text: How to Install a Comodo InstantSSL Certificate for ISPconfig Apache, Postfix, Imap & Pop on an Ubuntu Server Generating and Obtaining the Certificate 1.You must generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your webserver. You did this when you installed ISPConfig, but its probably a good idea to do again so that you can make sure everything is entered correctly. Follow these directions to re-generate the ISPconfig certificate http://www.howtoforge.org/faq/14_63_en.html Important: When you are re-generating your certificate, please ensure that the Common Name (CN) you use is ONE of the following: your Fully Qualified Domain Name (e.g. "secure.yourdomain.com") the Full Server Name of your internal server (e.g. "techserver") your Private IP address (e.g. "192.168.0.1") The common name is what people will use to access your server. For example: if your common name is mail.myserver.com then you will acccess ISPconfig with the following link: https://mail.myserver.com:81/ In your email application you will also use mail.myserver.com for incoming and outgoing server. 2.Your CSR is located here: /root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/ssl.csr/server.csr Copy the text in this file. You will need to paste the text into the CSR box when purchasing your certificate. 3.Goto http://www.instantssl.com/ and purchase a certificate or get the free trial. During the certificate sign up process, choose Apache-ModSSL where it asks for the server software used to generate the CSR. You must use exactly the same Common Name (CN) as you used above when generating your CSR. 4.Finish the certificate sign up process. Once you are approved, you may download your certificate files. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISPconfig Apache Certificate Installation 1.On your web server go to this directory: /root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/ssl.crt and make a backup copy of server.crt. Rename the purchased certificate (example: mail_myserver_com.crt) to server.crt and save it into the above directory replacing the existing server.crt. Warning: always make a backup copy of any file you change or replace in this How-to. If you don't get something right, your ISPconfig will not start and you will need to undo all changes by using your backup copies. 2.Copy the file ca-bundle file to this directory: /root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/ssl.crt 3.Edit the file /root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/httpd.conf and add this line: SSLCertificateChainFile /root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle Important: In the line above, change mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle to the name of your bundle file. 4.restart ispconfig: /etc/init.d/ispconfig_server restart 5.Now you should not get any errors when you access your site. Example: https://mail.myserver.com:81/ 6.If ispconfig does not restart and you cannot figure out why, use your backup files to replace the files you changed and try to restart ispconfig again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Postfix Certificate Installation 1.Make a backup copy of cacert.pem, smtpd.crt, smtpd.key in /etc/postfix/ssl Save the bundle file (*.ca-bundle ) as cacert.pem in the above directory replacing the existing file. 2.Save a copy of your server.crt file as /etc/postfix/ssl/smtpd.crt 3.Save a copy of your server.key file as /etc/postfix/ssl/smtpd.key 4.Make sure these lines are in /etc/postfix/main.cf smtpd_tls_cert_file = /etc/postfix/ssl/smtpd.crt smtpd_tls_key_file = /etc/postfix/ssl/smtpd.key smtpd_tls_CAfile = /etc/postfix/ssl/cacert.pem 5.restart postfix: /etc/init.d/postfix restart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Courier Imap/Pop Certificate Installation 1.Navagate to /etc/courier/ and make backup copies of imapd.pem and pop3d.pem. 2.Copy server.crt (/root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/server.crt) into a new file. Copy server.key (/root/ispconfig/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key) in to same file and save this file as /etc/courier/imapd.pem replacing the file that is there. The file should look something like this: -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE----- .................. -----END CERTIFICATE----- -----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY----- .................. -----END RSA PRIVATE KEY----- Ensure that there are NO blank lines between the certificate and key. 3.Copy your ca-bundle file to /etc/courier 4.Make sure these lines are in /etc/courier/imapd-ssl TLS_CERTFILE=/etc/courier/imapd.pem TLS_TRUSTCERTS=/etc/courier/mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle Important: In the line above, change mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle to the name of your bundle file. 5.restart imap-ssl: /etc/init.d/courier-imap-ssl restart 6.Make a copy of imapd.pem and save it as pop3d.pem 7.Make sure these lines are in /etc/courier/pop3d-ssl TLS_CERTFILE=/etc/courier/pop3d.pem TLS_TRUSTCERTS=/etc/courier/mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle Important: In the line above, change mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle to the name of your bundle file. 8.restart pop3d-ssl /etc/init.d/courier-pop-ssl restart Congratulations, you are finished. Hope this helps someone. Please comment if you can make these directions better. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ownership and permissions on the certificate files are important: -r--r----- 1 root root 1230 Jun 7 18:24 mail_myserver_com.ca-bundle -r--r----- 1 root root 2030 Jun 7 19:29 server.key -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sources: https://support.comodo.com/index.php_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=264 http://www.instantssl.com/ssl-certificate-support/email-certificate/courier-imap.html http://www.instantssl.com/ssl-certificate-support/email-certificate/postfix.html http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.phpt=12854&highlight=ispconfig+real+certificate


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TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa has suspended senior guard Pat Swilling Jr. pending a university disciplinary investigation and hearing.
Details were not disclosed Wednesday. A school spokesman said it is against university policy to discuss ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
Swilling averages 8.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Golden Hurricane and coach Danny Manning. Swilling started his college career at St. Joseph's, then transferred and sat out the 2011-12 season. He averaged 10.7 points per game last season.
Swilling's father, Pat, is a former All-Pro?linebacker who played for the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders. He was named to the College Football Hall of Fame after a stellar career at Georgia Tech.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I have begun with automation for a product which is in one language and soon to be ported in another. The only good thing is - Test Automation is just begun.
So there are two things which worry me - hard coded Strings (app title, alert messages etc) in Test Scripts and Test Data which should be keyed in depending on locale.
I was thinking of having a global variable which indicates the locale for which test is to be executed and then deciding on String/test data to be used in test method.
Now consider that I externalize the String I have in tests and then decide string of which language is to be used in my test method, so I could do something like -
public void myAweSomeMethodWorkingInAllLocales() {
if(locale is fr) {
} else if (locale is in) {
//Carry Out my Super tests here
But I find it little cumbersome to do so in each test method of mine. Could I improve it?


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Freedom and Rights in Turkey
An important aspect of responsible and ethical travel is an awareness of your destination country's record on political and economic freedoms, civil and political rights, and corruption and press censorship. Here we have amalgamated data from a range of indices produced by different worldwide organisations (see details below) to assess the status of Turkey across these measures. Turkey currently has an overall ranking of 96 out of 195 countries. To see how Turkey compares with other countries, see our full list of countries freedoms and rights. Please be aware this is just intended as a broad overview and snapshot and the rankings are dependent on the criteria used by the respective organisations.
Index | Status | Score | Rank |
Freedom in the World | Partly Free | 3.5 | - |
Democracy Index | Hybrid regime | 5.12 | 98 (167) |
Index of Economic Freedom | Moderately Free | 63.2 | 70 (179) |
Press Freedom Index | Difficult situation | 44.16 | 147 (179) |
ILGA LGBT rights | Limited rights | 3 | - |
Corruption Perceptions Index | Medium corruption | 45 | 64 (174) |
Average | 53.09 | 96 (195) |
Freedom in the WorldFreedom in the World, Freedom House's flagship publication, is the standard-setting comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties. Published annually since 1972, the survey ratings and narrative reports on 195 countries and 14 related and disputed territories are used by policymakers, the media, international corporations, civic activists, and human rights defenders to monitor trends in democracy and track improvements and setbacks in freedom worldwide. Year of Report: 2015 Scoring: 1 to 7 (1=most free, 7=least free) Results: 3.5 - Partly Free Breakdown: Political Rights (3), Civil Liberties (4) | |
Democracy IndexThe Democracy Index is produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit and is intended to provide a snapshot of democracy worldwide across 165 states. It is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. Countries are placed within one of four types of regimes: full democracies; flawed democracies; hybrid regimes; and authoritarian regimes. Year of Report: 2014 Scoring: 0 to 10 (0=least democratic, 10=most democratic) Results: 5.12 - Hybrid regime Rank: 98/167 Breakdown: Electoral Process and Pluralism (6.67), Functioning of Government (5.36), Political Participation (4.44), Political Culture (5.63), Civil Liberties (3.53) | |
Index of Economic FreedomFor over a decade, The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington's preeminent think tank, have tracked the march of economic freedom around the world with the influential Index of Economic Freedom. Since 1995, the Index has brought Adam Smith's theories about liberty, prosperity and economic freedom to life by creating 10 benchmarks that gauge the economic success of 185 countries around the world, covering 10 freedoms from property rights to entrepreneurship. Year of Report: 2015 Scoring: 1 to 100 (1=least free, 100=most free) Results: 63.2 - Moderately Free Rank: 70/179 | |
Press Freedom IndexThe Reporters Without Borders index, which is published each year, measures the state of media freedom throughout the world. It reflects the degree of freedom that journalists, news media and netizens enjoy in each country, and the efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom. It asks questions about every kind of violation directly affecting journalists, netizens and news media and the degree of impunity enjoyed by those responsible for these violations. Year of Report: 2015 Scoring: 1 to 100 (1=most free, 100=least free) Results: 44.16 - Difficult situation Rank: 147/179 | |
ILGA LGBT rightsThe ILGA Report on State-Sponsored Homophobia is a comprehensive outline of the legal status of same-sex sexual activity in countries across the world. In addition to core legal issues, it addresses issues around same-sex marriage and adoption, the prohibition of discrimination in employment and constitutionally and issues around hate crimes and incitement to hatred. Year of Report: 2015 Scoring: -5 to 10 (-5=fewest rights, 10=most rights) Results: 3 - Limited rights Breakdown: Homosexuality legal (2), Equal age of Consent (1) | |
Corruption Perceptions IndexThe Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from Transparency International ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. It is a composite index – a combination of polls – drawing on corruption-related data collected by a variety of reputable institutions. The CPI reflects the views of observers from around the world, including experts living and working in the countries and territories evaluated. Year of Report: 2014 Scoring: 1 to 100 (1=most corruption, 100=least corruption) Results: 45 - Medium corruption Rank: 64/174 |


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Gentleman, this is a public service announcement. We know that things can get hot and sweaty on the dance floor. The atmosphere is festive, the music is peaking and the ladies are looking good. You see one you like, and you want to dance with her. Totally cool. Men and women have been dancing together for thousands of years. It's nature. But there's a right way and a wrong way to go about this, and a lot of you are doing it the wrong way. R. Kelly may have said that there's nothing wrong with a little bump and grind, but you have got to stop putting your boners on us.
See Also: The 13 Most Hardcore Ravers at Ultra, in GIF Form
We're calling this move the "boner sidle." Ladies, you know we're talking about, and you may have even experienced it. You're dancing in a crowd when you realize that a dude, typically a young shirtless lad wearing lensless novelty glasses, has sidled up behind you and is fixing to dance. Except instead of actually dancing, he just stands there like a sequoia, his laser-beam stare penetrating your pants. It's killing your vibe and distracting you from the music. The guy has officially entered your personal space.
At some point the dude makes his move and puts his hands on your hips. In no way did your body language suggest that you wanted him to do this, although it's possible that he's mistaken your enthusiastic shuffling for an open invitation to touch you. (Not the same thing!)
He then takes the liberty of moving in closer and putting his frontside against your backside. You're basically immobilized, and this is when you realize that he's got a boner and is pressing it into your ass. He's not even really dancing; he's just standing there...with his boner on you.
This happens to women all the goddamn time at dance shows, and it's annoying, awkward and gross. We've even heard an anecdotal account of a guy who takes Viagra before going out, specifically to do this.
So what should you do?


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Testimonials Showcase for WordPress is the best well made and up to date Plugin built to display testimonials and reviews.
Testimonials Features
- 10 Predefined Responsive Themes
- Grid Showcase
- Slider Showcase (multiple features)
- Filter Showcase
- Submission Form
- Product Review
- Rich Snippets integrated
- Fully Responsive&Retina Ready
- Special Colors
- Multi-Language
- "Read more" option
- Multi-Groups
- Multiple Ordering
- Characters custom limit option
- Multiple Slider Pagination Themes
- and many others features…
WordPress Testimonial Plugin
Testimonials Showcase for WordPress is the perfect WordPress plugin build to display and manage your testimonials as a responsive grid or as a dynamic slider. You have multiple special themes and effects that will help you to show your testimonials in so many different ways.
With Testimonials Showcase for WordPress Plugin you can display your testimonials without any line of code. All you need to do is to generate the shortcode selecting your desired options to display, pick a favorite theme and select a predefined color. Choosing the right color scheme for your testimonials section of your website was never easier.
WordPress Testimonial Plugin – 10 Special Themes
10 templates are included in this release. Get designer quality results without writing 1 line of code. We have built different responsive themes ready to display your testimonials on any resolution and device. More templates will be released in the future.
You can suggest a theme and we will take care of your wish.
WordPress Testimonial Plugin – 10 Color Schemes
Customize your testimonials with the desired color to better fit in your website. You can choose from predefined 10 trendy colors that covers the all spectrum.
WordPress Testimonial Plugin – 10 Display Options
Pick individual fields for each Testimonials group. You can toggle between logo, quote, Stars rating, Job, Company or Date.
Slider Showcase
You have 10 features to build your desired Testimonials slider. All the options are very easy to change and user friendly. Display your Testimonials as a carousel slider with some transition effects and nav buttons.
Other WordPress Testimonial Plugin Features:
- Slideshow options
- Widget Testimonials ready
- CSS3 Effects
- WordPress Shortcode Generator
- Responsive & Columns structure
- Inside Testimonials's member Page ready
- Testimonials Management
Over all
Testimonials Showcase for WordPress plugin is the most complete plugin on the market. With so many options your Testimonials Showcase will be unique and special.
In the Future…
Testimonials Showcase for WordPress plugin is already in use on some of our regular clients websites and we know that the next think they want is to have a nice preview system for the templates. As far as we are concerned this is the next feature we want to include, if you have any suggestions please let us know.
If you want to use Testimonials Showcase for WordPress plugin, all you need to do is install WordPress 3.5+, and install the plugin.
New Items Release
Ultimate Affiliate Pro WordPress Plugin
Update Log
How to Update the Plugin?
Version 3.0
- Improve Form Submission - Improve listing showcase - Improve Style structure
Version 2.9
- ADD New fields: Social Fb,Tw,Int,GPlus - Display Date based on WP format - Fix default Image display - Quote texts with HTML format
Version 2.8
- Fix DateFormat related to WP settings - Check compatiblity with WP 4.7.x - Improve Compatibility based on Custom Post Type - Fix Target Link post list
Version 2.7
- Fix Google Aggregation when no Ratings displayed
Version 2.6
- ADD Custom Link option - ADD Open in a new Window Inside Page - Fix Read More workflow - ADD AggregateRating on Google Rich Snippets - Improve Form View - Fix Carousel compatibility with Themes - Improve Custom CSS
Version 2.5
- Order Categorie by Slug on Filter - Improve Visual Dashboard Design - Fix CSS particular case
Version 2.4
- ADD Filter Multi-Layouts - Ready for Theme Pack - ADD Custom Group for Submission Form - ADD Shortcode on Widget - ADD Default Image Avatar - Improve Testimonials List - ADD Dashboard Box for Pending Testimonials - Ready for Products Reviews
Version 2.3
- Improve "Read More" feature - Improve CSS Files
Version 2.2
- Update Slider version - Add Slider Loop - Add Slider Responsive - Add Slider Mouse Drag - Add Slider Touch Drag - Add 3 Paginations Themes - Improve Slider Bullets - Add Slider Animation In - Add Slider Animation Out - Fix Multi-Group Selection - Improve Themes - Improve Plugin Dashboard Design - Optimize Included files
Version 2.1
- Add Rich Snippets Reviews - Add Multi-Group Selection - Add Order by "Last Name" - Add Align Testimonials Centered Feature - Add "Custom CSS" Options - Improve WP Themes Integration - Improve Filter Multi Categories - Improve CSS - Fix Special Server Compatibility - Fix Featured Image Restriction
Version 2.0
- Improve Math Form Verification - Fix Form Failed Submit - Add Responsive Settings - Update Isotope Script - Add Multi Language - Update Testimonial Slider version - Improve Auto-height Slider - Improve Filter Buttons CSS - Add Read More features - Improve Inside Page features - Add custom slug for Custom Post Types
Version 1.9
- Code Improvements
Version 1.8
- Add Max no of characters - Add Capcha Testimonials Submission Form
Version 1.7
- Fix Filter multi-categories - Fix Slider Speed - Improve Slider CSS3
Version 1.6
- Fix Filter Feature
Version 1.5
- FireFox Compatibility
Version 1.4
- Add Testimonials Filter Feature
Version 1.3
- Fix Blank Link issue - Add Hover Effect option - Improve themes min-width - Add RAND Testimonials feature - Fix Widget ID issue - Fix Groups issue - Fix URLs issue - Improve cursor:pointer delete - Fix CSS conflicts
Version 1.2
- Fix ul/li margins - Change slug - Fix min-width themes
Version 1.1
- #main css issue - Form Builder - Subscribe Testimonials
- FontAwesome
- OwlCarousel JS
- Isotope JS


text:
HBO Documentaries is presenting another great piece of documentary. In this case Eugene Jarecki´s Reagan, debuting February 7 on HBO; it explores an iconic american president.
A glamorous leading man with the common touch, a dedicated "Cold Warrior" who helped negotiate the most sweeping accords in history with the Soviet Union and a staunch proponent of smaller government, Ronald Reagan remains an enigma even to many of his closest advisors.
A fresh examination of the fascinating paradoxes surrounding the man, the myth and his legacy, Eugene Jarecki's insightful documentary REAGAN follows the 40th president's rise from small-town lifeguard to revered architect of the modern world. This textured study investigates how Reagan's homespun political vision fueled a seismic career, one whose reverberations still shape American life. Following its Jan. 23 debut at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, REAGAN makes its HBO debut MONDAY, FEB. 7 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), during the week of his 100th birthday.
Other HBO playdates: Feb. 11 (7:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m.), 16 (2:30 p.m., midnight), 21 (12:30 p.m.), 24 (6:00 p.m.) and 26 (3:45 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Feb. 9 (8:00 p.m., 4:05 a.m.) and 13 (5:00 p.m.)
Watch HBO Documentary Reagan Trailer Video
Balancing the conflicting versions presented by colleagues, historians, supporters and family, while combining archival footage, never-before-seen interviews and the words of Reagan himself, Jarecki assembles a rich portrait of a contradictory figure who spun his movie stardom into political gold and became the leader of the free world.
Tracing his subject from small-town boyhood to heady Hollywood days, Jarecki discovers a man whose offhand amiability masked a steely resolve. When his acting career faltered after World War II, Reagan reinvented himself, first as president of the Screen Actors Guild, then as a pitchman for products ranging from cigarettes to laundry soap. He eventually landed the role that would send him down another path, as official television and corporate spokesperson for General Electric. Reagan's travel on behalf of the company to small towns around the nation provided him with a unique political education as he gave speeches and mingled with GE's workers. The one-time FDR enthusiast and supporter of the New Deal gradually abandoned his liberal roots for more conservative pastures.
By the 1960s, his transformation was complete. Standing beside archconservative Barry Goldwater, the 1964 Republican nominee for president, Reagan became a charismatic voice for conservatism in America. As the civil unrest of the era exploded nationwide, Reagan rode the white, working-class backlash all the way to Sacramento and two terms as governor of California.
Reagan's willingness to allow the National Guard to confront demonstrating students with tear gas and attack dogs earned him a reputation as a tough traditionalist. The support and admiration of the so-called "silent majority" buoyed his unsuccessful campaigns for the presidential nomination in 1968 and 1976, and in 1980, he topped the GOP field to run against and beat incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter.
Once in office, Reagan proved more pragmatic than dogmatic. After campaigning for lower taxes, his administration raised taxes in six of the eight years of his presidency. Regardless, his charm and affability won the hearts of the American public, which overwhelmingly reelected him in 1984.
He denounced the U.S.S.R. as an "Evil Empire," demanded that the Soviets "tear down the [Berlin] Wall" and authorized the ambitious Star Wars Initiative to keep America militarily dominant. But at the same time, Reagan was engaged in negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev that resulted in a sweeping agreement to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
His administration was rocked by the Iran-Contra affair after it emerged that arms had been sold in exchange for hostages and then, against the will of Congress, the proceeds had funded Nicaraguan "freedom fighters." REAGAN takes an in-depth look at the scandal, which almost derailed his presidency, offering details on the president's role and Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger's refusal to turn over cabinet meeting notes.
Jarecki also explores how Reagan's personal beliefs aligned with his public policies and finds that this stalwart symbol of conservative family values was also quietly open-minded on social issues.
Since Reagan left office in 1989, his name has become a mantra for Republican politicians seeking credibility, symbolizing a return to traditional values and a strong stand in the culture wars against liberal "elites." But the truth, as Jarecki reveals, is far more complex.
Others featured in the documentary include former White House chief of staff James A. Baker; former White House senior advisor Pat Buchanan; former White House speechwriter Peter Robinson; Arthur Laffer, economist and architect of trickle-down economics; former CIA operative Frank Snepp; Ronald Reagan Legacy Project founder Grover Norquist; son Michael Reagan, who works to keep the legacy alive; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frances Fitzgerald ("Way Out There in the Blue: Reagan, Star Wars and the End of the Cold War"); official biographer Edmund Morris; Annelise Anderson and Martin Anderson, co-authors of two best-selling books about Reagan; author Will Bunch ("Tear Down This Myth"); author Lou Cannon ("Reagan"); author Thomas Frank ("What's the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America") and journalist Dan Rather.
Eugene Jarecki is an award-winning dramatic and documentary filmmaker and author. His 2006 film "Why We Fight" won multiple awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and a Peabody Award. Jarecki's prior film, "The Trials of Henry Kissinger," was released to critical acclaim in more than 130 U.S. cities, won the 2002 Amnesty International Award, was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and has been broadcast in more than 30 countries. In his most recent film, "Freakonomics," Jarecki collaborated with other acclaimed documentarians to create an omnibus documentary based on the bestselling book of the same name by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.
HBO Documentary Films presents a Charlotte Street Film in association with BBC Storyville; a film by Eugene Jarecki; produced by Eugene Jarecki and Kathleen Fournier; written and directed by Eugene Jarecki; editor, Simon Barker; music by Robert Miller; director of photography, Etienne Sauret. For HBO: senior producer, Lisa Heller; executive producer, Sheila Nevins. For BBC: executive producer, Nick Fraser.


text:
Last-Ditch Life Support System Is Saving Lives of COVID Patients
THURSDAY, Oct. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A life support technique called ECMO has saved the lives of many critically ill COVID-19 patients, a new study shows.
The ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine takes over the function of the lungs and heart. Blood is pumped from the body into equipment that adds oxygen to the blood before it's returned to the body.
This technique has saved lives in previous epidemics of lung-damaging viruses, but small studies published early in the coronavirus pandemic questioned its effectiveness.
This international study included 1,035 COVID-19 patients at high risk of death because ventilators and other types of care couldn't support their lungs.
After being placed on ECMO, the death rate among these patients was less than 40%, according to the study authors.
"These results from hospitals experienced in providing ECMO are similar to past reports of ECMO-supported patients, with other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome or viral pneumonia," said co-author Dr. Ryan Barbaro, of the University of Michigan.
"The results support recommendations to consider ECMO in COVID-19 if the ventilator is failing. We hope these findings help hospitals make decisions about this resource-intensive option," Barbaro said in a university news release.
Most centers in this study did not need to use ECMO for COVID-19 very often, said study co-author Graeme MacLaren, of the National University Health System in Singapore.
"By bringing data from over 200 international centers together into the same study, [it] has deepened our knowledge about the use of ECMO for COVID-19 in a way that would be impossible for individual centers to learn on their own," MacLaren said in the release.
While the study reveals that ECMO can save the lives of COVID-19 patients who show signs of requiring advanced life support, it should be provided at hospitals with experienced ECMO teams, the researchers said. Hospitals shouldn't try to add ECMO capability in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they added.
The results were published Sept. 25 in The Lancet medical journal.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
The news stories provided in Health News and our Health-E News Newsletter are a service of the nationally syndicated HealthDay® news and information company. Stories refer to national trends and breaking health news, and are not necessarily indicative of or always supported by our facility and providers. This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.


text:
Pretty Little Liars Season 7 Episode 16 : The Glove That Rocks the Cradle
Latest Pretty Little Liars Episodes
As Detective Furey closes in on uncovering what happened to Archer Dunhill, the Liars team up to protect one of their own. Hanna continues to struggle with the idea that Lucas might be connected to A.D. even in the face of more evidence. Emily surprises Ali with a heartfelt gesture that is undone by A.D. machinations; and the Liars gain insight into where the idea for the game originated.
Episode Guide
Season 01
Season 02
Season 03
Season 04
Season 05
Season 06
Season 07


text:
Receiving Your Machine:
You must be present to sign for your X-Arcade Machine when it arrives. At that time, please check the box and the X-Arcade carefully for any obvious sign of damage. If the X-Arcade Machine is damaged, refuse shipment and call Xgaming.com at 1-866-942-6464. Also, please write on the delivery receipt the reason for refusal.
If only the box appears to be damaged and you accept delivery, please note the damage on the receipt. Then open your box and allow the X-Arcade Machine to warm up to room temperature before you plug it into a power source. After you have plugged the X-Arcade in, make sure everything is in good working order. Any claims for concealed damage (not seen before accepting delivery) must be made with Xgaming within 48 hours of receipt.
Standard Freight Delivery:
Our standard shipping is for curbside delivery only. This means that customer is responsible for getting the arcade machine from the curb into their residence. If your delivery driver offers to take the X-Arcade Machine into your home/building, the shipping company may charge you for that service.
Inside Delivery:
If you elected to receive "Inside Delivery", the in-home delivery service requires that there be enough room in the desired location to move the cabinet. There should be no tight corners or narrow hall ways. They will be able to move the item up or down a flight of stairs as long as the stairway is wide enough and the machine will be moved with an apliance dolly. Once item ships we are charged for all shipping charges and we will not be able to offer a refund for shipping if item is refused because freight company was unable to deliver.
Special Instructions:
Please take precautions to ensure delicate flooring or carpet/walls are covered prior to receipt of the machine. The large rubber wheels may rub off on light color carpets and black finish on exterior of machine will mark any drywall/paint.


text:
Josh Navarro: How would you describe your style?
Raphaela Guzman: Part of me always tries to keep it classy, but I'm incapable of taking myself seriously. My weakness for florals and the bright colors usually runs the show, so my style ends up being kind of kooky. Sometimes I pick certain colors or patterns because they are evocative of things I wore as a kid, and I take comfort in them.
JN: Any favorite shops around town?
RG: My favorite places are two quirky little shops in Takoma Park called Now and Then and S&A Beads. I always walk away with an awesome handmade scarf or bracelet, or a witty bag.
JN: What are you wearing in this shoot?
RG: A J.Crew chambray shirt, Silence + Noise floral skirt, red tights from Modcloth, grey and white Dr. Marten's oxfords, a periwinkle Casio watch, and François Pinton glasses.


text: Rupert's Adventures - Escape Library Walkthrough: ------------ 1. Lift the left and middle sofa cushions, retrieve a puzzle piece. 2. Move the large violet book on the right hand side of the bookcase, a puzzle piece falls into sofa, lift both cushions again, retrieve the puzzle piece; move the third brown book in the upper left of the bookshelf, pick up the magnifying glass that falls out; go left, remove all the items from the top of the table. 3. A puzzle piece fell behind chair leg, retrieve it. 4. Drop the right table leaf, a puzzle piece also falls behind chair leg, leave it there for the moment. 5. Click the lower left brick behind the table, retrieve a puzzle piece; replace the tablecloth, retrieve the puzzle piece from behind the chair leg. 6. Replace items back on the table except for keeping the scissors and the Bible. Go left twice, cut open the trash bag (and letting the cat out of the bag) remove the cat poop, retrieve a puzzle piece, replace the cat poop, take the straw. 7. If your inventory gets too full, open the blue curtain to the left of the trash bag. When you go in, there is a wooden chest on the right. In the close up view there are squares on the right hand side of the chest where you can offload the puzzle pieces to free up space in your inventory. 8. Go down, go right twice. Replace the scissors on table, take the low alcohol drink. Maximize the drink, put in the straw and click the drink three times. Retrieve a puzzle piece in the bottom of the glass, put the empty glass back on the table. You should have eight puzzle pieces in your inventory at this point. 9. Maximize the heavy Bible, open it, take the gun, replace the Bible on the table. Maximize the gun and then select the magnifying glass from the inventory. Place the magnifying glass on the left hand side of the gun and click until you can read the six digit number. This number changes with every attempt at the game. Write the number down. Put the magnifying glass back in your inventory, then click the right side of the open window enough to be able to close the window, which puts the gun back into the inventory. Go right twice. 10. Open the blue curtain and click to go in. Click on the safe on the left. Spin the dials to input the number from the gun. Take the money, retrieve the puzzle piece and replace the money. 11. Click on the wooden chest on the right. On the right side of the enlarged view there are square spots in which to place 8 of the 9 the puzzle pieces. Keep rearranging the puzzle pieces from there onto the yellow dots to the left until each side of each piece matches every other puzzle piece it touches. 12. Take anti-tank grenade launcher from the chest. Go down, then go right. Open the green box and take grenade. 13. Maximize the anti-tank grenade launcher and combine the grenade with it. Minimize the launcher into your inventory. Click on the anti tank-grenade launcher and then click on brick wall to the right of the green box. Click again to launch the grenade to blast through the brick wall and YOU'RE OUT!


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Nintendo prepares to set new Wii gizmo into motion
(AP) -- There's nothing all that charming about Nintendo's latest gadget.
It's not as zany as a zapper or as sexy as a steering wheel. It doesn't even tell you whether you're losing weight. However, the game maker is hoping a small cube-shaped device called Wii MotionPlus will take the Wii's motion-sensing controls to a new level of precision.
It's no secret the wrist-flicking Wii Remote's lack of accuracy has long been the console's clunky downfall. The Wii MotionPlus, available beginning June 8, successfully defeats that dilemma by using gyroscopic sensors to exactly mimic gamers' hand movements, making such activities as sword fighting, disc throwing and golfing look seamless on screen.
"The great thing about this particular new technology, which isn't always true for other new technologies, is that we immediately saw the benefits of it," said "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10" senior producer Jason Shenkman. "Before I even touched it or got my hands on it, I knew exactly what having a gyroscope in our possession would do for this game."
Electronic Arts' "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10" will be the first game bundled with the Wii MotionPlus. Shenkman insists the increased sensitivity doesn't boost difficulty because instant feedback helps gamers before their shots.
Nintendo has been pairing cute peripheral gadgets with games since launching the Wii, such as the Wii Wheel, Wii Zapper and Wii Balance Board, the scale-ish device packaged with "Wii Fit." Just how Nintendo plans to market the obscure Wii MotionPlus accessory is unclear. Nintendo executives declined to be interviewed for this story.
Only five games have so far been confirmed to employ the new functionality. The most prominent is Nintendo's own "Wii Sports Resort," a beachy follow up to the popular "Wii Sports." Besides "Tiger Woods," the other games are Electronic Arts' "Grand Slam Tennis," Capcom's "Virtua Tennis 2009" and Ubisoft's slice-and-shoot-'em-up sequel "Red Steel 2."
Though the original "Red Steel" was one of the most anticipated games to debut alongside the Wii in 2006, the first-person samurai shooter's wonky fidelity left many gamers feeling let down. Creative director Jason Vandenberghe promises Wii MontionPlus technology will remedy that in "Red Steel 2."
"One of the cool things is that with Wii MotionPlus, we know how hard you have swung the remote," said Vandenberghe. "That means we can ask the player to have a more physical experience, like having enemies who are wearing armor that players will have to hit harder with their sword."
If the blockbuster sales of the Wii Balance Board with "Wii Fit" are any indication, gamers want the new contraption even if it's not compatible with their old titles.
Wedbush Morgan game analyst Michael Pachter believes Wii MotionPlus' price - $19.99 for one, $49.99 if bundled with "Wii Sports Resort" - is right for cash-strapped consumers. He anticipates that over 30 million Wii owners will pick up the new accessory in the first year.
"Some people will find Wii MotionPlus really appealing, and some people won't understand it and will wait until they're told by their friends they need it," said Pachter.
Nintendo is likely to promote Wii MotionPlus and announce new games that use the technology at next month's Electronic Entertainment Expo, where the gadget was first unveiled last year. Rumors have been circulating that Nintendo competitors Microsoft and Sony may announce their own motion-control technologies for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles at E3.
On the Net:
©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Baby Swiss Chard, Baby Bordeaux Spinach & Baby Pea Shoots Salad
Northern Michigan Recipes: The Intentional Minimalist blogger Kristin Celeste Shroeger never disappoints with her wholesome and downright delicious meals! This minimalist farm-to-table recipe is created with local fresh produce paired with homemade infused oils, dressings, marinades, pestos and sauces. By eating seasonally, we reap the benefits of good health through nutrition from fresh, unprocessed and sustainable produce.
This recipe also features local produce from 9 Bean Rows, Birch Point Farms and locally produced products from Food for Thought.
Look for more of Kristin's fresh and tasty recipes on her blog The Intentional Minimalist!
Still hungry? Check out all our Northern Michigan recipes on mynorth.com.
- 9 Bean Rows baby swiss chard 9 Bean Rows baby bordeaux spinach
- 9 Bean Rows baby pea shoots
- Farm fresh local amaranth micro greens
- Plumb
- Raw brazil nuts
- Food for Thought wild star thistle raw honey
- Food for Thought organic wild leek vinegar
- Green onion infused olive oil (recipe link) Sea salt
Mix one teaspoon honey with one tablespoon vinegar, one tablespoon oil and sea salt to taste. Plate swiss chard, spinach and pea shoots. Dice plumb and add to salad. Add one half cup nuts to processor and puree into powder. Top salad with micro greens, a little nut powder and drizzle with dressing.


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In July 2013, PRS Guitars unveiled the S2 Starla, S2 Mira and S2 Custom 24.
Considered to be one of the most significant product launches in the company's recent history, the S2 Series of electric guitars offers the fit, finish and attention to detail the world has come to expect from the craftsmen at PRS in a more accessible price point.
For 2014, PRS has announced production on two additional S2 models: the S2 Singlecut and the S2 Custom 22. Both of these new models will be on display at the 2014 NAMM show in Anaheim, California.
The S2 Singlecut and Custom 22 guitars feature figured maple tops with mahogany backs, 22-fret 25-inch scale length Pattern Regular mahogany necks with rosewood fretboards and dot or bird inlays. The guitars incorporate PRS-designed S2 #7 treble and bass pickups paired with a three-way blade switch push-pull tone control for coil-tapping versatility as well as PRS fretwire, nuts and double-action truss rods.
The S2 Singlecut features the same PRS stoptail that is used on the company's Core line. The S2 Custom 22 features a PRS tremolo (the same tremolo that has been used on the PRS SE line for more than a decade). Both new S2 models are available in seven color choices: Black, Antique White, Black Cherry, Blue Crab Blue Smokeburst, Dark Cherry Sunburst, Grey Black, and McCarty Tobacco.
PRS President Jack Higginbotham offers, "The S2 project has been energizing to us as a company, largely because we are bridging the price gap between our SE line and Core electric lines with a guitar that is made here in our Maryland factory. It required us to look at every element of the manufacturing process with a fresh set of eyes and few preconceived notions. The result is a series of guitars that appeals to long time admirers of our brand as well as a new audience of musicians."
Artists currently using S2 Series instruments include Dave Knudson (Minus the Bear), Thomas Fekete (Surfer Blood), Isaac Ellsworth and Stephen Holmes (MoneyPenny), Jonathan Sutten and Seth Trimble (Throw the Fight), and JJ Grey (Mofro).
Shipping will begin in the first quarter of 2014. To explore the S2 Series, visit prsguitars.com/s2series.


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Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County Mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
Polls, phone banking, messaging, yard signs, who is paid and who is a volunteer – all are elements of a campaign. And each is part of an overall strategy.
But most campaigns struggle with a schedule of which events to attend and which to forgo. And in the 2018 campaign season, the number of events is only growing as the May 1 county primary elections near, followed by the county general election and state and federal primaries in August, then the state and federal general elections in November.
Two Democratic county commissioners effectively won re-election to new terms of office at the Thursday, Feb. 15, filing deadline for candidates on the May 1 county primary ballot. And a third faces independent opposition in the August county general election.
The 2014 Democratic nominee for Shelby County sheriff, Bennie Cobb, has filed his qualifying petition to run for sheriff in the May county primaries.
Floyd Bonner, chief sheriff's deputy for Shelby County, is among the latest candidates to file for a place on the May 2018 primary elections ballot. Bonner filed Friday, Dec. 8, in the Democratic primary for sheriff. He is expected to run against sheriff's office supervisor and 2014 Democratic nominee for sheriff Bennie Cobb in the primary.
Republican contender for Shelby County mayor Joy Touliatos is the first candidate in the race atop the May county primary ballot to file her qualifying petition. Touliatos, who is currently the Juvenile Court clerk, filed with the Shelby County Election Commission just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
A week before candidates for the 2018 Shelby County elections could pull qualifying petitions to run, Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves was thinking out loud on Facebook.
"Next four years," was how it began.
Republican contender for Shelby County Sheriff Dale Lane is touting the support of every suburban mayor in the county, current Shelby County Mayor and former sheriff Mark Luttrell, and former county mayor Jim Rout.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Floyd Bonner Jr. kicked off his campaign for sheriff Tuesday, Aug. 29, with a group of 150 supporters at The Racquet Club in East Memphis and the full endorsement of current Sheriff Bill Oldham.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Floyd Bonner Jr. kicked off his campaign for Sheriff Tuesday, Aug. 29, with a group of 150 supporters at the Racquet Club in East Memphis and the full endorsement of current Sheriff Bill Oldham.
The Seam, a technology firm founded by agribusiness companies that specializes in commodity trading and management systems, has added Rex Vandiver in a customer development role. Vandiver helps with customer support and project management, and he's also taking a greater role in involvement with the peanut industry to help The Seam better serve its customers' needs.
A total of 2,700 citizens cast early votes ahead Thursday's special state House District 95 election in eastern Shelby County. And on election day, three of the 14 polling places – two in Collierville and one in Germantown – will move from their regular locations.
Former Shelby County Commissioner Sidney Chism wants to be the Democratic nominee for Shelby County mayor in 2018, and he plans to begin his campaign after the November presidential election.
Local Democratic Party leaders who backed pursuing a criminal complaint against former party chairman Bryan Carson said last week they hope to put the controversy over party finances behind them.
The interim chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party became the new chairman of the party Thursday, June 2. And the local party's leadership voted to file a criminal complaint with the District Attorney General's office against former chairman Bryan Carson over party finances.
Memphis mayoral contender Jim Strickland saw a face he didn't recognize Saturday, June 13, in the southwest Memphis crowd at former County Commissioner Sidney Chism's annual political picnic.
Democrats don't consider it a successful campaign season unless there is some kind of intra-party dust up, the political axiom goes.
That conventional political wisdom loses its validity the more Republicans win, and it suggests that when the differences within the party aren't mended by a Democratic victory, a bigger skirmish is likely on the horizon.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen held off Thursday, Aug. 7, the most serious electoral challenge he's faced since winning the Congressional seat in 2006, in the form of attorney Ricky E. Wilkins.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has taken the early vote over challenger Ricky Wilkins in the hard fought Democratic Congressional primary on Thursday's Shelby County election ballot.
It could have been an election about the local criminal justice system. The set of once-every-eight-years judicial races was the perfect frame for competitive races for district attorney general and juvenile court judge as the main events.
In the closing weeks of the summer campaign to the Aug. 7 election day, the political struggle has come to the place all hard-fought campaigns ultimately come at this point – signs and space.
Democratic political leaders and candidates put a lot of emphasis this past weekend on a strong start to the early voting period in advance of the Aug. 7 elections.
The early voting period opened Friday, July 18, with three Tennessee Supreme Court justices in town as well to campaign for retention in their nonpartisan races at the bottom of the ballot.
After a week in which his campaign for Shelby County district attorney general took heavy criticism from numerous political fronts, including his own party, Joe Brown said he has no regrets about alleging Republican incumbent District Attorney General Amy Weirich is gay.
Bennie Cobb remembers how he got his first job in the local criminal justice system.
It was 1980, and Cobb – then 19 years old – went to apply for a job at the old City Jail.
From the stage at County Commissioner Sidney Chism's annual political picnic Saturday, June 21, you could almost see the Aug. 7 election day.
On a Saturday afternoon with a crowded calendar of political events, state Rep. G.A. Hardaway invited the winners and losers from the May Democratic county primaries and local Democrats who are on the August ballot to stand together at an airport-area meeting room of about 100 people.
With the unofficial results in the Shelby County primary elections in, get ready for the "big ballot."
The candidates who won the Democratic and Republican primaries in Tuesday's elections advance to the August ballot where they will join a much larger group of candidates and races that once every eight years produce the largest ballot of any election cycle in Shelby County politics.
Shelby County voters will begin the process Tuesday, May 6, of electing a majority of new members to a Shelby County Commission that will also change to a set of 13 single-member districts when the winners take office on Sept. 1.
Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham took fire at a weekend political forum over his department's backlog of 300 untested rape kits, which Oldham revealed during budget hearings before the Shelby County Commission earlier in the week.
Shelby County voters begin deciding Wednesday, April 16, who holds 11 countywide offices, including Shelby County mayor and district attorney general, as well as 13 seats on the Shelby County Commission drawn with new single-member district lines.
The arrest of the Democratic nominee for Shelby County district attorney general Monday, March 24, is the best indication yet of the tumult within the local Democratic Party as it attempts to win countywide offices four years after losing every race to Republicans.
As Shelby County Democrats try to improve on losing every countywide office to Republicans in the 2010 county elections, party leaders are also warning political figures who identify as Democrats not to cross party lines.
Expect to hear a lot between now and August about how the local criminal justice system does or does not work.
With Thursday's filing deadline for candidates in the May 6 county primaries, two races for offices that are part of the system advanced to the August ballot.
One of the six Shelby County Commission incumbents seeking re-election this year was effectively elected to a new four-year term in a new district with the noon Thursday, Feb. 20, filing deadline for candidates in the May county primaries.
With a week to the filing deadline for candidates in the May 6 Shelby County primary elections, it looks as if Democrats will retain their seven-member majority on the Shelby County Commission.
The commission switches to a set of 13 single-member districts with the 2014 elections instead of the current structure of one single-member district and four districts each represented by three commissioners.
With two weeks to the filing deadline for candidates in the May Shelby County primary elections and two months to the deadline for those in the August state and federal primaries and county nonpartisan elections, the fields have solidified enough that some political players are weighing their prospects for a late entry before the filing deadlines.
The Shelby County Commission starts with a dozen members at the first meeting of 2014. But it should be back up to the full 13 members by the end of the Monday, Jan. 13, session.
The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building. Follow the meeting @tdnpols, www.twitter.com/tdnpols.
Shelby County Commissioners will interview a group of 15 citizens Wednesday, Jan. 8, who want to become the newest member of the elected body.
The committee session interviews come before the full commission is to vote Monday, Jan. 13, on a replacement for Commissioner Wyatt Bunker.
It didn't work for Myron Lowery in last year's special election for Memphis mayor.
But Joe Ford won the Democratic nomination for Shelby County mayor this week by running from the office.
Interim County Mayor Joe Ford became the Democratic nominee for mayor in the August county general elections Tuesday night.
And the August sheriff's race will be a contest between Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Randy Wade.
All three were among the winners in Tuesday's low turnout county primaries.
Approximately ten percent of Shelby County's nearly 600,000 voters cast ballots in early voting and election day polling.
Ford, who was appointed interim mayor in December, beat County Commissioner Deidre Malone and General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Mark Luttrell who had only token opposition in the Republican primary from perennial contender Ernie Lunati.
Luttrell has raised more money than all three of the Democratic primary contenders combined and began running television ads in the last week runup to election day.
The final unofficial totals in the Democratic mayoral primary are:
Ford 20,360 57%
Malone 12,916 37%
Jackson 2,168 6%
The pair of primaries for Sheriff featured eight candidates, seven of whom either currently work for the sheriff's department or are past employees. Only Reginald French, in the Democratic primary was not a former or current department official.
Wade was the 2002 Democratic nominee, losing to Luttrell who is leaving as Sheriff after serving two terms. French was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 elections.
Oldham is Luttrell's chief deputy, the number two position in the department. He is also a former director of the Memphis Police Department.
The final unofficials totals in the Republican primary are:
Bill Oldham 13,821 48%
Dale Lane 7,981 28%
Bobby Simmons 5,886 21%
James Coleman 943 3%
In the Democratic primary:
Randy Wade 22,643 67%
Reginald French 6,777 20%
Larry Hill 2,738 8%
Bennie Cobb 1,814 5%
Voters in the primary elections decided to return six Shelby County commissioners to new four year terms with Tuesday's results. They also elected six new commissioners. The winner of the thirteenth commission seat will be decided on the August general election ballot in a contest between district 5 Democratic incumbent Steve Mulroy and Republican challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos. The winner of the match up will determine whether the commission remains majority Democrat or goes majority Republican.
Mulroy easily defeated Jennings Bernard in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Republican incumbent Mike Ritz ran unopposed as did new Democratic commissioner Walter Bailey.
In the remaining ten contests, the primaries decided who gets the seats since no one ran in the opposing party's primary.
The most hotly contested contest among the commission races was for District 4 Position 1. Outgoing Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas beat John Pellicciotti, appointed to a commission seat last year but running for a different position in the same district. Jim Bomprezzi, the former mayor of Lakeland, was the third contender in the contest.
The final unofficial totals in the Republican primary:
Thomas 7,631 52%
Pellicciotti 4,871 33%
Bomprezzi 2,298 15%
In position 2 of the same district incumbent Republican Wyatt Bunker easily overcame two challengers with former Lakeland alderman John Wilkerson finishing second and Ron Fittes finishing third.
Millington businessman Terry Roland claimed the third position in the district that takes in all six of Shelby County's suburban towns and cities.
Roland beat George Chism to take the seat Pellicciotti was appointed to but opted not to run for in deference to Roland.
Heidi Shafer, an aide to outgoing County Commissioner George Flinn, claimed Flinn's District 1 Position 2 seat over Albert Maduska.in the GOP primary.
District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Carpenter easily beat businessman Joe Baier.
In the Democratic commission primaries, Melvin Burgess claimed Malone's District 2 Position 3 seat in a field of six contenders. His closest contender was Reginald Milton. Burgess, a city school system audit manager, had run for the seat before. He brought in 54 percent of the vote.
The other hard fought Democratic commission primary saw Justin Ford, son of the interim mayor, claim his father's District 3 Position 3 seat.
Ford beat Edith Moore, a retired IBM executive, whom the commission appointed to the seat after the elder Ford became mayor.
The final unofficial vote totals are:
Ford 7,342 66%
Moore 3,822 34%
Democratic incumbent commissioners Henri Brooks, Sidney Chism and James Harvey were all re-elected over primary challengers.
The county-wide primaries for seven clerk's positions saw the return of former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican 16 years after Republican challenger Bill Key took her job. Johnican decisively beat Ralph White and Vernon Johnson in her first bid for office since the 1994 defeat. She will face Republican Kevin Key, the son of Bill Key in the August general election.
Johnican 16,381 51%
White 10,170 31%
Johnson 5,954 18%
Former Juvenile Court Clerk Shep Wilbun easily won the Democratic primary with 76 percent of the vote to face Republican Joy Touliatos in August for the office being vacated by Republican Steve Stamson. Touliatos was unopposed in the primary.
Democrat Coleman Thompson is back for another go at incumbent Republican Register Tom Leatherwood.
Aside from Leatherwood, Jimmy Moore is the only other of the seven clerks seeking re-election. Moore ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He will face Democrat Ricky Dixon in August.
Trustee Regina Newman was appointed to her office following the death last year of Paul Mattila. Newman easily overcame M LaTroy Williams in Tuesday's Democratic primary. She will face David Lenoir, who beat former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham in the Republican contest.
Lenoir 15,922 58%
Willingham 11,569 42%
The other six candidate field on the ballot was in the Democratic primary for Probate Court Clerk. Sondra Becton posted impressive vote totals over her rivals, bringing in 35 percent of the vote with Peggy Dobbins her closest rival. Becton, who is making her fourth bid for the office, will face Republican Paul Boyd, who ran unopposed in his primary.
Becton 10,929 36%
Dobbins 5,366 18%
Annita Hamilton 4,848 16%
Clay Perry 3,549 12%
Danny Kail 3,120 11%
Karen Tyler 2,782 9%
The closest contest of the evening was in the Democratic primary for County Clerk. Wrestling promoter and television personality Corey Maclin won his political debut by less than 1,400 votes over Charlotte Draper and LaKeith Miller. He will face Republican Wayne Mashburn who beat Steve Moore in the companion primary.
Early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 election day begins July 16. The August ballot will also feature state and federal primary elections including the statewide primaries for governor and the primaries for all nine of the state's Congressional districts.
Most of the Democratic and Republican candidates for Shelby County sheriff gathered last month in the office of outgoing Sheriff Mark Luttrell.
Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday's noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.
Luttrell faces only token opposition from perennial candidate Ernie Lunati.
Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for mayor grew to three contenders as General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson filed his qualifying petition just before the deadline. He joins interim County Mayor Joe Ford and Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone.
Luttrell ruled out a bid for Shelby County mayor last year (2009). But when Harold Byrd decided not to run in the Democratic primary, some local GOP leaders asked Luttrell to reconsider.
The result touched off a scramble of candidates from both parties for the open sheriff's office. But before the noon deadline, the initial field of over a dozen possible contenders was narrowed to ten – six Democrats and four Republicans.
The other surprise at the filing deadline was the return of attorney Walter Bailey to the District 2 Position 1 seat he gave up in the 2006 elections. Bailey sought re-election then to another term despite a two term limit on commissioners. Bailey lost to J.W. Gibson who decided not to seek re-election. He also lost a court fight to overturn the term limits.
Bailey was the only candidate who had filed for the seat at the Thursday deadline.
Only one incumbent county commissioner – Republican Mike Ritz -- was effectively re-elected at the deadline because he had no opposition.
All but one of the eleven contested County Commission races will be decided with the May 4 primaries. The only general election battle for the August ballot is the district 5 contest between GOP challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos and whoever wins the May Democratic primary between incumbent Steve Mulroy and Jennings Bernard.
Former County Commissioner John Willingham also returned to the ballot among a field of Republican contenders in the primary for Shelby County Trustee.
And former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican joined the Democratic primary field for her old job. Incumbent Republican Bill Key pulled petition to seek re-election but did not file at the deadline.
Here is the list of races and contenders from The Shelby County Election Commission. All candidate have until noon Feb. 25 to withdraw from the ballot if they wish.
R- Republican
I- Independent
Shelby County Mayor:
Deidre Malone (D)
Joe Ford (D)
Otis Jackson (D)
Mark Luttrell (R)
Ernest Lunati (R)
Leo Awgowhat (I)
Shelby County Sheriff:
James Coleman (R)
Bobby Simmons (R)
Bill Oldham (R)
Dale Lane (R)
Larry Hill (D)
Bennie Cobb (D)
Randy Wade (D)
James Bolden (D)
Elton Hymon (D)
Reginald French (D)
County Commission Dist 1 Pos 1
Mike Ritz (R) (incumbent)
County Commission Dist 1 Pos 2
Albert Maduska (R)
Heidi Shafer (R)
County Commission Dist 1 Pos 3
Mike Carpenter (R) (incumbent)
Joe Baire (R)
County Commission Dist 2 Pos 1
Walter Bailey (D)
County Commission Dist 2 Pos 2
Henri Brooks (D) (incumbent)
David Vinciarelli (D)
County Commission Dist 2 Pos 3
Eric Dunn (D)
Norma Lester (D)
Tina Dickerson (D)
Melvin Burgess (D)
Reginald Milton (D)
Freddie Thomas (D)
County Commission Dist 3 Pos 1
James Harvey (D) (incumbent)
James Catchings (D)
County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 2
Sidney Chism (D) (incumbent)
Andrew "Rome" Withers (D)
County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 3
Edith Moore (D) (incumbent)
Justin Ford (D)
County Commission Dist 4 Pos 1
Chris Thomas (R)
John Pellicciotti (R)
Jim Bomprezzi (R)
County Commission Dist 4 Pos 2
Wyatt Bunker (R) (incumbent)
John Wilkerson (R)
Ron Fittes (R)
County Commission Dist 4 Pos 3
Terry Roland (R)
George Chism (R)
Edgar Babian (R)
County Commission Dist 5
Steve Mulroy (D) (incumbent)
Jennings Bernard (D)
Rolando Toyos (R)
Shelby County Clerk
Charlotte Draper (D)
Corey Maclin (D)
LaKeith Miller (D)
Wayne Mashburn (R)
Steve Moore (R)
Criminal Court Clerk
Vernon Johnson (D)
Minerva Johnican (D)
Ralph White (D)
Michael Porter (R)
Kevin Key (R)
Jerry Stamson (I)
Circuit Court Clerk
Jimmy Moore (R) (incumbent)
Steven Webster (D)
Carmichael Johnson (D)
Ricky W. Dixon (D)
Juvenile Court Clerk
Joy Touliatos (R)
Charles Marshall (D)
Sylvester Bradley (D)
Shep Wilbun (D)
Julia Roberson Wiseman (I)
Probate Court Clerk
Paul Boyd (R)
Sondra Becton (D)
Danny Kail (D)
Annita Sawyer Hamilton (D)
Peggy Dobbins (D)
Clay Perry (D)
Karen Tyler (D)
Shelby County Register
Tom Leatherwood (R) (incumbent)
Coleman Thompson (D)
Lady J. Swift (D)
Carlton Orange (D)
Shelby County Trustee
Regina Newman (D) (incumbent)
M. LaTroy Williams (D)
John Willingham (R)
Jeff Jacobs (R)
David Lenoir (R)
Although today marks the filing deadline for the May 4 Shelby County primaries and independent candidates on the Aug. 5 county general election ballot, plenty of political drama remains.
In fact, the filing deadline is often just as important – and surprising – as election day.
After a tumultuous year of political upheaval in 2009, the 2010 campaign season has belatedly come to life.
Democrat Harold Byrd's decision not to run for Shelby County mayor late last month and Republican Mark Luttrell's decision this week to get in the race have shaken the political atmosphere out of its post-New Year doldrums.


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The marriage of great content and compelling design can result in a truly successful PowerPoint presentation. Unfortunately, too often we witness couplings that someone should have objected to at the start.
Think twice before you match your captivating text with predictable, uninspiring, dull graphics and design (even though your mother likes it). Finding the ideal PowerPoint template design match will maximize your message and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Check out these important, basic qualities to embrace and (some to avoid) when choosing your PowerPoint design template:
Instant message—What are you trying to say?
Is your PowerPoint presentation the BIG PITCH for that new client you've been courting?
Don't let them be the ones that got away.
When mulling over the qualities of PowerPoint slide templates, think about your brand. Is it corporate or casual? Suits or sweats? Progressive or conservative? What should your PowerPoint presentation design communicate about you and your brand message?
For example, a business-themed PowerPoint presentation should be clean, crisp and straightforward.
Uncluttered and uncomplicated, with a consistent layout and design, the colors and simple imagery in these PowerPoint templates communicate structure, consistency and organization.
On the other hand, if your organization or brand isn't quite so corporate, then a more dynamic PowerPoint template design works to engage and excite your audience.
Bold, colorful design is exhilarating and energetic, and especially effective at being an audience magnet. (Who doesn't like bright colors and shiny things?!)
Hey, good lookin'—visual appeal
There are plenty of stock templates out there that are reasonably attractive. They're functional. They serve your purpose. But are they memorable?
Generic is okay, but not particularly sleek. Instead, seek out designs that are visually appealing, that you haven't seen a million times at a thousand other meetings. Choose designs that work for you, complimenting your brand and your message. Don't settle for designs that just sit there like a lump, while you do all the talking.
Visually appealing templates offer PowerPoint slides that allow you to balance imagery with text in ways that are interesting, polished and attractive. In the above presentation, simple graphics, photos and text are used sparingly so as not to overwhelm the audience with too much information. At the same time, colors are vibrant, images are appealing and branding carries through from start to finish.
Endless possibilities—Layout options
Don't get tied down to a template that only offers you a title page and text page. Instead, search for templates with a master slide and multiple layout options.
Something that will support not only text and images but graphs, tables and charts as well.
Most importantly, choose a template that is editable, with the ability to change to suit your needs.
Either one of these design templates would be a good catch for your PowerPoint presentation. Both allow for customization of layout and design on interior pages, while still maintaining common colors and themes throughout.
Other considerations—where will you put your images? How are the slides designed to support both graphics and text? (Don't fall in love with potential. Make sure it actually works for you.)
Multiple layout options make this a great match that supports a variety of graphical, photographic and text elements.
Compatibility—Color choices that match your message
Set the mood with color. A good template shouldn't box you in with boring color choices.
Look for PowerPoint templates that offer a wide palette of options. For example, ones that match your brand colors.
Consider colors that are saturated enough to provide contrast so that your text pops, and that communicate the emotion behind your message—excitement, success, warmth, fun.
Not only does this work as a template that communicates business, but the use of white letters on a deep, rich indigo background makes the slides pop.
You should also think about accent colors.
Red and yellow accents make a stand-out statement in this presentation.
However, be wary of templates with too much color. A lot of it might seem enchanting at first…until it wears out your audience and they text a friend for an escape call from your presentation.
The perfect couple—Typography and your message
Make sure your template offers the font options that couple up well with your message. Which fonts are available? Classic? Professional? Fun? Elegant?
The professional-looking sans serif type is bold, no-nonsense and very business-like.
Edgy and creative, these fonts complement the message perfectly. A fun font exudes charm and personality.
Smooth move
If you follow these basics when evaluating and choosing your perfect PowerPoint template, you could produce something like this:
Clean-cut, engaging and bright, with a successful visual balance between text, design, color and imagery—the kind of PowerPoint presentation you'd be happy to bring home to your mother.
Author: Kris Decker


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For those of you who have their telly with Virgin Media (formerly UPC.... formerly NTL..... Cablelink..... wtf.....) well anyway from next week they'll be taking eir Sports (formerly Setanta Sports blah blah blah....) off your telly so there'll be no more Irish football on your box unless RTE wake up.
eir are doing a good 18-month package for 25 for six months and then 90 for the next 12 months if u fancy switching, like I just did. You get eir Sports 1 and 2, the 4 BT Sports plus the usual standard 50-odd channels. And fibre broadband and some shite with a landline (but who uses them any more?).
So there.
I must say the eir Sports coverage has been really good. Yer man Will the commentator. Knows his stuff.


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Mother of Noah Pozner Makes Emotional Anti-Gun Plea
Flashing a photo of her slain son, Noah, lighting a Hanukkah candle, Veronique Pozner made a dramatic plea for stricter gun control laws at a packed hearing Monday in Connecticut's state capital.
Joined by other relatives of those killed in the Newtown school rampage, Pozner called for a complete ban of all assault weapons and mandatory registration of all firearms.
"What happened in Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012 destroyed Noah's life and the lives of so many others," Pozner told the panel. "We must change for the better to prevent the likelihood of a tragedy of this magnitude from ever shattering the lives of innocence and their families ever again."
Read the full transcript of Veronique Pozner's moving statement.
The heartbroken mother said the photo was taken the night before Noah Pozner was killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Twenty-seven others were also slain by crazed gunman Adam Lanza, who later turned the gun on himself.
"He looked so innocent and full of wonder," Veronique Pozner said. "He was cheated of his full potential. I can now only dream of the man he would have become."
Veronique Pozner had already made her support for gun control clear in interviews, although she prefaced one early comment by saying she did not have all the answers and insisted: "I am no Golda Meir." The Monday hearing marked the first time she has spoken in a public meeting on the controversial topic, which has become a lightning rod for debate in Connecticut and nationwide.
President Obama, who consoled Veronique Pozner and other parents at a memorial service after the shootings, has proposed a raft of new gun control measures. But the fate of a new assault weapons ban and other measures remains unclear as gun rights advocates, backed by the powerful National Rifle Association, push back hard.
Pozner spoke emotionally about her loss, which she described as an example of the harm that unfettered access to guns can do to innocent victims like Noah.
"Noah was our 6-year-old force of nature," Veronique recalled. "He will never get to attend middle school or high school, kiss a girl, attend college, pick a career path, fall in love, marry, have children or travel the world."
Pozner suggested that she had not thought much about the issue of gun control until the Newtown massacre forced her to address it. She argued that stricter rules particularly on assault weapons that can fire many rounds quickly would make it more difficult for anyone to carry out a mass shooting like at Newtown.
"The equation is terrifyingly simple: Faster weapons equal more fatalities," Pozner said. "Possession of any assault weapon regardless of the date of purchase ought to be illegal."
She pointed out that Adam Lanza was easily able to get his hands on weapons because his mother, a gun enthusiast, owned them legally. Lanza used the sophisticated weapons to gun down his mother before going to the school and carrying out the rampage there. Investigators still do not know what caused him to snap or why he targeted the school.
Those facts, Pozner said, should encourage lawmakers to consider enacting mandatory licensing for all guns and mandatory liability insurance for all gun owners. Such laws would force owners to evaluate whether their desire to own a gun is worth the potential cost to themselves and to society.
"Motor vehicle owners are required to carry liability insurance on their vehicles," she said. "The same should apply to gun owners."
More than 500 people were expected to speak at the Bipartisan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety hearing in Hartford, less than an hour's drive from the scene of the Newtown shooting.
Neil Heslin, father of Newtown victim Jesse Lewis, said there is no reason to allow civilians to own assault weapons.
"I still can't see why any civilian, anybody in this room in fact, needs weapons of that sort," Heslin said, according to The Courant of Hartford. "You are not going to use them for hunting or even for home protection."
Steven Barton, who was shot and wounded in the movie theater rampage in Aurora, Colo., also called for new gun restrictions.
""I'll be hoping to put a face to gun violence, but also speak about the policies that I think will help prevent these sort of tragedies from happening," said Barton, who lives in nearby Southbury, Conn., according to NBC news.
The hearing started at 10 a.m. and was expected to stretch till past midnight Tuesday morning.
Gun rights supporters also spoke along with representatives of gun manufacturers, who mostly oppose new measures on the grounds that they would impinge on the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
The Jewish community has traditionally strongly backed gun control and Jewish communal organizations have spoken out in favor of new restrictions since the Newtown massacre. But a handful of Jews have also played leadership roles in gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association.
Veronique Pozner was an emotional centerpiece of the hearing, recounting some of Noah's favorite sayings and recalling his big heart.
Noah's bright personality makes the family's loss all the more poignant, even though Veronique Pozner said she felt blessed to have four surviving children, including Noah's twin sister, Arielle.
"Never will he feel the sunlight on his face, the companionship of a family who adores him, the taste of a good meal or to get to dig a hole all the way to China, as he strove to do every summer day at the beach," she said.
Even as she proposed new measures that may prevent future mass killings, Veronique Pozner suggested there are some questions that nobody can answer.
"He used to ask, 'If there are bad guys out there, why can't they just wake up one day and decide to be good,'" she recounted. " I didn't always have the answers that Noah was looking for."


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I'm a pessimist, and I drew this sketch, anticipating that the conservative justices on the Supreme Court would strike down Obamacare this morning -of-course, I'm a lazy pessimist, so I didn't actually draw the finished cartoon in advance, just a sketch so I could knock it out faster this morning. Some other cartoonists actually drew two cartoons in advance, anticipating different outcomes.
The Court surprised me and upheld Obamacare, so I'm delighted not to be finishing the drawing!
RELATED: Our cartoons about the Supreme Court's ruling on Obamacare


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I am looking for a molecular-level understanding of the greenhouse effect.
What is it about the carbon-dioxide molecule (and methane, and water, etc) that is different from other gasses (particularly, N2 and O2) such that it works in the atmosphere to trap heat?
Is it, say, the distance between nuclei in the molecules relative to the wavelengths of infrared light? Dipolarity of the molecule? A combination of various factors?


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Expert Abbotsford pumpkin carver Rick Chong is at it again this year, creating both whimsical and heart-warming contributions for Halloween.
Chong's intricately carved creations this year include a tribute to fallen Abbotsford Police Const. Allan Young, 55, who was assaulted in Nelson on July 16 and died in hospital three days later.
In 2018, Chong paid tribute to Const. John Davidson – who was fatally shot in the line of duty on Nov. 6, 2017 at the age of 53 – and the Humboldt Broncos hockey team, whose bus was involved in a collision in April of that year, resulting in the deaths of 16 people.
RELATED: Abbotsford police officer remembered for sense of humour after dying following off-duty assault
RELATED: Intricately carved pumpkins pay tribute to John Davidson and Humboldt tragedies
Chong carves 30 pumpkins every year and displays them outside his home at #34-3087 Immel St., where he also collects donations for the Run for the Cure breast cancer event.
The pumpkins are set up in the afternoon and are lit up when it begins to get dark.
Among the carvings in this year's display are Scooby-Doo, Jack Nicholson as The Joker, the logo from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, and Stitch from the animated film Lilo and Stitch.
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Rautaruukki Corporation, Raahe, Finland
Rautaruukki Corporation is a metal component and system provider for steel construction and engineering businesses. With almost 12,000 employees in 27 countries and an annual turnover exceeding 2 billion euros, Rautaruukki is a significant operator in the Nordic countries, Eastern Europe and Russia. The Raahe steel works produces 2.8 million metric tons of hot rolled steel and special steel products each year.
Replacing a long-serving metal handling crane
With increased production demands, the Raahe steel works needed a new hot metal crane to replace the one installed in 1975. Modern steel production processes required new lifting equipment that emphasized safety, usability and ease of maintenance.
Designing a crane with cutting-edge features
Konecranes and Rautaruukki worked together to design the new crane, fitting it with the Sway Control and Target Positioning Smart Features, making the crane easier and safer to use, even when transporting steel at higher speeds. The addition of the Konecranes Crane Monitoring System allowed for improved maintenance planning by giving visibility to the operating conditions of the crane.
The cooperation between Rautaruukki and Konecranes helped produce a durable new crane that allows the Raahe mill to meet its increased production demands while maintaining safety, performing reliably and allowing for easy maintenance.


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In oral arguments yesterday about Obamacare's individual mandate, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts posited that if the government could force people to buy health insurance, its power would be nearly unlimited:
Once we say that there is a market and Congress can require people to participate in it…it seems to me that we can't say there are limitations on what Congress can do under its commerce power, just like in any other area.… All bets are off.
Justice Kennedy, considered the swing vote on the court, seemed to agree:
Here, the government is saying that the federal government has a duty to tell the individual citizen that it must act, and that is different from what we have in previous cases.… [That] changes the relationship of the federal government to the individual in the very fundamental way.
These are welcome statements by the Supreme Court justices and positive indications for those who believe Obamacare is unconstitutional. Yet it's important to remember that the judicial branch is coequal to both the legislative and executive branches, which means no matter the ruling on the law, the Supreme Court is not the final arbiter.
In 1832, for instance, the Supreme Court declared the Indian Removal Act unconstitutional. President Andrew Jackson defied it, stating, "John Marshall has made his decision; let him enforce it now if he can." Indian removal commenced in 1838 under the command of General Winfield Scott.
When two coequal branches of government disagree, the people are the ultimate arbiter, expressing their will through election channels.
This is not to suggest that, if the act is struck down, President Obama will defy the court's ruling. It's merely to show that the fight may not be over after the decision comes down: It may end up that Congress wants to repeal in its entirety, the executive wants to keep it, and the Court ends up throwing out parts of it but not the whole thing. In that case, it will necessarily revert back to the political branches and, by election, the judgments of the American people.
Regardless of the ruling, opponents of the law must continue the fight at all levels of government—judicial, legislative, and executive.


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By Aishah Shahidah Simmons | With thanks to NewBlackMan
Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
For Michael (Dad), Cheryl D., and Wadia…
In Memory of Toni and Audre…
On the eve of the Pride parade in New York City, I reflect upon my very first New York Pride, which was in 1990. I was a very 'wet behind the ears,' 21-year old OUT 'Baby Dyke.' Wadia Gardiner, who was my first girlfriend as an adult, took me to the big city to celebrate PRIDE. That experience changed my life forever.
My being out as a LESBIAN is not solely political. It is literally and metaphorically about my own survival in the entity known as Aishah Shahidah Simmons in this lifetime. I will never ever condone my rape, which resulted in my pregnancy and abortion. At the same time, I know that my rape was connected to my deep seated internalized homophobia where I was a frightened teenager who literally thought I was going to be struck down by Allah (God). I can very vividly remember literally looking at the sky wondering when the striking would happen because of my attraction to women. I went to a high school (Philadelphia High School for Girls '231) where there were many of us who were either comfortable with or struggling through our queer identities. Equally as important there were many straight identified girls who were staunch allies of those who were/are queer. And yet, I still was terrified.
When I was eighteen in my senior year in high school struggling with my sexuality, Michael Simmons, my father, asked Cheryl Dowton, an out Black lesbian to talk to me about being a lesbian. My father didn't want me to think that being a lesbian was a bad thing. Equally as important he didn't want me to think that becoming a lesbian would mean that I would have to give up my racial identity. So it was extremely important to him that I have the opportunity to talk with a Black lesbian about all of my questions, anxieties and fears. Having the opportunity to talk with Cheryl allowed me to literally see that Black and lesbian were not contradictory identities. Even with my having a girlfriend in my senior year in high school, I was SO afraid that my connecting with Cheryl, didn't enable me to fully embrace my authentic self until three year later.
I had a boyfriend my first year at Swarthmore College whom I loved. We had a wonderful relationship, while it lasted, but I always knew my feelings for women. And, at the same time I wanted to be "normal" (aka Heterosexual)… I wanted to be as accepted as Black (presumed) heterosexual women could be in racist and sexist Amer-i-KKK-a.
During my second year at Temple University, I went on a study abroad program to Mexico. During that journey, I was raped. My rape from an acquaintance in Mexico was directly related to my thinking something was wrong with me because I hadn't had (heterosexual, or homosexual, for that matter) sex in over a year (post my break up with my boyfriend). Clearly, as a woman, regardless of my sexual orientation, I could get raped at any point or time. This is based on the wretched global statistics about violence against women. However, in my specific instance, I was trying to prove that I was heterosexual and that's why I made the poor choices I made.
Again, I want to be explicitly clear, I'm not nor would I EVER condone my rape. Poor choices and poor judgement should never EVER equate rape. The rape probably resulted in my pregnancy, though I'm not sure exactly. In my quest to both deny what happened and anesthetize my pain, the following night, post my rape; I had consensual sex with another man. When I returned to the States, I was six weeks shy of my 20th birthday and pregnant. I'm one of the fortunate women who was able to have a safe and legal abortion about one week after my 20th birthday. Albeit, I had to cross vitriolic anti-choice/anti reproductive justice protesters to get into the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center for Women in Philadelphia.
Fast forward to the following year when I was 21 years old and finally coming to terms with the fact that I was a lesbian and that I could no longer keep it a secret from myself foremost, and the world secondarily, I called my teacher/mentor/Big Sista Toni Cade Bmabara several times and talked to her about my internal struggle, my fears of rejection, isolation, and alienation. Toni listened to me. She affirmed me. She encouraged me to be true to my spirit and myself without regards for what anyone else thought, said, and or wanted. During this conversation, Toni taught me two of many invaluable lessons, one, that the word sistah was both a noun and a verb and two, that the responsibility of the artist/cultural worker is to use their art/cultural work to make revolution irresistible.
During that same time I read Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde, which was given to me by a Holli Van Ness a colleague of mine at the American Friend Service Committee. Prior to reading that book, I didn't really know about Audre Lorde or her groundbreaking work. Audre Lorde's words both invigorated and challenged me to break the vicious cycle of silence and shame around being a lesbian. I was literally transformed in my bedroom while reading Sister Outsider. I devoured every single word as if my very life depended upon it. It was as if Audre Lorde were speaking directly to me. In that book, she addressed all of my issues and concerns. Her written words taught me that I had a responsibility to not only be out, but to be engaged in the international struggles of the oppressed as an out Black Feminist Lesbian. I know a metaphysical transformation happened where I went from being an afraid, frightened, and ashamed Black lesbian young woman, to an out Black lesbian activist after reading Sister Outsider.
I am keenly aware that the metaphysical transformation that occurred was a gradual process that began with my father's ongoing support, which commenced with his arranging for me to meet and talk with Cheryl Dowton as well as the conversations that I had with Toni. And yet, at the same time, Audre Lorde's words gave me the initial tools that I needed to embark on my journey as an out Black feminist lesbian. It was in April 1990 that I came out with a vengeance and vowed never ever to go back in the closet again.
It was during this time that I met Wadia. Nine years older than me, she was, in my eyes, a Lesbian veteran. While the relationship barely made it slightly over a year, it was one of the most profound connections for several reasons. One, Wadia is a Muslim who didn't see any contradiction between her sexuality and her spirituality. This was critical for me because I was raised Sufi Muslim and yet I thought Allah had forsaken me because of my sexual orientation. Wadia's absolute clarity about her connection to her faith helped me to understand that like with my race and my sexuality, which are bound into one, my spirituality is an integral part of who I am. It was a transformational experience because prior to meeting and getting involved with Wadia, I made the decision that I would face and burn in Hell later and live my life now, which meant I would sever my relationship with my faith. It was profound to perform Salats (Prayer) and do Dhikr with my Black woman partner. I still get teary eyed when I think about that homecoming where all of mySelves were embraced and acknowledged. I'm most grateful that my first partner was/is a Black Muslim Woman.
Two, in addition to helping me reintegrate back into my Spiritual life, Wadia introduced to me to a world of Black, Latina, Asian, Indigenous, European (American) and Arab feminist lesbians who were/are cultural workers, musicians, scholars, jewelers, activists, healthcare practitioners, and organizers based in Philadelphia, New York, and other parts of the country. More often than not, I was by far one of the younger ones in the private and public spaces where we gathered. I have many fond memories of our tenure together, including a two month journey to Mexico where I reclaimed the space/place where I was raped. However, the one memory that will always hold a deep place in my heart is New York Pride.
This was years before the police clamped down on the Pier where after marching in the PRIDE Parade, we (women, men, trans) gathered to pour libation, drum, perform spoken word, eat food, embrace, dance and BE IN ALL OF OUR (predominantly) COLORED LGBT PRIDE AND GLORY well into the wee hours of the morning… My Goddess that was a profound gift… Once I made peace with my lesbian identity, I was able to focus my attention on my life's work, which was/is to use the camera lens and written word to (hopefully) make radical, peaceful, compassionate revolution irresistible. To this very day Wadia is one of my most trusted friends/confidantes/comrades. We are family.
June 2011 a different landscape from June 1990.
There's marriage equality for all in NY, and yet for so many of us who are Queer identified, we're still not safe and protected. I believe EVERYONE, regardless of their sexual orientation, who wants to get married, should have the right to get married. At the same time, I don't want to have to get married to have rights and privileges, which should be made available to everyone, regardless of their marital status. I celebrate this Marriage Equality victory while not losing sight that the battle is SO far from being over that it's not even funny.
Just ask my Black Lesbian sisters (The New York Four) who are (unjustly and inhumanely) incarcerated for protecting themselves against sexist and homophobic violence perpetuated against them in the (safe, White) queer friendly Village… You can read Imani Henry's poignant 2007 essay.
This is one of many countless examples of the ongoing assaults on Queer people of Color throughout NY and across the country… Just ask or check in with The Audre Lorde Project or Queers for Economic Justice, to name two radical and revolutionary NY-based Queer organizations. Also the recently released Queer (In)Justice The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States by Joey Mogul, Andrea Ritchie, and Kay Whitlock is groundbreaking, sobering, and a must read. http://www.queerinjustice.com/
Twenty-one years later, I joyously celebrate PRIDE while I interrogate the various ways, at various junctures on my journey as an out lesbian; I colluded in my own invisibility. I recognize that there aren't any clear-cut lines in the struggle to eradicate internalized and external oppression. Often times it's a trial and error process, where hopefully we can learn to both have compassion and forgive each other and ourselves.
*** �
Aishah Shahidah Simmons is an award-winning African-American feminist lesbian independent documentary filmmaker, television and radio producer, published writer, international lecturer, and activist based in Philadelphia, PA. Simmons is the writer, director and producer of NO! the Rape Documentary, a ground-breaking film that explores the issues of sexual violence and rape against Black women and girls.