Do you believe that this passage speaks of the Messiah?"[42] Rabbi Moses's response was again predictable.
According to its true sense, [this passage] speaks only of the people of Israel in the aggregate, for thus the prophets always designate them—Israel my servant, Jacob my servant.
Friar Paul's response is reported only briefly by Nahmanides, but the point is clear.
But I shall show you from the words of your sages that it [the passage] speaks of the Messiah.[43]
The approach is the same—introduction of standard biblical passages, eliciting predictable Jewish responses, with Friar Paul then arguing that the traditional Jewish objections are in fact belied by rabbinic tradition itself. The authoritative literature of the Jews supported Christological lines of exegesis.
The second pattern of utilization of talmudic literature involves rabbinic dicta unrelated to the Bible. Let us cite two early examples from Barcelona, both adduced in support of the initial Christian claim that the Messiah has already appeared. The first involves one of the aggadic statements that connect the advent of the Messiah with the destruction of the Second Temple.
A certain man was plowing when his ox lowed. An Arab passed by and said: "Jew! Jew! Unhitch your ox; unhitch your pair; unhitch your plow; for the Temple has been destroyed." He unhitched his ox, unhitched his pair, and unhitched his plow. The ox then lowed a second time. The Arab said to him: "Hitch up your ox; hitch up your pair; hitch up your plow; for your Messiah has been born."[44]
Friar Paul argued here, in utmost simplicity, that this rabbinic statement reflects overt rabbinic recognition of the advent of the Messiah.
Let us cite a second instance of similar use of freestanding rabbinic dicta. Friar Paul adduced a second aggadah to prove that the Messiah had already come.
That fellow [Friar Paul] returned and said that, in the Talmud, it is said explicitly that Rabbi Joshua ben Levi asked Elijah when the Messiah would come. Elijah answered him. "Ask the Messiah himself." Rabbi Joshua ben Levi said: "Where is he?" Elijah said: "At the entrance of Rome, among the ill." Rabbi Joshua ben Levi went there and found him. . . . Thus he has already come and is in Rome.[45]
The argument is a simple one. Friar Paul claims that the rabbis themselves—in their better moments—gave expression to views that in effect substantiated the truth of Christianity.
Having described the methodology of Friar Paul's argument, let us now turn our attention to its substance. To do so, let us cite once more the agenda as depicted in each of our two sources:
Friar Paul proposed to the said rabbi that, with the aid of God, he would prove from writings shared and accepted by the Jews the following con-
tentions, in order: that the Messiah, who is called Christ, whom the Jews anticipate, has surely come already; also that the Messiah, as prophesied, should be divine and human; also that he suffered and was killed for the salvation of mankind; also that the laws and ceremonials ceased and should have ceased after the advent of the said Messiah.[46]
Then we agreed to speak about the matter of the Messiah—whether he has already come, as is the belief of Christians, or if he is yet to come, as is the belief of the Jews. Afterward we would speak of whether the Messiah is actually divine or if he is fully human, born of man and woman. Afterward we would speak of whether the Jews observe the true law or whether the Christians do.[47]
We have already suggested that, on this issue, the Christian account is more accurate. In any case, what is reflected here of the substance of the discussion? We have earlier noted that, in mounting missionizing argumentation, the twin goals were normally to present a case for the truth of one's own religious faith and to raise claims against the validity of the religious tradition of the opponent group. The agenda adumbrated in the Latin protocol reflects clearly these two purposes—proofs that Jesus was truly the Messiah and argument against the central pillar of Jewish religious tradition, the law.
Friar Paul's first goal was to prove that Jesus was the Messiah promised in biblical revelation. If that assertion could have been proved to the Jews, then those Jews would have had to acknowledge that Christianity, based on belief in Jesus as Messiah (and more), was true. The choice of the messianic role of Jesus as the central positive contention to be argued was an intelligent one. First, the messianic doctrine was one that Jews shared with Christians; it involved none of the inherent problematics of such tenets as Incarnation or the Trinitarian nature of the deity. It was the simplest issue to argue with Jews. In addition, proof of the messianic role of Jesus included eo ipso a negative assertion with regard to the Jews and their fate. If, in fact, Jesus was the promised Messiah, then all the messianic predictions had been fulfilled with his coming (or comings), leaving the Jews bereft of messianic hopes for the future. In this sense, the positive thrust of the argumentation included a powerfully negative corollary.
The effort to prove Jesus' messianic role was of course not new to Barcelona; it was the oldest element in Christian argumentation against the Jews. Now, how did Friar Paul, through use of rabbinic literature, hope to mount an argument for Jesus' messianic role? By proving the truth of a series of three independent statements that,
when combined, afforded unshakable evidence of Jesus as Messiah. If he could successfully argue that the Messiah had already come, that the Messiah was prophetically predicted to be both divine and human, and that the suffering and death of the Messiah were likewise prophetically predicted, then only one figure could possibly demonstrate these three major characteristics. That figure would be Jesus of Nazareth. I have elsewhere designated this tactic "deliberate abstraction."[48] In arguing that the Messiah had already come, Friar Paul did not wish to introduce the historical figure of Jesus. He wished to deal with all three assertions independently and abstractly, only at the end combining the strands into irrefutable proof for the truth of Christianity. This tactic of deliberate abstraction was artificial and problematic. As we shall see, Nahmanides attacked it vigorously and Friar Raymond Martin abandoned it completely.
Let us look more closely at the three individual assertions. The first is clearly the decisive one. If the Messiah has already come, then it is likely to have been Jesus, and, in any case, the Jews have lost all hope for the future. Nahmanides quotes himself as saying that "there has been no one who has claimed or concerning whom it has been claimed that he is the Messiah, except for Jesus."[49] The Latin source quotes Nahmanides in much the same way.
Then in the palace of the lord king, the said Jew was asked whether the Messiah, who is called Christ, has come. He responded with the assertion that he has not come. He added that the Messiah and Christ are the same and that, if it could be proved to him that the Messiah had come, it could be believed to apply to none other than him, namely, Jesus Christ, in whom the Christians believe, since no one else had come who has dared to assume for himself this title nor has there been anyone else who has been believed to be Christ.[50]
In effect, Rabbi Moses would have been willing to concede the truth of Christianity if it could be proved that the Messiah had already come.[51] The other two assertions, that the Messiah was predicted to be both divine and human and was fated to suffer and die, served a dual purpose. They reinforced the identification of Jesus as the Messiah, which would have flowed in any case from the initial assertion of the prior advent of the Messiah, and, at the same time, they served to diffuse two major traditional Jewish objections to Christianity—the doctrine of Incarnation and the notion of an ignominious death for the Messiah.
The fourth and final item on the agenda is difficult to discuss with certainty, since the issue was never truly joined during the confrontation. Using the sketchy information provided in our two extant sources and the further development of this argumentation, we are justified, I believe, in identifying this item as an attack on the central commitment of the Jews, that is, the commitment to their law. Just as the first three assertions attempted to prove a central Christian contention—that Jesus was the promised Messiah—the fourth sought to obliterate the core of Jewish faith—assurance of the validity of Jewish law. The projected tactic was the same as that used in the previous arguments. Jewish literature itself, both rabbinic exegesis of the Bible and freestanding rabbinic dicta, were to be adduced to prove that Jewish law had lost its validity and should no longer be observed. What precise texts Friar Paul intended to utilize in proving this point cannot, of course, be known. In any case, this fourth point was to serve as a complement to the pro-Christian conclusion of the first three items on the agenda. Friar Paul intended to prove the truth of central Christian beliefs and the nullity of key Jewish commitments.[52]
Our examination of the strategies and substance of the Barcelona confrontation leads inevitably to the question of results (for now, from the Christian perspective). In attempting to answer this question, I begin with a negative observation. Neither the Latin nor the Hebrew report mentions a formal body of judges who were to decide the outcome of the deliberations. Indeed, this notion makes no sense. Since the ultimate purpose of the confrontation was to influence Jewish thinking, Christian judges and their view of the events would have meant nothing.
Having removed imaginary judges from consideration, we are in a position to build on our earlier observations and ask realistically how the Christian protagonists saw the outcome of the proceedings. For the Dominican instigators of the clash, a decisive victory would have entailed convincing the Jewish spokesmen of the truth of the majority faith and of the nullity of Judaism. This obviously was not achieved. A decisive setback would have involved the exposure of a flaw in Friar Paul's approach so basic as to force him and his supporters to end this line of missionizing altogether. This too did not happen. In fact, a prolonged discussion took place. Neither side won decisively; both sides could savor a measure of satisfaction. Thus, the confident assertions of both the Latin and Hebrew reports are exaggerated, but they are
not false. The results were sufficiently ambiguous to allow both parties to claim success. At the same time, to be sure, both parties had to feel a measure of dissatisfaction as well. But this rarely shows up in written records left for posterity.
Given these ambiguous results, the important issue is no longer victory or defeat; it is the reactions of both sides in the wake of the public debate. The Christian camp reveals its positive assessment of the proceedings in its determination to press the new campaign. There is certainly no sense that Friar Paul and his strategies for proselytizing among the Jews had been discredited. Nahmanides' own account of the aftermath of the debate illustrates this clearly. Hearing rumors in the royal court that the king and the Dominicans were planning to visit the synagogue of Barcelona shortly after the termination of the disputation, Rabbi Moses postponed his planned return to Gerona in order to be present. Both King James and Friar Raymond of Penyafort preached before the Jews. Although they did not utilize Friar Paul's new argumentation, their immediate visit to the synagogue of Barcelona reflects the Christian sense of achievement and determination to press the perceived advantage.[53]
More revealing yet is the ongoing support for Friar Paul in his missionizing endeavors. Had his approach been convincingly rebutted, neither ecclesiastical nor secular authorities would have wished him to continue. The Christian perception of the proceedings at Barcelona and their outcome is reflected in the series of royal edicts enacted at the end of August 1263, a scant month after the Barcelona confrontation. The most important of these, for our purposes, is the order to the Jews, dated August 29, 1263. As we have seen, King James I commanded his Jews to make themselves available for the missionizing sermons of Friar Paul Christian. Particularly noteworthy is the king's insistence that the Jews show Friar Paul those of their books he might require to make the truth known to them—precisely the strategem that was so crucial in his encounter with Rabbi Moses ben Nahman.[54]
It is widely agreed that the Latin account of the disputation at Barcelona is intimately linked to the royal orders of late August 1263. Specifically, it must be seen as the rationale for the expanded preaching campaign sanctioned by the monarch. This brief record was intended to show the main lines of Christian achievement at Barcelona and thus provide the basis for the new royal edicts. While the Latin account has been extensively analyzed by Baer, a few brief remarks
are in order. Clearly, this is not—and was not intended to be—an exhaustive description of the debate at Barcelona. Nor was it intended to serve as a debater's manual; such a detailed guide was not necessary, since the Christian protagonist in the Barcelona proceedings was to be the central figure in the new preaching campaign. What the Christian author intended was simply to sketch out the main lines of what he perceived as a Christian victory and thus provide justification for the further missionizing of Friar Paul. While the Latin account does precisely this, it is uneven in its treatment of the debate. As we have seen, its depiction of the convening of the confrontation and its description of the agenda is accurate. Its portrait of the proceedings is often quite weak. As Baer has noted, the references to the issue of the title "rabbi" and to an earlier consideration of the Trinity are woefully misplaced. When the Latin report of the debate itself is compared to the Hebrew narrative, the sketchiness and arbitrariness of the former is apparent. These weaknesses must, however, be seen in context. The author's intention was a brief and compelling statement of the Christian "victory," which is just what was provided.
Thus, Friar Paul's performance at Barcelona must have been seen in a positive light, given the continued support of his efforts. Indeed, at the end of the 1260s, his field of activity was substantially expanded, as he brought his missionizing campaign to northern France, operating under the aegis of the pious Louis IX. We have already noted an edict of 1269 that commanded Jewish presence at the missionizing sermons of Friar Paul and random evidence indicating that the edict was carried out.[55] While the evidence for his preaching in France is far skimpier than our information for Barcelona, it seems that the same basic approach was still in use. Thus, there is no evidence of an alteration of tactics on his part or for withdrawal of support by the authorities.
As we shall see, however, key figures in the Dominican Order were not fully satisfied with Friar Paul's performance. While they were not disenchanted with his innovative approach, they were convinced that a more closely argued—and thus more effective—case could be made on the basis of the rabbinic literature that Friar Paul had begun to exploit. Such sentiments underlay the massive research and analysis that resulted in Friar Raymond Martin's Pugio Fidei, which we shall study more closely in chapter 7. In a sense, Friar Paul had convinced these colleagues of the fundamental viability of the approach but had left
them with the feeling that there was much to be done in perfecting it. His innovative efforts thus clearly reflect the enhanced commitment to serious missionizing among the Jews, represent a major breakthrough in such missionizing efforts, and pose for the Jews of western Christendom a serious new challenge.


text:
Tag Archives: Total War
Thu, Dec 12, 2013 | 15:47 GMT
Total War: Rome 2 – Caesar in Gaul releases next week
Total War: Rome 2 content drops next week and it's called Caesar in Gaul. The downloadable campaign pack brings with it the battle of Alesia, which artfully recreates the engagement in which Caesar finally conquered Gaul. This made the man famous, and infamous, and thus enabling his rise to dictator. In the game, though, players will battle at the hilltop fort of Alesia as it's under siege, and will have to weather attacks on two fronts: from Vercingetorix' forces within the fort itself, and from a huge Gallic relief army. There's more on the wikipage. The content will drop on December 17 and is 10% off when you pre-order on Steam.
Thu, Dec 05, 2013 | 15:04 GMT
Total War: Rome 2 update contains the Baktria faction
Total War: Rome 2 has a new faction available today: Baktria. Originally a part of Alexander The Great's empire, Baktria was a "crossroads of commerce between east and west." Baktria offers players "a diverse battle experience blending units from the Greek rosters with those of Eastern cultures." Baktria will download automatically for Rome 2 players via Steam, and will require players to restart if already in-game.
Wed, Nov 27, 2013 | 17:01 GMT
Total War: Rome 2 mini documentary provides a history lesson on The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
A new video for Total War: Rome 2 has been released, and features commentary from historians Bettany Hughes, Mike Loades, Lynette Nusbacher and Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy along with footage from the game. The documentary short takes a look at The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, which saw three full legions of Rome destroyed. Watch below.
Thu, Nov 21, 2013 | 15:47 GMT
Total War: Rome 2 patch 7 now available
Total War: Rome 2′s latest patch is live. The Creative Assembly states that this is "the most significant gameplay-enhancing patch yet," as includes framerate improvements to high-end systems, and substantial gameplay, AI and behavioral improvements, particularly in settlement and siege battles. The attacking siege AI is more active, and the patch also bring about the first targeted unit re-balances. For full details, check out the patch notes. Steam users will be automatically updated upon logging into the service.
Tue, Oct 22, 2013 | 15:57 BST
Total War: Rome 2 – Nomadic Tribes Culture Pack DLC is free until October 29
Total War: Rome 2′s Nomadic Tribes Culture Pack DLC will be available for free for the first week of availability, The Creative assembly has announced.
Fri, Oct 18, 2013 | 21:48 BST
Total War: Rome 2 – free Seleucid Empire and Steam Workshop Mod update released
Total War: ROME 2 has been updated with the free Seleucid Empire faction for both single-player and multiplayer. The update includes Patch 5 which delivers further performance and gameplay balancing improvements. Full patch notes are through here. Also featured, is Steam Workshop support and activation of the mod manager in the Total War Launcher, making the sharing and loading of mods rather easy. Hit up the links for more information and to acquire the update, just fire the game up and it will patch automagically.
Sat, Oct 12, 2013 | 15:23 BST
Total War: Rome 2 – fourth patch now available, contains major AI improvements
Total War: Rome 2 has a fourth patch available which contains major AI improvements when it comes to the construction of new buildings, food supply management, creation of armies, "technology researches and tactics used during battles." The patch makes the AI more organized and challenging, and further tweaks and improvements have been made to the diplomacy, missiles, melee units and much more. Patch 5 will enter beta next week. You can view the large list of patch notes through the Total War Wiki.
Wed, Oct 09, 2013 | 23:04 BST
Total War developer 'absolutely intends' to support SteamOS
The Creative Assembly is bang behind SteamOS, and sees no problem in porting its games to Linux for Valve's new hardware scheme.
Tue, Oct 01, 2013 | 14:50 BST
Total War: Rome 2 – third game update is live
Total War: Rome 2 has received its third update, which includes over 140 technical, gameplay, balancing and usability improvements.
Wed, Sep 04, 2013 | 17:36 BST
Total War: Rome 2 update based on metrics and player feedback will land on September 6
Total War: Rome 2 will be getting an update this Friday which will tweak the balancing, AI routines and other features now that the game is live and The Creative Assembly is getting real-time metric feedback from players.The firm said last month it would release said update, due to the likelihood of general system specifications causing issues for some users. The game will also be updated on a weekly basis in the immediate future. Full patch notes will be available on Friday, September 6, and the update will also address known instances of crashes due to hardware conflicts alongside several other performance fixes. Users experiencing graphical issues including low resolution textures, should check out the support forums at which contain "suggestions for settings which will improve visuals in almost all cases."
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 | 18:32 BST
Total War: Rome 2 can now be pre-loaded through Steam, activation times announced
Total War: Rome 2 activation times for release have been announced, and digital customers can start pre-loading the game through Steam starting today.
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 | 16:25 BST
Total War: Rome 2 post-release free and paid content plans announced
Total War: Rome 2 players will be the recipients of post-release content in both free and paid formats, The Creative Assembly has announced.
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 | 13:47 BST
Total War: Rome 2 pre-purchases through Steam turn Team Fortress 2 into a bot-filled Rome
Total War: Rome 2 pre-purchases through Steam will hand buyers a wreath in the Team Fortress 2 inventory which upon being equipped, will change the look of TF2 to Rome 2. It's mad fun, really.
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 | 17:15 BST
Total War: Rome 2 pre-sales six times that of Total War: Shogun 2
Total War: Rome 2 is has broken records by being the most pre-ordered title in the series' history, SEGA has announced. There's also an unboxing video – of sorts – for the Collector's Edition below as well.
Sun, Aug 11, 2013 | 22:24 BST
Total War: Arena advanced access announced for Rome 2 owners
SEGA has announced that owners of Total War: Rome 2 will be granted access to the firm's free-to-play MOBA title Total War: Arena when it becomes available
Thu, Aug 01, 2013 | 15:02 BST
Total War: Rome 2 video focuses on Rome's greatest enemy, Hannibal
Total War: Rome 2 has a new video available focusing on the brilliant military strategist and Rome's greatest enemy, Hannibal. The video below shows the multitude of ways players can "outfox their opponents," and demonstrates the scope and variety of the campaign map. Total War: Rome 2 hits PC on September 3.
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 | 15:26 BST
Total War: Rome 2 video walks you through campaign mode as Carthage
Total War: Rome 2 has a new "Let's Play video" available focusing this time on the campaign mode.
Fri, Jul 12, 2013 | 20:33 BST
Total War: Rome 2 website updated with interactive map
The Creative Assembly has updated the Total War website with an Interactive Campaign Map for Rome 2. The map will give you an idea of the scale of the new Campaign Map and familiarize you with the various factions, diplomatic relations and more. Have fun with it. Game's out September 3 on PC.
Thu, Jul 11, 2013 | 16:50 BST
Total War: Rome 2 video provides a look at Battle of the Nile from a Roman perspective
Total War: Rome 2 has a new entry available in the Let's Play video series. In it, the viewer is shown an in-depth look into the Battle of the Nile, but from the Roman perspective this time. Watch below as Al Bickham and Joey Williams walk you through their effort to destroy Egypt. Game's out September 3 on PC.
Thu, Jun 06, 2013 | 15:02 BST
Total War: Rome 2 trailer highlights the story of Cleopatra
Total War: Rome 2 has a new trailer available which highlights the story of Cleopatra: the lady who secured the throne of Egypt using the armies of Caesar and killed herself with an asp. Check out the battle for the Nile below. Rome 2 is out September 3 on PC.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Kirsten Dunst at the Met Gala 2013 | Pictures
Kirsten Dunst's Met Gala V-Neck Gets Real Deep
2 /
by Molly Goodson
Kirsten Dunst picked Louis Vuitton for the 2013 Met Gala.
Previous | 2 / 13 | Next |
by Molly Goodson
Featured Partners
- Prince William Comments on Nelson Mandela's Death: He Was 'an Extraordinary and Inspiring Man'
- Editor's Take: The Latest Details on Paul Walker's Death, Jay Z's New Diet and More Top Stories
- Amanda Bynes Steps Out with Her Parents Post-Rehab
- Scandal President Fitz: Truly Terrible? A Point-Counterpoint Discussion
- Rashida Jones Rants About "Pornification" of Pop Culture, References Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj in New Essay
- Miley Cyrus: I want a Boyfriend Who Will Wear "Jean on Jean With Me" Like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake
- Evangeline Lilly Slams Her "Best Butt Ever" Women's Health Magazine Cover
- Paul Walker Best Man at Brother's Wedding Before Death, Kate Middleton Recycles Gown: Top 5 Thursday Stories
- Vin Diesel Speaks Out After Paul Walker's Death
- Britney And Justin Played Spin-The-Bottle With Ryan Gosling
- Zach Braff and Harry Styles Share Bromantic Dinner Date
- Selena Gomez Takes The Plunge In Low-Cut Jumpsuit
Sponsored Links
Subscribe to POPSUGAR
Link Love
- Zach Braff has a new, adorable BFFHuffPost Celebrity
- Another tragic detail in Paul Walker's death — Us Weekly
- Tom Hiddleston is the new Captain Hook — Lainey Gossip
- Learn about Miranda Kerr's rumored new beau — People
- Taylor Swift's best audience dancing moments — BuzzFeed
- Who knew? Paris Hilton once dated Val Kilmer — ET
- Oscar Issac is the next big thing — The Daily Beast
- Amanda Bynes may be heading to college — Pink Is the New Blog
- Tom Daley talks about his new boyfriend — D-Listed
- Benedict Cumberbatch gave Madonna shade — JustJared
- Jessica Hart gets geek chic — Hollywood Tuna
- You will not believe what James Franco did — The Superficial
- Source: Twitter user zachbraff
No Comments
Sign in to leave a comment


text:
January 6, 2013
Craft Closet Organized
12 comments:
- Brittany Walsh said...
I LOVE organizing! Beautiful job :) Do you open the closet door 487 times a day just to admire your work? That's what I find myself doing when I have a recently organized space :)
- January 6, 2013 at 6:21 PM
- ohiofarmgirl said...
It certainly looks nice. I am hoping that I get to start on my laundry room tomorrow and that is where my pantry is also. It will take more than a day since I am going to paint also. but I am hoping to at least get started. Dianntha
- January 6, 2013 at 6:28 PM
- Katie said...
This just makes my heart flutter! I love a good organization overhaul! Well worth the time you spent doing it! It looks fantastic!
- January 6, 2013 at 9:45 PM
- Lauren said...
Oh how I wish I had a craft closet! Mine is in a "studio-ish" area that doubles as a playroom for my girls. It works, but it is never hidden. This is such a great transformation... I just went through all my stuff recently, too, and it feels great, doesn't it?
- January 7, 2013 at 7:20 AM
- Diane said...
Excellent idea, I have been wanting to organize all my crafts and sewing stuff and now have found the inspiration! I have pinned it to share with other here - http://pinterest.com/buildingonabudg/pins/. Diane
- January 7, 2013 at 11:46 AM
- Angie said...
It looks great! I need to do some major organizing around here!
- January 7, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Your closet looks great, but I'd regret next month that I got rid of so many things I hadn't used in only 6 months. I have fabric, felt, yarn, and numerous other collections of things I've had for years. They all cost me money and, if I were to buy those things now, I couldn't afford it. Today, if I want to make felt ornaments, for example, I have everything I need to do so. I don't have to go to a store to buy anything.
- January 9, 2013 at 7:01 PM
- Jamie -Better With Age said...
This turned out great! I'm a new follower ;)
- January 10, 2013 at 12:08 PM
- Kristina @ ReMadeSimple said...
Your honesty is refreshing! my whole crafting space looked like your closet-nice to know I'm not the only one! I took a few hours myself to throw away, donate, etc. Yours looks great...mine is coming along :)
- January 10, 2013 at 11:36 PM
- Jen @ de Jong Dream House said...
Very nice! We have a linen closet in our new house that I'm thinking of turning into a craft closet. Thanks for the great ideas!
- January 11, 2013 at 8:41 PM
- Karen at Bargain-ista.com said...
Oh my goodness! Your closet looks amazing!!! I have a small house with tiny closets so this post hits quite close to home ;)
- January 18, 2013 at 12:14 AM
- onekriegerchick said...
Looks Awesome! You are an inspiration...I have been needing to organize my craft supplies for too long!
- January 19, 2013 at 9:17 AM


text: Back Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With OCD Resource Guide There are currently no guidelines for reducing your risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). As scientists learn more about the condition, your doctor may have more information regarding steps for reducing your risk of OCD. Previous Next Revision Information Reviewer: Michael Woods, MD Review Date: 09/2013 - Update Date: 09/30/2013 -


text:
Coupons can not be applied to all brands, in some cases our agreements with manufacturers do not allow the use of Cymax coupons. If you have tried to apply a coupon to your cart, it could be that the manufacturer has chosen to restrict retailers from offering coupons for their products.
In other cases, the coupon you are trying to apply may have a price or category restriction, or both. Coupons from cymax.com have an expiry and many can only be used on certain products or categories.
Please note that coupons do not apply on past purchases. Coupons also do not apply on Buy At Your Price, the bidding option for customers to "make offer" for an item.
For more information about coupons, please call us toll free 866-740-9830, and talk to an expert.
This Hammary Hidden Treasures Accent Table offers elegant contemporary design elements for a stylish and unique appeal. It features a rounded glass top and a penshell sphere shaped pedestal base.
Simply fill out the form below to let your friend now about :


text:
Give your baby the finest in organic, Italian design with the Picci Natura Organic 3 Piece Set. This collection is made from 100% certified organic materials in classic gender neutral colors. Cotton is grown using natural fertilizer free of chemicals and toxins and no heavy metals are used to dye the fabrics. The soft stuffing is free from impurities and derived entirely from maize to ensure that it is hypoallergenic and won't irritate your little one's skin. It is as beautiful as it is healthy.
- Coordinates with other items in the Picci Natura Collection.
- Set includes bumper, sheet, and dust ruffle.
- 100% Certified organic materials
- Machine-washable
- Made in Italy
Gift wrap not available
Open box: Returned item. Unused.
All sales final on open box items.
Shipping Note: This item ships via FedEx Ground within contiguous United States only. Cannot be shipped to AK/HI, PO boxes, US territories, or APO/FPO addresses.


text:
A while back, I blogged about young people excited about food production and agricultural careers. (See Insiders_secrets.) They were right to be excited. While many industries have scaled back jobs, U.S. agriculture grew and prospered right through the Great Recession. It's still a booming industry. No, not everyone will go back to the family farm after finishing school. But today's agriculture is far larger than the family farm. I'm an expert, of sort. I rode that road. While I…Continue Reading
You hear so much about farmers getting older and no one wanting to farm anymore. Well, the getting older part may be true, but the rest is a myth! Young people are being attracted to agriculture in increasing numbers. And farming isn't the only ag game in town. Last week during the World Food Prize convo in Iowa, hundreds of bright, young people came from all over the country to learn about agriculture's exciting future. And back home, the Future Farmers Club at Spring…Continue Reading
I'm all for having alcoholics and drug addicts coming to church on Sunday, anytime for that matter. And I'll do my best to make sure they feel comfortable with the rest of us "sinners." After all, there's no more powerful assistance for kicking an addictive habit than divine help. But last Sunday morning, I was confronted by another form of addiction. In the middle of the church service, a young couple strolled up the isle in jeans, cowboy boots and belt buckles to…Continue Reading
Last week, while traveling in New York's North Country, I was reminded just how quickly life can profoundly change. And, I'm not talking about winning a lottery. A week ago, a very serious accident on a dairy farm shook every member of a widely respected family – the Porters of Porterdale Farms at Adams Center – and their surrounding community. The family, if you'll recall, graced American Agriculturist's cover in August 2011 after being named…Continue Reading
Yes, this is an unusual thing to be blogging about. In recent months, I've gone to funerals of two farm friends, and came away from both thought-filled and inspired. That's as it should be. Like most of you, I'm not fond of funerals. I don't even want to attend my own! But a funeral or wake can be a wake-up call with redeeming value. That's why I'm writing this. I was reminded of a few things, none of which the preachers preached. The "few things"…Continue Reading
I'm betting that you don't munch down Corn Flakes or Post Toasties for breakfast as much as you used to. So you or your family's chief food shopper may just might be a 'cereal killer". As a farm kid, I grew up in the Corn Flakes era. And in my first Animal Science class at college, my animal nutrition professor said: "Breakfast is your most important meal. That's true for animals, too." Too many of today's generation (farm and non farm…Continue Reading
No. the change in the air has nothing to do with spring, although it's almost here, too. It has certainly nothing to do with President Obama's recycled campaign theme. The fresh whiff of prosperity is drawing more and more young, energized wanna-bes back into farming. In the past year, I've seen exciting signs that Northeast agriculture is being revitalized by enterprising young men and women. Record grain and forage prices no doubt bolster ag attractiveness. New ag…Continue Reading
While major retailers would have us skip over Thanksgiving, it would be a huge mistake to do so. Taking time to reflect on what we have and don't have makes every single one of us more complete. It's a necessary life balancer that, if nothing else, keeps us humble and appreciative. And that impacts everyone and every creature we care for – even the dogs and cats. Remembering the things that happened so far this year are relatively easy. But sit down and make a list…Continue Reading
Success in any business requires the ability to forward think – perceive what you want to accomplish, then develop the game plan for getting there. Agriculture and your farm are no different in that sense. Where farming differs is that your family is an integral part of it. That can be very good – or not. But it places a lot more pressure on farm families to succeed. It's 5:15 a.m., as I begin to write this. I woke up thinking a somewhat stupid thought: I think I can . . . I…Continue Reading
As the song goes, "O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain . . .." Even if you're like me (can't carry a tune in a bucket), we need to stop our labors once in a while to revel in where we are in God's creation. Thanks to you, our readers, my farm business trips allow me to do just that. On Sunday morning, our class was singing "America, the beautiful." And I was thinking back about my farm business trips during the last two…Continue Reading


text:
Washington Geographic Alliance
Enhancing Geography Education in Washington State
Time: September 24, 2011 from 2:30pm to 7pm
Location: Puyallup Fair
Street: 110 9th Avenue Southwest
City/Town: Puyallup, WA 98371
Website or Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f…
Event Type: exhibit, giant map
Organized By: Richard Kennedy
Latest Activity: Mar 7, 2011
WGA needs at least 2 volunteers per shift to staff our booth at the Puyallup Fair. We will be located in our usual location on the 1st floor of the Pavilion (near Gold Gate). For a 4.5-hour shift, you get FREE parking, FREE admission, and $5 meal allowance. Please sign up now and I'll send complete details in early September.
Welcome to
Washington Geographic Alliance
The Washington Geographic Alliance (WGA) provides teacher professional development and supports initiatives to promote the geographic fluency of America's teachers, children, and teens.
© 2012 Washington Geographic Alliance


text:
A four-year Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship requires that the apprentice attend a six or seven week training program each year. UFV delivers this training programs throughout the year with regular daytime scheduling. The programs follow the approved British Columbia Automotive Service Technician Program Outline which meets the requirements for Canadian Red Seal accreditation. Completion of the four year apprenticeship and credit for all four levels of Apprenticeship Training establish eligibility to write the Interprovincial Examination leading to final certification.
The Automotive Service Technician field is both challenging and rewarding. The technology changes very rapidly which provides an interesting work environment. There are many opportunities for advancement and the salaries are good. Interprovincial certification is recognized worldwide and proves that the individual has what it takes to succeed in the changing workplace.
email: email@example.com
Quick Links
UFV Services


text:
Home | Products | Search | Gadget of the Month | What's New | Gift Registry | Stores | Contact Us | My Basket
Frozen Pop Mold Set Bugs (80-9666) |
$13.46 |
Add to Basket
Here's an easy and fun way to make healthy, homemade frozen treats for the whole family. Use your favorite juice, yogurt or smoothie to make frozen pops in your freezer. Each set makes six frozen pops, each about 5.5" long..The thoughtful design allows you to remove pops individually; no need to run water over the entire mold just to get out one or two pops, and the pop sticks feature a built-in drip catcher.


text:
Some information is missing or invalid below.
Kick it up a notch. Early mornings are no match for this Keurig K-Cup Portion Pack Emeril's Big Easy Bold coffee.
Please note: fits Keurig K65, K45, K75, B76, and MINI Plus Personal brewers only.
- Roasted Rainforest Alliance-certified and American beans offer a thick, hearty texture and an extra-bold, deep smoky flavor.
- K-Cup Portion Pack allows you to enjoy a single-serving of your favorite blend.
- Details:
- 18-pack
- Model no. 1500


text:
Peaches - This straight leg pant features a wide rib waistband with drawstring, deep side welt pockets, two cargo pockets, fashionable back pockets, and double needle top stitched front seams for added detail. Regular Inseam: 31". Petite Inseam 29." Tall Inseam 33." 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton.
Urbane Ultimate- A casual, comfortable pant with full drawstring that sits at the natural waist. Relaxed through hips, seat and thigh. Single patch pocket in back. Flare leg with vents. 54% rayon/44% polyester/2% spandex. Regular Inseam 31 ˝." Petite Inseam 29." Tall Inseam 33 ˝."
Dickies Performance System- A Junior fit, low-rise, flare leg, twelve pocket pant features performance knit mesh at the waistband with elastic and an inside webbed drawstring. Front slash pockets have additional exterior sectional pockets. Sectional cargo pockets have three entries for tools, a cell phone and pencils. Two back pockets, double needle stitching and side vents complete this pant. Regular Inseam 30 1/2." Petite Inseam 28." 52/45/3 Cotton Poly Spandex.
Wonderflex- This boot-cut cargo pant features a full elastic waist with full webbed drawstring, double-needle sistching at the knee, bottom vents, and six total pockets- four front pockets, one cargo pocket, and one back pocket. Regular Inseam 31." Petite Inseam 28." Tall Inseam 33." 52/45/3 Cotton Poly Spandex.
Urbane Performance- A yoga-inspired cargo pant feartures a combination drawstring front and elastic-back waist. Sits comfortably at natural waist. Two back darts designed to fit curves while staying relaxed through hips and thigh. Slanted front pockets feature tonal stitching. Two cargo pockets and one welt pocket with interior mesh lining. Regular Inseam 31 1/2." Petite Inseam 29." Tall Inseam 33 1/2." 95/5 Poly Spandex.
WonderWink PLUS - This pant features a full elastic waistband, inside yellow drawstring, contour waist, 3 pocket cargo with inner utility tape, 2 front pockets, peekaboo yellow mesh pocket, yellow bungee, double needle tonal stitching, and elongating seam lines at front and back. Regular Inseam: 31", Petite Inseam: 28", 100% Polyester.
Wonderflex- This flare leg cargo pant features a back elastic waist with full webbed drawstring, double-needle stitching ad side seam, triple-needle stitching at front pocket openings, and four pockets total- two front pockets, one cargo pocket, and one back pocket. Regular Inseam 31." Petite Inseam 28." Tall Inseam 33." 52/45/3 Cotton Poly Spandex.
Smitten - This flare leg pant features a drawstring waist, elastic back, two cargo pockets, two side pockets, and side vents at bottom hem. Regular Inseam: 31.5", Petite Inseam: 29", Tall Inseam: 33.5". Miracle Fabric: 87% Polyester/13% Spandex.


text:
Hi, I'd appreciate any tips on the best ecommerce platforms around just now.
I have an existing retail website, about 400 odd items but will be increasing to a couple of thousand. I want to keep the design of the site (created bespoke a few years back) but otherwise, switch over to as feature rich a platform as possible (belt and braces approach).
I have already had a few comments on another post, for which I thank all who responded. I had been leaning towards Actinic or Erol but having used their trials, find them a bit too difficult and cumbersome to use. Moreover I've not seen that many good looking sites created using them.
Volusion was another option but as well as the dodgy customer service I've heard about, the hosting (albeit Rackspace) would be in the US, and my site is solely intended for UK/Ireland customers, so has to do well on Google UK listings. Also as it's American I'm a bit concerned that it won't necessarily incorporate all the various accessibility / security standards that we have to comply with over here.
A couple of people suggested Magento - I'll admit this is one of my preferred choices. Problems I have with it are the lack of SEF URLs and again, the fact that it's not actually UK based. Also as it's OS software, I feel (perhaps being paranoid?) a bit concerned that others could easily infiltrate weaknesses given that bugs are likely to be posted on their forum (speaking of which, there seems to be a LOT of activity on their forum ie several people with tech problems each day; again this seems a bit disconcerting).
One question I do have if any of you can answer, is whether site owners using software like Magento can retrieve the site and all modifications via the live version or a general backup on the hosting - ie doesn't the fact that it's software on your computer leave you vulnerable to something happening to that hardware?
More generally, I'd appreciate any thoughts on which way to go. Ideally I'd go with an on-demand service rather than the downloadable software; however other than ekm (which I'm not overly impressed with) I can't really find any UK ones that seem to stick out as having a decent track record.
Thanks in advance!
Denis Kondopoulos
Technical Project Manager (MBA, MBCS, CITP, CEng) at Naxtech.com
08 October 2008 09:37am
Hi Frances,
I could not agree with you more. Actinic and the like are too hard to use and other similar packages are either too expensive or do not have the functionality or are too big, etc etc. ...which is why we worked on our own type of solution, based on a 3rd party engine.
I would not like to give out the details here in public but if you contact me I'd be happy to show you a demo version of what we have so that you can see whether this is the sort of thing you're looking for. And if it is, great. If not, at least it may give you some food for thought.
www.naxtech.com -
Dear Frances,
I would stear clear of Atinic - seen too many people have problems with the way it works.
We are a Magento partner based in the UK, with our own hosting solution, so we could offer you a UK based Magento solution if you are interested. Taken you existing design and moving to Magento shoudl be possible - but would need to see the existing site in order to confirm. Magento does have search engine friendly URLs and a very active release schdule, with bugs and issues being addressed quickly.
In answer to your question you can backup any install of Magento to gaurd against disaster.
I would also have a look at the e-Consultancy Ecommerce Buyers Guide if you haven't already!
Hope this helps,
Thanks. Like I say, I think Magento looks great. However on digging a bit there are various complaints about it, to the effect that the code is riddled with bugs and still pretty much in beta mode.
Also again, I've seen no evidence to suggest that it's standards compliant. I really have to ensure that my site does comply with all current regs and standards.
I perhaps should've mentioned the budget range I'm looking at - obviously as cheap as possible, but the quotes I've been getting are generally up to about £5000. Interestingly different Actinic resellers gave me quotes with a variance of £2000 on each other :)
In regards to the Magento bugs, all the major issues have been addressed (in particular the speed) and there are regular resleases (currently on 1.1.6 released on the 17th September).
The heavy reliance on javascript does cause a problem with accessiblity and some issues with standards compliance, Whether this is a problem or not depends on your reasons for wanting to be standards compliant. And the use of javascript does provide some advantages in terms of usability.
These issues could be addressed when developing a bespoke theme... and with the features that Magento offers out the box the positives out way the negatives (in my view) - there will be draw backs with any system you choose.
Budget wise it might be possible - would need to see the design of the site - however it would be at the high end...
I would be happy to discuss your concerns if you wish...
Thanks for your comments. To be honest I would expect accessibility etc to be standard now, given Google's view on it and the legal obligations website owners have.
I'm not a developer, just a site owner, but I understand that CSS is better than java for being standards compliant?
On a related point, I presume that the more any software would have to be tweaked, the more difficult it'd be to update with patches and other releases?
My site if you need to put this into context is Aspiration Jewellery (.co.uk).
On 14:19:50 8 October 2008 mslocock wrote:
In regards to the Magento bugs, all the major issues have been addressed (in particular the speed) and there are regular resleases (currently on 1.1.6 released on the 17th September).
The heavy reliance on javascript does cause a problem with accessiblity and some issues with standards compliance, Whether this is a problem or not depends on your reasons for wanting to be standards compliant. And the use of javascript does provide some advantages in terms of usability.
These issues could be addressed when developing a bespoke theme... and with the features that Magento offers out the box the positives out way the negatives (in my view) - there will be draw backs with any system you choose.
Budget wise it might be possible - would need to see the design of the site - however it would be at the high end...
I would be happy to discuss your concerns if you wish...
I agree that accessibility should be a given but unfortunately it is still an issue for a large number of websites.
In Magento's case the issue is with the themes (the frontend) not the the code. The issue is that the checkout doesn't work without JavaScript, which is likely to casue a probelm for screen readers. It would not be a problem for Search Engine Optimisation because all the content of the site is properly accessible.
The legal issue is a grey area as the Act states you have to make a reasonable effort (see the rnib website), but does not say what reasonalbe is... it is of course best practice to be accessible.
Having looked at your design I suggest that a few tweaks would be advantageous so that you could make use of any features offered by what ever system you end up using. In Magento's case an example would be layered navigation.
I hope this is of some help!
All the best,
We had a look at Magento a while back and have kept a close eye on it as it certainly looks like a better option than the other free open source candidates like osCommerce. I'd still say there are some big enough issues to avoid it for a serious production site unless you have budget for ongoing development available.
The gloss soon comes off when you start trying to run anything other than out-of-the-box designs which are a bit of a nightmare. There are some lovely sites built on it now but the development costs for the front-end are still way too high.
If it's more functionality you are after, you might be better off going for something more bespoke. We're already building sites with almost identical product comparison features which is the only useful front-end feature I could seee.
We have a solution - ShineEcommerce - which is built on a .Net platform which we then extend in whatever direction our clients need. For example we often build 'wizard' screens for adding complex products in bulk. If you've ever tried adding smething like shoes in 12 sizes into Magento you'll realise the time savings this gives you.
Designs are always 100% bespoke - although we can re-use the look and feel of your existing site if you want to avoid the 'creative' stage of design.
The sites are all hosted on Rackspace servers in the UK and we place emphasis on accessibility albeit driven by SEO rather than any legal requirements.
The checkouts might not lok as 'sexy' as Magento, but we've doubled the conversion rates of most of the clients we've worked with to date.
Drop me a note if you want to discuss it further?
JSUnderwear is one of the underwear manufacturer in China.
Main products we supply:Baby bib,romper,tee and sleepsuit;
Kids underwear (top,bottom);
Men's brief,boxer and t-shirt;
Women's brief,thong,camisole,vest and nightwear;
Maternity brief.
Main fabric we use:
100%cotton 125-160gsm
95%cotton 5%elastane 160-180gsm
100%interlock cotton 180-220gsm (mainly for infant garments)
50%model 50%cotton , 100%organic Cotton, 95%bamboo 5%elastane fabric
Contact Informaiton:EMail:email@example.com Skype:jsunderwear
I have read through your post and the responses that others have sent you, it would seem you find yourself in a position that many online retailers find themselves. Wanting to ensure that the next eCommerce platform you implement is one that will give you the best ROI and is scalable to grow with your company.
What we offer is a different approach to eCommerce providers, we are a team of Consultants who offer 100% impartial & independent advice on all aspects of eCommerce, covering website planning, platform & agency selection, web project management & sales optimisation.
We offer the 1st hours consultation for free with no obligation, so if you would like an informal chat about what to do next please call me.
Dan Hinchliffe
Tel: 01872 561028
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
web: www.net-insight.co.uk


text:
The Mac that time forgot
Mon, 04 Mar 2013
Apple is, for the moment at least, no longer selling the Mac Pro in Europe. Is Apple annoyed with us for still buying BlackBerries or siding with Samsung in the courts? No, it's because an amendment to the IEC 60950-1 regulation increases requirements around electrical port protection and the fan guards in the system.
That's almost as boring as the Mac Pro itself. Boring? The mighty Mac Pro? How so? See: Mac Pro review
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Can Microsoft kill the iPhone?
Thu, 10 Jan 2013
Can Microsoft kill the iPhone? Let me answer that with another question. Why did we stop asking if Google can kill the iPhone? Because it found a niche of its own. For all the lawsuits and talk of thermonuclear war, Apple and Google know that this town is big enough for the both of us.
But while Google's Android platform sits (fairly) neatly alongside the iPhone, fans of both are left wondering aloud: what exactly is the point of Windows Phone 8?
Macworld Team | Matt Egan | Read more...
Apple's bad cable manners
Wed, 09 Jan 2013
After an 18-month wait Apple is finally shipping a new range of iMacs, and very nice they are, too. I bought one of the 27-inch iMacs because our home iMac bores the pants off me when it tries to handle a few hungry Adobe programs and bad-boy iPhoto at the same time. See: Apple iMac (27-inch and 21.5-inch) review (Late 2012)
First you get the excitement of unpacking, setting and backing up, and finally migrating all that data from your old Mac to the shiny new Mac.
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Stephen Wildstrom - Microsoft's Surface is great news for us all
Sun, 16 Dec 2012
For the past two and a half years, the iPad has ruled the world of tablets. But with the entry of Microsoft into the fray – including the Surface and an assortment of third-party Windows 8 and RT tablets – the business is about to get a lot more interesting.
I start from a simple premise: that only competition keeps the tech business driving forward and that, in the absence of effective competition, products stultify.
Macworld Team | Stephen Wildstrom | Read more...
Trending: Name your children after Apple products
Fri, 30 Nov 2012
Now that Apple products are mainstream Apple fanboys have been joined by Apple fangirls, and they're having babies. How do we know they're Apple fanatics? They're naming their kids after Apple products.
US pregnancy and parenting website BabyCenter has revealed 2012's most popular baby names. The name Apple for girls climbed a total of 585 spots in the most popular list this year, a rise of 15 percent. See also: Apple A-Z
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Craig Grannell - The Guessing Game
Sat, 13 Oct 2012
Analysts don't deserve that title, nor not being catapulted out of the window, argues Craig Grannell
There's a painful inevitability before and after Apple releases a new product that is mirrored in a crushingly depressing manner at almost every waking moment between Apple releasing said new products. I call this the 'curse of the guesser'. From news reports, you might know guessers as analysts, but I think that term's too kind for the vast majority of these cursemongers.
Macworld Team | Craig Grannell | Read more...
Andy Ihnatko - Why BBEdit rules
Thu, 11 Oct 2012
Let me run through a list of things that I've recently used BBEdit for.
1. I'm continuing to develop my website. But I'm kind of a dope, meaning that every working scrap of CSS and PHP that I write is the result of trial and error. So I use BBEdit as my code editor: It lets me edit my site's files directly on the server; it previews everything in place; and when I'm about to move on to the next line without fixing an unbalanced bracket, the app gently coughs and points, rather than making me feel like an idiot.
Macworld Team | Andy Ihnatko | Read more...
Simon Jary - Apple's stainless stealing
Mon, 20 Aug 2012
Everyone's always copying Apple. We know this because Apple is forever suing other companies and sometimes even children who dare to infringe on its copyrights. Don't get me wrong… the company is completely within its rights to protect its intellectual property. But the whole industry spending more time in courts than in research labs is getting beyond a joke.
Apple clearly has the best designers in the tech business, and so it's ripe for others to take a long look and start selling their own versions of its products. Whether that's Microsoft with the Mac OS or Samsung with the iPad Apple's competitors just can't help themselves copying rather than coming up with something original themselves, it seems.
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Alec Meer - Batman is not the answer
Thu, 09 Aug 2012
The front page of the App Store is the easiest way to find new iOS games - but you're only selling yourself short if you settle for all those naff movie adaptations and remakes.
Games have forever been bought in droves based on what's on the cover of the box, but with the move to mobile it's no longer a matter of a browsing the top 40 shelves at Woolworths (God rest its reasonably-priced soul). The App Store may be many wonderful things, but a separator of wheat from chaff it is not. Flicking through its charts or its featured titles entails being advertised to, and your biases as a consumer being coolly appealed to.
Macworld Team | Alec Meer | Read more...
Lex Friedman - A False Choice
Mon, 06 Aug 2012
Like his predecessor, Apple CEO Tim Cook occasionally invokes the idea that we're living in a post-PC world: one in which, for many people, the iPad is enough of a computer that they don't need an actual PC. In the same vein, friends and family often ask me whether they could get by with "just an iPad" instead of buying a new laptop.
You're likely to have your own take on this question. But to me, what makes the iPad vs PC question really interesting is the fact that people ask it in the first place.
Macworld Team | Lex Friedman | Read more...
Philip Michaels - Apple's ads preach to new customers, not the choir
Thu, 02 Aug 2012
About six years ago, Apple rolled out an ad campaign featuring Justin Long and John Hodgman doing their best imitation of an old-timey comedy team. The "Get a Mac" campaign—where Long played the titular Mac, with Hodgman as his bumbling PC counterpart—would run for another three years and some 66 installments, and, in the process, garner some ad-industry awards and join the stable of iconic Apple advertisements that the company's become famous for in the past three decades.
And I really didn't much care for the ads.
Macworld Team | Philip Michaels | Read more...
70% off Readdle apps for 48 hours
Wed, 01 Aug 2012
Readdle is five years old today, and to celebrate they are offering 70% of their App Store apps.
The sale starts today and will last for 48 hours.
Armando Rodriguez - The end of do it yourself
Thu, 26 Jul 2012
Once upon a time, if something broke, you could fix it yourself. Most gadgets were easy to take apart, and a trip to the local Radio Shack or computer specialty store was all you needed to get your computer or television back into tip-top shape. But, as the years have gone by, it's become harder and harder to get into the gizmos you own, and repairing them now requires you to purchase special parts and tools from overseas. Even then, only a few parts can be swapped out, and of course you void your warranty.
Cell phones, tablets, and laptops—the items most likely to become damaged because they are carried everywhere—are the biggest offenders. It makes sense that you'd need a special tool or kit to replace a cracked screen, but why should I have to send away my laptop in order to upgrade the hard drive? Why should I have to be without my phone or tablet for a week while the battery is replaced because it will no longer hold a charge? Not all devices are like this, but the latest and greatest phones, laptops, and tablets of the last year (like the latest MacBook Air) have been composed largely of unopenable hunks of plastic and metal.
Macworld Team | Armando Rodriguez | Read more...
Karen Haslam - iPhones just can't take the heat
Tue, 24 Jul 2012
Just in time for the Olympics, it's finally hot in the UK (for those of you reading this from the US, we've been having the wettest summer and spring in forever, and we know you are in the middle of the worst ever heatwave…)
A few of us have been winging about the heat (nobody is ever happy with the weather). It seems that iPhones are also complaining. We've just heard from a reader who's iPhone is requesting that he lets it cool down.
Christopher Breen - Go outside and play
Mon, 16 Jul 2012
In this month's How To section, I write about how to configure an old iPad for a child. While I hope most readers will react positively to that story, I also expect a few will insist that exposing a child to an iPad will lead to a machine-dependent future devoid of fresh air and human interaction.
We can all agree that spending 18 hours a day glued to any one thing – a social network or an online game – is the sign of a problem. But in my daughter's case at least, I'd argue that iOS devices have enhanced her life.
Macworld Team | Christopher Breen | Read more...
Simon Jary - Apple vs Microsoft – it's back on
Fri, 13 Jul 2012
With the announcement that Microsoft is to launch its own iPad-killing tablet, the tech world is thrilled at the prospect of a rekindled war between old enemies. Apple versus Microsoft is the classic tech battle. Microsoft is Apple's Moriarty. The two tech giants are almost mirror images of themselves – Microsoft forever the evil copyist, Apple the plucky innovator.
In the beginning Apple and Microsoft were bosom buddies. Bill Gates was pretty enamoured of the Mac: "To create a new standard, it takes something that's not just a little bit different. It takes something that's really new and really captures people's imagination and the Mac, of all the machines I've ever seen, is the only one that meets that standard."
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Simon Jary - Zugzwang and other Apple Zs
Thu, 12 Jul 2012
Concluding my 26-letter A-Z compendium of all things Apple
Apple has always been too cool to be wacky or zany. Look at dull old Microsoft – it tries to be zany every now and again, with cringeworthy results. Steve Jobs appeared the very opposite of zany, although not deathly dull like his successors John Sculley, Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio. Steve was cool, not fool.
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Simon Jary - Apple's dodgy Y chromosome
Wed, 11 Jul 2012
Nearing the end of my 26-letter, non-stop A-Z compendium of all things Apple
Steve Jobs didn't seem the ostentatious sort. Indeed he lived for a long time in a house with practically no furniture, let alone a gold-lined Jacuzzi. For his last 20 years he lived modestly with his family in a simple country house in Palo Alto. Nicer than your house, yes, but not somewhere Donald Trump would feel at home.
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Simon Jary - Apple's X Factor Talent Show
Tue, 10 Jul 2012
Continuing my 26-letter, non-stop A-Z compendium of all things Apple
Apple had been planning to completely rewrite its Mac operating system since 1987, and had got itself in a right old mess with a project called Copeland that was about as successful as a North Korean rocket launch.
Macworld Team | Simon Jary | Read more...
Karen Haslam - Apple's grammatical mistake in product name shocker
Wed, 27 Jun 2012
Apple has made a serious gramatical error in the naming of its products [irony], as one reader has gone to great lengths to point out to us.
Who'd have thought a simple story about Apple's MacBook Pro with Retina Display could offend a Macworld reader so greatly.
Macworld Team | Karen Haslam | Read more...


text:
$95.00 Enroll Now!
Find out how to market your business on the Internet, even if you have little or no money to spend! In this practical, hands-on course, you'll discover proven methods that will help you establish an Internet presence and build an online brand identity. You'll learn how search engine optimization (SEO) works and how to track your site's performance using Web analytics. You'll understand how to use online advertising, email marketing, and social media (including blogs) to drive business to your Web site. Finally, you'll learn how to keep your visitors coming back again and again! Throughout the course, you'll learn to think strategically about marketing your website, products, and services using Internet technologies. You'll explore how to use an Internet marketing checklist and other tools and materials to develop a sound online business strategy. Before you know it, you'll have the skills and knowledge you need to develop a winning Internet marketing plan for your own business.
This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Lisa Adams.
Lisa Adams is a Web development expert specializing in marketing, user experience, and e-commerce. In addition to building and maintaining hundreds of Web sites, Lisa has helped a wide variety of clients and students to create their own sites and modify existing ones to make them more attractive and user-friendly.


text:
How did MoP changes(pvp wise) get past alpha?
Something for everyone. Nothing for someone.
Fantastic! I love the atmosphere, and how much you can do. Dailies are a burden.
There are finally tons of things for me to do each day just as I entered a point in my life where I don't have enough time to do a bunch of things each day.
My Youtube Channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/jtbrig7390/featured
My Computer Spec Is|Motherboard: Foxconn A74GA|Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit|Processor: AMD Athlon(TM) II X2 B22 Processor 2.80ghz|RAM: 6GB DDR3 PC3-10600|Video Card: XFX 7750 Core Edition 1GB DDR5|Resolution: 1280 x 720.
Attention to Detail
The establishment too is relatively happy when different groups of desperate people point the finger at each other because it prevents blame being correctly directed at them. Whenever we are looking for the solution to a problem we must identify who has power. By power I mean influence and money. The answer is not for us to move further from one another, crouched in opposing fortresses constructed from vindictive words. We need now to move closer to one another, to understand one another.
There are stuff i like, and stuff i dont like. This is WoW, and ive enjoyed the game since Vanilla, and i still do. Great expansion aswell, like they all have been
Main(s): Eha sham and Hunter. Alts: Mage / Every other class, all are 90 (Used for professions only)
Besides the daily grind, its GOOD.
Reset Arena Ratings after 5.1 and I will be happier since when can a bugged class be "fine" for 3 weeks with arenas open
With account-wide mounts, pets, and achievements, I expected 4.3s alt friendliness on steroids; what I got was a massive pile of grindfest.
Further explanation:
LFR has been a nightmare for me. A lot of mechanics people just don't seem to be getting and causing wipes again and again is getting old.
VP cap taking a lot of time to reach is frustrating. Beyond that, having to rep up four factions @ about 1250 rep a day (except for Lotus, which is significantly more) on my alts to use the damn currency is even worse.
"Just what WoW needed"
"... I don't want you to play me a riff that's going to impress Joe Satriani; give me a riff that makes a kid want to go out and buy a guitar and learn to play ..." - Ozzy Osbourne
very boring.
Terrible, because it's just a filler expansion with no real story.
If you complain about dailies, you can't manage your time well.
But anyway, my sentence would be;
Half the lore is awesome, half of it is shit.
Garrosh is such a fucking pancake, seriously. Goddam blizzard caving to people hating on him, they could have just continued with the redemption story they set up for him as opposed to Sha-ing him up.
On the flip side, the Mantid, the Sha, and everything surrounding this Y'rshaaj lad is extremely interesting. So is most of the pandaren lore, but my problem with the panda lore is that its all about the past, no current pandaren is DOING ANYTHING.
Xothic - Prot Paladin - Expired at the end of 5.1, returned start of 5.4.
A meal at panda express.
This expansion is so fun, its delicious. Just like Panda express! Cataclysm was pretty boring. To me, this expac is like a mix of TBC and Wrath, which were my 2 favorite eras of WoW. To be honest, I like the dailies. Makes the game feel more active, and you feel like you're playing a game. I'd rather do dailies than to sit in the city all day. A lot more as well. I also love the atmosphere and the music.