text:
Vegetation Index and Climate Change in Florida, USA27.9N 82W
This image shows the vegetation index of the state of Florida, USA (low index appears brown to yellow, while a high index appears green to dark green). Florida has abundant and unique biological resources that are expected to be negatively affected by global climate change. The state is at particularly high risk for climate change impacts because of its low topography, extensive coastline, and frequency of large storm events.
Climate change is already making large sweeping changes to Florida's landscape, especially along the coasts. The drivers of this change are both physical and biological in nature. Changes in air and water temperature, freshwater availability, salt water intrusion, ocean acidification, natural disturbance regime shifts (e.g., fire, storms, flood), and loss of land area have already been observed in Florida. Florida's average air temperature has increased at a rate of 0.2 – 0.40C per century over the past 160 years and is expected to increase around another 50C by 2100.
Rainfall in Florida has generally increased by 10% over the last 120 years, and more frequent heavy precipitation events are expected in the future. Both globally and in Florida, ocean pH has been lowered 0.1 unit since the pre-industrial period and another 0.3–0.5 pH unit drop is predicted by 2100. Many of Florida's disturbances regimes such as algae blooms, wildfires, hypoxia, storms, droughts and floods, diseases, pest outbreaks are already showing signs of change. Finally, Florida's sea level is currently rising at 1.8-2.4 mm per year and may rise by another meter by 2100.
Florida's biodiversity is already responding to climate change through changes in physiology, distribution, phenology, and extinction risk. Physiological stress is being observed among marine species in reduced rates of calcification, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and reproduction brought on by increased acidity. Northward movement is becoming more common as a result of temperature shifts. Unfortunately, for Florida, species movement brings increased risk for invasions by non-native species, like the Cuban treefrog. Sea turtle nesting and tree flowering dates are starting to shift earlier in time to keep pace with increasing temperatures in Florida. Climate change also brings elevated extinction risks for Florida's numerous endemic species and species of conservation concern (click here for more information).


text:
Most parts of this city are 400 or 500 years old, so it really is like stepping into a living museum. The colonial feel highlights the country's close links to Africa, reflected in the local cuisine and music. The town is famous also for capoeira, the ballet-like martial art.
Accommodation in Salvador
This bijoux property fits in perfectly to the historical surroundings, a 19th century building in bright yellow, set against the backdrop of the UNESCO Heritage neighbourhood of Pelhourinho. Ten rooms keep the place intimate, and you're not far from the amazing beaches of Salvador.
The history of the Portuguese Spice Route is the inspiration for this wonderful boutique hotel. Each room reflects a different stop in the route – Calcutta, Mozambique, Timor, and more. The rooftop terrace has two Jacuzzis and a small pool and the restaurant is one of the best in town.
Start planning your luxury tailor-made trip to Salvador by contacting us Contact Us Or submit your travel plans: Plan My Trip

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Jack Hammer
Jack Hammer Slot Review
The Jack Hammer is a slot game that is brought to you by leading developer Net Entertainment. It has a cartoonish theme that reminds the player of a comic strip, as it is based on the popular Jack Hammer Marvel Comic. It continues to grow in popularity and is one of the most loved online video slot games from Net Entertainment.
Before you get started, take some time to watch the intro as this brings the entire comic strip experience to life. You will find that there are 5 reels and 3 rows. The result is a total of 25 pay lines. When you win, there is considerable fanfare as the icons in the game tend to take on a life of their own. These icons include a ringing telephone, car case, chemical filled cup, Evil Zeppelin, Evil Dr. Wuten and the Jack Hammer himself.
How You Bet
In order to bet, you need to select a betting limit. The lowest amount that you can bet is €0.25 and if you want to net a massive win, you can try a maximum bet of €250 on each spin. This means that as a starter, you can make a bet that feels safe and comfortable, and as a high roller, you can place a bet which speaks to your desire.
What You Win
Your winnings are based on the overall pay out rate which is currently a generous 97%. Although the jackpot is non-progressive, the jackpot that is up for grabs is a generous 250,000 coins. The larger your stake the more you can win, reaching a cash amount of £10,000.
How FreeSpins Work
It is possible to net a mega win with the free spins feature. To trigger it, ensure that you land at least 5 or more free spin symbols while on the reels. The lowest number of free spins you can enjoy is 10, and the maximum that you can experience is 30. While the free spins are ongoing, you can win even more free spins if three or more symbols for the free spin appear on the reels. The more you play, the higher are your chances of winning.
The unique format of this game makes it attractive and exciting. With so many free spins to be won, you can be sure that you can make a great profit on any bet that you place on the site.


text:
There are a few things to consider when picking a property refurbishment Merton company that is certainly up to your standards yet offer the best and affordable rates.
Trust, Good Communication, Timely, Quality, Costing, and Good References are the main things you are looking for and they are also what Bigness Refurbishment has to offer you.
Be prepared to build a close relationship with them because with their understanding to your needs and wants it sure to create a lasting relationship.
Their work ethics and professionalism prove to be a great selling factor especially when you see a clientele that has great praises for them.
Refurbishment Services Merton
Bigness Refurbishment is a London-based property refurbishment company. They are well known to get the work done and are certainly great contenders as compared to other property refurbishment Merton companies in the market. In Merton, they know that refurbishing a bathroom will take nearly up to £4000 (most commonly for a 3-bedroom place).
Restoration Services Merton
Bigness can surely minimize this and get you that bathroom you've been dreaming of at a price you will gladly shell out money for.
They wouldn't want you to lower the value of your bathroom nor would they want you to limit yourself from the capacity of turning your rundown bathroom into an Eden.
Taking up their offer on refurbishing your bathroom will leave you worry free. Let them worry about the task you require for the price you can muster. Limiting your options isn't a choice they want you to be taking.
Refurbishments in Merton
We can handle all your requisites when it comes to refurbishing that bathroom of yours.
Keep your hands clean and your mind hassle free while they provide you with expert plumbers to ensure that your bathroom is working optimally and beautifully.
Aside from slashing off prices that you thought couldn't go any lower, they will shoulder all property refurbishment Merton work for you.
Whichever part you are in London, Bigness will certainly reach out to you so better call them up and reach out to them as well.
Larger jobs will be supervised by a quality control manager who will report to you with regular updates.
We provide property refurbishment services in London and surroundings including South London, East London, North London, West London, Hillington, Greenwich, Havering, Bexley, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Newham, Waltham Forest, Barnet, Bromley, Kingston, Richmond, Ealing, City of Westminster, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Lewisham, Sutton, Merton, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, Enfield, Croydon, Brent, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southward, Hillington.
Our 24 hour manned London office an have a plumber with you within 1 hour, day or night.
Property Refurbishment Free Quote
Simply fill out the form with a description of the refurbishment work you require, your location and your contact details, and we will aim to contact you within 1 hour.
Request a Free Quote Now!
Call 0207 112 5356 or email us today!
We'll beat any quote. Bring us a written quote and we'll match it PLUS we'll refund you 10% of the difference.


text:
Master artist, educator, and entrepreneur, Edward Everett Parker, was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District on Bentley Drive on February 7, 1941, to Augustine Washington and David Nathaniel Parker. When Parker was in elementary school, his parents moved Edward and his brother David to Toledo, Ohio, where he studied at the Toledo Museum of Art. Parker attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Scott High School; he earned his bachelor's degree in art from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and his master's degree in Art Education, with an emphasis in sculpting, from Ohio's Kent State University. Parker also completed additional graduate level work at the University of Illinois and in Ife, in West Africa.
Parker taught art education in the Cleveland Public Schools, where he served as the head of the art department at Audubon Jr. High for a number of years. Parker later attained the position of professor and arts coordinator at the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College where he taught for nearly twenty years. Parker founded and acted as the director of the Snickerfritz Cultural Workshop for the Arts, Inc., located in the Edward E. Parker Creative Arts Complex in East Cleveland, Ohio. The complex, which also includes gallery and classroom space, meeting rooms, and a number of small businesses, is housed in a converted nursing home that sat vacant and dilapidated for seventeen years before Parker purchased and rehabilitated the facility.
Parker's artistic achievements include numerous one-man and group shows in Ohio and other states, and commissions from Cleveland's Cuyahoga Community College and Florida Memorial College. Parker's vision as an artist has long been informed by African American history and culture; his better known works include a life-sized sculpture of the Chicken George character from Alex Haley's Roots and a celebrated series of African American clown sculptures and prints. After the 2008 election of Barack Obama as the forty-forth President of the United States, Parker sculpted Obama's likeness and displayed the bust in his Snickerfritz Art Gallery. In addition to his work in the arts, Parker also served on the Board of Trustees for the East Cleveland Library.


text:
The Miracle of Mindfulness:
An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Chapter 1: The Essential Discipline
My Time
Instead of compartmentalizing time in to "my time" and "family time" make all time "my time."
Story about family vs my time:
"I've discovered a way to have a lot more time. In the past, I used to look at my time as if it were divided into several parts. One part I reserved for my child, another part was for my wife, another part to help with our newborn, another part for household work. The left over I considered my own. I could read, write, do research, go for walks."
"But now I try not to divide time into parts anymore. I consider my time with my children and wife as my own time. When I help my child with his homework, I try to find ways of seeing his time as my own time. I go through his lesson with him, sharing his presence and finding ways to be interested in what we do during that time. The time for him becomes my own time. The same with my wife. The remarkable thing is that now I have unlimited time for myself!"
Washing the dishes to wash the dishes
Don't wash dishes to have clean dishes. Wash them to wash dishes. Focus on the process, not the outcome.
If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that waits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not "washing the dishes to wash the dishes." What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea either. While drinking the cup of tea, we will only be thinking of other things, barely aware of the cup in our hands.
Eating a tangerine
Becoming so immersed in talking about future plans while eating a tangerine is like "eating" the future plans.
A tangerine has sections. If you can eat just one section, you can probably eat the entire tangerine. But if you can't eat a single section, you cannot eat the tangerine.
Chapter Two: The Miracle is to Walk on Earth
To have "unlimited my time" you must constantly recognize that this is your time. This is mindfulness, keeping one's consciousness alive to the present reality. You must practice this not just in meditation sessions, but in one's daily life.
When you are walking along a path leading into a village, you can practice mindfulness. Keep the thought: "I'm walking along the path leading into the village." If really engaged then we will consider the act of each step we take as an infinite wonder, and a joy will open our hearts like af lower, enabling us to enter the world of reality.
On miracles:
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle
How to go through daily hardships and responsibilities of life?
Keep your attention focused on the work, be alert and ready to handle ably and intelligently any situation which may arise—this is mindfulness.
It is a means and an end, the seed and the fruit. When practicing to build up concentration, mindfulness is a seed. But presence of mindfulness is the presence of life, and therefore is also the fruit.
Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again. Remain conscious through the whole breath-body.
Walking alone it is easy to concentrate. But walking with someone it is harder. Don't resist, but concentrate on the conversation and the walk at same time.
Hardest of all is to practice the Way at home, second in the crowd, and third in the pagoda. —Vietnamese folk song
The breath is the bridge from our body to our mind.
A person who knows how to breath is a person who knows how to build up endless vitality: breath builds up the lungs, strengthens the blood, and revitalizes every organ in the body.
Chapter Three: A Day of Mindfulness
Devote one day a week to being fully mindful.
Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves—slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life. Don't be attached to the future. Don't worry about things you have to do. Don't think about getting up or taking off to do anything. Don't think about "departing."
Chapter Four: The Pebble
If you want to relax the worry-tightened muscles in your face, let the half smile come to your face. As the half smile (aka indeterminate smile) appears, all the facial muscles begin to relax. The longer the half smile is maintained, the better.
Imagine yourself as a pebble thrown into a river. The pebble sinks through the water effortlessly. Detached from everything, it falls by the shortest distance possible, finally reaching the bottom, the point of perfect rest. You are the pebble. At the center of your being is your breath. When you feel yourself resting like a pebble which has reached the riverbed, that is the point when you begin to find your own rest.
Once one has realized relaxation, it is possible to go deeper and realize a tranquil heart and clear mind.
We also must practice mindfulness of our feelings and perceptions:
If the practitioner knows his own mind clearly he will obtain results with little effort. But if he does not know anything about his own mind, all of his effort will be wasted. But if he does not know anything about his own mind, all of his effort will be wasted.
Acknowledge feelings and note it.
The Guard at the Emperor's Gate:
Whatever feelings or thought enters through the gate, you are aware of its entrance, and when it leaves, you are aware of its exit. But those that enter and exit are no different from the guard of the gate. Our thoughts and feelings are us.
When we are angry, we ourselves are anger. When we are happy, we ourselves are happiness. When we have certain thoughts, we are those thoughts. We are both the guard and the visitor at the same time. We are both the mind and the observer of the mind. Therefore, chasing away or dwelling on any thought isn't the important thing. The important things is to be aware of the thought.
Monkey and Shadow:
The mind is like a monkey swinging from branch to branch through a forest. In order not to lose sight of the monkey by some sudden movement, we must watch the monkey constantly and even to be one with it. Mind contemplating mind is like an object and its shadow—the object cannot shake the shadow off. The two are one. Wherever the mind goes, it still lies in the harness of the mind. Once the mind is directly and continually aware of itself, it is no longer like a monkey. There are not two minds.
Eventually drinking a cup of tea, the seeming distinction between the one who drinks and the tea being drunk evaporates. Drinking a cup of tea becomes a direct and wondrous experience in which the distinction between subject and object no longer exists.
Chapter Five: One is All, All is One: The Five Aggregates
The subject of knowledge cannot exist independently from the object of knowledge. To see is to see something. To be angry is to be angry over something. When the object of knowledge (the something) is not present, there can be no subject of knowledge. So when there is nothing to thinking about, there is no thinking.
When we practice mindfulness of the body, then the knowledge of body is mind. Same for breath. Every object of the mind is itself mind. Therefore the contemplation of the the nature of interdependence of all objects is also the contemplation of the mind. The objects of mind are the dharmas.
There are five dharmas (or five aggregates):
- bodily and physical forms
- feelings
- perceptions
- mental functionings
- consciousness
Contemplation on interdependence is a deep looking into all dharmas in order to pierce through to their real nature, in order to see them as part of the great body of reality and in order to see that the great body of reality is indivisible. It cannot be cut into pieces with separate existences of their own.
Example of a table:
The table's existence is possible due to the existence of things which we might call "the non-table world": the forest where the wood grew and was cut, the carpenter, the iron ore which became the nails and screws, the sun and rain which made it possible for the trees to grow.
If you took away any of those non-table elements then table would no longer exist.
A person who looks at the table and can see the universe is a person who can see the way. You meditate on the assembly of the five aggregates in yourself in the same manner. You meditate on them until you are able to see the presence of the reality of one-ness in your own self, and can see that your own life and the life of the universe are one. If the five aggregates return to their sources, the self no longer exists.
Liberation from Suffering
People normally cut reality into compartments, and so are unable to see the interdependence of all phenomena. To see one in all and all in one is to break through the great barrier which narrows one's perception of reality, a barrier which Buddhism calls the attachment to the false view of self.
We are only alive when we live the life of the world, and so live the sufferings and joys of others. The suffering of others is our own suffering, and the happiness of others is our own happiness. If our lives have no limits, the assembly of the five aggregates which makes up our self also has no limits. The impermanent character of the universe, the successes and failures of life can no longer manipulate us. Having seen the reality of interdependence and entered deeply into its reality, nothing can oppress you any longer. You are liberated.
Meditation on interdependence is to be practiced constantly, as an integral part of our involvement in all ordinary tasks. We must learn to see that the person in front of us is ourself and that we are that person.
Meditate on Death and a Corpse
We must look death in the face, recognize and accept it, just as we look at and accept life.
Meditate on the decomposition of the body, how the body bloats and turns violet, how it is eaten by worms until only bits of blood and flesh still cling to the bones, meditate up to the point where only white bones remain, which in turn are slowly worn away and turn into dust. Meditate like that, knowing that your own body will undergo the same process. Meditate on the corpse until you are calm and at peace, until your mind and heart are light and tranquil and a smile appears on your face. Thus, by overcoming revulsion and fear, life will be seen as infinitely precious, every second of it worth living. And it is not just our own lives that are recognized as precious, but the lives of every other person, every other being, every other reality. We see that life and death are but two face of Life and that without both, Life is not possible, just as two sides of a coin are needed for the coin to exist. Only now is it possible to rise above birth and death, and to know how to live and how to die.
Chapter 6: The Almond Tree in Your Front Yard
Reality has three natures: imagination, interdependence, and the nature of ultimate perfection.
The meditation on interdependence is to help one penetrate reality in order to be one with it, not to become caught up in philosophical opinion or meditation methods. The raft is used to cross the river. It isn't to be carried around on your shoulders. The finger which points at the moon isn't the moon itself.
Practice looking at all beings with the eyes of compassion: "the meditation on compassion."
It must be realized during the hours you sit and during every moment you carry out service for others.
While sitting you may be at peace and totally relaxed. But you must be awake as a person walking on high stilts. Be like a medieval knight walking weaponless in a forest of swords. Only with this kind of vigilance can you realize total awakening.
When possessed by sadness, anxiety, hatred, or a passion, the method of pure observation and recognition may be difficult. Turn to meditation on a fixed object. Using your ownn state of mind as meditation's subject. This reveals and heals. The sadness under the gaze of concentration and meditation reveals its own nature.
Don't worry if those around you aren't doing their best. Just worry about how to make yourself worthy. Doing your best is the surest way to remind those around you to do their best.
When a great Master is born, the water in the rivers turns clearer and the plants grow greener.
Chapter 7: Three Wondrous Answers
The emperor thinks that knowing the answers to these questions will prevent him from straying in a matter:
- What is the best time to do each thing?
- Who are the most important people to work with?
- What is the most important thing to do at all times?
Story about the emperor visiting the hermit and the assassin
The moral: there is only one important time and that is now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person you are with, who is right before you, for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future? The most important pursuit is making the person standing at your side happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life.
***We talk about social service, service to humanity, helping to bring peace to the world—but often we forget that it is the very people around us that we must live for first of all.***
The word "service" is so immense. Let's be modest at first: our families, friends, coworkers, community. We must live for them—for if we cannot live for them, whom else do we think we are living for?
How can we live in the present moment, live right now with the people around us, helping to lessen their suffering and making their lives happier? How? We must practice mindfulness.
Exercises in Mindfulness
Half smile and inhale and exhale three times quietly when:
- when waking up: hang Smile sign above your head
- during free moments: sitting, looking at a child, walking, observing
- listening to music: pay attention to the words, music, rhythm, sentiments
- irritated
Other exercises:
- Letting go in a lying-down position
- Letting go in the sitting position
- Deep breathing
- Measuring your breath by your footsteps
- Following your breath while listening to music
- Following your breath while carrying on a conversation
- Breathing to quiet the mind and body to realize joy
- Mindfulness of the positions of the body
- Mindfulness while making tea
- Washing the dishes
- Washing clothes
- Cleaning house
- A slow-motion bath
- The pebble: think of yourself as pebble falling through clear stream
- A day of mindfulness
- Contemplation on interdependence: find child photo and ask "Who am I?" through the lens of the five aggregates
- Yourself: say "I will use my finger to point at myself" and then point away from myself. See that you are the universe and the universe is you. There is no life and death.
- Your skeleton: imagine all that is left of your body is a white skeleton lying on the face of the earth 80 years after burial. See it vividly. Your bodily form is not you. Be at one with life. Live eternally in the trees and grass, birds, beasts. You are present everywhere. You are not only bodily form, feelings, thoughts, actions, and knowledge.
- Your true visage before you were born: concentrate on your life's beginning. It is also the point of beginning of your death. They have manifested at the same time.
- A loved one who has died: think of decomposition and interactions with that person
- Emptiness: contemplate the nature of emptiness in the assembly of the five aggregates
- Compassion for the person you hate or despise the most
- Suffering caused by the lack of wisdom
- Detached action: contemplate on a project you consider important
- Detachment: recall your significant achievements and realize they are a convergence of various conditions beyond your reach. You will now be bound to these achievements
- Contemplation of non-abandonment: see that everything is impermanent yet wondrous


text:
List View
Richest People in Guangdong, CN
The richest person in Guangdong, CN isMa Huateng
Return to China
Wealthiest People in Guangdong, CN
Here are the richest and wealthiest people in Guangdong, CN.The person with the highest net worth in Guangdong, CN is Ma Huateng who lives in Shenzhen. How does your net worth compare to other people in this State?
Who are the richest people near you?
Enter your location and search now!


text:
The WellBridge Difference
Mental Healthcare That Changes Minds
At WellBridge, we believe that at its best, mental healthcare can not only help individuals thrive, but also change the way society perceives the challenge and treatment of mental illness. By uniting exceptional treatment and management, we hope to do more than just treat the mental health issues we face. Through prioritizing patient dignity and working tirelessly to bring innovation and compassion to the treatment of all mental illnesses, the team at WellBridge is ending the stigma of these diseases and changing the way patients, families, and society think about the present and future of mental healthcare. When we make better connections between patient and staff, professional and professional, and hospital and community, we can make change together. It is time to modernize our narrative about mental health.
WellBridge Vision
To be the leading mental health and wellness provider in the communities we serve through compassionate, sophisticated and innovative care.
WellBridge Mission
To provide exceptional care in a nurturing, dignified setting that enriches the lives of our patients, families, communities and each other.
Driven to Improve Lives
The people of WellBridge have seen the power of innovative medicine, positive energy, and proactive therapy rapidly change lives for the better. We are an active, fast-moving organization practicing modern medicine to help end the pain of mental illness rapidly and transition patients from crisis to maintenance as soon as possible. At WellBridge, patients are active, mobile, and engaged in their own care.
A Community of Compassionate Caring
The WellBridge team comprises caring, proactive medical practitioners who are energized by the promise of helping people overcome the often profoundly painful struggle against mental illness. Here, we have seen the potential of new treatments and compassionate care powerfully transform people's lives to return peace, happiness, and independence. We believe that to help one person at a time overcome the challenges of mental illness is to give greater hope to families, communities, and society. We look forward to working together with the common purpose of improving the lives of those that need us most. Together we can change minds.
Treatment begins with a confidential assessment by a qualified mental health professional. Please call 972.596.5445 24/7 365 days a year, or fill out the form below and one of our WellBridge team members will contact you. Your personal information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone.


text:
"When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous edures forever."
Proverbs 10:25
A few years ago the Weather channel aired a series of shows entitled "It Could Happen Tomorrow." As the title suggests, the series probes the "What if?". One of the episodes ponders the question, "What if a severe hurricane hits NYC?" They said that it very well could happen. As a matter of fact, it did happen.
It was Wednesday September 21st, 1938 and it was just a normal day. At least it started out as just a normal day. But for the residents living on Long Island, the resort situated just off the coast of New York, it became a day of disaster.
Following a hurricane that veered off from the coast of Florida just days earlier, no one living on the sleepy island was dreaming this natural catastrophe would bear down upon them. Some locals noticed what looked like a fog bank approaching. Their mild interest turned into wild panic when they realized that this was no fog bank. It was a 30 foot wall of water, the hurricane's storm surge.
At about 3:00 pm the Cat 3 storm made landfall. It brought with it winds speeding around 120 mph and tides ranging up to 25 feet. It ripped through Long Island and cut into the coastland, eating up much of Connecticut. When the storm reached Providence, Rhode Island approx. 2 hours later, it submerged the city in a watery abyss in a matter of minutes.
You can imagine the damage, especially with thoughts of Hurricane Katrina still vivid in our minds. But could it happen again? That's the question the Weather channel sought to unravel.
This morning we are, in a sense, tuning in to the weather channel. We have before us a verse that, does more than forecast a storm. It predicts a storm. And for certain, we know that this is no natural storm. No, this is a supernatural storm. It is the storm of God's terrible judgment.
As we consider this Storm, this morning, I want to do so in a Weather channel fashion. The newscasters seek to help you prepare for the storm by giving you as much information as possible. This is what I want to do. I want to help you prepare for the storm of God's judgment. To do this we must examine with you the kind of storm that will come, the damage the storm will cause, and the preparation the storm requires. Notice first of all…
I. The kind of storm that will come
The Storm of God's terrible judgment is described as a "tempest," or a whirlwind. That indicates the power and the surprise of God's judgment. A whirlwind's two chief characteristics are that it comes on swiftly and intensely. In other words, this storm will come just like the hurricane that hit Long Island. It will completely shock and overwhelm those who are not prepared for it.
Do you remember how the great wind made the house collapse upon Job's children. They were shocked by it, weren't they? There they were in the house feasting and being merry. They did not know that the wind was coming. If they had they would have taken shelter. They would have sought a more secure habitation. But they had no way of knowing before hand. It swooped in upon them like a bird out of the sky. It came down and struck with great force. It made the walls break and the roof to cave in. All were lost in a matter of seconds.
This is how the Day of Christ will be. The Apostle Paul says that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When a thief comes, he comes when no one is suspecting him. He comes at night when everyone is sleeping.
Oh that is how God will come. He will come at a moment's notice. And it will seem like he comes out of no where.
Do you remember what it was like on the day when the airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers? It was one of the most beautiful days, wasn't it? I remember thinking to myself how I wish I didn't have to be in class that day. But it became one of the most fearful days! Out of the blue two planes came thundering into those two buildings.
Or think about the tsunami that struck the coast of India a number of years ago. It was a beautiful day. People were out enjoying themselves at the beach—basking in the sun. Others were going about their regular day's duties. Then the tempest hit. The waves came rolling in at over 600 miles per hour. Who had time to react to that?
That is what it will be like when the Lord unleashes his wrath. It will be a normal day. People will be eating and drinking and then the Lord will come upon them. Isn't that what Jesus says? He says it will be just like in the days of Noah and Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, marrying and being given in marriage. It was a normal day! But then it started to rain. In Noah's day the overwhelming waters of the flood came on so suddenly. Those people of Sodom and Gomorrah didn't have a chance because the sky broke open and the Lord rained down fire and sulfur. They were all caught completely off guard.
So it will be on the day God chooses to strike. He will come like a whirlwind. When people are least suspecting it he will leap from his throne, rend the heavens, and descend to lay claim to his property.
You are now being told that this storm is coming, but there is no indication when it will come. Just like the Weather channel says, "It could happen tomorrow." You must remember: This is not a storm that you can see brewing in the distance. It will come without a moment's notice and it will come with great rage. It is a tempest.
The people on the Weather channel will try to help you prepare for the storm by describing the storm. They will tell you what kind of storm it is. But they will also try to predict what kind of damage a storm will do.
II. The damage the storm will cause
The silly thing about the weather channel is that the people don't know what kind of damage will be done. They can only guess. They can only assume that trees will fall and power lines will be downed. But the Lord does not guess. He knows exactly what will happen, and he tells us outright in our passage. It says, "When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more."
Such devastation! Whole ranks of humanity swept away in an instant!
You've seen the magic tricks, haven't you? They magician takes a quarter and makes it disappear. Or the rabbit is put in the hat, and "poof" he's gone! This is kind of like what is described here.
That is how God will treat the wicked man. It will seem like he vanishes from the face of the earth. God will be rid of him forever. He will throw the unworthy sinner into hell. God will not tolerate these rebels or allow them the opportunity to enjoy the freshness of the new heaven and the new earth.
I just spoke of the tsunami. Do you remember how it ravaged the land? There was absolutely nothing left when the waters subsided. Everything virtually disappeared, being destroyed, swept out to sea, or thrown somewhere else.
You might still be able to recall some of the footage from the news casts. They showed before and after pictures. Some of you may have even seen the pictures taken from satellites far above the earth's atmosphere. From miles above the earth you could see that the green of trees was replaced by pure brown mud.
A while ago I spoke with a man who went down to help with the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. He showed me some pictures he took while he was there. But there was nothing in them! Everything had been swept away! And he told me that the pictures didn't even tell half the story! He said it was eerie because everything was gone. It was almost like being in a wasteland because it was so desolate.
That is how it will be when Christ returns. Jesus is coming again. He is going to return, and the wicked will face his wrath.
In the gospel of Luke Jesus said that on the day he comes, "two people will be in one bed, one will be taken, the other will be left. Two will be grinding grain; one will be taken, the other left." The wicked man will be swept away.
When God comes in his radiance, the wicked man will be no more. They shall not inherit the earth, but will be taken from it.
We must understand that God hates wicked people and he is ready to drive them out. His anger is built up like a damn and the levee is about to break. When it bursts the rage cannot be stopped. Ungodly men will be swept away.
As you can tell, this is a fierce storm. It will be unlike anything we have ever experienced. Hurricane Katrina will look like child's play. The sheer magnitude of this storm will inflict so much damage. That is why we must prepare.
The Weather channel tries to help you prepare for the storm by telling you something about the kind of storm will come, the damage the storm will do, they will also say something about what you must do to prepare for the storm. They talk about the precautions that you ought to take.
III. The Preparation the Storm Requires
When you know a storm is coming, you prepare for it. You seek shelter. When the Tornado alarm sounds you head for the basement. When you see flashes of lightening or hear the rumble of thunder you head for cover.
The same should be true now that you have heard about his storm. But where do you find shelter from such a storm?
In the second half of the verse we find that the Lord points us to a place of refuge. My version says, "The righteous is established forever."
Now I do not doubt that you have something different here than what I read. The verse is quite hard to translate. If we would translate it literally it would say, "The righteous an everlasting foundation." Obviously that is a bit rough. Perhaps the best rendering we have is found in the old KJV. It says, "The righteous man is a foundation forever."
It talks about a foundation. There is something with permanence. It is steadfast and cannot be shaken. What you need in a storm is a foundation that will not be uprooted.
You may have wondered as you watched the news casts, why is it that the only thing that ever survives a hurricane are all those palm trees? You would thing that those silly things would be uprooted and thrown around like toothpicks. But that doesn't happen. That's because a palm tree is well grounded. Unlike other trees it only has one root. That root grows straight down. So if you have a 20 foot tree, you have 20 feet of tree growing in the opposite direction. It is planted in the earth. It has established itself upon the foundation that will not be moved.
That is what the Lord is telling us we must do. He says there is a foundation that will endure the storm. If we are wise, w will establish ourselves upon it. Jesus said that the wise man builds his house upon the rock. When the storms come and the waters rise, it does not collapse. But where do we get this foundation?
I think that our verse says that the righteous man is the foundation. He is unmovable in the Day of Judgment.
Now you may say to yourself. Oh, well then, I should be OK. I am a pretty righteous person. I have been good most of my life, I certainly am not like so & so who has done such & such.
But that would be foolish of you to say. Your righteousness is not of a high caliber. Jesus said, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." In other words, unless you are perfect, you will be swept away in the flood. The Pharisees were the most righteous people in Jesus day. They would make any one of us look like criminals in comparison.
No, we cannot stand in our own righteousness. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And there is no one righteous, no not one. But there is a foundation that we can find refuge in!
Commentators tell us that the Rabbis' saw this verse as a messianic proverb. It pointed to the Messiah, the Righteous One, who would keep his people safe in the midst of God's storm. Indeed that is true.
The righteous man is not one of us. We are not righteous. But Jesus Christ was righteous. His whole live was dedicated to purity and righteousness. And he is the one who can shelter us in the day of the storm.
When the Angel of Death swept through Egypt he claimed every first born that did not have the blood of the lamb above the door posts. God did not discriminate between persons. He did not care who was a Jew and who was an Egyptian. They were all sinners. They all deserved to be struck down. Were it not for the blood of the righteous animal, then those within the house would have by no means escaped.
We must remember that that foundation is Christ. He is the righteous man. It is only by taking his name upon yourself that you will be able to face the fierce wrath of God.
A young minister was once traveling through the rugged country near England's Cheddar Gorge. As he walked along the clouds burst and torrential sheets of rain pummeled the earth. The weary traveler was able to find shelter standing under a rocky overhang. There, protected from the buffeting wind and rain, Augustus Toplady conceived one of the most popular hymns ever written, "Rock of Ages, Cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee"
Toplady likened the storm he faced to that of the great and terrible storm of God's Judgment. And he was right: There is only way that we may endure the terrible tempest. It is by taking shelter in the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.
Dumb and Dumber
"The wise of heart recieves commandments, but the prating fool will come to ruin."
Proverbs 10:8
World Magazine often has a page devoted to quirky things that happen in the world. Oftentimes they include some snippets from the world's worst crooks. For instance, one of the latest issues reported how a drug dealer was tracked down. No great detectives were needed in this case. The police found his home quite easily. The dealer apparently thought he could better serve his clientele by passing out his business card. It is one of those things where you want to say, "How dumb can you get?"
Sometimes you wonder about people, don't you? You catch yourself saying that, "how dumb can you get?" Perhaps you will catch yourself saying that about yourself at times!
When you study the book of Proverbs you may find yourself saying that on occasion. We may find ourselves aghast as we sit in our seats, and we will want to blurt out "How dumb can you get?" And if we are judging ourselves correctly we will be saying that about ourselves at times.
The book of proverbs is written to the "son." He's the youth growing up and coming into his own. And if there is one trait about young people it is that we are oftentimes dumber than we believe ourselves to be.
But things don't change much as you get older, do they? John Hyatt, a preacher of Spurgeon's day, was recorded to have said, "There is no point on which the world is more dark than that of its own ignorance." As we grow older, we gain more knowledge. But does that knowledge lead us to think about how much we really do not know?
As we look at these proverbs—or look at any part of the Bible for that matter—we should be led to ask the question, "how dumb am I?"
Certainly, that may be the case this morning. In our verse we have two men presented before us. If you don't mind, I would like to call them Dumb and Dumber. and I would like to consider each in that order. Our passage presents us with two men who you might say are mentally challenged. Both possess this quality of stupidity, but one is much worse off than the other.
Let us begin by considering the less sever case. This is the man who I call…
I. Dumb
As an astute Bible reader you will probably say "Wait a minute! It starts out by saying "'The wise of heart receive commands.' Matt, this is the wise man. The only dumb one here is you!"
Well, you may be right about that! But look at it again. If he is wise, why does he receive commands? He is called wise because he knows how much he doesn't know!
The wise man here isn't wise just because he has a degree or because he has built up a lot of knowledge over the years. He very well may have a Ph.d. (or he may not), that does not make a difference. He is called wise because of his humility! He knows that he does not know what he is supposed to know.
Your first step to becoming wise is getting a right understanding of yourself. And yet that can often be the hardest thing to do. I heard that there once was a tombstone with an epitaph that said: "Anthony Benezet was a poor creature, and through divine favor he was enabled to know it." (we need that kind of grace, don't we?)
Do you know what one of David's favorite prayers was? It was "Teach me your way, O Lord." We find it (or a form of it) in a number of places throughout the Psalms. It was the prayer of a humble man. That was a prayer of a man who knew he didn't know what he needed to know, yet wanted to know it. That was a prayer of a humble man. This was David! He wrote most of the Psalter! Certainly he of all people had a grasp on what God taught, right?
We make fun of the disciples at times, don't we? And rightfully so. They were a bunch of bumbling fools. It seems that the only time they do anything right is when they shut up. Perhaps their most glamorous moment is when they came to Jesus and said, "Lord, teach us to pray."
We should take a lesson. Wisdom begins when we have a right view of ourselves. That's part of the fear of God. When we see ourselves as creatures who are lesser than God and needing to draw from him. That's when you are humble. When you are on your face before God you gain wisdom, because you realize you don't know half of what you're supposed to know.
But notice that the wise man isn't wise simply because he is a humble man, he is wise because he is also an open man.
Look at him! He may be dumb, but "he receives commands." This is the man who is ready to listen. More than that he is ready to accept what he hears.
You remember what Jesus said, "Whoever hears these words, and puts them into practice, he is like a man who built his house on the rock." (Matt 7:24). There were most likely people who were listening to Jesus who didn't accept what he said. They heard, but they didn't listen. They didn't receive what he said.
You find a lot of people in the church like that. They come to church, but they are as open as Fort Knox. There are those who are approached by brothers who want to gently correct them, but they will have none of it. If you approach them about their character traits, they snap! That's not a wise man. That is not a man who is wise of heart. The wise man comes to church eager to learn. The wise man will listen to someone who rebukes him.
Professors in seminary said to us, "Fellas, you will have people who will critique your sermons. And you will have people who critique you. A lot of what they say will be garbage. But even if you think that what they say is way off the mark, you need to weigh what they say." He was telling us to be receptive—to be open to what even the oddest or harshest people have to say.
And that takes us into the next thing you need to know about this man. This dumb man is a wise man because he is humble, because he is open, and because he is discerning.
The man receives what? He receives "commands." This is nothing more than God's Word. This is a man who is willing to listen, ponder what is said and then accept what it so long as it is true! He may be dumb, but he is no fool! He is not gullible. This man is searching for diamonds and will not accept anything less, no impostors will be permitted. Only if it is in accord with what God says will he receive it.
We here a lot today about "having an open mind." This usually means we must accept what other people say wholesale--without any disagreement or critique. We are just supposed to take their words. But such a person is not wise. He is downright stupid. Who could be dumber?
I have been in conversations with people—talking to them about Christ and the gospel. And as I tell them about the exclusive claim of Christ—Either you follow him and have life or you come under his condemnation—they will say, "Well, you need to have an open mind." By that they mean, "what you say may be true, but there might be other alternatives equally as true."
In the 1920's liberalism was beginning to take over the Presbyterian Church. Conservatives, in an attempt to save their denomination, passed a resolution that said that ministers in the church must affirm 5 fundamental tenets of the faith to be a minister—i.e. that Jesus was born of a virgin, his atoning death, and his bodily resurrection.
The liberals of the church had that overturned. They said that "these are only some 'theories' of the Christian faith." In other words they were saying we should be "open minded."
Yes we should be open. We should listen to what other people have to say. But what is false should never be received! We need to be discerning and only receive those things that are in accord with God's Word.
In the book of Kings there was a prophet who was told to deliver a message to one of the kings of Israel. But he was also told that he was not to refresh himself in that land. He was to boycott any food or drink that anyone there might offer him. But after he delivered his message a man came along and tested the man. He claimed to be a prophet. He said that he received a message from God that he should eat and drink at his house. The prophet agreed to do so, but it was to his demise. He was mauled by a wild beast as soon as he left.
I guess you could say, he was a little too open-minded.
And there you see the last trait of this (so called) dumb man. A man who is dumb, but is wise enough to receive commands will be a safe man. Jesus said, He who hears these words is like a man who built his house upon the rock. The storms came, but it did not fall because it was founded upon the rock.
As I have said before: the man in the first half of the verse may be dumb, but he is no fool. However, the man in the second half of the verse is a fool. That is what makes him dumber.
II. Dumber
As we turn to contemplate this second specimen, let us look at his identity and his destiny.
The first thing we notice is his identity. He is described as a "prating fool." That means one that talks foolishly. The idea comes from a child who just babbles. Words are strung together, but they do not have any meaning or coherence. If you have listened to small children speak you have heard them do this. They just say whatever comes to their head.
That's what the prating fool is. He is one who is full of words, but empty of knowledge.
When fountain pens were popular you could sometimes find instructions that came with the pen that said, "When this pen flows too freely it is a sign that it is nearly empty." That is the same sort of caution that we should use with humans. The mouth flows too freely, it can be a sign that one's head is empty. Someone whose mouth is given to rambling is one who typically is lacking understanding. He's a prating fool.
But let's consider his identity a little more. Bible scholars link this prating fool to a man mentioned in 3 John. His name is Diotrephes. John says 2 things about this man: He identifies Diotrephes by saying that "he loves to be first" and that he "gossips maliciously" against the Apostles. Isn't this an apt description of a "prating fool?" He is a fool—he doesn't care about truth. He just wants to be first. He wants prominence and prestige. He wants to be admired. So what does he do? He makes himself out to be a scholar. He parades himself before others as a learned man. And he ends up leading other people astray.
In Romans 16 Paul talks about those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way. He says they do their damage by their "smooth talk." That is really what makes the false teacher so dangerous: He talks so much. He sounds so eloquent. He seems so religious.
You have to beware: This is Public enemy number 1 for the church. He (or she) might look and sound like a trustworthy person, but in all actuality he/she is a fountain of sewage. Those waters are contaminated, and anyone who drinks of is in serious trouble.
This is why John in his first epistle says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God." Don't be mesmerized by their talk. Just because they talk a lot, doesn't mean they know a lot.
Ø Now that you've seen something of this person's identity, I want you to consider his destiny.
The passage says that the prating fool "will come to ruin." You could translate it by saying, the fool will be "thrown down." It's sort of like a divine body slam.
If you ever watch the Discovery Channel or the History Channel you might see a documentary from time to time on an ancient civilization. They will show pictures of what is left of their city or what has been unearthed through excavation. You could tell that it was once an incredible place, but there is not much left of it now. We call those remnants "the ruins" of a city. You could say that this great city has been "thrown down." It has been destroyed.
That is what will happen to the prating fool. He will be thrown down, ruined by God's powerful hand.
Take for example the Sadducees. If you are familiar with the Bible you may have heard of these people before. They were some of the religious leaders of Jesus' time. They were supposed to be the priestly class, but they were prating fools. They denied the existence of angels and demons. They did not believe in the resurrection. Most of all they opposed Jesus himself! As a result, they were thrown down.
Just a generation after Christ in 70 AD, there was a war. It is often called the Jewish War. In that war some of the leaders of the Sadducee sect were executed and the rest of that band seemed to vanish from the face of the earth. In one swipe of God's hand they were gone.
There are many other examples of this that we could look at.
You may think of someone like Karl Marx, one who advocated a worldview greatly opposed to the Christian faith. It is said that:
Two of his daughters and a son-in-law committed suicide. Three of his children died of malnutrition. Marx feeling no obligation to earn a living, lived off of friends. He fathered an illegitimate child by his maidservant. He drank heavily. Though Marx and his wife were poor, he kept investing in the stock market where he constantly lost. His wife left him twice, but returned. After she died, he didn't even bother attending her funeral. Then, to top it all off, his own death was preceded with mental anguish and despair.
You can also think of Fredrick Nietzsche. Nietzsche's is known for his Nihilism and for coining the phrase "God is dead." Nietzsche lived to be 56 years old. The last 12 years of his life quite unproductive because he suffered a mental collapse when he was 44. It is said that his insanity was so severe he could not even communicate.
Now I recognize that not all fools suffer that kind of ruin in life. This is certainly true, at least to some degree. But I want you to recognize that their lives do end. They may have escaped catastrophe in this life, but in the end they will fall. It will be just as Jesus says, "Whoever builds his house on the sand will fall with a great crash." And elsewhere Jesus says, "whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone was tied around his neck and he was thrown into the sea."
He will be ruined. He will face death. And after death, he will be thrown into hell. That is his destiny.
If we might borrow from the great theologian Forest Gump "Stupid is as stupid does." A fool will do foolish things and face a fool's future. But a man who knows how foolish he is will be wise because he will seek the Lord's counsel.
In the end, the question becomes: Which person describes you? Perhaps a better question would be, "How dumb are you?" Are you foolish enough to be a wise man—one who receives the teaching of the Bible? Or are you so dumb that you ignore the Word of God and bumble through life?
I pray that it is the former. However, if the latter would characterize your life up until now, I hope that you will wise up by submitting yourself to the Lord and his word.
Kindled Fire is dedicated
to the preaching and teaching ministry of
Matt Timmons.
Matt is blessed to be a husband, father, and pastor in Ashland, Ohio.


text:
The National Attorneys General Training & Research Institute
Center for Consumer Protection Monthly November 2018
Consumer Chief of the Month: Christian Wright, Delaware
I like to say that the seeds of my interest in protecting consumers from frauds and deceptions were planted 28 years ago, when I was caught up in one of the great consumer frauds of the late 20th century. My mother waited in line for hours in the spring of 1990 to buy front row seats so that her older son (me) could take her younger son to see pop superstars, and Best New Artist Grammy winners, Milli Vanilli, at the Delaware State Fair. Just a few months later, they were exposed as lip-syncing frauds. What is less well-remembered are the lawsuits that were filed in the wake of that scandal, which was my first exposure to the use of consumer fraud laws to protect large groups of injured consumers.
Article of the Month:
Tips for Cautioning Charitable Donors During the Holiday Season
Kelley Hubbard, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Montana Attorney General
With the holiday season in full swing and in the wake of several natural disasters and tragedies, which seem all too frequent these days, it is a good time to think about the critical role attorneys general can play in making sure dollars donated to charity end up doing the most good for our communities. The recipe for our offices' success with charitable giving, no matter the season or the occasion, is one part donor education, one part proactive planning, and one part enforcement action.
Scam Alert:
Looking to Escape the Cold? Beware Vacation Cruise Scams
Federal Consumer Protection News
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection:
- The Bureau offered tips to enjoy the holidays without going into debt.
- The Bureau updated its youth financial education content to provide K-12 educators with free resources to help students develop financial knowledge, skills, and habits.
- The Bureau and the Federal Housing Finance Agency released for public use a new loan-level dataset collected through the National Survey of Mortgage Originations that provides insights into borrowers' experiences in getting a residential mortgage.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission:
- The CFTC and the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Securities, through Utah's Attorney General, jointly filed a civil enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division, against Defendants Gaylen Dean Rust (Rust) and Rust Rare Coin, Inc. (RRC) of Layton, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah, respectively. The complaint charges Rust and his company RRC with defrauding at least 200 individuals — from Utah and at least 16 other states — and fraudulently obtaining more than $170 million from investors since May 2013 in a precious metals Ponzi scheme.
- The CFTC announced that a federal court ordered a hedge fund and its principals to pay more than $1 million for fraud and registration violations.
- The CFTC issued an Order filing and simultaneously settling charges against Commerzbank AG for numerous violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC Regulations, including failing to supervise its Swap Dealer's activities for more than 5 years and making misleading statements and material omissions to the CFTC concerning its Swap Dealer's operations and compliance with the CEA and CFTC Regulations. Commerzbank AG is a global banking and financial services company based in Frankfurt, Germany, that has been provisionally registered with the CFTC as a Swap Dealer since December 31, 2012.
Federal Trade Commission:
- The FTC announced the agenda for the ninth session of its Hearings Initiative, which will focus on data security and take place on December 11-12, 2018.
- The FTC is mailing 16,596 checks totaling more than $750,000 to consumers who bought two deceptively marketed dietary supplements, NeuroPlus and BioTherapex, from Health Research Laboratories, LLC. Affected consumers will receive their checks by the end of December, with the average refund amount totaling $44.34.
- In response to the FTC's motion, a U.S. district court in California issued an order temporarily halting an alleged Internet marketing scam. The Commission alleges the defendants marketed supposedly "free trial" offers for personal care products and dietary supplements online, but then charged consumers the full price of the products and enrolled them in negative option continuity plans without their consent.
- The FTC is mailing 1,251 checks totaling more than $647,000 to non-profit organizations, churches, schools, small businesses, and volunteers that were tricked by Liberty Supply Company into buying office supply products at higher prices or in larger quantities than they had agreed upon.
- The FTC alleged that a California-based student debt relief scheme bilked consumers out of millions of dollars using false promises that they could reduce their monthly payments, or eliminate or reduce their student loan debt. A federal court temporarily halted the scheme and froze its assets at the request of the FTC, which seeks to end the deceptive practices.
- The operators of a Los Angeles-based student loan and mortgage debt relief operation have agreed to settle FTC charges that they bilked millions of dollars out of consumers by falsely claiming to be affiliated with the federal government.
- The FTC has given final approval to settlements with four companies over allegations that they falsely claimed certification under the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework.
- Two Georgia-based companies and their principals have agreed to settle FTC allegations that, in connection with promoting a new insect repellent during the 2016 Zika virus outbreak, they misrepresented that paid endorsements were independent consumer opinions and commercial advertising was independent journalistic content.
- At the FTC's request, a federal district court in Maryland issued an order temporarily shutting down the largest overseas real estate investment scam the FTC has ever targeted.
- MoneyGram International, Inc. has agreed to pay $125 million to settle allegations that the company failed to take steps required under a 2009 Federal Trade Commission order to crack down on fraudulent money transfers that cost U.S. consumers millions of dollars.
- At the request of the FTC, a federal judge temporarily shut down a Florida-based operation that allegedly collected more than $100 million by preying on Americans in search of health insurance, selling these consumers worthless plans that left tens of thousands of people uninsured. Many of these consumers have incurred substantial medical expenses and have been stuck with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills.
Securities and Exchange Commission:
- The SEC announced it settled charges against two companies that sold digital tokens in initial coin offerings (ICOs). These are the SEC's first cases imposing civil penalties solely for ICO securities offering registration violations. Both companies have agreed to return funds to harmed investors, register the tokens as securities, file periodic reports with the Commission, and pay penalties.
- The SEC brought additional charges against a Long Island, New York-based boiler room previously sued for defrauding elderly and unsophisticated investors. The latest charges allege that First Choice Healthcare Solutions Inc. CEO Christian Romandetti, the boiler room, and four others, manipulated the company's shares generating more than $3.3 million of illegal profits and more than $560,000 in kickbacks for Romandetti.
- The SEC announced that it has agreed to resolve its insider trading claims against James V. Mazzo, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) for allegedly tipping information about his company's acquisition to his close personal friend, former professional baseball player Douglas V. DeCinces.
- The SEC announced settled charges against Zachary Coburn, the founder of EtherDelta, a digital "token" trading platform. This is the SEC's first enforcement action based on findings that such a platform operated as an unregistered national securities exchange.
- The SEC's Enforcement Division issued the annual report of its ongoing efforts to protect investors and market integrity. The report also highlights several significant actions and initiatives that took place in FY 2018. The report presents the activities of the Division from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Citibank N.A. has agreed to pay $38.7 million to settle charges of improper handling of "pre-released" American Depositary Receipts.
In other federal news:
- A United States Postal Service security flaw may have exposed the personal data of millions of customers.
- The Federal Communications Commission Chairman proposed measures to reduce unwanted robocalls and support blocking of spam robotexts.
- The Federal Communications Commission Chairman called on the phone industry to adopt anti-spoofing protocols to help consumers combat scam robocalls.
- The United States Department of Justice announced that a federal court in New York entered a temporary injunction against individuals and corporations allegedly responsible for operating three international mail fraud schemes that primarily victimized the elderly or vulnerable. The schemes purportedly involved personalized notices informing recipients that they had won a large cash prize but needed to urgently pay a fee to claim their winnings.
- The United States Department of Justice announced that a federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada permanently enjoined six individuals and fourteen corporate entities from activities related to an alleged multi-million dollar mail fraud, cash prize scheme.
- The Food and Drug Administration is advancing development of a new consumer survey as part of a process to assess allergens in cosmetics.
Attorney General Consumer Protection News and Other Items of Interest
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a $451,000 judgement against a Texas-based travel company, ED Worldwide, LLC, and its CEO, George Barragan. The Arizona Attorney General's Office filed a consumer fraud lawsuit back in July after receiving complaints EB Worldwide, operating under the name "Senior Grad Trips," had accepted thousands of dollars in payments from Arizona consumers for a group vacation that was canceled without notice or refund. In other Arizona news, General Brnovich issued a warning about deceptive flyers appearing on residences that promote a solar energy effort.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge warned consumers of Secret Santa scams.
Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have agreed to make major changes to their gift card policies, which are intended to prevent gift cards sold in their stores from being used for payment by victims of scams. Walmart, Target, and Best Buy made these changes voluntarily thanks to the joint initiative of the Attorneys General of Pennsylvania and New York.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi released the 2018 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide to assist shoppers this holiday season.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr warned Georgians of ticket scams ahead of big sporting events in Atlanta. Additionally, General Carr encouraged consumers to spend wisely and protect themselves this holiday season.
Hawaii Attorney General Russell Suzuki announced the establishment of the Electronic Smoking Device Retailer Registration Unit within the Department of the Attorney General, pursuant to Act 206, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018. The Act requires an entity engaged in the retail sale of electronic smoking devices to register with the Unit, provide identifying information, and allow for inspections of the retailer's facilities. Failure to timely register may subject a violator to a civil penalty of $100 for each day the retailer is in violation, plus the costs of the investigation conducted by the Unit to determine the violation.
Juul Labs Inc. announced that it has suspended the sale of its "flavored" pods in retail stores and shut down its U.S. based social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
A Kentucky wedding venue owner is facing legal action from Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear for allegedly conning at least seven couples weeks before their weddings by canceling the events or by not providing contracted services.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry advised Louisiana consumers to be mindful of various child products that have been recently recalled.
On the heels of her lawsuit against another competitive electricity supplier, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that customers of the competitive electricity supplier, Viridian Energy, LLC, are beginning to receive restitution payments as part of a $5 million settlement reached with the AG's Office over allegations of deceptive marketing and sales tactics that lured residents into costly contracts with high electricity rates. In other Massachusetts news, General Healey announced that Comcast will pay refunds and cancel debts for more than 20,000 Massachusetts customers as part of a settlement resolving allegations that the company violated state consumer protection laws by using deceptive advertisements to promote its long-term cable contracts. Additionally, General Healey announced that a Shrewsbury man has been sued for allegedly operating an unlicensed and unsanitary pet shop in his home and misrepresenting the health and condition of bulldog puppies he sold to Massachusetts consumers for thousands of dollars.
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced holiday shopping tips.
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that the state has submitted for filing a five-count lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, for allegedly deceiving consumers about the dangers of two of the company's opioid products with high potential for abuse – Nucynta and Nucynta ER. In other New Jersey news, General Grewal announced that the Division of Consumer Affairs has issued Notices of Violation against 28 businesses that allegedly defrauded consumers by offering immigration services that they are not legally permitted to provide.
New York Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced a lawsuit jointly filed with the Federal Trade Commission against a Buffalo debt collection operation run by Robert Heidenreich for allegedly engaging in deceptive and abusive debt collection practices. A federal court granted a temporary restraining order freezing the operations' assets, ordered the defendants to comply with the law, and appointed a receiver to take over the corporate entities at the request of the attorney general's office and the FTC. In other New York news, General Underwood announced a settlement resolving an investigation into Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories, maker of Similac infant formula, over misleading marketing surveys the company sent to new parents about their infant-feeding habits. Additionally, General Underwood announced a judgment obtained against Finger Lakes Estate and Auction, Inc. and its owner, Charles Dorsey, for fraudulently inducing consumers into giving up their personal property for auction sales and failing to return the proceeds as promised.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a consumer protection lawsuit against a Martins Ferry used car seller accused of failing to deliver vehicle titles to consumers. In other Ohio news, General DeWine filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Energy Wise Home Improvements, a Mahoning County company that has generated more than 180 complaints since mid-October.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced 20 legal actions have been filed against auto dealers and salespeople in eleven counties in Pennsylvania for violating consumer protection laws and deceptively advertising motor vehicles. In other Pennsylvania news, General Shapiro warned of holiday shopping scams.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley warned consumers to be aware of a fictitious shipping company by the name Sioux Falls Vehicle Carriers that claims to be physically located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In other South Dakota news, General Jackley offered holiday shopping tips.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Texans that fraudulent emails are being sent from people impersonating the Internal Revenue Service targeting users with fake tax documents.
Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan joined Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to warn Vermonters about scams involving student loans. Scammers pose as student loan servicers, debt relief companies, document preparation companies or say that you may be eligible for a student loan forgiveness program.
Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring is warning Virginia consumers who could be affected by Marriott's massive data breach to remain vigilant.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson's third annual Data Breach Report finds that data breaches affected nearly 3.4 million Washingtonians between July of 2017 and July of 2018 — an increase of 700,000, or 26 percent, over the previous year, and an increase of nearly 3 million, or more than 700 percent, compared to two years ago.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed suit alleging a Northern Panhandle home improvement contractor defrauded at least five consumers of more than $11,000 in down payments for fencing projects the defendant would never begin. In other West Virginia news, General Morrisey offered tips for safe holiday shopping.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi released charitable giving tips to protect citizens from scams.
New York Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood offered charitable giving tips to New Yorkers.
North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem warned consumers to be aware of phony "look alike" charities.
Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine offered charitable giving tips to Ohio donors.
The United States Department of Justice announced that the former CEO of a charity headquartered in Springfield, Missouri has pleaded guilty to her role in a multi-million-dollar political corruption scheme that involved bribes and campaign contributions for elected public officials in Missouri and Arkansas. Marilyn Luann Nolan, pleaded guilty before federal judge on November 9, to one count of conspiracy to embezzle and misapply the funds of a charitable organization that received federal funds.
Senator Ron Wyden unveiled draft legislation that would allow hefty fines and as much as 20-year prison terms for executives who violate privacy and cybersecurity standards. The legislation would also grant the Federal Trade Commission authority to write privacy regulations and allow maximum fines of 4 percent of revenue - matching European rules adopted earlier this year.
Veterans and Military News
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a jury verdict in favor of the state against individuals who fraudulently solicited charitable donations under the pretext of assisting wounded veterans and their families and instead illegally enriched themselves with the donated funds.
The BBB released an article on the riskiest scams for military families and veterans.
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection released tips to help prevent scams targeted at veterans. The Bureau also offered servicemembers basic car buying tips.
The FTC is seeking comment on a proposed rule to implement a 2018 law requiring the nationwide consumer reporting agencies to provide free electronic credit monitoring services for active duty military consumers.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced his Bureau of Consumer Protection and Office of Military and Veterans Affairs have settled a case against a Pennsylvania man for lying about his military service and violating the Stolen Valor Act.
The United States Department of Justice announced that Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union has agreed to pay $95,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by repossessing vehicles owned by SCRA-protected servicemembers without first obtaining the required court orders. Under the agreement, Hudson Valley has agreed to pay $65,000 to compensate seven servicemembers whose cars it unlawfully repossessed and will pay a civil penalty of $30,000 to the United States.
Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced that he has secured more than $50 million in debt relief and ordered civil penalties as a result of his lawsuit against Future Income Payments, LLC; FIP, LLC; and their owner, Scott Kohn for making illegal, high-interest loans to more than 1,000 Virginia veterans and retirees in violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that a Washington state court judge granted his motion for a preliminary injunction against Spanaway-based Fallen Hero Bracelets, the Benjamin Foundation, and other organizations run by Michael Friedmann. The injunction forces the organizations to cease operations until they register with the Secretary of State and provide financial reports for each year of their existence. In other Washington news, General Ferguson announced new resources aimed at helping military servicemembers and veterans deal with legal issues.
Consumer Protection Trivia
- In what type of scam does a person pose as a suitor usually over the internet in order to lure the victim into a romance before requesting money from the victim?
A. Tech support scam
B. Utility scam
C. Romance scam
D. Identity theft scam
- What does "UDAP" stand for in many states' consumer protection laws?
A. Unsafe and discriminatory acts and practices
B. Unfair and deceptive acts and practices
C. Unreasonable and discriminatory acts and practices
D. Unsafe and deceptive acts and practices
*Trivia answers can be found below.
Trivia Answers
- C. Romance scam
- B. Unfair and deceptive acts and practices
Blake Bee, Program Counsel for the Center for Consumer Protection, is the editor of Center for Consumer Protection Monthly, a compendium of information that may be of interest to the attorney general community and others interested in consumer protection. Neither the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) nor the National Attorneys General Training & Research Institute expresses a view as to the accuracy of the matters, nor as to the position expounded by the authors of the hyperlinked materials. Any use and/or copies of this newsletter in whole or part must include the customary bibliographic citation. NAAG retains copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the material presented in this publication. For content submissions or to contact the editor directly, please email firstname.lastname@example.com or call (202) 326-6263.
Faculty Spotlight
NAGTRI's faculty are top-rated experts in their field. Read about them.
Course Schedule
NAGTRI offers high-quality, responsive and innovative trainings.
Research & Newsletters
NAGTRI produces comprehensive research and newsletters on topical legal issues.


text:
Whether you are signing to join a team in the fall or are just starting to think about doing it in the future, you need to make sure your academics have a high level of priority. Regardless of how great your tennis is, you still need good grades to get into college.
If you think this is an isolated instance, you are wrong. Grades count. They could be the difference between getting into the school you want. They also could keep you from getting enough money to afford the school. And, not having the right grades and course schedule can even keep you from being able to play college tennis at all.
First of all, the NCAA will make sure you are a student before you are a student-athlete. They have certain requirements that must be met. In order to be considered a "Qualifier" and be eligible to practice, compete and receive a scholarship on a team, you must:
NCAA Division I
Graduate from high school;
Complete these 16 core courses:
The 16 core-course requirement must also be completed within four consecutive academic years.
Full Listings: Boys' Commits & Girls' Commits


text:
For this I made the Sweet Chili Sauce at home. Knowing that anything with Red Chili will be liked at home by the folks, I went ahead and made it. The bright red look of the chilies was enough to make me understand how HOT this was going to be.
It should keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.


text:
The Value Proposition and Value Exchange in Social Media
written for and reposted from http://blog.label.ch
Like good old fashioned direct to consumer communications such as CRM, Social Media Marketing is also about managing the relationships between a brand and its consumers and the consumer expectations of that brand. The shift in the relationship from direct to dialogue is the key difference between the two. In many recent iterations of CRM the shift to dialogue has also become the norm. The principals behind CRM and Social Media Marketing (SMM) are in fact the same, managing and nurturing relationship through a value proposition or value exchange. Whether it's an actual product, entertainment, services, dialogue or even intangible forms of social currency such as inside information or a virtual asset, consumers expect more from brands today, and they expect it for free. The key to sustaining the relationship is to manage the expectations of the brand in the consumer interaction with the brand. This management needs to be supported beyond the experience of consumption or use to include the experience of consumer services and other brand associations as well.
The brand benefits of CRM and Social Marketing Programs are obvious. Value exchange creates loyalty and potentially advocacy – By providing a benefit you will be most successful if you also consider the value expectations of your audience. Providing value will ensure your customers continue engaging with your brand in the social landscape. In the sense of making brand advocates of your consumers your exchange might even inspire them to share the value you provide with others. Read more…Tags: brand, CRM, relationship marketing, Social Media Marketing, value exchange, value proposition


text:
Contemporary new home plan for 9,000 sf lot in
Walter Johnson cluster. Plenty of new home options and
builder can customize these new home plans.
Here are other new homes for this lot:
This large flat lot can accommodate a wide variety of new home plans
including: side load garages, walk-out basements, first floor master suites
and many, many more! Tons of options and plenty of time to customize.
Here are some features:
*Finished basement
*Nine foot basement and main floor ceiling height
*Brookhaven cabinets by WoodMode
*Granite kitchen tops
*Hardwood floors
*30 year architectural shingles
And Lots More!
Price subject to change without notice
- New Home Price :
- $1,789,999
- Style :
- Contemporary
- Property Address :
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Side Load Garage :
- Optional
- 1st Floor Master Suite :
- Yes
- Neighborhood :
- Glen Echo Heights
- High School :
- Walt Whitman
- Lot Size :
- 9,000
- Plan Name :
- Halbert 28


text:
Fieldway Massage Escorts
Fieldway is a ward located in London. It might be small but the ladies in this area are amazing. There's nothing better than seeing a Fieldway escort. In fact, there is. It's always better going on a date with one of our charming and sexy Fieldway massage escorts.
Although Fieldway is rather small there is always something going on here. Local pubs and restaurants are always open as well as Fieldway massage parlors. For a rather small sum of money, you can get an amazing massage in Fieldway. Young ladies who work as masseuses in this area have years of experience behind them and they will certainly make your time worthwhile. Just imagine a charming lady massaging your back, your neck, and your arms while you're lying on the table. You probably feel relaxed by imagining this so why not go and try the real thing?
Amazing Escorts in Fieldway
You don't have to get a massage in Fieldway but you certainly want to book a date with one of our sexy Fieldway escorts. These dazzling young hotties are Fieldway's main attraction. Men and even some women from London often visit Fieldway and go on dates with ravishing Fieldway escorts.
Until recently Fieldway was just a part of London who did not have much to offer. We recognized this and decided to start working with charming young ladies here. Not any girl can become a Fieldway escort, of course. In order to become an escort, every girl has to pass a series of tests. We test their ability to defuse stressful situations and their ability to hold down a conversation. Men do not like going on dates with ladies who don't know how to get their attention and we know that.
That's why our ladies are perfect looking professional models who know exactly how to treat a man. With them, every second is golden and you might even fall in love with your date. Many clients fell in love with our ladies because of their smiles, looks, and wits.
Going on a date with one of our escorts in Fieldway is better than going on a date with a girlfriend. Girlfriends often nag and don't want to do whatever you want. When you're on a date with a Fieldway escorts everything is about you. You can explore London with your date or simply have a quiet drink with her at the bar. You can go see a football match or you can sit in your hotel room and drink bourbon.
Many residents often invite our ladies to their parties and if you're planning a party you should do that too. These charming babes will spice up your party and it your evening will certainly be a complete success.
Don't be lonely, bored and tired when you have an opportunity to go on a date with a mesmerizing young lady. These young ladies are unbelievably hot as you can see by looking at their photos on the top of the page and they will be glad to go on a date with you. You won't have to overpay for this date too because we believe that every man has the right to spend his evening with a posh and sexy young babe.
Call us now and book a date with an escort in Fieldway. Life is short, don't just dream, live a little.


text:
Saturday, June 20th, 2015
All the Places
Today Jen and I went around the city. We loved the boat ride around Lakes Union and Washington. We ate good food. We went to wine country. It was perfection.
The Couple
OMG! The couple we watched get out of their Range Rover and put their two dogs in a stroller and then proceed to go eat at Purple…those people! I'm grateful for how hard they made me laugh!
The Server
Amy, our server at William Church Winery, was amazing!!!
No comments yet.


text:
15 / Ommo / Loft / melamine, nylon, BPA free, silicone
The all-around everyday bowl was designed to not only serve a salad but also make a loaf of homemade bread. With an integrated technical silicone ring that grips the table,it makes mixing, kneading, and tossing a salad easy. The bowl includes a set of innovative servers that casually rest on the rim of the bowl and follows the inside form to make scooping out precise.


text:
Gazprom Neft secures patent protection for technological innovations in oil refining
The company has continued its implementation of a national project to further develop catalyst production at its Omsk Refinery throughout 2016, engaging in partnerships with major Russian scientific institutions — including the Institute for Problems of Hydrocarbon Refining (Omsk), the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis (Novosibirsk) and others — to undertake research and development activities as part of this project. This collaboration has already seen results in patents for technologies to produce effective catalysts of equal quality to international alternatives, and in supporting the production of Euro-5-standard fuels.
One of the patents obtained by the company protects innovative technology for the plasma-chemical decomposition of hydrogen sulphide into hydrogen fuel and sulphur which, in contrast to traditional Claus/SCOT process technology, allows capital and operational costs to be reduced by 67 and 34 percent respectively, as well as eliminating any emission of sulphur compounds, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The company plans to implement this technology at production facilities at its Omsk Refinery in due course.
Gazprom Neft has also obtained six protective orders in respect of computer simulators modelling operations at existing technological facilities at its Omsk Refinery. These will be used at a scientific-technological testing facility unique to the refining industry, equipped with simulators replicating technological processes used in oil refining. One of the patented computer programmes will be used to model optimum gasoline production scheduling. Computer systems developed by Gazprom Neft in conjunction with Tomsk Polytechnic University will also allow training programmes for production operatives to be optimised, as well as facilitating the re-training and continued professional development of personnel throughout the company's refining assets. They will also allow the modelling of technological processes in use at various facilities with a view to improving the operational efficiency of industrial complexes and the use of raw materials throughout the company's refineries.
Gazprom Neft intends to submit an international application in respect of its proprietary technologies in 2016, as well as patent applications in several European countries and the United States.
Anatoly Cherner, Deputy CEO for Logistics, Refining and Sales, Gazprom Neft, commented: "Developing technologies and implementing innovations are priority areas of activity for the company, and the focus of its long-term strategy. In establishing our own proprietary research and development resources, and in stimulating the development of intellectual potential, we are developing a strong foundation for the competitiveness of the company's refining assets. Those technologies and innovations patented by Gazprom Neft are destined to ensure the company's strategic objectives are achieved, and Russian oil refining's dependence on imported products and technologies reduced, in the future."


text:
Matt Hunter's search for unridden mountain bike trails in Afghanistan's remote Wakhan Corridor
Action Cam by Sony Presents: Dream Capture Episode II "Forgotten Dirt"
In "Forgotten Dirt", professional mountain biker Matt Hunter and a small team of riders travelled to the remote Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan to explore trails that had never been ridden before. But as it turns out, the journey to reach those trails was the real adventure.
To capture "Forgotten Dirt", the Anthill Films crew had to travel up to twelve hours a day by bike with camera gear on their backs. This, combined with the remoteness of the trails, meant that the crew could not rely on traditional camera equipment. The compact and lightweight nature of Sony's Action Cam, allowed the crew to document Matt's Afghan expedition as it actually happened.