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KKK Leader Caught With Black Male Prostitute
Frazier Glenn Miller, a White Nationalist and former Ku Klux Klan leader, has been charged with the murder of three people outside of Jewish facilities in Kansas last week.
As the case against Miller--who was placed under federal witness protection in 1990 and lived under the name Frazier Glenn Cross--continues to build, salacious accusations regarding his sex acts with a black male prostitute dressed as a woman have reached the media forefront.
ABC News writes (after speaking with former federal prosecutor J. Douglas McCullough):
In the course of their investigation, authorities also learned the stunning details of Miller's arrest a year earlier. Raleigh police officers had caught Miller in the back seat of a vehicle, in mid-act with a black male prostitute masquerading as a woman.
"It was pretty shocking," says McCullough, "because of his personal stances that he had taken and what he was now accused on engaging in."
McCullough says he has read the police report of the incident but declined to comment on the specifics. "I would rather not go into the details," he said. "They're rather salacious. I think the facts speak for themselves and people can draw their own conclusions about how incongruous that is."
Miller was not charged in connection with the prostitution arrest and no public record of the incident could be located. But in a recorded phone call with the Southern Poverty Law Center last fall, Miller claimed that he had lured the prostitute to the meeting with the intention of beating him.
It doesn't sound like it was quite the "beating" he'd planned. We wonder how all of his KKK buddies feel about all that??
The spokesman for the Raleigh Police Department, Jim Sughrue, has stated that no record of any such incident can be found.
This has to be considered in light of the fact that Douglas McCullough, the source of the claim that this report existed, also told what appear to be two major lies about the Miller case to WTVD-11.
First, McCullough claims that he as a federal prosecutor secured many convictions with Glenn Miller's cooperation. In fact there were no convictions in either trial where Miller testified.
The other misrepresentation from McCullough that was reported by WTVD is that Miller would be out of prison by now even if he had not been offered a plea-agreement. Anybody who checks the newspaper archives will find that without the plea-agreement Miller was facing sentences totaling over 100 years.
It appears that Doug McCullough has told two gigantic lies to protect his reputation against the fact that he arranged for Frazier Glenn Miller to get only a five-year sentence instead of 100+ years, both lies speciously justifying that action.
If we are getting our information from somebody who lies on that scale, we really do need documentation before we take his word about any other fantastic claims, but there seems to be no such documentation.
As for Glenn Miller's statement to Heidi Beirich last year, it's not even clear that he was talking about the same incident, since Miller denies the essential character of McCullough's claim.
Since we can't believe McCullough, we need to see the police-report that McCullough claims exists -- but apparently there is none.
The former federal prosecutor who was the implied source for the claim that Miller was "caught in the act" with the male prostitute has now disavowed that claim, which is the basis of most of the interest in the story. http://noncounterproductive.blogspot.com/2014/04/former-federal-prosecutor-backtracks.html
The former federal prosecutor who was the implied source for the claim that Miller was "caught in the act" with the male prostitute has now disavowed that claim, which is the basis of most of the interest in the story. http://noncounterproductive.blogspot.com/2014/04/former-federal-prosecutor-backtracks.html


text: Korean Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Run for the border! Speak Korean Now! Korean Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Run for the border! Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Current Events Forum View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message Dave ChanceJoined: 30 May 2011 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:48 pm Post subject: Run for the border! Chow probably wasn't up to snuff. http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/more-than-130-escape-from-mexican-prison-on-u-s-border MEXICO CITY � More than 130 inmates escaped through a tunnel from a Mexican prison on the border with the United States in one of the worst jailbreaks the country�s beleaguered penal system has suffered in recent years. Homero Ramos, attorney general of the northern state of Coahuila, said 132 inmates of the prison in the city of Piedras Negras had got out through the tunnel in an old carpentry workshop, then cut the wire surrounding the complex. Corrupt prison guards may have helped the inmates escape, said Jorge Luis Moran, chief of public security in Coahuila, adding that U.S. authorities had been alerted to help capture the fugitives if they try to cross the border. Ramos added that the state government of Coahuila was offering a reward of 200,000 pesos ($15,700) for information leading to the capture of each fugitive. The Piedras Negras complex housed a total of 734 inmates, and the tunnel through which the prisoners escaped was about 1.2 meters (four feet) wide, 2.9 meters (9-1/2 feet) deep and seven meters (23 feet) long, Ramos said. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Current Events Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Forums:----------------FAQJob-related Discussion ForumGeneral Discussion ForumOff-Topic ForumTravel ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumBuy/Sell/Trade Forum You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe

subset: commoncrawl


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AUBURN, ALA. - Jimmy R. Davis, 78, formerly of Hoschton, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at residence surrounded by his family.
He was born in Birmingham, Ala. on January 19, 1934. He was predeceased by his parents, Lyle M. and Margaret Cox Coker.
Mr. Davis was reared in Ashville, Ala. and graduated from Arab High School. He attended Auburn University and served in the United States Army. Mr. Davis was an entrepreneur after retiring from General Motors, where he worked for 14 years.
Survivors include nine children, J. Michael Davis (Margaret), Auburn, Ala., Melanie Davis King, Dunwoody; Richard M. Davis (Mary), Dadeville, Ala., Victoria Davis Nettles (Robert), Mascotte, Fla., Kendall Davis, Arab, Ala., Nick Davis (Sergio Marentes), Gainesville, Fla., Matthew Davis, Portland, Ore., Calla Maria Davis Boozer (David), Portland, Ore., and Andrew Davis, Nicholson; 21 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, M. Gail Allen (Normand), Savannah; brother Donald R. Davis (Ellen), Flowery Branch; and his former wife, Calla Stephens Davis, Nicholson.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 4, at the outdoor Chapel at the Ashville City Cemetery in Ashville, Ala., with the Rev. Ed Cruce officiating.
For those who prefer to make a charitable donation in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Ashville Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, P.O. Box 54, Ashville, AL 35953, or to the Auburn University Foundation for the Margaret Cox Coker Scholarship Fund, 317 South College St., Auburn, AL 36849.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory, Opelika, Ala., is in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy Russell Davis (1-1-13)
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1. Shortcake Sushi
Place chopped strawberries, ricotta cheese, and baby spinach leaves in the center of a whole-wheat tortilla. Roll tightly and slice into rounds.
2. Fool for You
Chop 1 package store-bought meringue cookies or ladyfingers and mix with chopped strawberries and whipped cream.
3. Lassi, Go!
In a blender, combine 1 lb strawberries, 1/4 cup honey (for kids over 1), a pinch of salt, 2 cups plain low-fat Greek yogurt, and 1 cup ice. Blend until smooth.
4. Cheesecake Cups
Cut the tops off a pint of strawberries and use a mini—melon baller to hollow them out. Fill berries with cream cheese and dip in graham-cracker crumbs.
5. Feta Flatbread
Top a whole-wheat pita with chopped strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, chopped cooked chicken, and fresh basil. Broil until cheese starts to brown.
6. Sweet Salsa
Combine 1 pint blueberries, 1 cup peeled and diced jicama, and 1 pint chopped strawberries. Serve with grilled pork or chicken.


text:
David Frey needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 34 designs submitted by 18 freelance designers.
Small Business Marketing Best Practices (http://www.MarketingBestPractices.com)
We provide educational articles, videos, reports, and forums about small business marketing.
We will be the #1 site for educating small business professionals on how to market their businesses both online and offline.
We want our site to look professional and VERY Web 2.0!
This site will focus on 3 things: (1) community through our forum, (2) spotlight our authors, and (3)
Small business owners, independent professionals like realtors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, chiropractors etc.
These people like low cost marketing ideas that bring them customers.
1. Most of all, we want a clean "WEB 2.0" looking website. (soft colors, gradients, reflections, rounded corners, shadows, rounded font typefaces, icons, etc.)
2. See the mock up for our navigation.
3. I've worked on the mock up (i'm obviously no graphic artist) and like what I've done, BUT maybe you can show me a different design that I'll like a lot better.
4. The icons I used in the mock up were copies from http://www.Iconshock.com I don't own those icons. I just did a screen shot of them to create the mock up.
5. I want to give emphasis to the discussion forum and the authors of our articles. I want our members to participate in the forum and I want our guest authors to get a lot of publicity so they feel motivated to write more articles for us.
6. I don't have a logo. I wish I did but while doing the mock up, I don't where I 'd put the logo even if I had one.
7. Attached is a graphic that shows the header of box that I really like.
8. Finally, I'm hoping that you can take my mock up and give me something more unique and powerful that is very very WEB 2.0 looking.
(see requirements above and look at my mock up)
2. Sites that have color schemes and web 2.0 design elements that I like are...
http://themanicmarketer.com/ (I like the header area and the colors he uses in his website title)
3. I used MarketingProfs.com as my foundation inspiration. But I still think that site looks boring.
4. I need a footer area. I like the "top 5 experts" area on the footer at http://www.producersweb.com


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Ella Mary King, age 93, of Tecumseh passed away Saturday, March 29, 2014, under the loving care of Hospice of Lenawee.
Ella Mary King, age 93, of Tecumseh passed away Saturday, March 29, 2014, under the loving care of Hospice of Lenawee.
Born October 10, 1920, in Manitou Beach, Mich., she was the daughter of Frank and Edna (Bittinger) Pratt. Ella Mary graduated from Addison High School and completed her schooling at Cleary College. On July 31, 1942, Ella Mary married Robert B. King, Jr. in Marquette, Mich., and he preceded her in death in 1984.
Ella Mary worked as a secretary in several area businesses and retired from Bixby Medical Center with 15 years of service. She was a member of the Tipton Community Congregational Church. Ella Mary was also a member of the Business and Professional Women's Clubs in both Adrian and Tecumseh and was honored as the Woman of the Year.
Ella Mary is survived by her children, Robert (Nancy) King III of Manitou Beach, Gregory King of Tecumseh, Catherine (Paul) Randall of Brooklyn and Jeffery (Ada) King of New Berlin, N.Y.; granddaughters, Elizabeth, Sarah and Ashley; and great-grandchildren, Korynn, Harper and Bowyn.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a half sister, Lolita Schomp Potter.
At her request cremation will take place and memorial services will be held at a later date. Contributions in memory of Ella Mary may be made to Tipton Community Congregational Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home where online condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.


text: In traditional Zuni lore, the owl is considered a wise guardian and protector of the Zuni people. Its ability to see at night means that it sees what others cannot, giving it understanding of both the spiritual and physical world. This classic ceramic owl family features a pair of owlets, stands 5" tall and is simply signed Zuni, NM.


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Sometimes you need that extra little kick of Texas Tech flair for the big games! Give your Red Raiders style an extra boost when you sport these fun Bulk Bandz. Each band features debossed team name or team cheer graphics repeating around the band. These cool, thick bands also have a slight stretch, making them the perfect accessory for Texas Tech fanatics young and old on game day or any day!
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text:
The spirit of art
Misia Sert and Coco Chanel shared a special friendship, a rare bond tinged with curiosity. This curiosity is said to have cultivated Chanel's taste for art and permeated every inch of it, providing Olivier Polge with whispers of inspiration for a new Exclusif. Misia or the makeup powder on dancers' bodies. Misia or the May rose and violet scent of lipstick. Misia or leather-like scents that find full expression on the skin. Misia or the inspiration of a new fragrance.


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No one told the folks over at IndiePub that you're supposed to kill the turkey before shoving your entire kitchen into it. Turkey Stuffin', now available for Android and iOS, is definitely stupid, possibly fun.
You've got a turkey. You've got ingredients falling along the left side. Some are food items, like cranberry sauce, butter or a steaming cup of coffee. Others are infinitely more painful—scissors, beach balls, a 1977 Cadillac (made that last one up). Your goal is to stuff the poor bastard with as much stuff as you can without causing a shitstorm of epic proportions.
Using the right combination of ingredients unlocks recipes, which fatten the fowl considerably. For instance, butter and a beach ball equals butterball.
But mostly you're paying a dollar to put things in a turkey's ass. Is that a good deal? Eh.
Turkey Stuffin' [iTunes]
Turkey Stuffin' [Google Play]


text:
MAPILab File Recovery for Office MAPILab Ltd.
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MAPILab Ltd.'s phone:
Attachments Zip Compressor 1.4.5
Attachments Zip Compressor is a powerful multi-purpose add-in for Microsoft Outlook capable of doing with attachments whatever you need to do. It can automatically ZIP attachments in outgoing messages, create SFX and password-protected archives.
MAPILab Explorer for SharePoint 2.0.0
Browser of SharePoint object model with support of C# context scripts. Research of real object structure, change of object properties from browser window, prompt testing of code segments of your product, support of any type libraries. Freeware.
MAPILab Explorer for SharePoint 2.0.0
Browser of SharePoint object model with support of C# context scripts. Research of real object structure, change of object properties from browser window, prompt testing of code segments of your product, support of any type libraries. Freeware.
Solution that provides reports about the state of enterprise IT-infrastructure, security audit, inventory of hardware and software, and preparation for migration and upgrade. Reports on Active Directory, Exchange Server, local computer resources.
MAPILab Reports for Exchange Server 3.5
MAPILab Reports for Exchange Server is a reporting solution for Microsoft Exchange Server: storage sizes and growth tendencies, number and volume of boxes and folders, message flow rate, content analysis, safety audit and accidents investigation.
MAPILab Reports for Hardware and Software Inventory 1.0
MAPILab Reports for Hardware and Software Inventory - a free solution for reports on the state of a company`s hardware and software environment. Over 30 reports designed to offer you detailed data about software and hardware for desktops and servers.
MAPILab Reports for Active Directory 1.0
MAPILab Reports for Active Directory is intended to get the reports about company`s Active Directory organization and objects. Includes over 50 reports regarding Active Directory users, computers, groups, organization units and their attributes.
MAPILab Disclaimers for Exchange 1.5
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Print Agent for Exchange - a solution for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003/2007/2010, which allows to automatically print out the necessary emails and attachments.
Attachment Save for Exchange 1.5
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HarePoint Workflow Extensions 1.5.451
The product offers over 180 new workflow activities. They allow you to create and convert Office docs; process images; operate with SQL, XML, AD, InfoPath; manage SharePoint users, groups and sites; execute C#, PowerShell scripts and much more.
HarePoint Workflow Monitor 1.0
HarePoint Workflow Monitor is a solution for monitoring workflow states in the SharePoint 2010 environment. The product displays all active workflow instances or workflow associations at any scope and provides a features for workflow management.
HarePoint Analytics for SharePoint 2007 220.127.116.11
Essential solution for collecting and analyzing statistical data about usage of sites and portals based on SharePoint platform. The reports cover such aspects as site visitors and their behavior, traffic sources, documents usage and others.
HarePoint Analytics for SharePoint 2010 188.8.131.52
The ultimate web-analytics solution for sites and portals based on SharePoint 2010. HarePoint Analytics reports cover such areas as visitors and their behavior, documents and content usage, traffic trends and many others.
HarePoint Short URL for SharePoint 1.0.490
HarePoint Short URL is intended for creation of short links in for SharePoint site pages, documents, views and list items. The usage of short URLs allows you to transfer the addresses over the phone; print them in commercials or place them in blog.
HarePoint Import and Upload for SharePoint 1.0.522
HarePoint Import and Upload for SharePoint is intended for upload/download data (documents, files, list items) to/from SharePoint sites or to/from document libraries and local file system. The product supports Office 365.
HarePoint Workflow Migration 1.0
Solution provides a full set of features for workflow migration: copy/move workflows between any SharePoint sites and different SharePoint versions; migration of multiple workflows; and the elimination of post-migration configuration of workflows.
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HarePoint Thumbnails for SharePoint displays document and image thumbnails directly in SharePoint document or picture libraries, so you have the immediate opportunity to preview the document instead of downloading and opening it. Download free trial.
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Must-have solution which enables the creation of all types of custom alerts and email notifications and their editing in SharePoint. Create a custom template for each specified SharePoint list, document library or content type. Download free trial.
HarePoint Knowledge Base for SharePoint 1.0
HarePoint Knowledge Base is a ready-made solution that provides a full-functionally knowledge management system in your SharePoint environment. The product is compatible with Microsoft SharePoint 2010 and 2013.


text:
Real Sh*t: NFL Player "Arian Foster" In Tears After $43 Million Dollar Contract! (Remembers His Mother's Struggles.. Pawned Her Wedding Ring Just So they Could Eat A Meal)
Arian Foster press conference
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
The Annoying
Dominick M. Dimacale 4/28/2008 2:16:49 AMSo cute, Timothy.
Dominick #909978
Carolyn M. Fletcher 4/28/2008 2:33:56 AMAwww, maybe if you didn't stick a camera in it's face it wouldn't be so annoyed. LOL.. What a cutie!! #5851108
Colette M. Metcalf 4/28/2008 3:28:19 AMSweet capture!! #5851307
Sam Britt 5/5/2008 7:45:44 PMCute capture, Timothy. #5888465
Marina Moore 5/19/2008 11:52:29 AMCongratulations Timothy, this is really an awesome shot!!!! :) #5943819
Patrick Rouzes 5/19/2008 1:33:42 PMCongratulations on this amazing finalist,Timothy!!! #5944998
Eugenio Diaz 5/19/2008 4:48:55 PMCongratulations on your Beautiful Winner!
Sam Britt 5/19/2008 6:28:21 PMCongratulations! #5947230
Amber Kennedy 5/19/2008 10:13:08 PMcongrats! Great winner...we(my family and I) had a good laugh imagining your cat bugging you as you were trying to photograph a completely different subject....lol. #5948697
Elida Gutierrez 5/20/2008 7:58:47 AMCONGRATULATIONS!!!
Virginia Leone 5/24/2008 11:47:24 AMI just love this photo..it's a beauty. The detail is incredible and cat portraits are one of my favorites! Congrats on this deserving photo! #5971833
Amanda Chapman 5/28/2008 4:41:53 PMIt's clear why this is a winner!!!!!! #5990023
Wendy S. Mogul 6/7/2008 5:06:59 PMBeautiful love that eye! Great work! #6031591
Donna La Mattino Pagakis 7/28/2008 8:06:20 PMA beautiful winning image, great details, sweet portrait! Congratulations!! #6242743
My annoying cat.
Uploaded on 4/28/2008 12:14:46 AM
Camera: Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR Camera
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Timothy Toole. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.


text:
Flight day 12
Discovery returns and lands
The last day is solely concerned with the preparations for the actual landing. In the most part they are the same as those we carried out immediately after the launch eleven days ago, except in the reverse order. As before, I am responsible for the work on the mid-deck.
Everything gets put into place and one-by-one the crewmembers put on their spacesuits, beginning with the Commander and the Pilot. Even the orange spacesuits are fairly awkward to put on so we help each other; we also help each other to get fastened into the seats. I am the last to get into position and mostly have to take care of myself.
Joanie and Nick have changed places, so that Joanie also gets to experience some of the enjoyment of the trip and the view from the flight deck. I, however, have the same place as before, with the same responsibility for an eventual emergency evacuation. Mark thought that I would have enough good views during my spacewalks, so I could manage without a window seat during the launch or landing.
During our 171st orbit of the Earth, on the other side of the planet from Florida, Mark ignites the rockets that, during a couple of minutes of burn, will brake Discovery enough to change course; so that we begin our descent towards the atmosphere.
Immediately before we re-enter over America we reach the atmosphere's outermost layer and then the air takes care of the rest. The air friction slows us more and more, at the same time as the heat-shields warm up to over one thousand degrees. It isn't a question, however, of a lot of G-forces, there isn't more than 1.5 G at the most, which can be compared to the Soyuz capsule which usually reaches over four G when braking in the atmosphere.
Mark takes manual control of Discovery, just over one hour after the braking thrusts, and lands elegantly on the four and a half kilometre long landing runway at the Kennedy Space Centre. Mission STS-116/ISS-12A.1 is completed.
Last update: 26 October 2006


text:
First, choose the size of box you want, then choose, on the next page, the Chocolates you want in the box.
When you have reached the total you need, click on "My Box is filled" - You will then be offered a choice of giftwrap. When you have made that choice, your finished box will go in your "basket" and you can then choose more Boxes from our range to add to your basket, or increase the quantity of the one you have just chosen. Then click on "Checkout" to finalise the messages, addresses and delivery arrangements or choose to "Click & Collect". You can find our Delivery Charges by clicking on "Delivery" above.


text:
Friday, March 16, 2012
Be Prepared to Speak In Season & Out by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2)
While you may not be a preacher, getting up and preaching to a congregation or speaking to an audience still requires the same preparation, confidence, and boldness. As a Christian you may go through the same processes as your pastor each Sunday, prayer, seeking God's wisdom on what to say and how to say it, searching through Scripture, etc. If you're being asked to fill in for someone, you may not have time to prepare as you would if asked weeks and months in advance. This is when we have to be ready in season and out of season.
Prepare speeches when you don't have to speak. This may sound crazy, but the moment you're driving down the road, listening to a podcast, or reading Scripture and an idea for a speaking topic pops into your head, write it down. Begin working on an outline immediately. Then start working on a PowerPoint presentation and get it ready. Save it in a Speaking folder somewhere on your computer. It doesn't matter that you don't have it scheduled for anything specific or a target audience in mind. What matters is that you have a collection of drafts for when you are scheduled to speak and you can modify it to your target audience when needed. This way you won't be starting from scratch. It takes the panic out of the guess work and the anxiety out of the lack of time available.
Learn PowerPoint and how to make videos and slideshows when you don't need them. You probably learned in high school and college that visual aides are just as important in a presentation as the speech itself. Use them to keep your audience's attention and drive home your point. They shouldn't distract from your message, but enhance it. At the same time, you don't want to be using outdated media and technology. These days, a poster board won't cut it. Go ahead and create these visuals when you create your presentation or write your speech. It's much easier to find the perfect photo or video to convey a message when you have time to search properly than if you need to do this in 48 hours because you're filling in for someone.
Don't think you'll never be a replacement for someone else. People get sick and have family emergencies all the time. This is the perfect time for a new speaker to be given a chance that they otherwise wouldn't have. Event coordinators know it will be harder to get a well-known speaker in an emergency. Their schedule will most likely be full. This is where you might come in and get your chance. Will you be ready? You will be if you prepare speeches and presentations ahead of time.
Always update a speech or presentation. It doesn't matter if you spent hours and weeks going over your speech and fine-tuning it. After leaving it alone for weeks and months, you'll come back with a fresh pair of eyes and a new perspective that will help you make it better. Plus, each new audience may require a different angle or God may lead you to target your message differently. If you included stats, you may need to update them. What have you learned since that you could incorporate? Updating a speech or presentation takes less time than thinking through and creating one from scratch. You'll still be ahead of the game by taking this approach.
Find out the logistics. Will you be able to provide a Powerpoint presentation and use video equipment? Will you need to provide a DVD, CD, memory stick, or bring your laptop? If you cannot use any electronic equipment, find out the number of attendees and try to have copies available as handouts. If you don't want to carry them on the plane due to packing constraints, find out if you can ship the copies ahead. If you do this, be sure to bring one copy as a back up plan. You could always arrange to have Kinkos, Staples, or some other nearby company make copies once you arrive.
Brainstorming ideas for topics. If you don't know where to begin on choosing topics, think about your interests, hobbies, the kinds of articles you're prone to read. Google articles and speeches on these topics, you might find videos on speeches others have given. Take notes on what you like and dislike. From this strategy, you'll be able to start narrowing speech topics down and can begin working on a presentation, or outlining a series of presentations if the subject is broad enough with several subtopics.
Are any of these suggestions helpful? What other ways have you found to be ready in season and out when speaking opportunities arise?
6 comments:
- Davalyn Spencer said...
As a speaker, I particularly relate to your advice to "be prepared," and can attest to the fact that it pays off. (Think of the 10 biblical virgins and the five who came prepared!) For years I approached vocal and piano music the same way because people often say, "Oh, play/sing something."
Your tips on updating and revising are so helpful. God gives us fresh manna, not day-old, so keeping the presentation updated is a good way to keep current.
Thanks for a great post.
- March 16, 2012 at 11:39 AM
- Delores Liesner said...
Enjoyed the blog. As you say ideas are everywhere.
I use Florence Littauer's PIER structure
to create a mini-outline and keep them in alphabetical order so I can flesh out the topical ideas as needed.
- March 16, 2012 at 12:01 PM
- Lisa Buske said...
A helpful blog. I like the idea of having presentations ready before there is a need for it. I hadn't thought of the "what if X can't speak and they call me?" scenario. Thank you. I do jot down my notes or create the hook when the idea comes to me. I've learned the Holy Spirit blesses me most when I'm asleep or driving. I write them down and have been known to turn my netbook on and type it all out. I will be more purposeful though to actually put together the entire presentation now, thank you!
Lisa M. Buske
- March 16, 2012 at 3:42 PM
- Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor said...
Great biblical example of the virgin brides and the fresh manna concept. I find that if I stay open-minded to the Holy Spirit, He keeps teaching me new things even through Scripture I've read many times.
- March 18, 2012 at 11:16 AM
- Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor said...
I haven't heard of Florence's PIER structure. Last year I attended the Proverbs 31 Conference and found Wheel structure to be insightful. I'll have to look up Florence.
- March 18, 2012 at 11:18 AM
- Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor said...
The Holy Spirit talks to me in similar moments as well. I think those are times when I'm least distracted by the outside world. Glad it was helpful!
- March 18, 2012 at 11:20 AM


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07 June, 2011
A year ago
44 comments:
love that first dress!ReplyDelete
You look so young and fresh and cheerful. I loved the pale green dress.ReplyDelete
u look lovely !!ReplyDelete
thanks for sharing it again :)
you look gorgeous in both the outfits..ReplyDelete
you have designed that LBD.. its really cute..
is it really one year old? you still look as beautiful as you looked a year ago....ReplyDelete
Nice pictures.ReplyDelete
Nice pics!!! I love your green dress...ReplyDelete
Kisses :)
Great photos!ReplyDelete
These are beautiful photos, glad you posted them again :)ReplyDelete
Great blog! I'm following you now.ReplyDelete
What a beautiful landscapes, and outfits of course :)ReplyDelete
Kisses from www.bpeinternational.blogspot.com
You look sooooo cute dear!ReplyDelete
I like your look a lot.ReplyDelete
LOOVE that sunset!!! :OReplyDelete
wow I love the first one best...ReplyDelete
You look really nice in the green dress. Can't believe the photo is a year old as those dresses still look hot. I am your follower now. Looking forward to share the joy of life with you.ReplyDelete
You look exactly the same now!ReplyDelete
i enjoyed looking at the pictures, especially the one with you in the sunset :)ReplyDelete
Great photso!ReplyDelete
Kisses from Hong Kong,
Me encantó el azul! Te queda hermoso!ReplyDelete
I loved your pics and that dress is cute! I am gladly following your blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog!ReplyDelete
So, last year you were roaming in Hawaii.. you got that trademark tan on your skin too, which is usually associated with those places.ReplyDelete
1st picture is awesome. The belt adds extra character to the dress. That scarf or whatever its called is chic.
2nd pic - Beautiful. Loved the scarf on your head.
3rd pic - Sunsets is incredibly beautiful with the sun rays turning the clouds into hues of gold. Add beautiful you in it and the beauty increases manifold.
4th pic - Overcast sky, sea, sand and you..deadly cocktail...lol..
5th pic - Nice place, nice dress, nice pose, beautiful hat.
6th pic - Dress and you more clearly visible now and both are incredibly beautiful
7th pic - I like the bag. This pic gave away your location ha ha
8th pic - Beautiful weather, beautiful you and terrific smile.
You look amazing. Beautiful images, thanks for sharing with us!ReplyDelete
Poverty Poems
Yayyy you have your own domain now! That means I can view your blog whenever I want :)ReplyDelete
THese outfits are lovely. The Dior dress is sooo pretty!
♥ Leia
Both of the dresses are great! Great job with the first one! It turned out really good! :)ReplyDelete
great photo ! you look so lovely :)ReplyDelete
xoxo from italy !
Great photos :) I really like them all but love that first black dress the best. It's so cute.ReplyDelete
NICE BLOG! NOW FOLLOWINGReplyDelete
I love the photos with sundown..your lovelyReplyDelete
nice pics ;)ReplyDelete
Love both dresses! they're so nice!ReplyDelete
You have a great style! I love that you made your first black dress! That is impressive!ReplyDelete
Very nice dresses, love them both!ReplyDelete
Thanks for stopping a delicious obsession! I followed you back!
- AnonymousJune 9, 2011 at 3:23 AM
I love your black dress with the white piping and your white sandles are hot. I'd like having them in black. Hello, thanks for visiting my blog, I'm following you now. Hope you come back and click my follow button so you'll be following me. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.ReplyDelete
very classic look:DReplyDelete
You look gorgeous with both dresses. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!ReplyDelete
Would you like to follow each other?
Love the heals... beautiful... returning the "like" from Adventures of 8ReplyDelete
WOW, the black dress with white piping is so gorgeous, classic & timeless. I love it. And green dress is also beautiful. Your style is so fabulous it stands the test of time!ReplyDelete
hi thanks for visiting.. you look pretty... i am following you now :)ReplyDelete
this is one of the most incredible blogs Ive read in a very long time. The amount of information in here is stunning, like you practically wrote the book on the subject. Your blog is great for anyone who wants to understand this subject more. Great stuff; please keep it upReplyDelete
bridal skin care
Lovely pictures, Kiran. I know I haven't been here in a long time... I was always getting that "virus alert" when I tried to click to your site, but reading A's tribute reminded me of all the reasons why I should come back and say hello again. Glad you're doing so well, and I learned a few new things about you!ReplyDelete
Thank you for your visit, means a lot to me. I hope you will follow me :).ReplyDelete


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Christ's Food Center, Inc.
Christ's Food Center, Inc.60591 Cliff LaneHodgen OK 74939Contact: John Butler, 918-651-3264Christ's Food Center is a nondenominational Christian ministry committed to sharing the hope and help found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We distribute food and clothing to those in need without prejudice of race, religion, color, creed, economic or social standing.Located in Big Cedar, Okla., we serve the Whitesboro School District area. Our ministries include:*Family Food Day – 3rd Saturday of each month – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.*Food-4-Kids Backpack Program – weekend food for kids.*Coats-4-Kids – new winter coats for area children.*Computer Ministry – provides computers and technical support for students and returning education adults.*Pre-K Support – provides pillows and blankets.*New Mom Support – provides nursery items.*Family Clothes & Necessities Room*Christmas for KidsAs a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are entirely supported by donations from the community and grants from caring businesses. Your donation may be made on the web via PayPal at www.christsfoodcenter.org or can be mailed to Christ's Food Center, 60591 Cliff Lane, Hodgen, OK 74939.


text:
Women's Amie
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text:
Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
So, it was two legs, with no rest period inbetween? Then why no penalty for Jet & Cord??
This is a double leg. For lack of a better term it could be called a TBC, version 2.I don't know how to say it any better....
I just went to look back at the picture of the Wiki page I took back in November 25, 2010. The results someone updated then were almost entirely correct, with the exception of Margie & Luke and Kisha & Jen switching places at the end of Leg 1.
I still think that unless we find there are to be 13 episodes and 13 hours, then the 12 legs cover 12 episodes and 12 hours (as reported by The Futon Critic by RFF).
I couldn't believe it that Kent knew the periodic table and was able to recognise the elements immediatelly. Who could have expected this?
I think it was totally unfair that Christina and her father Ronald were allowed to talk in a foriegn language at that"spiritual" challenge. Although i didnt see it giving any other contestant any advantage, leaking of info or showing them how/why they were doing thier puzzle.. what if they do it thru the race? can anyone tell me if it's against the rules?
I will attempt here to guesstimate the timing of each transportation task or DETOUR around greater Broken Hill. I am letting the chips fall where they may and not trying to make a case for how a 8 hour stop can easily be accomplished (although that may be my conclusion) before train depature at 1830. We start with the arrival of those flights at 0755 and 0820. One key piece of information is where the clubhouse of the rugby team Magpies (it says "football league" but this is Australian rules rugby to my eyes). I have them at Warnock St. adjacent to Memorial Oval off Williams St. where Central "Football" League games are played.Spirit World DETOUR (note - with overlap we know this must take at least 25 minutes) 30 to 40 minutesNatural World DETOUR (Amanda/Kris only, although it appeared to be much quicker than Spirit World) 10 minutes
Were the teams' self-drive cars moved to Mercury & Bismuth for them? It didn't look as though they had to go back to the football club after finding the clue box.
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Who: Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig
Where: At the 84th Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles
Wearing: A strapless nude tulle J Mendel gown with woven bodice and hand-pleated layered skirt from the pre-fall 2012 collection
Verdict: I don't think I have seen Kristen Wiig look as feminine, I love this nude-hue on her, and I think the tired tulle skirt has a drama about it that makes it gorgeous for the Oscars. I can however imagine that not everyone is going to warm to this look, especially with her beach-relaxed hair style.
[Pic: via J Mendel Facebook]


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Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are all around us, from anti-lock braking systems in modern automobiles to industrial control systems, and from submarines to space vehicles. Any security breaches in such systems could not just lead to loss of critical data, but also result in harm to humans and the equipment, as well as the environment. Until recently, such systems were considered to be invulnerable to security violations. Recent events (e.g., Stuxnet, Duqu, etc.) have shown that those assumptions are not true. Hence, there is a need to prevent such attacks and also ensure that that underlying physical systems do not come to harm.
In this talk, I will present novel techniques developed here at UIUC that aim to detect intrusions in CPS by observation of their behavioral properties. We monitor the artifacts of system execution, such as execution time, and combine them with trusted hardware modules to ensure that (a) the intrusions are detected and (b) the physical systems (being controlled by the monitored software) do not come to harm.
Sibin Mohan works as a Research Scientist in the Information Trust Institute (ITI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where he does research at the intersection of cyber-physical systems and security. His current work involves the development of secure architectures for embedded control systems, the mitigation of DDoS and malware propagation in smart grids, resilient authentication systems for next-generation aircraft, and the development of system integration concepts ("virtual integration") for complex avionics systems (work that has found acceptance in many avionics companies).
In 2008, Sibin completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science at North Carolina State University (NCSU), where he was awarded the "Preparing the Professoriate" fellowship from the graduate school for the 2007-2008 academic year. He completed an M.S. in Computer Science from the same department in 2004. He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) from Bangalore University in Computer Science and Engineering in 2001. Sibin held the positions of Visiting Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Computer Science department at UIUC during 2008-2011. He also worked at Hewlett Packard as a Software Engineer in Bangalore, India from 2001 to 2002.
Sibin's research interests include systems (cyber-physical systems, embedded & real-time systems, operating systems), security, computer architecture, and compilers for embedded systems. He serves on multiple conference and workshop program committees.
ITI is a campus-wide interdisciplinary unit of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, led by the College of Engineering, that is fostering excellence in information trust and security. Participating units include, among others, the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Business; the College of Engineering; the College of Law; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the Department of Aerospace Engineering; the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; the Department of Computer Science; the Coordinated Science Laboratory; the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; the Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering; and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.iti.illinois.edu


text:
Acclaimed interviewer and broadcast journalist Charlie Rose engages America's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders and scientists in one on one interviews and roundtable discussions.
Iowa Public Television is Iowa's statewide public broadcasting network. IPTV provides quality, innovative media and services that educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans throughout the state.
A noncommercial, public-service mission enables IPTV to present an unequaled array of programs of lasting value to Iowans regardless of where they live or what they can afford. More than two million viewers each month turn to IPTV for programming that reflects a range of interests for Iowans in all demographic categories.
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CEO of the Cockpit #83: Never Kick a Frozen Chock
The CEO Whips it OutEven though I was dressed in loose-fitting, chubby-guy shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, I metaphorically whipped out my flying rule book and began my lecture. First, I told Jill, there is no particular order to these little nuggets of flying truth. Second, since I'm into my third umbrella drink, I may miss a few or even mess up a few. "OK," she said. "I'm not getting any younger -- shoot when ready." The first rule I'll share with you is one you have already witnessed. As captain, I feel it is my duty to always buy the first round at the bar. New-hire pilots who fly with me never buy a beer and I occasionally buy dinners, too. "How about tonight?" she asked. Looking at Jill I could not imagine not buying her and the whole crew dinner, but I kept that to myself and continued with my rules of flying. Most of the CEO's rules are safety related:
- Never kick a chock. You never know which ones are frozen to the ground in cold climates, or which ones house wasps in warm areas of the world.
- Never prop a stranger's airplane. I know this rule sounds harsh, but I've propped hundreds of airplanes over the years and have kept all 10 of my fingers by only helping pilots I know and trust.
- If you can't stand up on the ramp, it is probably too icy to taxi an airplane on it.
- Always check your own fuel caps, oil caps and access doors if you can.
- There is always time for a clearing turn.
- Never fool with hydraulics, high-wattage electricity or manually starting a jet engine.
- You should never hurry. If you are on the ground and get confused, set the parking brake and take the time to figure it out. If you are in the air, ask for holding or delaying vectors. Never fly on ATC's schedule. They are never at the crash scene -- you always arrive first.
- Same thing with dispatchers. Never let a dispatcher control your destiny. Work with them, not for them.
- If you are on the line crew and are changing jet-fuel nozzles, always turn the truck off before you try to go from over-the-wing to single-point.
- Never hold up a garbage can in an attempt to dump an aircraft's toilet tank.
- There are two air hoses in an aircraft shop. One is low pressure air and the other is high pressure nitrogen. One will fill up your air mattress and the other can blow your hand off.
- Pay attention around airplanes and airplane areas at all times.
The CEO Says "No" to SpeedosJill seemed to be getting a little bored with my preachy rules on how not to die when she flies. Bart and Gretchen had left the pool to get to know each other better and three other flight attendants were now bobbing in the pool like 20-something Jee Vice- and Oakley-wearing penguins. I changed tack with my lecture and went to more lifestyle-friendly rules of flying:
- Another important rule as a captain, I said, is to remember that you never look as good at the layover motel's pool as you might think you do.
- You should always admire the pictures of flight attendant's cats and boyfriends.
- You can never be senior enough.
- If you ever get senior enough, avoid trips to ATL and DFW.
- No matter how expensive and big and fancy an airplane you are flying, it will still feel like crap to you at 3 a.m.
- You will never, ever, get back the Christmas mornings that you missed because you were greedy and went junior on an airplane. Never.
- Never, ever, say, "I told you so," to a flight attendant after they realize that the boyfriend they put through medical or law school will never marry them.
- Never have an affair with a flight attendant or a pilot (oh how I hated to say that). They not only will eventually cost you a house and your family, they also know your flying schedule.
- Never ask rotund flight attendant, "When is the baby due?"
- Absolutely nobody wants to hear stories about your dog or your kids.
- Days off are precious. Never waste one on an ALPA meeting or a company road show. Both groups will always send you a letter telling you exactly how and why you are getting hosed.
- The company is not a family and is certainly not your family.
- There is no such thing as a guaranteed pension or, for that matter, a guaranteed anything.
- First, don't take advice from old farts like me too seriously. We are the past and you are the future. Just because I can still remember how to do a fixed-needle ADF hold doesn't mean I'm any smarter than you. I can't tell an AIDIRU from a transistor and am overwhelmed by the whole idea of things like ACARS and TCAS.
- Never be the first to volunteer for anything. Let another pilot try that hole in the line of thunderstorms or that 35-knot crosswind takeoff.
- The most scared person in my flight crew generally wins. I always encourage displaying fear and doubt. Scared copilots have kept me from doing something stupid dozens of times.
- Always write down your last frequency somewhere. Nowadays, most radios are flip-flop, but you should never have to search for a frequency for longer than a minute or two, even if you have to get the high chart out to do so.
- You should never comment on how well you have handled a thunderstorm. It will kick you in the ass if you do.
- The best pilots are the self-doubting ones. Never trust a pilot who thinks he or she knows everything.
- Whatever you don't know -- and you will not know a lot -- can always be looked up.
- Finally, you literally never know which trip is going to be your last, so enjoy them all as much as you can.
Want to read more from AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit? Check out the rest of his columns.


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WASHINGTON -- After decades of fewer pedestrians being killed in traffic crashes, the number has risen in the past several years, leading the Department of Transportation to warn of the dangers of walking while on drugs, drinking alcohol, or using a cellphone.
"Everyone in America is a pedestrian," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. "Every pedestrian death is one too many."
New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have the highest percentages of pedestrian fatalities of total motor vehicle deaths in the country, according to the department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The top 22 cities with pedestrian deaths far greater than the national average have until Aug. 30 to apply for a total of $2 million in pedestrian safety grants from the Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The group, with the Federal Highway Administration, has launched a website with safety tips and resources.
Pedestrians, like drivers, may be guilty of focusing too much on smartphones when traversing streets. Approximately 1,152 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms during 2011 after being injured while using a portable electronic device like a cellphone, according to a recent U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report.
Many people say they routinely text, answer emails, talk on their phones or listen to music while walking, with 70% admitting they realize the danger of mistakenly stepping into traffic in the process, according to an April survey conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance.
The total number of people dying in all traffic crashes dropped 25% from 2002 to 2011, decreasing from 43,005 such fatalities in 2002 to 32,367 in 2011.
Pedestrian deaths have not experienced the same drop-off after reaching 7,500 in 1975. Now, slightly more pedestrians are dying in traffic crashes than in 2009, rising 8% from a low of 4,109 to 4,432 deaths in 2011. About 69,000 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2011.
Pedestrian deaths now account for 14% of total fatalities, compared with 11% from 2002 to 2007. Three out of four deaths – 73% – occurred in urban areas; more than two out of three deaths (70%) occurred at non-intersections.
More male pedestrians were killed or injured in traffic crashes than women, representing 70% of pedestrians killed in 2011. One-third of deaths occurred between 8 p.m. and midnight, rising to 39% during that time on the weekend.
Alcohol was involved in 48% of traffic crashes resulting in pedestrian fatalities – 37% of pedestrians had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit, compared with 13% of drivers involved in crashes. Most deaths (70%) occurred at night.
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Or maybe you're better off than that. To the best of your knowledge, you have made the right moves... but you're holding your breath as you head to Aruba because the truth is, you're just not sure the money will last.
Or maybe you truly are financially independent -- the American Dream, you're in charge of your destiny -- and you feel confident in your plan. But you still want to make the most of your savings and avoid the pitfalls that could turn retirement on the golf course into retirement in the spare room at your daughter's house (not that you mind being near the grandkids, but they still don't have air-conditioning over there).
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text:
Nashville Globe – January 18, 1907
Palmyra Notes
- Master T. J. Moody's birthday party, celebrating his 17th year, was largely attended by his classmates and friends of Mt. Herman School. He received some handsome presents from parents and friends.
- Mr. Ed Marble is very ill.
- Mrs. Addie Satifield is very ill with pneumonia.
- Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Harris celebrated the twelfth anniversary of their marriage, Jan 12, 1907. The visitors were Mrs. Jannie Barker, Jr., Mrs. Minnie Barker, Miss Alice Eldridge, of Indian, Md. ; Mrs. Alice E. Moody, Misses B.H. Moody, V.L. Moody, E. M. Barker, A E. Barker; Messrs. T.J. Moody, Barcum Moody, T. Dortch, H. L. Strong; H. L. Moody and Prof. W. C. Wilkins. The parlor was decorated with cut flowers and ferns.
- Mr. Walker Quaries and Mr. W. C. Wilkins visited Nashville last week and had a very pleasant luncheon at Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Frierson's, Glencliff, Tenn.


text:
Religious studies department hosts Jewish spirituality lecture
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Loyola press release - January 30, 2012
Loyola University New Orleans College of Humanities and Natural Sciences' Jewish Lecture Series presents leading scholar Yael Hirsch, Ph.D., in a lecture, "The Last Marranos: Examining 20th Century Jewish Converts to Christianity in Light of the Holocaust," on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in Nunemaker Auditorium. A reception preceding the lecture will begin at 6:15 p.m.
Hirsch, a visiting professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, will discuss her current research that focuses on the shifting identities of European Jews who converted to Christianity. Her work examines the lives and writings of 30 Jewish intellectuals who either converted or were pressured to convert to Christianity, as well as 30 children who were born Jewish but had to hide and convert to Christianity in order to survive during World War II. Despite exhibiting a deep Christian faith, Hirsch argues that all of these converts still considered themselves Jews after their baptism. She also questions why they were unable to leave their Jewish identities behind and investigates possible reasons they felt Jewish even after they stopped observing Judaism.
In order to find new approaches to this very old issue, Hirsch uses interdisciplinary approaches that combine history, sociology, psychology and literary critique to explore the bond remaining between the Christian converts and their Jewish identity after baptism.
Hirsch earned a degree in comparative literature from Sorbonne University and later received her doctorate in political theory from the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Her research includes religious conversion, relations between Jews and Christians and the relationship between literature and politics. Her book on Jewish converts to Christianity will be published in French later this year.
This lecture series is organized by Loyola's Department of Religious Studies and is sponsored by Susan and Bill Hess, Julian Feibelman Jr. and the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana.
For more information, contact Sara Clark at 504-865-3943 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
For the latest updates about Loyola University New Orleans, follow us on Twitter @LoyolaNOLANews or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/loyno.
LoyNews is an e-newswire produced by the Loyola University New Orleans Office of Public Affairs. LoyNews is distributed weekly to local, regional and national news media outlets, communicating the latest news and accomplishments of the university and its community.


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I suppose you to be saying that life (not just human life) is more than
physical. Is that correct? This would mean that you would reject any
nonreductive physicalism (e.g., Murphy).
Such a view is appealing to me. Indeed, it would appear to be more
radical than any ID. For not merely the designer, but the design is
more than physical science can account for. Such a view would entail, I
think, that more than intelligence is required to account for life.
It is a good position to hold. The materialist will argue that if
"every" behavior can be accounted for by a physical process that the
living are nothing but physical. What would you say to that?
On Mon, 25
May 2009, Alexanian, Moorad wrote:
> Bill,
> Let me up the ante. Purely physical processes cannot create or bring about a human being with the aid and knowledge of only the genetic code, but even life cannot so arise either. This is the fundamental point that the living cannot come from the nonliving. I suppose only God can bring this about.
> Moorad
> ________________________________________
> From: Bill Powers [email@example.com]
> Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 7:33 PM
> To: Alexanian, Moorad
> Cc: "" firstname.lastname@example.com; Cameron Wybrow; firstname.lastname@example.com
> Subject: RE: [asa] ID/Miracles/Design (Behe vs. Behe)
> Moorad:
> I have asked the same question myself. I've even suggested (for
> Biblical reasons) that if humans were to exceed some age (say 125), they
> would continue to be alive biologically, but would be dead otherwise,
> perhaps being interpreted as entailing that they have no soul, i.e., a
> zombie.
> More seriously, suppose one were to "construct" from "dirt" a human
> life. That is, suppose one were to put together chemical by chemical an
> embryo. We could imagine, in principle, this being possible, but in
> practice impossible, although perhaps there might be clever ways to come
> close.
> The question you ask is whether this would be a human. Determining
> whether it is or is not, would probably be impossible. I don't say that
> it would be impossible that there might not be evident differences. We
> could always be surprised.
> Lacking this, however, it seems that it would always be possible to
> claim that "humanness" emerges from the base properties of the
> constituted atoms and chemicals, which is just what physcialists claim
> now.
> bill
> On Mon, 25 May 2009, Alexanian, Moorad wrote:
>> Bill,
>> I do think that a living organism is more than its genetic code. The challenge would then be, can you "create" a living organism just with its genetic code? I doubt it. In the case of humans, I think the much more is not only nonphysical but also supernatural.
>> Moorad
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Bill Powers [email@example.com]
>> Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 3:11 PM
>> To: Alexanian, Moorad
>> Cc: "" email@example.com; Cameron Wybrow; firstname.lastname@example.com
>> Subject: RE: [asa] ID/Miracles/Design (Behe vs. Behe)
>> Moorad:
>> You say your point was that a living organism is more than its genetic
>> code.
>> I'm certain how much more you mean. But clearly DNA by itself is
>> impotent. The entire machinery of the cell needs to be in place
>> simultaneously. This too is inherited, and would likewise have a dark
>> history.
>> But by "more" do you mean something nonphysical?
>> bill
>> On Sun, 24 May 2009,
>> Alexanian, Moorad wrote:
>>> Bill,
>>> Physicists can turn base metals into gold via nuclear transmutation. Of course, we know that, in principle, we can change any element into gold. Similarly, one can tinker with the genetic code and go, in principle, from one to another.
>>> One then would need some sort of variational principle on the "distance in DNA space" whose local or global extremum may indicate how, for instance, the flagellum can arise.
>>> My point was that perhaps a living organism is much more than its genetic coding and so merely having a model of a "genetic transmutation" may not suffice.
>>> Moorad
>>> ________________________________________
>>> From: wjp [email@example.com]
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 4:04 PM
>>> To: "" firstname.lastname@example.com; Alexanian, Moorad
>>> Cc: Cameron Wybrow; email@example.com
>>> Subject: RE: [asa] ID/Miracles/Design (Behe vs. Behe)
>>> Moorad:
>>> I am referring to the genetic coding.
>>> I was referring to Carmeron's request of evolutionary biology
>>> "that it is up to the Darwinians to provide a
>>> plausible detailed model, showing how the flagellum could have come into
>>> existence without intelligent design."
>>> I was attempting to provide what a detailed model would look like.
>>> Such a model does not mean to say that this is how the flagellum or
>>> any other biological feature actually arose. To be able to say that
>>> would probably be impossible, given that this is a very incomplete
>>> historical science. But what ought to be able to provide is a model
>>> along the lines I have outlined.
>>> Perhaps having developed a model, one might hope that the historical
>>> record could be so interpreted to support that model.
>>> Once a detailed model or models are proposed one can begin to critically
>>> examine them along the lines proposed by ID. I don't expect a precise
>>> criticism to be possible. But, following Bayesian approaches to science,
>>> a probabilistic analysis is inherent in theory assessment.
>>> bill
>>> On Sun, 24 May 2009 12:43:03 -0400, "Alexanian, Moorad" <email@example.com> wrote:
>>>> Bill,
>>>> When you refer to the "genetic encoding," are you thinking of the
>>>> genetic encoding of a living organism or just a bunch of atoms and
>>>> molecules? Surely, how life came about is one of the hardest nuts to crack
>>>> in the whole notion of a purely physical description of all that there is.
>>>> Moorad
>>>> ________________________________________
>>>> From: firstname.lastname@example.com [firstname.lastname@example.com] On Behalf Of
>>>> wjp [firstname.lastname@example.com]
>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:47 AM
>>>> To: Cameron Wybrow
>>>> Cc: email@example.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [asa] ID/Miracles/Design (Behe vs. Behe)
>>>> Cameron:
>>>> I am one physicist, a las not a biologist, who agrees with pretty much
>>>> with your assessment of modern evolutionary theory.
>>>> However, I am certain that there does exist a determined crew of
>>>> microbiologists who are working on just the kind of results you desire.
>>>> After all, in principle, from what we think we know, the agenda appears
>>>> relatively straightforward.
>>>> 1) Determine the genetic encoding required to achieve a certain end.
>>>> 2) Begin with a certain state of genetic encoding.
>>>> 3) Using the transformations permitted by neo-darwinism, determine a
>>>> pathway from the original state to the final state.
>>>> Others, far more informed, will have to specify those tools listed in (3).
>>>> As I understand it, progress has been made in determining a number of such
>>>> tools.
>>>> I presume that, given the transformations, it is possible to find at least
>>>> one pathway from the original to final state. Indeed, it is likely that
>>>> there are many such pathways. Other constraints, or assumptions, may
>>>> eliminate some of those pathways (e.g., no known existing species at
>>>> each step of the pathway). We must, of course, specify that at each
>>>> point in the pathway the creature is viable and is capable of
>>>> reproducing.
>>>> I also presume that it cannot be show that given the original state of
>>>> genetic coding and the transformations available that the end state
>>>> cannot be achieved.
>>>> In principle, this is a tall order, I think. We could initially
>>>> develop a process without constraint, a simpler task.
>>>> Having done all this, however, we are still not done.
>>>> We must, it seems, make some attempt to evaluate the cumulative
>>>> probability
>>>> of proceeding from the original state to the final state. Additionally,
>>>> we need to make some attempt to assess our probabalistic resources.
>>>> It seems to me, then, that the task looks a lot like what ID attempts.
>>>> I don't see how to avoid it.
>>>> Ultimately, we will be faced with ID's explanatory filter.
>>>> Many who reject the task of ID think that such probabilities cannot
>>>> be computed. If not, can we say that such an evolutionary theory
>>>> is actually a science. It must at least be able to distinguish
>>>> between some pathways and others. This will be done
>>>> probabilistically.
>>>> Can such a theory ever be more than simply expressing the
>>>> confidence that the genetic coding has advanced from state A
>>>> to state B using the transformation tools assumed.
>>>> By what means, if not such probabilistic analysis, can the
>>>> science be falsified or doubted or rejected?
>>>> Such rejection, as Randy has pointed out, does not entail that the
>>>> only resource is design. It could be an heretofore unknown
>>>> anthropic law written into the universe, one that would judge
>>>> probabilities and probabilistic resources as being far greater
>>>> than our present "mechanical" model.
>>>> bill
>>>> On Sun, 24 May 2009 00:18:06 -0400, "Cameron Wybrow"
>>>> <email@example.com> wrote:
>>>>> Randy:
>>>>> This is a reply to your earlier post, not your post of tonight.
>>>>> Thank you for the kind words about my expository style. I won't reply
>>>> in
>>>>> detail to every point, so as to keep this shorter than it would
>>>> otherwise
>>>>> be, but I will take up a few points:
>>>>> 1. In reply to my recommendation of agnosticism, you wrote:
>>>>>> Agnosticism of what? From a scientific perspective, it's pretty clear
>>>>> that
>>>>>> no natural intelligence was involved. As for any other metaphysical
>>>>>> perspectives, that's a different realm.
>>>>> a. I mean agnosticism regarding the origin of something. For example,
>>>>> let's
>>>>> take the first cell. Despite nearly 60 years of research into the
>>>>> non-directed origin of life by chemical means, modern scientists still
>>>>> have
>>>>> almost no understanding of how such a thing could have occurred. So, if
>>>>> someone were to ask, "Did the first cell come into being by chance
>>>> alone,
>>>>> or
>>>>> was design somehow involved?" the proper
>>>>> answer for a scientist would be, "We don't know." I would call that a
>>>>> laudable agnosticism.
>>>>> b. On what grounds can one say, regarding the formation of the first
>>>>> cell,
>>>>> that
>>>>> "from a scientific perspective, it's pretty clear that no natural
>>>>> intelligence was involved"? Do you mean: "Science has *proved* that no
>>>>> natural intelligence was involved?" Or "Science *assumes* that no
>>>> natural
>>>>> intelligence is involved"? If the former, please give me the titles of
>>>>> books or articles where this proof can be found. If the latter, what
>>>>> justifies science in making that assumption?
>>>>> 2. You wrote:
>>>>>> Actually, I think the explanation is indeed comparable to the rigorous
>>>>> and
>>>>>> detailed manner commonly expected in physics and chemistry. But not as
>>>>>> detailed as detractors might demand.
>>>>> Randy, you've stated that your field is computers. The training of a
>>>>> computer scientist or engineer is generally not in the life sciences.
>>>> So
>>>>> isn't your belief in the rigorous and detailed character of
>>>>> macroevolutionary theory something that you have taken more or less on
>>>>> faith
>>>>> from your colleagues in the life sciences? If so, I think a little
>>>>> skepticism is in order. Let me give you some good reasons for such
>>>>> skepticism.
>>>>> I can walk into any library in just about any university in the world,
>>>> and
>>>>> pull off the shelf any number of 500-page textbooks with titles like:
>>>>> "Principles of Cantilever Construction"; "Bonding Strengths in the
>>>>> Alkynes";
>>>>> "The Nuclear Structures of the Transition Metals", etc. These are not
>>>>> works
>>>>> of speculation. They are books of information. Detailed information.
>>>>> And
>>>>> most of the information in them has been accumulated since 1859. Now,
>>>>> tell
>>>>> me where I can find a book with a title like: "From Light-Sensitive
>>>> Spot
>>>>> to
>>>>> the Camera Eye in 150 Stages: A Genetic Accounting"; or "The Origin of
>>>>> Winged Flight: A Full Set of Plausible Intermediaries, Genetically and
>>>>> Physiologically Explained, with Anatomical Drawings of Each"; or
>>>>> "A Study of Natural Selection in the Pre-Cambrian Ocean: All the Prey
>>>>> Available to the Trilobites, and All the Competitors They Faced"; or
>>>>> "Seventy-Nine Physiological Adaptations Required for Marine Lactation,
>>>> and
>>>>> How Darwinian
>>>>> Mechanisms Achieved Them". You won't find books in the library like
>>>> this,
>>>>> Randy. And the question is, why not?
>>>>> We know a hundred times more about electricity and magnetism than
>>>> Faraday
>>>>> knew, but, 150 years after Darwin, what do we "know" about how the
>>>> camera
>>>>> eye evolved that Darwin did not know? Note that Dawkins's account of
>>>> the
>>>>> evolution of the camera eye marks no advance on Darwin's. And take a
>>>> look
>>>>> at Denton's review of the literature on the origins of winged flight:
>>>>> it's
>>>>> clear that the best evolutionary theorists simply don't know how it
>>>> arose.
>>>>> And Denton's account was written more than 120 years after Darwin. I
>>>>> could
>>>>> multiply these examples at will. How do you account for this incredibly
>>>>> slow rate of progress in explanation, in comparison with the phenomenal
>>>>> rate
>>>>> of progress of the rest of science during the same time period?
>>>>> I would suggest that the slow progress comes from the nebulousness and
>>>>> imprecision of the Darwinian mechanisms; they are too broad and loose
>>>> for
>>>>> anything to be nailed down. Precisely because "mutation" and "natural
>>>>> selection" can be imagined to explain everything, they can explain
>>>>> nothing.
>>>>> Darwinian theory will never achieve what physics and chemistry have
>>>>> achieved, until it stops yammering endlessly about "mutation" and
>>>> "drift"
>>>>> and "neutral theory" and "selection" and "punctuated equilibrium" and
>>>>> other
>>>>> such broad concepts, and can nail down an exact sequence of chemical
>>>>> changes
>>>>> in the genomes and the proteins that can turn, say, a wolf into a whale.
>>>>> Until Darwinian theory can offer explanations on this level of detail,
>>>> it
>>>>> will never be rigorous science, but only science-flavoured storytelling.
>>>>> You wrote:
>>>>>> Here I must object. This is not scientific methodology in the least.
>>>>> Speaking as a scholar who has read a more than an average amount of the
>>>>> history of science, including original sources by people such as
>>>> Galileo,
>>>>> Gilbert, and Darwin, I have some idea of what scientific methodology
>>>>> requires, and I know that
>>>>> people who advocate a theory are expected to provide evidence for it.
>>>>> They
>>>>> can't simply make grand speculative claims and then sit back and defy
>>>> the
>>>>> world to disprove them. It is not enough for Darwinians to say that no
>>>>> one
>>>>> can *disprove* the possibility of the unguided evolution of the
>>>> flagellum,
>>>>> and that a Darwinian explanation for it may be found "some day". That's
>>>>> just "Darwin of the gaps", which is every bit as vacuous as "God of the
>>>>> gaps". No, I'm afraid that it is up to the Darwinians to provide a
>>>>> plausible detailed model, showing how the flagellum could have come into
>>>>> existence without intelligent design. So far, they have one plausible
>>>>> intermediate step, the Type III secretory system Where are the other
>>>>> fifty
>>>>> steps? Does Darwinism get a pass on the flagellum, on the strength of
>>>> one
>>>>> plausible intermediate step? And does it get a pass on the transition
>>>> to
>>>>> marine lactation, for which it has (I believe) zero plausible
>>>> intermediate
>>>>> steps?
>>>>> Why do none of the scientists on this list raise any of these critical
>>>>> questions about Darwinism? Why does it have to be a religion
>>>>> scholar/historian of ideas such as myself, or a sociologist like Gregory
>>>>> Arago? Where are the vaunted critical faculties of scientists in
>>>> evidence
>>>>> here? Where is the celebrated scientific skepticism about grand
>>>>> speculative
>>>>> claims? Where is the demand for details, for quantification, for
>>>> precise
>>>>> mechanisms, all of which are hallmarks of good science? Why does
>>>>> Darwinism
>>>>> get away with so little questioning, when its detailed explanatory power
>>>>> is
>>>>> so very limited?
>>>>> Is the reason for the "easy ride" given to Darwinism perhaps that, given
>>>>> modern science's commitment to a *de facto* reductionist naturalism,
>>>> *any*
>>>>> chance-and-necessity theory for the origin of the cell or the flagellum
>>>> or
>>>>> the eye, no matter how flimsy, lacking in detail, or generally
>>>>> implausible,
>>>>> is automatically better than a design inference?
>>>>> If so, I predict that Darwinian theory will never, ever improve. It has
>>>>> no
>>>>> motivation to go beyond vague qualitative generalizations if it is
>>>>> guaranteed acceptance by the mere fact that design explanations are not
>>>>> permitted. The only post office in town doesn't have to provide good
>>>>> service to stay in business. And just as the post office is often
>>>> staffed
>>>>> by surly clerks who don't work very hard (but complain that they do), so
>>>>> Darwinism is often staffed by quarrelsome, irritable men and women
>>>> (e.g.,
>>>>> Dawkins, P. Z. Myers, Eugenie Scott) who don't explain very much about
>>>> how
>>>>> evolution actually works. And just as the way to get better service in
>>>>> post
>>>>> offices is to take them out of the hands of the state, and open them up
>>>> to
>>>>> private competition, so that each entrepreneur will hire hard-working
>>>> and
>>>>> pleasant clerks, to attract more customers, so the best way to produce
>>>>> biologists who will actually roll up their sleeves and dig into the
>>>> dirty
>>>>> details of macroevolution is to hold their feet to the fire by
>>>> constantly
>>>>> comparing their results with the design inference. In such a
>>>> competitive
>>>>> atmosphere, Darwinians would have every incentive to show how Darwinian
>>>>> processes can mimic every last detail of conscious design, thus
>>>> rendering
>>>>> design a redundant hypothesis. As it is, they don't have to show a
>>>>> blessed
>>>>> thing. Like those surly post office clerks, they get their paycheques
>>>>> anyway, so why should they care how inefficient they are at producing
>>>>> detailed explanations for major macroevolutionary changes? As long as
>>>> the
>>>>> courts and the scientific establishment and the state education
>>>>> authorities
>>>>> and the textbook publishers maintain their monopoly over "origins
>>>>> science",
>>>>> they've got all the time in the world.
>>>>> Cameron.
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Randy Isaac" <email@example.com>
>>>>> To: <firstname.lastname@example.com>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:39 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [asa] ID/Miracles/Design (Behe vs. Behe)
>>>>>> Cameron, you certainly are a clear thinker and good writer. A few
>>>>>> rejoinders if I may.
>>>>>> You wrote:
>>>>>>> 1. I agree with you that the ideal situation for design detection is
>>>>> one
>>>>>>> in which we know something about the potential designer and the
>>>>> potential
>>>>>>> techniques.
>>>>>> Not just ideal but necessary. Without some degree of knowledge of the
>>>>>> characteristic of the designer or the methodology, there is nothing to
>>>>>> detect.
>>>>>>> 2. I'm not sure, however, that these conditions are strictly
>>>>> necessary.
>>>>>>> At least it is debatable whether they are. Some biological systems
>>>>> seem
>>>>>>> not only so complex, but so integrated with other complex biological
>>>>>>> systems (in such a way that they all adjust to each other in intricate
>>>>>>> and nuanced ways), that it seems almost beyond imagination that these
>>>>>>> overlapping systems could have come into existence without the aid of
>>>>>>> intelligence (the possessor of that intelligence -- aliens, God, etc.
>>>>> --
>>>>>>> being a side-question). The living cell is a more complex and more
>>>>>>> integrated set of sub-systems than any man-made computer, and none of
>>>>> us
>>>>>>> would think of arguing that the integrated complexity of a computer
>>>>> came
>>>>>>> about by chance and necessity, without the aid of intelligence.
>>>>>> This is an argument from incredulity which is extremely attractive to
>>>>> all
>>>>>> of us but not as scientists. And no, the analogy of the complexity of a
>>>>>> computer to a living cell doesn't hold up--certainly not about its
>>>>> origin.
>>>>>> I spent my career designing and building computers and I can easily
>>>>> assert
>>>>>> that computers are nowhere near the complexity of a living organism. We
>>>>>> know how computers are designed so we know it has a designer. Many of
>>>>>> them, actually. For living systems, we have no comparable indication of
>>>>>> design.
>>>>>>> You will perhaps respond that this does not amount to a formal proof.
>>>>>>> Well, I agree. But does science always require formal proofs? Does
>>>> it
>>>>>>> not sometimes settle for "the best available explanation"? And isn't
>>>>>>> "the best available explanation" in the case of a cell that some sort
>>>>> of
>>>>>>> intelligence has been at work? Couldn't design be accepted, not as
>>>>>>> proved by science, but as a provisional explanation, and as the best
>>>>>>> currently available explanation? This would leave open the
>>>> possibility
>>>>>>> that a better explanation for the origin of the cell, couched entirely
>>>>> in
>>>>>>> terms of chance and necessity, might come along, in which case the
>>>>> design
>>>>>>> explanation could be abandoned.
>>>>>> No, this is not an issue of formal proof. It isn't even a "best
>>>>> available
>>>>>> explanation." The claim that an intelligent agent is "the best
>>>> available
>>>>>> explanation" is not accurate on several counts. One, it isn't an
>>>>>> explanation. With no known agent and no known methodology, there is no
>>>>>> explanation to provide. Secondly, if that intelligent agent is
>>>>>> "supernatural" or "non-natural" then there is no plausible reason why
>>>>> such
>>>>>> "explanations" are in the same category to be compared. It seems that
>>>> it
>>>>>> would be a category error to say that it is a better explanation. It
>>>> may
>>>>>> be complementary but the "best?"
>>>>>>> 3. I agree with you when you say this:
>>>>>>>> Yet the argument hangs solely on the inability to find an alternative
>>>>>>>> (natural) explanation for this so-called "information content."
>>>>>>> True; and ID people sometimes overstate their case, when they say that
>>>>>>> Darwinian processes (or other naturalistic processes) *can't possibly
>>>>>>> have* produced the blood clotting mechanism, or the flagellum, etc.
>>>>> But
>>>>>>> on the other hand, Darwinians overstate their case when they say that
>>>>>>> Darwinian processes can explain such things.
>>>>>> Indeed, all sides of the debate unfortunately overstate their case to
>>>>> make
>>>>>> the strongest statement possible.
>>>>>>> The fact is that, to date, Darwinian
>>>>>>> processes haven't explained (in anything like rigorous detail) any
>>>>> major
>>>>>>> macroevolutionary change. And if the Darwinian processes haven't been
>>>>>>> able to do this to date, how do we know that they ever will be able
>>>> to?
>>>>>> It doesn't seem to me that this is a "fact." And who is the arbiter of
>>>>>> what level of "rigorous detail" is required to explain "any major
>>>>>> macroevolutionary change." Are you? Is the ID community? Is Dawkins?
>>>>>> Scientific methodology is hardly that stringent. The relevant "fact" in
>>>>>> this case is that evolutionary (note I'm replacing your term
>>>> "Darwinian"
>>>>>> with "evolutionary" for obvious reasons) processes have explained so
>>>>> many
>>>>>> things and successfully predicted so many discoveries and is so
>>>>>> surprisingly consistent in so many ways that the scientific community
>>>>> sees
>>>>>> it as plausible. No, not proven in a rigorous sense. But scientifically
>>>>>> profound. And that is what counts. No other theory has come anywhere
>>>>>> close. Hasn't even left home plate.
>>>>>>> Let me put this in another way. It is unwise of anyone to try to
>>>> prove
>>>>> a
>>>>>>> negative. In trying to say that "Darwinian processes couldn't
>>>> possibly
>>>>>>> have ..." ID people put too great a burden on themselves. Instead,
>>>>> they
>>>>>>> should be arguing like this: "OK, we'll grant the possibility that
>>>> the
>>>>>>> camera eye could have arisen by Darwinian processes. Now give us a
>>>>>>> hypothetical account -- *with details*." Now the onus is on the
>>>>>>> Darwinians, and they are in the hot seat. (Note: this more cautious
>>>>>>> approach is the one taken in *The Design of Life*, by Dembski and
>>>>> Wells,
>>>>>>> which does not argue that Darwinian mechanisms *cannot* explain the
>>>>>>> apparent design of life, but only that they have not come anywhere
>>>> near
>>>>>>> to explaining it.)
>>>>>> Here I must object. This is not scientific methodology in the least.
>>>> And
>>>>>> who is the authority demanding of "evolutionists" to have the "onus" of
>>>>> a
>>>>>> hypothetical account "*with details*"? There's no hot seat. Indeed,
>>>>> there
>>>>>> is a tremendous amount of detail to be discovered. That is the exciting
>>>>>> part of doing science. In grad school, my thesis advisor used to say
>>>>> that
>>>>>> the answer to a good scientific question gives rise to three more good
>>>>>> questions. It may be self-satisfying to always be demanding more and
>>>>> more
>>>>>> details before one is convinced, but the level of explanation is so
>>>>>> productive to this point that there is no reasonable point in demanding
>>>>>> "more details" before the big picture is allowed.
>>>>>>> 4. I think that this approach (#3 above) would lead, in essence, to a
>>>>>>> stalemate, in which the Darwinians would have to admit that they are
>>>>>>> nowhere near being able to explain any major macroevolutionary change
>>>>> in
>>>>>>> an adequate manner, and whereby the ID people would have to admit that
>>>>>>> they haven't disproved the Darwinian thesis or confirmed intelligent
>>>>>>> design. So where would that leave the matter? I think your own words
>>>>>>> capture it: "we don't know". And that's essentially David
>>>> Berlinski's
>>>>>>> position. He's a strong critic of Darwinism, but doesn't endorse ID.
>>>>> He
>>>>>>> says that we simply don't know how all these complex systems could
>>>> have
>>>>>>> arisen. We don't know for sure that intelligence was involved, but we
>>>>>>> certainly aren't in the position to say that intelligence couldn't
>>>>>>> possibly have been involved. The proper position, he says, is
>>>>>>> agnosticism.
>>>>>> Agnosticism of what? From a scientific perspective, it's pretty clear
>>>>> that
>>>>>> no natural intelligence was involved. As for any other metaphysical
>>>>>> perspectives, that's a different realm.
>>>>>>> 5. But note that agnosticism regarding the macroevolutionary
>>>>>>> capabilities of Darwinian mechanisms is *not* the official position of
>>>>>>> the NABT, the AAAS, the NCSE, etc. It is not the position of Dawkins
>>>>> and
>>>>>>> Coyne. It was not the position of past influential popularists like
>>>>>>> Asimov and Sagan. It is not the position of some theistic
>>>>> evolutionists,
>>>>>>> who seem sure that Darwinian means are God's chosen means for bringing
>>>>>>> about evolution. The very strong impression conveyed to the general
>>>>>>> public, by people who claim to speak in the name of "science", is that
>>>>>>> Darwinian mechanisms have been proved capable, beyond a reasonable
>>>>> doubt,
>>>>>>> of explaining the incredible complexity we see in life, and that it is
>>>>>>> only some of the clean-up work, the fussy details, that are not yet
>>>>>>> understood.
>>>>>> There is indeed much too much arrogance in the way science is often
>>>>>> portrayed in the media. Perhaps it is a characteristic of scientists
>>>> who
>>>>>> write popular books and materials. Indeed, many successful scientists
>>>>> are
>>>>>> far too arrogant. Maybe that helps them be successful. But I think most
>>>>>> scientists have a great degree of humility, knowing all too well what
>>>> we
>>>>>> don't know. Unfortunately, most scientists don't know how to convey
>>>> this
>>>>>> to the public.
>>>>>>> If the official position of "science" were "We cannot explain -- in
>>>>>>> anything like the rigorous, detailed manner commonly expected in
>>>> modern
>>>>>>> sciences such as physics and chemistry -- the origin of complex
>>>>>>> integrated biological systems, and therefore those origins remain a
>>>>>>> mystery", the creation/evolution debates would lose much of their
>>>>>>> explosive character. And if the teaching of biology in the schools
>>>>>>> reflected that healthy agnosticism, many of the constitutional and
>>>>> legal
>>>>>>> debates would go away as well.
>>>>>> Actually, I think the explanation is indeed comparable to the rigorous
>>>>> and
>>>>>> detailed manner commonly expected in physics and chemistry. But not as
>>>>>> detailed as detractors might demand. But we could benefit from more
>>>>>> humility in the presentation.
>>>>>>> 6. The problem as I see it, Randy, is that people like Eugenie Scott
>>>>> and
>>>>>>> Ken Miller and Francis Ayala and Barbara Forrest and Daniel Dennett
>>>> and
>>>>>>> Jerry Coyne and Richard Dawkins are never going to accept your
>>>>>>> intellectually modest and cautious position. What would you say to
>>>>> these
>>>>>>> people about the limits of "science" regarding the question of
>>>>>>> evolutionary mechanisms? Should it not be something roughly
>>>> equivalent
>>>>>>> to what you have said to the ID people?
>>>>>> I would hardly put those names together in one sentence. Their views
>>>>>> differ widely. I have far harsher words for Dawkins and Coyne and
>>>>> Dennett
>>>>>> than any brother and sister in Christ striving to understand God's
>>>>>> providence in our world, whether they be ID or YEC or whatever. They
>>>>>> inexcusably use science as a means to convince people that their
>>>>>> metaphysical views are true. Scott and Miller and Ayala have their own
>>>>>> respective issues but they have a more credible attempt at building
>>>>>> bridges than the other three.
>>>>>> Randy
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to firstname.lastname@example.com with
>>>>>> "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
>>>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to firstname.lastname@example.com with
>>>>> "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
>>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to firstname.lastname@example.com with
>>>> "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
To unsubscribe, send a message to email@example.com with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Mon May 25 23:46:20 2009
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.8 : Mon May 25 2009 - 23:46:20 EDT


text:
Elected and city officials announced on Monday that the eleven trailers, which house 17 classes and 105 children for PS 255, a school for special needs children, will be removed. The students will have a new home at the PS 397 building in Long Island City.
"For over 15 years, the trailers behind us have been here at the PS 151 schoolyard and left Q255 students without a permanent school building," said Councilman Costa Constantinides.
According to the councilman, though the trailers were meant to be temporary to house students due to overcrowding, the units stayed around for more than two decades. In fact, when newly-elected Woodside Assemblyman Brian Barnwell was a student at PS 151, the trailers were installed, Constantinides said.
"It's been way too long," he said.
The councilman said over the years the trailers have become old and damaged. He said they're not ideal learning spaces for students.
Starting next school year, he announced, the students at Q255 will have a permanent home. PS 397 in Long Island City, formerly the site of the Most Precious Blood Catholic School, currently houses just a pre-K program, he said.
The Department of Education will vote on the re-siting of Q255 at its April meeting of the Panel for Education Policy.
"Bringing in these students will better utilize the space in the long-term basis," Constantinides said.
The new location will include a sensory garden, early intervention programs and adapted physical education. The student-teacher ratio for Q255 will remain at six to one, he said.
While Q255 students get their new building, the trailers will be removed, which will give the school yard space back to students at PS 151.
"This plan is a win for everyone," he said. "This is a promise kept to all of our kids and this neighborhood."
Borough President Melinda Katz has focused on removing classroom trailers during her term. Her two young children's schoolyard in Forest Hills also has temporary trailers, but they will come out soon as well.
"The trailers sometimes make the population in there feel like they're not really in a school, not really in their own place," Katz said.
According to Department of Education Deputy Chancellor Elizabeth Rose, the DOE has more than $400 million in their capital plan to remove classroom trailers citywide.
Steve and Lenore Koppelman are parents at Q255. They were excited about the prospect of a new space for the school.
"When you're a child of special needs, you feel different and you want to fit in," Lenore Koppelman said. "When your friends are all going to big fancy buildings and they have gyms, it can be hard and you can feel forgotten in a trailer.
"This is a dream come true," she added.


text:
A woman suspected of having links to the family of Mexico's most wanted drug lord has been arrested in California on immigration charges, a Border Patrol spokesman said Friday.
Zulema Aracely Lindoro was stopped Monday at a Border Patrol checkpoint in San Clemente, south of Los Angeles, spokesman Paul Carr said,
A fingerprint check verified that her student visa was revoked in March for suspected ties to the family of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, authorities said.
Lindoro is identified in Border Patrol documents as a spouse of Guzman's son, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, though it was unclear if the couple is or ever was legally married.
Carr said there was no evidence to suggest Lindoro was involved in the drug trade.
Lindoro, who was born in 1990, did not acknowledge any family connection after the arrest.
Lindoro was released Tuesday on humanitarian grounds to care for her infant son and ordered to appear before an immigration judge, Carr said. She returned to Tijuana, Mexico, voluntarily on Thursday, he said.
In May, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, saying he was involved in his father's cartel.
Joanne Moore, a State Department spokeswoman, said Friday that she had no information on the arrest or possible ties to the Guzman family.
Lindoro was a passenger in a car with the infant, Carr said. The spokesman didn't know the name of the driver, who was a U.S. citizen.
The Sinaloa cartel, named after the Pacific coast state of the same name, controls trafficking along much of the U.S. border with Mexico.
Last month, a woman described by U.S. officials as a daughter of Joaquin Guzman was arrested on immigration charges at San Diego's San Ysidro port of entry on suspicion of attempting to enter the U.S. on someone else's visa.
At the time, U.S. officials said 31-year-old Alejandra Gisselle Guzman Salazar told them Guzman was her father and that she was six months pregnant. She has pleaded not guilty.