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Former Law School Dean
Pamela B. Gann
The Gann Tax Alcove houses the Thigpen Tax Collection, which contains much of the library's current print resources on federal taxation. (Additional treatises on taxation can be found in the General Collection.) The Tax Alcove contains seminal tax treatises, the looseleaf services Federal Tax Coordinator 2d and United States Tax Reporter, Shepard's Federal Tax Citations, and various Internal Revenue Service publications from official and commercial sources.
The Tax Alcove is named for former Professor and Dean Pamela B. Gann, who led the Duke Law School from 1988-1999. From 1999 to 2013, Ms. Gann served as the president of Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. President Emerita Gann is now Claremont McKenna's Trustee Professor of Legal Studies and George R. Roberts Fellow and Senior Fellow of the Kravis Leadership Institute.
The Tax Collection is named for alumnus Richard Elton Thigpen Sr. (Trinity College 1923), a former trustee of Duke University (1953-1973). Mr. Thigpen worked as a senior attorney with the U.S. Board of Tax Appeals and later established his own tax practice in Charlotte. He died in 2002 at the age of 102.
[Source: Eric Frazier, Richard Thigpen, Champion of Law, Education, Dies - 102-Year-Old Served on School Board, was Charlotte Tax Lawyer, Charlotte Observer (NC), Dec. 29, 2002]
The Gann Tax Alcove and Thigpen Tax Collection can be found on Level 2 of the library. View level 2 map and description


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Durban - Many of South Africa's maths teachers were bunking class because they were unsure how to teach primary school numeracy, a study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has found.
The study also found that principals did not consider having unmanned chalk boards a big deal, and that often teachers left their classrooms to attend union and Education Department meetings.
While high teacher absenteeism in South Africa is well known, what makes this study significant is that it gives some understanding of its causes for the first time.
The study involved academics from the HSRC, Stanford University in the US, and the University of Botswana. The researchers scrutinised pupils' notebooks, video-documented lessons and administering tests and questionnaires to pupils and teachers in 2009 and made public a report last year.
Noting earlier studies which showed that local children fared poorly when pitted against those from other African countries, it compared the maths performance of 5 500 Grade 6 pupils from Botswana to the North-West.
Despite their very different political histories, the governments of both countries spent similar money on education, and had similar education policies. They found a "culture of inefficiency" to be pervasive in the North West schools, with a staggering 60 percent of the scheduled lessons untaught.
In Botswana, this was the case in 40 percent of schools.
The study said that in Grade 6, how well a child did could be directly associated with the quality of their teachers.
The report concluded that most schools in South Africa had organised themselves "to produce something that is not pupil achievement", which was a "shocking wake-up call".
On Tuesday, the HSRC's Professor Linda Chisholm said the research pointed the finger largely at union and department meetings for teacher absenteeism.
"But teachers also confessed… that they would often just go and hang out in the staff room because they felt unconfident of their knowledge," she said.
Chisholm said there was a culture in South Africa, as in the US, that celebrated the right of the individual to do as they pleased.
"When schools function properly, the log book will be monitored and the principal and school governing body will take steps to deal with teachers who are regularly absent," she said.
KwaZulu-Natal Education Department head Nkosinathi Sishi said that citing a poor grasp of the curriculum as a reason for not showing up to class, was a "lame excuse".
Since 2009, Sishi said his officials had clamped down on teacher absenteeism, and that the proof was in the province's improved 2012 matric results.
The national general secretary of the SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu), Mugwena Maluleke, said "some" absenteeism could be explained. Sadtu's leadership has proclaimed its commitment to "bringing back professionalism", and Maluleke believed teachers were demonstrating that by teaching after hours to get the job done.
Maluleke said that when Sadtu held teacher development programmes, it applied to the department, which assessed the impact of the absence.
He said that on occasion it was also necessary to have teachers leave school early to be consulted on a bargaining mandate "to avoid industrial action".
Anthony Pierce, the KwaZulu-Natal head of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA (Naptosa), said his union was running curriculum content workshops for teachers on Saturdays. Naptosa would only call its members out of class in exceptional cases, he said.
From the 2012 Annual National Assessments, it emerged that the country's Grade 6 pupils could manage an average of just 27 percent for maths.
KwaZulu-Natal's Grade 6 pupils averaged 28 percent.
The Mercury

subset: commoncrawl


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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Deliberative Analysis, RIP
2 comments:
- AnonymousNovember 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Very nice piece. I can just see Keith Oblerman now spewing volcanic vitriol at you because you have been brainwashed by Dick Cheney and Karl Rove.ReplyDelete
Can you just imagine what would be going on on the front page of every liberal newspaper if George Bush was still President?
Bush is killing little children by withholding swine flu vaccine! But nothing about the Obama administrations incompetence. Where is the vaccine? Why are people dying left and right? More than Katrina and lots of kids. Why does Obama get off Scott free.
Because with the left, the end justifies the means. They preach tolerance and spew hatred. They think they are so smart yet they cannot debate an idea without talking points or a teleprompter.
I look forward to more of your columns. In the arena of ideas, conservitism is the only philosophy that has depth and weight. Natural law is real.
I saw this and responded in a post at Tea Party Nation, I thought I recognized the name!ReplyDelete
Deliberate Omission of the Deliberative Process
Hide the ugly truth as long as possible behind closed doors... and then quickly make it law.
Quite a trick if you can pull it off, and evidently it is the way it is now done.
Helps to have a dutiful public opinion monopoly to help one attack any opposition to this new way of doing the people in.
Deliberative Analysis, RIP lists the main methods of attacks.
The deflection game=attack all opposition to your diabolical schemes as "special interests" while the "extra special interests" line up to sign up for their deals.
Laws fabricated in this manner are expected to be obeyed same as any real law passed.
Now we are really starting to understand how this " fundamental transformational change" works.
I believe in free speech, including offensive speech, and especially political speech. Comments that are left on my blog do not necessarily represent my views nor do I necessarily endorse them. I am not responsible for other people's views or comments. That is how the 1st Amendment works.


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We have developed a superresolution vibrational imaging method by simultaneous detection of Raman and hyper-Raman scattering. Raman and hyper-Raman images obtained with the same laser spot carry independent information on the sample spatial distribution, owing to different signal dependence (linear in Raman and quadratic in hyper-Raman) on the incident light intensity. This information can be quantitatively analyzed to recover the incident light intensity distribution at the focal plane. A superresolution vibrational image is then derived by the constrained deconvolution of the images by the obtained incident light intensity distribution. This method has been applied to a nanostructure and the obtained superresolution image was compared with a scanning electron microscopy image. The spatial resolution achieved by the present method is evaluated to be , which is more than twice better than the diffraction limited resolution.
© 2011 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
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Troubled and Abusive Relationships Forum
Confessions of an Abuser
Physical, emotional,mental
husband started becoming abusive
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Troubled and Abusive Relationships
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Fresh Start: Confessions of a Bulimic
Am I 100% at fault here?
Yes, but she is too
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Total Votes : 2
February 22nd, 2012
Ok here goes...I'm 99% sure I'm an abuser but I have my doubts based on some of the things I think about.
Background: I went on an online website for adult friends when I was 20 (I'm 25 now). I met a lady who was 35. We talked for a few months before I finally met her. We did have sex the first night. We continued to meet about once a week. She was still living in her house with her ex-husband while trying to sell their house after the divorce. A few months later she confided in me that her husband threatens to kill her sometimes and she was scared. I offered to help her by putting her in an apartment.
We began dating and realized we really liked each other. I moved in with her about 6 months after dating her. During this time I was recovering from a bad back injury and she was beginning to have emotional problems from her recent divorce. She did tell me one time she thought she would need space for several months and wanted me to leave. We talked about it and decided I would stay but that we weren't a committed couple and that we would share bills.
Life kept moving on and we did have some problems. She was not very good with her finances and tend to not pay bills or inofmr me she paid the bills. Many times I would have to open the mail to find out a bill had not been paid. If I confronted her she always had an excuse. It angered me after this problem occurred every month. We started fighting more and more about finances. I admit I would begin to lose my cool more and more. We had more shouting matches, no physical violence or anything ...yet. We also began having problems with our sex life. She would tease me throughout the day and be flirty through texts and when we talked on the phone and then when we came home she'd act like nothing ever was said or as if I had no recourse for my desire being ramped up. Sometimes we would fight about it and I do feel this is wrong now as it is not right to assume she wanted to have sex or maybe she really felt too tired once she came home.
We moved into another apartment in 2009. She insisted my name not be on the lease. I admit during this time I was online talking to women on the same site I met her. In a really bad decision I went to her and asked if I could date another woman. She said ?Yes and even encouraged the idea. After I met and sex sex with this woman she was very distraught. But, she wanted to meet the woman and we ended up having a three way with her. I hated th eexperience and would never do this again. She blamed me and held it over my head for the rest of our relationship. A few months later she cheated on me and never told me about it. I didnt find out uintil several years later. I also began having an internet porn addiction. We became emotionally distant and we constantly fought and would have a lot of money troubles. I was alays bailing her out of her bills or picking up more than I needed to. We lived there for 2 years and there was still not physical violence. During this time she had lost a job and began working at a job way below her monetary means. I would lose my cool with her a lot sometimes for little things and we still fought about sex, money, and all the things people shouldn't fight about. I did much more of the yelling and name calling. Every now and then I would break an item in the apartment like a candle or a tea glass. Never threw anything at her or hit her though. I did feel like she would push my buttons all the time and like I never get a concrete answer from her.
In 2011 we moved into a house we leased (had to have my name on it for us to be approved). I began nursing school during this time. We continued to fight over all the same things. I had also been helping her with weight loss the past few years and she had lost 80 lbs but she began to quit doing her exercise routine. She always told me I was emotionally abusing her because hwne we'd fight I call her names and would be very angry and scream over her. Also during this time my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and I was having to help him all the time with his surgeries and recovery. I was still talking to women online and looking at porn. About July 2011 things exploded. We had a money issue again she hid from me and I completely lost it.
We had a major fight and she threatened to call the police. I grabbed her cell phone and warned her not to come after me. She grabbed my arm and I threw her on the floor, restrained her by putting my body weight on top of her and screamed into her ear. After a few minutes I let her up and I smashed her phone against the wall. She ran out of the house presumably to the police station. I waited but nobodyy came so I went to my Dad's house. I came back later that night but she wasnt there. I waited until she came home and then I questioned her if she had the condom she always kept in her purse. She couldnt find it and I assumed she just went out and had sex. I was mad so I went back to my Dad's house and I invited a woman over who had always wanted to sleep with me. We had sex that night and I admit I did it purely because I was angry and wanted to get back at her. It was wrong. I told her I did this 3 days later. She said she could never fogive me and how could I do this. She confessed a month later she had cheated on me aa few years ago., This made me really angry because she id it from me for so long. I went back to talking to women online again and we continued to stay together but we fought a lot. Thanksgiving 2011 se even went to her families by herself. I admit I lost my cool and called and texted her the whole time she was there because I felt very hurt. It was wrong.
When she came back we made a pact top have a fresh start. I wouldnt yell or scream or be violent and she would not push my buttons and try to be more concrete in her commnunication. We did good for a little while and then slowly slipped back into being angry all the time at each other. We had another blow up a few weeks ago. Here is what happened:
We took my father out for his birthday. First time she had ever met him. Had a good night. Watched the superbowl with him the next day. Had a good night. Then Monday night following the superbowl we were watching T.V> about 9pm at night and I was about to fall asleep when she asked me why I was giving her the silent treatment. I asked her what she wanted to talk about and she would not respond. I asked her again and no response. Said I would go to sleep now. Then my cell phone began to ring. She grabbed it from underneath my hand and answered it. IT was a lady calling about my moms car we were selling. She told her we already sold it and hung up. I asked her why she did that. She said,"You know why". This sparked off an all night and all morning fight. I admit I should've stopped but we kept fighting all night and all morning. I realize now she may have been referencing the fact I was looking at porn and not telling her. I was not talking to women anymore onlin. Tuesday during the day we sort of made up. But Tuesday night she came after me again. This time I yelled at her to go to bed and leave me alone. I selpt on the couch. During the day Wednesday we didnt make up but we didnt fight much. Then Wednesday night she began bringing up every hot topic issue in our relationship. I told her to leave me alone. Say something good to me or leave me the hell alone. She wouldnt. I finally lost my cool agai nand she began to pack up as if to leave. I felt she was being dramatic. I stood in herway in the bedroom and demanded she talked to me. She just kept saying I had no right to restrain her. She began waving her phone in my face and threatening to call the police. I grabbed her phone, she grabbed my arm and we fell onto the bed together. I got the phone out of her hand and she ran to the bedroom window. She opened it up and started screaming HELP HELP ABUSE ABUSE ABUSE. She screamed for a long time and I did nothing. I just stood there sort of dumbfounded. Shethen tried to crawl out the window! At this point I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back in. I calmly handed her phone back to her. I went and got my house keys. Handed her my house keys. I began packing up and putting my clothes in my car. It was about midnight. She came in and sat on the sectional. She said you SOB, I'm going to charge you with assault and slap a rrestraining order on you. I felt I hadn't really abused her at this point so I called the police. They came over and didn't find any cause to arrest me. So I left for the night. We began areguing by text througjout the day Thursday. She threatened the restraining order again if I didn't leave her alone. So I left her alone. She still went and got the restraining order.
The next 2 weeks were hell. We remained in constant contact. She feigned sometimes to want to work things out. Other times saying I put my hands on her and she will never allow it again. At the courtroom she threatened to prosecute me if I didn't sign the order of consent. Becuase I had contacted her repeatedly it didnt matter if she contacted me or not. She even admitted she only talked to me to build the case I was stalking her so she could get this order.
I had no choice but to sign the consent and she signed a form saying she wouldnt prosecute me. Now we have a one year permanent restraining order that automatically renews in a year.
I know I definitely lose my temper more than I should. The restraining and taking of the phone was wrong. But I feel like these consequences are way above and beyond what was needed. We could've just broke up, she could've just left, changed her number or whatever. It doesn't excuse my behavior but I feel like she has abused the system. She even admits she doesn't think I'm a true physical threat to her.
Could use some thoughts on this. Tell me the brutal honest truth about myself. I do feel she is highly manipulative. I gave her a lot of money over our relationship. I shared my bank account, credit card, and named her beneficiary to aqll my property. She never did the same for me.
I definitely need to seek counseling as an abuser but I also feel abused and controlled in this relationship. Please help. I do love her and I will find it very difficult to not contact her over this next year. But if I do I will be prosecuted and lose my career so I think I can persist.
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I changed my mind
replied February 22nd, 2012
Experienced User
I wouldn't classify you as an abuser as such. As someone who can't control his temper? Yes.
Undoubtedly there was a tonne of provocation and you were both to blame for creating, and persisting with, such a volatile and adversarial relationship. Having read through your story I can't believe that you kept going for so long. You should have ended it a long time before you did, because the relationship was clearly toxic and was making neither of you happy.
I think that this restraining order is a blessing in disguise because it forces the two of you apart. Hopefully you can both move on with your lives and learn from the experience that you've had.
Seek help for your anger, perhaps, if you feel that it gets out of control. Other than that, stay away from her and focus on building a life and possibly a relationship that you can be proud of.
You say that you still love this woman but there was little evidence of love in this relationship from either side. Love brings people together, it doesn't tear them apart and it doesn't seem them working against each other on the majority of occasions.
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I changed my mind
replied April 1st, 2012
nothing but the truth
seems to me life is way too short and there are too many "fish in the sea" to stay in a relationship where all yall did was make each other miserable....i doubt if u really love her so much as maybe an addiction to being in a "whirlwind" relationship and addicted to the drama it caused. Move on and next time get to know someone better before u move in together. seems to me she used men to foot her bills and have a place to live...she went directly from her husband to u and even tried to tell u that her husband was abusive....not sure if u realized it but that seems to be a pattern with her. she was obviously using you and she isnt worth doing jail time or losing your career over
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I changed my mind
replied September 2nd, 2013
Yes, you are an abuser. Read Lundy Bancroft's book "Why Does He Do That?" You are a textbook abuser.
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Sanguisuga medicinalis (L.) Carena, Hirudinidae: See Hirudo medicinalis L.
Henriette's herbal is one of the oldest and largest herbal medicine sites on the net. It's been online since 1995, and is run by Henriette Kress, a herbalist in Helsinki, Finland.
Plant Healer Magazine: Very relevant to the practitioner.
http://www.henriettes-herb.com - Copyright 1995–2017 Henriette Kress.


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Score a FREE bottle of Advil Film-Coated tablets or caplets this week after rebate! The rebate is valid for up to $5 back on the purchase of Advil Film-Coated, 20 count tablets or caplets. The offer specifies it is only valid on the Film-Coated Advil (in the white box). Purchase must be made by 3/15/15. Rebate must be postmarked by 4/12/15. Allow 6 - 8 weeks for the check to be mailed. See the rebate form for all the details.
Published: 2015-03-07 15:28:00
Updated: 2015-03-07 15:28:00


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-- Emma Yutzy, 74, 15028 Old Lincolnway, died Thursday morning, May 6, 1999, at Doctors Hospital in Massillon.
Graveside services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Wooster Cemetery, with the Rev. William Valentine officiating.
There will be no calling hours. McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home in Wooster, is handling arrangements.
Surviving are brothers, Elvin Yutzy of Wooster and Alvin Yutzy of Killbuck.


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A searchlight is shaped like a paraboloid of revolution, where its light source is located 2ft from base along the axis of symmetry and its opening is 5ft across. How deep should searchlight be?
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1 Answer
To solve this problem, you must first figure out the best way to attack the problem.
Parabolas have many forms in terms of their equations, and each form is useful in different situations. Considering that the light source in a parabolic light will be situated at the focus (because the reflected light ray will go outward in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation), we should use a parabola equation that involves the focus. I would suggest the following form:
`y = 1/(4p) (x-h)^2 + k`
Here, `(h,k)` is the vertex or base of the parabola and `p` is the distance from the vertex to the focus. We are given this distance, so we can already set `p = 2`:
`y = 1/8(x-h)^2 + k`
Considering that we haven't been given a coordinate system to work with, we can define one however we please! Let's make this simple and define it so that our vertex is at the origin, giving us our final parabola equation:
`y = 1/8x^2`
Here is a graph to better visualize:
Now to calculate the depth, we need to use the second parameter given in the problem: that the parabola is 5 feet across. Considering our coordinate system, this means that we are looking for the `y` at the `x`-values `+-2.5`, seen here:
If you are having trouble with this concept, convince yourself that the the line segment from `(-2.5, y)` to `(2.5,y)` is horizontal and has a length of 5 using the distance and slope formulas.
Now, we simply need to solve for the `y`, which will give us the total depth of the reflective dish:
`y = 1/8(2.5)^2`
`y = 1/8(6.25) ~~ 0.78`
Therefore, our reflective dish has a depth of 0.78 ft.


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Hello fellow creators, media absorbers, and consumers!
I, Scrappo, the adorable cartoon robot dog, and our President, Wylder Tomlinson, would like to humbly introduce ourselves to this amazing community. Hello.
We here at OMNIS are excited to be a part of Newgrounds, you fine folks have already have given us more views and attention than any other media platform! Thank you, we appreciate your appreciation more than you would know how to appreciate. We here at OMNIS are happily here to stay, and will be bringing a whole hell of a lot more toons for your ocular pleasure, so stay tuned for toons soon!
These toons specifically:
Scrappo 2044 (1-3 weeks), OMNIS Battlebrawl 3000 (alpha in about 1 month), Spickled Dimwizzles episode 3 (this week), and finally, Wastes of the West Episode 1 (1-2 months).
Oh boy, what a lineup. Hopefully we can actually get some sleep around here while squeezin this sweet steamin entertainment out of our mind holes. Ain't that a lovely image? Also these release dates are not at all set in stone, its very much dependent on how distracted we get by video games/tv shows/freelance nonsense/ other actual responsibilities/ and whatnot. We'll see! Feel free to comment below and ask questions, we might even reply.
Thanks for tunin in!


text:
5 Musical Icons We'd Like To See Judge 'American Idol'The current rumor involves quite the eclectic mix of genres: the already-confirmed Mariah Carey, rapper Nicki Minaj, country star Keith Urban, and Idol staple Randy Jackson. But what about the icons here? We've got a few ideas.
5 Songs For Earth DayHere are 5 songs for Earth Day, to keep you rocking and keep you thinking about the environment.


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I Love Me Some Oldies.
My Mom graced me with the gift of music. By the time I was seven my idol was Janis Joplin. I love me some Alice Cooper, Neil Young, The Mammas and The Pappas, Simon and Garfunkel, Ozzy, Nirvana, all that good ****. Music was just so much better back in the day, unfortunately I was gifted to an era of generaly lifeless meaningless horrible music.
PeaceLoveAndPot 18-21, F 0 Oct 9, 2009


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Because Phoenix is old, she has trouble seeing things such as the scarecrow which she mistakes for a ghost. How do her mistakes contribute to the impact of the story?
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1 Answer
I tend to think that Phoenix Jackson's challenges on her journey help to enhance her heroic element and help to accentuate her strength. If the journey was simple, it would not have the same effect. The fact the journey is so challenging and so much she has to endure is what makes it so significant that she undertakes it. Phoenix Jackson's heroic qualities are enhanced through what she endures. The challenges present in the journey itself, the encounters with the dog and the hunter pointing a gun at her, as well as the fact that she does not meet anyone who seems sincerely willing to help her are all elements in which that her journey is enhanced. The mistakes that she makes also serves to testify to the amount of character and loyalty that she has. It is only because of the loyalty to her grandson that she endures what she does. She realizes, or it becomes evident, that senility is rapidly approaching and that her own condition is not in the best of capacity. Yet, Phoenix does not hesitate in standing up for her grandson and helping get the medicine that will help him get better. It is because of her mistakes and the challenges of the journey that it ends up meaning more to both the narrative and the reader's impressions of Phoenix.


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AudiologyNOW! Is Coming Loud and Clear to Orlando this Spring 2014
The American Academy of Audiology's annual convention will be held at the Orange County Convention Center on March 26-29, 2014.
Audiologists from all over the globe will gather at AudiologyNOW 2014 to learn about the latest technologies in audiology, including hearing technology, education and networking with other hearing professionals. The event draws thousands of audiologists, but also healthcare professionals, medical suppliers and hearing technology developers. The event features Academy Central, a learning venue where audiologists learn how to grow their business and provide solutions using the latest marketing and sales techniques.
If Vista Cay Resort by Millenium sounds like a good place to stay during AudiologyNOW—we are! Our property is located right next to the Orange County Convention Center and we have access to many different dining, entertainment and shopping venues for some fun during the American Academy of Audiology convention in Orlando. So don't delay and book now to stay close to the demands of work and within reach of all the fun Central Florida has to offer.


text:
Underneath the Ice
- Artist: David Steele
- Format: CD
- Release Date:10/19/2004
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City Canyons Records, an independent label based in Manhattan proudly introduces UK rocker, David Steele's debut album UNDERNEATH THE ICE. Steele comes from a part of England-the village of Brill- that inspired 'Lord of the Rings' writer Tolkien, and Steele's lyrics are, indeed, at times darkly magical. But that's only part of the talented young Englishman's story. While his tunes can be intense and haunting, as epitomized by 'Words and Rhythm' they can also thrillingly soar as does, for example, 'Rise Up'. Whatever their mood, Steele's sophisticated self-penned songs are firmly rooted in reality, reflecting the hopes, the despair, the yearning in all of us. And even at their darkest, Steele's music is never chilly. His remarkable voice is warm and intimate-somewhere between Sting and Bono-and wherever he takes you with his music, he's with you every step of the way. That music, featuring Steele's own superb guitar work, is distinctive, utterly his own, but if one were forced to make comparisons, one could put him somewhere between Coldplay and David Grey and be in the ballpark.


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Chardonnay 2009
I had this empty bottle of Ghostwriter Chardonnay sitting on my desk for some time—intending to write about it. I had chosen this particular bottle at Soif when some friends and I headed there after a concert at The Civic—and we all enjoyed this interesting wine along with a couple of plates of hors d'oeuvres. I carried the bottle home so that I could take in the label—a study in pale minimalism—featuring an old manual typewriter. And there's not much else, really, except this strange verse (copied from the label verbatim):
small black keys depress under long fingers. thoughts turned to words turned to sentences turned to a story of. where these things that we cherish, covet, hold close come from. a jog of memory, of time, of friends and loved ones. hurried typebars tapping noisily against a taut ribbon and everything becomes more real. sheets of paper piling up. collecting dust like bottles in a dark cellar. the carriage returns to begin again as do we.
The Ghostwriter is a most excellent Chardonnay ($30) with grapes harvested from the Santa Cruz Mountains—although the wine itself is vinted and bottled in Healdsburg. It has all the characteristics of a good Chardonnay—and then some—with crisp and clean apple-y nuances, a good texture and not over-oaked. Head to Soif and try some of this haunting Ghostwriter wine for yourselves—where even the cork has a typewriter imprinted on it.
Soif Wine Bar, 105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020. soifwine.com.
Second Harvest Food Bank Dinner
(Holy Cross Annex, Santa Cruz, Sept. 15)
Not only are some of the area's best restaurants and chefs participating in the annual fundraiser dinner for Second Harvest Food Bank, but some of the Santa Cruz Mountains best wineries also. We can thank the following wineries for providing wine for the evening's sumptuous dinner: Bonny Doon Winery, Cinnabar Winery, Equinox Wines, Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery, Soquel Vineyard and Storrs Winery. Info on the dinner: thefoodbank.org.
Rolls-Royce CEO at Paradise Beach Grille
The chief executive officer of Rolls-Royce from Goodwood, England, chose Paradise Beach Grille—voted best local restaurant by Good Times readers for five consecutive years—to have lunch recently. Driving from San Francisco to the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, the CEO and his entourage of around a dozen people parked five brand new Rolls-Royce cars outside the restaurant as they all headed inside for lunch. Restaurant owners Leslie and Gary Wetsel were thrilled to host the Rolls-Royce people—and I was equally thrilled to sit in the stunningly handsome convertible.


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148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 733-2151
Categories: Restaurant
Cuisine: Breakfast or brunch, Continental
Features: Banquet facility, Beach/Waterfront, Early bird menu
Cost range: 20.01-100.00
Payment options: Credit cards accepted
Alcohol: Full bar
Parking: Lot
More in this neighborhood: Dunedin
Tables with bay views and traditional indulgences such as rack of lamb, sweetbreads, escargot and Dover sole. The menu has been updated with pastas, grilled fish, fresh herbs and half-orders, but there are rich sauces and strudels as well. Brunch on Sundays.


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It's a tough way to start the season: Five consecutive games on the road while construction is completed on the $40 million renovation of the St. Pete Times Forum. But that's what the Tampa Bay Lightning were faced with to start this season, Guy Boucher's second behind the bench.
Tampa won its season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes and then dropped the next four games in a slow start that hasn't done anything to quiet those who have suggested the Lightning's trip to the Eastern Conference finals last season won't be duplicated this year in an improved Southeast Division.
"We have to improve our play in some areas," said GM Steve Yzerman when we chatted this weekend about the slow start. "We have to tighten up as a team, our defensive play as far as coverages go as a group. But I like the work ethic the team has shown."
Tonight, the Lightning finally play their first home game. Fans will get to see the dramatic improvements pumped into the Forum by owner Jeffrey Vinik -- including a new pipe organ, party deck, suites makeover and indoor lightning -- assuming everything is finished in time.
A win against the Florida Panthers tonight would make the Lightning 2-2-2, which isn't too bad considering the early-season road trip.
"It's a satisfactory start," Yzerman said of the possibility of getting to .500 to start the season.
Remarkably, Tampa is not the last team to make a home debut, with the New York Rangers waiting until Oct. 27 to play at Madison Square Garden, which is undergoing its own renovations. John Tortorella's team is still looking for its first win of the season after losing to the New York Islanders 4-2 on Saturday in a game in which they again couldn't stay out of the penalty box. Up next is a four-game Western Canadian swing that includes games against the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets.
It's another big test for a young defense that has been exposed with Marc Staal sidelined while recovering from post-concussion syndrome. Following a strong training camp that suggested a bounce-back year, Michael Del Zotto is still looking for his first points of the season. An injury to Mike Sauer meant even more of a burden placed on Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh. Girardi is averaging 29:31 of ice time per game so far this season, more than anybody in the league. The strain on New York's defense further highlights GM Glen Sather's questionable decision not to add one more veteran to the blue line to start the season. With Bryan McCabe and Paul Mara still available in free agency, it's not too late.
The duo of Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik is producing as expected so far, with Gaborik scoring twice in three games and Richards leading the team with three points in three games. But other than Richards and Gaborik, only Brandon Prust and Ryan Callahan have goals for the Rangers.
If things don't turn on the current road trip, all the positive momentum the Rangers produced by adding Richards in the offseason will be long gone by the home opener, if it's not already.
After Saturday's loss to the Islanders, a reporter started to suggest to Tortorella that the challenge that comes with a start in Europe and the early road trip isn't helping the cause, but the frustrated Rangers coach cut it off.
"Don't go there," Tortorella said. "There's no excuses."
Kesler closing in on return
Another team that started with a road-heavy early schedule could be getting a big boost during its first homestand of the season. The Canucks host the Rangers on Tuesday in the first of three consecutive home games for the reigning Western Conference champs. Vancouver plays five of its next six games at home to finish October, and when I presented Kesler with an over/under of Nov. 1 for his return, he said he hoped to hit the under. Kesler had hip surgery in early August and was expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks.
"I need to be pain-free and work on that reaction time," Kesler said. "I know when I'll be ready. I'm going to listen to my body, and I'm going to take as long as it needs to take. I know the team needs me; at the same time, I'm going to be hurting myself if I come back too early."
Vancouver's 4-3 win against the Oilers on Saturday put the Canucks at 2-2-1 to start the season. It's a solid start, but not one that reaches the high standards set in Vancouver.
"It's hard for me, because I think everybody knows my personality and the way I play," Kesler said. "I don't like to be sitting on the sidelines. I'm not a patient person. I usually go out and take things. I need to be patient with this, I know that. It's a big-picture thing. I'd rather be healthy for the last 10 than the first 10."
• One of the simple solutions in the often-debated NHL realignment plan is to swap the Detroit Red Wings and Jets, placing Detroit in the Southeast. It would ratchet up the competitiveness in the Southeast considerably, but Yzerman would welcome his former team, even if it would make winning the division even more challenging. "For a lot of reasons, I welcome it," Yzerman said. "For the division, it'd be good. The Red Wings draw so well on the road. You're helping teams looking to improve attendance." He also pointed out that adding a perennial Stanley Cup contender into the division may ultimately raise the performance of all the teams in the Southeast. "It would be a challenge," he said. "In the long run, the better your competition is, it forces you to get better."
• One of my favorite guilty pleasures is Bruce Garrioch's Sunday notes column in the Ottawa Sun. This week's edition came with the news that Calgary GM Jay Feaster is working hard to try to move some ugly contracts handed out by the previous regime. The most puzzling contract that has handcuffed Feaster is the four-year, $14 million extension signed by Matt Stajan. That one was almost unmovable the moment it was signed, making a trade a big challenge for Feaster.
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun pointed out this interesting tidbit: When you add up the salaries of the Anaheim Ducks' top line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, the total comes to $15.7 million per year. When you do the same for the Toronto Maple Leafs' projected top line of Tim Connolly, Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, you get $14.3 million. Leafs fans won't care about the high prices if Kessel keeps scoring the way he is now. He had two more goals Saturday night to give him five this season, tied with John Tavares and James Neal for the league-lead. Kessel, not exactly known for defense, is a plus-7.
• If Dustin Byfuglien needed a reminder that his play would be much more scrutinized with the move to Winnipeg, it came in the form of Gary Lawless' column that questioned Byfuglien's discipline and game management. Byfuglien is a minus-3 on the season and is still looking for his first points for the winless Jets.


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A benefit for Julene Monteleone will be Saturday, May 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Time Out Restaurant and Sports Bar in Elk River.
On Feb. 29, Julene, a 27-year-old wife and mother of four, was diagnosed with a very aggressive stage III breast cancer, which also had spread into her lymph nodes. She was forced to quit work and start chemotherapy immediately, which will last for five months, followed by radiation, a bilateral mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and then a full hysterectomy.
Her co-workers at Xtreme Salon & Spa in Otsego are hosting the benefit to help cover her extensive medical bills.
The benefit will include a spaghetti dinner from 1 to 4 p.m., a silent auction (winners announced at 4 p.m.; must be present to win), plus a jump house, movies and face painting for kids.
Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance, available at Xtreme Salon & Spa. Kids tickets are $5 for age 10 and under.
Donations for the silent auction can be dropped off at Xtreme Salon & Spa or by contacting Roberta Gulickson at 612-309-3147. Monetary donations can also be sent to the Julene Monteleone Benefit account at The Bank of Elk River.
Benefit for Julene Monteleone


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James is the frugal member of the family, giving professional cleaning and great value. The plugged cable means replacing the mains cable could not be easier. Cable storage is also taken care of with the on-board cable storage. Professional specification brings a 10m power cable and 8L drum capacity, keeping you cleaning for longer. When he's finished James packs away nicely with on-board wand and floor-tool storage.
Please Note: Supplied with a UK three pin plug only.
Please remember to add postal time (2-3 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door.
You will receive an email to confirm when your item has been sent.
You can also check the status of your order and individual items by accessing My Account details and following the prompts.
Please allow 10 working days from dispatch of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries.
It may be advisable to check with your neighbours to see if a parcel has been left with them, check any outhouses you might have where it may be left if it cannot fit through your letterbox and contact your local sorting office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection.
Please see our returns policy.
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Four days of fabulous cycling across the entire width of the UK, from the Irish Sea at Morecambe Bay to the North Sea coast at Bridlington, famed for its fabulous fish and chips! The cycle route passes through quaint market towns with castles, stately homes and stunning cathedrals to explore along the way. This is a must-do for any cyclist out there who's looking for a leisurely coast to coast experience.
- Discovering the underground labyrinth at Stump Cross Caverns
- Exploring the weird and wonderful rock formations at the Norber Boulders
- Strolling around the cobbled streets of the Shambles in York's historical centre
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Northwest England. You'll meet with our support team who'll transport you and your bikes and bags to Lancaster, home to many impressive museums and historical buildings, where you'll spend the night and before your biking adventure.
Day 2: Your journey begins at Morecombe Bay on the Irish Sea coast of Lancashire. Equipped with a set of comprehensive maps, detailed directions and some top tips from our expert guides, you're ready to set off on your cycling journey. Your first few miles will fly by, along cycle paths leading through Morecombe and Lancaster on old railway lines. You'll pass through many picturesque villages as you climb into the Forest of Bowland, including Hornby, famed for its imposing castle overlooking the village. Your day ends in Settle, a bustling market town, with plenty of choice for your evening meal.
Day 3: Your second day in the saddle begins with a steep climb out of Settle and onto Scosthrop Moor. You'll reach a height of 390 metres before you begin to descend. There's ample opportunity to stop and sample local ales and food, and you'll need all of your energy to get to the top of Craven Moor which, at 400 metres above sea level, is the highest point on the trip. It's a blistering, hair-raising descent into Pateley Bridge and an easy amble into Ripon and your bed for the night.
Day 4: Almost all of the climbing is behind you as you meander along the banks of the River Ure through the Vale of York. You'll have plenty of time to explore the cobbled streets of York and stop for some tea and a scone at Betty's Tearooms before heading off to Pocklington for your overnight stop.
Day 5: Your final day is a gentle cycle over the Yorkshire Wolds to Bridlington, famed for its fish and chips, which you thoroughly deserve! Well done, you made it all the way from coast to coast along The Way of the Roses!
This tour costs from £330 for a self guided, 4 day, 5 night trip to £565 for a self guided, 4 day, 5 night trip depending on group size and accommodation options chosen.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe England Outdoor: Land Rambler Bicycle Touring


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Rick Warren
Contributing sermons since Sep 22, 2008
Newest Sermons
How God Tests Our Faith
Contributed on Sep 22, 2008
We tend to get what we expect out of life. According to our faith, it will be done to us. Pastor Rick and Pastor Holladay teach four ways that God tests our faith.
Why You Need A Church Family
Contributed on Sep 22, 2008
Pastor Rick presents his Annual Purposes of the Church Message to remind his church why we do what we do. He looks at God's five purposes for our lives and how the church helps us to fulfill those purposes.
Reigniting Your Passion For God
Contributed on Sep 22, 2008
God wants us to love him passionately, with all of our heart. Using Mark 12:30 and Romans 12:11, Pastor Rick looks at a list of passion killers, things that rob us of joy, and teaches us how to reignite our passion for God. The service ends with communion
Avoiding Personal Burnout
Contributed on Sep 22, 2008
Pastor Rick teaches what God has to say about burnout - looking at the life of Elijah.


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Monday, June 13. 2011
News From Around the OCA
Your comments are welcome.
Posted by Mark at 07:02 | Comments (60)
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First, continuing to look for celibates or monastics ONLY to fill episcopal positions is ridiculous. This is NOT the tradition of the Orthodox Church. With more & more bishops needed, it only makes sense to seek out well-educated, married priests who can preside over smaller dioceses. Mitred Archpriests who served as Deans fulfilled this need in the past.
Also, the report on the nuns in DC speaks volumes. + Jonah couldn't get the OCA synod to go along with his plan so ROCOR does? Who does + Jonah represent, the OCA or ROCOR? Let him go to ROCOR!!!
#1 Anonymous on 2011-06-13 07:34
The 6th Ecumenical Council disagrees. They made it pretty clear that married bishops wasn't going to happen anymore (unless the wives were willing to go into convents).
#2 Anonymous on 2011-06-13 09:20
I agree that we have a practical barrier to finding enough celibate candidates to fill all the episcopal positions we need (more than what are currently assigned). A married bishop could easily administrate a diocese the size of a New England state with comparable travel requirements of a low-level corporate executive. And the church could support such sized diocese if we didn't try to house every bishop in such large diocesan centers. As long as (almost) each diocese is kept as large as all Western Europe, the apparent practical concerns for a married bishop to administrate such diocese while raising a family will remain substantial. In other words, keeping the diocese so impractically large (sometimes even for a celibate bishop) only reinforces the need to prohibit married men from filling the role.
#3 John Potemkin on 2011-06-13 10:12
Can we all go to ROCOR? Please? Parishes, people, property? It would but the OCA out of its misery.
(Editor's note: Thanks, but no thanks. Why go from the frying pan into the fire? There is no "safe haven" from the exigencies of the times, neither in ROCOR nor Antioch nor Istanbul. We have been given this time, and this place, and these circumstances in which to express our faith. Let us make the most of it, rather than seeing it only as a burden to be off-loaded.)
#4 Anonymous on 2011-06-13 11:01
In theory, I very much agree with you Anon, but alas, we are stuck with what is, not what could be or should be. Because of it, we will get stuck with candidates who are ill-suited for the task of an administrator, as well as a spiritual shepherd. I, for one, know one of the candidates slightly, from a past bad experiece and I found him to be quite a mysognist (he had serious problems with women being anything but bare-foot, pregnant, and working in the kitchen wearing a babushka). Oh that we could up-hold Orthodoxy in the 21st century by returning to some of the right practices of the first five, six or seven centuries.
#5 Sean O'Clare on 2011-06-13 12:17
I thought that when ROCOR came into communion with Moscow that this sort of reverse 'poaching' would come to an end, such as their establishing new congregations to take in dissidents or accepting whole parishes whose antimensia were withdrawn by their diocesan hierarch for disobedience. Plus ca change, indeed. Interesting.
#6 Bez mena on 2011-06-13 12:31
It is just such argumentation that creates so many obstacles to reasoned, prayerful discussion and debate. Looking for celibates and monastics may be limiting -- and that unnecessarily -- but it is not ridiculous. The Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland" is ridiculous, i.e. worthy of ridicule. Also, the Church in East and West has looked to celibates for episcopal office for longer than it hasn't. Just as the Trisagion has become an absolutely Traditional element of our liturgical prayer when before it wasn't, monastic discipline in the episcopacy has become a Traditional discipline when before it wasn't. It is part of the Tradition. It is also universal. To continue to tout that because it was not done in the first 500 years or so of the Church's existence it is therefore not Tradition -- THAT is ridiculous because very little of what we say and believe is couched in the terms and prayers of the earliest days, let alone our liturgical practices. Perhaps this element of Tradition can be changed, since it obviously was before. Just today, in the Gospel, the Lord gives the Church authority to "bind and loose" and to "to ask for any thing in my name." We aren't stuck. But please -- this discipline is not ridiculous. I'd go so far as to say that that attitude and its expression is close to sacrilege, given the holiness of the topic.
#7 Rdr. John on 2011-06-13 12:31
As a member of the metropolitan council, can you explain why it has taken so long to do what appears to be nothing regarding Archbishop Seraphim? I understand that the wheels of justice turn slowly but my simple mind can't grasp why the OCA can't move forward just in terms of a church investigation. I know Archbishop Seraphim and find it hard to believe that he wouldn't just step aside if there had been something inappropriate. Is it safe to say that the OCA isn't doing anything until the civil authorities act first?
Also, is there any update regarding the cathedral in Washington? Is Metropolitan Jonah the new dean?
(Editor's note: I have no knowledge as to why the OCA's internal investigation seems to be going nowhere quickly. The lessons to be learned are not dependent on the decisions of the court; that is, whether the Archbishop is found guilty or not guilty of that which he is charged with is not really the question for the church investigation, which seeks to determine how the Church may better respond to such problems in the future. As for his stepping aside, the Archbishop has entered a plea of not guilty; it is the court, however, that will determine whether that response is true or false - not the Archbishop. As for the cathedral in Washington, the Metropolitan has not appointed himself as Dean to my knowledge. The situation there remains "fluid".
#8 Anonymous on 2011-06-13 16:15
ROCOR? The jurisdiction that is expanding its presence herein America by establishing their own Western Rite parishes - and ordaining men to the priesthood, especially if they are denied ordination in another jurisdiction? The same people who, just a few years ago, would not even allow clergy of another jurisdiction cross their threshold, much less commune with them? Really? That's what you want?
#9 Really? on 2011-06-13 17:03
If I may offer a constructive correction to your post: Our current situation calls for us to look for episcopal candidates from men who are celibate/single, not necessarily monastic. Many bishops (including our current one in New England) became bishops after they became widowers. Until the sad passing of their wives, these men were not monastic. Being newly-single and -celibate, however, made them "eligible" as candidates from that perspective or category.
#10 David Barrett on 2011-06-13 17:14
Well, Really, the ROCOR you talk about is quite a superficial description. ROCOR is filled with faithful clergy and laity who in some ways reflect an outreach to Americans much better than the so-called OCA, which (outside of the South) continues to grow smaller and smaller. Yes, ROCOR has a Western-Rite. Is that so bad? Seems rather progressive. What, ROCOR progressive? Suffice it to say, ROCOR has a much clearer understanding of their role and vision for Orthodoxy in this land then does the OCA who can't get out of its own way, even when it tries to come up with one strategic plan after another. As for your comment about ordinations, at least ROCOR deals with clergy who are morally compromised and gets rid of them, unlike the OCA which does not.
ROCOR is growing. The OCA is not. So, yes, I prefer ROCOR and so are more and more people who wish to get away from the distraction that is the OCA today.
(Editor's note: I am sorry you find us distracting. Perhaps it would solve your problem if you spent less time on the internet reading OCA sites? As for growing, let us hope we are all growing. Time will tell.)
#11 Anonymous on 2011-06-14 03:50
Let's clear this up...AGAIN! Married bishops were a problem in the Roman/Byzantine Empire because, according to law, their progeny owned the church & property. Many times after the bishops death, his progeny closed the churches & sold the property for the money. Therefore, canons were written to correct this. Going to monasteries also provided men who were educated (the libraries were there) and the church was second nature to them. In today's world, these laws don't exist. MARRIAGE IS NOT AN IMPEDIMENT TO ORDINATION NOR CONSECRATION. If you believe so, then you are living in heresy and dishonor the institution of marriage. In America, as bishops are needed, we need to consider HEALTHY, educated men for the office, both married & celibate!
#12 Anonymous on 2011-06-14 07:17
My humble but resolute opinions:
The DOS Episcopal search is laced with overkill. This sounds like a super dog & pony show reminiscent of the old days when vacant parishes would host priests to serve a liturgy so they could critique the priests voice, oratorical skills, appearance and personality. Upon completion a popular vote was taken to hire the new parish priest.
Im all for involvement of laity and priests in the process. But the DOS is taking this to the ridiculous. The most practical and effective method is to talk to present/former parishioners and to area priests where the candidate has previously served. There is never a lack of feedback from such inquiries.
Why didnt the AAC have an advance list of willing candidates to choose a metropolitan?
Talk about not doing your homework!
Any notion there is going to be a return to married hierarchs is pure folly. To change the disciplinary canons will require the incumbent world-wide Orthodox hierarchs to initiate and execute such. Pigs will fly before unmarried bishops open their exclusive fraternity to married men.
PS. Do you think these bachelors want any wives influencing life in the frat house?
#13 Retired priest on 2011-06-14 09:04
Thanks for the update. May God grant you many more years to continue this work. It's quite unfortunate that the church needs a watchdog.
On a different note, as the Antiochian Archdiocese convention is approaching, is there anything new with regards to an audit of the Antiochian Archdiocese and is it just me or is the process for picking auxilliary bishops a bit ridiculous? What I mean is that the elected membership of the archdiocese is supposed to select two candidates based upon just a few paragraphs of information. There is no opportunity to actually meet and interview the candidates, there is no indication as to what "diocese" they will serve, and the membership will be forced to pick two candidates. I unfortunately know one of the candidates (who was paraded around at the last election in Pittsburgh). He was a bit of a disaster as a priest and now he is being considered for the episcopacy. How about a vote of no confidence in the process, starting over and follow what the OCA did in Chicago? So far it seems to have worked out much better than the "diocesan/auxilliary bishop plan of +Phillips.
#14 Anon. on 2011-06-14 09:55
well said~
#15 sasha on 2011-06-14 13:07
"IF" ROCOR is growing, it's only because more Russians are coming to the U.S. and want Slavonic. They don't have an American vision, but a vision of Orthodoxy locked up in 18th century Russia. Much of their theology is questionable;.... and if you like going back to the way the OCA was in 1930, ROCOR is for YOU!
#16 Anonymous on 2011-06-14 13:11
"Any notion there is going to be a return to married hierarchs is pure folly. To change the disciplinary canons will require the incumbent world-wide Orthodox hierarchs to initiate and execute such."
No it doesn't! Married bishops are part of the tradition of Orthodox Christianity. All it takes is a group of bishops TO DO IT! Nothing canonically wrong with it, yet, some will make a big stink not knowing their own Apostolic tradition. Apparently, the synod of the OCA doesn't have any cahones and certainly not + Jonah!
#17 Anonymous on 2011-06-14 13:19
Western Rite as progressive? Should we join our Western brethren (Catholics and Anglicans) in their "modernization" of rites. After all, they are the authors of "process" theology and have embraced it fully.
I think not. How can we be the one holy, Catholic and apostolic church if we are doing whatever liturgy the local priest feels is ok? It's a slippery slope, my friend. Be careful what you wish for, lest you end up like our Western brethren who are searching for their REAL identity - and finding a poor substitute for the fullness of the Orthodox Church in the Western Rite.
(Editor's note: The fullness of the ORthodox Faith is not in a rite - any rite. It is the Faith itself, which can be fully expressed in various rites, eastern and western. There are lots of Indian Orthodox who think a 2 hour Liturgy of St. John is a "poor substitute" for their 4 hour liturgies of St. James. So let's be careful what we wish for - and what we disparage along the way. )
#18 Really? on 2011-06-14 13:51
Let's make a deal. You pull down your site and that will be one less distraction for all of us!
(Editor's note: Or better yet: I give you permission not to read anymore. You'll be free, then to focus on that which is much more important. Of course, the distraction is not because there is a site, it is because of the problems the site reveals. Why not just address the problem, instead of blaming the messenger?)
#19 Anonymous on 2011-06-14 13:54
I fear that Retired priest is correct. My brothers and sisters in the OCA are not alone in this dilemma as my Diocese, ACROD, has no clear successor to Metropolitan Nicholas, either from the ranks of the monastics or the widowed. I should note that the entirety of the Orthodox Church on this continent is blessed that the OCA has the benefit of two of the finest priests to come out of ACROD, being Bishops Michael and Matthias. Let us join in hoping that the 'dog and pony' show mentality does not find its way back to the parish level in the appointment of pastors. That process was demeaning to the candidates and divisive at the parish level. The same probably holds true on the diocesan level with respect to the selection of Bishops.
You know, we wouldn't have this problem to the extent we do if the issue of jurisdictional unity were ever to be solved. Oh well, I think that the likelihood of that happening any time soon is just below the 'pigs flying' event.
(Editor's note: You call it a "dog and pony" show: I call it introducing the marriage partners to each other before the ceremony. If love is not important, but only obedience, the old ways have worked well enough: how's that obedience thing working out for you lately though? It would seem rather, that obedience goes a lot farther when couples, parishes, dioceses, etc, base that obedience on love, rather than just authority. At least, that is what God seems to suggest and practice himself. He showed us His love, and so we follow. I mean, if obedience is all that matters, why not just be Jew, and save all this bother?)
#20 Bez mena on 2011-06-14 14:25
Because the messenger is part of the problem.
#21 Anonymous on 2011-06-14 16:16
You are correct of course in that blind obedience and/or tyrannical abuse of authority within the church has led to disaster. The very existence of both the OCA and ACROD, as well as their respective histories, are tied to the refusal of courageous men and women to suffer the tyranny of unloving authority with blind obedience. Despite that history, from time to time, the lessons that both our hierarchs and our laity should have learned from their experiences as well as those of their parents and grandparents.have been forgotten. As to the method of a parish selecting a priest, I speak from the heart with many old memories of the priestly 'try out' system and how unloving and uncharitable many of our old time 'starostas' and 'babas' could be regarding the candidates and their families.
(Editor's note: Agreed. However, the solution to lack of love and lack of charity is not to eliminate the possibility of it being shown; otherwise the Grand Inquisitor would have a point. Rather, let us work towards a conciliar system that recognizes and values each others unique contribution to the process so that the best possible, and sustainable matches, are made. )
#22 Bez mena on 2011-06-14 17:43
I am quite sure many would gladly give + Michael back to the Carpatho-Russians as their Met. This is the answer to your dilemma!
(Editor's note: I am going to interpret that as a beautiful moment of self-sacrifice. The alternative reading is rather petty. Work with me on that. )
#23 Any Mouse on 2011-06-14 17:49
I really don't agree with either of you. The OCA doesn't have the resources to investigate in the same fashion as civil authorities. Would the witnesses come for'd just to get him fired? Is a policy right that would fire someone for the accusation alone?
From my perspective, and with my limited knowledge, the OCA only ought to ask for a resignation at this point.
Just my opinion.
(Editor's note: No Dan, you misunderstand. The purpose of the committee is not to determine guilty or innocence; but to examine what we did, or did not do, in a timely or untimely fashion, in all aspects - legal, pastoral, etc., so as to do better the next time. One prays there will never be a next time, but if there is, we can and must do better. As for resignation, that is the the Archbishop's decision. If he chooses not to, that is his choice and we should all respect it, even if some disagree with it.)
#24 Daniel Fall on 2011-06-14 19:49
+ Michael came from the Carpatho-Russians and it is only logical that he now return to lead them. It's not unusual for bishops to move among diff. dioceses and Johnstown might as well be considered a large, independent diocese of the OCA. It certainly is more this than a diocese of the Greeks. The NY/NJ diocese of the OCA can go back to having a senior archpriest lead them. Gee, maybe Fr. Nehrebecki would consider!
#25 Any Mouse on 2011-06-15 05:37
Whatever the initial reason for choosing only monastics and celibates for the episcopacy, the reasons for keeping this rule go back nearly as far. This is a universal practice across cultural, linguistic, political and theological borders. It's a good conciliar bet that a practice agreed upon by Rome, the Orthodox, the Non-Chalcedonians and the Nestorians is apostolic in the way all post-apostolic doctrine and practice is apostolic. Pull on this string, and you may as well join the Protestants in the search for the pure, early Church as if the Body of Christ did not grow in "wisdom and stature" (Luke 2:52).
#26 Ps-Iosifson on 2011-06-15 06:53
Good morning friends:
I feel like my head is spinning, so please pardon me if I don't express myself as cogently as I usually aim for. It appears from my seat here in the left field stands that a hacker must have seized control of the editorial offices of ocanews and started using Mark's computer to advocate, at least just this once, for a system in which conciliarity, love and charity be employed in valuing each person's uniqueness in making church leadership decisions.
Can anybody explain this? What has happened to the real Mark?
I suppose that he could have changed his mind, or have concluded that kind of stuff is OK at lower levels of decision making, but if so don't we deserve to be let down a little more gently? There are some people out here with weak hearts and capillaries!
I am going to log off now and check BBC News to see if they have started holding Quaker meetings in Mogadishu.
Fr. George
(Editor's note: C'mon Fr. George - try it, charity, that is. You might like it!)
#27 Fr. George Washburn on 2011-06-15 07:13
A lasting marriage is seldom foreseeable on the first date. Harkening back to my youth I remember many a supposed first date Cinderella turning into Girlzilla after a while as well as this self-perceived Prince Charming turning into Shrek. An older priest told me when I was starting out, Beware of those whom you first meet, who greet you with open arms. Over the years, I made many such mistakes, trusting those who first appeared to be so trustworthy but turned out to be anything but. First impressions are usually anything but a dependable indicator. My blessed mother used to repeat an old proverb to keep me grounded whenever I would show signs of being full of myself in response to accolades: Dont praise me until you live with me. It is easy to get erroneous impressions from initial and limited contact with people. It takes time to know someone.
This brings us back to the dog & pony show screening process for priests and now diocesan bishops. Interviews are standard when an employer wants to hire someone knowing that if it doesnt work out the employee can be dismissed. The same cannot be said about bishops and should not be the case with priests. The necessary matching of priest to parish is supposed to be done by a bishop who knows his priests and his parish. Sadly bishops often fail in this fundamental and most important responsibility. Likewise the synod of bishops should know what priests are most capable of being effective bishops. These are their canonical responsibilities. Extensive fact finding and employing input and feedback from parish laity for priests, and diocesan laity and clergy for bishops makes sense and is the tradition of the early church. But it is a delicate balance to not go too strongly in the direction a populist vote or authoritarian rule.
For the Church to fulfill her divine charge believers must unite in purpose and love. To accomplish this we must know one another. Only then will it be possible to develop common ground and trust to accomplish the sacred task of salvation.
#28 Retired priest on 2011-06-15 07:25
The strategy that you suggest would almost certainly be ruled out of order and might even raise the odds of a bad outcome. One of the new bishops obviously will go to Toledo. If we want the acrimony in the Diocese of Toledo to end, the next bishop of that city must be of Arabic descent. Judging by his editorials in the Word Magazine, Fr. John Abdalah has been positioning himself as the "malice toward none, charity toward all" candidate for months now. His expertise in counseling and his stability as dean of the Pittsburgh cathedral suggest that he is well-suited to the task, and +PHILIP's elevation of Fr. John to the rank of Archimandrite so soon after Kh. Joanne's repose suggests that His Eminence is open to a conciliatory approach. Let's not provoke him into settling scores when we have a chance to heal wounds.
#29 Formerly Diogenes on 2011-06-15 12:02
There is an old saying that goes something like when a door closes behind you, the Lord will open another for you. I don't think that there is anything about reopening the one that closed behind you.
#30 Bez mena on 2011-06-15 12:56
Agreed again, we have all seen too many 'matches' that were imposed on parishes and clergy by higher-ups which ended in disaster for all. It is our duty work together to find a better way!
#31 Anonymous on 2011-06-15 12:58
WRONG! As I outlined and you can research this yourself, celibate & monastic candidates for the episcopate was a "pragmatic" decision due to the laws of the time - THAT'S ALL!!! It isn't theological; it isn't Orthodox, what it was, was a pragmatic decision due to the civil laws! It really is time to get beyond this and consider monastics, celibates AND MARRIED MEN for the episcopate!
#32 Anonymous on 2011-06-15 15:38
There are ROCOR parishes that worship in the vernacular, and do much to evangelize their communities.
I'm not saying there aren't ROCOR parishes with some people issues: I once visited a ROCOR parish that was as prickly as a porcupine in a haystack. However, it's not nice to paint a whole jurisdiction with the same brush.
#33 Cordelia on 2011-06-15 17:15
The choices are FIXED! Read the bio's. Any American candidate is down-played while the Arab candidates are exalted. It's FIXED! The Antiochian Archdiocese is as American and Independent as Eddie Batisie. Com'on, it's a joke! + Philip closely controls all and Arabs rule. Nice American church!
#34 Anonymous on 2011-06-15 19:16
Seriously, join the Episcopal Church already!
#35 Phil on 2011-06-15 21:45
The CRs "might as well be considered a large independent diocese of the OCA"? have you asked any of THEM about that? You might be surprised at the answer you get (but I suggest ducking when you do so!).
#36 Fr. Dennis Buck on 2011-06-16 08:07
Let's take the DOS as an example. The diocese has 70+ parishes and monasteries. Do you honestly think that a married bishop would be able to handle this large of a flock AND a family? One will have to suffer. Which should it be? The family or the flock? Or, at best, he'll give them both only half his attention. Balancing a parish and a family is difficult enough. I'll venture a guess and say that as the Church grew, the Fathers saw what was happening. They saw this as the best chance. No one is saying that marriage is bad. I never said that. I never said it should be an impediment to anything. And, truthfully, it's not. The Council made a provision that if the wife were willing to go into a monastery, then all was fine.
Are you saying you know better then the Holy Fathers of the Council?
I, for one, would not want a married bishop. Because, as stated above, either his family, or we, his children, will suffer. There's no middle ground. It's not possible. Perhaps if we went to smaller dioceses, one bishop per city, it may be doable. But, as it stands right now, it's not. Even in predominantly Orthodox countries, dioceses are still large.
Also, there are plenty of candidates available. Would we need to consider looking outside the OCA? Perhaps. But, it's not like that would be unheard of in the Church to look at other Churches to find bishops.
And, just to clear this up: This is not because I don't think marriage is bad. I think this for the reasons stated above. Marriage is a sacrament, a holy union. But, I'm also a realist. Having to deal with 70+ parishes & monasteries and juggling a family would be near impossible.
And, by the way, it is the tradition of the Church. Not all Church tradition started on Pentecost. Having said that, if the Churches, together, decided to reduce diocese sized dramatically (and I'm talking of going back to each city...maybe two or three for less populated areas...having one bishop) and restore a married episcopate, that would be one thing. But for OCA, by herself, to go down that road, would be foolish and have severe consequences from the rest of the Church.
#37 Anonymous on 2011-06-16 08:19
I've said it before and I'll say it again - have you ever asked a matushka how she would feel about her husband being made a bishop?
People keep harping on married episcopacy like it's actually going to happen. It may be a discipline to choose bishops from among the celibate, but this discipline has stood without exception for 1300 years. We would discard that unilaterally at our own peril. If God means for the Church to resume consecrating married men as bishops, it will happen when the whole Church is moved to do so, not just because a few people in the OCA think celibate people are scary.
Also, "the early Church did it" is not a valid rationale for reviving a dormant practice. Or will you start making your confessions in public and receiving communion in your hand?
As for the dearth of celibate episcopal candidates, I thought Metropolitan Jonah was trying to address that issue by starting a men's monastery. How's that working out?
#38 Cordelia on 2011-06-16 09:59
You missed my point. Whatever the initial reason for limiting the episcopacy to monastic and celibate candidates, the fact that the practice was retained long after the initial, pragmatic reasons had passed into history is not something to be easily ignored. That is, 1500 years of consensus across all of Orthodoxy - as well as all of Rome, the Non-Chalcedonians and the Nestorians - cannot be ignored.
There are all sorts of things the Church did and allowed in the first centuries that have gone by the wayside, according to the good pleasure of the Holy Spirit who has guided the Church as it's grown in wisdom and stature. Just because something was once done, somewhere, by some doesn't mean it can be ripped out of that bygone ecclesial and cultural context and dropped into our ecclesial and cultural context centuries later. Our history is not a smorgasbord to pick and choose from, creating a faith in our own image, according to our own preferences. "Earlier is better" is a Protestant belief for an invisible Church.
#39 Ps-Iosifson on 2011-06-16 11:01
Please clarify, Widow Clergy can be Bishops not Married Clergy si this correct?
#40 Anonymous on 2011-06-16 13:24
Lets ask ourselves a very serious questions, In 2011 America who are the better examples of Orthodox Christian Asceticism? Married Clergy with Families or "celibate" bishops?
Married Clergy live far more ascetic lives than today's bishops plain and simple.
#41 Andrew on 2011-06-16 14:31
Andrew: "Asceticism" has NOTHING to do with it! Bishops aren't reflections of ascetics. In fact, most real ascetics would run & hide from the episcopal office. You don't understand the diff. between an ascetic, a bishop, a monastic & a celibate. Not all bishops were ever meant to be or represent ascetics. The bishop is a man, married or celibate, who is of good reputation, elected by the people and consecrated to lead a local diocese. The bishop most always came from the same diocese he was elected to lead. The idea of choosing celibates from wherever and tonsuring them and putting them in some foreign diocese was unheard of. This is an aberration! Bishops were not required to be monastics and quite frankly, today, this is a joke! It really is time to return to the REAL vision of what a bishop is, not this phoney-baloney aberration American Orthodox have created!
#42 Anonymous on 2011-06-17 05:33
This is correct. In the OCA, Bishops Nikon, Michael, and Matthias were all widowed priests before their election to the episcopacy. Indeed, Saint Innocent was married, and only was elected bishop after the death of his wife Catherine.
#43 John Congdon on 2011-06-17 06:36
Speaking as a married priest with a family: Way too broad a brush here!
#44 Fr. Dennis Buck on 2011-06-17 08:16
Response to #7. You are absolutely correct. I would like to see any of our bishops live as modestly and without complaint (and serving their parishioners) as our married priests with their families and responsibilities.
#45 anonymous on 2011-06-17 08:51
It is my understanding that among 'practical' motives for a celebate episcopate was a concern that dynasties could otherwise develop. Certainly traditional Christian societies are pretty family oriented, so this seems to be a not-unreasonable fear. I am TOLD (but cannot cite a reference) that at one point the Nestorians DID move to a married episcopate and almost immediately DID develop dynasties, which became so entrenched that when they returned to a celebate episcopate, the dynasties continued for a long time on an uncle-to-nephew basis. For all our current difficulties, a dynastic episcopate would surely be worse.
#46 Steve in NYC on 2011-06-17 09:43
that was rude
#47 sasha on 2011-06-17 22:13
In what world are you referring to? I know of few of us in our modern world outside of eremitic monks who lead true lives of asceticism. Coming from a family of hard working, good and humble priests, I have to say this is a most idealized and nonsensical statement.
#48 Bez mena on 2011-06-18 11:30
On June 1, it was reported in another article that Bishop MARK has requested leave from his responsibilities of the Diocese of the South and from the parish where he serves so that he can "have time and opportunity to meet with clergy and laity in parishes throughout the Diocese, before a special election is held."
As a point of clarity, I am presuming that he wants to meet the people in that Diocese and spend time with them, with the possibility of him being elected as their Diocesan Bishop in the very near future. I hope this is the case, because I am also hearing rumors that he is being ousted by MJ, as well as Fr. David Moretti, both of whom were badly treated in the Antiochian Archdiocese and ousted, however you wish to word it.
Both of these men are good, well educated and very committed to serving Christ and His Holy Vineyard, no where or no one else. I hope their transfer to the OCA was not met with blocks, as they need to be settled in and working for a jurisdiction that appreciates their past and their future positions. They didn't transfer in order to be once again mistreated by those in higher places.
Can someone please confirm this? No matter what cradle orthodox say about the converts, the converts have a much deeper understanding for and love of orthodoxy than the cradles ever will have. The cradles were born into the faith, and many times, they take it for granted. The converts had to study, struggle and learn about the faith, and it was not chosen for them. They chose, after much intensive struggles, and at the risk of leaving family and loved ones, to embrace the faith. There is a big difference. The loss of the Antiochians with the transfer of these two men is the gain of the OCA, if they will only settle down and support them and others like them who want to serve the real Master in this life. Let us pray this will be the case. God bless both of them.
Well, so much for trying to make excuses for the Metropolitan on my part.
So, why not just get it done, face the music, and move on as church?
All of this shucking and jiving by our leader for what end?
I don't get it.
I make mistakes in my own actions and nonactions on a daily basis.
Where are Cordelia and Fr. Washburn when I really need them?
#50 Daniel E. Fall on 2011-06-19 20:40
This isn't a reply to any specific item in the discussion on married vs non-married candidates for the episcopate. But my limited observation is that the very first characteristic of a candidate for the episcopacy is his marital status. Not his character. Not the depth of his faith and knowledge and the ability to articulate them. Not his ability to be the overseer of his presbyters and their parishes. Not his having the characteristics described in such places as 1 Timothy 3. The first question is "who is unmarried or widowed?" I can't say whether we should revert to the ancient tradition of married bishops. But I do think that we should ask the "who would make a good bishop?" question first and the "what is his marital status?" question later.
#51 Scott on 2011-06-19 20:46
"No matter what cradle orthodox say about the converts, the converts have a much deeper understanding for and love of orthodoxy than the cradles ever will have." This is an insult that is most un-Christian. The sort of triumphalism, boasting about how Orthodox you,as a convert are, tells me that you were not well taught by your spiritual father, or else your ears were closed as you smelled the incense. Sorry, but when some converts 'wonder' why they are seemingly 'unwelcome' in 'cradle' (I HATE that word) parishes, it is attitudes and comments like the one you made that create that atmosphere. Look in the mirror, my friend.
#52 Bez mena on 2011-06-22 12:49
How do you know I am a convert? For all you know, or don't know, I might be a cradle, a convert, a catechumen or Jewish. I might not even be Orthodox, but the whole world reads the internet, and they see what is happening. I won't reveal what I am, but I have some very good and close friends who are converts, and they truly do understand and embrace the faith. They look at everything and see the reality. This isn't something I made up. Have some dialogue with converts near you, if you so wish, and then have that same dialogue with cradle orthodox. You will see the difference. You will see how simply and completely they love the faith they have chosen, and they don't look for ways to destroy it. Then embrace both of them and accept their differences and their similarities. That is the true spirit of Orthodoxy, and it's a very simple concept to understand.
You must be referring to the Council in Trullo, where one canon (12 I believe) decreed that currently married men would no longer cohabit or have marital relations with their wives. Another one (48?) decreed that future bishops, if married, must no longer cohabit with their wives or have marital relations with them. It is critical to remember that these two canons are the last ecumenical ones on the subject. It is also critical to remember that all these newly celibate bishops remained to be married, thus the Lord's commandment for no man to put asunder what God hath joined was partially honored.
Regarding the practice since Trullo, I do think that the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, decided that it would be cruel and contrary to the Lord's commandment (as well as Apostolic Canons) to continue the practice of separating a an from his wife simply because he is consecrated as bishop. Although contrary to the Holy Scriptures (1 Timothy and Titus), the new practice was much more humane. Now, we have married priests, whose wives have passed on, being consecrated as bishops. Remember that they cannot remarry for they are already married (status does not end at physical demise) and must remain celibate. Nonetheless, such bishops are married at least in the eyes of God.
#54 Carl Kraeff on 2011-06-23 13:34
...except that the latter is so much more immediately apparent!
#55 Fr. Dennis Buck on 2011-06-23 15:18
I am not disparaging the faith of any convert or the zeal and knowledge and positive energy that their joining a faith community can bring. What I am concerned about is the rather cavalier and insensitive manner in which you deride, and I chose that strong word with full knowledge of its meaning in the context of our exchange, the faith and the role of those of us who are Orthodox by birth and through the faith of our parents and those before them. To make a blanket statement like you did when you stated, 'they (converts) don't look for ways to destroy it' is simply a gross exaggeration and a group libel and deserves a retraction.
If you are not a convert, then I suggest you look inside your own inner self and ask why you are so angry. If you are not Orthodox, well I am not interested at all in your opinion in this regard.
#56 Bez mena on 2011-06-23 18:42
"have you ever asked a matushka how she would feel about her husband being made a bishop?"
I believe it would be "over my dead body" in my house.
#57 Fr. Simeon on 2011-06-23 23:48
I perceive your circle of Orthodox exposure is very limited. I am a cradle born Orthodox, and am now a 'convert' Orthodox. I will explain. When I became a 'teen', I was curious. The Baptist church came to town, the Methodist, Catholic,, and as I said, I was curious. With my parents permission, I investigated and studied these faiths. Some parts I liked and agreed with, other parts were not so good. But my mind was open. Then I looked at Orthodoxy, and by this time I was living in California, and had a greater and a more broader field in which to study. I met, talked with, and attended study groups. My realization that I was born into the true and original faith, founded in A.D.33, was the only place to be, and am grateful that I took the initiative to be curious. I am orthodox by choice. Born to it yes, but now by choice. And at 80 years, I am free and 'at home'.
On the contrary, I have seen and heard much, and sad to say, the Orthodox Church in all jurisdictions, is in a downward spiral right now and has been for a while. People have to learn to get along with others and accept each other's opinions, all in the best interests of the church. This should be true in any faith, no matter what. Remember, we are people of many nations living together in this world, and we all grew up in different traditions and different religions. God has taught us to respect and be considerate of everyone around us, not just our own culture, religion, financial status, etc.
Anger is real, and it comes from seeing people who think they know better ruin what was once good. That good can return if certain people are not allowed to run amock all over everyone else. But it means everyone working together to heal what has been wounded, damaged and otherwise cast aside.
I have faith that this will be resolved, but how long will it take? And will this whole world be a better place to live in for the future generations? They need their faith much more than we do, as life gets more difficult and challenging thru the years. What will be left for them to hold onto if their faith is torn apart also, something they had nothing to do with? They will be left with a mess that they didn't start. Is this the right thing, the right way to teach the younger faithful how to live?
There will be no retraction. This is a website where we can state our opinions, regardless of who agrees with them or not. I don't agree with everything that is posted, but those people are able to speak their word as I am, and I don't ask for retractions.
You were insensitive when you said if I am not even Orthodox, you don't have any interest in my opinion. Is it only the Orthodox who can get involved in this mess? Why is that? Don't you think other faiths are paying attention and wanting to know how and why there is so much trouble, so they can avoid the same issue in their own faiths? No matter what happens in life, everything is relevant, everything is connected, and everything is related, one to another, by the actions of people, directly involved or not.
The bottom line - the whole world is being exposed to the problems in the Orthodox Church - worldwide - it's there on the internet for everyone to read, and people aren't lying about what's going on. Some may be trying to cover up all the truth, but slowly everything is coming out into the open. So half of your posters could very well be people who are not even connected with Orthodoxy, but who are expressing their concerns and ideas, and they have just as much right to do that as anyone else. And maybe because they are on the outside looking in, they can be more objective about the situation and offer some good advice. Do you still think their opinions don't matter? Think on that one for a bit.
The author does not allow comments to this entry


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The opening paragraph of a report in the Times of India last Saturday gave me the creeps: "Five years after it created an unforgettable buzz in South Africa, the money-churning Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to return to Nelson Mandela's country once again."
For the Times of India reporter it may have been an "unforgettable buzz" but for us in South Africa it was the root of a scandal which grew to eventually destroy the entire administration of Cricket South Africa, undermine that organisation's credibility and cost the administration dearly at the International Cricket Council's top table.
It was a report in this newspaper about counterfeit tickets being sold at the Wanderers for the 2009 IPL final that first put the spotlight on the wrongdoings around how this country came to host the IPL that year.
As the drama unfolded it was left to Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to set up a commission of inquiry under Judge Chris Nicholson, which found that former Cricket SA chief executive Gerald Majola illegitimately obtained bonuses as a result of South Africa hosting that year's IPL and subsequent Champions Trophy.
A working committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India will meet tomorrow to discuss moving the IPL – or at least part of it – to South Africa later this year. Just like in 2009, it's because of India's elections that not sufficient security can be provided for the IPL that has necessitated the board taking the drastic steps to move the tournament.
It would be a grave error on Cricket SA's part were they to agree to host the event again. Never mind that the organisation is still coming to terms with the new administration and governance structures it has had to create as part of the fall-out from the previous time the event was hosted here.
The IPL has been clouded by allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting, which has tainted some of that country's top stars.
Last year Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was banned for life after being found guilty of match fixing during the IPL. This year, MS Dhoni's name has been linked in a judicial probe to illegal bets being placed on matches. The Chennai Super Kings owner, Gurunath Meiyappan, has been found guilty of placing bets on matches and passing on team information to gamblers. The owners of the Rajasthan Royals – including the glamorous Shilpa Shetty – face allegations of illegal betting.
Can Cricket SA really afford to have an event blighted by such controversy take place on these shores?
Given what took place the last time the IPL was hosted here, the answer has to be an emphatic No! - The Star


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|QUOTE (El_Diablo @ Thursday, Jun 6 2013, 08:12)
to be fair, the giant isn't an ordinary human.
he's a simpleton. like, today he'd be diagnosed with some kind of mental disability.
this probably makes his "mind" easier to control than it would be for the rest of us.
at least that's my interpretation of how that happened... having never read the books.
i thought the same.... not much mental capacity to fight control.
but OMG... that episode was horrific. i knew nothing would be forgiven lightly, but a massacre? DAMN.
what got me what stabbing of talisa... was just so raw.


text:
Now I know most of you reading this are probably now screaming at the monitor that I know nothing, and that Dido is back with a new single. But I already know all this, so my question was more about what has happened to her since she's been away because her new song is rubbish.
I've had the video for Don't Believe In Love saved in my favorites for about a month now, and have been meaning to review it. But I couldn't bring myself to do it because it's just not very good. So instead I find myself going on a bit of a rant about how a once great artist who released catchy song after catchy song chose this as her comeback single.
I can't say I was ever Dido's biggest fan on the face of the planet but I do own copies of No Angel and Life For Rent. And when they first came out, I used to listen to them quite often. They were chilled out albums to relax to but the songs had enough about them to stop them from being instantly forgettable.
And then Dido seemed to disappear for a few years. Life For Rent was released in September, 2003, five long years ago. Dido set out on a world tour and then played the London and Paris legs of the Live 8 concerts in 2005. And then that was it, nothing for years.
Dido has apparently been away working on the new album, Safe Trip Home, ever since then. The release date was put back several times before Safe Trip Home was finally released on Monday Nov. 17, 2008. And it was preceded by the first single, Don't Believe In Love, which is embedded after the cut.
Don't Believe In Love makes me not believe in Dido anymore. That sounds harsh but it's bland. And to those who thought Dido was always bland, this ups the bland scale to the nth degree. It starts out really slow and boring and continues along that path for the duration.
Her voice is as soulful and haunting as ever, but instead of being coupled with uplifting lyrics and set to a memorable melody, this just meanders its way from beginning to end. Even the chorus doesn't lift the song beyond sheer and utter boringness.
I haven't heard the album as yet, being loath to buy it on the strength (or rather, weakness) of this track. But from everything I've read, the whole of Safe Trip Home carries on in this vein, and that just doesn't appeal. I want anthems, not dirges.
There are a few possible reasons for this change of style. In the three years since she's been away, Dido lost her father, which I'm guessing massively added to the darker, more depressive mood of the new material. It also probably explains the title.
I'm not heartless, and personal life is bound to impact on a musician's professional life, but I like the Dido of old, and I want her back. I don't want to listen to an album on an evening and by the end of it be considering ending it all. I personally don't want to go out with a rope around my neck and Dido playing on the stereo.
I'm sure some people will love the new direction Dido seems to have gone in, but it's not my cup of tea. So I ask again, whatever happened to Dido? She's gone from being a guaranteed sell-out to a guaranteed suicide-instigator. That's not good.
[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]