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Meditation, in the Christian tradition - contemplation, the prayer of the Heart - is forming a world wide community.
Our website welcomes you to this community. You can learn here about the tradition, how to meditate, how to find a local weekly group, where to go on a Christian meditation retreat, browse our audio and video channels, get books, DVDs, and weekly resources.
In a society that is increasingly dependent on legislation to define its values and run its institutions, what is happening to justice? How do we know what is the right thing to do? How do we handle conflict with those who think differently from ourselves? How do we deal with people who do wrong things? The answers to these questions not only take us to the heart of our legal and social systems but to the heart of our very selves. This Meditatio Seminar will explore the spiritual dimension of justice revealed in all these responses.
Live Webcast player
Talks Schedule - Flyer
by Anne McDonnel'To see a world in a grain of sand. And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand. And eternity in an hour.' From Augaries of Innocence, William Blake.
I have just returned from a week in the Isles of Scilly. This is a special place for Mark and I as we have returned to it repeatedly over the years finding it's natural beauty a constant source of inspiration.
Entering into Silent Prayer: with Jean Vanier and Laurence Freeman
The founder of L'Arche and the director of WCCM led the retreatYou can watch all the videos in our YouTube Channel
See photos
The Music Project is being led by Michael Rathbone and Vincent Bonelli, in London. The idea is to invite people from the Community around the world to contribute music and make a CD.
Would you like to be part of this project? We suggest you to send your song file to email@example.com with the lyric and a description of yourself in your connection with the Community.
The Collected Talks of John Main make available to people today the unique and transforming power of his oral teaching. The best form of a spiritual teaching has always been the spoken word. These talks were the first phase of what later became The World Community for Christian Meditation, the global contemplative family that continues to grow through the inspiration of his teaching. Each of the eight sets of the Collected Talks is published as a book with the same title.
Desert Wisdom & Oriental Spirituality : Inner Silence
Led by Joseph Wong OSBPre-Seminar retreat led by Laurence Freeman OSBHong Kong September 16-25, 2013
The practice of Christian meditation taught by John Main can be traced back to the Desert Fathers, in their effort to achieve inner silence and thereby union with God through purity of heart and unceasing prayer. The contemplative-prophetic spirituality of our time is a development from this tradition. Joseph Wong will explore this ancient wisdom, showing its affinity with some Buddhist practices and indicating its contemporary relevance.
JMS 2013 Official Website
Download the flyer
Check out the new resources on Meditatio Store!


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Welcome to fbsm.co.uk The Home of Full Body Sensual Massage
The fbsm forum and therapists directory, provides a meeting place for like minded people to post their reviews, questions and answers on Erotic massage, Tantric massage, Sensual massage, and Therapeutic massage.
The forum is a private members only forum, and the views and reviews as expressed by its members in this
private club are those of the individual forum member only. Whist the forum discusses Human sexuality for self education
it has no pornographic content, and membership is limited to persons over the age of 18 only.
Providers of Sensual, Erotic,Tantric and Therapeutic massage are most welcome to join the forum,
and you are able to advertise your details in the forum providers section, and advise forum members of any special offers at no ongoing cost to you.
The forum has the following boards, to help you find that perfect massage experience, no matter where you are:
FBSM Independent Providers & Agencies
London (inside M25) Over 25,000 Posts and Reviews
South East Area (Outside M25) Over 5,000 Posts and Reviews
The East Midlands Over 2,500 Posts and Reviews
The West Midlands Over 4,500 Posts and Reviews
SouthWest Area Over 1,500 Posts and Reviews
South Coast Area Over 2,500 Posts and Reviews
Scotland Over 2,000 Posts and Reviews
East Anglia Over 1,500 Posts and Reviews
Rest of UK and Overseas Adventures
North-East, North-West, Yorkshire & the Humber Over 1,000 Posts and Reviews
Wales / Cymru Over 200 Posts and Reviews
FBSM Shops
London ( inside M25) Over 15,000 Posts and Reviews
South East Area
South Coast Area
The Midlands and the North Area.
SouthWest Area
Wales / Cymru
Rest of UK
Service Providers (Service providers own posts, introducing themselves and services available to the forum members).Over 2,000 Posts
Service Providers Rest Room (access only to service providers)
Service Providers Tours and Special Offers
Nuru & Soap Suds Massage
Man 2 Man & Couple Massage NEW BOARD
General Discussion Over 20,000 Posts
The forum now has over 130,000 posts In Total.
News from the fbsm Forum
Winter 2020
The fbsm forum is now proud to have over 130,000 posts of reviews and other useful information for all fans of Erotic and Tantric Massage.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How is this effecting you, and your massage activities. many forum members are now refraining from visiting massage therapists, and also many therapist and massage shops are not taking appointments for the moment, whist others are doing everything possible to avoided any risks to customers.
The "Sports Massage Association" has advised their members to close their practices:-
20/3/2020: Government tells Massage Parlours to close:
Forum service provider members
The forum now has over 100 massage therapists and agency owners, as members. This often makes it possible not only to make direct appointment with them. But often fbsm forum members are the first to find out about special offers and are also the first to find out about new therapists.
The fbsm forum 2012-2020
The fbsm forum is celebrating its 8th Birthday, we would like to thank all the forums members and service providers who have supported us in our journey over the last 8 year's.
We look forward to continuing to be the UK's number one dedicated source of information on all things about Sensual Erotic and Tantric Massage.
The fbsm forum also now has over 9000 individual discussion topics, covering massage agencies, independent massage therapists and shop based therapists.
Massage by Voucher
A big congratulations to one of our forum members who in his amazing thread "Massage by Voucher" has now visited over 200 massage shops around the London area, leaving a review for each one on the forum. but the truly amazing thing is that by signing up to receive special offers from a well know website, he often receives vouchers that allow him to book these shop massage appointments at astonishing discounted prices, and often leaves very happy after such appointments.
Map of UK Massage Providers
The fbsm forum Massage Map is being improved so that instead of just showing the locations of massage shops around the UK, will also show the location of massage agencies and also eventually independent massage provider. (for discretion only the town location will be shown for independent providers) These improvements will make the fbsm map an indispensable tool for anyone looking for a massage in a local area.Complete with a direct link to the relevant forum review so as to avoid disappointment.
New Asian Massage Shops
There seems to be a lot of new Chinese massage shops opening up outside of the London area and are opening up shop in many towns in the south east area, some towns that had no such shops before have now the choice of more than one, many have been reviewed by forum members *
* Some of the recently opened Massage Shops, reviewed by forum Members:
Oriental therapy Chinese massage, 7 beoley road west Redditch ,Worcestershire, B98 8LR
Natural Atmosphere Ltd, 2a Tudor St, London, EC4Y 0AA
Artemis Massage and Beauty Studio, 611 Garratt Lane, SW18 4SU.
Sawadee Ka Thai Massage, Village Square, Chelmsford, CM2 6RF.
Oriental Serenity Massage, 307 Woodham Ln, Addlestone, KT15 3NY
Chinese Massage, 198 Northfields Rd, Crookes, Sheffield, S10 1QU.
Buathong Thai massage, Gordon Avenue Portswood rd, Southampton, SO14 6WD.
A touch of Asian, 8 Grosvenor road, Aldershot, GU11 1DP.
Thai beauty massage, 439 Millbrook Road West, Southampton, SO15 OHX.
Chinese Massage Maidstone, 3 Mill Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15
Oriental Health Centre, 81 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AS
Heavitree Health Spa, 66 Fore Street, Heavitree, Exeter, EX12RR.
Beaconsfield massage, 35 Station road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1QG
Bamboo, 65 Bedford Hill,Balham, SW12 9HA
Buckingham Massage, 8 Bridge Street, Buckingham, MK18 1EL
Enyu Therapy, 20a High Street, Caterham, CR3 5UA
Blissful Asia Massage,184 Carlton Road, Nottingham, NG3 2BB.
Lili Chinese massage, 8A King Street, Kettering, NN16 8QW
Oriental Massage Centre, 24 Station road Liss, GU33 7DT
Asian Therapy Massage, 12b High Street, Starbeck, Harrogate HG2 7HY
Harmony Massage and Sauna, 35 East Street, Bromley, BR1 1QQ
Mandarin Oriental, 16 Stone Street, Gravesend, DA11 0NH
Oasis Balance Therapy, 158 Eltham Hill, London SE9 5EA.
Maylee Health Beauty Massage Centre, 649 London Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1EZ
Evergreen massage, 29 Church Street, Walton on Thames, KT12 2QP.
Asian Haven, 105 Commercial Road, SN1 5PL, Swindon
Well Health NEW BRANCH 35 The Cut, South Bank, London SE1 8LF
Oriental massage, 4 Cresswell Corner, Anchor Hill, Knaphill, Woking, GU21 2JD
Thatcham Massage Therapy, 8 The Burtwood,Thatcham, RG19 4YA
Chinese Massage Centre, 3 Church Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5DQ (Under new manager)
Lily Spa, 37 Kings Rd, Brentwood, CM14 4DJ
Sawasdee Thai, 124, West St., Fareham PO16 0EP
Qi Natural Healthcare, 141 High Street, West Ruislip, HA4 8JY,
Thai Sunshine Therapy, 9 Park Parade, Havant, PO9 5AA
Chinese Therapy, 42 Regent St, Shanklin, IOW, PO37 7AA
Ryde Chinese Massage Shop, 51-52 High Street, Ryde. IOW. PO33 2RE
Oriental Therapy Centre, 18 Charles Street, Newport, NP20 1JU
Zheng Healthcare,3 Golden Court, London, TW9 1EU
A Hot Discussion Topic
at the moment is about the rising prices charged by the Chinese massage shops, with some now asking for £50 for an hour!. Luckily forum members know where the VFM shops are, and so still have a happy time at a reasonable price.
On the subject of good value!, I have had many sensual massage providers also complaining about the lack of value advertising and directory listing Websites, complaining that the available directory websites either charge exorbitantly or have very little traffic, and so very little trade is gained from those websites. As such the fbsm forum is pleased to be able to offer a solution to this problem. We have recently opened our own massage directory that is accessible directly from the forum home page, taking advantage of the high volume of web traffic that the fbsm has, or is also accessible via its own url: www.fbsm.directory. There has been a very high take up of massage providers using our directory, and we hope that it will become very useful for both providers and clients.
SSL encryption
The fbsm forum is now using SSL encryption for the extra security of its members.
Joining The fbsm Forum
One of the questions that I am asked from time to time is, why do I have to pay a fee to use the fbsm forum?. Apart from paying for the forum costs and hosting fees, we have found that by asking for a fee, it prevents internet trolls and those who have no genuine interest in sensual massage from joining the forum, leaving the forum a more secure and enjoyable place for its members. once a fbsm forum member, if you make regular and useful posts you will not be asked for any further annual payments. In order to help new members join the forum, we now have a very discreet adult only E-Voucher payment system allowing a joining fee to be paid in a completely anonymous way, see our payment page for more details.
Forum Admin Team
How to Join the fbsm Forum
The fbsm forum is a private forum for genuine sensual massage enthusiasts who are over 18 years of age, in order to limit membership to such adult enthusiasts, And to help pay for the day to day running costs of the forum, a small fee of £10 pa is asked for, to become a forum member. Once a member of the forum, you will be able to read all the available forum post and reviews, If you make regular and useful posts you will not be asked for any further annual payments In order to register for a forum account you need to obtain a membership PIN code. This is available via a very discreet adult E-voucher payment, or with a secure credit card payment. If you have any issues with registering for the forum, send an email to [email protected],
To find out more about registering for the forum, please visit our forum payment page Here
Map of UK Massage Therapists (Under Construction, Please refer to the forums regional boards for a more complete selection of Therapists )
Forum Members Online Now (Blue = forum member. Green = service provider member. Gray = new forum Member)
44 Guests, 28 Users
Linx, milkybarry, balloon_knot, agata, sunnysideup, Don Giovanni, DMC, Burgundy92, houseboot, ian50, PONDEND, portnoy, Galileo, mike_p67, joe diddley, waffster, Sensem8, mega, mike00, ross2, Scorchin, 45lateyouth, Brent Cross, purpleone, Steveo77, Kentishman13, CORNICHON, gr8bloke
Forum Stats
Forum Tags
Tantric Erotic Massage Directory, Reviews. London Birmingham tantric practitioners Nutra Body Rub, Therapists, Massageads Soho Providers. Oriental Thai Massage Chinatown Happy Ending Massage TCM shop Spa Punter Advertisements, Reviews Listings Masseuse Southampton Free Ads FBSM Massage Agencies Relaxing Therapeutic Websites naturist B2B Body2Body Massage Scotland. chinese massage shops reviews With Hand Relief CFNM, Chinese Medicine Shop, Adult Massage, personal Prostate kensington Asian Massage special massage naturist, massage parlor, massage map, massage classifieds, ukRubMap, Body Rubs London Masseuse,tantric massage practitioners, Lingam Massage. www.rubmap.co.uk, www.chinesemassageshops.co.uk

subset: commoncrawl


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Mississippi Beats No. 10 Missouri in SEC Matchup
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Murphy Holloway scored 22 points, Jarvis Summers added 12 and Mississippi cruised to a 64-49 victory over No. 10 Missouri on Saturday night.
Ole Miss (13-2, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) led the entire game, jumping out to an early 9-0 lead thanks to timely shooting and superior defense. Holloway was nearly unstoppable in the paint, making 8 of 12 shots from the field and 6 of 10 free throws.
Missouri (12-3, 1-1) was without leading scorer Laurence Bowers, who is out with a sprained MCL in his right knee, and it was obvious the offense missed him. The Tigers were led by 13 points from Jabari Brown.
Missouri pulled to 41-33 with 16 minutes remaining, but couldn't get any closer. The Rebels' defense was suffocating for most of the night, forcing 19 turnovers.


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Our hygienic wall cladding is available in two materials, Rigid PVC and Polypropylene. Our system is most commonly used in commercial kitchens, food preparation areas, cold rooms and food storage areas. The PVC system is used in areas where a higher degree of hygiene and fire rating is required. The polypropylene system is used where a higher degree of impact resistance is needed and fire rating is not an issue.
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- Shipping>>Worldwide Express Shipping Available
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The Lords of Liquidity and Systemic Risk
So what happened on May 6 at 2:45? It is a unique experience–a case of high frequency trading machines (agents) algorithmically self-organizing their selling activities. Those agents that give liquidity are also the agents that can take it away. What the regulators did not anticipate is that a source that collectively provides instantaneous liquidity can deprive the market from that liquidity, not by explicit conspiracy, but by self-organized adaptation of similar strategies to capitalize on observed market signals.
Technology Drives Investing
It used to be that investment capital drove technology forward; however, since the standardization of the state of an order using the Financial Information Exchange (FIX) in 1993, a new market opened up and has evolved in parallel to computers.
With the same curiosity and determination of nanotechnology exploring atomic control at a space scale of 100 billionth of a meter, the quants of the markets were eyeing the order book on the exchanges to orders of a millionth of a second on the micro-time scale. We should not be surprised if we approach "time-nano-trading" very soon. It is also possible that space nano-trading is approachable through sub-divisibility of shares. It is no longer the case that investing drives technology but that technology dictates trading strategies which, given their volume percentages of 60%, effectively determine liquidity.
High Frequency Trading and Regulation
Accommodating short-term traders and long-term investors in the same space and time is tricky given that the two activities are taking place at different time scales and affect each other significantly. These issues were discussed in the Reg NMS 2004 which, in essence, emphasized the 1934 position that "these issues can be handled by simply noting that it makes little sense to refer to someone as "investing" in a company for a few seconds, minutes, or hours." And therefore, "when the interests of long-term investors and short-term traders conflict in this context, the Commission believes that its clear responsibility is to uphold the interests of long-term investors."
There is no violation of any rules. While the herd "mentality" of machines may have the de facto privilege of providing liquidity bestowed by them upon the system, it is certainly not an obligation.
The problem with this system is grossly apparent. For example, should they take an unintended self-organized break by canceling orders and flashing others while the system, which has developed an addiction to their life line of liquidity, can choke its way down until the agents decide to resume supplying the fix and power themselves up again–not because they care about the system but because a buy position is triggered by the algorithms. Perhaps it is in this sense that the lords of liquidity have become a systemic risk.
Installing circuit breakers is one answer to this problem but will not be sufficient to hold sellers from selling after the resumption of trade; in fact, it may exasperate a little downturn into a panic.
There are two problems, not addressed by the SEC, at the price-microstructure level by which algorithms may occasionally control the price: one is the ability to post an order and withdraw it without cost and, simultaneously, the automated change in price based on order flow without an execution of an order at that price. The combination of both allows for the positive probability of algorithms "luring" the price down to any level and without executing any order!
Is high frequency trading a systemic risk?
Is high frequency trading by itself a systemic risk or is the erosion of the financial regulatory system itself a systemic risk?
High frequency trading is a natural evolution to algorithmic trading in an environment of competitive strategies, available technology, permitting regulation and generally acceptable economic morality. Agents in financial systems will always test the boundaries of the possible and look in every corner of the systemic architecture, functionalities, and regulation to see if they can gain an edge. I am puzzled by loud, surprised voices which often find comfort in invoking the adage of "the law of unintended consequences" which in reality should be termed "the law of systemic ignorance". Regulators, who have a difficult job, must step up to the plate and identify the shortcomings of the system and propose long term solutions not quick tactical fixes.
The regulatory system, in dire need of reinvention, should be viewed as a critical component of the overall infrastructure system. Simultaneously and paradoxically we are whipping our technologies and innovations to proceed at an unprecedented speed in history to keep profits up while keeping our infrastructure systems to press forward at a snail's pace. It seems that we unrealistically view infrastructure systems as part of the detested fixed cost of the business with self-propelling magical powers. This is exasperated by the tension between the political left and right as they ideologically view the role of government from their lenses. The sad reality may be that the problem is not in how much is spent on those infrastructure systems, but in the inability of legacy systems to capture the rapid evolution of systems they are supposed to serve or protect. The proof that this is the case is the inability of current systems to predict where the next problem may be; instead we are surprised that experts in the system, and the system at-large is more surprised than the public, by unfolding events.
We are faced with a dilemma: either we slow down the force of innovation and face relinquishing international leadership or pay more attention to the necessary but unattractive work of upgrading the entire infrastructure system.
The common factor between systemic risks is that by definition the given problem threatens the entire system, is bigger than any one component and must be handled by the systemic keeper of the gate.


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#warranted dismissal
# warranted-dismissal - Wednesday 11 October, 2017
Receptionist at child services company fired for visiting hardcore porn sites
The woman denied accessing the sites and had sued the child services company for unfair dismissal.Share131 Tweet
Your sayView more polls
Poll: Will you watch a religious service online over Easter?
PEOPLE AROUND IRELAND are staying at home as much as possible, bar essential workers, or cocooning if necessary due to official guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.
Many people who planned to attend religious services to mark Easter over the coming days will be unable to do so as a result of the restrictions.
A number of places of worship have started to stream masses or other services online in recent weeks so people can pray remotely with their community if they so wish.
We want to know: Will you watch a religious service online over Easter?
Poll Results:
Tom Clonan: Ireland's ICU guidelines for Covid-19 must safeguard people with disabilities
Rationing of critical care during any coronavirus surge must not happen at the expense of the most vulnerable, writes Clonan.
Embracing the new normal after the Covid-19 shutdown - notes from a Kerryman in China
Greg McDonough says life is returning to some semblance of normal for his family after the shutdown in China.
Teaching during the Covid-19 crisis: Four weeks in, the novelty has given way to inertia for some students
One secondary school teacher describes the swift and extraordinary changes that she and her students are adjusting to.
Wellness Wednesday: Mother Nature can help us cope with Covid-19 confinement. Time to walk, look and meditate!
Mindfulness teacher Gerry Raftery says Spring brings us much-needed stillness and simplicity.
'Nefarious actors are at the root of Covid-19 fake news - and they are part of dangerous geo-political games'
We have a habit of thinking in Ireland that the likes of Russia, China or the alt-right in the United States have no interest in our country. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, writes Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher.
Dublin WeatherChange location
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Tom Clonan: Ireland's ICU guidelines for Covid-19 must safeguard people with disabilities
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Greg McDonough


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The summer soft winds of June fluttered the leaves of the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre as families from all over the cities gathered for the third annual Friday Night Live Shabbat Experience Under the Stars sponsored by Craig Taubman, of Craig N'Co, and Sinai Temple.
Many families elected to bring their Shabbat dinners along with them and picnic in the ample open air rest spots before the Shabbat service while others ordered their box dinners or value meals from the concessions stand. There as the mezzanine level, patrons had an opportunity, through the assistance of the Shalom Institute and Camp, to bless the candles, say kiddush over the wine or bless the challah bread. Kids, too, had a chance to color cards with Sherrie Firouz for the soldiers going away.
Created 15 years ago, by Taubman and Rabbi David Wolpe, who was named by Newsweek as the most influential Rabbi in America, this ground breaking spiritual service was done as a gift to the whole community. Joining Taubman and Wolpe were Rabbis Nicole Guzik and Ed Feinstein, the later of Valley Beth Shalom.
Friday Night Live included musical performances by Duvid Swirsky and George Komsky along with the renowned cellist Lynn Harrell and his wife, Helen Nightengale as well as Yasha Michelson's jazz, Ashira, Rick Lupert, and Ari Herstand.
Barchu Nazarian Shofar started the service as Noah sounded the ram's horn, while the meditative melody was joined by the Life Choir .
I believe it was WC Fields who said "Never work with kids or animals." Craig obviously ignored that lesson. A special treat, rather unexpected, and much to the delight of the audience, a pink princess, Aidan Gorin, got up on stage and did impromtu, improv dances to the melodies.
Normally there would be no charge for a Friday night service and certain, when it is done throughout the year at the Temple, which is held the second Friday night of each month, but because they had to rent the space at the Ford there was a nominal fee of $10-20 depending on if you wanted the VIP seating and free gift.
Many took advantage of the free shuttle service from the Universal City Metro Station, which starts up to two hours before each performance at the Ford and deposits you on the third level next to the theatre. This is especially helpful for those with disabilities.
Save up coming dates - July 12 (7:30 pm) for the Social Action Shabbat and August 9 for the Meditative Shabbat. Both of these are at Sinai Temple on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. Call (310) 474-1518 for more information on these.
Sinai Temple and Craig N Co are avid supporters of The Pico Union - a place where people of all faiths and all walks of life can come together to celebrate Holy days, holidays and the holy in every day. Honoring each other's humanity, it works to spread the message of inclusion through music, dance, prayer and communal education.
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text:
Town Square
So, where'd the "Special Interest Group" posting go?
Original post made by Tom Cushing, Danville, on Apr 18, 2011
Some concerned citizen wrote a brief article expressing her worry that the Day of Silence at Dougherty Valley High might somehow distract her daughter from concentrating on impending SATs. Honest.
Now, one might hope that actually seeing such a remarkable claim in print would be sufficient to prompt its author to remove it, but is that what happened?
Madame Editor had commented to the effect that these events have been around for several years, which is true. A few others had weighed-in, as well (myself included). Where'd it all go?
Comments (61)
a resident of Danville
on Apr 18, 2011 at 4:02 pm
I missed the whole article. Is this the Day of Silence sanctioned by the GSA? If so, I'm a huge supporter and my son participates every year. It's a minor but meaningful taste of what LGBTQ students have to deal with every day - and it's a great way to support each other.
I don't get why it's a distraction - maybe this isn't what is being discussed, though. Am I off base (please say yes - I would hate to think another parent would object to such a positive demonstration of support)?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 18, 2011 at 4:52 pm
a resident of Danville
on Apr 18, 2011 at 5:01 pm
I believe all schools should have a strict policy of zero tolerance for any kind of bullying. However, I do not agree with schools having a sanctioned day where students apparently put tape over their mouth during class time or other type activities during class time. If you want to have some type of program before school, during lunch, or after school, that is fine, but not during class time. If you allow one special interest group to dictate what is done during class time, than you have to accomodate every special interest group that demands equal time for their cause. Before you know it, one day of class time is spent dealing with people who are bullied because of their weight, the next day because of their height, the next day because of their religion, the next day because of their political views. If a student is bullying a classmate for any reason, not just because of his or her sexual preference, than they should be suspended, period. Lets get back to the three R's during class time, and stop giving in to every special interest group demanding class time.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 18, 2011 at 5:43 pm
1 -- I would reject the premise that accommodating one requires accommodating all -- I think it simply requires an exercise of managerial/administrative judgment, which in this case is not too difficult. If the Believers in the Easter Bunny wanna hop all during class, I think you can ban that as both disruptive and ridiculous. Contrast silence, for an important symbolic purpose, which we have here.
2 -- your rule would be particularly pernicious if it kept the schools from actually helping to deal with serious problems that actually do exist -- like disproportionate bullying of gay/perceived-as-gay kids. It would sacrifice the good that can be done, through mutual support and consciousness-raising, on the altar of insensate sameness. When the problem goes away, so will the need to deal with it.
Finally, while I am an advocate of the 3Rs, I know I've had a Lot more use for the peripheral values training I received in school than for my ability to calculate a tangent (which is not to say I can't go off on one). I daresay there's ample time in the day for both.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 19, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I looked at the pictures on the San Ramon Patch website and was surprised by their content. My kids are not old enough for high school yet, but seeing them with tape over their mouths and signs stating no one was to talk regardless of their participation seems a little over-reaching to me. I know I have a lot to discover before my little ones are old enough for high school, but an event about bullying seems it would be best if it covered all forms of bullying, like obesity, religion, class etc as one writer mentions above. This event seemed to be too specific to one group to be a school sanctioned event for an entire day.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 19, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I totally agree with American. Schools need to teach the 3Rs & have zero tolerance for bullying.
Parents need to teach their children everything else. I don't want my children's schools to talk about any issue that is based on an opinion like same sex.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 19, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I just read the Patch & saw the pictures…You have got to be kidding! This "movement" is totally inappropriate to have in school! Do the adult supporters actually believe that these children are doing this to help sexually confused individuals? No, they are doing it for the fun of it, to stand out from the crowd, to be noticed. I am appalled that the school officials allowed this to happen.
a resident of Blackhawk
on Apr 19, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I share your feelings. I actually wonder how many parents of the Dougherty students have viewed these photos. I can imagine they would be shocked as well. From the few I have spoken to, they were completely unaware that is occured. They were only told that the school would be having a day set aside to combat bullying. Everyone supports that! This display was not what they were expecting or informed would be happening. I hope some of them are addressing this with the school administration.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 20, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Wow. Maybe we should start with a day of silence for the parents so they can experience a smattering of what it is like for a teen who is unable to express their sexual orientation (it's not a "preference" - that term reveals the ignorance of the person using it. I don't "prefer" to be attracted to men - I just am) because they have to hide this fact due to homophobia and bullying. Since bullying based on LGBTQ status has resulted in multiple homicides and suicides, how can we, as parents, object to this show of support if your student chooses to participate?
For clarification, my son and daughter attended separate SRVUSD high schools, both participated in the day of silence (it was an OPTION) and neither had their mouths taped shut. They found that the experience increased tolerance, and academics did not suffer in the least. For my daughter, not talking in class probably helped tremendously.
Marie - re: your comment about sexually confused individuals; who are you implying are confused? Can't students be attracted to someone of the same gender without being confused? Can't students be attracted to someone of the opposite gender and be confused? Food for thought, if you choose to open your mind.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 20, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Sharon, you don't want to know how I feel about same sex! However, I would never want anyone to be mistreated for any reason. Bullying is a form of abuse. I do believe that schools should teach acceptance, but to say that this movement is okay, is wrong in my opinion. I will teach my children to treat all life with respect, but certain life styles are not acceptable for my family.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 20, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Marie, I'm glad you teach your children to respect others, regardless of your personal bias regarding same gender relationships. In my family, the gender of the individual our kids form a relationship with is unimportant - we hope for mutual respect and a relationship that fosters safety and growth. So far, so good. What's ironic is our kids are both hetero, yet my sister was raised by parents who did not support same gender relationships, yet she is a lesbian. Go figure.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 20, 2011 at 9:21 pm
LBGTQ is wrong from the very start. Raise and teach teach your kids with proper attention, and you will be far less likely in having to deal with an outlier in the family (formerly known as a fruitcake in the pre-politically correct environment).
Think what you may, say what you may, homosexuality is definitely a form of mental illness.
Thrives on non-conforming.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 21, 2011 at 6:08 am
When can my student demand that the school have a day dedicated to Pro-life? Now there is a section of the population who really has been silenced. How many millions of babies have been SHUT UP by abortion ("bullied" to use their term)? The SRVUSD needs to show equal treatment to all groups who feel they have been silenced if this is how they want to play it.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 21, 2011 at 7:47 am
Marie, your writing suggests that you are a caring and careful parent. Sadly, maybe tragically, it also reflects an external indoctrination of intolerance, as demonstrated by your use of the Exact Same Sentence about "lifestyle" and family "acceptability" in this thread and an earlier one, months ago.
The "lifestyle" argument is a convenient dodge, constructed by/for those who'd prefer to retain the comfort of their thoughtless, ultimately cruel prejudices -- after all, if it's a "choice" then good people needn't accept it as part of the Deity's creation.
But what if that's wrong, Marie? What if homosexuality is as innate in gay folk as heterosexuality is for the rest of us? What if it just "is?"
Have you considered the injustice in general -- or, more crucially, the grievous wounding of any of your children who might be gay -- and will be scarred with inner conflict and self-loathing based on your fundamental rejection of their very being? In a different context, I'm reasonably certain that you would call that maternal rejection what it is: abusive.
Are you willing to risk doing that to your kid -- or to other children of God? Can you reconcile that with your goal of teaching respect and acceptance? Why not just accept people as they Really Are?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 21, 2011 at 8:41 am
Ashley and Marie expressed some dismay over the Patch photos. So I found them to see for myself -- they are here: Web Link
It is important to recognize that the mouth-taping was self-administered and voluntary -- and quite symbolically effective. Personally, I found the photos thereof to be not-the-least-bit-shocking or inappropriate -- kudos to the young adults, other adults and the program in general -- by your actions, you're making a difference.
Please carry on!
a resident of Danville
on Apr 21, 2011 at 8:47 am
Issue is not which sexual preference is "right"...Issue is whether we allow one special interest group to demand valuable class time be spent only on their agenda...Bullying, for any reason, is wrong, period, and a school policy of immediate suspension for bullying for any reason, not just sexual preference, will solve the problem, as children are motivated by punishment..There are kids who are bullied for being overweight who commit suicide, kids who are poor and dress in non-popular clothes who are bullied and commit suicide, kids who are not athletic and are bullied and committ suicide,kids who wear glasses and are bullied and commit suicide, and the list goes on an on...It is not just kids who are bullied for their sexual preference that commit suicide...Limit the class room time to no bullying for any reason, period, and teach the golden rule of treating people how you want to be treated...We do not need to get in the discussion at school as to what sexual preference is or is not correct, as many people have very emotional and different views on this...However, every one is against bullying for any reason, and we should focus on our similiarities as a society to create a safe and positive learning experience at school, without bullying for any reason, and not label one victim of bullying more entitled to class room time than another victim of bullying.
a resident of San Ramon
on Apr 21, 2011 at 10:18 am
We live in a society that seems to be afraid to challenge authority in any way. We have allowed our gorvernment to be taken over by financial interests because we have been taught to keep our mouths shut and don't protest. We are involved as a nation in wars we should not be involved in because we have been trained to accept anything that "authority" chooses to shove down our collective throats. The fact that we have students in DVHS that are willing to stand up for what they believe in is great. It's what our country needs. More power to them! The argument that they are taking up class time is bogus and quite a reach. How is being silent taking up class time? I would hope that there are more movements where students can be allowed to express their individual beliefs and support one another in a such a way as this has been done... without screaming, yelling or infringing on the rights of others.
a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School
on Apr 21, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I am saddened by some of the comments I have read today. Kids are killing themselves because of the hate and bullying that continues in this country. To me, that is the real topic. If a day of silence can stop one death, it is worth it.
Perhaps morals and tolerance should be taught at home, but judging by the behaviors at schools, this is not always the case. What has "Common Sense" taught his/her children?
Being Gay is not recognized as an illness by the Mental Health Community. But is it okay to belittle and bully someone with a real mental illness?
We need to value people because we all have the potential to contribute to the human race. We were all created in Gods' image.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 21, 2011 at 5:43 pm
American, there is already a zero tolerance policy on bullying in every school my children have attended, and yet it persists. I would agree that bullying should not be tolerated regardless of the reason. Sadly, with the misguided attitudes of many parents (for example, who consider sexual orientation a preference) some children feel justified in bullying LGBTQ kids and face no sanctions at home for these actions. That there are children (straight, gay, etc.) who participate in such a symbolic representation of the experience of non-hetero teens is most welcome and I support them completely. My kids have participated in this event each time it has been at their school, and I am a very proud mom.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 21, 2011 at 10:19 pm
I read the comments here and from the link to SR Patch. The thing I find most "outrageous," "ridiculous," "shocking," and "bizarre" is that my enlightened and well educated town of Danville has people with such archaic ideas.
Those of you who so well-meaningly teach your own children how objectionable the LGBT lifestyles are--yours are the children who these students are dedicating their day of silence to.
It is your children who are hiding; your children who are silenced by your intolerance. They are ones who will never admit to you, or sometimes never admit to themselves their true feelings. You think you have successfully "taught" them that being heterosexual is the only way to be--you have only forced them to hide it from you. Don't be so confident that your children are not happy that there are people who support the right of sexual preference and students who are willing to demonstrate their support of creating a safe environment at school.
When my son went to SRVHS, he simply wore a t-shirt that said he was observing the Day of Silence. No valuable classtime was taken up, he attended as he normally would, he was just silent. It was not disruptive to class--I am sure the teachers would appreciate more silence in their classes.
As to being against bullying in general, that is great. But it doesn't seem to help these students because, at least when he was in high school, at the earlier part of this decade, there were certain teachers and principals who did nothing to help these individuals. Students were told that that was what you got for being "out". That was how the world was going to treat you so you better get used to it now: if you didn't want to get harrassed or bullied, don't be openly a part of the lifestyle. So instead of punishing the bullies, the victims were told to hide. Certain individuals would look the other way rather than stop bullies who shared their disapproval of LGBT students.
In regards to the schools needing to stick to the 3 r's...schools have always been institutions of socialization--it is one of their main purposes.
It saddens me that this is still such a hot topic. Not much has changed in the last 10 years.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 23, 2011 at 5:34 pm
I've never seen a more self absorbed group of comments in my life. All of you are wrapped up in your shrilling your own opinion on this issue rather than focusing on the ones who matter - our youth.
So, teens, the message is fairly simple. IT GETS BETTER!
Your middle school and high school years are the worst years of your life & don't let anyone fool you about that. There's an extreme amount of pressure to conform & anything unique or different is attacked and ridiculed. But know that once you leave high school, there's a wonderful world out there waiting for you. There are people who will support you for who you are. You'll be able to make your own friends & not forced to a share a day with someone simply because you happen to live in the same neighborhood or because their parents and your parents are friends.
Unfortunately, you'll never find this wonderful world if you harm yourself. If you are being bullied or threatened and feel you can't take it anymore, please, reach out to someone - a doctor, a teacher, a friend, a parent, a friend's parent, the TREVOR hotline, somebody. But, no matter what, stick around. It gets better - it gets SO much better. You may not believe it now but there are lots of other people out there who have endured your struggle. There's nothing wrong with you and you can have a happy, fulfilling life. I have a college degree, a nice home, a loving partner, and four wonderful children. It got better for me & it will get better for you.
And to the two 14 year old girls from MN who hanged themselves this past week, sadly joining the many other kids as young as 11 who've killed themselves because of the bullying they endured, RIP.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 23, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Common Sense - Yep. People stopped referring to folks as fruitcakes. Civilized people also stopped referring to people as coloreds & negro, as the terms morphed into words meant as slurs. Civilized people also recognize that using the term, "Jew", as a verb is a sign of trashiness. Civilized people evolve over time. Very slowly - but they do evolve.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 23, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Back to the original topic "So, where did the "Special Interest Group" posting go?" We never did get the answer. Did the editor delete it? Why?
As far as the DVHS situation, no one would be concerned or complaining if it was a day of silence for all bullying. One (very controversial) group does not need to be given any special treatment when we have so many different kinds of bullying issues that our kids face today.
The school, and district, should have handled this better! I don't care if the kids brought their own duct tape to school or it was handed out, school is not the place! Schools need to teach the 3Rs and discipline bullies so that they learn not to hurt others, but they need to stay clear of personal choice and opinions!
a resident of Danville
on Apr 23, 2011 at 10:16 pm
One wonders if Marie also teaches her children that being left-handed is a lifestyle or a personal choice. That being left=handed is not reason for being bullied a school. But wouldn't it be better if we were all just right-handed?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 23, 2011 at 11:20 pm
Not sure what you mean Inman, but I'll give it a try…
Yes, we all have a dominate hand, but we can learn to use the other hand just as well. So, yes, I guess you can say that it is a choice to use only one hand or both. If your dominate hand is injured, you have the choice to use the other hand or just give up on life. I would hope that this is not another thing (lifestyle, choice, or whatever you want to call it) to make fun of.
As I have already said previously, bullying is wrong, bullying is a form of abuse, bullying should be a crime! It doesn't matter what kind of bullying it is, it shouldn't be allowed anywhere for any reason!
Now can we get back on topic?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Marie: You get it, you have common sense, and although it may not be politically correct, most parents in Danville agree with you. We want our schools to enforce a zero bullying policy, for any reason, and we do not want any one special interest group to demand more valuable class time than any other group. If our schools start giving in to these special interest group, do not be surprised when more and more parents start pulling their children out of the public schools, which would be really sad. The job of the schools is not to teach children which sexual lifestyle is right or wrong, and the fact is special interest groups are trying to use the bully issue to get the schools to endorse their preference as being correct. If you approach this bullying issue without an agenda, it is clear that children who are bullied for their sexual preference are no more, and no less, victims than children who are bullied for being overweight, short, non-athletic, or any other reason. Bullying, for any reason, is wrong, and I would hope that the schools realize that most parents, who do not have a special interest agenda, get this, and do not want any victims to get special treatment or rights than the other victims.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Exactly, homosexual advocates are utilizing the so called "bullying issue" to promote their own personal social agenda, that is the acceptance of homosexuality in our community.
Keep it in your bedroom and out of the schools. Thank you.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Social - when hetero individuals keep their relationships private, that's when we can demand LGBTQ individuals do so as well. If I can wear my wedding ring and hold my husband's hand in public (including school), why shouldn't my sister have the same opportunity with her partner?
Marie, I believe you are trying but you missed Inman's point. Sexual acts are a choice, sexual orientation is not.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Male homosexual intercourse is disgusting, filthy and spreads all kinds of disesase, including HIV/AIDS. Fifty-three percent of HIV infected people in the United States are male homosexuals, over eighty percent of the people in the United States infected by HIV were done so by a male homosexual.
Whether by design or from a evolutionary standpoint, humans are equipped with a advantageous olfactory sensitivity. The brown stuff stinks for a reason, a warning, so it is best to stay away from it.
I am really not interested is seeing someone's serious sexual perversions in public, let alone in a public school where they should actually be teaching heatlh and safety.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Social Agenda - if we're going to depict things as disgusting then I'd have to say that heterosexuals win out on the 'ich' factor. For you see it's heterosexuals that have created an illegitimacy rate of 4 out of 10 nationally & more than 5 out of 10 in our state. Illegitimacy correlates with a host of negative outcomes for most of the kids.
A third of women with more than one child have children by more than one man. Another event that correlates with negative outcomes for many of the kids involved.
I personally find people who place children in high risk situations to be "ichy". So, if you we're going down the morality road & the ichness factor, heterosexuals win.
And if you visit the cost of illegitimacy for the American taxpayer - $112 billion - another travesty.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 6:59 pm
And that $112 billion is a yearly figure & since the illegitimacy rate increases every year - so to does that cost.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Laughing: You can't compare illegitimacy because same sex can't naturally make babies. Mistakes happen. Bad choices are made. If you want to compare apples to apples, then look at the adoption rate between both couples then come back and make an argument.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:03 pm
@ Laughing - A morality argument with regards to male homosexuality was not presented or intended. By definition a perverted individual no longer understands morality along those lines, they are far too gone, convincing themselves otherwise, long ago. Therefore it is utterly useless to argue the demerits of male homosexuality upon the strict point of morality.
Humans we can though agree have been programmed either through enlightened design or evolutionary development to avoid items that smell spoiled or rotten, like rancid milk or putrid meat.
One would never allow, nor teach their children to drink spoiled milk or eat rotten meat, but rather to dispose of it properly.
On the other hand, if someone wants to purposefully override their olfactory sensitivities to pursue pleasure of a different design, that certainly is their own business.
However, health and safety factors should be taught first and foremost in our public schools before advocating the acceptance of dangerous "alternative" lifestyles.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Social Agenda - If health and safety were important then we'd teach kids how dangerous heterosexuality is. Heterosexuals are abusing kids through the immorality of illegitimacy everyday. That immorality and is far more unhealthy for society and children. It's just when heterosexuals abuse children by spitting them out like they're Pez candy, we overlook it, financially reward the behavior, and put the parents on reality shows designed to show off their dancing skills. Your argument remains weak and ineffective.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:33 pm
@ Laughing - You are certainly entitled to your opinion. <EOM>
a resident of Danville
on Apr 25, 2011 at 9:23 am
Social, if it makes you feel better to flaunt your obvious homophobia by labeling your perception of an intimate act (that I'm assuming you have not participated in) as "disgusting" then you go right ahead - you wear your prejudicial badge on your forehead anyway. No one will mistakenly label you as open minded about that which you clearly have given (too?) much thought to and developed a phobia around your own fantasy.
Laughing - thanks for making a very good point regarding the outcome of indescriminate hetero relationships. You haven't lowered yourself to chosing a particular private "act" and labeling it disguisting - rather, you have focused on very real outcomes that negatively affect all of society, and children most of all.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 25, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@ Sharon - You are welcome to your point of view, as well. Calling me names because my position or opinion on subject matter does not entirely align with your opinion is though not necessary.
I believe male homosexuality is disgusting, and the HIV/AIDS numbers support that belief. You believe male homosexuality is au natural, but must call me names to support your point.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 25, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Unfortunately Sharon, many people agree with Social Agenda's opinion, but don't have the guts to admit it out loud to people they don't know.
a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:34 pm
jrm is a registered user.
Frankly Marie...Most of us think Social Agenda has a "Social Agenda"
....whatever his or her comments reflect are highly suspect...don't humor him or yourself....you guys are sooo homophobic. Guess what, your kids are going to work with gay colleagues, maybe even, God forbid, REPORT TO ONE (assuming you know that that means) and you need to wake up...sounds like the NEGRO ALERT of the 60's...I feel sorry for your children and the subsequent limiting of their professional effectiveness because of the prejudice you have taught them. One of my best bosses ever was gay...who care about that happens after work....except you....I wonder why?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 26, 2011 at 7:45 pm
As usual, JRM(Germ) has gone off on a liberal lecture tangent with subjective "opinions" that have nothing to do with the topic. The topic is whether any one group that is being bullied should have class time devoted solely to their group, or should we simply have a zero tolerance for any reason bullying policy in our schools...Of course, if ever disagree with JRM, he feels the need to fly off and rip people with negative labels, rather than thought provoking critical thinking analysis...In fact, his frequent blogs have a "bully" mentality to them, which is ironic since this was the topic being discussed that apparently went over his head.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 9:41 am
Let's make this very clear… we all know that same sex exist, but depending on your religion and/or personal beliefs, is how you will react to this "lifestyle choice".
In my opinion, sex is only for making babies. Yes, many people do it for the guilty pleasure it gives, but ultimately, sex serves the purpose of continuing the human race. I think it is beautiful when I see a man and woman holding hands, but I don't want to see them doing any intimate act in public.
I do not judge people who are in a same sex relationship or think that anyone who agrees to this "lifestyle" are any less than me, but it does seem that those how believe it is okay, think that it is okay to judge those who don't.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 10:03 am
The repeated and inaccurate assertion by some on this thread that being gay is a lifestyle choice reminds me very much of the other anti-scientific statements that the right wing os so fond of repeating (i.e., that evolution doens't exist, or that mankind's activities can't affect our climate). It's ironic, because they purport to be in favor of education; but, when the carefully developed science contradicts their point of view, they try to reject the science.
No worries. Tolerance will ultimately prevail -- as it is in race relations. It just takes a while.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Marie, if you truly believe that "sex is only fo rmaking babies," I suppose that you must believe that people over the age of 50 really have no business having sex? Or any couple that is infertile or who choose not to have children (or more children)? What an unusual and antiquated notion. I suspect that most seniors (and the entire medical profession) would disagree with you.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Funny, when people post valid claims such as homosexuality being unhealthy or unclean, they are immediately labeled a homophobe. The act of homosexuality is not defended, but the critic is attacked.
Homosexuality is dirty and unclean.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Again, I do not judge. I know I have to make my husband happy every now and then, but don't want any more children. I never said I was perfect.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@Inman: You had me 'til "a while." I'm reminded of King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail: Web Link
"...I had also hoped that the white moderate would reject the myth concerning time in relation to the struggle for freedom. I have just received a letter from a white brother in Texas. He writes: 'All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, but it is possible that you are in too great a religious hurry. It has taken Christianity almost two thousand years to accomplish what it has. The teachings of Christ take time to come to earth.'
Such an attitude stems from a tragic misconception of time, from the strangely rational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills. Actually, time itself is neutral; it can be used either destructively or constructively. More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of good will. We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.
Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right...."
True, it WILL take a while, but that's Not all right.
Further, I think objections of the "all bullying is bad" folks are smokescreens. If their stated views were genuine, I don't believe that they'd object to some folks addressing what is currently the most damaging species of the bullying phenomenon. They might choose to sit this one out, but not go so far as to trump-up nonsense about dilution of class time. An attack on part of the problem is, after all still an attack on the problem. Nope, there's something rotten there that goes well beyond poor Social Agenda's infantile preoccupation with bodily functions.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 7:46 pm
@Fact..."dirty and unclean?" And what are hetero "relations" in comparison? It's the hallmark of a homophobe to reduce an entire relationship to a sexual act.
@Marie - your post has to be one of the saddest I have read. I truly think your heart is kind and you are simply misguided, but your most recent post explains a lot.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 27, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@ Sharon
Everyone I know flushes the stuff down the toilet, disposing of it properly. If people want to play with it, that is certainly their business. BUT --- please don't tell me it is healthy, the stuff breeds disease. It stinks for a reason.
a resident of Diablo
on Apr 28, 2011 at 8:20 am
Lemme guess, Fax, Santorum for President?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 10:22 am
@Citizen Paine -
Agree with you completely. Didn't mean to suggest that time by itself would create more tolerance. All successes in the advancement of tolerance and equality come through the diligent efforts of dedicated people. My comment was simply a recognition that changing the hearts of people doesn't happen overnight. And the fact that younger people show a much greater degree of tolerance of differences among people and a greater acceptance of the great diversity of our society than do older generations gives me hope that over time we will see even greater tolerance.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 10:56 am
There is a difference between tolerance and personal belief. I tolerate that there is a world of people that have different opinions and life styles than mine. I do not wish any more or less for them then I do myself or my family. However, I belief that men and women were created to go together to continue the human race. Anything else is perverse in my opinion…I am not name calling, if you think I am, then I'm sorry for upsetting you, but I'm not sorry for my opinion.
Tolerate=stand, bear, put up with, accept, allow, etc.
Belief=faith, idea, trust, etc.
Perverse=wicked, stubborn, contrary, etc.
Inman: if you really think that younger people show a much "greater degree of tolerance" than older generations, then we wouldn't be having this discussion because the schools wouldn't be having a bullying issue of any kind!
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 11:28 am
@Inman: Agreed -- the inter-generational polling numbers are irresistible. Basically, if you're over 65, chances are you can't accept gay folks, who were, for the most part, closeted throughout most of your adult life -- just too different. If you're under 40, chances are you wonder what's the big deal.
A whole lot of very courageous work has gone into that social transformation/as yet unfinished business -- including programs like the one at DVHS -- and absolutely no question who's on the right side of history.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 12:36 pm
So, Marie, you tolerate sex with your husband because you have to keep him happy, once in a while? You may be gayer than you've led us to believe!
Do you remember that first, sweet romantic attraction of your childhood? I do mine -- a little blonde, curly-haired girl in the second grade at Kennett Square elementary, with freckles. Can you see your crush in your mind's eye -- hair, complexion, height, what he wore, the first time he noticed you? Do you recall the fluttering in your belly -- the blushing? I do.
Now, do you remember choosing the sex of that person? 'Cuz I sure don't.
What would it take to get you to give up that flimsy ideological handhold of a "lifestyle choice?" Would it take one gay person describing her-or-his first attraction to you? Or ten? Or twenty? Because they're out there, Marie -- by the thousands. Same story as yours and mine -- same attraction that just "is" -- just a different object. And equally deserving of your respect and acceptance.
If you want me to find 'em for you, I will. I'm not hard to locate, hereabouts. Or, if you'd prefer the close comfort of your self-imposed closet, I guess it's understandable. Just please, please don't do your kids the injustice of trying to make them stay in there, with you. They deserve better.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Marie -
Citizen Paine is correct. Public opinion polls consistently show greater levels of tolerance (in terms of race, sexual orientation, etc.) by younger people than older people.
Now, that doesn't mean ALL young people are free of prejudice, or immune from the influence from prejudiced parents, or immune to exhibiting bullying behavior. School-age children especially are still learning and they need both good role models of tolerance by adults and education about tolerance of diversity.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 4:48 pm
@fact - I give up. Nothing can permeate your phobic fantasy that is clearly all you can think about when thinking of male couples. I wonder if your mind is similarly occupied when you consider a relationship between two women? How about opposite gender couples - do you choose and perseverate on one particular act and define a relationship around it? How very sad.
@Tom, I wish I had your patience and wit. I try , but exasperation overwhelms me.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 28, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Whether by an advantageous evolutionary sensitivity or planned design, excrement or waste product stinks for the benefit and safety of human beings. The message is clear, stay away.
From one cavity life is born, from the other cavity death and waste.
Free world though, if you want to develop a relationship around it, knock yourself out!
a resident of Danville
on Apr 29, 2011 at 8:30 am
One of my favorite sayings is from Will Rogers, to the effect that it's not so much what folks don't know that causes problems, but what they Think they know – that just ain't true. A case in point is the rather strenuous prosecution of all-things-gay by a commenter who, ironically, chooses to call himself "Fact be Known." I will try to be delicate, Madame Editor.
FBK would have us believe that poop stinks as a warning to leave it alone. That's wrong, confusing correlation with causation. Poop stinks because it is produced by anaerobic bacteria in the oxygen-starved environment of the colon. Anytime you have processing by such bacteria, odor will ensue. Certain foods also contain compounds that digest into H2S, but that's a very minor fraction of the wholfactory extravaganza. Now, maybe FBK would have us believe that those kind little bugs have our heterosexual best interests in their hearts – if they had hearts, but they don't. In a sealed can, or in your can, FBK, anaerobic digestion stinks.
He would also have us believe that poop is an unqualified Bad Thing. Wrong again. Because up to about half the energy content of food is retained in poop, it is common practice to use it agriculturally, as is done in Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma, where chickens are put on acreage recently vacuated by cows, in part for that very reason. Put another way: waste is food in the circle of life. It's very much like CO2 we breathe out of ingested by plant life as a nutrient, but in solid phase. Poop gets a bad rap, especially from those who fixate on it.
Finally, for now, there's the assumption that butt play is the exclusive province of gay men, and that they do it to the exclusion of everything else. Wrong again, on both counts. Turns out, according to "Anal Sex for Dummies" (now you know there's a Dummies guide for EVerything), that 1/3-or-more of breeders, and only half of gay couples engage in those adventures. You don't have to be very good at math to recognize that the heterosexual community may be going 'in' the 'out' door more often than their homosexual counterparts.
So you see, FBK, folks is folks – and some folks engage in consensual butt play because they find pleasure in the nerve concentrations in that neck-of-the-woods. It bears repeating: folks is folks -- which really is the larger point, here, isn't it?
a resident of Danville
on Apr 29, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Tom C., you are my hero. I don't have the fortitude to persevere, but thank goodness you are present and accounted for, tongue in cheek (cheeky even!), and always divine.
You and Citizen Paine both deserve a pat on the back and an E for effort. I, on the other hand, got caught up in the topic diversion, courtesy of "fact's" obvious anal fixation, and forgot the plea of "It Gets Better" to bring this back to the kids that matter.
Yep, I do believe it does get better - high school can be a microcosm of terror for some kids, and the suicides among those bullied due to their (real or perceived) sexual orientation are staggering and effect everyone. One person taking that particular way out increases the risk of people they have known along the way - even if your child is hetero, their risk is negatively impacted by this tragedy. Dedicating an optional day to be silent to support those who remain silent out of fear is something I wholeheartedly support and I'm proud to live in a community where these events are encouraged by high school students regardless of their orientation.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 29, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@Sharon -- backatcha, and a good idea: here's the link to the It Gets Better Project website "pledge" page (as distinct from the "contribute" page). I just signed it -- maybe others will want to, as well. Web Link
THE PLEDGE reads as follows: Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I'll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that "It Gets Better."
Please Note: no class time was impinged-upon in the making of this post.
a resident of Danville
on Apr 29, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Tom, you crack me up! Happy to participate in the pledge - sending along to friends and family as well.
a resident of Danville
on May 1, 2011 at 3:30 pm
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Do material objects really have innate unpleasant odors? I would suggest to Tom Cushing that human feces smells poorly, not because of some innate material quality of the object, but because the sensitivity of our human sense has been programmed to detect the object as such.
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| 3.7°C Belfast
Prosecutors say it was the suspect's "dream theft" - to simply snatch an expensive Stradivarius violin from an unsuspecting musician.
Never mind that Salah Salahadyn, 41, had already tried and failed at art theft.
He pleaded guilty in 2000 to trying to resell a 25,000 dollar (£15,230) statue to the art gallery owner from whom it had been stolen in 1995.
And his ex-girlfriend told investigators that while he had not stolen it himself he did plot the theft.
Salahadyn was sentenced to five years in prison for that crime.
Now he could face up to 15 years for separate theft, after he and another suspect were charged yesterday in connection with the January heist of a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin valued at 5 million dollars (£3 million).
A confidential source told police that Salahadyn talked about stealing high-end art, the criminal complaint said.
"Salahadyn explained that his dream theft was a Stradivarius violin because of its potential value and the fact that it could be snatched from the hands of a musician as they walk down the street," the complaint quoted the source as saying.
Salahadyn and a second man, Universal Knowledge Allah, 36, appeared in court yesterday charges of being a party to robbery. Allah is also charged with possessing marijuana.
Court Commissioner Katharine Kucharski ordered cash bail of 10,000 dollars (£6,100) for Salahadyn, citing a lengthy criminal record that includes theft and bail jumping, and 500 dollars (£304) for Allah, whose record is clean.
Allah's lawyer, Paul Ksicinski, noted that the criminal complaint says his client was not at the scene of the robbery. It does say Allah bought the stun gun used in the attack.
Many Stradivarius violins, crafted by renowned Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari, are owned by private collectors who lend them to top violinists to be played in symphonies.
Experts say a Stradivarius violin degrades with disuse but remains in good condition when played regularly.
Experts estimate 600 to 650 Stradivarius instruments remain - about half of what the master produced - and they can be worth millions of dollars apiece.
It would not be hard to find one. Symphonies that feature a Stradivarius often play up the fact in brochures, advertisements and local media.
For example, Frank Almond, a concertmaster at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, gave newspaper and magazine interviews about the Stradivarius, built in 1715, that was loaned to him by a private owner, and he's discussed the instrument in podcasts.
He had just completed a performance on January 27 and was putting the violin in his vehicle when a man shocked him with a stun gun, he told investigators. He fell to the ground, and by the time he recovered the thief's van had sped away.
Violin thefts are generally rare, perhaps because thieves know the easily identified instruments would be hard to sell.
But the robberies seem to be increasing, and musicians should be more cautious, said David Bonsey, a New York-based violin maker and appraiser.
"It's just one of these really unfortunate things where there's really a loss of innocence," Mr Bonsey said. "We've seen a lot of this in recent years."
Police found the stolen violin late on Wednesday night in a suitcase in the attic of a Milwaukee home of Salahadyn's acquaintances. Police said the homeowner did not know what was in the suitcase.
The music industry breathed a sigh of relief when police said the violin appeared to be in good condition.
But the theft also rekindled conversations about how to balance keeping the violins safe and making sure the public has a chance to enjoy them.
Kerry Keane, an international consultant for musical instruments from Christie's, said his clients who own Stradivarius violins are rethinking what to do with them.
Many bought the violins with the philanthropic intent of lending them to top virtuosos, he said, but as the violins increase in value, so does the risk.
"One client is considering buying a lesser grade of violin he can lend out," Mr Keane said.
"That's my greatest fear - that this will add hesitance to the philanthropists who buy them so they can be played in public."


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text:
I know, America, you thought a seat was a thing in a movie theater, or something a church lady might call her ass. But those ever-scheming Euros have a car named SEAT, and it looks pretty good.
Other than highly qualified Spaniards looking for jobs, the Seat León is one of the few good things coming out of Spain these days. It surpasses the Volkswagen Golf in the looks department, even though both cars are based on the same platform. Y'know, because Volkswagen Group owns SEAT and all.
Aside from good looks, the León boasts impressive fuel economy at nearly 62 mpg on the crazy European cycle. The best thing about it is that although it has the dashing looks of a Spaniard, León contains a precise Teutonic heart; one that runs on diesel and comes in either a 1.6- or 2.0-liter displacement.
Sadly, and I know I've been harping about this a lot recently (which is bound to happen during a Euro auto show), SEATs are not available in the Land of Freedom. So much for freedom of choice.
Photo credit: GF Williams


text:
(CNN) -- An international music awards show announced a new Adele album Tuesday -- but nothing's happening, says her label chief.
The confusion started with a tweet from the World Music Awards, an international contest that has been broadcast from such locales as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Monaco.
#adele confirms 2015 Tour After The Release Of Her New Album '25'!— World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) July 15, 2014
In a tweet, the show said, "#adele confirms 2015 Tour After The Release Of Her New Album '25'!"
Not so fast, said Martin Mills, who heads Beggars Group. Adele's label, XL Recordings, is a subsidiary of Beggars Group.
There's "no truth in this," he told Billboard.
So what's the deal with the World Music Awards? It may have gotten attention for the tweet, but Billboard observed that the contest is "something of a curiosity on the international awards calendar." The American broadcast of its 2014 show was supposed to run on NBC but didn't because of "technical issues."
Adele herself has said little. She did hint in May that a new work could be in the offing, but her Twitter account has mostly been silent, with just three tweets since that May 4 post. (The most recent promoted an album by Example.)
Bye bye 25... See you again later in the year x pic.twitter.com/HEmY14El5s— Adele (@OfficialAdele) March 17, 2014
Certainly, even a smidgen of Adele news is eagerly awaited by her fans -- and the music business, which would love to see any material equal the performance of the English singer's last record, "21."
That album sold 3 million copies through digital streaming alone, which set a record. Altogether, it's sold more than 10 million copies and topped Billboard's year-end sales list in both 2011 and 2012 -- the first album ever to do that.
Oh, and "21" won the Grammy for album of the year.
Since "21's" success, Adele has won an Oscar for best original song (for "Skyfall," from the James Bond movie of the same name) and given birth to a son with her partner, Simon Konecki.


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10 reasons to apply for World Bank-Annenberg Summer Institute
They can start at the World Bank-Annenberg Summer Institute in Reform Communication: Leadership, Strategy and Stakeholder Alignment , held at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, from June 5 - June 16, 2017.
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What to do with dictators?
April 23, 2011 - 0:0
Immunity or prosecution for dictators? That tough question hovers over the Arab uprising, just as it has in Latin America, parts of Asia, post communist Europe and other places.In Yemen, international negotiators have reportedly offered amnesty to President Ali Abdullah Saleh as a way to entice him to resign after 32 years in power. Western leaders have hoped, too, that an exit could be found for Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, perhaps by letting him go to Venezuela or places in Africa.
And yet, Egyptian authorities are detaining the deposed Hosni Mubarak for questioning in a military hospital. They want to ask about his role in corruption and the deaths of hundreds of protesters who sought his ouster.
Tunisia's justice minister, meanwhile, seeks the extradition of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia when youthful demonstrators forced him from his 23-year rule in January. Tunis wants him to answer to more than a dozen charges, including murder and drug trafficking.
The choice between amnesty and accountability is not easy. As a carrot to push out a dictator, amnesty offers a chance to end years of brutality and corruption. Granted to a former dictator, it might allow a country to focus on more pressing needs – such as building a new state.
But following up on prosecution allows the opportunity of justice for victims. If done fairly, it builds a foundation of lawfulness for a future state.
Either choice can perpetuate divisions in society, however. Letting a dictator off the hook lights a fire of resentment under those hurt during a reign of terror. Yet a politicized prosecution, perceived as unjust – such as the trial of Saddam Hussein that ended in execution – can also deepen schisms.
So far, neither Mr. Saleh nor Mr. Qaddafi are budging. They may fondly wish for the days when Uganda's Idi Amin lived a life of exile undisturbed in Saudi Arabia, or when East Europe was kind to many of its ex-communist dictators (not to Romania's ruling Ceausescu couple, who were executed). But these two Arab holdouts are probably much more aware that in recent years, the trend with former dictators has favored prosecution.
Since 1990, according to the 2009 book "Prosecuting Heads of State," 67 former heads of state or government have been prosecuted for serious human rights or financial crimes. It's a meteoric rise, the book claims, pointing to such high-profile cases as Chile's Augusto Pinochet, Yugoslavia's Slobodan Milosevic, Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Peru's Alberto Fujimori, and Liberia's Charles Taylor.
The trend toward prosecution is a healthy one. It marches in the direction of international law, which requires governments to investigate human rights violations and compensate victims.
Several strongmen who have sought refuge in immunity or exile have not been able to outrun justice. In Argentina, for example, former military dictators from the "dirty war" of 1973-86 were brought to trial this year for a plot to steal babies from political prisoners.
Prosecution of former dictators, however, must not mimic the very injustices of their regimes. Any trial of Mr. Mubarak, for instance, should wait until after Egypt's parliamentary and presidential elections later this year when the nondemocratic transitional rule by the military will be over.
Time is not necessarily what the masses want when it comes to justice and retribution. But even those who trample on justice still deserve it.
(Source: Christian Science Monitor) -